Lace up your hiking boots and traverse 83 kilometres of Yosemite National Park’s wildly scenic backyard on this 7-day guided Red Peak Pass Backpacking Tour. Spend 5 nights camping alongside lakes and rivers, such as the unbelievably stunning Ottoway Lakes and the truly magical, impressive Merced River.
This 83-kilometre backpacking route is challenging but so rewarding. It traverses through an array of meadows blanketed with wildflowers, by roaring waterfalls, and takes you to phenomenal views, including one of the main highlights of this trekking adventure, which unveils a painting of inspiring vistas: Red Peak Pass. Be sure to get your fitness up before going, so that you can better enjoy the entertaining scenery coating Yosemite National Park.
Red Peak Pass Backpacking Tour
Lace up your hiking boots and traverse 83 kilometres of Yosemite National Park’s wildly scenic backyard on this 7-day guided Red Peak Pass Backpacking Tour. Spend 5 nights camping alongside lakes and rivers, such as the unbelievably stunning Ottoway Lakes and the truly magical, impressive Merced River.
This 83-kilometre backpacking route is challenging but so rewarding. It traverses through an array of meadows blanketed with wildflowers, by roaring waterfalls, and takes you to phenomenal views, including one of the main highlights of this trekking adventure, which unveils a painting of inspiring vistas: Red Peak Pass. Be sure to get your fitness up before going, so that you can better enjoy the entertaining scenery coating Yosemite National Park.
Spend 5 nights camping amid some genuinely stunning natural wonderlands, such as one night by Ottaway Lakes and another by Merced River.
Hike Red Peak Pass, which stands tall at 11,078 feet, and bask in the neverending vistas sprawled across the land below.
Explore a montage of scenic landscapes and outdoor oasis’ as you walk deeper into Yosemite’s backyard, such as meadows, lakes, waterfalls, 360 views.
Enjoy a relaxing but luxurious night in nature in the cozy, charming Curry Village on the Day 1 of the tour.
Trip map for Red Peak Pass Backpacking Tour
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Meet and greet your guide in Curry Village in Yosemite National Park at 6 pm at the Mountain Shop. You can check into Curry Village after 5 pm. During your meeting, you’ll briefly go over your upcoming adventure. Enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants spanning the area. You are in charge of paying for your dinner.
Enjoy breakfast before meeting up with your guide at the Mountain Shop. You’ll go over your gear and pack your backpack. Head to Yosemite Lodge, where you’ll hop in the shuttle that will take you to the trailhead. It’s about a one-hour drive from Yosemite Lodge to the starting point of your backpacking trip. You’ll hike along the Illilouette Creek drainage before stopping at the banks of Clark Fork and setting up camp here—just below the imposing shadow of Mt. Clark.
Admire the Clark Range views as you gradually climb from Clark Fork to the ever-so scenic Ottaway Lakes. Upon arrival, enjoy cooling off in the shimmering waters! This is also the first “living glacier” in the High Sierra that John Muir discovered.
Get ready for the most challenging part of your backpacking journey! Today you’ll climb up Red Peak Pass. This is the highest point you can reach via any trail in Yosemite. Admire the lakes tucked into the mountainous scenery! Meander through alpine meadows before joining up with the Merced River, situated under the Triple Divide Peak. Set up camp and enjoy a relaxing evening amid the lush meadow and fresh-smelling Lodgepole pines.
Pack up camp and begin your descent along the scenic Merced River. Stop at some stunning spots along the way: waterfalls, wildflower meadows, and water holes just waiting for you to jump in and cool off. Arrive at your wild campsite along the Merced River in the afternoon.
Enjoy a fulfilling breakfast before packing up and continuing along the trail downriver. You’ll notice the river’s roar increasing in intensity as you walk. Eventually, you’ll reach your campsite in Little Yosemite Valley. Spend the evening relaxing at the beach along the Merced River!
Wake up early, pack up camp, and lace up your boots for your final day of hiking. Expect to walk by a reel of stunning views, such as the Vernal and Nevada Waterfalls set along Mist Trail. You will reach the trailhead by lunchtime! If you’re hiking in August, you may have the option to the Half Dome variation. This route has you summiting Half Dome, which stands tall at 8,845 feet. You’ll toss your bags to the side and hike without the extra weight, making the climb up more enjoyable. Admire views of Yosemite Valley sprawled below and of the Sierra high country. On your way back, grab your bags, enjoy a quick lunch, and continue walking to Yosemite Valley. You’ll also get to marvel at the waterfall views en route. Expect to arrive back in Curry Village between 3-5 pm.
Regular Option Distance: 5.5 mi, 673 ft ascent, 2802 ft descent
Half Dome Option Distance: 12 mi, 3239 ft ascent, 5387 ft descent
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
This guided tour in the Sierra Nevada is always run as a fixed-departure tour where you would be joining a group, therefore the price is fixed and only depends on the number of people sharing the room or a tent.
The prices below are per person:
| Start | Finish | Duration | Places Left | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025-08-22 Curry Village 7 days / 5+ Spaces Left | 2025-08-28 Curry Village | 7 | 5+ | $2,890USD |
Meals
6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners, and trail snacks along the route are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 1 night in Curry Village. 5 nights of wilderness camping are also included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Yosemite Valley are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
Receive a free private shuttle ride from Curry Village (Yosemite Valley) to the trailhead on Day 2.
Also Included
- Guide
- Personal backpacking gear (per request), such as sleeping bags, backpack, sleeping pads, tents, trekking poles
- Group gear, such as stoves, group first aid kit, cooking items, water filters, etc.
- Hot coffee and tea in the mornings
Not Included
- Flights and transportation to get to and from Yosemite Valley
- Personal clothing and shoes
- Accommodations before and after the adventure tour in Yosemite Valley
- Personal expenses + gratuities (recommended 10-20% for excellent service)
- Evacuations
- Insurance
Optional Extras
- You can upgrade to a single occupancy in the hotel for an additional fee
- Extra night in Curry Village before or after the tour
Accommodation for Red Peak Pass Backpacking Tour
This backpacking adventure will have you staying in a cozy luxurious campground one night. The specialty lodging has modern necessities that will keep you comfy and relaxed. Keep in mind that rooms are double occupancy, but you can always upgrade to single occupancy for an additional fee. Single travellers are also required to pay a supplement. You will spend the remaining 5 nights backcountry camping.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may be swapped for other similar accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $165 to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travelers up, where possible. However, if there are no options, solo travellers will pay a supplement of $80.
Non-Standard Cancellation
- 64 days or more prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 50% of the total trip cost.
- Between 34 and 62 days prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 75% of the total trip cost.
- 33 days or less prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 100% of the total trip cost.
How hard is the Red Peak Pass Backpacking Tour?
This tour is rated as 4 / 5, as it has you hiking moderate to challenging routes every day. You also need to be comfortable with camping in the wild for 5 nights.
Do I need a Visa to travel to the USA?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Red Peak Pass Backpacking Tour?
6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners, and trail snacks along the route are included.
How big are the groups for this tour?
The groups consist of maximum 13 participants.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Fresno to start this tour?
You can fly to Fresno Yosemite International Airport. From Fresno, you can take the Yosemite Area Regional Transit System (YARTS) to get to Yosemite Valley.
Is the Red Peak Pass Backpacking Tour in English?
Yes, the tour guide speaks English.
Where does the Red Peak Pass Backpacking Tour end?
The tour ends in Yosemite Valley, California.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to the USA?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for the USA?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
When is the best time to travel to California for this tour?
The best time to travel to California for trekking is during the summer. This tour is available in July and August.
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