4 Day | 3 Night: Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Backpacking Adventure

This incredible 30 mile 4 day backpacking adventure travels along the Tuolumne River through Yosemite’s Grand Canyon and has incredible dramatic scenery and at least 50 waterfalls!

The most popular directions begins at the White Wolf Campground and immediately plunges deep into Yosemite’s backcountry following the Tuolumne River upstream. This 30 mile adventure is especially perfect for hikers that enjoy a gradual uphill throughout the day.

The other direction begins at Murphy Creek and travels passed Glen Aulin and into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River on a slow steady decline until the last day when we climb up 2000 feet from Pate Valley with incredible views of Hetch Hetchy Valley and Yosemite’s high country.

Itinerary from White Wolf Campground

** Day 1 | 9 Miles | Strenuous Elevation Loss**
Meet your guide after breakfast around 10 AM at a convenient prearranged meet up location to pack gear and talk safety. We’ll begin our adventure in the solitude of White Wolf and enjoy a relaxed 5 mile hike through old growth forests before a dramatic 2500 foot decline. The switchbacks are easy to forget in the face of such incredible incredible vistas including the eastern tail of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. We’ll come to rest in an idyllic and remote campground on the banks of the Tuolumne River. Custom Hiker’s Lunch and a Gourmet Camp Dinner provided.

Day 2 | 7 Miles | Moderate Elevation Gain
We’ll wake with the sun and enjoy coffee and a hearty mountain breakfast before packing up. The trail will slowly crawl up the Sierra as we follow the Tuolumne River through the incredible canyons she’s carved out of the granite, enjoying glacial polish, huge glacial erratics and never-ending waterfalls..

Day 3 | 6 Miles | Moderate Elevation Gain
Another amazing day in Yosemite’s High Country
with the unique Waterwheel Falls that spins in full pinwheel patterns before cascading 60 feet down polished granite with dinner near Glen Aulin, the historic High Sierra Camp.

Day 4 | 5 Miles | Moderate Elevation Gain
We’ll see White Cascades, Tuolumne Falls and many more unnamed falls before heading into Tuolumne Meadows. Once back in civilization, we’ll continue our adventure with a scenic drive through the Yosemite’s high country, over Tioga Pass and down the east side of the Sierra for pizza at the famous Whoa Nellie Deli!

What to Bring

A complete list provided upon request and in your confirmation email.

Duration

4 Days and 3 Nights

What’s Provided

• Private Transportation to Trailhead. Transportation from Fresno, Sacramento or the Bay Area also available
• Camping the night before or the night after your adventure also available.
• All meals from lunch on Day 1 – Dinner on your last day.
• Snacks, drinks, and water available throughout your excursion.
• Private naturalist guide with Wilderness First Responder Certification
• Entrance, license and permit fees, and taxes
• All camping equipment such as tents, sleeping bags, and bag liners.
• Complete camp kitchen and bear canisters.
• Water and water filtration.
• Toiletries and sanitation supplies.
• First aid and emergency equipment.