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Route options
Route A — Remote Granite Basins
A low-traffic circuit through linked granite basins, benches, and tarns. Expect airy slab travel, ancient juniper, and camps that feel truly away from it all. Off-trail travel is frequent but moderate, with light hands-needed movement in spots.
Typical feel: quiet lakes, flowing slabs, steady elevation profiles, very few people.
Route B — High Country lakes & Sierra Crest
Begin on well-built trail into an alpine lake basin, then push deeper via a cross-country link toward a broad high-country plateau near the Sierra crest. If conditions align, we may use an informal cross-country saddle for broader views. No technical climbing, but a touch more commitment and punchier terrain in places.
Typical feel: familiar approach gives way to wilder basins, broader views, and some punchier terrain in spots.
There are two equally rewarding ways we may travel this trip. We select the route based on permits, conditions, and group fit. Final route is usually confirmed about three months before the trip. Both options stay within Level 2 character and difficulty, and are further tailored while in the backcountry in response to conditions and participant preferences.
Is this trip right for you?
This is a Level 2 Explorations trip for hikers who want more remote terrain, off-trail navigation, and a longer stay in the high country. Prior backpacking experience is not strictly necessary, but you should be a strong hiker and comfortable camper.
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.
You’re a good fit if you can:
Hike 8–10 miles on uneven terrain
Climb and descend up to ~2,000 feet in a day at altitude
Carry a 30–35 lb pack for several hours (I can help you get even lighter if you want)
Move confidently on slabs, talus, and scrubby high country
Engage in route choice and navigation in real time
Consider a Level 1 trip instead if you:
Are new to hiking or have never camped overnight
Have recurring knee, ankle, or balance issues on uneven ground
Feel nervous traveling at altitude far from the road
Want a mellow, mostly on-trail experience with lots of downtime
Why your guide loves this trip
Yosemite’s high country is one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve left it. The granite feels alive under your feet, the light at dawn and dusk feels specific to this place, and each basin has its own quiet rhythm. I love guiding this trip because we leave the obvious lines and get into spaces that feel really wild: open slabs, quiet meadows, and bowls of water that reflect the sky like mirrors. These trips help you learn to feel your way through these mountains.
On this trip we move through:
Forested shelves and mixed montane woods that ease us toward higher terrain
Quiet granite basins with reflective lakes and tarns
Open slabs and benches that reward careful route choice
High shoulders and gentle ridgelines with broad views into the Sierra crest
Across four 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 yet thoughtful pace, with time to notice the geological story written into the rock
Conversations about how these landscapes were shaped and what it feels like to be in them
Downtime at camp that lets you actually live in the high country instead of just passing through
The aim of this trip is not to race from place to place, but to walk calmly through big terrain, pay attention, and deepen your confidence in reading wild country.
What you’ll learn on this trip
Better backpacking is simple: carry the essentials, keep systems clean, and pay attention. At Level 2 we add terrain, navigation, and judgment.
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 four days, we’ll:
Refine an ultralight kit for true high-country conditions
Learn how to identify the best campsites and in order to manage cold, wind, and weather windows
Move efficiently over slabs, meadows, talus, and short scrambly sections
Build off-trail navigation fundamentals: reading contours, spotting benches and saddles, using landmarks, and staying oriented
Talk through route choices as we go: when to commit, when to back off, how to manage energy, weather, and risk
Deepen your sense of place: glaciers and granite, water and plants, and how the terrain shapes the lines we walk
You don’t need to show up knowing any of this but some familiarity will help us go deeper. 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 these itineraries to help us go farther, get deeper, and practice off-trail skills.
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 2 Explorations range.
Route A — Remote Granite Basins 👇
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We’ll meet early at the trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows where we’ll pack our gear and review the plan for the day. After an invigorating climb, we’ll eat lunch beside the first of several Sierra lakes we’ll see on our trip. As we continue beyond the lake we’ll leave the official trail behind, picking our way through dense pines and over exposed granite slopes. Once over the pass, the views become more expansive and the sense of adventure builds as we make our way to camp near a lake that feels like the center of the map.
Hiking distance: about 7 miles
Elevation gain / loss: ~2,000 feet gain / ~1,000 feet loss
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
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As we rise with the sun we’ll discuss our plan for the day. Today’s hiking will be with lighter packs as we leave our tents set up in basecamp and set off cross country towards a secluded nearby lake. From there, we’ll climb a pass to open up expansive views and decide together whether or not we want to scramble up a nearby peak. We’ll make our way back to camp in the afternoon, allowing plenty of time for swimming, relaxing, or even taking a nap before another hearty dinner.
