Three Best Yosemite Backpacking Trips | Multi-Day
Our Top 3 Yosemite Backpacking Trips:
Frequently Asked Questions
Discover the best multi-day Yosemite backpacking trips and what makes these iconic routes — from Clouds Rest to Half Dome — unforgettable adventures in the Sierra Nevada.
When is the best time to go backpacking in Yosemite?
The best time for multi-day backpacking in Yosemite is from June through September. During these months, the weather is typically dry and sunny, with clear skies and stable conditions. Early summer brings strong waterfalls from snowmelt, while later summer offers great access to peaks and high alpine lakes.
What makes the Clouds Rest to Half Dome hike special?
This route combines two of Yosemite’s most iconic summits. Starting at Tenaya Lake, hikers pass Sunrise Lakes, climb Clouds Rest for sweeping valley views, and then ascend the famous Half Dome cables. The trip finishes with a descent past Vernal and Nevada Falls — making it one of the park’s most classic and rewarding backpacking experiences.
How difficult is the Red Peak Pass Loop?
The Red Peak Pass Loop is one of Yosemite’s more challenging backpacking routes due to its elevation gain and distance. However, it rewards hikers with solitude, high alpine lakes, and panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada from the park’s highest developed trail. It’s best suited for experienced backpackers comfortable with multi-day treks.
What’s unique about the Glen Aulin backpacking trip?
Glen Aulin offers access to Yosemite’s stunning high country without overly strenuous climbs. Starting from Tuolumne Meadows, the trail follows the Tuolumne River through a scenic canyon. It’s perfect for moderate backpackers who want to camp near waterfalls like Waterwheel Falls and explore surrounding lakes and trails at a relaxed pace.
Are permits required for Yosemite backpacking trips?
Yes, wilderness permits are required for all overnight backpacking trips in Yosemite National Park. These help manage visitor impact and protect the wilderness. Permits are typically reserved in advance through the park’s official system, especially for popular routes like Half Dome and Clouds Rest.
How long should I plan for a Red Peak Pass Loop trip?
Most hikers spend 5 to 6 days completing the Red Peak Pass Loop. This allows for a comfortable pace, time to acclimate to elevation changes, and the opportunity to enjoy the lakes, meadows, and scenic viewpoints throughout the Clark Range.
What gear is recommended for Yosemite backpacking?
Essential gear includes a sturdy backpack, lightweight tent, sleeping bag rated for cool nights, water filtration system, trekking poles, and bear-proof food storage. Summer weather is generally stable, but temperatures can drop at night, so packing layers and rain protection is important.
Is the Half Dome Cable Route safe?
The Half Dome Cable Route is safe for most hikers in good condition who take proper care. It can feel exposed and steep, so gloves and sturdy footwear are essential. The cables are only installed seasonally, typically from late May through early October, depending on weather conditions.
What are Yosemite’s weather conditions like in summer?
Summer days in Yosemite are warm and sunny, while nights are cool and clear. Afternoon thunderstorms are rare but possible in July and August. Expect ideal hiking weather with daytime highs in the 70s–80s°F in the valleys and cooler temperatures at higher elevations.
Can beginners go on a Yosemite backpacking trip?
Yes. The Glen Aulin trip is a great choice for beginners. It offers well-maintained trails, moderate elevation gain, and easy access to beautiful scenery. Guided trips, like those offered by Four Season Guides, can also help first-timers feel confident and safe on the trail.
For more information about multi-day Yosemite backpacking trips, contact Four Season Guides at 1-855-547-7589. Four Season Guides is located in Flagstaff, Arizona and is a 20 Year Old Guide Owned Operation.
Key Takeaways
- Yosemite backpacking trips offer iconic views and diverse challenges, from the thrilling Half Dome cables to serene alpine lakes—making them ideal for both seasoned and beginner hikers.
- The best time for multi-day Yosemite backpacking is June through September, when the trails are clear, the waterfalls are active, and the weather is dry and sunny across the Sierra Nevada.
- The Clouds Rest to Half Dome route delivers Yosemite’s most panoramic scenery, combining two legendary peaks and offering a perfect mix of adventure and reward for confident hikers.
