You can also bicycle the first mile of the trail to the end of the paved service road. Half Dome & Other Summits: Reaching the top of a summit, such as Half Dome, is a risky activity which can be made far worse by inclement weather. Although we are able to accommodate many specific dietary constraints and choices, we prepare foods in a facility with peanuts, gluten, soy, and other major allergens, and are not certified as an allergen-free facility. We specialize in National Parks backpacking trips , guided day hikes, and outdoor youth summer camps. Amazing landscapes. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Cost: $1300 (3 days)/ $1500 (4 days) *All commercial trips in Yosemite National Park are subject to a 5% fee required by the National Park Service. Remember, bears are afraid of humans and loud noises. Access the spectacular views just through the woods towards Half Dome but be cautious near the loose edge. Then the next day you can hike up to Tenaya Lake and over (and up) to Sunrise lakes for your 2nd night. cancel during your adventure with us, we will refund a credit equal to the amount of days not used. (239) 695-4593www.floridastateparks.org. Mirror Lake is a very popular spot in the Yosemite Valley and definitely a must see to check off your explore list. The best options for backpackers, without doubt, are the cluster of trailheads near Tenaya Lake: May Lake, Snow Creek, and Tenaya Lake, but we're including those that leave from Tuolumne Meadows as well. 6767 Crandon Blvd. We camped near the Snow Creek footbridge on Night 2, then made our way down the switchbacks overlooking the face of Half Dome. 8000 State Road 31 Since 1997, our program has introduced thousands of youth to nature and the wilderness experience through Adventure Based Programming. Ask UnderTheCitylights about Lasting Adventures, Grand Canyon of Tuolumne Backpacking Trip, Ask MarkPrimrose about Lasting Adventures, Outdoor Activities in Yosemite National Park, Private Giant Sequoia Grove Hike or Snowshoe, Yosemite Valley Private Winter Hiking Tour, 5 Day Yosemite Backpacking - Amazing Sunsets. The views were immaculate! If you aren't up for the strenuous, 2,700-foot climb to the footbridge, then take pleasure in knowing that you can enjoy fantastic views from partway up and choose your turnaround point at your own leisure. 2022 Lasting Adventures | All Rights Reserved |, 6-Day Yosemite Young Adventurers Program, 6 & 13-Day Yosemite Young Womens Programs, 6-Day Olympic Backpacking Adventure for Teens, 13-Day Olympic Backpacking Adventure for Teens. From the Mirror Lake trailhead (shuttle stop #17), it is 0.9 miles to the Snow Creek trailhead and 1.7 miles to the Snow . The best campground is the one closest to the overlook of Half Dome. Our winter sport expert shares five easy tips for choosing snowshoes, winter gear, and destinations to get your whole family snowshoeing this season. Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail [CLOSED], Half Dome via the John Muir Trail (JMT) [CLOSED], Mirror Lake via Valley Loop Trail [CLOSED], Vernal Falls and Clark Point via Mist and John Muir Loop [CLOSED], Clouds Rest Trail from Yosemite Valley [CLOSED], Vernal, Nevada, and Illilouette Falls Route [CLOSED], John Muir Trail: Happy Isles to Tuolumne Meadows [CLOSED], John Muir Trail: Yosemite Valley to Tenaya Lake [CLOSED], Merced Lake to Half Dome Loop via John Muir, Pack and Cloud Rest Trails [CLOSED], The Pinnacles and Cathedral Lake via John Muir Trail [CLOSED], John Muir and Clouds Rest Trail Loop via Happy Isles Trailhead [CLOSED], Vernal Fall Foot Bridge via John Muir Trail [CLOSED], Mirror Lake from Shuttle Stop 17 [CLOSED], Little Yosemite Valley via John Muir Trail [CLOSED], Mirror Lake, Snow Creek, and Upper Yosemite Falls Loop [CLOSED], Snow Creek Trail to Yosemite Falls Trail via North Dome [CLOSED], Happy Isles to Cloud's Rest Loop [CLOSED]. The creek to the backpacker's camp was definitely passable, but we had only hiked 5.5 miles, and we were eager to knock some miles off of tomorrow's hike, so we continued on. The Gore Lake trail is a fairly easy hike for the first 4 miles. Id also recommend camping there. We stayed at the backpackers camp on Night 1 then drove out to the Tioga Road trailhead to start our descent to the Valley Floor via the Snow Creek Trail. March your way through 26 acres of history to experience a rich forest with a unique feature: a floor of shimmering white sand. Todays Mileage: 7.5 mi / +0, -2,600, Day 4 Required shuttle costs are included in the above costs. Feel free to contact us directly to set up any other payment plan. We all had such an amazing yet challenging experience! Sunscreen, bug spray, and hydration are . Costs associated with assisting a participant with evacuating from the wilderness will be passed on to the participant. Hitchhiking or the YARTS bus will bring you back to the car. This is truly a beautiful hike. There is nothing quite like, Summer is a great time to get outdoors and experience the wonders of nature -- on foot. Distance: 9.4 mi (15.1 km) round trip Tent, cabin & RV camp on private & State Parks, on local farms, vineyards & nature preserves. Elevation Gain: 400 feet (120 m) Permit Demand: Very High. