On this one-of-a-kind guided backpacking adventure, you’ll explore rugged bighorn habitat on Mount Gibbs and get an inside look at technology and techniques used to track the sheep. In addition to enjoying three days of high-country hiking and hands-on learning, you’ll get to spend time with one of the expert park biologists at the helm of Conservancy-supported efforts to restore bighorn populations in and around Yosemite National Park.
The trip kicks off with a Thursday evening get-together at Tuolumne Meadows Campground, where you’ll meet your guide and review the route, safety tips including our new COVID-19 procedures, and Leave No Trace ethics. In light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we have altered our usual programs to allow participants to maintain social distance and ensure a safe environment. Our instructors will keep the group moving in a long line as we hike so as not to crowd the trail. We will only stop to offer interpretation when there is ample space to stay six feet apart.
Included with your registration:
- Three full days of guided backpacking in the Tuolumne Meadows area (8:30 am on Friday, August 21 through approximately 3 pm on Sunday, August 23 depending on the speed of the group), plus an introductory evening meeting (7:30 pm on Thursday, August 20 at Tuolumne Meadows Campground Office).
- Park entry (as needed).
- Bear-canister rental and Yosemite Wilderness permit.
- Two nights of tent camping at Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers Campground before and after the trip, as needed (Thursday, August 20 and Sunday, August 23).
- Our limited camping sites are for participants only. The sites are shared. Tents only. We cannot adjust the dates.
Please note: Participants must be physically fit, and previous backpacking experience is preferred. This adventure will require 7 miles of hiking round-trip, plus a 3-mile day hike with some scrambling.
