Yosemite Valley Trip Overview
For the hiker wanting to see it all, the Yosemite Icons trip offers stunning views of Yosemite’s most famous landmarks from rarely seen perspectives. Experience the adrenalin rush of peering over the sheer 3,000 foot face of El Capitan –the mecca of rock climbers around the world. Feel the mist of the roaring Yosemite Falls as you stand over the water plunging nearly 1500 feet to the pool below making it one of the tallest free-falling waterfalls in the world. Have lunch while gazing down on the granite bubble North Dome and relax while watching the sunset on the valley from Eagle Peak. This is a bucket list backpacking trip that lets you get up close and personal with scenes most people only see on postcards in the gift shop.
Cancellations are governed by our standard cancellation policy. See our website for details.
Additional Info
Duration: 5 days
Starts: Yosemite Valley, United States
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> Hiking & Camping
Explore Yosemite Valley Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Yosemite Valley, California, United States
For the hiker wanting to see it all, the Yosemite Icons trip offers stunning views of Yosemite’s most famous landmarks from rarely seen perspectives. Experience the adrenalin rush of peering over the sheer 3,000 foot face of El Capitan –the mecca of rock climbers around the world. Feel the mist of the roaring Yosemite Falls as you stand over the water plunging nearly 1500 feet to the pool below making it one of the tallest free-falling waterfalls in the world. Have lunch while gazing down on the granite bubble North Dome and relax while watching the sunset on the valley from Eagle Peak. This is a bucket list backpacking trip that lets you get up close and personal with scenes most people only see on postcards in the gift shop.
Cancellations are governed by our standard cancellation policy. See our website for details.
Itinerary
Day 1: Meetup
Stop At: Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, CA
Meet your guide in Half Dome Village at 3:00 PM. While staying in the Yosemite Valley backpacker’s camp you will get acquainted with the group, gear and trip logistics. Once camp is set up, you are free to explore short Yosemite Valley hikes per the recommendation of the guide. Eat dinner at one of the park’s numerous restaurants. (Food is not provided while in the front-country.) Yosemite Valley is at roughly 4,000′ in elevation.
Duration: 9 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Yosemite Valley Backpackers Campground
Day 2: Yosemite Falls
Stop At: Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
We will get a casual start and stop by the Yosemite Lodge for a quick coffee and breakfast before heading up 3.2 miles up one of Yosemite’s most classic trails out of the Valley gaining ~2,500 feet ascending to the top of Yosemite Falls. This trail, despite being a strenuous climb, provides excellent views of Half Dome, Glacier Point and Yosemite Valley. From the top you will have the opportunity to watch the falls plummet thousands of feet to the pools below. From here, we will hike about another half mile and set up camp next to the babbling Yosemite Creek at an elevation of about 6820′.
Miles: ~4.6 Elevation: +~2,820
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Backcountry Camping along Yosemite Creek
Day 3: El Capitan
Stop At: El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, CA
Wake up to a delicious breakfast, before packing a considerably lighter day pack and hiking up about 800 feet over 4.5 miles to El Capitan where you can experience the summit of the world’s largest granite monolith without taking the hard route climbing up the face. If you’re lucky, you may even see one of Yosemite’s world famous rock climbers topping out after days on the wall. After lunch at the top, we will descend 4.5 miles back to our camp and maybe even head over to Eagle Peak for sunset if time allows.
Miles: ~8.4 Elevation: +~800ft. -~800ft. (optional additional hike to Eagle Peak)
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Backcountry Camping along Yosemite Creek
Day 4: North Dome
Stop At: North Dome, Tioga Pass Road, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Today will be our longest day as we will leave camp in the morning and climb up to Yosemite Point—a famous viewpoint within the park showcasing Half Dome, the Valley and the dramatic Clark Range. We will then hike 5 miles ascending ~1,000 feet along the rim of Yosemite Valley and enjoy ever changing views of the granite below. Finally, we will continue another 5 miles along Indian Ridge past Basket Dome and Indian Rock to the Snow Creek Junction then down to our campsite where will catch the sun setting on the looming face of Half Dome. Our campsite tonight is at approximately 6,720′.
Miles: ~10 miles Elevation: +~1,720; -~1,700
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Backcountry camping across the Valley from Half Dome
Day 5: Descent
Stop At: Yosemite Valley, 9035 Village Dr, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389-9912
We will descend 2.5 miles and about 2,600 feet in the final morning. Along the way you’ll get spectacular views of Half Dome before arriving at the Valley floor. We will then hike along the Tenaya Creek past Mirror Lake as we make our way back to Half Dome Village. Typically we end this trip between 11am-1pm. Miles: ~5 Elevation: -~2,600ft.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.