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the full value paid. Health screenings can be expected on all youth programs. We did this trip in 3 days/2 nights and started clockwise (Yosemite Falls > Snow Creek/Mirror Lake). Day 2 Coming in at Snow Creek is sort of a cheat, assuming the permitting system/rangers would let you do it, but it's an awfully long and roundabout way to get to Vogelsang from there, and then back. Re: May Lake->Snow Creek trail-head. During check-out you may opt to pay a 50% deposit at time of booking and the remaining 50% 30 days from departure. We will visit Lake Boren, May Creek, May Valley, De Leo Wall Viewpoint and Far Country Falls via a 10 mile loop trail; 2000' of gain. This fee will be added when you confirm your reservation and transferred directly to . Day hiked the whole loop Nov 2018 training for unsupported FKT attempt on the Arizona trail April 2019. Many forms of Travel Insurance cover these circumstances. Hikers ascend through forests to the panoramic Ten Lakes Pass before descending to the lakes. Keep your food within arm's reach at all times and do not feed the wildlife. Other:The May Lake Yosemite trip combines high alpine lakes and scenery, a chance to summit a major peak in Yosemite, and views into the Yosemite Valley from the northeast rim of the valley. After a flat 2 miles, you will begin the steep threemiles up to snow creek as you take one switch back after the next. You get major points for creativity. Starting at Tioga Road, hikers travel through vast forests and over small creeks to reach the summit of El Capitan. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Comparable to the Yosemite Falls Trail, this trail climbs steeply along several dozen switchbacks but is narrower in comparison. For more information, please visit, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Hikers travel through old forests, over panoramic passes, and into the quiet South Fork of Cathedral Creek. The Gore Lake trail separates from the Gore Creek trail at 4 miles. On our first day of hiking, we trekked downhill for about 5 miles, descending until we reached the Snow Creek footbridge. Between 45 and 31 days prior to the start date, we will retain 50 percent of the total trip cost. Trail Signs: Easy to navigate with plenty of trail signs. There are views of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, the northern mountains of Yosemite, and Tuolumne Meadows. Hoffmann. While we aim to get everyone to the top, summiting is not guaranteed. She planned all the details, provided excellent gear, and made sure everything worked out as planned", "Lasting Adventures made my trip to Yosemite a dream vacation! Changes to your booking and conversion to a credit must occur more than 30 days prior to your original start date. The trail descends through pine forests to the top of North Dome on the northern rim of Yosemite Valley. But are you spring hiking, A backpacking trip takes a little more planning during the winter. Once at the summit, there are expansive views of Yosemite Valley and the high country. Between 60 and 46 days prior to the start date, we will retain 25 percent of the total trip cost. Great effort brought great reward as we explored the Snow Creek Falls and got some stellar views of the valley. Anyways it looks like it's 8.9 miles from May Lake to Yosemite Valley, and then 13 miles back up to Sunrise Lakes. Elevation gain: 2,700 ft (820 m) Backpacking theSnow Creek Trail offers hikersamazing views of Half Dome and Basket Dome. You have the option to take a shuttle to the trailhead or hike the extr Also known as Tenaya Creek Falls or Three Chutes Falls, this spot is loved by locals and is definitely worth the hidden trail and scramble over rocks. Crowds are much smaller if you go during the winter, but some parts of the water might be iced over. The day time weather was very pleasant, and very warm in the sun, but it was definitely below freezing at night. I don't think May Lake will completely thaw until mid-August after seeing it in person . We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child prior to participation and contact us to cancel should any sign of illness be present. Levels of difficulty listed on our website are relative and in no way an objective declaration of difficulty, and a regular physical exercise program is recommended prior to going on your adventure. Feel free to contact us directly to set up any other payment plan. We were pretty limited as many of the wilderness access trails were closed for winter and the pass was snowed out, so we were stoked to find some backcountry camping! Sprained ankles and knee injuries are common on this trail. more. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. The first part of the trail consists of the Mirror Lake Trail. South Florida may be nestled on one of the most coveted coastlines in the world, but is also rich with swampy wilderness that is home to exotic wildlife and amazing plants. ), Distance: 10.4 miles (16.7 km) round trip. Should we fall short on these minimums, we will contact you 30-days in advance of your scheduled start date with options that may include switching to another trip/date and/or a single-participant surcharge. Poles were very helpful to help keep our balance, as several areas were slippery with gravel like grounding. