Backpacking Yosemite: Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River
4 Day, One Way Trip

TRIP DATES

Trip Overview

Traversing through Yosemite's Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne is the perfect adventure to push you out of your comfort zone and show you what backpacking is all about. Experience some of the most beautiful ascents, waterfalls, and swimming holes that Yosemite has to offer on this advanced backpacking trip. Strenuous, yet highly rewarding, this route is one of the least traveled in Yosemite meaning that you get to enjoy it all in backcountry solitude. A five day loop option is also available for those looking to be challenged even further. 

Please read our updated COVID-19 trip safety precautions. 
You may find our cancellation policy at the bottom of this page.
Have a question about this trip? Email us at sboutdoors@sportsbasement.com.

 

SEE 5 DAY TRIP OPTION!
Difficulty Rating: Advanced
DIFFICULTY LEVEL

Participants will be carrying their own gear as well as group gear (35 - 45 lbs total), 6 to 11 miles each day over moderate to strenuous terrain with elevation gains and losses of up to 4,000 ft in a day. We recommend doing numerous day hikes and training with a 35 - 45 lb pack prior to your trip. Individuals should be in superior physical condition (See our Training Recommendations). Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian participating on the trip and are subject to manager approval.

Trip Itinerary

Although we'll always do our best to adhere to this schedule, it is often dictated by factors outside of our control and is therefore subject to change. We will run this trip rain or shine as long as it is safe to do so.

Day 1

Meet at the Murphy Creek Trailhead at 8 am

Trip orientation and gear discussion

Shuttle to the White Wolf Trailhead

Hike 10-11 miles on flat and downhill terrain, including a major descent into Pate Valley

Enjoy a trailside lunch

Make camp at Pate Valley along the Tuolumne River

Enjoy a delicious, hot dinner along with a selection of hot beverages (e.g. coffee, tea, apple cider, hot chocolate)

Day 2

Enjoy a delicious, hot breakfast along with a selection of hot beverages (e.g. coffee, tea, apple cider, hot chocolate)

Break camp

Hike 6-7.5 miles on varied terrain

Enjoy a trailside lunch

Enjoy picturesque swimming holes along the river and at camp

Make camp along the Tuolumne River

Enjoy a delicious, hot dinner along with a selection of hot beverages (e.g. coffee, tea, apple cider, hot chocolate)

Day 3

Enjoy a delicious, hot breakfast along with a selection of hot beverages (e.g. coffee, tea, apple cider, hot chocolate)

Break camp

Hike 6.5-8 miles on gradual, but sometimes strenuous uphill terrain

Enjoy a trailside lunch

Take photos of Waterwheel Falls, Le Conte Falls, and California Falls

Make camp at the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp

Enjoy a delicious, hot dinner along with a selection of hot beverages (e.g. coffee, tea, apple cider, hot chocolate)

Day 4

Enjoy a delicious, hot breakfast along with a selection of hot beverages (e.g. coffee, tea, apple cider, hot chocolate)

Break camp

Hike 7-8 miles on moderate terrain

Enjoy the serenity of one or two backcountry lakes

Enjoy a trailside lunch

Return to the Murphy Creek Trailhead and shuttle back to cars

Congratulations! You just backpacked 31 miles with 6k elevation gain over 4 days!

Packing List

Required:

Face Mask and Hand Sanitizer

Lightweight 2 Person, 3-Season Tent (rentals available)

Backpacking Pack - minimum 60L (rentals available)

Lightweight, Compressible Sleeping Bag rated 15 to 25 degrees (rentals available)

Lightweight Sleeping Pad, inflatable recommended (rentals available)

Headlamp with fresh batteries (rentals available)

Mess Kit (bowl, insulated cup, and spork)

Sturdy Hiking Boots that are broken in

2-3L Water Bladder and 1L Bottle

Sunscreen, Sun Hat, Sunglasses

Hiking Pants/Shorts (lightweight, quick dry)

Wool or Synthetic Hiking Tops (quick dry)

Wool or Synthetic Hiking Socks, Liner Socks

Seasonal Layers: Baselayers, Fleece/Down Jacket, Winter Hat, Lightweight Gloves

Waterproof Rain Jacket and Pack Cover (Poncho at minimum)

Optional (but recommended):

Trekking Poles (rentals available)

Lightweight Camp Shoes/Water Shoes

Insect Repellant

Small Pack Towel

Camera/Phone

Ear Plugs

Camp Pillow

Luxury Item (small book/kindle, deck of cards, etc.)

Guide Gratuities (optional)

Do NOT bring:

Soap

Full Wallet and Set of Keys

Full sized Toothpaste, Deodorant, Sunscreen, etc. (Please only bring small packages of these things or re-package them yourself.)

Photo Gallery

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$795 per person

Included:

Day-Use Entry Exemption to Yosemite (given to participants in the week leading up to trip)

Two Expert, Medically Trained Guides

Group First Aid Kit

All Wilderness Permits and Camping Fees

Bear Canisters

Group Cooking Gear (including stoves and fuel)

Water Filtration

Dinners, Breakfasts, Hot Beverages, and Trail Snacks

Pre-Trip Phone Briefing Approximately Two Weeks Prior to Trip

An Amazing Wilderness Experience

Not Included:

Transportation to and from Yosemite

Personal Backpacking Gear (see Gear List below; rentals available)

Lunches (although a Trail Snack Bag is provided)

Park Entrance Fees

Insurance of any kind

Guide Gratuities

Testimonials

Diana S
Expert (and fun!) backpacking guides make an incredible trip

5 stars because: the guides were super knowledgable, accommodating, positive and friendly. They made sure not only that each person had all the necessary gear, but that we were using the ge...
bohemeSanFrancisco
Great challenging Yosemite adventure

This was a challenging but rewarding backpacking trip to Yosemite. The first day we camped in the back country which is such a world apart from any other experience. The beauty and serenity...
Sports Basement Outdoors Cancellation Policy

We look forward to sharing an amazing adventure together! While we make every effort to run our scheduled trips, our current climate reality means that some trips may not be safe to attend due to circumstances beyond our control. In these instances, a trip credit equal to the full amount paid will be issued.

Cancellations for the Tahoe Ski Bus must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled departure time in order to receive a refund of 97%. After that, refunds will not be given, but we will accommodate rescheduling of reservations up until noon the day before the trip.

For all overnight trips or multiple day courses, client cancellations outside of 30 days will receive full refunds. Within 30 days, you may not cancel for a refund, but we will allow a one-time trip reschedule. If the reschedule is requested between 14 days and 24 hours of the trip start time, each participant is subject to an additional change fee that is equal to 50% of the original trip cost (i.e., if your trip is $795 then your rescheduling fee is $397.50). Please note that we cannot accommodate any client reschedules within 24 hours of the start time. Gift certificates are non-refundable but may be used towards any trip offering.