Red Peak Pass Loop

Trip Description

This Yosemite backpacking tour is designed for those looking for a challenging trek through some of Yosemite’s most remote backcountry. The Red Peak Pass Loop offers a stunning backcountry journey complete with high mountain peaks, pristine alpine lakes, rushing rivers, waterfalls and perfect solitude in some of the most beautiful wilderness in the country. The route to Red Peak Pass, the highest pass in Yosemite accessible by trail, is steep and relentless, demanding good fitness and a desire for a heart challenge. The rewards are many, however, for those who venture to these seldom-visited corners of the park.

Our journey begins at Glacier Point, high above the bustling Yosemite Valley, and descends into the backcountry before making a steady uphill approach to Red Peak Pass. We cross the pass on Day 3 and then descend into the spectacular Merced River watershed and follow the rushing river through its deep canyon, passing Merced Lake and Little Yosemite Valley before arriving at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley on the last day. You won’t see too many other people for much of the journey and you’ll feel like we have the park all to ourselves as we trek through this majestic landscape. This is a great wilderness adventure for those seeking a remote and challenging backpack. Join our Yosemite hiking guides to Red Peak Pass and enjoy the backpacking vacation of a lifetime.

Call or email us with any questions.
877-272-5032
or
[email protected]

Overview

Trip Details

Type: Backpacking

Days: 6 Days

Distance: 48 miles

Difficulty: Advanced

Origin: Curry Village, Yosemite National Park

Cost: $1950

Itinerary

Trip Itinerary

Day 1:

This epic Yosemite hiking tour will start with the group meeting Curry Village at a predetermined time. After getting organized, we will catch a shuttle to the trailhead Glacier Point, well-known for its dramatic views of Half Dome, Tenaya Canyon and Nevada Falls. We’ll soon leave the crowds behind as we follow Illilouette Creek southeast into the Yosemite wilderness. Our first night’s camp will be along the creek. Your guide will set up camp and cook the first of many delicious meals.
Distance & Elevation: 7 miles, 1000 foot descent/1200 foot ascent
Lunch, Dinner

Day 2:

We will start our morning with some hot coffee and a filling breakfast prepared by your guide. Shortly after that, we will pack up camp and continue on with our journey. Today we head up towards Lower Ottoway Lake. The hike is considerably more uphill than the first day but the views are no less rewarding. You’ll see Red Peak in the distance as you pass by Lower Merced Pass and turn up towards Ottoway Creek and our camp by the beautiful lake, deep in the heart of the Yosemite backcountry.
Distance & Elevation: 9 miles, 2500 foot ascent
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:

Today is a big day as we head for Red Peak Pass, the high point of the journey at 11,150 feet. As always, these steep, strenuous climbs make the summit all the more rewarding. Red Peak Pass is the highest point reached by any trail in Yosemite National Park and we’ll spend some time soaking up the endless views of the High Sierra before starting our descent down the other side. We’ll pass numerous lakes along the way and maybe stop for a swim. Our goal for tonight’s camp is the Triple Peak Fork of the Merced River, about 2500 feet below the pass.
Distance & Elevation: 9 miles, 1500 foot ascent/ 2100 foot descent
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:

Today we head towards Merced Lake. We’ll be heading generally downhill along the Merced River as it carves a beautiful canyon between towering granite cliffs. There are many tempting pools and waterfalls along the way that beckon us to stop for a refreshing dip. If we don’t make it all the way to Merced Lake, there are plenty of excellent places to camp along the way.
Distance/Elevation: 8-10 miles, 1800 foot descent
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:

After another night under the star filled sky, we will enjoy another tasty breakfast before packing up camp. We continue to follow the Merced River as it flows out from Merced Lake and begins its majestic descent through Echo and Lost Valleys. The smooth granite walls surround us and the river rushes over endless chutes and waterfalls and into delightful pools. This is one of the most scenic stretches of trail in the park and we’ll take our time to revel in the surroundings. Our final night’s camp is in Little Yosemite Valley.
Distance/Elevation: 7 to 8 miles, 1000 foot descent
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:

After another night under the star filled sky, we will enjoy another tasty breakfast before packing up camp. We continue to follow the Merced River as it flows out from Merced Lake and begins its majestic descent through Echo and Lost Valleys. The smooth granite walls surround us and the river rushes over endless chutes and waterfalls and into delightful pools. This is one of the most scenic stretches of trail in the park and we’ll take our time to revel in the surroundings. Our final night’s camp is in Little Yosemite Valley.
Distance/Elevation: 7 to 8 miles, 1000 foot descent
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

*Final itineraries are occasionally subject to change due to permit/campsite availability, park restrictions/closures, weather conditions and/or road closures.

