Yosemite National Park Discovery Hiking Tour

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 3.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 525 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 400 feet

We will assemble in Fresno and immediately head up Tioga road to the higher elevations. We’ll take a break to hike to beautiful May Lake at the base of Mt. Hoffman, one of Muir’s first mountain ascents. We’ll spend our first of three nights on the shore of Mono Lake in Lee Vining and devote our next three hikes to the high meadows of the park.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 5.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 950 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 450 feet

We’ll return to over Tioga Pass for a wonderful loop trail to beautiful Dog Lake which mirrors the surrounding mountains. After circumnavigating the lake, we continue on our loop around Lembert Dome to the summit trail. It’s only 1/2 mile climb on the exposed rock to reach the dome summit with views in all directions. After the descent, we end with a walk through the picturesque Tuolumne meadow back to the trialhead.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 6 miles

Elevation Gain: 460 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 90 feet

We transfer to day from the east side at Lee Vining to the center of the Yosemite Valley. Along the way, we explore several miles of two famous long distance trails. The Pacific Crest Trail runs from the Mexico border to Canada, through 7 National Parks. On our short section we are likely to run into some thru hikers, who always have interesting stories. We meet up with the John Muir Trail, a 211 miles trail in the Sierra Nevada that ends on the highest point of the continguous United States - Mt. Whitney. Our section is a gentle meander through the Tuolumne Meadows, past backcountry campgrounds, with views of countless granite domes surrounding us. After this moderate hike, we continue our drive into the heart of the national park.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 5 miles

Elevation Gain: 950 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 500 feet

On this popular route we follow parts of the John Muir Trail, and the Mist Trail along the Merced River. We approach the mist of Vernal Fall on the stone steps built in the 1880’s. We can climb as high as we want before returning to Happy Isles. Then it's a pleasant meader on the Valley Loop Trail past Mirror Lake, Indian Cave, the famous Awahnee Lodge, and the base of Yosemite Falls. The valley loop shuttle will bring us back to the lodge from where ever we stop. Tonight we'll have a special dining experience in the Awahnee Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 4 miles

Elevation Gain: 885 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 380 feet

Today we head the south edge of the valley and up the Glacier Point road, past the Badger Ski Area, for a hike around Sentinel Dome. We'll find more jaw dropping views of the valley and surrounding domes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Distance: 4.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 850 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 310 feet

Our final Day 6 is spent in the Giant Sequoia grove of Mariposa. With gentle paths wandering through the towering trees, we will stop at the Grizzly Giant, the Tunnel Tree, the Mariposa Museum, the Guardians and many more. From this southern edge of Yosemite National Park, we shuttle back to Fresno for the conclusion of our Yosemite Tour.