GRAND CANYON OF THE TUOLUMNE WATERFALL HIKE OVERVIEW

An adventurous Yosemite high country wilderness journey down the majestic Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne past famous backcountry waterfalls. A great backpacking trip for those interested in seeing remote waterfalls away from the crowds. John Muir made the first descent of the Grand Canyon back in the 1800s.

We begin in the Yosemite high country of Tuolumne Meadows and follow the Tuolumne River down past Glen Aulin and past the famous Waterwheel Falls and California Falls. Traveling deeper into the canyon past towering rock walls we visit the remote and beautiful Pate Valley with perhaps some good swimming opportunities. Then it's back up out of the canyon to our final destination of White Wolf along the Tioga Pass road. 

Along the way there will be time for relaxation amid the incredible beauty and quiet of the Yosemite backcountry as well as great backcountry cuisine. For those looking to visit the the lesser seen Yosemite waterfalls and one of it's most iconic rivers, this is the trip!

Food, Equipment & Lodging

We provide breakfast lunch, dinner and snacks prepared by your guide and backcountry chef from the time we meet till we part ways. We like to call our food "backcountry gourmet" which includes vegetables as well as freshly baked goods.

To make your trip easier for you we provide most of the gear you will need at no extra cost. We provide high quality backpacks, sleeping bags and pad, trekking poles, headlamp and eating utensils if needed. We also provide tents, all group cooking gear, first aid kit and water purification for the group. Being a backpacking trip, everyone is responsible for carrying their own gear as well as their share of any group gear. Our guides carry emergency two-way satellite communications devices at all times.

A great way to see the Yosemite high country in style.

This is a backpacking trip in which everyone carries their own gear and a share of the group gear and supplies.

 
 
 

EXPERIENCE & PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

  • Previous recent wilderness backpacking experience is highly recommended

  • Previous hiking experience with the ability to hike up to 10 miles a day

  • The ability to carry an overnight backpack for up to 10 miles a day for multiple days in a row. (We hike slow, but steady!)

  • Very good physical condition required.

    Curious how to rate your physical ability? Check out our Physical Ability Page

2023 DATES:

July 3 - 7 (FULL)
July 10-14

July 17-21
July 26-30

August 9-13
September 9-13
September 17-21
September 27 - Oct 1

Custom dates available June through September

 

COST: $1325

INCLUDES

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by your guide while in the field

  • Professional local mountain guides certified in emergency wilderness medicine, food handling & Leave No Trace Principles & trained in local natural history.

  • Backpacks, sleeping bag and pad, trekking poles and eating utensils if needed ($25 cleaning fee for using our sleeping bags)

  • Tents, all group camping gear and permits

  • One night camping in the Tuolumne Meadows with dinner the night before the hike begins

For more info on this trip please fill out the form below:

Yosemite Grand Canyon Of The Tuolumne Hike Itinerary

Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Hike: Day One

We meet at 5pm at a campsite near the eastern entrance of Yosemite. Dinner will be served that night and your guide will conduct a pack check and go over all the gear for the trip.

Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Hike: Day Two

After a hearty breakfast, we begin the day by hiking down through Tuolumne Meadows along the Tuolumne River past numerous waterfalls to Glen Aulin, the beginning of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. We make camp in Glen Aulin (gaelic for "beautiful valley") for the night. 


Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Hike: Day Three

This is waterfall day! Heading deeper into the Grand Canyon, we pass spectacular California Falls onto Le Conte Falls, and then to famous Waterwheel Falls where we will stop for lunch. The walls of the canyon get steeper and more sheer as we make our way towards our remote camp for the evening near Muir Gorge. 

Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Hike: Day Four

Hiking high above the Muir Gorge, we are now very deep in the Grand Canyon. Passing Register Creek we eventually make our way to the beautiful Pate Valley where we make camp for the evening enjoying one last gourmet backcountry meal.


Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Hike: Day Five

After descending far into the canyon, it's now time to hike out! The day begins early for the 4000 foot ascent from Pate Valley to our exit point at White Wolf where a cold drink awaits. Then we shuttle back to our starting point in Tuolumne Meadows.

Itinerary subject to change & camp locations and distances each day remain flexible.