In 2022 Yosemite will be changing its wilderness permitting so that Half Dome is available only from certain trailheads. By booking this 4-day trip, you will be participating in either one of the moderate-strenous itineraries listed below. Specific itinerary per date will be based on permitting and lottery results. We will update the itineraries below with dates received on a rolling basis and as we confirm permits 23-weeks in advance. Once booked, you are able to change to other dates/itineraries pending space availability.
Itinerary 1: Happy Isles to Half Dome
2022 Dates Obtained: TBD
Mileage: 16+ miles
Map and Elevation (See the RED route)
Day 1 — Yosemite Valley backpackers camp. Meet your guide in Curry Village at 4:00 pm. Get acquainted with the group and with gear. If time allows before dinner, walk to some of the Valley’s iconic destinations. Eat dinner at one of the park’s numerous restaurants (food in the front-country is not included). Camp in the Yosemite Valley Backpacker’s Camp. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 0 mi / ±0′
Day 2 — Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley. Rise around 6 am, grab some breakfast, and set out via the Happy Isles trailhead for a 4-mile hike up the Mist Trail. Soak in the rainbows and scenery as you hike past the pluming basin of Vernal Fall, where you’ll experience the trail’s namesake up close and personal (note: you may get wet!) Continue hiking to the top of Nevada Fall, where you’ll stop for lunch garnished with a breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley, before hiking the remaining mile to your campsite at Little Yosemite Valley. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 4.5 mi / -300′, +2,440′
Day 3 — Little Yosemite Valley to Half Dome. Wake at a leisurely hour and enjoy a restful day of relaxing and exploring the Merced River Canyon. You pick the itinerary this morning. Sunbathing, hiking, fishing, and birding are all fair game, or set out for a mini-adventure before communing at camp for lunch and preparing for your Half Dome ascent! Today’s Mileage/Elevation (not including Half Dome): Varies
Half Dome
Depending on weather conditions, 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/Elevation: 7.0 mi / ±2,800′
Day 4 — Exit to Curry Village. On the final day of your journey, wake at a leisurely hour and eat our last delicious breakfast of the trip. After packing up camp, we’ll descend for 5 miles down the famous John Muir Trail, following the Merced River back to Curry Village, where you’ll arrive at your car between 2 and 4 pm (time subject to change depending on group speed) for the end of our adventure. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 4.5 mi / +300′, -2,440′
Itinerary 2: Clouds Rest to Half Dome
2022 Dates Obtained: TBD
Mileage: 23 miles
Map and Elevation (See the GREEN route)
Day 1 — Yosemite Valley backpackers camp. Meet your guide in Curry Village at 4 pm. Get acquainted with the group and with gear. If time allows before dinner, walk to some of the Valley’s iconic destinations. Eat dinner at one of the park’s numerous restaurants (food in the front-country is not included). Camp in the Yosemite Valley Backpacker’s Camp. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 0 mi / ±0′
Day 2 — Tenaya Lake to Sunrise Lakes. After grabbing breakfast in Curry Village, take the morning shuttle to the trailhead near Tenaya Lake. Catch your first glimpse of the high country while refreshing yourself in the stunning waters of Tenaya Lake (8,150′). After a 4.2-mile hike up the Sunrise Trail with portions of strenuous uphill, you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views of Half Dome and Tenaya Canyon, and one of our favorite campsites in Yosemite on the shore of Sunrise Lake (9,166′)! Take a load off and enjoy the sunset while playing and fishing in one of our guides’ favorite high country destinations. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 4.2 mi / +1,616′, -500′
Day 3 — Sunrise Lakes to Sunrise Creek. After a hearty breakfast hike approximately 3.5 miles to the summit of Clouds Rest at 9,926′. Enjoy lunch at the top while soaking in panoramic views of Yosemite’s wilderness. From the summit, hike down 5 miles to Sunrise Creek for the final night of camping. Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 7.3 mi / +800′, -2,800′
Half Dome
Depending on weather conditions, 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 miles to the summit at 8,836′. Round-trip mileage: 7.0 mi / ±2,800′
Day 4 — Exit to Curry Village. On the final day of our journey we’ll wake up at a leisurely hour and eat our last delicious breakfast of the trip. After packing up camp, we’ll descend 4.5 miles along Yosemite’s fabled Mist Trail, following the Merced River and passing two of the park’s most stunning waterfalls before arriving back at our cars by between 2 and 4 pm (time subject to change depending on group speed). Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 4.5 mi / +300′, -2,440′
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 about 23-weeks in advance. Please refrain from making travel arrangements until we have confirmed dates.
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. The weight can be expected to be 30-50 lbs and no more than the recommended 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 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.
