Pints & Peaks:

DAY 1 MEET YOUR GUIDES AND BREWMASTER AT SOUTHGATE BREWERY IN OAKHURST, CA

Check into the Best Western in Oakhurst anytime after 3 pm. Meet your guide and group at 5 pm at the Southgate Brewery in Oakhurst CA. We’ll have a short trip orientation including appetizers and your first Southgate beer. We’ll then have a tour of the brewery by the owner/brewmaster. Dinner tonight is on your own at the Brewery. 

DAY 2 ENJOY HAPPY HOUR AT LAKESIDE CAMP 

After breakfast on your own at the hotel, we’ll meet at 7:00 am to drive to the pack station and trailhead. The drive is approximately 1.5 hours and it is your responsibility to drive to the pack station and trailhead (your guide will  lead the way in their vehicle). After dropping our gear with the packers, we’ll make our way to the trailhead. While hiking, you'll carry just a daypack with some water, a camera, etc. We’ll hike approximately 5 miles into a centrally located lake where we will make basecamp. After a swim in the lake, we’ll have happy hour where you’ll be the first to enjoy the Southgate beer crafted especially for your trip and a delicious dinner to follow. 5 miles, Elevation: +1709'/ -322' 

DAY 3 EXPLORE ALPINE LAKES BASIN, ENJOY DINNER AND DRINK PAIRINGS 

Today your guide(s) will lead a hike through the pristine upper lakes basin via established on- and off-trail routes.  Exact destinations and distance vary depending on the preferences of the group members. The guides excel at customizing the itinerary to meet the preferences of the group. The day ends with swimming at our lakeside camp,  happy hour, and stargazing. 

Varies by trip 1-6 miles, Elevation: -500, +500

DAY 4 CLIMB A 10,000'+ PEAK ON THE BORDER OF YOSEMITE WILDERNESS 

After a hearty breakfast prepared by your guide(s) we’ll set out again to explore the surrounding area. An optional  summit hike to one of the nearby 10,000'+ peaks that make up the southern border of Yosemite National Park is a  possibility. Also day hikes to other nearby alpine lakes with great fishing, swimming & photo opportunities are possible, depending on your own interests. Happy hour and dinner rounds out an exciting day in the high country.  Varies by trip 1-6 miles, Elevation: -500', +500 

DAY 5 DEPART BACKCOUNTRY AND RETURN TO BASS LAKE 

After a leisurely morning we’ll bid farewell to our cozy camp and make our way back to the trailhead. Expect a 3 pm departure from the high country, getting back to Oakhurst no later than 5pm. 

5 miles, Elevation: +322'/ -1709'

Accommodations 

• 1st night's stay at the Best Western in downtown Oakhurst CA.  

• 3 nights of wilderness tent camping  (permits included) 

Food 

• Trip orientation with beers and appetizers at the Brewery. 

• Hand crafted South Gate Brewery beers each evening. 

• Backcountry gourmet meals starting with lunch on Day 2 and ending with lunch on Day 5, including trail snacks. 

• Hot tea or coffee served each morning. 

Gear 

• All group gear including stoves, cookware, water filters, group first aid kit, bathroom kit etc. 

• Personal camping gear provided by request: backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, trekking poles, and tents.

❌ Transportation to and from trailhead

❌ Trip Insurance (strongly recommended)

❌ Recommended 15-20% gratuity for guides 

❌ Personal clothing & footwear 

❌ Dinner at South Gate Night 1, Breakfast Day 2  

❌ Airfare

There is a 4 person minimum requirement for this trip to run.

If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests.

We make the final determination for these trips 4-5 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately

• Full Payment: Due 60 days before trip departure

• Cancellation 60+ days before departure: 75% of deposit refunded or transferred to another trip in same season.

• Cancellation within 60-45 days of departure: 50% of trip cost refunded or transferred to another trip in same season.

• Cancel 45 days or less, non-refundable, non-transferable.

Cancellation policies are necessary for operating “tour-type” programs with high up-front costs and overhead. While AWE operates within industry standards and strives to be fair, there are many things are out of our control.  

By their nature, backcountry adventures are uncertain endeavors. Many factors can influence the arrival to, the running of, or the outcome of an AWE program. Therefore, AWE strongly suggests obtaining “cancel for any reason” travel insurance before embarking. Weather, route conditions, or your own abilities may create circumstances that make continuing an AWE program unsafe or unwise, and you and/or your party may have to exit early. No refunds are given if a program ends early due to weather or route conditions. If this occurs your guide will offer to spend your remaining time pursuing a different or more feasible route. There is no credit for any days that go unused.

Should AWE need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances (government closures, etc), we will offer you the opportunity to change programs, reschedule, or refund without penalty.

Unless you are willing to absorb the entire cost of your trip in the event of a cancellation or early exit, it is recommended that you obtain travel insurance to protect your investment. AWE is not liable for cancellation fees or costs pertaining to your changed or canceled flights, rentals, lodging, or other arrangements (travel insurance can cover those costs). We recommend you call and speak with agent(s) before purchasing.

Our recommendations (please do your own research to see what best suits your needs):

• Travel Guard- travelguard.com

• World Nomads- worldnomads.com

• ADD Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage to your insurance plan – it’s highly recommended you add this to your policy. You often need to purchase this coverage within a short timeframe of making your reservation (typically 1-2 weeks).