Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite Valley
Traverse the Sierra on a mind blowing adventure of either 6 days of backpacking, or an ultra-lightweight 4-day fastpacking style!
Traverse the Sierra on a mind blowing adventure of either 6 days of backpacking, or an ultra-lightweight 4-day fastpacking style! Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite Valley is one of the greatest ways to see the best of the John Muir Trail, and the Sierra!
SUMMER 2023 Dates: (6 Day Itineraries)
- July 24-29
- August 13-18
- September 11-16
Note: We are closely monitoring how the record breaking snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is going to impact conditions for backpacking trips for the Summer of 2023. We anticipate snow travel to be necessary and abundant on higher elevation trails for most or all of the Summer. Choosing trip dates later in the Summer in August, September or even October will help to decrease the amount of snow travel necessary for your trip.
Minimum 2 to run for these dates and prices. We can arrange these trips or similar for you on a custom private basis. Four day itinerary available on a custom private basis.
Hike, or run as the case may be, past a skyline of granite spires and peaks, crystal clear rivers, and smooth glacier-polished granite.
This trip couldn’t be more classic. In a backpacker’s style we offer a 58 mile journey over 6 days of travel on the world famous John Muir Trail. We also offer this trip in a special lightweight fastpacking style in just 4 days! Both trips are described here. Hike, or run as the case may be, past a skyline of granite spires and peaks, crystal clear rivers, and smooth glacier-polished granite. For much of the time we will be above 8000 feet, and along the way you will have an opportunity to summit one of the most sought after summits in Yosemite National Park – Clouds Rest. This trip is particularly incredible if you: a) have never been to Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows or the Ritter Range, b) have been to all those places, and now would enjoy the opportunity to connect them to each other on trails, or c) have a pulse. Our guides are world-class backcountry experts that love to take enthusiastic hikers on this jaw-dropping trip. Join us!
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Included
backpackingfastpackingJohn Muir TraillightweightMammoth Lakes to Yosemitemountain runningTuolumneyosemite national park -
Not Included
14ers3D chute3rd pillar3rd Pillar DanaAIAREAIARE 1AIARE 2AlaskaAlaska skiingalpinealpine climbingalpine rock climbingAlpsAlps climbingAlps runningAlps skiingAlps trilogyAmerican Mountain Guides AssociationAMGAavalanche awarenessavalanche coursebackcountrybackcountry 101backcountry skiBackcountry Skiingbackcountry snowboardBear Creek SpireBerner OberlandBernese OberlandBishopBishop SkylineBlacksmith PeakBloody MountainBreakthroughBridgeportCaliforniaCalifornia fourteenerscampingCardinal PinnacleCarson PeakCelestial AretesChamonixChamonix climbingCharlotte Domechefclassic rock climbclassic Sierra rockclimbclimbingclimbing campclimbing skillsclimbing Swiss AlpsClyde MinaretConvict Creekcookcoursescourses instructioncramponCrest tourCrystal Cragcustomcustom private skiDana PlateaudestinationsDevil's SlideDolomitesDolomites climbingDouble Eagle ResortDream BowlEast ButtressEast FaceEastern Sierra climbingEastern Sierra skiingEastern Sierra WinterEigerEvolution LoopexamFishhook AreteFour SeasonsFranceGlass CreekGrindelwaldguide courseHaute Routeheli assistedheli skiingHemlock RidgeHigh SierraHigh Sierra skiinghigh tourhikingHorse CreekhorsesHorsetail FallsHut to Hutice 101ice axeice climbingice climbing courseIncredible Hulkinstructionintermediate levelinternationalintroductoryintroductory ice climbing courseItalyJohn Muir WildernessJune LakeJune MountainJungfrauKautz Glacierkidskids climbing programsLas Vegaslee viningLee Vining arealee vining canyonlevel 1level 1 refresherlevel 2light and fastLone PineLone Pine PeakLovers LeapMammoth LakesMammoth MountainMammoth to JuneMammoth to YosemiteMatterhornMatterhorn PeakMcGee CreekMerriam Peakmixed climbingMonchMont BlancMont Blanc runMount ConnessMount DanaMount EmersonMount GabbMount HumphreysMount MillsMount RainiermountaineeringMountaineers RouteMt ConnessMt. DanaMt. EmersonMt. HumphreysMt. RussellMt. SillMt. TomMt. WhitneyMt. WinchellmulesmultidaynegativesNevadaNorth PalisadeNorth Peaknorth ridgeonion valley to mt. whitneyOrtlerOwens River Gorgepack outfitpack supportpackerspalisadesPalisades Glacier Camppeak descentsPeter CroftPine CreekPolemonium PeakportersPositive Vibrationsprivateprivate customprofessional developmentRed and White MountainRed Dihedralred rockRed Slate Mountainrescue skillsRitter Rangerockrock 201rock climbingRock CreekRock Creek to MammothSabre RidgeSan Joaquin RidgeSawtoothsself arrestself belayself rescueSequoia National ParksherpasSierraSierra 5.10sierra alpineSierra Mountain GuidesSierra NevadaSierra skiingsingle pitch instructorskiski guidingski mountaineeringski tourski touringskiingsnowsnow skillssnowboardSPIsplitboardsportsport climbingStarlight PeaksupportedSwitzerlandTahoeTemple Cragthird pillarThompson PassThunderbolt PeakTiogatrad climbingtrail runningtraverseTwin LakesUltra Trail Mont BlancultralightValdezVia Ferratawhite linewilderness tripwinterYosemiteYosemite skiYost MeadowZermattZermatt Valley
