Yosemite Falls - Snow Creek Loop
Hiking/Trekking in California with Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides, Inc.
Highlights
- Experience incredible views of Yosemite Valley and Half Dome
- Expert guides with years of experience leading hikers off-trail
- Enjoy gourmet backcountry cooking
- Perfect early-season trip
Full Description
The Snow Creek Trail offers some of the best views in all of Yosemite of Half Dome and the Yosemite Valley.
We'll spend 3 days backpacking up the Yosemite Falls trail and doing a loop back to Yosemite Valley. This is a wonderful early season trip (ideal for May departures). The days are moderate-strenuous and the highlights includes some of the best views of Yosemite Valley and Half Dome in the entire Park.
Our professional guides have spent years perfecting their skills in and around Yosemite and not only look forward to showing you the mountains, but getting to know you as well.
Grade: Moderate Backpacking ~ 5-9 miles/day
Equipment: All gear is provided if reserved in advance on the registration form: sleeping bags, backpacks, tents, pads. All you need to bring is your clothes and personal items. A detailed list of what to bring and directions will be sent along with your confirmation once registered.
Meals: Your meals will include lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 3.
Preparation: Hiking in your local open space with a comfortable pack prior to the trip will help in your enjoyment as well as a gym program.
Group Size: 3-13 participants with 2 guides
Includes:
- Personal and group camping gear
- Meals as noted
- Guides
- Permits
Excludes:
- Personal gear
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips for guides (10-20% of trip fee)
Day by Day Itinerary
Pre-Departure
We recommend staying at Curry Village for night prior to your trip. The rooms are simple tent cabins but reasonable and easy to book. Call 1 801-559-4884 to reserve on your own. You could also stay at Yosemite Lodge or Ahwahnee in Yosemite Valley, Wawona Hotel or Tenaya Lodge at the South Gate or Yosemie View Lodge in El Portal or Evergreen Lodge in Groveland. Call our office for help in reserving your lodging.
Day 1
Will meet after breakfast at the Curry Village Mountain Shop. We will leave our cars here in the backpacker parking lot and take free shuttle to the trailhead. We'll backpack up the Yosemite Falls trailhead for 3.5 miles to the top of Yosemite Falls. After we enjoy the spectacular falls look-out point, we'll travel another .5 mile or so to camp. Although short mileage this first day, there is a steady steep climb most of the day and elevation gain is nearly 3,000'. In camp we'll enjoy a gourmet backcountry dinner. Lunch will be served on the trail.
Day 2
After crossing the mighty Yosemite Creek in the morning (there is a bridge!) we'll hike to the rim of the Yosemite Valley and the Yosemite Point look-out. Our route continues to climb on the Lehamite Creek trail before dropping down to our camp at Snow Creek promontory with views of Mt Watkins and Half Dome. After dinner, plan on enjoying a spectacular night of stargazing. The day's mileage is about 9 miles with ups and downs of 1800' up and 1200' down.
Day 3
After breakfast, we'll head down the Snow Creek Falls trail to Mirror Lake and Yosemite Valley. 5 miles and a 2700' down. Here we can continue the additional 2 miles back to Yosemite Lodge in beautiful Yosemite Valley or we can grab the free shuttle if we feel like it. Lunch will be served on the trail. Note: You may want to consider adding an additional day to hire a guide to hike up Half Dome after your backpack trip. We can help coordinate group rates with other backpacking members from your trip.
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.