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Yosemite National Park, CA

Aug 29 - Sep 5, 2020 -- $1325 ★★★

Yosemite National Park is a beautiful Sierra wonderland that features towering mountains, thundering waterfalls and rugged pulchritude. Amazing views in this wilderness are inescapable. Our hike traverses a scenic loop that culminates in the iconic destination Glacier Point. Along the way, we'll also ascend Sentinel Dome, backpack along the Illilouette and Bridal Veil sections of the park and walk through the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.


Yosemite National Park is also a land of giant Sequoia trees. On our trip, we will walk among immense and rare giant sequoias that can grow more than 300' tall in one of the few remaining groves where millennia old redwoods have been preserved.


Our journey will begin in the Mariposa Grove in the Wawona section of the park. We will day-hike among the giant sequoias as a warm-up before heading over to Bridalveil Creek deep within the park. We'll do a grand loop up Bridalveil Creek to Turner Meadow. We'll then pass by various lakes: Grouse, Crescent, Johnson, Royal Arch and Buena Vista, camping at some. We'll head to the Illilouette River and finally out to Glacier Point and Sentinel Dome before ending our journey where we began.


Come walk through the Sierra and see why Yosemite is perennially iconic. You may see black bears, big horn sheep, yellow bellied marmots, mule deer, pika, short tailed-weasels and possibly even mountain lions, so why not join us this summer?



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures well into the 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s & 50s. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures in the 80s and as low as 30 plus violent afternoon thunderstorms. Here is the anticipated weather.



Trip Leaders

Rick Romine
2nd Guide TBD

Cost

$1325 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another participant during the 2 hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Fresno, CA (FAT), personal equipment, restaurant meals eaten off the trail and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, National Park permits, Satellite Phone, campground fees and 2 awesome guides.



Important Notes

In 2017, the High Sierra snow pack was historically deep. Since the highest point on our trek is around 9000', we don't expect any snow issues in 2020, but be prepared for the possibility anyway.


The trails through Yosemite National Park are well groomed with good footing. However, elevation gain and loss can be dramatic. Furthermore, some days are relatively high mileage making this trip difficult at times, but also rewarding. You'll experience continually changes incredible scenery few ever get to see that keeps you engaged.


Bear canisters are required for this trip. Bring yours if you have one, otherwise we will be able to provide them.


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Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Saturday, August 29, 2020

Fly, bus or drive into Fresno, CA (FAT). Some time between Noon - 3PM is the ideal time to arrive, but flights can be limited so a few hours earlier or later would be OK.

Note: Flights to Fresno can be expensive, so book early. It's possible to take public transportation from San Francisco or Oakland (3+ hours) so that might be preferable for you.

Take the free airport shuttle to local hotel Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Fresno Yosemite Intl Airport, 1535 North Peach Avenue, Fresno, CA 93727, 559-825-5200

Equipment shakedown. We go through your pack and examine everything you brought.

Trail mix distribution

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go to REI Fresno, 7810 N Blackstone Ave, Fresno, CA 93720, (559) 261-4168

Go out for a group welcome dinner (not included in trip cost)



Sunday, August 30, 2020

Second set of "before" measurements taken

Free Hotel Breakfast

Cars may be left at Hotel. However, the hotel may charge you a fee and assumes no responsibility for your car's security and will have you sign a document saying so.

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and placed in storage

Shuttle to Yosemite National Park, Wawona Entrance (about 2 hours)

Shuttle to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. This may be in our vehicle(s) or in a Park Shuttle Bus

Day-hike about 1.2 miles to the Grizzly Giant

Day-hike about 1.6 miles to the Wawona Tunnel Tree

Take Park Shuttle back to our vehicle(s)

Shuttle to Bridalveil Creek Campground, elevation 6950'

Hike 2.2 upstream miles in a Southeast direction to a Trail Intersection, elevation 7100'

Camp along Bridalveil Creek just after the trail intersection, elevation 7100'

Miles today: 5.0 miles. Total to Date: 5.0 Miles

Possible Bailout: Glacier Point Road


Monday, August 31, 2020

Hike 2.5 uphill miles Southbound to a trail intersection, elevation 7550'

Hike 2.9 miles Southeast past Turner Meadow to a trail intersection, elevation 7600'

Hike about 2.2 uphill miles to Grouse Lake, elevation 8248'

Camp at Grouse Lake, elevation 8248'

Miles today: 7.6. Total miles: 12.6

Possible bailout: Wawona


Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Hike about 2.7 miles Eastbound past Crescent Lake and Johnson Lake to a trail junction, elevation 8500'

Turn left and hike 3.8 Northbound miles past Buena Vista Lake to a trail intersection, elevation 9000'

Option: If we are moving strongly and have lots of time, we can drop packs and day-hike 3.0 round trip miles to the summit of Buena Vista Peak, elevation 9709'. We can then make the rest of the day shorter and lengthen a subsequent day.

Turn right and hike about 3.5 downhill miles to the creek sourced at Edson Lake, elevation 7850'

Camp at creek sourced at Edson Lake, elevation 7850'.

Miles today: 10.0. Total miles: 22.6

Possible bailout: One day away


Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Hike about 5.2 miles Northbound to a trail intersection by Illilouette Creek, elevation 6400'

Hike about 1.1 Northwesterly miles towards Illilouette Cree, elevation 6650'.

Camp near Illilouette Creek just outside the "No overnight camping zone", elevation 6650'.

Miles today: 6.3. Total miles: 28.9

Possible bailout: Mono Meadow Trailhead


Thursday, September 3, 2020

Hike about 1.1 miles to the Panorama Trail, elevation 6500'

Hike 1.4 uphill miles to Glacier Point, one of the iconic features of Yosemite, elevation 7214'

Hike 1.5 uphill miles to top of Sentinel Dome, another iconic feature of Yosemite, elevation 8218'

Hike 1.5 downhill miles to Profile Cliff, yet another iconic feature of Yosemite, elevation 7503'

Hike about 2.3 downhill miles to a footbridge, elevation 6750'

Camp on the other side of Bridalveil Creek, elevation 6750'.

Miles today: 7.8. Total miles: 36.7

Possible bailout: Glacier Point


Friday, September 4, 2020

Hike about 0.1 miles to the Pohono Trail, elevation 6750'

Hike 2.8 miles to Bridalveil Creek Campground, elevation 6950'

End of hiking

Miles today: 2.9. Total miles: 39.5

Possible bailout: Bridalveil Creek Campground

Shuttle back to Fresno. Check into local hotel Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Fresno Yosemite Intl Airport, 1535 North Peach Avenue, Fresno, CA 93727, 559-825-5200

Your stuff will be transported here shortly after we arrive and check in

After measurements taken

Go out to celebratory dinner (not included in trip cost) and awards Ceremony

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Saturday, September 5, 2020

Free hotel breakfast

Free airport shuttle


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