2025 Departure Dates by Month
Sequoia 10-Day Summer Camp Backpacking Trip Itinerary
This is a Sample Itinerary only and is subject to change.
Day 1: Meet your guides/outdoor educators and group at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Get acquainted while enjoying your lunch. Drive to Cold Springs Campground. We will get to know each other with icebreakers and games this evening.
Day 2: An early start gets us to the trailhead and on the trail. Stop for lunch at the first of many scenic vistas and enjoy the 3.5-mile stroll down to our campsite by Panther Gap.
Day 3: On this day, we will leave our heavy packs behind and enjoy a 6-mile day hike to the 11,208-foot Alta Peak, from which we will view our route for the remainder of the trip and the beauty of the Sequoia high country.
Day 4: Shoulder your pack again for this 7-mile journey past many beautiful creeks and through the forest before emerging into an open meadow and campsite.
Day 5: Today’s 7.5-mile journey brings us up near treeline to some of the prettiest blue lakes in the park. Enjoy dinner with a sunset view of the cliffs and craggy peaks of the Hamilton Lakes area.
Day 6: Today’s shorter hike, only 4 miles, packs a lot in. Start by crossing the Kaweah gap, a 10,700-foot pass with incredible views across to the Eastern Sierra and beyond. The rest of the day, you will descend below the towering Kaweah peaks to the head of Big Arroyo Canyon to camp.
Day 7: On this day, we leave the canyon and travel over 8 miles across 3 lake basins to a quiet campsite at Lost Canyon.
Day 8: Travel up the canyon until you break out of the trees and get your first glimpse of 11,000 ft. Sawtooth Pass. This is a difficult but rewarding 5.5-mile day past the huge Columbine Lake. Once on the pass, you will have great views in both directions, including all the way down to your exit trailhead. Camp below the pass at Monarch Lake.
Day 9: On your last day, descend from the high country back down to the lowlands at Mineral King. Celebrate your success.
Day 10: After a restful night, enjoy breakfast and pack up before the return shuttle to the Fresno Yosemite International Airport.
Other: On all of our summer youth programs, we have a daily morning meeting where youth engage in group games, share highlights, offer praise to each other, stretch, review maps and day itineraries, and set individual and group goals for the day. Also, whether breaking on the trail in the afternoon or evening at the campsite, our Outdoor Educators also facilitate additional opportunities for youth to develop a personal connection with nature. Problem-solving and initiative games are common, as are smiles. Additional outdoor skills are gained as we practice Leave No Trace principles and promote environmental stewardship throughout the length of the program.
Note: Remember, this is only a sample itinerary. As communicated in advance, we can accommodate late arrivals on this first day.
Scholarship Application – Every youth deserves this opportunity!
- Our trips are all-inclusive, and we can provide, free of charge, quality gear, including Gregory backpacks and Big Agnes sleeping bags & pads. Group gear, including tarps (or tents if necessary), all kitchen supplies, first aid, and water purification is also included. See the Youth Summer Camp Equipment List for more information.
- As needed, see our Frequently Asked Questions.
- The meeting & ending location will be at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport – Cell Phone Lot. Participants arriving by plane and upon arrival will make phone contact with our on-site staff who will direct them to the meeting location.
- 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 peaks will not be attempted when clouds are in close proximity.
- Scholarship Application – Every youth deserves this opportunity!
REQUIRED FORMS
In addition to full payment, the final acceptance of any participant is subject to receipt and review of all the Required Forms. For overnight adventures, you will find these forms attached to your confirmation email once you register online and must be filled out by each member of your party as soon as possible.
We will require an additional medical release for any participant who is currently under the care of a physician for any ongoing disease, illness, or any other condition/factor that may be a concern on the trip.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
For your protection and ours, we strongly recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance, which can provide you with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption (including COVID-19), travel delay, medical expenses, emergency assistance, airfare, and baggage loss/delay to protect your financial investment. We recommend those with “cancel for any reason” clauses included. See reviews of some of the best Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Options presented by Forbes or Squaremouth. Other good student options include InsureMyTrip and Allianz Travel Insurance for Students.
Travel Insurance is the easiest and best way to protect yourself and our smaller non-profit organization against last-minute cancellations. We are happy to provide timely and accurate documentation for any insurance claim related to our trips when requested. Please remember that when canceling a reservation, you must first contact the company responsible for ensuring your reservation.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Full payment is preferred for all youth programs/summer camps. During check-out, you may pay a 50% deposit at the time of booking and the remaining 50% at least 30 days from departure. If choosing this option, you can either complete payment on your own with the self-service link in the confirmation email, or you will be billed automatically at or shortly after the 30-day interval for the remaining amount.
When registering online, expect to pay a booking fee of 3.0% (which is capped at $30) and a processing fee of 2.7% (no cap). These fees can be avoided when paying by check and are non-refundable. For detailed information, see our Payment Options page.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES
Lasting Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips. If a trip is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. Lasting Adventures is not responsible for additional expenses incurred while preparing for the trip.
