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Is this trip right for you?
This is a Level 1 Essentials trip. Although it’s a bit more difficult than the Point Reyes Coastal Essentials trip due to the elevation, it’s still designed as an accessible, beginner friendly introduction to backpacking.
If you are unsure which trip or level is best, read more about our Trip Levels & Difficulty or contact me and we’ll figure it out together.
This trip is ideal if:
You are new to backpacking or have only done one or two trips
You are comfortable with day hikes of 6 to 8 miles with some hills
You can handle up to about 2,000 feet of climbing in a day without it feeling like a crisis
You can carry a backpack that weighs about 25 to 30 pounds for several hours
You are curious about backpacking in the High Sierra and want to understand what you are doing out there, even if your main goal is simply to have an amazing trip
You are open to hiking and sleeping between roughly 8,600 and 10,600 feet and understand that it might feel a bit harder than sea level
This trip can also work well for:
Parent and teen pairs
Couples where one partner is newer to backpacking
Friends with mixed experience levels, as long as everyone can walk at a steady pace
If you already have several multi day trips under your belt and are craving more distance, altitude, or off-trail exploration, you may be happier on a Level 2 trip.
Why your guide loves this trip
Yosemite is famous for Half Dome and El Capitan, but the soul of the park lives in its high country. Long meadows, bright granite domes, and quiet basins sit above the valley walls and feel like a different world.
On this trip we move through:
Montane forests of lodgepole pine and red fir
Lush meadows threaded with clear streams and summer wildflowers
Open granite slabs, plateaus, and ridgelines with wide views of the Cathedral Range, Kuna Crest, and surrounding peaks
Across three days you can expect:
Early and late light on granite and meadow with that particular High Sierra glow
Starry night skies far from the valley lights
A steady but not frantic pace, with time to notice plants, birds, and the geological story written into the rock
Conversations about Yosemite’s natural and human history, including Indigenous presence, settler expansion, and national park conservation
The aim is not to tick a single famous landmark. The aim is to feel what it is like to live in the High Sierra for a few days and understand how its ecosystems fit together.
What you’ll learn on this trip
This trip is built around better backpacking essentials so that by the end you feel more capable and comfortable planning your own trips or stepping up to a Level 2 experience.
All Wilder Walks trips are hands-on and participatory. Learn more about what to expect before and during your trip.
This trip will be guided by me, Alex, the owner of Wilder Walks. Learn more about me and my guiding style.
Over three days, we’ll:
Simplify gear down to a light, essential kit so you can feel the difference between hauling a burden and just walking in the mountains
Walk through how to pack and adjust an ultralight backpack so it feels like a natural extension of your body
Learn how to set up and break down camp efficiently, including campsite selection, tent placement, sleep systems, and simple routines that keep evenings calm instead of chaotic
Cover how to layer clothing and manage sun, wind, and afternoon clouds in a high country environment
Practice basic map reading and on trail navigation, using the landscape and junctions to keep track of where you are without staring at a screen
Talk about pacing and energy management on climbs and at altitude so the days feel like a long walk, not a sufferfest
Practice Leave No Trace in a high elevation ecosystem and what it means to be a respectful visitor in Yosemite
You don’t need to show up knowing any of this. We will start from wherever you are, talk through everything in plain language, practice together, and repeat key skills so they stick.
Trip Itinerary
We designed this itinerary to balance hiking, time in camp, and opportunities to learn.
For this Yosemite High Country trip we typically use two main routes that fit the Level 1 Essentials band:
Meadows and Muir loop that follows the John Muir Trail up Lyell Canyon, climbs to a high plateau near Vogelsang, and returns via Rafferty Creek
Young Lakes basecamp trip that hikes into Lower Young Lake, spends a layover day exploring the Young Lakes basin, and hikes out via a different trail when conditions allow
The exact route for this trip will depend on permit availability, conditions, and the needs of the group. When you book, we’ll share which route we are aiming for and update you as permits are confirmed. In all cases, we keep the overall character and difficulty of the trip within the Level 1 Essentials range.
Route A — Meadows and Muir Trail Loop 👇
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Our first day follows a gentle stretch of the John Muir Trail as it climbs up Lyell Canyon. We walk through wide meadows, follow the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River, and stay mostly in the trees with views opening up toward the Kuna Crest.
We take time to get comfortable with hiking at altitude, adjust packs, and begin talking about the High Sierra ecosystems we are walking through.
Hiking distance: about 6 miles
Elevation gain / loss: 500 ft gain / modest ft loss
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
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Today is the main climb of the trip. We leave Lyell Canyon and head uphill through montane forest toward Vogelsang and the higher plateau.
As we gain elevation, the forest thins and the views expand. We pass small tarns and meadows, see more granite slabs, and get our first wide panoramas of the high country. Near Vogelsang, we camp in classic High Sierra terrain that is open and airy, ringed by peaks.
In camp we practice skills, talk about high elevation weather and layering, and watch light move across the surrounding peaks.
Hiking distance: 6 to 7 miles
Elevation gain / loss: up to about 1,900 ft gain / moderate loss
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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On the final day, we descend from the plateau and follow Rafferty Creek back toward Tuolumne Meadows.
The hiking is mostly downhill with some rolling sections, with views back up into the high country and plenty of chances to notice how the forest and meadows shift with elevation. We finish near our starting point, debrief what you learned, and talk about ideas for your next trip.
