Mount Hoffman Hike

Mount Hoffmann Hike

Yosemite National Park

Trip Highlights:

Mount Hoffmann

May Lake

A John Muir Favorite

One of the best day hikes in Yosemite, Mount Hoffmann is a lesser known peak which is actually quite easily reached with an exciting scramble at the top. This hike takes you past the beautifully blue May Lake, a high alpine lake at 9,329′. We then follow the trail away from the lake and above tree-line to the rock-boulders that make up the last climb to the top of what is known as the geographical center of Yosemite National Park. Mount Hoffmann was also known as offering one of John Muir’s favorite views within all of the park, offering a full 360 degree view of the high country. All tours are private.

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Availability:

June 15 – October 31

Duration:

6-8 Hours

Mileage & Difficulty:

7-11 Miles

Strenuous

Cost:

1-2 People: $600

3-4 People: $800

5+ People: $200-/Person

All Tours Are Private

Departs From:

Sunrise Lakes Trailhead

Meeting Time:

8 am

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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

Meeting Location: Sunrise Trailhead at 8,150′
High Point: Mount Hoffmann summit at 10,850′
Elevation Gain: 2,700′

This trip can begin in one of two ways depending on personal preference. Your guide can either meet you at Sunrise Lakes Trailhead near Tenaya Lake’s Western shore, which will make the day’s hike 11 miles total, or we may meet at May Lake Parking lot (if open), which cuts off 4 miles from the day making the trek 7 miles round trip. From Sunrise trailhead, it is a quick and flat warmup hike .7 miles to Tioga Pass road. Here we will cross a crosswalk to continue 1.3 miles on a 700 foot vertical foot ascent to May Lake Parking lot. If you choose to begin the day at May Lake parking lot, don’t worry about the aforementioned; your trip will start here.

From May Lake Parking lot, the trail takes us along a mildly strenuous 1.1 miles ascending 500 vertical feet to the May Lake high sierra camp, an absolutely beautiful high sierra lake, and one of the largest by area in Yosemite National Park. After enjoying a swim, snacks, water and relaxation here at May Lake, we will continue to our final destination, a 2 mile, 1,500 vertical foot climb to the peak of Mount Hoffmann. This is the most strenuous 2 miles of the day, being uphill the whole way. The last mile up, we will be hiking upon loose granite boulders and rocks through a indefinite trail marked by cairns, or rock stacks. From the base of the summit, it is about a 150 vertical foot moderately steep scramble up granitic boulders to the peak. Reaching the peak is very much worth the tough trek, being the geographical center of the park and reaching higher than Cloud’s Rest and Half Dome at 10,850 feet, Mount Hoffmann provides a 360-degree perspective of the entire park. With incredible views of Half Dome, Cloud’s Rest, the Clark Range, the Cathedral Range and Tuolumne’s High Country, and of the park’s northern borders it is easy to understand why this huge exfoliating mountain was John Muir’s favorite view.

After you have had your fill of the overwhelming views from the peak, we will backtrack the trail, all downhill, descending 1,500 vertical feet back to May Lake, where another swim or fishing session may be enjoyed. Now we continue retracing 1.1 miles down to the May Lake parking lot. If you started here, this is where our day will end after sweet reminisces and goodbyes. If you began at Sunrise Lakes trailhead, our final stretch will be two excess miles descending 700 vertical feet back to the finish line at Sunrise parking lot.

Notes:

All tours are private.
Guide(s) carry first aid kits, water purification methods, toilet paper (for emergencies), suntan lotion and bug repellent. Please plan to bring your own lunch, snacks, water bottles, etc.
Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. You will be kept in contact throughout this process.

For a detailed packing list, please see our Day Hike Equipment List. If you have other items you would like to bring, but feel unsure, contact us at staff@lastingadventures.com to help you decide. Your guide will bring a first aid kit, water treatment supplies, toilet paper/trowel, sunscreen, bug spray, and a passion for adventure.
See here for our Frequently Asked Questions, Yosemite Transportation Options, and/or Yosemite Lodging Options.
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. These forms will be signed via a link provided in your confirmation email from our booking agent, under the link for “Digital Waivers” and must be signed by each attending adult. Minors will be included on the same form as their parent/guardian.

We will require an additional medical release for any “Half Dome in a Day” hikers or 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 (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 required upon registration for day trips.

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.

Day Hike Cancellation Policy

More than 30 days before the trip date, we will grant a full refund, minus $25/person, and a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
With 72 hours’ notice, we will retain 50% of the total trip cost.
Within 72 hours, no refunds or credits will be issued.

Half Dome in a Day Cancellation Policy

More than 90 days before the trip date, we will grant a full refund minus $50/person and a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
More than 60 days before the trip date, we will retain 25% of the total trip cost. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the total value paid.
Between 60 and 31 days before the trip 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, no refunds or credits will be issued.
Any date changes for Half Dome in a Day must occur at least 30-days before the currently scheduled date.

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.

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.

COUPONS

See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions.

Join Us For A Guided Tour

Availability

June 15 – October 31

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#1 Rated Guide Service in the West

I did a private one-on-one hike with a guide to Half Dome. This was such an amazing experience! The guide was very knowledgeable regarding Yosemite, and I realized I wouldn't have completed it without the help of the guide. His expertise and calmness during the cables really enabled me to push through and complete this amazing hike!”

We were a group of 7 family members (ages 22-65 years old), for all of us was our first hiking/backpacking/camping experience. We all have such an amazing yet challenging experience, it was really worthy! Thank you so much to our guides Nicole and Jack for your cheers, your spirit, your cooking, your yoga time, your knowledge and for doing this family trip so great! We really enjoy it!!

I booked a guided hike for Clouds Rest as I was unsuccessful in my ballot for Half Dome. My friend was unable to make it so I decided to book a guided hike for myself. From beginning to end, Lasting Adventures was great. They replied to me quickly, and my guide was excellent! He offered me hiking poles in case I hadn't taken any and had plenty other essentials on hand.