If you love watercolor and the thrill of backpacking, this immersive three-day, two-night retreat is your perfect adventure. Join guest artist Nikki Frumkin and a Yosemite naturalist guide as we journey into the breathtaking alpine landscape of Cathedral Lakes. Along the trail and at camp, you’ll learn to paint directly from nature, using watercolor to express the energy, emotion, and movement of Yosemite’s soaring peaks and serene lakes. With Nikki’s guidance, you’ll develop the skills to create expressive on-location paintings while deepening your connection to the landscape around you. Using lightweight, Leave No Trace art supplies, you’ll tap into your creative practice without impacting the wilderness. Through shared journaling, painting exercises, and personal reflection, you’ll come away with a full sketchbook, fresh inspiration, and the confidence to take your art deeper into the backcountry. This retreat is for experienced backpackers who are familiar with using watercolor and ready to combine physical adventure with creative exploration.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
- Program dates: August 7–August 9
- Program location: Cathedral Lake
- What’s included:
- Pre-trip evening meeting and three days of progressive learning/outdoor painting with artist Nikki Frumkin.
- Four nights of tent camping — shared amongst participants — at Tuolumne Meadows Campground (August 6 and 9) and Cathedral Lakes (August 7 and 8)
- There is no discount if you choose not to stay at the group campsite.
- What’s not included: Participants must supply their own art supplies, camping/backpacking gear, food, and transportation. Trip planning resources and packing lists are linked at the bottom of this page.
- Camping details:
- Three campsites at Tuolumne Meadows Campground along Highway 120.
- Participants can arrive after 12 pm on August 6, and must depart on August 7. Participants have the option to stay again on the night of August 9, and must depart by 12 pm the following day (August 10). There will be no access to these campsites during the backpacking portion of the program.
- Campsites are shared among all retreat participants. A picnic table, bear locker, and firepit are provided at each site. Please be prepared to tent camp.
- Camping is for retreat participants only. We are unable to accommodate friends and family of participants in our group campsite; lodging arrangements for friends and family are the responsibility of participants.
- Due to the shared nature of our group sites, we are unable to accommodate RVs or campers. If you desire a private campsite, have an RV/camper, or want to sleep in your car, you must arrange for your own reservation.
- Backpacking details:
- Participants will drive to the Cathedral Lakes trailhead from Tuolumne Meadows Campground. The group will hike to lower Cathedral Lake with all their backpacking gear and camp in the wilderness for the nights of August 7 – 8.
- We can’t allow unregistered friends or family of participants on this trip. Backcountry permits and lodging arrangements for unregistered friends and family are the responsibility of participants.
- Experience level: Participants must be familiar with using watercolor (no need to be advanced in skill) and must be experienced in backpacking at high elevation for multiple nights. Please be prepared to hike 4 miles at elevation for the hike in/out and up to 2 miles/day during instructional painting days. If you’re not sure if this workshop is the right fit for you, get in touch with us at art@yosemite.org, we’re happy to help!
Helpful trip planning resources:
