4-Day Mount Conness Yosemite Backpacking Trip
Overview
Read HERE for info on 2023 Dates.
Summit one of Yosemite’s tallest peaks, take a dip in a crystalline high-alpine lake, gaze at meadows full of wildflowers, all alongside your new Yosemite Girl Gang. During your 4-Day Mount Conness Yosemite Backpacking Trip, you’ll explore beautiful Tuolumne (“too-AH-lum-ee,” even pronunciations are tough on this trip!) Meadow in Yosemite National Park!
BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURE: YOUNG LAKES
Romp through the backcountry on a demanding, yet epic backpacking trip. Meet your new woman crushes in the Yosemite National Park as the landscape gives way to mountains, lakes, and a piney perfume that’ll make Yankee Candle totally jelly. Mother Nature swiped ALL THE WAY right. Leave the phone on airplane mode to immerse yourself in stunning national park backcountry over the course of four epic days.
Climb steep, challenging trails to three unique and pristine alpine lakes across the “Range of Light.” You will begin your hike through the incredible Tuolumne alpine meadows that open up to views of Cathedral, Unicorn, Johnson and Mammoth Peaks, take a dip (or three!) in the unique lakes along the trail; Lower, Middle, and Upper Young Lakes, and hike on one of the tallest peaks in Yosemite; Mount Conness at 12,590′; there will be means for celebration at the top (insert happy dance!)
Yosemite National Park is one of America’s most beautiful parks and there are picture-perfect vistas around each bend in the trail. We can promise that this landscape will host a memorable backcountry adventure with the most rad chicks around.
GUIDED BACKPACKING IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Permits, check.
Equipment, check.
Meal planning, check.
Just bring your hiking legs and excitement, and your Explorer Chick Guide will take care of the rest!
We will lead you and only 4 other women on an epic adventure with jaw-dropping views of the extraordinary beauty of Yosemite. Your route will be less crowded than many of the others in the park, allowing you time and space to take in all of the gorgeousness with your eyeballs and your camera. Yes, there’s serious mileage and elevation gains. But worth it? Hell yes!
BACKPACKING EQUIPMENT PROVIDED
Don’t have backpacking equipment, but can beast the stairs? Perfect. Explorer Chick has you covered with:
-
- Shared Tents
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Backpack
- Trekking poles
- Shared cookware
All you need to do is to show up ready for backpacking SHE-nanigans and you’ll get that National Parks bucket list checked.
Adventure Highlights
- Backpack 4 days/3 nights exploring Yosemite National Park including panoramic views of jagged and glaciated peaks, crystalline lakes, meadows full of wildflowers, and dense forests all in a classic High Sierra setting.
- Hike one of the tallest peaks in Yosemite National Park, Mount Conness at 12,590′
- Cool off in three pristine and crystal-clear alpine lakes.
- Share stories of the day while chowing down on a yummy backcountry dinner with your Explorer Chick sisters.
- Enjoy down time at camp to read a book, lizard on a river rock, take a chilly dip, or sneak in a nap.
- Disconnect to reconnect! Leave behind the constant contact and use your phone solely for capturing moments.
Simply show up to a fully-planned backpacking trip. We’ll take care of everything including snagging the nearly impossible to obtain permits. - Relax with a comprehensive itinerary that makes the logistics, permits, navigation, meal planning, gear, and everything in-between easy.
- Geek out with supportive and encouraging Explorer Chicks on a private, women-only, small group adventure tour.
Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permits are very competitive and we are not always successful in securing permits.
Your trip dates are not confirmed until we have secured Permits. We will know approximately 4 months in advance of your trip departure.
You will receive notification from Explorer Chick via email with updates on your permit status.
If we are not able to secure a permit for your dates, we’ll work with you to rebook to a new date or issue you a refund for full amount paid.
There are several beautiful and classic backpacking routes available to us, and these routes may vary when circumstances or conditions warrant. Although our route will not be confirmed until we receive our permits, we can assure you an epic Explorer Chick experience in the backcountry full of the SHE-nanigans, sisterhood, and support that make our experiences so unique.
