Adventure Details
Experience one of the best view points in Yosemite National Park on a guided backpacking tour to the summit of Clouds Rest with Discovery Treks. Towering over competing peaks in the area at a stellar 9,930 ft of elevation, Clouds Rest offers the best 360 degree panorama views of Yosemite National Park that you will likely ever see.Discovery Treks guided backpacking tour to Clouds Rest is typically a 4 day adventure with 2 days of backpacking to get to our base camp before we begin the hike to summit Clouds rest. The first two days of our hike will take us out into the Yosemite Wilderness backcountry where you will get views of a number of other peaks, monoliths and falls including Mt. Starr King, Liberty Cap and Nevada & Vernal Falls.Our Clouds Rest guided hike and Yosemite backpacking tour takes you off the beaten path to enjoy some less visited areas of the park - this means no paved trail where you might run into someone on a Segway and real rugged hikers versus all the lookey-loos. It also means more time to experience the serenity of the park and see the places not on Instagram. You will then notice the contrast by night two when we camp at Little Yosemite Valley with everybody else.Looking to make the most of your time out in Yosemite? Up the ante on your guided backpacking tour by adding one more day to summit the iconic Half Dome as well. Check out our Yosemite - Two Summits guided backpacking adventure for details!*Route Variation - Our specific hiking route and campsites on each departure are dependent upon permit availability. Difficulty of the hike will also vary based on the route change. Additionally, the ascent up Clouds Rest is very challenging and is weather permitting.
What's included?
- 5pm orientation the afternoon prior to your hike at Yosemite Valley at the backpacker's camp.
- Backpacking permits.
- Tent camping each night on the trail plus the night of orientation at the backpacker's camp*.
- All food while on the trail prepared by your guide - from dinner at orientation through breakfast on the last day*.
- Double occupancy tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, trekking poles. A single tent is available for an additional $50.
- A certified, medically trained guide that will lead you safely on your journey.
- An unforgettable experience!
Our prices do not include guide gratuity ($25-$35 per person per day is recommended).
Upcoming Tour Dates
Please see below for upcoming tour dates and availability:
- We are taking reservations for 2024 tours. Please select your ideal start date and we will apply for those specific permits for your group.
Adventure Itinerary
Day 1
Meet you guide and fellow hikers in Yosemite Valley for a 5pm orientation, dinner and your first night of camping!
Day 2
After we meet the group for our Yosemite backpacking trip and tour, we head for the Mono Meadow or Glacier Point trailhead. We hike about 3.4 miles to Illilouette Creek for a night of camping off the beaten path to see the park without all the people. Once at camp, take a dip in the creek or there are some trails to explore for those wanting some additional hiking. Or, kick back by the fire and wait for the fire stomping Rhinos to show up. (That's a joke. There are no fire stomping Rhinos).
Day 3
Today we pack up and move camp to the Little Yosemite Valley. Expect camp to have 50+ people but there is an option to get away from the people by hiking a bit further and camp away from everyone. The hike today is approximately 5.5 miles to LYV. Once at camp, take a dip in the Merced River and enjoy the afternoon resting up for our summit of Clouds Rest the following morning! Our hike up to Clouds Rest will be approximately 12 miles roundtrip but we will drop our big packs at camp and only take day packs for this hike.
Day 4
We get up for an early breakfast and prepare our day packs for the long guided hike ahead of us. Our hike will take us most of the day and we will plan for lunch out on the trail. Get ready for a bun-burner as we gain almost of 4k feet to the summit of Clouds Rest at 9,930 ft of elevation. Our hike will be approximately 12 miles round trip but the views of Half Dome, Tenaya Canyon and the surrounding areas will be well worth it!
Day 5
We get up for an early breakfast to pack up camp and head out back to Yosemite Valley where our guided backpacking tour will conclude. It is a beautiful 5.5 mile hike along the historic John Muir trail where we will get outstanding views of Half Dome, Nevada Falls, and the surrounding area before you say goodbye to Yosemite.
Pickup Locations
Depending on the exact permit that you are signed up for, having a car to transport yourself to the trailhead may be required. Please contact our office about personal vehicle requirements for different tour dates.
