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Experience Level

Easy

Hiking

1-3 miles/day

Elevation

7,000 feet

Registration Fee

$149

Program Overview: On this guided overnight trip, you’ll get to experience a natural treasure — Yosemite’s night skies — and a special sight: a “blood moon,” when Earth’s moon looks red instead of white due to a total lunar eclipse. The trip begins on May 26, and will require and early wake-up call — the eclipse will be most visible between 4 and 4:30 am, so we will meet at 3:30 am to hike to the top of Turtleback Dome to view the blood moon at the mouth of Yosemite Valley.

Return to camp for a few more hours of sleep, then meet back up with your trip leader and fellow adventurers for the rest of the trip. You’ll hike about a mile and a half from the Ostrander Lake Trailhead (along Glacier Point Road). You’ll set up camp at a spot with a clear view of the sky, at an elevation where it won’t get too cold to sleep outside under the stars. As night falls, your naturalist guide will point out constellations, and you’ll get to search the sky for distant planets and meteors — all from the comfort of your sleeping bag.

Pack your sleeping gear, a tent (just in case!) and simple meals, such as premade sandwiches, and prepare to be dazzled by what you can see in just one night out in the mountains.

Know Before You Go

  • When: Wednesday, May 26 at 3:30 am to around 10 am on Thursday, May 27
  • Where: Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point Road
  • Registration includes: One-night guided backpacking trip, park entry (as needed), bear-proof canister rental, Yosemite Wilderness permit, and two nights of tent camping at a shared group site in Yosemite Valley before and after the trip (May 25 and 27). There is no discount if you choose not to use the included gate pass or campsite.
  • Lodging: Tent camping (sorry, no lodging upgrades available for this program). Camping dates cannot be adjusted.
  • Experience level: No experience necessary!

View a suggested packing list.

COVID-19: We have implemented special safety measures to keep participants and instructors safe during the ongoing pandemic. For example, participants will hike single-file and keep moving to avoid crowding the trail, and instructors will stop to offer interpretation only when there is ample space to stay at least six feet apart. Please review our COVID-19 program procedures for details.