A five-day, four-night backpacking adventure summiting Yosemite National Park’s iconic Clouds Rest and Half Dome. This challenging thru-hike rewards with high-elevation meadows, soaring vistas, and rushing waterfalls.
Climb the cables and reach the summit of Half Dome
Soak in panoramic views atop Clouds Rest
Hike the famous John Muir Trail and Mist Trail
Level up your backpacking skills in a supportive environment
This is the best bang-for-your-buck backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park, and it’s the most ideal itinerary for climbing both Clouds Rest and Half Dome. These are probably the most famous bucket-list summits in the entire park, and getting a permit to climb them has become akin to winning the lottery. Seeing these sights with Wilder Walks not only takes care of the logistics, but also offers an opportunity to improve your backpacking skills and learn more about the natural history of the world-famous Yosemite National Park.
Our route is ideal because it starts in Tuolumne Meadows, one of the highest-elevation meadows in the entire Sierra Nevada. Since this trip is a thru-hike, it means we’ll get to head generally downhill and avoid the strenuous climb up and out of Yosemite Valley. It also means that we’ll get to experience all of the major ecosystems that define Yosemite National Park as we follow in the footsteps of the original Ahwahneechee people through lush meadows, towering pine forests, and other-worldly alpine zones.
Dates:
Five days, four nights
(One night in a shared canvas tent, four nights in the backcountry)
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 – Sunday, July 20, 2025
Additional dates and private trips may be available. Contact us to learn more.
Distance:
29 miles | ~7 miles per day
Difficulty:
Intermediate-Advanced (Rating: 4.1/5) | Learn more about trip difficulty below.
Group Size:
3-6 participants + 1 guide
Note that trips that do not meet the minimum group size may be rescheduled or cancelled. Please read our policies and FAQs carefully before booking.
Trip Cost:
$1,895.00 per person, $300 deposit required to reserve your spot.