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| Yosemite Walking and Hiking
A 6-Day tour starting from $2,988
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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range is Yosemite National Park, world famous for its thundering waterfalls, sprawling meadows and dramatic granite peaks. Captured on film by famed photographer Ansel Adams and cherished by legendary conservationist John Muir, the Yosemite Valley has inspired visitors throughout the decades. And with Backroads, you’ll experience its majesty firsthand. Stroll among the largest stand of giant sequoias in the valley, then forge into the depths of the park—a landscape of picturesque valleys, sweeping plateaus and sheer cliff faces carved by wind, rain and glacial ice. Evenings are spent in a mountain resort and a historic lodge, the perfect complement to this classic journey. |
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All meals included except 1 lunch and 1 dinner.
We provide a variety of route options so you can do as much or as little activity as you like each day. You'll stay in the area's finest hotels, each carefully selected based on our rigorous quality standards. You'll enjoy the best of the region's cuisine, as well as Backroads' trademark grand picnics. Trip Leaders have undergone hundreds of hours of training and are the best in the industry. WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR A TRIP, YOU'LL RECEIVE A COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL PLANNER WITH ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO PLAN AND PREPARE DAY 1 SHUTTLE TO THE SIERRA NEVADA 4 HOURS LEWIS CREEK TRAIL WALK 3.7 MILES (880-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) SHORTER OPTION: 1.9 MILES (240-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) Meet your Trip Leaders at 9 a.m. in the lobby of the Hotel Monaco in San Francisco. Please arrive dressed in your walking clothes and carrying a daypack stocked with any items you might need for today’s walk (camera, sunglasses, etc.). After meeting, we shuttle to the Sierra Nevada, a region that captivated John Muir with its “glorious floods of light” and “irised spray of countless waterfalls.” Along the way, we stop in the gold rush town of Mariposa for a picnic at the Mariposa Museum and History Center, one of the best small museums in America according to the Smithsonian Institute. After lunch, we shuttle to the trailhead of the Lewis Creek National Recreational Trail, which follows the route of an old lumber flume to the 80-foot cascade of Corlieu Falls. Our final destination is the Tenaya Lodge, cradled by pines of the Sierra National Forest. This impressive lodge exudes rustic elegance with its magnificent stone fireplaces, grand public spaces and American Indian-inspired décor. Tonight we feast on delicious California cuisine at the lodge’s Sierra Restaurant. Lodging: Tenaya Lodge DAY 2 MARIPOSA GROVE WALK 6.5 MILES (1,000-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) SHORTER OPTION: GROVE MUSEUM 3.5 MILES (600-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) After breakfast, we’re off to the world-famous Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. With 500 mature trees, this is Yosemite’s largest stand of giant sequoias (also known as “Sierra redwoods”), some dating as far back as 2,700 years. One noteworthy “resident” is the Grizzly Giant, one of the largest of the species with a base diameter of 30 feet. As you follow a well-marked uphill path lined with these natural masterpieces, keep in mind that they have withstood the tests of time—sequoias, in fact, do not die from old age but from other factors such as weather and soil conditions. Feel free to stop along the trail to enjoy your pack lunch and marvel at your surroundings. The afternoon is yours to take advantage of the many options available back at the lodge and farther afield. A full-service spa and fitness center, two swimming pools, Jacuzzis and a host of nearby hiking trails can be found at the Tenaya. Tonight we gather in the lodge’s Sierra Restaurant to enjoy another serving of regional cuisine prepared by executive chef Frederick Clabaugh and his team. Lodging: Tenaya Lodge DAY 3 SHUTTLE TO GLACIER POINT 1½ HOURS YOSEMITE VILLAGE WALK 8.6 MILES WITH SHUTTLE (1,000-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) SHORTER OPTION: POHONO TRAIL 4 MILES WITH SHUTTLE (500-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) LONGER OPTION: AHWAHNEE HOTEL 10.4 MILES (1,000-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) We have a full day of exploration ahead in Yosemite National Park. Covering 1,170 square miles, the park is approximately the size of Rhode Island, yet most visitors only spend time in Yosemite Valley, an area 7 miles long (and, at its widest point, a mile across). Yosemite has been sculpted over millions of years by geologic activity, including erosion from the Merced River, and the movement and retreat of glaciers. The valley has inspired artists throughout the decades, including Ansel Adams, the famed photographer who immortalized the park’s distinct landmarks—Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls— in his magnificent photos. Today’s hike begins at Glacier Point (elevation: 7,214 feet) with panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and magnificent