John DeGrazio
Lead Naturalist Hiking Guide
Leave No Trace Trainer
(Hiking Tours)

John DeGrazio was destined to become a Yosemite Naturalist. After graduating from Rutgers University, his state school, John embarked on a cross-country adventure with longtime friend, Ram Rao that forever opened his eyes to the outdoors. John's love of the natural world grew with each excursion into the wilderness.

Following a 1996 "day hike" to Camp Muir on Mt. Rainier, John decided to dedicate himself to reaching its summit. Breakneck Ridge in upstate New York was where John began his guiding career while training for the 14,411 foot peak. After numerous trips up Breakneck, John traveled back to Rainier for a successful summit attempt with lifetime friends Ram Rao and Ed Chao. John has been leading hikes and back country expeditions ever since.

John and his wife Catherine spent the greater part of the next decade adventuring in state and national parks throughout the East Coast, the West, Hawaii, and Alaska. Ironically, John's initial foray into the national parks with Ram did not include Yosemite; however, a 2003 trip into the park made up for that transgression. He experienced an epiphany while hiking to Half Dome's summit on that hot July day and vowed to return to the Sierra at the next available opportunity.

The allure of California's outdoor culture led the DeGrazios out West, and they decided it would be for more than a visit. They moved their family to Tuolumne County and Y Explore Yosemite Adventures was established soon after. As the company's founder, John leads many of our naturalist hiking tours and relishes every opportunity to share this true national treasure with wide eyed clients of all ages from around the globe.

John enjoys road cycling, and you may spot him hammering through some of the Gold Country Foothills. He is also a coach at Sonora High School where his boys JV baseball team won the V.O.L. championship in 2008.