Yosemite Mount Conness Backpacking

Summit one of Yosemite’s tallest peaks, take a dip in a crystalline high-alpine lake, gaze at meadows full of wildflowers, all alongside your new Yosemite Girl Gang. During your 4-Day Mount Conness Yosemite Backpacking Trip, you’ll explore beautiful Tuolumne (“too-AH-lum-ee,” even pronunciations are tough on this trip!) Meadow in Yosemite National Park!

BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURE: YOUNG LAKES
Romp through the backcountry on a demanding, yet epic backpacking trip. Meet your new woman crushes in the Yosemite National Park as the landscape gives way to mountains, lakes, and a piney perfume that’ll make Yankee Candle totally jelly. Mother Nature swiped ALL THE WAY right. Leave the phone on airplane mode to immerse yourself in stunning national park backcountry over the course of four epic days.

Climb steep, challenging trails to three unique and pristine alpine lakes across the “Range of Light.” You will begin your hike through the incredible Tuolumne alpine meadows that open up to views of Cathedral, Unicorn, Johnson and Mammoth Peaks, take a dip (or three!) in the unique lakes along the trail; Lower, Middle, and Upper Young Lakes, and hike on one of the tallest peaks in Yosemite; Mount Conness at 12,590′; there will be means for celebration at the top (insert happy dance!)

Yosemite National Park is one of America’s most beautiful parks and there are picture-perfect vistas around each bend in the trail. We can promise that this landscape will host a memorable backcountry adventure with the most rad chicks around.

GUIDED BACKPACKING IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Permits, check.
Equipment, check.
Meal planning, check.
Just bring your hiking legs and excitement, and your Explorer Chick Guide will take care of the rest!

We will lead you and only 4 other women on an epic adventure with jaw-dropping views of the extraordinary beauty of Yosemite. Your route will be less crowded than many of the others in the park, allowing you time and space to take in all of the gorgeousness with your eyeballs and your camera. Yes, there’s serious mileage and elevation gains. But worth it? Hell yes!

BACKPACKING EQUIPMENT PROVIDED
Don’t have backpacking equipment, but can beast the stairs? Perfect. Explorer Chick has you covered with:

• Shared Tents
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Backpack
• Trekking poles
• Shared cookware

All you need to do is to show up ready for backpacking SHE-nanigans and you’ll get that National Parks bucket list checked.

• 4 days/3 nights guided backpacking in Yosemite National Park with shared tents – 2 per tent.
• Gear Included: Shared tents, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, trekking poles, and shared cookware
• Hiking Permit
• A commemorative Explorer Chick shirt.
• A detailed Travel Guide upon booking with everything you need to know for your trip.
• The freedom to enjoy your vacation and mindlessly wander!
• 1 experienced Explorer Chick Guide ensuring your trip is seamless and unforgettable!
• Small Group experience! Your Explorer Chick Adventure is exclusive and limited to 5 women.

*Packages do NOT include your transportation to Yosemite National Park or your park entrance fees, alcoholic beverages, costs for additional activities, Travel Insurance, and Explorer Chick Leader tips.

*Does NOT include your Explorer Chick Guide’s Tips – Tipping your Explorer Chick Guide is optional, but customary. If you wish to recognize your Explorer Chick Guide for exceptional service we recommend you tip total 10-25% of your trip costs.

*Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, or other unforeseen incidents

You will receive a travel guide attached to your booking confirmation with the rendezvous point, travel recommendations, and all of the information you’ll need to prepare for your backpacking trip.

You will receive additional information on your trip route and itinerary 3-4 months before your trip start date via email.

You are responsible for your own transportation to Yosemite National Park as well as the Park Entrance fee. Your park entrance fee is good for the next 7 days upon entry if you plan to spend extra time in the park.

Your permit for Wilderness camping is included.

Arrival – Day 1: Arrive at Yosemite National Park at any time today before our official Orientation followed by a Welcome dinner at 5pm.

Departure – Day 4: – We will be out of the backcountry by approximately 5pm (This is not guaranteed).

5 – HIGHLY STRENUOUS

Day 1: It’s just dinner! – easy
Day 2: 6 miles, 1,880 ft elevation gain – moderate to strenuous
Day 3: 7 miles, 3,000 ft elevation gain – strenuous
Day 4: 6.6 miles, 1,631 ft elevation gain – moderate to strenuous

The Yosemite Backpacking tour is for experienced hikers and backpackers. This trip is not recommended for “off the couch” outdoor enthusiasts or beginners. Previous backpacking experience is strongly recommended.

Most of the Yosemite region lies above 7,500’ altitude. The trails are steep, varying, and challenging. The terrain can be rocky with dramatic elevation gains and losses. And, you’ll be doing it with a 30-35lb pack on your back.

You should very easily be able to hike on rough terrain at 2 miles per hour.

We strongly recommend training in advance for your backpacking trip. You should be training on rough and rugged terrain – not always perfectly paved sidewalks. Train how you play!

Find steps, a hill, or the Stairmaster and get to climbing! Your quads, booty, and calves will thank you. Train in all the weather – This even means rain!

Gradually build up your training pack weight and distances. Start with just your day pack for an hour hike a few days a week. Add distance, duration, and weight until you are able to carry the full required weight on a 6-7 hour hike leading up to your trip.

Train your tootsies! Do NOT show up with brand new hiking boots or trail shoes. You should be spending hours upon hours in your boots leading up to your adventure to break them in. Better to suffer blisters at home than to miss out due to painful hot spots on your feet. This is our number one injury. Do not let it happen to you!

We recommend staying well-hydrated before your trip to assist with mitigating altitude sickness.

Please consider your ability to meet the physical demands very seriously. It is for the safety of both you and our group. All Explorer Chicks will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of their waiver upon booking.