Program Overview: On this guided overnight trip, you’ll experience a natural treasure — Yosemite’s night skies.
After meeting up with your trip leader and fellow adventurers, you’ll hike about a mile from the May Lake Trailhead to your campsite. As night falls, your naturalist will use a laser pointer to single out specific stars and constellations, and you can search the sky for distant planets — all from the comfort of your sleeping bag. The program curriculum focuses on astronomy (including, but not limited to, star science, constellations, planetary science, and the perception of light/how light travels), as well as story, lore, and mythology rooted in cultures both locally and across the world.
Pack a tent, sleeping gear, 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:
- Program dates: Backpack trip begins Thursday, August 13, at 4 pm and concludes Friday, August 14, at 10 am.
- Program location: May Lake
- What’s included:
- One-night backpack trip with a Yosemite Conservancy Naturalist Guide
- Park entry (as needed)
- Wilderness permit
- Shared front-country tent camping after the trek (camping dates cannot be altered)
- There is no discount if you choose not to use the included gate pass or campsite.
- Camping information: After the backpack trip, participants may camp starting on Friday, August 14 after 12 pm, and must depart on Saturday, August 15, by 11 am. Two campsites are shared between all participants, each with space for 4–5 tents and equipped with a picnic table, bear locker, and fire pit.
- Camping Location: Crane Flat
- Important Notes: Due to the shared nature of the campsites, we cannot accommodate RVs, campers, or car camping. If you would like a private campsite, have an RV/camper, or plan to sleep in your car, you’ll need to make your own reservation. Please note that camping is reserved for program participants only.
- Hiking is an integral part of this course, so good physical condition is required. Participants must be able to meet the physical demands of the trip as outlined in the itinerary. This includes carrying a backpack weighing 25–50+ pounds (or at least 25% of body weight), traveling over uneven, rocky, sandy, wet, or unstable terrain for the mileage and at the elevation listed. These requirements are in place for your safety and the safety of the group. If you have questions about whether a course is a good fit, please contact our office at 209-379-2647 — we’re happy to help.
What’s Not Included
- Gear or meals during your program
- Camping gear or meals in the shared campsites
- Transportation
Experience Level: Easy/Intermediate
