Yosemite Hiking Adventure (WAITLIST ONLY)

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Available Dates:

June 18-23, 2025

6 days/5 nights

Minimum/Maximum: 12 guests/12 guests

Itinerary Highlights

• Trek to the iconic Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls, two of Yosemite’s crown jewels
• Drive along Tioga Pass Road, taking in mesmerizing views of Yosemite’s alpine mountains and Half Dome in the distance
• Visit the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the 2,700-year-old Grizzly Giant, one of the oldest trees on earth
• Hike to the summit of Lembert Dome, topping out at the 9,450-foot summit with amazing views of the Cathedral Range and the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River
• With NPCA partners and local experts by your side, get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to safeguard the dazzling views and diverse ecosystems of this otherworldly park
• Connect with the Yosemite Conservancy for a guided walking tour through the historic Ahwahnee Village to learn about the area’s Native American heritage and pioneer past
• Tour the historic buildings that make up the Yosemite History Center and Chinese Laundry Building to uncover the stories of the park’s often overlooked Chinese American residents and employees
• Meet with a National Park Service forest ecologist to learn about the park’s fire ecology and monitoring program

Itinerary

Day 1: June 18 — Travel to Fresno: Welcome to Fresno – Gateway to Yosemite! Upon arrival at Fresno Yosemite International Airport, make your way to the hotel, located just a short walk from the airport. After you’ve had some time to settle in, meet your guides in the hotel lobby at 5 p.m. Together, head to the welcome dinner and meeting for introductions and discussion of your adventure! Wyndham Garden Fresno Yosemite Airport (D)

Day 2: June 19 — Yosemite Valley - Vernal and Nevada Falls: This morning, we’ll make our way to our first hike at Happy Isles Trailhead. Our day begins with a leisurely 6-mile roundtrip hike to two of Yosemite’s crown jewels, Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls, along the John Muir or the Mist Trail. While many of Yosemite hikes are centered on a final destination, this route features stunning views throughout. From Upper Yosemite Falls across the Valley, to the phenomenal granite heights of Liberty Cap, Grizzly Peak, the Panorama Cliffs, Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point and even Half Dome soaring above our heads, enjoy breathtaking views from start to finish. After lunch at a picturesque point overlooking the falls, we’ll return to the valley floor and explore more of the scenic wonders of this fantastic place. Then, we’ll head to our lodge to get checked in, cleaned up and meet for dinner. Tenaya Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 3: June 20 — Yosemite High Country – Lembert Dome/Gaylor Lakes: Today, we will rise early and drive up into Yosemite high country. We’ll head east along Tioga Pass Road, stopping at Olmsted Point for a mesmerizing view of Yosemite’s alpine mountains and Half Dome in the distance. Our morning trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows features a series of vast, alpine meadows with mountain streams snaking their way through the tall grass and abundant wildflowers. Here, we’ll get an overview of the meadows from our 2-mile hike to the summit of Lembert Dome. This hike involves some scrambling before topping out at the 9,450-foot summit with its amazing views of the Cathedral Range and the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River. Afterwards, we’ll head up to Tioga Pass, the highest elevation highway in California and through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Our post-lunch 2-mile hike takes us up the steep trail to the Gaylord Lakes Basin just below the rugged Sierra Crest. We’ll visit high alpine lakes and perhaps the abandoned 1870s Great Sierra Mine before returning to our lodge and resting up before dinner. Tenaya Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 4: June 21 — Glacier Point Road: Today, we’ll drive Glacier Point Road and enjoy a 2.2-mile hike to Sentinel Dome Taft Point for some amazing views of Yosemite Valley. Upon return from our excursion, enjoy some free time to relax and explore the lodge’s amenities. Tonight, we’ll reconvene for another fantastic group dinner. Tenaya Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 5: June 22 — Yosemite Valley: Today, we’ll give our legs a much-deserved break. After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we’ll embark on an exploration of several Yosemite Valley museums and sites. Along the way, we’ll be sure to stop at Yosemite Valley Welcome Center, Yosemite Exploration Center, and Yosemite Museum. Tonight, we’ll celebrate our adventure and share memories over one last dinner at the famous Ahwahnee Hotel. Tenaya Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 6: June 23 — Yosemite National Park to Fresno: Our last day in Yosemite takes us to some of the largest and most impressive trees on earth – the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. We’ll hike the 2.5 mile lower loop, which provides for a wonderful morning of hiking. The many giant trees we’ll visit include the 2,700-year-old Grizzly Giant – the 25th largest tree on earth. The Park Service recently completed a restoration of the Grove and removed much of the man-made infrastructure, returning much of the natural peace and quiet back to this special place. Afterwards, we’ll stop at Wawona Hotel for lunch and then the Yosemite History Center, home to a collection of historic buildings that pay homage to the people who moved here from around the world and shaped the park’s development. In the summer, the Chinese Laundry Building (and acting superintendent’s office!) opens its door to exhibits focused on the forgotten footsteps of the Chinese in Yosemite’s history. At the end of our day, we’ll bid farewell to our magnificent Yosemite adventure together before transferring you back to Fresno / Wyndham Garden Fresno Airport Yosemite for your flights home. (B, L)

Please note: Accommodations and activities are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond NPCA’s control.

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MORE INFORMATION: For full details on this trip, including inclusions, exclusions, accommodations, terms and safety protocols, please download the detailed trip brochure.

Download Detailed Trip Brochure ›

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