Program Overview: Experience the magic of Yosemite’s high country on a three-day, two-night backpacking adventure with a seasoned naturalist guide. This classic wilderness route takes you from Tuolumne Meadows along the Tuolumne River to Glen Aulin, where you’ll set up a base camp for two nights.
Along the way, you’ll learn Leave No Trace principles, gain insight into the park’s natural and cultural history, and share in the camaraderie of fellow adventurers. A highlight of the trip is an optional day hike to the spectacular Waterwheel Falls, where you’ll travel light with just a day pack through glacier-carved terrain while discovering the geologic forces that shaped the canyon. The program concludes with a relaxed morning at camp before hiking back to Tuolumne Meadows, rounding out an unforgettable Yosemite adventure.
Know Before You Go:
- Program date: Evening meeting on Thursday, July 2, from 6:30–8 pm. Backpacking trip runs Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, 8:30 am–4 pm each day.
- Program location: Glen Aulin
- What’s Included
- Guided instruction with a Yosemite Conservancy Naturalist Guide
- Park entry pass (valid for program dates only)
- Wilderness Permit
- Shared front-country tent camping before and after the trek (camping dates cannot be altered)
- No discount is available if you choose not to use the gate pass or campsite.
- Camping Information: Before the backpack trip, participants may camp at Tuolumne Meadows Campground from Thursday, July 2, after 12 pm through Monday, July 3. After the backpack trip, participants may camp from Sunday, July 5, after 12 pm through Monday, July 6 at 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: Tuolumne Meadows Campground
- 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: Intermediate
View a suggested packing list, including gear rental options.
