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. Together with your guide, you’ll take a private shuttle to the trailhead via the improbable Tioga Pass Road. 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 then continue on to the Marie Lakes area through some almost impossibly picturesque sub-alpine country in the shadow of Mt Banner (12,936) and the Kuna Crest (12,000+’).

This morning’s objective is Donahue Pass, which marks the entrance to Yosemite. You’ll then pass beneath the Lyell Glacier, dropping several thousand feet into picturesque Lyell Canyon. You’ll make your final night’s camp alongside the meandering Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River, watched over by the impressive Kuna Crest.

After packing up camp one final time, you’ll traverse the Tuolumne Meadows and their many granite domes before following the Lyell Canyon back to the trail end. 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 you’ll be driven back 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.