Tuolumne Meadows & Waterfalls 

Meet your guide at the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center at 8am for a brief orientation, backpack fitting and final packing. Once we’re all ready, we’ll head off to the trailhead and begin the hike. Our first day starts with an easy trail passing through open meadows with views of the surrounding mountains. The last couple of miles start to descend along the Tuolumne River as it begins a series of cascades on its way to Glen Aulin. Tuolumne Falls and White Cascade announce your arrival at camp. Relax while your guide sets up camp and prepares a tasty dinner.

Hiking Distance & Elevation: 5.3 miles, 800-foot descent

Lunch, Dinner 

We will start our morning with some fresh coffee and a yummy breakfast. Shortly after that, we will pack up our day packs and head out for a full day exploring the many cascades, waterfalls and plunge pools of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. Highlights include California and La Conte Falls, as well as the famous Waterwheel Falls and countless unnamed cascades along the way. Bring your water sandals…many of the pools may prove unavoidably tempting for a swim! We return to camp for dinner.

Hiking Distance & Elevation: 7 miles, 1000-foot descent/ascent

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we head for Polly Dome Lakes. We’ll strike out early to make a full day of this 8 to 10 mile day hike following the Pacific Crest Trail. Enjoy this quiet stretch of trail passing McGee Lake, small streams and surrounded by classic Yosemite granite slickrock. Polly Dome Lakes are idyllic alpine lakes at the base of the namesake Polly Dome. After enjoying lunch and possibly a dip in the lake, we will head back to Glen Aulin. Back at camp, your guide will whip up another delicious dinner before settling in for your final night in the wilderness!

Hiking Distance & Elevation: up to 10 miles, 1000-foot ascent/descent 

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a final night under the star-studded sky, we pack up camp and start our trek back to Tuolumne Meadows. The path is familiar but the views on the way back seem brand new. Savor the surroundings as we head back through the meadows towards our starting point. Celebrate with a tasty lunch before parting ways.

Hiking Distance & Elevation: 5.3 miles, 800-foot ascent

Breakfast, Lunch 

• 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

• 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 ~15% of trip cost)

*Upon booking you will receive a detailed trip information packet

Most trips will accommodate 5 people plus one guide. On occasion, a group may be as large as 10 people plus 2 guides.

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.

In order to confirm a reservation, we require an initial 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. 

Once we confirm availability, you will be provided with a registration link. Your deposit is payable online by Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, or ACH transfer.

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

You will meet your guide at the Tuolumne Wilderness Center at 8:00am the morning your hike begins. We will distribute all gear and pack up before heading off on the trail.

The Tuolumne Wilderness Center has a 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.

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.