- The Red Peak Pass Loop is Yosemite’s most challenging yet least crowded trail, showcasing untouched wilderness, alpine lakes, and the highest developed pass in the park.
- Glen Aulin provides a more accessible high-country experience, ideal for beginners seeking a basecamp-style adventure near waterfalls, meadows, and the Tuolumne River.
- Securing permits and packing proper gear are essential for all Yosemite backpacking trips, ensuring safety, comfort, and full enjoyment of the park’s breathtaking terrain.
When we venture out of our normal Four Corners region to escape the summer heat of the desert Southwest, we love to head to the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California. Yosemite National Park is an incredible summer hiking destination.
What better place to escape the heat than to explore the numerous waterfalls, high alpine lakes, meadows, giant sequoias, and mountain peaks of one of America’s premier National Parks.
The Sierra Nevada mountains receive over 95% of their precipitation in snowfall between the months of October to May. This means that the summer months of June through September are typically dry and sunny and provide the most stable summer mountain weather for hiking in the US.
The days are normally sun-filled and the evenings clear and plastered with stars, and it’s the ideal season to enjoy the bounty of all of that winter moisture. In early summer, the rivers and streams are raging and Yosemite Valley is alive with the force of some of the world’s tallest waterfalls cascading off the towering cliffs towards the Valley floor.
Later into the summer, once the snow has melted, there is a short window available to summit the park’s famous peaks or
explore the solitude of the high alpine lakes scattered across the high country. We want to share our three favorite backpacking trips in this crown jewel of America’s National Park System.
1. Clouds Rest to Half Dome This trip encompasses two iconic peaks in the park and provides some awe-inspiring views of both Yosemite Valley and the surrounding peaks of the Cathedral Range. Starting in the high country at Tenaya Lake, you ascend towards the idyllic Sunrise Lakes prior to passing up and over Clouds Rest.
At this lofty summit, you will be looking down on Half Dome with a great perspective of the Cable Route that leads to its summit. From Clouds Rest, you descend to Sunrise Creek where you can make camp and layup for the Half Dome summit the following day. The Cable Route to the top is not for those with a fear of heights but the views are definitely worth the effort.
After summiting Half Dome, you will begin your final descent along the edges of the iconic Vernal and Nevada Falls down to the Valley floor. This is a classic Yosemite hike and incorporates some of the park’s most well-known features.
2. Red Peak Pass Loop Yosemite has one of the National Park system’s largest established trail networks, including over 800 miles of trails. The Red Peak Pass Loop will take you into some of the lesser-visited sections of the park’s alpine wilderness.
This is one of Yosemite’s more challenging backpacking trips but provides some of its most stunning scenery as a reward for its difficulty. This trip will take you into the Clark Range and will cross over the highest developed trail in the park as you ascend over Red Peak Pass. From this lofty summit, you will have one of the most amazing perspectives of the park’s landscape and the Sierra Nevada Range.
Over these 5 or 6 days of backpacking, you will visit clear mountain streams, meadows, and alpine lakes and enjoy the serenity of the park without the crowds. It’s a truly spectacular trip and well worth the effort to experience this undiscovered section of the park.
3. Glen Aulin This is a perfect option for those looking to experience the beauty of the high country without the strenuous hiking typically required to reach these places. Glen Aulin is the easiest to access High Sierra camp and is an ideal spot to use as a basecamp for exploring the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River.
You initially pass through the alpine expanses of Tuolumne Meadows before following the river as it begins its descent through a steep-sided canyon. With a camp set up at Glen Aulin, you can spend a few days exploring the various nearby trails.
Follow the Tuolumne River downstream for a day: Waterwheel Falls is a cascading waterfall that is a photographer’s dream, as it literally cartwheels off of the edge of the canyon. Spend another day hiking southwest to Polly Dome Lakes or north along the Pacific Crest Trail. Or simply hang out and relax by the river.
Though this hike shouldn’t necessarily be considered easy, it is a wonderful introduction to backpacking and experiencing the high country of Yosemite’s National Park.
Four Season Guides, 506 N Grant St suite o, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, United States
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