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Glacier Point to Half Dome

4-Day Half Dome Backpacking Tour

Trip Highlights:

Glacier Point

Half Dome Summit

The Famous Mist Trail

Yosemite Valley

Little Yosemite Valley

Vernal & Nevada Falls

Looking for an incredible Half Dome backpacking trip? Our Yosemite Glacier Point to Half Dome guided tour is an epic journey through some of the most beautiful and popular parts of the park. 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 this remote campsite near 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 our shortest multiday trip to Half Dome and our most frequently booked Yosemite Backpacking Trip! As Yosemite's #1 wilderness outfitter, Lasting Adventures continues to guide the most groups to the summit of Half Dome annually, just as we have for the past 30 years.

Mileage & Difficulty

20 Miles

Length

4 Days

Price

$1,800

Per Person

Departure Info

4 p.m.
Check Availability
You will receive a full refund if you cancel within 48 hours of the original booking date.
Book with confidence knowing you can cancel for any reason up to 30 days before your trip date and receive a transferable lifetime credit that is good for use on any of our programs.

Not sure if your current trip dates work? Rest assured, you can change your trip date as many times as needed, provided you do so at least 30 days before the current and new trip dates.

All dates remain tentative until confirmed 23-24 weeks in advance.

We are now fully permitted through August 22, 2026 departures.

Yosemite 2025 Update: The National Park Service was given the green light for Yosemite to hire all needed seasonal employees for the summer 2025 season. We do expect to be able to run all our programs as planned. Should reservations be required, participation in Lasting Adventures programs, trips, and/or tours includes entry when reservations are needed

2026 Departure Dates by Month

    May Departure Dates  

  • Thu, May 21st – Sun, May 24th
  • Wed, May 27th – Sat, May 30th
  • June Departure Dates  

  • Thu, Jun 4th – Sun, Jun 7th
  • Thu, Jun 11th – Sun, Jun 14th
    Sorry, Sold Out
  • Sat, Jun 13th – Tue, Jun 16th
  • Tue, Jun 23rd – Fri, Jun 26th
    Hurry, only 2 spots remain

    July Departure Dates  

  • Sun, Jul 5th – Wed, Jul 8th
  • Mon, Jul 13th – Thu, Jul 16th
    Hurry, only 4 spots remain
  • Mon, Jul 20th – Thu, Jul 23rd
  • Fri, Jul 31st – Mon, Aug 3rd
  • August Departure Dates  

  • Thu, Aug 6th – Sun, Aug 9th
  • Fri, Aug 14th – Mon, Aug 17th
  • Fri, Aug 21st – Mon, Aug 24th
    Hurry, only one spot remains

    September Departure Dates  

  • Sat, Sep 5th – Tue, Sep 8th
  • Sat, Sep 12th – Tue, Sep 15th
  • Sun, Sep 20th – Wed, Sep 23rd
    Sorry, Sold Out
  • October Departure Dates  

  • Fri, Oct 2nd – Mon, Oct 5th

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 Glacier Point to Half Dome Backpacking Trip

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

Day 1

Meet your guide in Curry Village at 4 p.m. Get acquainted with the group and with gear. If time allows before dinner, visit some of Yosemite Valley’s walkable destinations. Group camping in the Yosemite Valley Backpackers Camp.

Today’s Mileage/Elevation: ~0.5 mi / +0′, -0′

Day 2

After breakfast and packing up the campsite, our group will return to Curry Village for our transfer to Glacier Point by 8 a.m. After taking in the sights from Glacier Point, we will be relocated to the Mono Meadows Trailhead, just to the west of Glacier Point, where we will eat lunch before setting out on the trail.  After lunch, we will descend into Illilouette Valley over 3.2 easy (mostly downhill) miles. 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: 3.2 mi / +248′, -1130′

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 6,122′, 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 (without Half Dome): 5.25 mi / +976′, -1251′

Half Dome

Half Dome will be completed either in the afternoon/evening 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 8,846′. (This is done as a day hike and without the larger backpacking backpacks.) Note: Half Dome is an optional side hike and not required. Those not attending can enjoy relaxing at the campsite and/or along the beach of the Merced River.

Round-trip Mileage/Elevation: 7 mi / +2755′, -2755′

Day 4

We will descend to the Yosemite Valley Floor (4,000′) via the famous Mist Trail, which parallels the Merced River and both Nevada and Vernal Falls. Generally, our goal is to finish between 2 and 4 p.m., but this can be later due to human factors within the group or environmental conditions.

