Overview
For the hiker wanting to see it all, the Yosemite Icons trip offers stunning views of Yosemite’s most famous landmarks from rarely seen perspectives. Experience the adrenalin rush of peering over the sheer 3,000 foot face of El Capitan –the mecca of rock climbers around the world.
Feel the mist of the roaring Yosemite Falls as you stand over the water plunging nearly 1500 feet to the pool below making it one of the tallest free-falling waterfalls in the world. Have lunch while gazing down on the granite bubble North Dome and relax while watching the sunset on the valley from Eagle Peak.
This is a bucket list backpacking trip that lets you get up close and personal with scenes most people only see on postcards in the gift shop.
As the calendar is confusing, our 2022 dates are:
5/9 - 5/13
5/20 - 5/24
5/27 - 5/31
6/7- 6/11
6/17 - 6/21
7/6- 7/10
7/11 - 7/15
7/21 - 7/25
7/28 - 8/1
8/5 - 8/9
8/9 - 8/13
8/19 - 8/23
8/26 - 8/30
9/3 - 9/7
9/16 - 9/20
9/22 - 9/26
9/28 - 10/2
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Souvenir T-shirt
Use of backpacking equipment
Lunch
Memories to Last a Lifetime!
Dinner
Breakfast
Permits
All meals while on trail
Professional Guides
Guide Gratuities
Entrance Pass to Yosemite National Park
Meeting and pickup
Travelers meet at the meeting point.
Meeting point
Curry Village Main Parking Lot near Shuttle Stop #14
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What to expect
Day 1 Meetup
-
Half Dome
9 hours Admission ticket not included
Meet your guide in Half Dome Village at 3:00 PM. While staying in the Yosemite Valley backpacker’s camp you will get acquainted with the group, gear and trip logistics. Once camp is set up, you are free to explore short Yosemite Valley hikes per the recommendation of the guide. Eat dinner at one of the park’s numerous restaurants. (Food is not provided while in the front-country.) Yosemite Valley is at roughly 4,000′ in elevation.
Day 2 Yosemite Falls
-
Yosemite Falls
24 hours Admission ticket included
We will get a casual start and stop by the Yosemite Lodge for a quick coffee and breakfast before heading up 3.2 miles up one of Yosemite’s most classic trails out of the Valley gaining ~2,500 feet ascending to the top of Yosemite Falls. This trail, despite being a strenuous climb, provides excellent views of Half Dome, Glacier Point and Yosemite Valley. From the top you will have the opportunity to watch the falls plummet thousands of feet to the pools below. From here, we will hike about another half mile and set up camp next to the babbling Yosemite Creek at an elevation of about 6820′.
Miles: ~4.6 Elevation: +~2,820
Day 3 El Capitan
-
El Capitan
24 hours Admission ticket included
Wake up to a delicious breakfast, before packing a considerably lighter day pack and hiking up about 800 feet over 4.5 miles to El Capitan where you can experience the summit of the world’s largest granite monolith without taking the hard route climbing up the face. If you’re lucky, you may even see one of Yosemite’s world famous rock climbers topping out after days on the wall. After lunch at the top, we will descend 4.5 miles back to our camp and maybe even head over to Eagle Peak for sunset if time allows.
Miles: ~8.4 Elevation: +~800ft. -~800ft. (optional additional hike to Eagle Peak)
Day 4 North Dome
-
North Dome
24 hours Admission ticket included
Today will be our longest day as we will leave camp in the morning and climb up to Yosemite Point—a famous viewpoint within the park showcasing Half Dome, the Valley and the dramatic Clark Range. We will then hike 5 miles ascending ~1,000 feet along the rim of Yosemite Valley and enjoy ever changing views of the granite below. Finally, we will continue another 5 miles along Indian Ridge past Basket Dome and Indian Rock to the Snow Creek Junction then down to our campsite where will catch the sun setting on the looming face of Half Dome. Our campsite tonight is at approximately 6,720′.
Miles: ~10 miles Elevation: +~1,720; -~1,700
Day 5 Descent
-
Yosemite Valley
24 hours Admission ticket included
We will descend 2.5 miles and about 2,600 feet in the final morning. Along the way you’ll get spectacular views of Half Dome before arriving at the Valley floor. We will then hike along the Tenaya Creek past Mirror Lake as we make our way back to Half Dome Village. Typically we end this trip between 11am-1pm. Miles: ~5 Elevation: -~2,600ft.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Times are local to the experience (America/Los Angeles).
Additional Information
- 2025 Dates: 5/16-5/20, 6/5-6/9, 6/28-7/2, 7/28-8/1, 8/29-9/2, 10/3-10/7
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 5 travelers per booking
FAQs about 5-Day Yosemite Backpacking - Yosemite Icons
Can I cancel 5-Day Yosemite Backpacking - Yosemite Icons for free?
No. All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
How long does it take?
It takes about 5 days.
Where does it start?
Curry Village Main Parking Lot near Shuttle Stop #14
What's included?
- Souvenir T-shirt
- Use of backpacking equipment
- Lunch
- Memories to Last a Lifetime!
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Permits
- All meals while on trail
What's not included?
- Guide Gratuities
- Entrance Pass to Yosemite National Park
Which places does it visit?
It visits Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, North Dome, Yosemite Valley.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is offered in English.
Operated by Lasting Adventures
