Founder’s Fall Adventure

Founder's Fall Adventure

Yosemite National Park

Trip Highlights:

High Alpine Wilderness

Fundraising Trip

Founder with 30+ years of Yosemite experience

Pacific Crest Trail

Sawtooth Ridge

Matterhorn Canyon

Our Founder and our Operations Director are your guides for this iconic Yosemite Guided Backpacking Trip to raise funds for disadvantaged youth!

HIGHLIGHTS

Join Lasting Adventures’ Founder/Executive Director, Scott Gehrman, and our Operations Director (and veteran Yosemite backpacking guide) Will Heaps, on a special 6-day Yosemite guided backpacking trip through the backcountry with our two most experienced staff members! As one of the park’s most devoted stewards, Scott has been coming to Yosemite since childhood and guiding here for more than 30 years! As a veteran Lasting Adventures guide, Will knows every step of the way. He can point out the less obvious highlights and make the entire experience something to write home about! With more than 40 years of combined backcountry experience in the park, the duo hosts an unparalleled wealth of Yosemite knowledge to share with guests—from hidden secrets of Yosemite’s fascinating history to locations of the park’s lesser-known backcountry marvels. They are also both wizards in the backcountry kitchen (Will specializes in international cuisine) who are passionate about creating delicious menu items to accommodate all guests, so no matter what your diet demands, you’ll eat like high-country royalty in their company! Scott has picked one of his favorite itineraries that gives you an incomparable presentation of everything Yosemite has to offer.

What’s best about our Founder’s Fall Adventure? It’s designed as a fundraiser for our youth scholarship program, and all profits go toward providing positive outdoor experiences for disadvantaged youth and teens!

MEET YOUR GUIDES

Scott Gehrman, Founder/Executive Director

Scott is the founder and executive director of Lasting Adventures. He has been coming to Yosemite since childhood, and guiding in the park for just over 30-years. (He’ll tell you he started when he was young, and that he did; at the ripe age of 22.) Scott has logged thousands of miles in the Yosemite backcountry and well over 150 Half Dome summits, all while claiming to be afraid of heights. Over the years, Scott’s history of high-adventure experiences and first-hand encounters in the Yosemite backcountry have armed him with countless stories of his personal escapades, such as the time he awoke face-to-face with a black bear! He also has an arsenal of campfire tales stemming from an affinity for the lesser-known Native American and pioneer history of Yosemite. Scott’s favorite locations in Yosemite include Clouds Rest, Vogelsang Pass, and Matterhorn Canyon, the latter of which is in the itinerary for this adventure! When not in Yosemite, Scott can be found snowboarding, scuba-diving, and/or hiking new trails in the Sierra with his dog Summit.

Will Heaps, Operations Director

Will is Lasting Adventures’ Operations Director. He started in 2015 and has watched the company grow into itself. Coming from a background as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, he knows how to use the experience in the backcountry to uplift, inspire, and improve quality of life. Will has hiked the 500-mile Camino de Santiago and the 211-mile John Muir Trail. He knows every step of the itineraries we use and can show you vistas, fun facts, and interesting finds that no one else would think to point out. With backcountry experience in a variety of landscapes, including the deserts of southern Utah, the Utah and Colorado Rockies, the Sierra Nevada, and the Appalachian Mountains of New England; he is able to use Yosemite as a launching pad to help you continue to explore the wilderness anywhere. His favorite locations in Yosemite include Mount Conness, Young Lakes, Parker Pass Lake, Vogelsang, and Matterhorn Canyon.

Mileage & Difficulty

42 Miles

(Map and Elevation)

Moderate-Strenuous

Length

6 Days

Price

$3,995

Per Person

Departure Info

Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center

4 p.m.

Check Availability

2026 Departure Dates by Month

All dates remain tentative until permitted 23-24 weeks in advance. Please refrain from making travel arrangements outside of this timeline. We will contact you if we are unsuccessful in obtaining your dates. Feel free to contact us if you would like to confirm.

Yosemite Guided Backpacking Trips: Founder’s Fall Adventure (Special Edition Hidden Yosemite)

For a detailed map with an elevation profile of the tentative itinerary, click here: Map.

Day 1

Meet your guide in the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Permit Center parking area at 12 p.m. Get acquainted with the group and your gear while eating the lunch you brought for day one. Hike six easy miles out of Tuolumne Meadows and north towards the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne—a dramatic glacier-cut river canyon. This gradual downhill hike meanders through alpine meadows and across massive granite slabs. Set up camp at the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp (7,980′) next to a pristine swimming hole. The total mileage today is approximately six miles.

Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 5.9 mi / +320′, -973′

Day 2

We will get an early start as we continue along the Pacific Crest Trail. The start of the day will take us seven miles through Cold Canyon before we reach a fantastic vista peeking into Virginia Canyon and beyond. We will descend and find a campsite near Return Creek at 8,500′.

Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 8.0 mi / +1435′, -841′

Day 3

After a leisurely start with breakfast today and packing up, we will continue our trek along the PCT into Spiller Canyon and climb to Miller Lake. Today will also provide time to enjoy this high alpine lake.

Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 3.8 mi / +1291′, -369′

Day 4

We will rise and begin the day by ascending out of the Miller Lake basin before dropping into Matterhorn Canyon. At this point, we will leave the Pacific Crest Trail as we continue deep into Matterhorn Canyon, where we will make camp surrounded by the beauty of spectacular geological formations such as the Fingers, Matterhorn Peak, Whorl Mountain, and the famous Sawtooth Ridge.

Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 9 mi / +2380′, -1524′

Day 5

After a hearty breakfast, we will climb over Burro Pass at 10,600′ before descending into Slide Canyon. Exiting Yosemite, we will climb out of Slide Canyon and over Mule Pass (10,440′) while taking a break to reward ourselves with some of the most amazing and breathtaking views you may ever see. We will proceed about another 1.5 miles past some extraordinary eastern Sierra pinnacles as we head to camp along the shore of Crown Lake (9,450′).

Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 6 mi / +1161′, -2006′

Day 6

On our final day, we will continue our descent through the Eastern Sierras, passing many other lakes, rivers, streams, and small waterfalls as we proceed to the Annett’s Mono Village Resort on the east side of Twin Lakes at 7,092′. Reward yourself with lunch, a cold beverage, and/or an ice cream before our scheduled shuttle back to Tuolumne Meadows to retrieve vehicles.

Today’s Mileage/Elevation: 8.25 mi / +271′, -2636′

Other: Based on permitting, a variation for this route includes combining days 2 and 3 into a single hike and starting the backpacking portion of the trip on day 2.

Our trips are all-inclusive. We provide all meals, and we can provide high-quality gear, including Gregory backpacks, Big Agnes tents, sleeping bags and pads, LEKI trekking poles, and eating gear, free of charge. Group gear, including all kitchen supplies, first aid, and water purification, is also included. See the Guide Service Backpacking Equipment List for more information.
See our Frequently Asked Questions, Yosemite Transportation Options, and/or Yosemite Lodging Options.
Parking will be available adjacent to the first day’s meeting location.
All trips include the required permits and are pending permit availability, which we gain 23-24 weeks in advance. Please refrain from making travel arrangements until we have confirmed dates. If we cannot acquire permits for this exact itinerary on your chosen dates, you will be contacted with options to choose different dates and/or cancel/refund.
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.

Your participation helps sustain our non-profit mission of supporting youth, families, and disadvantaged communities with positive experiences in America’s National Parks and natural spaces.

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 any guest 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, 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 backpacking trips. 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. Final Lodging/Hiking package payments are due 45 days in advance. Any new multi-day booking made at/within 45 days in advance must be paid in full. Feel free to contact us directly to set up any other payment plan.

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 Guide Service multi-day trips require a minimum of three people, and our summer camps require a minimum of four. 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: Any participant on any program/trip with any sign/symptom of a potential infectious 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.

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.

STAFF SCHEDULES

Due to the nature of backpacking, our guides work long hours. To provide the best possible experience to our guests and guides, we limit the number of hours our guides work to 15 hours per day. Guides will not be required to be available from 9 pm to 6 am unless the group agrees to a different period before this standard break.

During time off, our guides will be available for emergencies but should be allowed to rest and not be considered available for other purposes outside of working hours. Please don’t request non-time-sensitive assistance from guides during this period. Our guides are also entitled to take 10 minutes every four hours and 30-minute meal breaks every 5 hours, between 6 am and 9 pm. We appreciate your cooperation with these scheduling requirements.

COUPONS

See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions.

Our trips are all-inclusive. We provide all meals, and we can provide high-quality gear, including Gregory backpacks, Big Agnes tents, sleeping bags and pads, LEKI trekking poles, and eating gear, free of charge. Group gear, including all kitchen supplies, first aid, and water purification, is also included. See the Guide Service Backpacking Equipment List for more information.
See our Frequently Asked Questions, Yosemite Transportation Options, and/or Yosemite Lodging Options.
Parking will be available adjacent to the first day’s meeting location.
All trips include the required permits and are pending permit availability, which we gain 23-24 weeks in advance. Please refrain from making travel arrangements until we have confirmed dates. If we cannot acquire permits for this exact itinerary on your chosen dates, you will be contacted with options to choose different dates and/or cancel/refund.
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.

Your participation helps sustain our non-profit mission of supporting youth, families, and disadvantaged communities with positive experiences in America’s National Parks and natural spaces.