Hiking distance: 7 to 8 miles
Elevation gain / loss: modest gain / about 1,700 ft loss
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Route B — Young Lakes Basecamp 👇
When permits, conditions, or group needs point us toward Young Lakes, the structure is similar but with a basecamp and day hike format instead of a full loop.
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We hike from a Tuolumne trailhead through lodgepole forest and open granite, climbing steadily toward a basin holding the Young Lakes chain.
We set up camp near Lower Young Lake, surrounded by peaks and classic granite scenery. The rest of the day is for settling into camp, dialing in tent and kitchen systems, and taking in the scenery.
Hiking distance: 6 to 7 miles
Elevation gain / loss: just under 2,000 ft gain / about 800 ft loss
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
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Today is a day hike from camp. With lighter packs, we explore up to Middle and Upper Young Lake and, if conditions and group energy allow, possibly a nearby ridge or high point for bigger views.
We tailor distance to the group, focusing on moving well, staying present, and enjoying time near the water and in open granite country.
Hiking distance: 3 to 8 miles with a light pack, depending on route and group choice
Elevation gain / loss: varies with route
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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We break down camp and hike back toward Tuolumne Meadows, using either the same trail or a different one if conditions allow. The views on the way back will somehow seem even more spectacular. We return by mid to late afternoon, collect any borrowed gear, and say goodbye.
Hiking distance: 6 to 7 miles
Elevation gain / loss: mostly downhill with some rolling sections
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
What’s included
Comprehensive backpacking instruction: virtual pre-trip preparation, on-trail coaching on essential backpacking skills, and interpretation of local natural history
State of the art ultralight backpacking gear including shelter, sleep system, pack, and cooking system for those who need it, with total base weight under 10 pounds (not including food and clothing)
Lightweight, nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners from Dinner on Day 1 through Lunch on Day 3, plus hot coffee and tea each morning
All group gear including a fully stocked camp kitchen, water filters, and group first aid kit
All necessary permits and campsite fees
5% donation to Big City Mountaineers, helping fund backpacking trips for California youth
A small, supportive group and a guide focused on your learning and experience
What’s not included
Clothing, footwear, and other personal items
Personal snacks for the trail
Transportation to and from the meeting place
Yosemite National Park entrance fees
Trip insurance (highly recommended)
You will receive detailed guidance on clothing, footwear, and snacks during pre trip preparation.
Trip difficulty & fitness
The difficulty of this trip is rated: 2+ / 5
You don’t need prior backpacking experience. You do need enough fitness to enjoy the days rather than just survive them, and you should be prepared for the added effort of hiking at altitude.
You can learn more about how we rate trip difficulty. If you’re unsure about whether this trip is right for you, contact Alex and we’ll figure it out together.
At a glance
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Average daily distance: roughly 6 to 7 miles
Maximum daily distance: up to around 7 to 8 miles, depending on route
Average daily elevation gain: around 900 to 1,200 feet
Terrain: well maintained trails, mostly dirt, with some roots and rocks. The Young Lakes route may offer opportunities for light off-trail rambling
Exposure to heights: low, high elevation but minimal steep drop offs right next to the trail
Weather & bug exposure: strong sun at altitude, possible afternoon clouds or storms, possible mosquitoes in the evenings or near water
Elevation range: approximately 8,600 to 10,600 feet
Trip logistics
Meeting place
We will meet at the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center in Yosemite National Park.
You’ll be able to enter the park for this trip using the wilderness permit associated with our itinerary. For arrivals more than 24 hours before the trip start, you may need a separate reservation or to enter during off-peak hours. Exact details will be provided in your pre trip materials.
Starting & Ending time
Plan to meet at the meeting place by 8:00 AM on the first day of your trip.
We aim to return to the trailhead by around 4:00 PM on Day 3. Actual time can vary with conditions and group pace. If you have same day travel plans, build in some buffer.
Getting there
You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the meeting place. We’ll share suggestions for nearby lodging and campgrounds after you book.
What to expect after you book
After you reserve your spot and submit your deposit:
You will receive a booking confirmation and receipt by email.
Within a few days, you will receive a comprehensive trip information packet with a detailed packing list, training suggestions, and logistics overview.
We’ll schedule the virtual pre-trip preparation sessions where we’ll cover the essentials of proper preparation including our route, what to expect, what to bring, and how to get ready.
“Alex’s thorough pre-trip preparation was top-notch. I felt confident in our gear, route, and options to adjust for weather as we went along”
What past hikers have said
We took our two teenage sons and had an incredible time. The experience is a fully immersive trek into Yosemite that gives you access to remote parts of the park you'd never see on your own. We saw only a few other hikers during our trip. The views are unparalleled and the change in scenery as you hike up makes you feel like each day you discover something new. For those who are apprehensive because they haven't done it before -- go for it. Alex will make it work for you. For those who are experienced, he'll help you level-up. This is a wholehearted recommendation for an amazing experience!
— Amy W. from Washington D.C.
Alex at Wilder Walks made this trip so easy! We had plenty of time to train and prepare for our trip. Using a gear list to make sure we had the right stuff for our packs. The lightweight gear provided to us was very nice!!!! Not the heavy backpacking gear we used 20 years ago! We hiked at a good pace that our group could handle. This was a fantastic trip that I'll never forget!!
— Chuck P. from Portland, OR
