Discover hidden natural wonders of Yosemite and the Ansel Adams Wilderness on foot
Escape to the wild and embark on the unforgettable guided High Passes Backpacking Trip in Yosemite National Park. This impressive route has you traversing 80 km and crossing 4 high elevation passes in 8 days. You’ll spend each night camping in the thick of the wild, alongside scenic lakes with elaborate mountain backdrops, such as Upper Merced Pass Lake and Lake 10K.
You will be responsible for carrying your backpack as you travel on foot between camp spots! So, it’s essential to condition yourself before meandering deep into southern Yosemite’s backyard.
Highlights of the High Passes Backpacking Trip in Yosemite
Prices
- No Booking or Credit Card Fees
- Save Money
- Happiness Guaranteed
High Passes Backpacking Trip in Yosemite Itinerary
Day 1 Head to Bass Lake, California
Your first night will have you checking into your hotel in Bass Lake sometime after 4 pm. At 6 pm, you’ll meet your guide and the rest of the group for a short orientation. Enjoy dinner on your own at one of the restaurants dotting this charming area.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bass Lake
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Trek to Lillian Lake
After an early breakfast on your own (there is a nice bakery in the Pines village), we’ll meet you at 8 am to drive to the nearby trailhead (7,600’). The drive, which takes about an hour, is your responsibility to and from the trailhead. The hike to our camp at Lillian Lake (8,875’) will be roughly 6 miles. That evening there may be time to swim while your guide prepares an incredible dinner beneath the high peaks. The day ends with stargazing and storytelling.
Overnight Location: Camping at Lillian
Distance: 6 mi, 1938 ft ascent, 602 ft descent
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Conquer Fernandez Pass to Breeze Lake
After a good night’s rest you will enjoy a fine breakfast before breaking camp and warming up your legs over a few miles of easy trail before tackling the first of the four passes on our itinerary: Fernandez Pass (10,200’), which brings us into Yosemite NP. There should be time for a refreshing dip in Breeze Lake before dinner and a mellow evening basking in the alpenglow.
Overnight Location: Camping at Breeze Lake
Distance: 7.5 mi, 2150 ft ascent, 1385 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Climb Merced Pass
Today we hike up and over Merced Pass (9,600’), which offers a glimpse of distant Half Dome. This is the lowest of the 4 passes we’ll conquer on this trip, giving you a chance to hit your stride. That day’s final destination is Upper Merced Pass Lake (8,950’).
Overnight Location: Camping at Upper Merced Pass Lake
Distance: 7.5 mi, 850 ft ascent, 1539 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Tackle Red Peak Pass
Get ready to hike up the tallest trail pass in Yosemite: Red Peak Pass. Admire the panoramic views from 11,180 feet before continuing towards the incredible Red Devil Lakes Basin. You’ll also hike by the mesmerizing Ottaway Lakes today.
Overnight Location: Camping at Red Devil Lakes Basin
Distance: 8 mi, 2976 ft ascent, 2047 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Hike to Lake 10K
Enjoy a fulfilling backcountry breakfast before twisting by creek drainages and wildflower-laden meadows as you make your way towards Yosemite’s border. Cross the Triple Fork before ascending to your stunning campsite at Lake 10K. Marvel at the sunset painting the sky during the evening!
Overnight Location: Camping at Lake 10K
Distance: 7 mi, 1414 ft ascent, 1316 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Ascend Post Peak Pass
Lace up your boots and prepare to hike your final pass of this backpacking adventure. Admire the glaciated views blanketing the Ritter Range as you walk along the boundary ridgeline. Finish today’s hike with a descent to the Staniford Lakes Basin, where you’ll spend your last night amid the wild.
Overnight Location: Camping at Staniford Lakes Basin
Distance: 10 mi, 1713 ft ascent, 2851 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Go back to Bass Lake
Consume breakfast before packing up at camp and heading back to where you started 7 days ago.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 6 mi, 571 ft ascent, 1916 ft descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
High Passes Backpacking Trip in Yosemite Price and Dates
This guided tour in the Yosemite Valley is always run as a fixed-departure tour where you would be joining a group, therefore the price is fixed and only depends on the number of people sharing the room or a tent.
The prices below are per person:
Accommodation on High Passes Backpacking Trip in Yosemite
This backpacking adventure will have you staying in one cozy hotel. The hotel has modern necessities that will keep you comfy and relaxed. Keep in mind that rooms are double occupancy, but you can always upgrade to single occupancy for an additional fee. Single travellers are also required to pay a supplement. You will spend the remaining 5 nights backcountry camping.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may be swapped for other similar accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $240 USD to have a private room in a hotel while traveling with a group. We can match the single travellers up, however, in case there aren’t any matches, you’ll have to pay a supplement of $120 USD.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Pines Resort in Bass Lake
This charming hotel offers the right amenities to propel the comfort of your stay: a pool, mountain view, restaurant, bar, and a picnic area!
Camping in Yosemite National Park
Revel in the mountainscapes as you camp at lakefront and riverside spots below a blanket of stars.
What’s included in the High Passes Backpacking Trip in Yosemite?
Meals
6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners, and trail snacks along the route are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 1 night in the hotel in Bass Lake, and for 6 nights of wilderness camping. Accommodations before and after the tour are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
You are responsible for driving yourself or organizing transportation to and from the trailhead.
Also Included
- Guide
- Personal backpacking gear (per request), such as sleeping bags, backpack, sleeping pads, tents, trekking poles
- Group gear, such as stoves, group first aid kit, cooking items, water filters, etc.
- Hot coffee and tea in the mornings
Not included
- Flights and transportation to get to and from Bass Lake
- Personal clothing and shoes
- Accommodations before and after the adventure tour
- Personal expenses + gratuities (recommended 10-20% for excellent service)
- Evacuations
- Insurance
Optional Extras
- You can upgrade to a single occupancy in the hotel for an additional fee
- Extra night at Bass Lake before or after the tour
Frequently Asked Questions about High Passes Backpacking Trip in Yosemite
SYMG was started in 1991 by three friends offering hiking trips into California's mountains in hopes of more closely meshing lifestyle with work. The combination proved successful and SYMG has become a leader in the active travel and mountain guiding world, providing carefully planned and executed trips in the most spectacular wilderness areas of California and beyond. Now, 30 years later, we've shown thousands of people the beauty of Yosemite and the High Sierra and have been named one of the "Best Outfitters on Earth" by National Geographic Adventure Magazine.
Learn MoreHigh Passes Backpacking Trip in Yosemite Map
Click map for a larger version
Is this tour for me?
Ask a Question