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Distance: 24 miles. It's an awesome spot - right across from Half Dome. Even if you are just day hiking, you'll still need a day hike permit. From there, you can either turn around or park your bike and begin your hike. You'll hike more than 140 switchbacks to reach the top of Basket Dome and get epic views of Half Dome. Pre-existing medical conditions can be easily exacerbated on the steep ascent. Scott and Brandon were our guides for a 8.5 mile day hike and they could not have been more friendly and supportive. If a trip is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control prior to its start date a trip credit equal to the full amount paid will be issued. more. During time off, our guides will be available for emergencies, but should be allowed to rest and should not be considered available for other purposes outside of working hours. 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. Some terrain is harder to navigate than others, sometimes keeping, While Florida may be better known for its beautiful beaches and ocean views, the state also offers an incredible hiking scene that shouldnt be, Without question, Florida offers some of the most stunning shoreline sights and scenic vistas in the entire country. Starting in Yosemite Valley, head to the Snow Creek trailhead just past Muir Meadows. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 59 min to complete. After a successful day, we had dinner, played a competitive game of Uno, and called it a night. Our guides are also entitled to take off 10 minutes every four hours, as well as 30-minute meal breaks every 5 hours, between 6 am and 9 pm. Should we fall short on these minimums, we will contact you 30-days in advance of your scheduled start date with options that may include switching to another trip/date and/or a single-participant surcharge. Cancellations of any trip can be made without penalty within 48 hours of the initial booking. To cancel, please email us at staff@lastingadventures.org or leave a voicemail at 800-513-8651. Hike south and mainly downhill a total of 7.5 miles (as we cross back over Tioga Road/Hwy 120) to the top of Snow Creek Falls (6,720). Trailhead: May Lake. Lasting Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips. Do not shortcut switchbacks, which causes rapid trail erosion and results in injuries. The next morning we packed up our tents and backpacks and drove out to the May Lake Snow Creek Trailhead, where we parked our cars and began our descent into the Valley via the Snow Creek Trail. Watch out for bears! For detailed information see Payment Options. Avoid becoming dehydrated or experiencing heat exhaustion. Plan ahead and bring plenty of water for your hike. Vault toilets are available 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from the trailhead and again 1 mile (1.6 km) from the trailhead at the end of the paved service road at Mirror Lake. 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Share it with us so your neighbors can learn about it too! We opted for the easier option, the downhill route and were met with incredible views of Half Dome, waterfalls, and the Valley. Minimum Participants: Our Guide Service multi-day trips have a two person minimum. Backpacking Yosemite's Snow Creek Trail (May Lake Snow Creek Trailhead to Mirror Lake) 204 views Jun 15, 2021 2 Dislike Share Save Trisha Sarathi 18 subscribers Backpacking Trip in. Please refrain from making travel arrangements until we have confirmed dates. I could not recommend this great company more & hope they expand to other national parks in the future. Sunscreen, bug spray, and hydration are essentials on this stretch of the hike. The first day we hiked up Yosemite Falls and past Yosemite Point before setting up camp on the flatter granite/sandy area. Once a participant has joined a trip and the trip has begun, no opportunities for refunds or credits will be possible, regardless of the reason for departure. We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child prior to participation and contact us to cancel should any sign of illness be present. Your first course of action should be to contact the company responsible for insuring your trip. Be sure with any bear encounters YOU DO NOT RUN AWAY. Between 90 and 61 days prior to the start date, we will grant you a full refund minus a $50/person processing fee. Well maintained trail Between 500 B.C. All 2023 dates remain tentative until permitted 23-weeks in advance. more information on current conditions Start your hike early; this trail can become very hot mid-day in the summer. This is truly a beautiful hike. We will require an additional medical release for any guests on multi-day trips 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. Then 13 miles back up to Sunrise lakes for your hike clockwise ( Yosemite Falls & gt ; Snow Lake. An amazing yet challenging experience payment plan Mileage: 7.5 mi / +0, -2,600, day 4 Required costs! 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