Glacier Point to Half Dome Backpacking
*In early September 2021, Yosemite Park Service announced that it will be changing its permitting process in ways that may affect this itinerary. Those determinations are yet to be made, and we will keep you appraised in the event that these changes affect your booking. We recommend you refrain from making travel arrangements until either this message is removed, and/or we are within 24 weeks of the trip departure date.
Highlights: Looking for an incredible Half Dome backpacking trip? This trip will make the experience unforgettable! Begin the adventure at Glacier Point (Yosemite’s number one attraction) with panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada high country. Quickly lose the crowds by descending into the Illilouette Valley and setting up camp along the creek. On Day three hike around the base of Mt. Starr King to Little Yosemite Valley, passing by the precipice of Nevada Fall along the way. If we are unable to summit Half Dome this afternoon for a sunset; we will take in the sunrise the next morning. Return to Yosemite Valley along the famous Mist Trail soaking in both Nevada and Vernal Falls. This is one of our most popular Yosemite backpacking trips for good reason!
Check Out the Glacier Point to Half Dome Backpacking Experience!
Itinerary
For a detailed map with elevation profile of the tentative itinerary, click here: Map.
Day 1
Meet your guide in Curry Village at 4:00 pm. Get acquainted with the group and with gear. If time allows before dinner, visit some of the Valley’s walkable destinations. Grab dinner at one of park’s numerous restaurants. (Food is not provided while in the front-country.) Camp in the Yosemite Valley Backpacker’s Camp. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 0 / +0′, -0′
Day 2
The group heads to the Curry Village Pavilion by 7 am for breakfast before heading to the trailhead by 8:00am. The very-strenous uphill 4-mile trail to Glacier Point is actually now 4.7-miles (after years of rock-slides and updates). The highlight of the uphill switchbacks is definately the unique Yosemite Valley views. Upon arriving at Glacier Point (7,214′), the group takes in the iconic views while resting and eating lunch provided by the guide. After lunch, we descend into Illilouette Valley over 3.8 mostly downhill, easy miles, with only one short climb of about 300′. We’ll make camp on a waterside knoll upon crossing Illilouette Creek at the end of the day’s journey. If the sky is cloudless, experience an incredible show of stars! Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 9.3 mi / +3514′, -1,250′
Day 3
After a hearty breakfast we will hike out of the Illilouette Valley on a moderate uphill and scenic climb to the Panorama Trail before descending to the precipice of Nevada Fall and ultimately Little Yosemite Valley at 6040′ where we will camp for the night. There is a beach along the Merced River here that makes for excellent relaxation. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 5.5 mi / +700′, -1,150′
Half Dome
Half Dome will be completed either in the afternoon on Day 3 to catch the sunset, or the following morning with an alpine start to catch the sunrise. This is a strenuous uphill of 3.5 miles to the summit at 8,836′. Round-trip mileage: 7.0 mi, 2,700′ elevation change
Day 4
We will descend to the Yosemite Valley Floor (4,000′) via the Mist Trail which parallels the Merced River and both Nevada and Vernal Falls. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 4.5 mi / +300′, -2,440′ Generally, our goal is to finish between 2-4 PM but this can be later due to the human factors within the group.
Gear
We provide gear upon request as needed, including backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, pads, trekking poles, and eating utensils at NO EXTRA COST. Lastly, the proceeds from our guided adult/family trips go towards our non-profit youth summer camp program.
Note: All trips are subject to Lasting Adventures obtaining the necessary wilderness permits. Although our success rate is 98%, should we not obtain the exact trail-head, a trip of equal quality will be obtained. Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. Lasting Adventures is recognized for its commitment to safety and risk management. In this regard, the summit of Half Dome (or any other peak) will not be attempted when clouds are in close proximity.
*All trips are pending permit availability which we gain 24-weeks in advance. Please refrain from making travel arrangements until we have confirmed dates.
