Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne – Yosemite
📅 July 24–26 (Fri–Sun) · July 31–Aug. 2 (Fri–Sun)
Tuolumne Meadows, CA
Book Trip → $500 pp
About This Trip
If you’ve been curious about backpacking but aren’t sure where to start, this trip was designed for you. We’ll follow the wild Tuolumne River deep into Yosemite’s backcountry — past thundering waterfalls and open granite slabs — to a campsite tucked just beyond Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp. It’s remote enough to feel like a true wilderness adventure, but close enough to keep the mileage manageable. On Day 2, we swap our packs for daypacks and head further down the canyon to Waterwheel Falls, one of Yosemite’s most jaw-dropping geological wonders, where the river’s force sends water spinning skyward in arcing wheels. You’ll have time to swim, explore, and just sit with how beautiful it all is. No prior backpacking experience is required — just a sense of adventure and a willingness to earn the view.
Trip Highlights
- Learn the fundamentals of backpacking in a guided, low-pressure setting — packing, camp setup, water filtering, and Leave No Trace, all covered before you hit the trail
- Discover a deeper Yosemite past the day hikers and trailhead crowds, into a river canyon most visitors never reach
- Camp beside the rushing Tuolumne River just beyond Glen Aulin, with granite walls, starry skies, and no walls between you and the Sierra Nevada
- Day hike to Waterwheel Falls and swim in the river — one of Yosemite’s most spectacular and least-visited destinations
- Walk away with real confidence by Sunday you’ll have 18 backcountry miles under your belt and the skills to start planning your next adventure
Trip Details — Yosemite Tuolumne Meadows
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
| Distance | ~18 miles total · ~2,335 ft gain/loss |
| Elevation | ~6,810 – 8,650 ft |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Group Size | Maximum 6 participants |
| Price | $500 per person (gear rental +$200 if needed) |
| Dates | July 24–26 (Fri–Sun) July 31–Aug. 2 (Fri–Sun) |
Day-by-Day Itinerary
DAY
1
1
Into the Canyon
We meet at the Lembert Dome Trailhead at the east end of Tuolumne Meadows and set off along the Tuolumne River. The trail begins gently — a wide path through open meadow with big sierra sky overhead — before narrowing into forest and granite. You’ll hear Tuolumne Falls before you see it, and White Cascade at Glen Aulin won’t disappoint either. After a short rest at the High Sierra Camp, we push one mile further downstream to our campsite, set among granite boulders with the river as our soundtrack for the next two nights. We’ll get camp set up, cook dinner together, and ease into the rhythm of the backcountry.
~6.8 miles
−850 ft elevation
4.5–5.5 hrs
DAY
2
2
Waterwheel Falls & River Swimming
Today we leave the heavy packs at camp and head deeper into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. The trail descends past California Falls and Le Conte Falls — both stunning in their own right — before arriving at Waterwheel Falls, where the river plunges into grooved granite and launches water skyward in spinning arcs. We’ll spend time here exploring, eating lunch on the warm granite, and finding the best swimming holes along the river. The hike back to camp is all uphill, but short — and dinner back at camp will feel very well-earned.
~4.6 miles
−500 / +500 ft
5–6 hrs
DAY
3
3
Return to the Meadows
After two nights beside the river, we pack up camp and begin the climb back out to Tuolumne Meadows. The trail that felt so easy on Day 1 now reveals its other side — a steady 850-foot gain over 6.8 miles. But the payoff is real: you’ll see every waterfall again from a new angle, moving upstream through the canyon you now know by heart. We’ll arrive back at the trailhead mid-morning to early afternoon with sore legs, big smiles, and a very legitimate claim to having done something genuinely hard. Plan for a celebratory lunch in the meadows before heading home.
~6.8 miles
+850 ft elevation
5–6 hrs
📅 Average Conditions for Your Trip — July 24–26
Fri Jul 24
Sunny, warm on trail
71°
|
38°
⚡ PM thunder possible
Sat Jul 25
Partly cloudy, pleasant
68°
|
40°
⚡ PM thunder possible
Sun Jul 26
Clouds build afternoon
66°
|
37°
💧 20% afternoon rain
☀ Severe UV at altitude
🌡 Drops 30°F after sunset
⚡ Storms build after 1pm
⛰ Conditions to Know
- Best weather of our three trips — warm sunny days, cold but manageable nights
- UV at 8,000+ ft burns faster than you expect — reapply sunscreen every 2 hours
- Temperature drops sharply at sunset — from 70°F on trail to 40°F at camp fast
- Afternoon thunderstorms common 1–4pm — plan exposed ridges for the morning
- Dry air masks dehydration — drink water consistently even if you don’t feel thirsty
★ Pack These — Non-Negotiable
- Sun hat with full brim — non-negotiable at this elevation
- SPF 50+ sunscreen — reapply every 2 hours on trail
- Lightweight puffy jacket — evenings drop to 35–45°F
- Waterproof rain jacket — keep in top of pack all day
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- 2L+ water — dry air dehydrates faster than you realize
What’s Included
- All required wilderness permits
- Tents and sleeping pads
- Cooking equipment and stove
- All meals from Day 1 dinner through Day 3 lunch
- Water filtration
- Expert guide
Not Included
- Personal hiking boots and socks
- Personal clothing and rain gear
- Sleeping bag (rentals available)
- Transportation to trailhead
- Personal snacks and beverages beyond meals
- Gratuities (appreciated but never required)
Ready to Join Us?
Spots fill fast — get in touch and we’ll get you on the trail.