Program Overview: This Yosemite Field School backpacking course takes you into the rugged alpine terrain favored by Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, near Mount Lewis, Mount Gibbs, Mono Pass, and Parker Pass. You’ll spend both nights camping at beautiful Summit Lake, just outside the park near Mono Pass.
After establishing our base camp, daily excursions will follow where the sheep lead. Sometimes they’re visible from camp; other times a short hike — or even a scramble over scree slopes — is required. Due to the historically deep 2022–2023 snowpack, many bighorn sheep struggled to find food and avoid avalanches, leading to high mortality. As a result, sightings may be less frequent than in past years.
The bighorn sheep portion of the trip will be led by wildlife biologists John Wehausen and Sarah Stock, who have been actively studying the species in the Sierra Nevada. They will use radio telemetry to help locate collared sheep, providing the best chance of finding herds. Their deep knowledge of sheep behavior and habitat will also help guide our search. For the best and most personal viewing experience, we recommend bringing your own binoculars.
This small-group experience offers a rare opportunity to learn about the unique adaptations, challenges, and resilience of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep — and to enjoy the beauty of their high-alpine ecosystem.
Can’t wait to learn about the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep? Check out the “Bighorn Sheep” episode of Yosemite Nature Notes.
Know Before You Go:
- Program date: Evening meeting on Thursday, August 20, from 6:30–8 pm. Backpacking trip runs Friday, August 21, through Sunday, August 23, 8:30 am–4 pm each day.
- Program location: High Country
- What’s Included
- Guided instruction with a Yosemite Conservancy Naturalist Guide and Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep biologists
- 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 arrive to camp starting after 12 pm on Thursday, August 20, and must depart on Friday, August 21. After the backpack trip, participants can camp from Sunday, August 23, after 12 pm, and must depart on Monday, August 24, by 11 am.Two shared 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
- 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.
- Lodging Upgrade: Upgrade to Tuolumne Meadows Lodge for an additional fee. A block of rooms is reserved for Thursday, August 20, only. Lodging blocks expire 30 days prior to the program. Booking details, including the Group Code, will be emailed after registration.
- 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/Advanced
View a suggested packing list including gear rental options.
