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Home » Yosemite Tours » Yosemite Backpack Trips » Yosemite Beginner Backpack Trip Itineraries

Yosemite Beginner Backpack Trip Itineraries

3 Day Yosemite Valley South Rim Trip- Pohono Trail – 11-17 miles

Wandering through meadows and majestic forests, this trail surprises hikers when the forest ends and we are looking down from a point onto the floor of Yosemite Valley below. Mostly flat and gradual downhill hiking, our only climb will be a day hike to see Taft Point. The hike ends at the base of the waterfall we camped along the first night! (Suggested start date after June 6)

Day 1 – 2-8 miles: 2 miles to camp at Bridalveil Creek (optional 4-6 mile day hike)

Day 2 – 3.5 miles to Stanford Point

Day 3 – 5 miles to Bridalveil Falls

*This is a gentle trip with 10.5-16.5 miles total, including 3000 ft descent and an optional 500 ft climb as a day hike.

3 Day Lyell Canyon Journey 18 miles (This can also be a 2 Day trip covering 11 miles)

Day 1- 5.5 miles to riverside camp (elevation gain 200 ft.)
Day 2- possible 8 mile day hike to Ireland lake (elevation gain 1,800ft.)
Day 3- 5.5 miles return to Tuolumne Meadows

This trip begins with an entire day of spectacular meadows, following the gently meandering Tuolumne River. Spend an additional day out to go swimming, fishing, or hike to a beautiful alpine lake with distant Tuolumne Meadow views. Follow the river as it flows back to your trailhead on the final day. (Suggested start date after July 31)

3 Day Indian Ridge Adventure 12 miles (This can also be a 2 Day trip covering 8 miles)

Day 1-4 miles to Ridge camp (elevation gain 700 ft.)
Day 2- 4 mile optional exploration of Basket and North Domes (elevation gain 1,000 ft.)
Day 3-4 mile return to Porcupine creek TH

Walk to the North Rim cliffs and look west upon the entire length of the gaping Yosemite Valley. Appreciate the wondrous face of Half Dome from your campsite set high on Indian Ridge. Take an additional day to wander the summits of Basket and North Dome, perched on the edge of a 3,500 foot cliff. (Suggested start date after June 6)

3 Day Mono Pass Exploration – 8 miles + Variable Mileage Day Hike  

Follow this ancient route used by native americans for many generations to cross the great Sierra Nevada. Begin your hike with a climb through volcanic mountains lit up in brilliant shades of red and purple. We set up camp on the edge of a dramatic precipice and look down on Mono Lake and the beginning of the Great Basin some 4,000 feet below. A day hike on day 2 could reveal more expansive views of the eastern deserts and western granite domes, or visit some of the many nearby lakes.

Day 1- 4 miles to Upper Sardine Lake (elevation gain 850 ft.)
Day 2- day hike to the Kuna Crest, the great eastern drop off, or nearby lakes (day hike mileage not included and will vary based on client preference)
Day 3-4 mile return to trailhead. (Suggested start date after July 31)

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