After driving over the bay and across the expansive Central Valley, climbing into the Sierras by vehicle you will arrive to the majestic and fabled Yosemite Valley. The glaciated valley within the shadows of massive granite protrusions was one of the world’s first National Parks. Its value to humanity as a natural landscape has inspired conservation movements around the world ever since. You will be greeted in comfort and style at your Yosemite lodge to begin your exploration of the park.

Today you’ll ease into the swing of things with a gentle day hike. After breakfast, your guide will greet you at the lodge to take you into the backcountry. There you will picnic amongst the wild-flowers and green meadows and visit waterfalls and alpine streams that meander through sheer granite cliffs. By day’s end, you will be back at your lodge for a cold beverage to reflect on a beautiful day in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.

After breakfast you’ll move your vehicle from the campground to long-term parking (across the street) and hand your overnight gear over to the muleskinners. You’ll begin your hike mid-morning, departing from Agnew Meadows into the John Muir Wilderness and onwards to your camp at the beautiful Clark Lakes.

This morning you’ll quickly connect with the John Muir Trail at the aptly named and wildly scenic Thousand Island Lake. You'll explore the glacially carved landscape below Mt. Banner and even venture over Island Pass, making your way to camp along Shadow Creek.

Today you'll hike up Shadow Creek and see how far your legs will take you - Ediza and Iceberg lakes will find you first, with Cecile Lake the farthest objective. Cecile makes for just over an 11.5-mile day, whereas Ediza would be much more leisurely at approximately 5 miles.

After packing up camp one final time, you'll head down Shadow Creek past Shadow Lake, and back to Agnew Meadows. You’ll meet the mule team to pick up your gear in time for you to grab lunch at the Tuolumne Grill, Tioga Pass Resort or Whoa Nelly Deli. After lunch return to your lodge to enjoy a well-earned hot shower.

After a restful night’s sleep in a proper bed, you’ll enjoy one last Yosemite sunrise. After breakfast, you’ll drive back to San Francisco (4 hours) or onwards to your next California destination.