Yosemite Grand Traverse Trek

Yosemite Grand Traverse Trek
Hike one of the world’s top-rated trails on this nine-day Yosemite Grand Traverse trekking expedition. Featuring equal amounts of time in both the most remote and the most iconic regions of Yosemite National Park, you’ll enjoy all the comforts of a pack-assisted trek. This multi-day experience, consisting of moderate-level difficulty trails, features gourmet meals and a mule team to carry all gear, which leaves you well-fed and freed up to truly appreciate Yosemite’s grandeur. You’ll be privy to breathtaking views, traditional campfires, nightly stargazing, coveted trailways, and the occasional swimming hole, meaning this itinerary offers the complete, essential California back-country National Park experience.

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Embark on Your Journey
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9 DAYS
Starting from $6,490 per person
Pricing includes everything from your international arrival to your departure, with the exception of flights and a few lunches and dinners.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Enter Yosemite National Park on-foot via the impressive 11,000-foot Isberg Pass.
- Walk a fabled section of the renowned John Muir Trail, named for the “father of the National Parks.”
- Slumber comfortably in the great outdoors, beneath Yosemite’s famous Cathedral Peak.
- Feel like royalty after a long day on the trail, with everything taken care of from exceptional “back-country gourmet” meals to supremely comfortable camps.
- Hike unburdened each day, carrying just a small daypack, knowing your fully supported trail team, including pack horses, will take care of everything else.
- Spend the evenings marveling at the Milky Way galaxy and sharing stories and s’mores over a traditional campfire.
- Take advantage of pristine swimming holes and once-in-a-lifetime views along the route.
- Bask in the glory of what many guides call “the most beautiful spot in Yosemite:” Cathedral Lake.
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We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.
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Sample Itinerary
Welcome to California! Today is a transit day. After your plane glides in for a landing over the waters of the San Francisco Bay, you will take a shuttle to claim your rental car. From here, it’s a scenic three-hour drive to Sonora in the heart of California’s gold country. This evening, rest up for the adventure to come.
Recommended Hotel Accommodations
Bright and early this morning you’ll drive to the remote trailhead (7,100 ft. altitude) and drop your gear with the pack team. From here, you’ll take your first steps on the trail toward Knoblock Meadow where you’ll make camp for the night. Explore your surroundings while your guides prepare dinner, and top off your first day trekking with a traditional campfire and some excellent stargazing.
Pack up camp early this morning – you’ll have your sights set on crossing Isberg Pass today (10,500 ft. altitude), after first passing through a high lakes basin. The Isberg Pass will mark the official border of Yosemite National Park. Tonight’s camp will be located at the headwaters of the Merced River, surrounded by picturesque 11- and 12-thousand-foot peaks.
Today’s hike is a grand downhill journey through the creek drainages that eventually form the might “Wild and Scenic Merced River.” Views of the Clark Range will be abundant today, and there are plenty of beautiful meadows, waterfalls, and swimming holes to pepper your day’s hiking – don’t forget a bathing suit! Camp along the Merced River and enjoy another delightful evening of campfires and stargazing.
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll continue following the Merced River past the famous high camp and into Echo Valley From here, regain the elevation you lost yesterday as you traverse large granite ridges and enjoy spectacular views of Little Yosemite Valley. Eventually you’ll arrive to Sunrise Creek, positioned just below Cloud’s Rest, to set up camp. Turn in early tonight in preparation for an even earlier start tomorrow.
You’ll be up and out of camp early today to begin making your way to the top of Cloud’s Rest (9,999 ft. altitude). Reaching the summit by late morning, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the stunning views of Tenaya Canyon approximately 4,000 feet below. This afternoon, continue along the trail to scenic Sunrise Lakes where your comfortable camp awaits.
The penultimate day of trekking finds you connecting with the famous John Muir Trail in the Tuolumne region of Yosemite. Pass stunning alpine meadows and otherworldly glaciated peaks on your way to what many guides call “the most beautiful spot in Yosemite:” Cathedral Lake (at 9,600 ft. altitude). Enjoy some leisure time this afternoon to explore several off-trail routes, or simply hang back, go for a dip, and bask in the stunning views from camp.
Enjoy one final hearty trail breakfast before heading out on the last four miles of trail. You’ll arrive to the trailhead at Tuolumne Meadows in Northern Yosemite mid-morning and bid farewell to your camping team. This afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure, perhaps taking in some of the more iconic views of the National Park, before enjoying a good night’s rest (and a piping hot shower!) at your hotel.