Our Yosemite hiking tour begins at the Sunnyside Lodge on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe. Nestled in the Tahoe Basin high in the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe is the highest lake of its size, and at 1600 feet deep, the second deepest in the country. From Tahoe, we will travel south on historic Highway 395 along the east side of the Sierras, making a stop at one of the oldest lakes in North America, Mono Lake. Once threatened and nearly destroyed by the growing water demands of Los Angeles, Mono Lake was thankfully saved by heroic conservation efforts. The lake is a vital stop on the Pacific Flyway and migratory birds like the Eared Grebe are abundant in the early fall.

Crossing Tioga Pass at 9,945 feet, we enter the eastern gate of the park drop down to Yosemite Valley for our first three nights. Our home in the Valley is the luxurious Ahwahnee Lodge, a National Historic Landmark noted for it's giant stone fireplaces, massive beams, and grand views. The Ahwahnee was specifically designed to highlight its natural surroundings, featuring Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and Glacier Point. Our final two nights, will be spent at the rustic Tuolumne Meadows Lodge. The cozy canvas-covered tent cabins recall the early days of Yosemite with no electricity, candles for lighting, and wood burning stoves. Hiking stories are shared as hearty family-style breakfast and dinners are served in a central dining tent a stone's throw away from the Tuolumne River.

Our days will start with breakfast at our hotel, giving us the energy needed for the day ahead. Then we'll be out on the trail, exploring the wonderful landscapes of the surrounding Sierras. Each morning, you'll be handed a lunch to carry, and at a mid-point along the way we'll choose a beautiful spot to stop and enjoy our picnic. We get a lot of compliments on our imaginative lunches - making them something to look forward to as well!

We should finish our hike around 4 pm, giving you time to wash up, relax at the hotel, or perhaps do a bit of sightseeing on your own. Later, we'll enjoy delicious dinners together at our hotel restaurant.

Day 1 For our Yosemite hiking tour, you'll arrive in Reno and transfer by shuttle to our meeting point at Sunnyside Lodge. Arrive early and take a dip in the lake or do some shopping in nearby Tahoe City before settling in for our welcome dinner. (Sunnyside Resort)
Day 2 From Tahoe we will travel south on historic Highway 395 along the east side of the Sierras making a stop at one of the oldest lakes in North America, Mono Lake. We head west via the highest trans-sierra route in California, crossing Tioga Pass at 9,945 feet in elevation. We enter the eastern gate of Yosemite National Park, passing thru Tuolumne Meadows on our way to Yosemite Valley. We'll have time for an afternoon stroll to Mirror Lake/Meadow. At the stone bridge, we will either choose to turn right and take the five-mile loop around the meadow or stay our current course for a shorter but equally scenic option. Exhibits detail the story of the area's lake-to-meadow succession and it is a great area for spotting wildlife. (Ahwahnee)
Day 3 Today we have the option of hiking a full loop, roughly 13 miles, along the floor of Yosemite Valley or taking a shorter 6 mile option. This superb hiking trail follows many of the Valley's first east-west trails and wagon roads. The half-loop trail crosses the Merced River on El Capitan Bridge, while the longer loop continues on to Bridalveil Fall. Much of the Valley floor loop provides solitude as we hike through meadows and forests, and along the Merced River. Along the way we enjoy classic views of Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks, El Capitan, Three Brothers, Bridalveil Fall, and Yosemite Falls. (Ahwahnee)
Day 4 Another spectacular day hiking along one of Yosemite's must-do hikes. While many of Yosemite's trails are popular due to having a single spectacular destination, the Mist Trail has fabulous views scattered all along it, beginning at the bridge overlook, progressing to two unforgettable waterfalls that fall a combined total of more than 900 feet, and ending with a spectacular view of Nevada Fall, Liberty Cap and the backside of Half Dome from the John Muir Trail. (Ahwahnee)
Day 5 Today we head back to the high country of Yosemite and beautiful Tuolumne Meadows, the largest sub-alpine meadow in the Sierra Nevada. Our hike today passes through Lyell Canyon, along the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River, once again on a section of the famous John Muir Trail. There are several creek crossings, including Rafferty Creek and Ireland Creek. We have a good chance to see bear in the back corners of the Canyon. In the afternoon we have the option to hike to the 9400 foot summit of Lembert Dome and catch some afternoon glows and watch the shadows as they begin to creep into the meadow. (Tuolumne Meadows Lodge)
Day 6 Our hike today leads to the high saddle above Budd Lake separating the Mathis Crest from Cathedral Peak. From the trailhead we once again hike along the John Muir trail towards Cathedral Lakes before turning off on a much quieter path along Budd Creek. The uniquely shaped Cathedral Peak soon comes into view with its pointy summit and will be our constant companion as we make our way to the 10,000 foot saddle. We are not disappointed as the knife-edged ridge of the Mathis Crest is before us and to our backs is Cathedral Peak and a spectacular view of Tuolumne Meadows and numerous granite domes scattered throughout. (Tuolumne Meadows Lodge)
Day 7 Our Yosemite Hiking tour finishes after breakfast, and we will drive to Reno International Airport for our post-trip destinations, arriving about 12:00pm.

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