Itinerary
- Day 1
Yosemite Valley
You'll arrive at Curry Village in Yosemite Valley by 6PM and meet your guide at the Yosemite Mountain Shop. After going through an orientation meeting, head to Backpackers Camp near Tenaya Creek to get settled in. Dinner happens either back at Curry Village or at camp, depending on timing and what works best for the group.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Orientation meeting with guide
- Settle into Backpackers Camp
Landmarks Curry Village Yosemite Mountain Shop Tenaya Creek 
- Day 2
Glacier Point to Illilouette Creek
Grab a quick breakfast in Yosemite Valley, then take the shuttle to the Glacier Point trailhead. The hike covers 7 miles with 1,200 feet of elevation gain and 1,400 feet of elevation loss. You'll head downhill along Illilouette Ridge, ford Illilouette Creek around the halfway point, stop for lunch by the trail, then make your way up the canyon to camp along Clark Fork of Illilouette Creek.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Quick breakfast in Yosemite Valley), Lunch (Filling trailside lunch), Dinner (Hot and satisfying dinner in camp)
Included Activities
- Shuttle to Glacier Point trailhead
- Hike from Glacier Point along Illilouette Ridge
- Ford Illilouette Creek
- Trailside lunch
- Hike to Clark Fork of Illilouette Creek campsite
Landmarks Glacier Point Illilouette Ridge Illilouette Creek Clark Range 
- Day 3
Illilouette Creek to Lower Ottaway Lake
Get up early and have a hearty breakfast before starting your 9 mile hike with significant elevation gain. You'll follow Illilouette Creek toward the Clark Range, pass by Merced Pass Lakes, and reach Lower Ottaway Lake, which sits in a rocky amphitheater surrounded by Red Peak, Ottaway Peak, and Merced Peak. Stick around at camp to watch alpenglow light up the west-facing peaks as the sun sets.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast), Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hearty breakfast in camp
- Hike up Illilouette Creek
- Pass Merced Pass Lakes
- Hike to Lower Ottaway Lake
- Set up camp at Lower Ottaway Lake
Landmarks Clark Range Merced Pass Lakes Lower Ottaway Lake Red Peak Ottaway Peak Merced Peak - Day 4
Lower Ottaway Lake to Triple Peak Fork
Another early start as you traverse around Lower Ottaway Lake and climb to Red Peak Pass, which sits above 11,000 feet and is the highest trailed pass in Yosemite. From there, descend through alpine regions and lodgepole forest to reach camp along the Triple Peak Fork of the Merced River. Most of this day is downhill, so you'll get incredible views and probably have energy to soak your feet in the icy water before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Traverse around Lower Ottaway Lake
- Ascend to Red Peak Pass
- Trek through alpine regions
- Descend through lodgepole forest
- Reach campsite at Triple Peak Fork
Landmarks Lower Ottaway Lake Red Peak Pass Red Peak Minarets Triple Peak Fork Merced River - Day 5
Triple Peak Fork to Washburn Lake
This is a mellower day with a moderately easy hike to Washburn Lake. Linger over breakfast and hot drinks around the campfire before heading out. You'll walk along the west bank of the Merced River on a relatively level trail, have a scenic lunch by the water, then continue as the trail gets steeper toward Washburn Lake. Set up camp among the granite boulders and spend the evening swimming or just relaxing.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast and hot drinks around morning campfire), Lunch (Scenic riverside lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast around morning campfire
- Hike along west bank of Merced River
- Scenic riverside lunch
- Hike to Washburn Lake
- Set up camp at Washburn Lake
Optional Activities
- Swimming at Washburn Lake
- Relaxation time
Landmarks Merced River Washburn Lake - Day 6
Washburn Lake to Bunnell Dome
Pack up and start following the Merced River as the trail descends from the high alpine peaks toward Yosemite Valley. You'll pass a set of falls, come by the Merced Lake Ranger Station and Merced Lake High Sierra Camp, then walk along the shoreline of Merced Lake. As elevation drops, granite cliffs get taller and cascades appear more often until you reach camp near the glacially smoothed Bunnell Dome.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Follow Merced River downstream
- Pass waterfalls
- Pass Merced Lake Ranger Station
- Pass Merced Lake High Sierra Camp
- Contour shore of Merced Lake
- Hike to campsite near Bunnell Dome
Landmarks Merced River Merced Lake Ranger Station Merced Lake High Sierra Camp Merced Lake Bunnell Dome Cathedral Range - Day 7
Bunnell Dome to Yosemite Valley
Your final day on the trail runs mostly downhill for 8 miles. Hike past some of Yosemite's most recognizable features including Half Dome, Clouds Rest, Liberty Cap, and the famous Vernal and Nevada Falls. Reach the trailhead and take the shuttle back to Curry Village for an early afternoon lunch, then it's time to say goodbye to Yosemite.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Early afternoon lunch at Curry Village)
Included Activities
- Final breakfast in camp
- Hike past Half Dome
- Hike past Clouds Rest
- Hike past Liberty Cap
- Hike past Vernal Falls
- Hike past Nevada Falls
- Shuttle from trailhead to Curry Village
- Early afternoon lunch at Curry Village
Landmarks Half Dome Clouds Rest Liberty Cap Vernal Fall Nevada Fall Curry Village
