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Embark on a journey of self discovery during this experience that will test your personal boundaries in some of the most demanding terrain in Yosemite. Panoramic views are as incomparable as the sense of achievement you will feel upon completion of these über hikes. Typical Strenuous Hikes would include trails to Waterwheel Falls, El Capitan, Clouds Rest, & Half Dome summit attempts. These advanced tours encounter steep elevation gains and are for adventure travelers with extensive hiking experience and/or physical training. Each participant must seriously train for these tours. Expect to hike over fifteen miles with elevation gains of 3000 to 5000 feet. Tours will last seven to ten hours with the Half Dome Hike potentially lasting longer.
Embark on a journey of self discovery where panoramic views are as incomparable as the sense of achievement you will feel upon completion of this epic adventure. Hike to the top of Half Dome, Yosemite’s most recognized landmark, and reward yourself with breathtaking views and a true sense of fulfillment. <NOTE> Half Dome is by permit only and can only be booked on our dedicated Half Dome Page. There are two options. You may see which dates we have available and click book now, or you may contact us to lead you on a date that you received in the lottery.
Distance: 16.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 5,000+ feet (4000-8842 feet)
Time: 10-12+ hours
Water Requirements: 120 ounces + 20 ounces of sports drink or electrolyte mix
Best time to visit: May-October
Ascend Yosemite’s tallest waterfall and feel the rush of 2400 gallons of water per second as it leaps and crashes onto a ledge 1430 feet below and falls twice more before it finally feeds into the Merced River. From the Valley, we will first visit the base of the lower fall. Then we will hike along the famous switchbacks of the North Rim Wall and gain 3000 feet over the next 3.5 miles. Views of the Valley Floor are incomparable, and we will witness the face of Half Dome from several different perspectives. This trail has two very steep sections where we will gain 1000 feet in its first mile. After reaching the top of the Falls, we will have the option to complete the journey to Yosemite Point at 6,936 feet above sea level.
Distance: 8-10 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3000 feet
Time: 7 hours
Water Requirements: 100 ounces
Best time to visit: October-June
You don’t have to be a rock climber to reach the peak of Yosemite’s most imposing and the world’s largest block of granite. Best of all, you do not need a permit. This strenuous all day hike does not require pulling yourself up cables either. As a bonus, you can take a spur trail to the top of Eagle Peak, the highest of the 3 Brothers. On top of both peaks, you will have grandiose views of Yosemite Valley where you will gaze at Half Dome and other Valley highlights including Nevada and Yosemite Falls. There are 3 different approaches for this hike and we will choose our trailhead based on time of year.
Distance: 17/20/16 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: ~4500/2000/2000 feet (Summit of El Capitan 7569 feet)
Time: 9-11 hours
Water Requirements: 120 ounces + 20 ounces of sports drink or electrolyte mix
Best time to visit: March-November
Journey through time and follow in the footsteps of Yosemite’s earliest visitors along the 4 Mile Trail that leads from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point. Today’s trail is closer to 5 Miles and is filled with views of Sentinel Rock and western end of the valley that will leave you breathless. The hike gains over 3000 feet as we make our way up the challenging switchbacks with views of Half Dome, the Tenaya Canyon, and the high mountain peaks of the Eastern Border of the park.
Distance: 9.6 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3200 feet (4000-7214 feet)
Time: ~8 hours
Water Requirements: 100 ounces
Best time to visit: March-June
Reach for the clouds from a less traveled trail and summit one of Yosemite’s most impressive peaks. Starting from Tenaya Lake, you will be rewarded by several high country vistas and will appreciate avoiding the valley crowds. Make your way up the ridge on the final ascent and enjoy the views nearly 6000’ above Yosemite Valley as you stand above Half Dome at 9926’.
Distance: ~15 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: ~2500 feet (8120-9927 feet) big dropoff after 1st ascent
Time: 7-9 hours
Water Requirements: 120 ounces + 20 ounces of sports drink or or electrolyte mix
Best time to visit: July-October
Drop down into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River to discover a series of lesser known but no less dramatic waterfalls in Yosemite National Park. Tuolumne Fall is first followed by White Cascade and on to Glen Aulin. Beyond Glen Aulin, we may explore farther down canyon to California and LeConte Fall. This is some of the most breathtaking scenery in all of Yosemite.
Distance: 11-15 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: ~1000 feet (8600-7900 feet at Glen Aulin)
Time: 10-12 hours
Water Requirements: 120 ounces + 20 ounces of sports drink or or electrolyte mix
Best time to visit: July-October
Reach the summit of the second tallest peak in Yosemite National Park while ascending an ancient volcanic mountain. You will only hike 6 miles and gain 3000 feet on this hike but don’t let that fool you as you climb from 10,000 to 13,000 feet in only 3 miles. You will hike through talus as you gain the summit and will take extra caution on the descent. Depending how you feel when we reach the summit, we may choose to extend the hike by reaching the 12,773 foot summit of Mt. Gibbs as well for an extra 1000 feet of gain along with 4 additional miles of hiking for a 10 mile roundtrip.
Distance: 6 or 10 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3100 feet or 4000 feet (9941-13,061 feet) big dropoff after 1st ascent
Time: 7 hours (12 hours with Mt. Gibbs)
Water Requirements: 120 ounces + 20 ounces of sports drink or or electrolyte mix
Best time to visit: July-September
Visit the lake where the birds go to sing and enjoy one of the most spectacular high country lakes in all of Yosemite. No summer trip to Yosemite is compete without a visit to the high country. Vogelsang is one of many alpine lakes and will tempt you to take a swim in its inviting waters surrounded by majestic peaks.
Distance: 14 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1500 feet (8600-10,100 feet)
Time: 10 hours
Water Requirements: 120 ounces + 20 ounces of sports drink or or electrolyte mix
Best time to visit: July-September
Follow the creek from Grant Lakes (the headwaters of Yosemite Falls) to the Ten Lakes Pass for jaw-dropping scenery and incredible adventures. Gaze into the amazing landscape in every direction as we identify many of the highest peaks in the park. On the return trip, we hike to Grant Lakes and take a dip into the water that follows a path to Yosemite Falls and all the way down into the Valley.
Distance: 15 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2200 feet (7600-9600 feet)
Time: 10 hours
Water Requirements: 120 ounces + 20 ounces of sports drink or or electrolyte mix
Best time to visit: July-October
Step back through history on this steep climb from Tunnel View up onto the South Rim. Discover views of Yosemite seen on the first visit to Yosemite Valley from non natives as we make our first stop at Inspiration Point. Continue along the Pohono Trail for more tantalizing vistas at Stanford, Crocker, & Dewey Points before we make our long journey back to the trailhead.
Distance: 10.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: ~3000 feet (4374-7200 feet with gains & losses on trail)
Time: 10 hours
Water Requirements: 120 ounces + 20 ounces of sports drink or or electrolyte mix
Best time to visit: September-July
