Yosemite Grand Traverse Tour with Horsepack Support

Yosemite Grand Traverse Tour with Horsepack Support Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Fresno

Welcome to California! Find your own transportation to the hotel in Fresno to check-in after 4pm. Your guide will meet you and the rest of the group in the lobby at 6pm for an orientation on the adventure ahead. Have dinner at the hotel and get some sleep to prepare for this grand traverse.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Fresno
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Hike to Knoblock Meadow

Meet a private shuttle at 7am in the lobby to head to the trailhead about 3 hours away. Start the first leg of this journey entering the wilderness towards Knoblock Meadow. Once you reach the camp, your guide will prepare dinner, and you can sink into camp life under the stars.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 6 mi, 1800 ft of ascent, 300 ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Climb Isberg Pass (3,200 m)

You have a challenging day ahead, so fill up on breakfast prepared by your guide. In the morning, you’ll begin the ascent to Isberg Pass, reaching 3,200 m / 10,500 ft, and cross into Yosemite National Park. From the top of this pass, your efforts will be rewarded with mountain views extending to the horizon. Descend towards Merced River, where you’ll set up camp next to the lake marking the river’s headwaters. Huddle around the campfire admiring the lake and the several peaks surrounding it.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 8 mi, 2300 ft of ascent, 800 ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Walk Along the Merced River

Rise early and watch the sunrise over the glorious peaks around you. Enjoy breakfast, and begin today’s journey, which will be mostly downhill—a nice break from the uphill battle yesterday. Pass by several creeks, waterfalls, and inviting swimming holes all branching off of the Merced River. Walk among fragrant alpine meadows, eventually leading down to set up camp next to the river.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 6.8 mi, 150 ft of ascent, 2300 ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Hike Echo Valley + Sunrise Creek

After breakfast, you’ll continue hiking along the Merced River into Echo Valley. This will be the longest hiking effort of the tour with equal amounts of elevation gain as loss. Hike along stunning granite ridges that offer an expansive view of Little Yosemite Valley. Set up camp for the night near Sunrise Creek, which is adjacent to tomorrow’s route to summit Cloud’s Rest.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 10.5 mi, 1565 ft of ascent, 1385 ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Summit Cloud’s Rest + Hike to Sunrise Lakes

Get an early start today for a big climb right off the bat. Just off the main trail, you’ll head to the top of Cloud’s Rest at 3,025 m / 9,926 ft, where epic panoramic views await. Descend onto the primary trail hiking through Tenaya Canyon during the afternoon. Reach Sunrise Lakes, a sparkling alpine pool surrounded by pines and rocky peaks. After a few nights in the wilderness, you’ll feel right at home as you have dinner around and watch the alpine glow of sunset illuminate nature’s magic.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 8-8.5 mi, 2746 ft of ascent, 1591 ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Trek John Muir Trail to Cathedral Lake

Have breakfast with your group, then join up with the John Muir Trail, named after the naturalist known as the “Father of the National Parks.” Follow this trail through incredible wildflower meadows and alongside treed peaks to reach the idyllic Cathedral Lake. This high alpine lake has had millions of photos taken of it, so what’s a couple more? You’ll arrive at the lake in the afternoon with plenty of time to explore, relax, swim, or just admire the view before setting up camp and watching an epic sunset before bed.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 6 mi, 1322 ft of ascent, 896 ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Hike Out to Northern Yosemite + Transfer to Fresno

Enjoy your last morning in the mountains, and begin the descent to the trailhead. You’ll walk through the picturesque Tuolumne Meadows, where you’ll feel like you’re walking through a Yosemite National Park postcard. At the trailhead in Northern Yosemite, a private transfer will meet you to bring you back to Fresno around 5–6pm. Say goodbye to your Grand Traverse crew. On to the next leg of your journey!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 3.7 mi, 230 ft of ascent, 1293 ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch