These are the trips I'm running in 2026. Each one is built around a specific wilderness permit I have already secured through Yosemite's quota system.
Additional dates will be added as Yosemite continues to release permits.
Have questions before booking? Contact me →
⭐ June 28 - July 5: High Sierra Lakes Traverse → Half Dome
SIGNATURE EXPEDITION
8 days / 7 nights
2 clients
$3,400 per person
We start at Rafferty Creek Trailhead in the Tuolumne Meadows area. We will traverse multiple lake basins across 8 days, finishing with a Half Dome summit before descending to Yosemite Valley. One-way journey. Off-trail flexibility. Route adjusts to conditions and what we find along the way.
No rigid itinerary. The route adjusts to conditions. I handle navigation and propose options as we go. We move through terrain most people never see.
What to expect:
- 8-12 miles/day with full pack (some days more, some less)
- Elevation ~8,000-9,000+ ft for most of route
- Off-trail travel where conditions allow
- Lake-to-lake traverse ending near Half Dome
- Half Dome summit
- Physically demanding—you need multi-day backpacking experience
- Ending in Yosemite Valley
What's different about this trip:
- This is the only time I'm offering this route in 2026
- Multi-day alpine traverse, not an out-and-back
- Route designed to show the range of Yosemite's backcountry, not just one destination
- You'll see lake basins, alpine terrain, and granite landscapes most visitors never reach
- Includes one-way YARTS shuttle bus ticket (Valley → Tuolumne on Day 1)
April 24-27: Happy Isles → Beyond Little Yosemite Valley
4 days / 3 nights
3 clients
$1,700 per person
Early-season Yosemite. We'll hike the waterfall corridor when snowmelt is at its peak—Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, the Merced River running hard. This is the granite-and-water energy that defines spring in the Valley.
We start at Happy Isles, climb beyond Little Yosemite Valley, and spend time exploring the area before heading back out. Expect big water, solid mileage, and the kind of visual impact that reminds you why Yosemite matters.
What to expect:
- 8-12 miles/day with full pack
- ~4,000 ft total elevation gain
- Established trails, some crowded sections near waterfalls
- Wilderness camping in designated areas
May 1-4: Yosemite Falls / North Dome / Indian Arch
4 days / 3 nights
5 clients
$1,700 per person
Upper Yosemite Fall in May. We'll climb out of the Valley and access the rim country above the falls. Once past the day-hiker crowds, the terrain opens up—quieter, more expansive, with views back across the Valley.
This is prime snowmelt season. Big water, long days, stable weather.
What to expect:
- 8-10 miles/day with full pack
- Steep initial climb (~3,000 ft to rim)
May 21-25: Half Dome Backcountry (Memorial Day Weekend)
5 days / 4 nights
2 clients
$2,375 per person
Half Dome over Memorial Day weekend. This is more immersive than the standard 3-day Half Dome trip—extra time means less rushing, more flexibility in pacing, and the ability to explore beyond just the summit.
What to expect:
- 8-12 miles/day with full pack
- Half Dome summit via cables (permit included)
- Potential for Clouds Rest or other nearby objectives depending on conditions
June 19-22: Private Half Dome Expedition
4 days / 3 nights
Private (1 client only)
$1,900 total
This is a fully private trip. One-on-one. No group dynamics, no shared decision-making. Just you, me, and the route.
We'll summit Half Dome and spend the rest of the time exploring nearby terrain—Clouds Rest, backcountry lakes, whatever makes sense given your interests and the conditions. The itinerary is flexible. The pace is yours.
June is ideal—long days, stable weather, strong conditions for moving through the High Sierra.
What to expect:
- Completely flexible itinerary
- Half Dome summit via cables (permit included)
- Opportunity to explore beyond the standard routes
- Full attention on your goals and pacing
August 14-17: Late Summer Half Dome
4 days / 3 nights
5 clients
$1,900 per person
Late-season Half Dome. By mid-August, the weather is stable, the wildflowers are peaking at higher elevations, and the summit conditions are as good as they get.
This trip is capped at 5 clients to keep it manageable and maintain a premium experience. You're not moving through the backcountry with a tour group—this is a small team working together.
What to expect:
- 8-12 miles/day with full pack
- Half Dome summit via cables (permit included)
- Late-season stability (best weather window of the year)
- Wilderness camping in Mono Meadow / Little Yosemite Valley area