Vogelsang Alpine Loop 

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 at Dog Lake Parking Lot and begin the hike. The trek starts out following the Tuolumne River to the junction of Rafferty Creek. Passing through open meadows, the wildflowers here can be amazing. We’ll work our way up to and over Tuolumne Pass (10,000 feet) and make our first night’s camp alongside one of the half dozen lakes surrounding Rafferty and Vogelsang peaks. Your guide will set up camp and cook the first of many delicious meals.

Distance & Elevation: 7.5 miles, 1500-foot ascent

Lunch, Dinner

We will start our morning with some fresh coffee and a yummy breakfast. Today is a layover day but we’re headed for peaks and incredible views. Vogelsang Peak, at 11,500 feet, is a non-technical summit towering above the surroundings. The route is mostly off-trail and involves a bit of scrambling but the effort is well-worth the summit views. We’ll head back down and enjoy lunch at Vogelsang Lake, followed by a second off-trail trek to a beautiful lake that seldom sees visitors. Back at camp, your guide will whip up another delicious dinner before settling in for your final night in the wilderness!

Distance & Elevation: ~7 miles, 1500-foot ascent

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we head for Ireland Lake. Enjoy the sweeping views in every direction: Kuna Crest to the northeast, Mount Lyell to the south and a host of other named and unnamed ridges, lakes and peaks. We’ll skirt the shores of Evelyn Lake as we make our way across alpine meadows. Ireland Lake sits at 10,800 feet elevation and is surrounded by peaks. If time and energy permit, you might have a chance for another summit in the afternoon. Or just relax around the lake, take a dip, or simply enjoy the beautiful High Sierra.                                                         

Distance & Elevation: 5 miles + side hiking, variable elevation

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a night under the star-studded sky, we pack up camp and start our trek back towards lower elevations. Our trail heads east towards the 2000-foot descent into Lyell Canyon and the Pacific Crest Trail. The path is decidedly downhill, following Ireland Creek most of the way. Upon reaching the floor of Lyell Canyon, we’ll enjoy a well-earned break. We then turn north along the PCT and hike until our hearts’ content, seeking out an ideal campsite for the final night. Celebrate with a tasty lunch before parting ways.

Distance/Elevation: ~6 miles, 2000-foot descent

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our final day continues north along the PCT back to Tuolumne Meadows. Enjoy a leisurely pace, soaking in the last of the backcountry sights and sounds. Plan to arrive back at our starting point by midday. Celebrate with a tasty lunch before parting ways. The memories will last a lifetime!

Distance/Elevation: 4 to 5 miles, 800-foot descent

Breakfast, Lunch

The 4-Day itinerary offers all the same scenery on a more condensed schedule for those seeking a slightly shorter trip. 

• 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.