10-Day Mammoth to Yosemite Teen Adventure

10-Day Mammoth to Yosemite Valley Teen Advenure

Yosemite National Park

Trip Highlights:

Inyo National Forest

Yosemite High Country

Backcountry Camping

Alpine Meadows & Lakes

Ages 14-18

CO-ED

This trip is a guide's favorite itinerary from Mammoth to the popular Yosemite Valley. Participants will travel along the PCT & JMT and over the famous Donohue Pass into Yosemite’s beautiful Lyell Canyon before resupplying and continuing their transformative journey through some of the most scenic trails in the Yosemite high country. Participants will be blown away by the beauty of this itinerary, which will offer many beautiful sunrises at lakefront campsites along the way. Most trips have an opportunity to summit a major peak and/or explore nearby lakes, waterfalls, or geologic features. With instruction from our educators/guides, participants will learn to appreciate this landscape on a deeper level while they participate in daily activities and challenges. Risk-taking, freedom, and outdoor education programming, complimented by fun and support from others, leads to a positive youth backpacking experience and adventure for all.

Age Range

14-18

Price

$2990

Length

10 Days

Length

10 Days

Mileage & Difficulty

60 Miles

Strenuous

Mileage & Difficulty

60 Miles

Strenuous

Departure

Lembert Dome Parking

2 pm

Pickup

Curry Village Parking

12pm

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YOUTH PROGRAM ADVENTURE SHUTTLE

Lasting Adventures will be providing transportation from near the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and the greater Bay Area to our Youth Backpacking programs in Yosemite National Park. Skip the long drive and traffic while helping save the environment.

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Yosemite Reservations: Participation in Lasting Adventures programs, trips, and/or tours includes entry during any time period when reservations are needed to enter Yosemite.

2025 Departure Dates by Month

Summer Camps in Yosemite: 10-Day Mammoth to Yosemite Valley Adventure

This is a sample itinerary only.

Day 1: Meet your Guides/Counselors. Get acquainted with the group and with gear. Group orientation and trip overview. Tuolumne Meadows tour including geological and natural highlights. Evening activities and campfire to strengthen group bonds and set goals for the trip.

Day 2: After a morning shuttle to Mammoth, start your journey at the Agnew Meadows trailhead near Mammoth Lakes. The first day’s journey begins with an easy walk along the San Joaquin River Valley. A short spur trail closes this 6.5-mile day and brings us to camp at Badger Lakes.

Day 3: From Badger Lakes, a 6-mile hike continues generally uphill towards our destination, camp near the Rush Creek Headwaters. As we climb, the scenery gets better and better until we are treated to an up close view of many high alpine lakes with Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak and the spires of the Minarets in the background. Make a memorable camp up high below Donahue Pass.

Day 4: Crossing Donahue Pass (11,056ft) in the morning, this 5-mile day brings us into Yosemite National Park, before dropping down into Lyell Canyon, where we will camp for the night.

Day 5: Today will be an easier hiking day, covering 7 miles of gentle downhill along the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River. The gentle terrain through amazing meadows brings us to camp in a stand of Lodgepole pines along the river.

Day 6: Resupply day! This challenging day covers 11 miles as we drop down to Tuolumne Meadows, where we will resupply our food, throw away trash, and use real bathrooms! Then we will head North towards Glen Aulin, visiting amazing waterfalls and camping near one of the park’s best sunset views.

Day 7: Leaving Glen Aulin, we will travel through forests and start to see some different flora and fauna as the trip begins to lose elevation on our journey down to Yosemite Valley. We will camp after 5 miles at the hidden Polly Dome Lakes.

Day 8: On this 6.5-mile day we will hike past Tenaya Lake, the largest lake in Yosemite and a perfect opportunity for a beach themed lunch break at its sandy and sunny eastern shore. Then we will regain some elevation heading towards camp by the classic Sunrise Lakes.

Day 9: Today features our last climb of the trip and a strong contender for best view as well. We will start early to cover 9 miles over the summit of Clouds Rest, with views out to the high country of Yosemite and all the places we’ve visited. The trail then drops down into the forest as we journey towards Little Yosemite Valley.

Day 10: The last day of the journey! We will hike 4.5 miles down past some of Yosemite’s most famous waterfalls, and back down to Yosemite Valley, with 3,000 foot granite walls and epic views in every direction.

Other: On all programs, we have a daily circle time in the morning 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 or in the afternoon or evening in the campsite, our Guides also facilitate additional opportunities for youth to develop a personal connection with nature. Problem-solving and initiative games are common as are smiles. As with all our Yosemite summer camp programs, additional outdoor skills are gained as we practice Leave No Trace principles and promote environmental stewardship throughout the length of our trip.

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, Yosemite Adventure Shuttle info, 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.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.

To file a complaint alleging discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provided in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (a) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (b) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (c) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Lasting Adventures, Inc. operates under permit on the Inyo National Forest.

More Info

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. These forms are also attached to your confirmation email once you register online.

We will require an additional medical release for any guests on multi-day trips, any “Half Dome in a Day” hiker, 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 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

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.

#1 Rated Guide Service in the West

“From a parent's perspective, Lasting Adventures provided plenty of communication before and during the trip, so I knew he was in good hands. From a kids perspective, this adventure taught him skills he may not have otherwise learned, built up his self-confidence and independence, and fostered a love for the outdoors. He already can’t wait to do this camp again!”

“The guides were so knowledgeable of the area, cooked amazing meals, taught the kids about nature, kept them safe, and most importantly helped each kid prove to themselves they could do it! That built more confidence in my daughter and made her more reliant on herself and trusting of herself.”

“My friends and I (aged 13-15) went on a two-week backpacking trip with Lasting Adventures. Our group grew close as a family, and on the last night, we had a very joyous celebration. We joked, messed around, and ate delicious food prepared by the guides. I strongly recommend them if you are looking for a physical and active summer camp, with amazing views along the way.”

“My daughter participated in the 7-Day summer camp in Yosemite and, WOW, is all I can say! I was nervous, but the staff was quick to respond via email to all my questions. She had the time of her life and she can’t wait to do it again next summer!”

“My 15 (Nearly 16) year old son just got home from an EPIC trip with Lasting Adventures on the Outdoor Leadership Expedition. He had such a wonderful time and communicated that his guides were "the best." If you're looking for a journey for your young family members this comes genuinely, very highly recommended. All of the kids were thrilled, and all of the most free and relaxed of smiles!”