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 TripAdvisor/Viator, bookyogaretreats.com, or 57Hours), the below policy does not apply, and you are held to the third-party’s cancellation policy.
Multi-Day Adventures/Summer Camps Cancellation Policy
- More than 90 days before the start date, we will grant a full refund minus a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
- Between 90 and 61 days before the start date, we will grant a full refund minus $50/person and a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
- Between 60 and 46 days before the start date, we will retain 25% of the total trip cost. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the total value paid.
- Between 45 and 31 days before the start date, we will retain 50% of the total trip cost. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the total value paid.
- Less than 31 days before the start date, or once the trip has begun, no refunds or credits will be issued.
48-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Policy
Any reservation can be canceled within 48 hours of the initial booking, and we will grant you a full refund minus a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions. After 48 hours, our standard terms and conditions apply. To cancel, please email us at staff@lastingadventures.org or leave a voicemail at 800-513-8651. This policy does not apply if the booked trip occurs within 96 hours of the initial booking.
Fire/Smoke Cancellation Policy
Fire/smoke cancellations are considered circumstances beyond our control. If your chosen travel insurance does not cover fire/smoke cancellations, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. If we cancel during your adventure with us, we will issue a non-refundable credit equal to the dollar amount associated with the number of days not used. In both cases, these credits will be lifetime/transferable but non-refundable.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Departing From a Trip: Once a participant has joined a trip and the trip has begun, no refunds or credits will be issued, regardless of the reason for departure. Costs associated with assisting a participant with evacuating from the wilderness will be passed on to the participant. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.
Minimum Participants: Our summer camps require a minimum of four participants. Our 27-Day Leadership Expedition requires a minimum of six participants. If for any reason, we fall short of our 6-person minimum on this trip, the confirmed youth will be scheduled together on two consecutive 13-day programs in Yosemite with a layover in between in a front country campsite. If we fall short on these minimums, we will contact you 30 days before your scheduled start date with options that may include switching to another trip/date and/or a surcharge.
Infectious Illness Policy (including COVID): Any participant on any program/trip with any sign/symptom of a potential illness will not be able to participate, and no refund or credits will be given. Many forms of Travel Insurance cover these circumstances. We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child before participating and contact us to cancel if any sign of illness is present. Health screenings can be expected in all youth programs.
Half Dome & Other Summits: Reaching the top of a summit, such as Half Dome, is risky and can be made far worse by inclement weather. While we aim to get everyone to the top, summiting is not guaranteed. Lightning and rain can be deadly on exposed summits, and our experienced guides may have to call off a summit bid if weather conditions are unfavorable. You will not be allowed to summit using a Lasting Adventures permit should the experienced guide decide the conditions are not favorable.
TRIP CHANGE/CREDIT POLICY
Once you book a trip with Lasting Adventures, the value you paid is valid towards switching to another trip in the current or the coming year, pending available spaces on the new trip. Changes to your booking and conversion to credit must occur more than 30 days before your original start date. Changes within 30 days are subject to fees. Once changed to a lifetime/transferrable credit, credits are non-refundable and are a dollar-for-dollar value.
RECREATIONAL SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM
Our summer camp programs are purely recreational and should not be confused with a wilderness therapy program. Our staff is trained as summer camp counselors, outdoor educators, and guides, and they are not required nor expected to have training/experience in therapeutic programs. Your child should individually have the desire to participate in this program and should not be sent against their will. Additionally, all participants should have experience at sleepaway camps and/or being away from their parents/guardians for multiple nights. No refunds or credits will be issued for evacuations due to social, emotional, and/or behavioral reasons. In addition, due to said concerns, there will be a minimum fee of $500 for any field evacuation.
TRADITIONAL BACKPACKING
Lasting Adventures runs “traditional backpacking” trips. This is done without using porters, stock, or other outside assistance. For this trip, you will be expected to carry your personal gear, a share of the group gear, and food in a backpack. The weight can be expected to be 30-50 lb. and no more than the recommended ⅓ of your body weight.
As needed, it is recommended that participants discuss their ability to fully participate in a backpacking trip with their doctor, including (but not limited to) the ability to carry heavy loads over long distances and strenuous and uneven terrain. Levels of difficulty listed on our website are relative and in no way an objective declaration of difficulty. A regular physical exercise program is recommended before going on your adventure.
TRIP ITINERARIES
All trips are subject to itinerary changes for various reasons, including, but not limited to permitting, weather, forest fires, park or public land closures, and/or road closures. In most situations, we will offer an alternative itinerary of equal value and quality or a credit equal to the total amount paid through the end of the following season. Payments are non-refundable for itinerary changes. If a trip is canceled before its start date due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued.
COUPONS
See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions.