Today’s Mileage/Elevation (without Half Dome): 4 mi / +149′, -2245′

  • 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.
  • Safety harnesses are not a requirement for the Half Dome cables, and we neither recommend for nor against them. It is a personal decision that ultimately lowers risk. We do not supply harnesses and/or Via Ferrata systems. You are, however, welcome to bring your own. For answers to other Half Dome questions, visit our Half Dome FAQ.
  • Should reservations be necessary to enter Yosemite, your booking confirmation with us will serve as your entry reservation for the days booked with us. This should not be confused with entry fees, which still may be required.

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.

Yes, our backpack trips are perfect for both those who are new to backpacking and those who have backpacked before and are looking to explore new areas.

Yes, overall, most of our clients travel solo, and everyone always leaves with new friends. Often these new friendships return and join us in different parks and/or on different itineraries. Solo participants will be offered single-person tents.

On backpacking trips, our average group size is 8-10 people with at least two guides, however, often groups are much smaller. We strive for a 1:5 guide to client ratio at most on all trips. We also appreciate small group sizes to maximize your experience.

On all multiday trips, and unlike most other outfitters, our trips are all–inclusive, with free use of quality gear from partners such as Gregory (backpacks), Big Agnes (tents, sleeping bags, and pads), Leki (trekking poles), and more. See here for Gear We Use. Lasting Adventures also provides all group gear (bear cans, cooking gear, first-aid supplies, water treatment, toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, bug repellent, suntan lotion, etc).

Unfortunately no. Lasting Adventures provides our gear free of charge through longstanding partnerships with our gear partners. Thus, we neither charge more to use our gear nor charge less if you use your own. You can also request to use our gear, and also bring your own, and then decide what stays or goes when packing up with the guide(s) and group on the first day.  

You can expect to carry anywhere from 30-50 pounds, but no more than â…“ of your body weight. You will carry all your personal gear and, if possible, a share of the group gear. Within the group, bigger people carry more and smaller people less. For over 30 years now, this process has worked to everyone’s advantage.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We have a long history of meeting the needs of most all dietary restrictions and even some very complicated ones. When registering, you will complete a questionnaire to give us a brief picture of your needs. Later, you will complete a more detailed Medical Form, which you can use to include additional information. The staff guiding your trip will call you the day prior and, when packing the food/gear for the trip, will go over your needs and modifications in more detail. Although we have many options in stock, we respect it if you ultimately decide to bring your preferred substitutions.

We operate traditional wilderness backpacking trips, and you should prepare yourself for not having access to bathrooms/showers. Guides will provide instructions on how to best use the wilderness when conducting your business while also following the Leave No Trace Principles. There will also be time to rinse off, as we camp near rivers, streams, and/or lakes daily. Less often, we may stay in campgrounds with toilets or outhouses.  

Yes, parking is always available close to our first day’s meeting point, and your vehicle can remain there throughout the trip. Although parking is free, remember to expect a vehicle fee when entering the park.

Although past clients have said they were glad they rented a vehicle, there are limited public transportation options for most of the trips we offer in Yosemite. See here for additional information: Yosemite Transportation Options.

You can store your valuables and/or extra gear/luggage either locked in your vehicle or our guide’s vehicle for the duration of the trip.

To avoid the processing fees associated with online registration, you can pay by check, Zelle, or bank transfer. See more information here: Payment Options. 

Lasting Adventures offers a very forgiving and structured Cancellation Policy, with lifetime transferable credit always an option up to 30 days prior to the trip. For a full description, visit our Terms and Conditions page.

Safety harnesses are not required for Half Dome, and we neither recommend nor oppose them. It is a personal decision and ultimately poses a lower risk. We do not supply harnesses and/or via ferrata systems. You are, however, welcome to bring your own.

  • 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.
  • Safety harnesses are not a requirement for the Half Dome cables, and we neither recommend for nor against them. It is a personal decision that ultimately lowers risk. We do not supply harnesses and/or Via Ferrata systems. You are, however, welcome to bring your own. For answers to other Half Dome questions, visit our Half Dome FAQ.
  • Should reservations be necessary to enter Yosemite, your booking confirmation with us will serve as your entry reservation for the days booked with us. This should not be confused with entry fees, which still may be required.

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.

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All Lasting Adventures Backpacking trips require trailhead permits, which we gain 23-24 weeks in advance through a lottery process.

We are now fully permitted through August 22, 2026 departures.

If you register for a date after August 22, 2026, and we can’t get the necessary permits, we will work with you to select alternative dates or trips. A complete cancellation or refund is always the final option.