Yosemite Adventure
Welcome all-women cis, trans, and nonbinary individuals. Join us for our 5-night, 6-day backpacking adventure into the backcountry wilderness of Yosemite. We'll mix backcountry camping with day hikes, along with a few in the Yosemite Valley, giving you the chance to explore the majestic meadows, granite domes, and glacial features of this unique landscape. At night be prepared to take in the stunning views of the starry sky. Our trip is suitable for both seasoned backpackers and newcomers. We'll provide you with all the information on what to bring, how to pack and carry it, and how to use it. We want you to have an unforgettable experience exploring new places, overcoming challenges, and pushing your limits. Come and experience the beauty of Yosemite with Nature Nomads!
What to Expect
Date: September 12th-17th
Availability: 10 Spots
Difficulty: Beginner/Moderate
Backpacking Equipment: Big items provided
Tent Camping
All Tents provided. If you would prefer to use your own thats fine as well.
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite's Village has all your basic needs, including a general store, and a museum to learn about the Valley's unique history.
Hiking Yosemite
You'll spend four days hiking through the park's stunning trails, surrounded by breathtaking scenery at every turn.
Lakes & The Merced River
Fancy a cold plunge?! Jump in to some of the cleanest water this side of the Mississippi.
Yoga
Wake up and enjoy a complimentary yoga with a mindful savasana to start your day in Yosemite.
Curry Village
When you are done dining on backpacking food, we can make a stop at Curry Village. The restaurant choices at Curry Village include pizzas, burgers, and a fancy bar.
About the Trip
Our outdoor hiking adventure will take you through the stunning beauty of Yosemite National Park. Starting with a short and moderate hike to our backpacking destination, High Sierra Camp at May Lake, we'll settle in for two incredible nights surrounded by all the natural wonders Yosemite has to offer. During our stay, we'll capture breathtaking views of the majestic Mount Hoffmann, reflected perfectly in the crystal-clear waters of May Lake. Perfect for all levels.
It's important to note that this trip is rated as moderate. We recommend that all participants be in good physical condition and able to hike up to 2.5 miles with a 25lb backpack, 5 miles with a 10lb pack, over terrain with minimal elevation gain. Don't worry if you haven't backpacked before, we want everyone to discover the beauty of hiking, regardless of skill level. That’s why we offer a comprehensive Outdoor Trail Athlete Training Program designed for beginner/intermediate hikers. Our knowledgeable guides are here to help you every step of the way. All you need is an adventurous spirit and a willingness to explore the great outdoors with us!
Our guided hikes are designed to offer hikers of all levels an opportunity to explore the great outdoors while also learning valuable skills and techniques. Our participatory approach means that you'll be involved in essential tasks such as preparing meals and setting up tents, giving you a unique and immersive experience. Our leaders are certified guides, experienced and passionate, and they're always excited to share their love of nature with you. With our educational approach, you'll have the chance to learn new skills, all while soaking up the beauty of nature.
Our philosophy is simple: immerse yourself in the environment, respect nature, and leave no traces. As we hike together and explore the great outdoors, we foster a sense of community and mutual respect. Throughout the journey, we will share tents, two persons per tent, to reduce our ecological footprint and encourage camaraderie.
We hope that this trip will be a time of adventure, exploration, and friendship.
Are you ready to embark on this unforgettable journey?
Itinerary
Day 1
Thursday
Arrival Day
Curry Village
Day 1 of our outdoor hiking adventure is all about relaxation and bonding. After arriving at Fresno International Airport by 2pm, we'll provide shuttle service to Yosemite National Park, where you'll have the chance to make friends on our 2.5 hour van ride. We'll plan on staying in Curry Villlage's famous Canvas Tent Cabins.
Day 2
Friday
May Lake
Day 2 of our outdoor hiking adventure begins with a hearty breakfast at camp, followed by our first scenic hike in Yosemite National Park. We head to May Lake! This 1.5 mile hike will have dramatic granite landscapes and panoramic views, the stuff memories are made of.
We'll provide all the guidance during the hike, so all you need to do is soak it all in and stay energized. After the hike, enjoy a restorative yoga session, dinner, and campfire under the stars.