| TRIP ITINERARY: Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite Valley | |
| DAY 1 | Meet at Mammoth Mountain Inn at 8 am. We’ll leave our cars here for the duration and shuttle back after the hike. (Ask us about options for leaving a car in Yosemite if you are headed West immediately after the trip.) After short bus ride to Agnew Meadows we descend to the San Joaquin River and ascend to camp near Garnet Lake for the evening. |
| DAY 2 | Traverse beneath the Ritter Range to Island Pass and then over Donohue Pass. Camp in Lyell Canyon. |
| DAY 3 | Hike 6 miles before lunch, take a resupply (and ice cream!) break at Tuolumne Meadows and motor on another 4 miles to Cathedral Lakes. |
| DAY 4 | From Cathedral Lakes, we climb to Cathedral Pass, drop down past Columbia Finger, through Sunrise High Sierra Camp, up a minor pass and down to a camp in the headwaters of Sunrise Creek. 8 miles. |
| DAY 5 | The Peak Bagger’s Day! We’ll move camp a short distance and have opportunity to climb Clouds Rest! |
| DAY 6 | The last day, all downhill, back into civilization and the depths of the awesome Yosemite Valley! We’ll plunge downhill through Little Yosemite Valley, past Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls. Finish the day at Curry Village on the Valley floor. Transport back to Mammoth, or on to your next destination with prior arrangement. |
Additional Information
6-Day Includes:
- SMG backpacking guide
- Backcountry meals (dinners & breakfasts)
- Group camping and cooking equipment
- Wilderness permits, and associated permit fees
6-Day does not include:
- Lunches and trail snacks
- Personal or rental equipment
- Other personal items
- Transport before or after trip
6-Day prerequisites:
- Good fitness and ability to hike 10 miles per day with a multiday backpack on mountain trails at moderate to high elevations.
- Adventurous spirit and desire to experience the mountains on foot.
- Prior backpacking experience is recommended
| TRIP ITINERARY: Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite Valley - ULTRALIGHT! | |
| DAY 0 | Meet at Mammoth Mountain Inn for a gear check on the afternoon prior to the trip start. |
| DAY 1 | Meet at Mammoth Mountain Inn at 8 am. We’ll leave our cars here for the duration and shuttle back after the hike. (Ask us about options for leaving a car in Yosemite if you are headed West immediately after the trip.) After short bus ride to Agnew Meadows we ascend the San Joaquin River drainage to Island Pass. Over to Donohue Pass and down to camp in Lyell Canyon. |
| DAY 2 | Easy 6 miles down to Tuolumne Meadows where we resupply (and eat ice cream!). Motor on another 4 miles to Cathedral Lakes and on to camp at Sunrise Lakes. |
| DAY 3 | An amazing day that is the reward for going light and fast! Traverse Clouds Rest from North to South over a summit with one of the best views in the valley. Descend to the JMT and set camp and ascend once more for the climb up Half Dome. Descend back to camp after one of the best adventure hiking days in Yosemite. |
| DAY 4 | The last day, all downhill, back into civilization and the depths of the awesome Yosemite Valley! We’ll plunge downhill through Little Yosemite Valley, past Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls. Finish the day at Curry Village on the Valley floor. Transport back to Mammoth, or on to your next destination with prior arrangement. |
Additional Information
4-Day Ultralight Includes:
- SMG fastpacking guide
- Lightweight backcountry meals (dinners & breakfasts)
- Ultralight group camping and cooking equipment
- Cache of extra food and supplies in Tuloumne Meadows
- Wilderness permits, Half Dome permits, and associated permit fees
4-Day Ultralight does not include:
- Lunches and trail snacks
- Personal or rental equipment
- Other personal items
- Transport before or after trip
4-Day prerequisites:
- Very good fitness and ability to speed hike 15+ miles per day with a 20-25 pound pack on mountain trails at moderate to high elevations.
- Adventurous spirit and desire to experience the mountains on foot in a light and fast style.
- Prior fastpacking experience is recommended