Testimonials
Cancellation Policy/Traditional Backpacking
Multi-Day Adventures/Summer Camps Cancellation Policy
The following cancellation policy is only for trips booked directly through our official website, lastingadventures.com. If you have booked via a third-party website, such as The Clymb, TripAdvisor Experiences/Viator, or bookyogaretreats.com, the below policy does not apply, and you are held to the third-party’s cancellation policy.
If you cancel or leave a multi-day trip for any reason:
- More than 90 days prior to the trip start date, we will grant you a full refund. (*Exception: our Lodging/Hiking package has a $100 non-refundable processing fee per room booked.)
- Between 90 and 61 days prior to the trip start date, we will you a full refund minus a $50/person processing fee.
- Between 60 and 46 days prior to the trip start date, we will retain 25 percent of the trip cost. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the full value paid.
- Between 45 and 31 days prior to the trip start date, we will retain 50 percent of the trip cost. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the full value paid.
- Less than 31 days prior to the trip start date, or once the trip has begun, there will be no refund or credit.
- There will be no cost for cancellations for trips we are unable to run due to closures and/or restrictions by government officials. We will make departure determinations for trips 7 days in advance of the departure date. Refunds for trips not able to be run will be processed within 5 days of the intended departure date and can only be processed back to the original payment method used for the current trip.
- Exception: We may make this determination 15 days in advance for Lodging Packages.
- Any portion of a trip purchased with a credit from a previous year will revert back to a credit.
- Due to the difficulties of running seasonal programs, a lost season can affect us greatly. We appreciate any of our customers that would choose to take a lifetime, transferable credit for the value paid of their trip, should the trip not be able to operate due to government restrictions.
- Final payments on multi-day trips are automatically processed/due at 30 days in advance of the trip. Any new multi-day booking made at/within 45-days in advance will be required to pay in full.
- Exception: Final payments are due at least 45 days in advance for our Lodging/Hiking package.
- For our Summer Camps, due to COVID-19 in 2021 participants must have a responsible party available within 6 hours of Yosemite Valley for pickup in case of emergency.
- If we determine that a trip should be pulled or cancelled mid-way through the trip (for example, due to unhealthy smoke levels or other circumstances outside our control, we will provide a credit for the unused portion of the trip.
Traditional Backpacking
Lasting Adventures runs traditional backpacking trips. Traditional backpacking is done without the use of porters, stock, or other assistance. You will be expected to carry all of your own personal gear and a share of the group gear and food in a backpack for the duration of this trip. This weight will typically be between 30-50 pounds and in no case more than ⅓ of your body weight.
As needed, it is recommended that participants discuss their ability to conduct a backpacking trip with their doctor, including (but not limited to) the ability to carry heavy loads over long distances and over strenuous and uneven terrain. Levels of difficulty listed on our web site are relative and in no way an objective declaration of difficulty, and a regular physical exercise program is recommended prior to going on your adventure. A subjective guide to difficulty levels can be found here: Difficulty Levels.
Dietary Constraints
Although we are able to accommodate many specific dietary constraints and choices, we prepare foods in a facility with peanuts, gluten, soy, and other major allergens, and are not certified as an ‘allergen-free’ facility. We take steps to limit the risk of cross-contamination, but we cannot guarantee that foods we prepare will be fully free of major allergens.
2022 DATES BY MONTH
Departure Dates from Yosemite Valley:
*Permitting for the above trips is done 24 weeks in advance of the dates listed above. Please refrain from making travel arrangements until permits are confirmed. Having Travel Insurance is highly recommended.
NOTICE FOR 2022: The Glacier Point Road is scheduled to be closed during 2022 for repairs. This means that our first day on trail now ascends the 4-mile Trail, which adds 4.6 miles and 3,200′ of elevation gain, moving this trip from ‘Moderate-Strenuous’ (as originally designed) to ‘Strenuous’. Check back soon for an alternative 4-day backpacking option to Half Dome which avoids much of that elevation.
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