Itinerary
- Day 1
Yosemite Valley
Meet your guide at 6PM on the patio of Curry Village in front of the Yosemite Mountain Shop. After an orientation meeting, you'll head to Backpackers Camp near Tenaya Creek. Grab dinner at Curry Village or in camp to get settled before the adventure starts.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at Curry Village or in camp)
Included Activities
- Orientation meeting with professional Yosemite hiking guide
Landmarks Curry Village Yosemite Valley Tenaya Creek 
- Day 2
Tuolumne Meadows to Ireland Creek
You'll hike 6 miles through Tuolumne Meadows, following the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River past wide meadows and granite formations. The 420 feet of elevation gain means taking it slow to adjust to the high Sierra air. Camp comes next along the Tuolumne River banks, where you'll have dinner under the stars and Milky Way.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hiking in Tuolumne Meadows (6 miles, 420 feet elevation gain, 230 feet elevation loss)
Landmarks Tuolumne Meadows Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River Lyell Canyon Mammoth Peak Kuna Crest Cathedral Range - Day 3
Ireland Creek to Vogelsang Lake
Start early with breakfast, then tackle the hardest day. You're hiking up Ireland Creek with 2,000 feet of elevation gain over 3 miles to reach 10,850 feet. After you catch your breath, descend to Evelyn Lake for lunch with views of peaks over 11,000 feet. Then continue 2 more miles to camp near Vogelsang Lake at 10,300 feet, where you'll see views looking down on Half Dome's summit.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast as preparation for hike), Lunch (Filling, well-earned lunch at Evelyn Lake), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hiking to Cathedral Range high peaks (7.0 miles, 2,100 feet elevation gain, 680 feet elevation loss)
- Breakfast
Landmarks Ireland Creek Cathedral Range Evelyn Lake Johnson Peak Rafferty Peak Fletcher Peak Parsons Peak Vogelsang Lake Half Dome - Day 4
Vogelsang Lake Layover
This is your rest day to recover and explore on your own terms. The morning works for swimming in the lake or a short hike up to Vogelsang Pass. If you're feeling more energy, try summiting Vogelsang Peak at 11,516 feet. After lunch, you can head to Emeric Lake or just relax around camp. Your last dinner in the high country comes as alpenglow colors the mountains in pink, purple, and rose.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Last dinner in the high country)
Included Activities
- Layover day with optional activities: lake swimming, hiking to Vogelsang Pass, Vogelsang Peak summit attempt, or hike to Emeric Lake
Optional Activities
- Short hike to Vogelsang Pass
- Summit attempt on Vogelsang Peak (11,516 feet)
- Hike to Emeric Lake
Landmarks Vogelsang Lake Vogelsang Pass Vogelsang Peak Emeric Lake - Day 5
Vogelsang Lake to Tuolumne Meadows
Start early with coffee and hot breakfast before the 9.4-mile trek back to Tuolumne Meadows. An initial 3-mile ascent to Tuolumne Pass gives way to all-downhill hiking after that. You'll follow Rafferty Creek through open meadows until it joins the Lyell Fork in lodgepole forest, then a short 1.1-mile level walk gets you back to the trailhead. Celebrate finishing the High Sierra Loop with ice cream from the Tuolumne Meadows store.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Steaming cup of coffee and hot breakfast for early start), Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided hiking back to Tuolumne Meadows trailhead (9.4 miles, 930 feet elevation gain, 1,550 feet elevation loss)
Landmarks Tuolumne Pass Rafferty Creek Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River Tuolumne Meadows