Hiking distance: 5 to 7 miles
Elevation gain / loss: ~1,000 ft gain / ~1,000 ft loss
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Rising early, we’ll enjoy hot coffee and a hearty breakfast as the high country awakens around us. Today’s route will be entirely cross-country as we learn to read the rugged landscape and find the most ideal path to our next campsite. As we near our destination, we’ll walk beneath the gnarled and twisted spectacle of thousand-year-old Sierra juniper trees clinging to white granite slopes. But the highlight is near the end as we approach the an iconic crest that cuts like a granite knife through the sky. Our day-to-day lives may feel especially distant and small tonight as we bask beneath a canopy of stars.
Hiking distance: 4 to 5 miles
Elevation gain / loss: ~1,000 feet gain / ~800 feet loss
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
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Another early morning so we watch the sunrise light the granite crest first in pink, then yellow, then blazing white. Today’s hike back to our cars is our longest, but it’s also mostly downhill. As we navigate back to the famous John Muir Trail and pass more iconic peaks, we’ll have more opportunities to dip into refreshing lakes. Eventually we’ll return to our cars filled with the type of gratitude only time in the secluded Yosemite high country can provide.
Hiking distance:
7.4 miElevation gain / loss:
~700 feet gain / ~1,800 feet lossMeals included:
Breakfast, Lunch
Route B — High Country lakes & Sierra Crest👇
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We’ll meet near Tuolumne Meadows, gear up, and start our climb on well-built trail into a high-country lake basin. The landscape opens early: lodgepole pines give way to airy granite, polished creek crossings, and a chain of cold, clear lakes tucked beneath high walls. We’ll scout around for the best camp together and watch the alpenglow light up the Sierra Crest.
Hiking distance: About 7 miles
Elevation gain / loss: ~2,000 feet gain / about 800 feet loss
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
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Rising early, we’ll enjoy hot coffee and a hearty breakfast as the high country awakens around us. Today’s route will depend on the conditions and our moods. After breaking down camp, we’ll likely head off-trail towards a long narrow lake. We’ll arrive early enough to set up camp and don lighter packs for a scramble up a nearby pass. The sun will set earlier tonight behind the high granite around us.
Hiking distance: 5 to 8, all off-trail
Elevation gain / loss: ~1,500 gain / ~1,000 loss
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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We’ll break down camp again and head cross country to a higher lake basin with spectacular views. Our new route-finding skills will help us pick the best line as we move through the landscape. Depending on the group’s energy, we may have more time to linger and soak in the sights, or we’ll head downhill to cut some miles from our last day’s return.
Hiking distance: 3 to 6 miles
Elevation gain / loss: Modest gain / loss depends on how far we descend
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Our last morning in Yosemite’s high country. After practicing our systems, we’ll likely be more efficient this morning. We may use the extra time to sit quietly as the world wakes up around us. The hike back to our cars today will be all on-trail and mostly downhill, with amazing views with every step.
Hiking distance: 8.0 miles or less
Elevation gain / loss: modest gain / ~2,000 feet loss
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: 3 / 5
This trip will be most enjoyable if you’re already a strong day hiker and ideally have at least one overnight backpacking trip under your belt. Elevations will be high, so acclimatizing the day(s) before your trip will help you drop into the experience much more quickly.
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: 4 days, 3 nights
Average daily distance: roughly 6 to 8 miles
Maximum daily distance: up to around 7 to 8 miles, depending on route
Average daily elevation gain: around 1,200 to 1,600 feet
Terrain: well maintained trails, mostly dirt, with some roots and rocks. Off-trail sections will be across granite slabs or soft grasses with a few steeper ascents and light scrambling.
Exposure to heights: moderate in spots, especially while scrambling, but no technically climbing
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 11,000+ 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 4. 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
Getting out on the trail with Alex is an incredible experience. Because of Alex's experience in the Sierra the routes are epic, well planned, and you get the rewarding experience of being a seasoned backpacker even if it's just your first time out. I have taken two trips, and even though I know how to do this on my own now, I still value the experience Alex brings and want to join his trips to follow the epic routes. The experience is well worth the cost.
— Kirk V. from San Carlos, CA
What an adventure with Wilder Walks and Alex in the wilderness of Yosemite! Alex is the ultimate backpacking guide; akin to John Muir, filled with hands-on expertise, firsthand knowledge, and timely insights that brought about the adventure I sought for my son and me.
— Spencer L. from Northbrook, IL
