DAY 1- HOTEL CHECK-IN 

Check in at the Wyndham Garden Hotel at the Airport anytime after 3 pm. Meet your guide(s) and group in the lobby at 5 pm for a brief orientation. Dinner is on your own in Fresno.

DAY 2- HIKE TO CORA LAKES 

After an early breakfast on your own, our shuttle will meet us at 7 am to drive to the remote trailhead (7,100'), about  a 3-hour drive. After dropping our gear with the packers, we’ll make our way to the trailhead and begin hiking to our first camp at Cora Lakes. That evening, settle into your first night of camping, while your guide(s) prepare dinner. Enjoy the sunset while having dinner overlooking the lake.  

4.5 miles, Elevation: +1500’/ -300’ 

DAY 3- CLIMB ISBERG PASS & CAMP AT LAKE 10K 

We’ll pack up camp early this morning with our sights set on Isberg Pass (11.000’). After passing through a picturesque high lakes basin, we’ll surmount the pass itself, which marks the official border of Yosemite National Park. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a  lakeside camp at the headwaters of the Merced River, surrounded by 11-12,000’ granite peaks.

10 miles, Elevation: +2600’/ -800’ 

DAY 4- DESCEND ALONG THE MERCED RIVER 

Today's hike is all downhill, through the creek drainages and headwaters that eventually form the mighty “Wild and Scenic Merced River”. Views of the Clark Range are abundant and there are plenty of beautiful meadows, waterfalls, and swimming holes to distract us. The day's hike drops us 2,300' over roughly 7 miles and we'll camp along one of our favorite dispersed camp spots along the Merced River.  

6.8 miles, Elevation: +150'/-2300' 

DAY 5- HIKE TO SUNRISE CREEK 

This morning we’ll continue following the Merced past the famous High Sierra Camp and into Echo Valley. From there, we’ll regain our lost elevation as we traverse large granite ridges enjoying spectacular views of Little Yosemite Valley along the way. The trail eventually leads to the Sunrise Creek area, positioning us below Cloud’s Rest in preparation for an early start the following day. 

10.5 miles, Elevation: +1565'/ -1385' 

DAY 6- SUMMIT CLOUDS REST 

We'll be up and out of camp early to begin making our way to the top of Cloud’s Rest (9,930). We’ll reach the summit  by late morning, and will have plenty of time to enjoy the stunning views along the way, including Tenaya Canyon 4,000 feet below. The peak itself is a side trip off of the main trail, 3.6 miles round-trip. In the afternoon we’ll continue to our camp at Sunrise Lakes where we will have time to relax, jump in the lake, and enjoy camp.  

8.5 miles, +2746' / -1591'

DAY 7- HIKE THE JOHN MUIR TRAIL TO CATHEDRAL LAKE 

Our second to last day we’ll connect with the famous John Muir Trail in the Tuolumne region of Yosemite. We’ll pass some stunning alpine meadows and otherworldly glaciated peaks on our way to what many folks call the most beautiful spot in Yosemite, (upper) Cathedral Lake (9,600'). We’ll have time in the afternoon to explore the area, or just relax and enjoy the swimming and stunning views from the lakeside camp.  

6 miles, Elevation: +1322'/-896' 

DAY 8- EXIT BACKCOUNTRY VIA TUOLUMNE MEADOWS, RETURN TO FRESNO 

After breakfast, we'll pack up camp one last time and hike the remaining 4 miles to the trailhead at the iconic Tuolumne Meadows in Northern Yosemite. We'll be meeting our shuttle here mid-morning for a scenic drive through the park back to Fresno. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch along the way and savor one last moment before we make our way south. Expect a 5-6pm return to Fresno.

4 miles, Elevation: +230 / -1293'

Accommodations 

• 1st night's lodging at Wyndham Garden Hotel in Fresno 

• 6 nights of wilderness tent camping  (permits included) 

Transportation 

• Day 2 private shuttle from Fresno to starting trailhead 

• Day 8 private shuttle from ending  trailhead to Fresno 

Food 

• Starting with breakfast on Day 2 and ending with lunch on Day 8 

• Gourmet backcountry meals including trail snacks 

• Hot tea or coffee served each morning 

Gear 

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

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

❌ Trip Insurance (strongly recommended)

❌ Recommended 10-20% gratuity for guide(s) and 3% for packers 

❌ Personal clothing & footwear 

❌ Dinner on the first night in Fresno

❌ Airfare 

❌ Evacuations

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).