Details

What's Included

  • A professional, licensed and medically trained guide
  • All necessary gear: backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles
  • All cooking/eating gear: bowls, cups, utensils (your guide will prepare all meals)
  • All meals from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on the last day + trail snacks
  • Backcountry permits and fees
  • 5% NPS Commercial Fee (a required fee that passes through to Yosemite National Park)

What's Not Included:

  • Transportation to/from Yosemite National Park
  • Lodging the night before/after the trip
  • Clothing, raingear, and footwear
  • Personal toiletries, sunscreen
  • Water bottles/hydration bladder
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Guide gratuity (suggested 10-20% of trip cost)

*Upon booking you will receive a detailed trip information packet

How many people are in the group?

Most trips in Yosemite will accommodate 5 people plus one guide. On occasion, a group may be as large as 12 people plus 2 guides.

Are there age restrictions?

Children under the age of 13 are generally not permitted on regularly scheduled trips. This restriction may be negotiable on private tours. Please contact us with any questions regarding this policy.

How do I sign up?

In order to confirm a reservation, we require an initial non-refundable deposit of $250 per person, with the final balance due 90 days prior to the trip’s departure. If you book a trip within 90 days of the trip’s scheduled departure, then full payment is due at the time of booking.

Your deposit is payable over the phone by Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, or Discover. You can also pay by personal check or PayPal (PayPal incurs a 1.5% surcharge). Call our office Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm Arizona time. 1-877-272-5032

Travel Logistics

Where does the trip begin/end?

This trip will begin/end in in Yosemite National Park. You will want to fly into San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Fresno, or Reno. You will need to arrange your own transportation from airports to the park. In most cases, renting a car is your easiest and best option.

Where do meet our guides?

We will hold a pre-trip orientation at 5:00pm the evening prior to your trip’s departure at the at a pre-arranged location inside the park. Departure times and logistics for the following morning will be discussed at the orientation. Most trips will depart between 7am and 9am.

What do we do with our car and extra stuff?

On the first morning of your trip, you will follow your guide to the long-term parking area where you can leave your car and personal belongings for the duration of the hike. You can also check with your hotel to see if they are willing to store your luggage for you while you hike.

What time will we get back on the last day?

Most trips end at lunchtime on the last day of the trip. If you are considering flying home on the last day of the trip, you should be finished up around 2pm. Since each trip has slightly different logistics, feel free to contact us with specific questions related to the expected return time for your trip.

Trip Dates

2024 Dates

August: 18-23, 26-31

 

Don’t see your dates? Custom dates may be available!

Call 1-877-272-5032 or email us for details.

Guest Testimonials

Guest Testimonials

“This was a trip of a lifetime for me… As a first-time backpacker, I was a little nervous about setting out for 6 days in the wilderness (on an “Advanced” trek). However, being outfitted – full gear and meals are provided (and prepared) – and led by our awesome guide, Scott, I had no trouble quickly finding peace of mind. I was able to fully enjoy every moment of this amazing experience of hiking through Yosemite – where it felt like every 50 feet brought something breathtaking, exciting, new, and/or unreal. YOU TRULY HAVE TO BE IMMERSED IN IT TO BELIEVE IT…I’m still trying to process it all – two weeks later. I would say that the best advice FSG provided was that proper TRAINING PRIOR TO YOUR TRIP IS CRUCIAL. Take this seriously and you will have no regrets.” – Kristen K.


“The Red Peak Pass Loop is a challenging, but super rewarding back packing trip. Our group was small, as is common with Four Season Guides. 5 of us plus our guide Scott, who is amazing. Our group started the trip on one of the most busy days in the park (Labor Day). Scott got us out of the the “tourist overrun” section quickly so we could enjoy the beauty and quiet back country. This trip is physically challenging, but absolutely worth it. There was great flexibility as to where to camp for the night, and Scott was great about picking the best spots for us. Meals were delicious and creative. We had a great time and definitely will go on future trips with Four Season Guides.” – Christiane R.


“The Best Trip Ever, according to my family. This was our fourth backpacking trip with Four Season Guides and our third having Scott as our guide. Two of our trips have been into the Grand Canyon and one to Canyonlands, Utah. But hands down nothing beats the scenery and beauty of Yosemite. Those six days hiking with Scott were amazing and challenging all at once. Scott kept everyone very pumped up letting us know we were up to the challenge, even when I seriously started to doubt myself. The routes and campsites he showed us took our breaths away at times. We are two weeks back home and all of us just want to be back in the high sierra of Yosemite with the beautiful waterfalls and running streams with Scott waking us up with coffee and making us great meals! Four Season Guides seems to know exactly what adventure our family needs and goes out of their way to make sure we get it! I always knew the guides from Four Season Guides were first class, but after observing guides from other outfits while we were there, there is no doubt in my mind they are definitely the very best!! We can’t wait for our next adventure with Four Season Guides and Scott next year.” – Debbie M.

When booking your Yosemite Backpacking Tour, it is best that you contact us at least 6 months in advance due to Yosemite National Park’s permit system. Backpacking permits are issued via a lottery system 168 days in advance of the hike’s start date. However, it is still quite possible that we can find space for you on permits that we have already secured, in case you happen to be planning a trip less than 6 months in advance.