Hiking and Backpacking Yosemite's North Rim

Hiking and Backpacking Yosemite's North Rim

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Hiking and Backpacking Yosemite's North Rim

4 Days Starting and ending in Yosemite National Park

Visiting: Yosemite National Park

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

SKXV

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 10

Age range:

12-99

Trip Styles:

Camping

Tour Overview

Explore the North Rim of Yosemite Valley during an early season Yosemite hiking adventure up to the rim that overlooks one of the world’s scenic treasures. This small group backpacking trip offers a wonderful opportunity to escape the crowds and absorb some of the best views in Yosemite National Park. You will also maximise your time by starting and finishing your trip in Yosemite Valley where El Capitan and Half Dome tower over the famous meadows. Sleep under the stars, see all the best sights, take in views of the entire Yosemite Valley and the incomparable High Sierra, and more.

Highlights

  • Escape the crowds, absorb some of the best views in the park, sleep under the stars, and see some of Yosemite’s most amazing waterfalls and peaks.

  • Start and finish your trip in Yosemite Valley, where the scenery is superb and El Capitan and Half Dome tower over the famous meadows.

  • See Yosemite Falls, North Dome and Indian Rock while taking in expansive views of the entire Yosemite Valley and the incomparable High Sierra.

  • Take in views of Yosemite’s only above water natural arch and climb to the summit of Half Dome’s smaller twin, North Dome.

  • Photo opportunities are plentiful as the trail reveals ever-changing views of Half Dome, Clouds Rest, Tenaya Canyon, Mount Watkins, and many more scenic wonders.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Yosemite National Park

Location: Yosemite National Park

Accommodation Name: Camping

Meals Included: Dinner

Start your guided Yosemite hiking trip with a rendezvous in Yosemite Valley in Curry Village at 6pm on Day 1. After the Welcome Meeting, your group will settle into the Backpackers Camp which is located a stone’s throw away from Tenaya Creek and under the spectacular domes and cliffs of Yosemite Valley. Tonight, enjoy dinner either at Curry Village or in camp.

Day 2: Yosemite National Park

Location: Yosemite National Park

Accommodation Name: Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your first hike of the trip heads around the north flank of Half Dome then skirts the south side of Mirror Lake. After a quick look at Snow Creek Falls, you will tackle the climb along Snow Creek Trail slowly and steadily until you reach the black oak forest near the northern rim of the Yosemite Valley. It’s a long way to the top but awesome views of Tenaya Canyon and the north face of Half Dome will take your mind off the numerous switchbacks along the way. Tonight, make camp alongside Snow Creek and take in the pine scented air as you enjoy a delicious guide-prepared gourmet dinner.

Included Activities:
-Snow Creek Trail hike
-Snow Creek wildcamping
-Guided Backpacking experience - Yosemite National Park

Day 3: Yosemite National Park

Location: Yosemite National Park

Accommodation Name: Camping

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Set off early for the walk to Indian Rock where photographic opportunities of Half Dome abound. After enjoying the views and a hearty lunch, it is all downhill through increasingly open country to the next highlight of the trip, the summit of North Dome. Half Dome–just 1.5 miles away, now—dominates the view south, and the rest of Yosemite Valley unfolds at your feet. After you have enjoyed the view, you will set up camp alongside a cool forested stream and look forward to enjoying one of the best night skies anywhere in the world.

Included Activities:
-Indian Rock hike
-North Dome summit hike
-Wildcamping experience

Day 4: Yosemite National Park

Location: Yosemite National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After an incredible sunrise overlooking Yosemite Valley, descend from Yosemite’s North Rim towards your destination at historic Camp 4 in the Yosemite Valley. But, the scenic highlights aren’t over yet as your trail descends alongside Yosemite Falls, one of the top attractions in the park. At 2425 feet tall, this is the tallest waterfall in North America and the sixth highest in the world. Descend sharply to the base of the Upper Falls and enjoy the cooling mists of the spring snowmelt as the thundering water roars past the trail. The last switchbacks pass quickly as you near the trailhead, where you will enjoy a last lunch together before your trip comes to an end.

Included Activities:
-Yosemite Falls hike
-Yosemite Valley Camp 4 visit

What's Included

  • Snow Creek Trail hike

  • Snow Creek wildcamping

  • Guided Backpacking experience - Yosemite National Park

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Transport

  • AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
  • We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.

Accommodation

  • You’ll camp in beautiful, well-located campgrounds and spend the night in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents with self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags which are professionally laundered after every trip.

Important Information

  • 1. A completed registration form is required to join these trips. You will not be confirmed for the trip until your form has been received and reviewed. We may ask for a medical release signed by your physician for medical conditions or circumstances which could possibly compromise your safety or the safety of others on this trip – please speak to your agent for further details.
  • 2. Travellers on this particular trip are not required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
  • 3. A signed disclaimer (Acknowledgement of Risks Form) is required at the time of booking for this trip – please speak to your agent for further details.
  • 4. To help ensure this trip is right for you, this trip is subject to additional ‘Essential Eligibility Requirements’ – see the ‘Itinerary Disclaimer’ section of the Essential Trip Information for further details
  • 5.This trip is operated and run by Wildland Trekking, an Intrepid company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Wildland Trekking customers and Intrepid customers.
  • 6. This trip starts in Yosemite Valley in the parking lot of Curry Village near the bear boxes at shuttle stop 14 at 6PM on Day 1.
  • 7. A single tent is provided to all solo travellers at no extra cost.

Mode of Transport

  • Private vehicle

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    This is a walking trip; a good fitness level will help you enjoying all included walks and activities.

    On this tour you will be required to carry a back pack weighting approximately 35-45 lb (15-20kg).

    On our final day there is no accommodation included so please plan your departure accordingly, or pre-book a post-tour night.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

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24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

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I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

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I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

john whelan (Google Reviewer)  

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We booked the 10 day Group Explorer package with them for Vietnam and Wow !!! . It was fantastic. We were initially a bit anxious, but that all settled after day one. There is a fair bit of travelling and moving involved, but we'll woth it as you get to see and experience loads .Our Guide Huy was brilliant and looked after us really well from local knowledge to restaurants and tour information and activities . It's worth doing folks with intrepid . Well done, keep up that standard of service.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

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I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

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I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

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This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

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I have recently completed the Premium India In Depth tour. A most wonderful introduction to this amazing continent. From the Taj Mahal to Tigers 🐅 in the wild , dining whe the locals eat and a couple of meals with families was a great way to embrace the people and their culture. Magnificent architecture,be it Forts or Shrines. The most informative and inspiring of guides was great to have with us. Mumbai to Delhi and 6 more cities plus A Safari included. Best trip to experience India 🇮🇳. Prepare to have all your senses assaulted . Go for it.

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit for future tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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