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Yosemite National Park Trip #2, CA

Aug 29 - Sep 5, 2021 -- $1325 ★★★

Yosemite National Park is a beautiful Sierra wonderland featuring towering mountains, thundering waterfalls and rugged pulchritude. The incredible views in this wilderness are virtually inescapable, it's actually hard to avoid them. On our trip, we will be hiking a scenic loop hike featuring the iconic Cloud's Rest in addition to other gorgeous places such as Glen Aulin, Tenaya Lake and May Lake. At the end of the trip, we'll cap it off with a walk through the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias -- leviathan trees which can grow to be over 300' tall.


Our journey will begin at peaceful Tuolumne Meandows. Starting at the Glen Aulin trailhead, we'll do a grand loop that visits Glen Aulin, May Lake, Sunrise Lake, Clouds Rest, Cathedral Lake and back to Tuolumne Meadows before ending our journey with a day-hike through the Giant Sequoias. Along the way, you may see black bears, big horn sheep, yellow bellied marmots, mule deer, pika, short tailed-weasels and possibly even a mountain lion.


Come see why everyone wants to visit Yosemite and join us this coming 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.



Probable Trip Leaders

Rick Romine
2nd guide TBD


Cost

$1325 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a room with another participant during the 2 hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Oakland, CA (OAK), 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 and 2 awesome guides.



Difficulty


The trails through Yosemite National Park are very 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. However it is also engaging and rewarding with incredible, continually changing scenery few ever get to see.



Important Notes


This is the 2nd of 2 Fitpacking trips to Yosemite for 2021. Here is a link to the first trip,


As of March 2021, Yosemite is in a drought so water may be somewhat scarce along the route. This could change by August, but be prepared to carry extra water on some days.


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


Sunday, August 29, 2021

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 (TBD)

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)



Monday, August 30, 2021

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

We will also pick up bear canisters. When we get to Tuolumne, we will pack food into the canisters and then re-pack backpacks with full canisters.

Start hiking at Tuolumne Meadows, elevation 8619'

Hike about 5.3 miles to Glen Aulin, elevation 7800'

Camp at Glen Aulin, elevation 7800'

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

Possible Bailout: Tuolumne Meadows


Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Hike 8.1 miles to May Lake, elevation 9270'

Camp at May Lake, elevation 9270

Miles today: 8.1. Total miles: 13.4

Possible bailout: May Lake access road


Wednesday, September 1, 2021

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: 20.2

Possible bailout: Tioga Road


Thursday, September 2, 2021

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: 30.2

Possible bailout: Tioga Road


Friday, September 3, 2021

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: 36.7

Possible bailout: Tioga Rd.


Saturday, September 4, 2021

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: 43.6

Possible bailout: Tuolumne Meadows

Shuttle back to Oakland. Check back into our local hotel (TBD)

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.


Sunday, September 5, 2021

Free airport shuttle


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