Half Dome towering above. There are three hiking options to choose from: Follow the Pohono Trail along the top of the ridge and climb to the summit of giant granite-faced Sentinel Dome for 360-degree views of the park. Once you’ve completed your hike, shuttle down to the valley. Or, you can follow the Panorama Trail down to the Mist Trail for spectacular close-up views of thundering Nevada and Vernal Falls—you’re so close, you may get to cool off with a refreshing spray! After reaching the valley floor, if you have a few more miles in you, keep walking through Yosemite Village to our next hotel, the legendary Ahwahnee. Named for the word the original Miwok Indians used for Yosemite Valley, Ahwahnee means “Place of the Gaping Mouth.” This grand 1920s hotel is a designated National Historic Landmark that sits proudly in a wooded setting with granite cliffs towering behind it. When you enter the lobby, note the impressive patterned floors, soaring beamed ceilings and masterful blend of American Indian artifacts, artwork and Colonial Shaker furnishings. This afternoon, relax in your room or explore some of the Ahwahnee’s magnificent public spaces such as the Grand Lounge, Mural Room or Solarium. Tonight, you’re on your own to sample the fine cuisine at the Ahwahnee (we recommend making reservations two to four weeks in advance) or at one of the more casual restaurants nearby. Lodging: Ahwahnee Hotel DAY 4 NATURALIST-GUIDED WALK FREE TIME IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK OPTIONAL YOSEMITE VALLEY WALKS 2–6 MILES Our morning begins with a walk led by a naturalist from the Yosemite Association. Then the rest of the day is yours to explore the park on foot, by bike or on horseback. If you’d like to hike, head to Lower Yosemite Falls, which, at 320 feet, is one of three roaring cascades that make up Yosemite Falls. Make your way along a paved trail shrouded by fir and pine trees until a clearing reveals babbling pools, mist-covered boulders, and finally, dramatic raging whitewater spilling down to the valley floor. You’ll have a clear view of Middle and Upper Falls; combined, they stand at 2,425 feet, making Yosemite Falls the fifth-largest falls in the world. You can also rent “beach cruisers” and ride around the valley floor on bike paths, stopping to cool down in the Merced River. If you’re looking for adventure, perhaps take a rock- climbing class or go for a horseback ride. Later, visit the Ansel Adams Gallery, or learn more about the area’s history and culture at the visitor center or Indian Cultural Museum. If you’d simply like to relax, consider an in-room massage. (Please note that these activities are not included in the trip price, and reservations should be made in advance.) For lunch on your own, choose from several nearby restaurants. This evening, we learn about the Ahwahnee’s history on a private tour of the hotel. Then we indulge our appetites at nearby Yosemite Lodge’s Mountain Room, featuring one of the park’s best views of Yosemite Falls. Lodging: Ahwahnee Hotel DAY 5 SHUTTLE TO TUOLUMNE MEADOWS 3 HOURS ROUND-TRIP DOG LAKE AND LEMBERT DOME 5.9 MILES (850-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) SHORTER OPTION: FORKS OF THE TUOLUMNE LOOP 3 MILES After breakfast, we shuttle to Tuolumne Meadows, the largest subalpine meadow in the Sierra Nevada. Sitting at 8,600 feet, the meadow was created by a glacier more than 2,000 feet thick and 2½ miles long! We begin with a walk crossing two forks of the Tuolumne River, whose rushing water winds through the meadow, past granite domes, alpine lakes and deep canyons, and into the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. The trail continues through forest to the base of Lembert Dome, a huge mound of polished granite rising 800 feet above Tuolumne Meadows. It’s pretty to look at, but for the best vantage point, you’ll want to climb it. It’s a short steep ascent on the dome’s spine, and the endless views at the top are well worth the effort. Once again on the ground, continue on to Dog Lake, framed by distant Mount Gibbs and Mount Lewis. Our last night’s celebration takes place in the Ahwahnee Hotel’s legendary dining room, so make sure you bring your appetite! With its 34-foot-high ceilings supported by sturdy pine trestles and granite pillars, this room has witnessed some of the country’s most noteworthy culinary events, including the world-famous Bracebridge Dinner, an annual affair that recreates a 17th-century English Christmas celebration. The dining room’s floor-to-ceiling windows, chandeliers, handcrafted iron candelabras, crisp linen tablecloths and exquisite china create the perfect setting for our farewell dinner. Lodging: Ahwahnee Hotel DAY 6 EL CAPITAN MEADOWS HIKE 2.8 MILES SHUTTLE TO SAN FRANCISCO 5 HOURS This morning we start our hike from Camp 4, a world-famous gathering place for rock climbers. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s a great place to watch climbers prepare, share ideas and swap stories. Our route takes us to a meadow in the shadow of El Capitan, a 3,000-foot sheer rock face and longtime destination for serious climbers. If you look closely, you’ll see them scaling the legendary “Nose” route—they look miniscule compared to El Capitan’s mammoth size. Then we head out of Yosemite, stopping for a farewell picnic lunch on the way back to San Francisco, where our trip ends.