Do not book travel arrangements until you have received confirmation from Explorer Chick.
DAY 1 – Welcome to Yosemite!
Kick off your Yosemite guided backpacking adventure at the Backpacker’s Camp in Yosemite Valley. You’ll meet your Explorer Chick Guide at 5pm for our Welcome Orientation followed by dinner. Your guide will distribute gear, fit your packs, perform a duffel shuffle, and share details for your upcoming adventure. Afterwards, you’ll get to know your Explorer Chick sisters over a camp meal fit for a queen before settling in for the night at the Backpacker’s Camp.
Meals: Welcome Dinner
DAY 2 – MEADOWS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, OH MY!
Breakfast is served before packing up camp and catching the first bus out to our trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows where we begin our trek and explore the backcountry. Tuolumne Meadows is the largest sub-alpine meadow of the Sierras, surrounded by majestic granite domes and peaks, and carpeted with wildflowers.
Gaze up at the incredible lodgepole pines as we wind our way uphill and breathe in the fresh alpine air. Unplug and get to know your fellow Explorer Chicks.
We’ll set up camp at Young Lakes before enjoying a relaxing evening. Saunter off for some afternoon hiking in the surrounding area, enjoy a good book, lizard on a sunny rock, or take a chilly dip to rinse off the day’s dirt in Lower Young Lake. A hearty dinner and overshares cap off the evening!
Backpacking: 6 miles, +1,880 ft
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 3 – Hiking Mount Conness
We will wake up at our lakeside campsite and fuel up on a tasty breakfast and strong coffee before continuing our journey towards one of the tallest peaks in the park, Mount Conness. Leaving our heavy packs behind at camp, we’re off for a beautiful and challenging hike on Mount Conness. Mount Conness is the third tallest peak in Yosemite National Park at 12,590′.
Once we hike to the saddle (approx. 6.5 miles) we will be awarded with panoramic views of the Sierras, including sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, and Half Dome. Here, we will enjoy an epic picnic lunch together to fill our bellies for the rest of our adventure.
The summit to Mount Conness is an exposed and strenuous Class 2-3 scramble that will require use of both your hands and feet to approach the last 500’. Depending on weather, trail conditions, and the group’s pace and ability, we may have the opportunity to scramble to the summit. Should conditions be optimal to summit, you’ll have the support of your Explorer Chick Guide and your Yosemite Girl Gang along the way!
We’ll ride our adrenaline high back down to our Young Lakes camp, just in time for another refreshing dip in the lake. *Ding* Dinner is served!
Hiking Mileage and Elevation Gain: 7 miles, +3,000 ft
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 4 – GLEN AULIN AND GOODBYES
It’s the saddest day today as we wake our tired legs out of their slumber. We’ll pack up camp and hit the trail which hosts cascading waterfalls, lush meadows and granite cliffs. There’ll be plenty of opportunity for Glamour Shots and picturesque snack stops before emerging from the wilderness at Tuolumne Meadows Lodge. We’ll pop back on the park shuttle to Curry Village and say our goodbyes. Excessive hugging is encouraged.
We will be out of the backcountry at approximately 2pm; returning to Curry Village via carpool or Park Shuttle by 5pm (This is not guaranteed).
Backpacking: 6.6 miles, +1,631 ft
Meals: B, L
- 4 days/3 nights guided backpacking in Yosemite National Park with shared tents – 2 per tent.
- Gear Included:
- Shared Tents
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Backpack
- Trekking poles
- Shared cookware
- Hiking Permit
- A commemorative Explorer Chick shirt.
- A detailed Travel Guide upon booking with everything you need to know for your trip.
- The freedom to enjoy your vacation and mindlessly wander!
- 1 experienced Explorer Chick Guide ensuring your trip is seamless and unforgettable!
- Small Group experience! Your Explorer Chick Adventure is exclusive and limited to 5 women.
