YOSEMITE VALLEY NORTH RIM HIKE OVERVIEW

This Yosemite backpacking tour takes you along the North rim of the "incomparable valley" with some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. This is one of our favorite Yosemite hiking trips and is a great choice if you want to see Yosemite Valley from the high country above but have only a few days.

This Yosemite hike begins by either hiking up the Yosemite Falls trail past lower and upper Yosemite Falls (early season) or by taking a shuttle into the high country and hiking down to the top of roaring Yosemite Falls where we spend the first night nearby the top of the falls in a shaded campsite.

After an optional side to trip to the top of Eagle Peak with some of the best views of Yosemite Valley, we make our way along the North rim to Yosemite Point Buttress and many other vantage point along the way. The trail is gentle along this section. Then we get in an exciting summit of North Dome with spectacular views of Half Dome across the Valley. We also will check out a magnificent natural granite arch just off the main trail. After camping near secluded Snow Creek, we finish by hiking out the little-known snow creek trail and then back by Mirror Lake into Yosemite Valley.

Along the way we enjoy grand views, whispering pine forests, great food and good company. A great way to see the Yosemite Valley from above!!

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.

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

“Thanks so much for such a wonderful hike down to Yosemite Valley. Everything went so well. The scenery was stunning! ”
— Miriam O.
 
 
 

EXPERIENCE & PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

  • No previous backpacking experience required

  • Previous hiking experience is required with the ability to hike up to 10 miles per day

  • Very good physical condition required.

This is an ideal beginner backpacking trip in which you will carry a 35-40 lb pack for the duration of the trip.

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

2024 DATES:

May 31- June 3

June 14-17

July 3-6

July 25-28

(Check back every week as we announce our Yosemite permits as they are awarded!).

Custom dates available June though September!

 

COST: $1150

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

  • Park shuttle

  • One night camping in Yosemite Valley 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 Rim Itinerary
 

Yosemite North Rim, Day 1

We meet in Yosemite Valley at 5pm at our campsite (exact details will be provided). After a gear check and introductions, we will enjoy a campfire and dinner. Camping is provided and there is a trailhead parking area to leave your car.

Yosemite North Rim, Day 2
Distance: 6  miles to camp, 3 miles round trip for evening hike to Eagle Peak
Elevation Gain/ Loss: 1200'/1500'

We will board a park shuttle bus that takes us into the Yosemite high country and our trail head at Yosemite Creek. This will allow us to avoid the summer heat of hiking out of Yosemite Valley. The first day we hike towards upper Yosemite Falls and camp near the rim of Yosemite Valley (same as the May trip). In the afternoon and evening we will visit Eagle Peak which has some of the best views of Yosemite Valley and we will also visit the falls after all the crowds have gone away.

Yosemite North Rim, Day 3
Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain/ Loss: 1300'/1200'

An early start find us hiking over to Yosemite Point Buttress with more spectacular views of Yosemite Valley. We then make our way along the rim towards North Dome and then visit a natural granite arch, which happens to perfectly frame Half Dome. The evening is spent in a wonderful camp along Snow Creek on the rim of Yosemite Valley.

Yosemite North Rim, Day 4
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain/ Loss: -3000'

We make our way down the Snow Creek trail back down into Yosemite Valley Valley with the North Face of Half Dome just dominating the views across the way. After visiting Mirror Lake we make our way back to our starting point.

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