Half Dome Backpacking Weekend
Hiking/Trekking in California with Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides, Inc.
Highlights
- Expert guides with years of experience leading hikers off-trail
- Summit Half Dome
- Follow the famous Mist Trail
- Perfect long weekend getaway
- Experience two waterfalls; Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls
- Stunning views of Yosemite Valley
- Gourmet backcountry cooking
Full Description
This four-day adventure offers up a memorable sample platter of the best that Yosemite National Park has to offer.
We'll start with staying the first night in Yosemite Valley in the Curry Village tent cabins. We'll get up early the next morning and start our backpack along the Merced River. Our route follows the famous Mist Trail, starting at Happy Isles, where we'll pass Vernal and Nevada Falls before staying the night in Little Yosemite Valley.
We'll set up camp and relax while enjoying a wonderful night of stargazing in the Yosemite back country. The next morning we'll get an alpine start and begin our journey up the world-famous Half Dome, Yosemite's most iconic feature. After enjoying lunch on the summit, we hike back down to camp, were we'll relax while taking a refreshing swim in the Merced River, have dinner and campfire after an incredible day in the High Sierra. The next morning we'll pack up camp and casually hike down the famous and historic John Muir Trail back to Yosemite Valley.
Accommodations: First night in the Curry Village tent cabins (shared occupancy) followed by two nights camping in tents.
Equipment: SYMG will supply all necessary group backpacking and camping equipment. SYMG can also provide any personal backpack equipment (backpacks, sleeping bags, ground pads, tents) if requested on the registration form. There is no additional charge for this service.
Meals: Meals begin with lunch on day 2 and are provided through lunch on day 4. Our "Backcountry Gourmet" meals have been acclaimed in Sunset Magazine.
Preparation: We recommend increasing your exercise routine in the month prior to the trip to increase your cardiovascular/aerobic ability. Hiking, with a backpack, preferably on hills and off pavement is excellent practice.
Group Size: 2-13 participants with 1-2 guides.
Includes:
- Accommodations at Curry Village
- Meals provided
- Backpacking gear
- Group gear (bear cans, stoves first aid, etc.)
- Permit and guide(s)
Excludes:
- Personal gear
- Tips for guides (10-20% of trip fee)
- Transportation
- Single occupancy supplement
- Trip cancellation insurance
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
Check in at the Curry Village tent cabins is 5pm. After dinner on your own plan on meeting your guide in front of the Yosemite Mountain Shop in Curry Village at 7:00pm. Your guide will go over the trip's itinerary and cover any last minute details or questions you may have.
Day 2
After breakfast on your own, you will meet your guide in front of the Yosemite Mountain Shop in Curry Village at 7:30am. We'll hike the famous Mist Trail past the Vernal and Nevada waterfalls to our campsite at Little Yosemite Valley on the wild and scenic Merced River. Elevation gain is 2100' to 6140' over 5.3 miles.
Day 3
Beginning early in the morning, we'll eat breakfast then begin our hike and climb to the summit of Half Dome at 8,847' above sea level, with spectacular views of the entire Yosemite backcountry. After we hike back down to camp, a refreshing swim in the Merced River, dinner and stargazing round after an incredible day in the High Sierra. 8.8 miles round trip.
Day 4
After a leisurely, hearty breakfast, we'll hike down the famous John Muir Trail back to the Yosemite Valley. 6 miles. Expect an early afternoon arrival back to Valley.
About The Operator:
Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides, Inc.
Headquarters:
Bass Lake, California
Established:
January 1991
Voted by National Geographic Advenutre Magazine in 2007-2009 "Best Outfitter Earth" and the "Best Adventure Travel Company," Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides has shown thousands of people the beauty of the mountains and wild places in Yosemite National Park, the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness, Sequoia & Kings Canyon Nat'l Parks, and the Eastern Sierra region. SYMG is a leader in the active travel and mountain guiding world, providing carefully planned and operated trips and programs in the most spectacular Wilderness areas ofCalifornia. Programs and courses include hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and fly fishing; and haven't changed much over the years.
There's a reason for this. The style of trip offered, the locations and times of the year in which the trips or courses run, the types of meals chosen, itineraries, and your guides; all contribute to the quality of your experience. Our trips are highlighted in the following pages. Visit Our Trips for daily itineraries, gear lists, and reviews. Visit Reservations for availability and registration. Or, call our office and talk with us. We look forward to speaking with you, and meeting you soon.
Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides, Inc operates under special use permits in Sierra National Forest, Inyo National Forest, Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park, and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks and is a bonded and licensed fly fishing guide service with the CA Department of Fish and Game. All SYMG rock courses are instructed by certified PCGI instructors and AMGA trained guides. SYMG is also a proud member of Trout Unlimited, the Worldwide Outfitters and Guides Association, and the Sierra Club.