Yosemite Grand Traverse with Horsepack Support

Check in at the Fairfield Inn & Suites located next to the Fresno Air Terminal anytime after 4pm. Meet your guide(s) and group in the lobby at 6pm for a brief orientation. Dinner is on your own at the Hotel.

After an early complimentary breakfast, our shuttle will meet us at 7am to drive to the remote trailhead (7,100′), about a 3-hour drive. The hike to our first camp will be roughly 6 miles to Knoblock Meadow. That evening there may be time to explore while your guide(s) prepare dinner. The day ends with evening stargazing. 

6 miles, Elevation: +1800’/ -300’

We’ll pack up camp early this morning with our sights set on Isberg Pass (10,500’). After passing through a high lakes basin, we’ll surmount the pass itself, which marks the official border of Yosemite. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a lakeside camp at the headwaters of the Merced River, surrounded by picturesque 11-12,000 foot peaks.

8 miles, Elevation: +2300’/ -800’

Today’s hike is a grand downhill, through the creek drainages that eventually form the mighty “Wild and Scenic Merced River”. Views of the Clark Range are abundant and there are plenty of beautiful meadows, waterfalls and swimming holes to distract us. The day’s hike drops us 2,500′ over roughly 9 miles and we’ll camp along the Merced River.

6.8 miles, Elevation: +150’/-2300′

This morning we’ll continue following the Merced past the famous high camp and into Echo Valley. From there, we’ll regain our lost elevation as we traverse large granite ridges enjoying spectacular views of Little Yosemite Valley along the way. The trail eventually leads to the Sunrise Creek area, positioning us below Cloud’s Rest in preparation for an early start tomorrow.

10.5 miles, Elevation: +1565’/ -1385′

We’ll be up and out of camp early to begin making our way to the top of Cloud’s Rest (9,926). We’ll reach the summit by late morning, and will have plenty of time to enjoy the stunning views of our route and of Tenaya Canyon 4,000 feet below. The peak itself is a side trip off of the main trail, 3.6 miles round-trip. In the afternoon we’ll continue on to our camp at Sunrise Lakes where we will have time to relax, clean up and enjoy camp.

8-8.5 miles, Elevation Gain and Loss: +2746′ / -1591′ including the summit side-trip.

Our second to last day we’ll connect with the famous John Muir Trail in the Tuolumne region of Yosemite. We’ll pass some stunning alpine meadows and otherworldly glaciated peaks on our way to what many guides consider to be the most beautiful spot in Yosemite, Cathedral Lake (9,600′). We’ll have time in the afternoon to explore the area via one of several off-trail routes, or just relax and enjoy the swimming and stunning views from the lakeside camp. 6miles plus an optional excursion in the afternoon.

6 miles, Elevation: +1322’/-896′

After breakfast, we’ll pack up camp one last time and head out the remaining 4 miles to the trailhead at Tuolumne Meadows in Northern Yosemite. We’ll be meeting our shuttle here mid morning for a scenic drive through the park back to Fresno. Expect a 5-6pm return to Fresno.

3.7 miles, Elevation Gain & Loss: +230 / -1293′