Days 1-2 Fish Camp
Meet in San Francisco Shuttle to the Sierra Nevada, called the “Range of Light” by John Muir After stopping for a picnic lunch, warm up your hiking legs on the Lewis Creek Trail Settle into our hotel, cradled by the pines of the Sierra National Forest Explore the awe-inspiring Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias on foot Marvel at the park’s largest stand of “big trees,” some dating as far back as 2,700 years. Days 3-6 Yosemite Village Travel to Glacier Point, with commanding views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and the Sierra Nevada View Nevada and Vernal Falls on a hike through the valley to the historic Ahawahnee Hotel A day of options includes horseback riding, rock climbing or visiting Bridal Veil Falls Shuttle to the high country of Tuolumne Meadows, laced with hiking trails and surrounded by glorious scenery Cap off the week with a final morning hike to beautiful Yosemite Falls or Mirror Lake, a picturesque spot in the shadow of Half Dome. Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed. ACCOMMODATIONS AT THESE LODGES TENAYA LODGE : (2 nights) Set at the southern entrance to the park, this grand lodge features soaring ceilings, natural wood and stone accents, and American Indian artwork, giving it a rustic yet refined air. AHWAHNEE HOTEL : (3 nights) Designated as a National Historic Landmark and as much an icon of Yosemite as Half Dome, the Ahwahnee is the epitome of luxury, masterfully designed to fit in with its natural surroundings. Backroads' route rating system is the most comprehensive and accurate in the travel industry. To find out how these ratings translate into varying levels of physical challenge and activity select the route rating button for the trip of your choice. LEVEL 2 5-7 miles/day 2-4 hours/day LEVEL 3 7-9 miles/day 3-5 hours/day ARRIVING & DEPARTING Please note that meeting and departing times provided here were current at the time of printing, but are subject to change. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS UNTIL YOU ARE CONFIRMED ON YOUR VACATION AND HAVE VERIFIED THE DETAILS OF ARRIVING & DEPARTING WITH YOUR TRIP CONSULTANT. MEETING TIME AND LOCATION On the first day of the trip, we meet at 9 a.m. at the Hotel Monaco, located at 501 Geary Street in San Francisco. Look for your Trip Leaders (wearing Backroads T-shirts) in the hotel lobby. From here, we shuttle 4 hours to the Sierra Nevada. Please arrive dressed in your walking clothes and carrying a daypack stocked with any items you might need for today’s walk (camera, sunglasses, etc.) For your convenience, we suggest arriving in San Francisco at least one day before the trip starts. DRIVING TO YOSEMITE If you’d prefer to drive yourself to Yosemite, you can leave your car at the Tenaya Lodge, our first hotel, for the week at no charge. Please arrive at the lodge by 1:30 p.m. to meet up with the group before our hike on the Lewis Creek Trail. You will miss the picnic, so please eat lunch beforehand. CONCLUSION OF THE TRIP Our trip ends with a 5-hour shuttle from Yosemite back to San Francisco, arriving at the Hotel Monaco at approximately 6 p.m. If you’re flying out of San Francisco International Airport on the last day of our trip, please schedule your return flight for after 9 p.m. FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS We suggest flying into San Francisco International Airport Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain Day 1 * Level 1 1 Route Option Available * 3.7 miles * 0 - 500 feet elevation gain Day 2 * Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available * 3.5, 6.5 miles * 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain Day 3 * Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available * 4, 9.7, 11 miles * 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain Day 4 * Levels 1 to 2 Several Route Options Available * 2 - 6 miles Day 5 * Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available * 2.8, 5.9 miles * 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain Day 6 * Level 1 1 Route Option Available * 3.1 miles * 0 - 500 feet elevation gain Activity Level Average Time Average Distance Biking Walking & Hiking Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 mile 2-5 miles Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles |
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||