YOSEMITE NORTH BOUNDARY HIKE OVERVIEW

Looking for something a bit more off the beaten path, but no less spectacular? The Yosemite North Boundary hiking adventure takes you to a little visited Northern section of Yosemite National Park. Spectacular mountain vistas, little visited mountain lakes and dramatic canyons make up this Yosemite hike. A great choice for those hikers who want to get deep into the Yosemite wilderness away from the crowds.

We hike out of the Hoover Wilderness in the Toiyabe National Forest in the Eastern Sierra Nevada before crossing into Yosemite National Park via the Northern boundary. We visit Peeler Lake, riviera-like Benson Lake, Smedburg Lake and then into remote Matterhorn Canyon and Slide Canyon and before completing this 54 mile loop trip, much of it along remote sections of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Along the way there will be plenty of 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 Yosemite backcountry away from the crowds, this is a favorite of ours!

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 required on trips of at least one night in length.

  • The ability to carry an overnight backpack for up to 10-12 miles a day with 2000-3000 feet of elevation gain for multiple days in a row. (We hike slow, but steady!)

  • Very good to excellent physical condition required.

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

DATES 2024:

Custom dates

 

COST: Custom rates…contact us

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 Eastern Sierra with dinner the night before the hike begins

Prefer a private trip? No problem at all. We specialize in designing custom trips for you or your group.
Contact us for a quote!

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

Yosemite North Boundary Hike Itinerary

Yosemite North Boundary Hike, Day 1

We meet at a campsite near Twin Lakes, just outside the town of Bridgeport, between 4 and 6pm. Exact location TBD. Dinner will be served that night and your guide will conduct a pack check and go over all the gear for the trip.

Yosemite North Boundary Hike, Day 2
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: + 2700'/ -300'

After a hearty breakfast, we begin the day by hiking up the Robinson Creek drainage with fleeting views of the spectacular Sawtooth Range. We spend our first night at beautiful Peeler Lake in the Toiyabe National Forest, just on the border with Yosemite National Park.


Yosemite North Boundary Hike, Day 3
Distance: 10 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: +700/ -2600

We soon cross into Yosemite National Park past Kerrick Meadow. Continuing down Rancheria Creek we eventually pass over Seavey pass at the head of Kerrick Canyon and down into Benson Lake, one of the most spectacular settings on all the Yosemite High Country and a highlight of our trip. We spend the evening along the shores of Benson Lake.

Yosemite North Boundary Hike, Day 4
Distance: 10 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: +3200'/ -2200'

The morning is spent continuing along the PCT towards Smedberg Lake. Passing over Benson Pass we descend into Matterhorn Canyon and leave the PCT to continue up canyon where we establish the nights camp.


Yosemite North Boundary Hike, Day 5
Distance: 10 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: +3400'/ -1200'

Continuing up Matterhorn Canyon we pass over Burro Pass and it's incredible views of the Northern Yosemite country, we descend into slide canyon just on the North side of the Sawtooth Range. We establish a wonderful remote campsite in Slide Canyon.

Yosemite North Boundary Hike, Day 6
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: +800'/ -1100'

After a leisurely morning, the day begins with a climb over Mule Pass and then out of Yosemite and down to scenic Crown Lake for the evening. A shorter day of hiking.

Yosemite North Boundary Hike, Day 7
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: +700'/ -2600'

After breakfast we descend past Robinson Lakes where we soon meet the Peeler Lake trail, thereby completing our loop. We then descend back down Robinson Creek to Twin Lakes where a hot shower or hot spring await us.

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