Yosemite National Park, Trip #1, CA

Fly, bus or drive into Oakland, CA (OAK). Some time between Noon - 3PM is the ideal time to arrive, but if you can save a substantial amount on trip costs by arriving a few hours earlier or later, you should do that.

Take the free airport shuttle to our local hotel Oakland Airport Executive Hotel, 150 Hegenberger Rd, Oakland, CA 94621, 510-635-5300

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

Trail mix distribution, Covid permitting

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Body temperature taken to check for Covid risk

Go to REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702

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

Second set of "before" measurements taken

Body temperature taken to check for Covid risk

Free Hotel Breakfast

If you drove, vehicles 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, Porcupine Flat Campground (about 4 hours)

Pick up backcountry permit and bear canisters when entering the park

Guides will need to shuttle a vehicle to the ending portion of the trip, Tuolumne Meadows about 15 miles away. During this 45 minute period, we anticipate participants will eat lunch, pack food into their bear canisters and re-pack their packs with full canisters.

Start hiking at Porcupine Flat Campground, elevation 8100'

Hike 1.2 miles to Lebemite Creek Trail, elevation 7850'

Hike 1.5 miles to a 4 way trail intersection, elevation 7800'

Hike 2.6 miles to a footbridge, elevation 7400'

Bushwack South about 100 yards to a campsite with an incredible overlook view of Half Dome, elevation 7400'

Camp within view of Half Dome, elevation 7400'

Miles today: 5.3 miles. Total to Date: 5.3 Miles

Possible Bailout: Tioga Rd

Hike 4.1 miles to Tioga Road near some quarries, elevation 8400'

Hike 3.3 miles to May Lake, elevation 9270'

Camp at May Lake, elevation 9270

Miles today: 7.4. Total miles: 12.7

Possible bailout: May Lake access road

Hike about 2.5 miles to Tioga Rd, elevation 8450'

Hike 0.8 to Tenaya Lake, elevation 8150'

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.

Hike about 3.5 miles to Sunrise Lakes, elevation 9200'

Camp at Lower Sunrise Lake, elevation 9200'. We will stay here 2 nights

Miles today: 6.8. Total miles: 19.5

Possible bailout: Tioga Road

Day-hiking only today. Keep tents pitched at Sunrise Lakes.

Day-hike about 5.0 miles to the summit of Clouds Rest, elevation 9931'

Take lots of photos of this iconic view and drink in the grandeur.

Day-hike about 5.0 miles to Sunrise Lakes, elevation 9200'

Camp at Lower Sunrise Lakes, elevation 9200'

Miles today: 10.0. Total miles: 29.5

Possible bailout: Tioga Road

Hike 6.5 miles to Cathedral Lake, pasing 10600' Cathedral Pass along the way.

Camp at upper Cathedral Lake, elevation 9587'

Miles today: 6.5. Total miles: 36.1

Possible bailout: Tioga Rd.

Hike 4.9 miles to Tuolumne Meadows, elevation 8619'

Get in vehicle(s) and shuttle about an hour to the Tuolumne Grove Trailhead, elevation 6200'

Day-Hike 2.0 round trip miles to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, elevation 6600'

End of hiking

Miles today: 6.9. Total miles: 43.0

Possible bailout: Tuolumne Meadows

Shuttle back to Oakland. Check back into Oakland Airport Executive Hotel, 150 Hegenberger Rd, Oakland, CA 94621, 510-635-5300

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

Free airport shuttle