Guided Yosemite Traverse Trips: Depth Over Distance

The Sierra Traverse

The Sierra Traverse is for those who believe the greatest reward is the journey itself. This is classic, point-to-point thru-hiking, designed for fit hikers who want to see a wide variety of landscapes, from lush river valleys to stark, stunning alpine passes. Each day brings a new objective and a new perspective on the grand scale of the Sierra. You can compare it with our Sierra Immersion, or see all of our trips.

The Traverse is about covering ground. Whether you want to cover 6 or 16 miles in a day, we can create a route for you that let’s you see as much as possible in the time you have. It’s a challenging, rewarding style of travel that requires a solid fitness level but pays off with an incredible sense of accomplishment.

We handle the complex logistics of a point-to-point trip, including car shuttles and precise resupply timing, so you can focus on the hike. You just carry your pack and enjoy the journey; we’ll take care of the rest.

The Sierra Traverse

The Sierra Traverse is for those who believe the greatest reward is the journey itself. This is classic, point-to-point thru-hiking, designed for fit hikers who want to see a wide variety of landscapes, from lush river valleys to stark, stunning alpine passes. Each day brings a new objective and a new perspective on the grand scale of the Sierra. You can compare it with our Sierra Immersion, or see all of our trips.

The Traverse is about covering ground. Whether you want to cover 6 or 16 miles in a day, we can create a route for you that let’s you see as much as possible in the time you have. It’s a challenging, rewarding style of travel that requires a solid fitness level but pays off with an incredible sense of accomplishment.

We handle the complex logistics of a point-to-point trip, including car shuttles and precise resupply timing, so you can focus on the hike. You just carry your pack and enjoy the journey; we’ll take care of the rest.

Sample Experience: The Grand Tour of Granite

A sweeping journey through the diverse heart of the Sierra. This is the quintessential Yosemite experience for the fit hiker who wants to see it all. Over 7 to 10 days, we’ll cover serious ground, moving through the distinct ecosystems that make this landscape world-famous. The focus here is the journey itself, the satisfaction of a long-distance hike that reveals a new vista around every granite shoulder.

You’ll follow rivers as they carve through deep canyons, cross vast alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers, and climb above the treeline to the sparse, beautiful world of the high country, crossing passes over 11,000 feet. The route connects iconic viewpoints with remote, quiet stretches of trail few visitors ever reach. We’ll see thundering waterfalls, swim in secluded alpine lakes, and watch the alpenglow light up the peaks from our carefully chosen camps.

While this is a demanding hike, the pacing is intentional. We start steady to allow everyone to find their trail legs, adjusting the daily mileage to the terrain and the group’s energy. Some days will be long and challenging, with climbs pushing 3,000 feet, but they are rewarded with unparalleled views and a profound sense of accomplishment. Uniquely, this route includes a planned stop at a high-country outpost mid-hike, offering a chance for a hot meal, with a cold beer or soda; a welcome and well-earned break from trail food.

This trip is a complete immersion into the scale and grandeur of the Sierra Nevada. We handle the complex logistics; you focus on the walk.

Trip Details

Hiker walking through mountainous landscape in Yosemite National Park

Sample Experience: The Rim of the Valley

Trip Details

Half Dome in Yosemite, with clouds crossing the face

A trip about the unforgettable view. This aggressive, high-mileage loop is designed for fit hikers who want to see all of Yosemite’s iconic icons from multiple angles, most of which are never seen by the vast majority of visitors. We’ll catch sight of Half Dome, El Cap, Sentinel Dome and more from over ten distinct angles, morning and evening, from above and below. It’s a journey that covers 50+ miles and provides the ultimate Yosemite Valley experience in a way that you’ll remember forever.

We begin on an out-of-the-way trailhead, immediately climbing to exposed granite country. The route follows the northern edge of the Valley, taking you across the expansive top of El Capitan and past Eagle Peak, rewarding you with panoramic, dizzying views down to the Valley floor. We traverse high above iconic features like Yosemite Falls, North Dome, and Snow Creek. We’ll walk up a river Canyon to catch the perspective of the Valley from the high country, a view unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

This route provides you with the opportunity to experience Clouds Rest, where the 360-degree views encompass the entire Yosemite backcountry, a sight few ever earn. We then descend along the Merced River, passing above major landmarks like Nevada Falls and Illilouette Canyon.

This traverse is demanding, but its pace (designed for a 5 to 8-day itinerary) is intentional: you are covering ground to earn the most spectacular views in the park. It concludes with a final, massive descent back toward the Valley floor—a challenging but exhilarating finish to a true Yosemite masterpiece.

Your Perfect Trip Starts with a Conversation

These aggressive, multi-day routes are just a taste of our proven ‘Traverse’ portfolio. The right thru-hike for you isn’t one you pick off a list; it’s the specific route we select with you.

This is why our entire process starts with a 1-on-1 consultation call. You’ll talk directly with our founders, Evan and Shawna. We’ll discuss your experience, current fitness level, pace tolerance, and date flexibility. Do you want to cover 10-mile days or 15-mile days? Are you comfortable with 15,000+ feet of ascent? What type of environments do you want to see most, or do you want to experience the full range of what the Sierra has to offer?

Based on that expert conversation, we will personally curate the optimal route from our portfolio that matches your endurance, the current park conditions, and our permit availability. You just show up ready to hike; we handle the logistics.

A view of the Sierra High Country from a high vantage, showing clouds, peaks and valleys.

A Truly All-Inclusive Experience

Top-Tier Gear

  • A complete backpacking kit (pack, tent, sleeping bag, pad, etc.)
  • All group gear, including water filters and safety equipment

Logistics & Transportation

  • Bay Area Airport Pickup & Dropoff (SFO, OAK, SJC)
  • All ground transportation to and from Yosemite
  • National Park entrance fees and wilderness permits

Backcountry Food System

  • All backcountry meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and snacks
  • Your choice of Expert-Curated or Fully Customized meal planning
  • All group cooking equipment
  • All water filtration equipment

Expert Guidance & Safety

  • Two professional, owner-operator guides on every trip
  • An industry-leading 3:1 client-to-guide ratio
  • A detailed pre-trip consultation and planning call

Is This Trip Style For You?

Pricing & Group Size

Sierra Immersion trips start at $2,200 per person for a group of six on a 5 day trip. Pricing is per-person and varies based on your final group size and trip length. We provide an exact quote during your free consultation call. A drive-in discount of $200 per person is available for groups who prefer to arrange their own transportation to the Yosemite area.

All of our trips are private charters for your group only. We require a minimum of two people to run a trip. To ensure a high-quality wilderness experience and an exceptional 3:1 client-to-guide ratio, we have a maximum group size of six people. Larger groups may be accommodated on a case by case basis.

Your Sierra Traverse Awaits

Consultation calls are free and are the first step to planning your trip.