Day 3
Saturday
Mount Hoffman
On day 3 of our hiking adventure, get ready for a day full of exploring and possibilities. We'll be hiking the 4 miles Mount Hoffman Trail (optional). This will be the longest day of the trip, but it will be worth it when you see the scenic viewpoint from the top.
The trail features fantastic views, diverse terrain, and fun rock scrambling! If you choose to opt out of Mount Hoffman, you can hang by the beautiful lake and or enjoy any of the scenic hikes around the lake.
We look forward to enjoying dinner at camp with you and dipping our barking dogs in the cool alpine lake.
Day 4
Sunday
Upper Pines Campground
Day 4 We'll begin the day at the Leader's Tents, where we'll provide the brewed coffee. After your breakfast, we'll embark on the short hike (1.2 miles) back to the shuttle van. We'll leave the backcountry behind and make our way to civilization in the Yosemite Valley and stay at Upper Pines Campground near Half Dome Village. If time permits, we will do a 4.5 mile Mirror Lake Loop Trail, and see beautiful views of Half Dome.
Day 5
Monday
Upper Pines Campground
Vernal Falls (+Nevada Falls)
Day 5 We'll make our way to Vernal Falls (3.1 miles ) We'll check the pace and if everyone is up for it make the trek an additional 3 miles to Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail.
Back to camp before sunset to enjoy the cozy atmosphere, engage in lively conversation, and savor the incredible views of California's nighttime sky. We'll top it all off with some bedtime s'mores.
Day 6
Tuesday
Cry & Head Home
The final day of our outdoor hiking adventure is bittersweet. We'll start the day off with breakfast and coffee, savoring the last moments together. Then, we'll make our 2.5 hour drive to the airport, reflecting on the memories that we've made and the bonds that have formed. Though our journey together may be ending, the memories will last a lifetime.
Whats Included On This Adventure
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Transport to and from Yosemite National Park (must arrive on the 12th before 2pm and have a departure at or after 10:30am the 17th, through Fresno-Yosemite Airport.) If arriving the day before we will meet-up at the airport.
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Almost all equipment. Tent. Internal frame backpack. Camp stove. Sleeping bag if needed.
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6 days, 5 nights Itinerary
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4 guided hikes in Yosemite National Park
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A unforgettable immersive experience where you'll learn basic skills and build outdoor independence
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2 restorative stretching sessions, and 1 yoga session
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1 dinner in Curry Village. Breakfast at May lake. Coffee.
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Lake camping view and access
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Entrance Fee, Backcountry Permits at the Park
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Transportation the entire weekend
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Free 4 month comprehensive Outdoor Trail Training Program
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Guidance, support, and friendship
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A PDF with daily itinerary, extensive gear list, and kitchen menu
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Zoom Meeting for food prep and gear support
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Map skills and compass discussion
Not Included
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Airfare is not included
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5 lunches, 4 dinners, 2 breakfasts. We will guide you on how to prepare for backcountry camping. 1 dinner in Curry Village are on us!
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Late Arrival Transportation (arriving after 2pm on Thursday) You will have to pay and arrange a ride on your own
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Early Departure Transportation (leaving before 10:30am on Tuesday) You will have to pay and arrange a ride on your own
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Any alcoholic beverages (there is beer, hard cider and seltzers, and wine for purchase at the Village onsite)
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Tickets for this event are non refundable but transferable to another person. It is the buyer’s responsibility to find a transferable person
Trip Notes (please read)
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This is a moderate level hike. You must feel comfortable hiking on rocky terrain and uneven surfaces. Possible shallow water crossings.
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We recommend that all participants be in good physical condition and able to hike up to 2.5 miles with a 25lb backpack, 5 miles with a 10lb pack, over terrain with minimal elevation gain.
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All participants must feel comfortable by the time of the hike to ascend 500 ft of elevation over 1.5 miles with a 25lb pack at a pace of a mile an hour. We plan to maintain a laid back pace.
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We plan on hiking Mount Hoffmann from May Lake camp. participants must feel comfortable hiking 1,400 ft of elevation over 2 miles for a round trip of 3.4 miles with a 10lb pack. This is moderate to hard. This is also an optional hike if you would prefer to hangout by the lake unsupervised, you can do so.