*Packages do NOT include your transportation to Yosemite National Park or your park entrance fees, alcoholic beverages, costs for additional activities, Travel Insurance, and Explorer Chick Leader tips.
*Does NOT include your Explorer Chick Guide’s Tips – Tipping your Explorer Chick Guide is optional, but customary. If you wish to recognize your Explorer Chick Guide for exceptional service we recommend you tip total 10-25% of your trip costs.
*Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, or other unforeseen incidents
You will receive a travel guide attached to your booking confirmation with the rendezvous point, travel recommendations, and all of the information you’ll need to prepare for your backpacking trip.
You will receive additional information on your trip route and itinerary 3-4 months before your trip start date via email.
Important: Do NOT book your airfare until we have confirmed your trip and permits to hike.
You are responsible for your own transportation to Yosemite National Park as well as the Park Entrance fee. Your park entrance fee is good for the next 7 days upon entry if you plan to spend extra time in the park.
Your permit for Wilderness camping is included.
Arrival – Day 1: Arrive at Yosemite National Park at any time today before our official Orientation followed by a Welcome dinner at 5pm.
Departure Day- Day 4: – We will be out of the backcountry by approximately 5pm (This is not guaranteed).
Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking airfare.
Day 1: It’s just dinner! – easy
Day 2: 6 miles, 1,880 ft elevation gain – moderate to strenuous
Day 3: 7 miles, 3,000 ft elevation gain – strenuous
Day 4: 6.6 miles, 1,631 ft elevation gain – moderate to strenuous
The Yosemite Backpacking tour is for experienced hikers and backpackers. This trip is not recommended for “off the couch” outdoor enthusiasts or beginners. Previous backpacking experience is strongly recommended.
Most of the Yosemite region lies above 7,500’ altitude. The trails are steep, varying, and challenging. The terrain can be rocky with dramatic elevation gains and losses. And, you’ll be doing it with a 30-35lb pack on your back.
You should very easily be able to hike on rough terrain at 2 miles per hour.
We strongly recommend training in advance for your backpacking trip. You should be training on rough and rugged terrain – not always perfectly paved sidewalks. Train how you play!
Find steps, a hill, or the Stairmaster and get to climbing! Your quads, booty, and calves will thank you. Train in all the weather – This even means rain!
Gradually build up your training pack weight and distances. Start with just your day pack for an hour hike a few days a week. Add distance, duration, and weight until you are able to carry the full required weight on a 6-7 hour hike leading up to your trip.
Train your tootsies! Do NOT show up with brand new hiking boots or trail shoes. You should be spending hours upon hours in your boots leading up to your adventure to break them in. Better to suffer blisters at home than to miss out due to painful hot spots on your feet. This is our number one injury. Do not let it happen to you!
We recommend staying well-hydrated before your trip to assist with mitigating altitude sickness.
Please consider your ability to meet the physical demands very seriously. It is for the safety of both you and our group. All Explorer Chicks will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of their waiver upon booking.
Still not convinced that THIS is the adventure for you?
We’ve rounded up some of our most popular blog posts, so you can get to know us a bit better and learn what really goes down on your Explorer Chick Adventure.
- Remember How it Feels to Play
- You are NOT Alone
- The Power of Explorer Chick
- What Does an Explorer Chick Look Like?
- We are ALL IN
- We Do Dumb Stuff
- The Explorer Chick Purpose
- The Traveler vs. the Tourist
- 6 Benefits to Booking with a Tour Company
You can always reach us by email with more questions! Info@ExplorerChick.com
To protect your travel investment and your hide, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. World Nomads is our trusted travel insurance provider. Receive an no-hassle, online quote in less than 2 minutes.
Trip Price:
$1,499
Save $200 with Early Bird Pricing!
See our Discount page for Codes and Expirations!
Non-Refundable Deposit: $200 due at booking to secure your spot
Payment Plans Available: Email payments@ec-old.design-works.com after booking to set up your monthly payment plan.
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