Late Summer Half Dome
Aug 14 — 17, 2026 · 4 days / 3 nights
Difficulty Intermediate
Group size 5 max
$1,250/person Book Now
Guided backpacking & hiking in Yosemite.
Some come for the summit. Some want a quiet afternoon and a view they'll never get at home. Either way you end up with a story worth telling. You'll be planning the next one before you leave the park.
Permits already secured.
Every trip listed on this site has a confirmed wilderness permit. No lottery gamble, no waitlist.
One guide. Always Eric.
I'm the person you'll talk to, plan with, and hike alongside.
Book Now = Booked.
If you see an open spot and complete the deposit, it's yours. No double-booking, no 'we'll confirm later.'
2026 Backpacking · Trips
Pick a trip. We'll do the rest.
Multi-day routes into the High Sierra that trade the crowds for alpine lakes, granite passes, and nights under a full sky. Pick your dates and reserve with a deposit.
6 trips · 5 with Half Dome · From $950/person See all trips
Private Day Hikes
One day. Yours alone.
From $550 solo
1 Person $550 · 2 People $675 · 3 People $775 · 4 People $850 · 5 People $925 · 6 People $1,000 · 7 People $1,000
Custom-routed day hikes for groups of 1 to 7, planned around your fitness and the view you came for. Flexible scheduling. I handle planning, snacks, water, photography support, and getting you to the empty viewpoints.
Check available dates Signature day-hike routes
Valley Classic · 7.2 mi
Yosemite Falls Trail
+2,700 / −2,700 ft 5-7 hours strenuous View this route → Valley Classic · 5.4 mi
Mist Trail to Vernal Fall
+1,100 / −1,100 ft 3-4 hours moderate View this route → Valley Floor · 5.0 mi
Mirror Lake Loop
+100 / −100 ft 2-3 hours easy View this route → Glacier Point Road · 4.4 mi
Sentinel Dome & Taft Point
+1,000 / −1,000 ft 3-4 hours moderate View this route → 5.0
on Google
4 verified reviews
★★★★★“Eric handled everything. Permits, route planning, meals, tent, bear canister, cooking gear. I never would have found those campsites or built this route on my own. Worth every penny.”
★★★★★“Eric was a fantastic guide. The trip was really well thought out and he used his experience to show me parts of Yosemite few see. Would recommend Eric 100%.”
★★★★★“Having Eric guide us on our day hike allowed us to fully relax and enjoy the experience. His knowledge of the park was incredible, and he made the entire hike even more memorable.”
★★★★★“He curated the absolute perfect hike for our group of seven with great consideration for our various ability and experience levels.”
The Guide
Hi, I'm Eric. I'll be your guide.
I've visited every National Park in the United States. Through all of it, Yosemite kept pulling me back. Not for the famous views. Because of what happens to a person when they go deep enough into this valley, when the noise drops away and something essential comes into focus. That's what I built this business to share.
Yosemite Life is one guide. Me. I plan your route, lead your trip, answer your questions, and send the prep packet. No team, no rotating staff, no strangers paired together. Every trip is personal because there's no other way for me to do it.
63/63 National Parks
1,200+ Miles in Yosemite
Yes WFA Certified
Common Questions
Answers, before you ask.
The questions that come up most often before someone books. Everything else lives on the full FAQ page.
Full FAQWhat makes this different from a big tour company?
You're not getting a script or a parade. There's no herded group, no rushed itinerary, no one-size-fits-all route. The trip is built around you, your pace, your goals, your fitness level.
How physically demanding are the trips?
Trip difficulty ranges from moderate multi-day hikes on established trails to more demanding routes at elevation with off-trail travel. Each trip listing includes the recommended experience level and daily mileage range. Your fitness and experience are discussed during your planning call so routes match the actual group.
What's the payment structure for backpacking trips?
A 50% deposit is required at booking to hold your spot. The remaining 50% is automatically charged to your card on file 30 days before the trip start date. If you prefer to pay in full at booking, that option is available. If the final payment fails, you'll be notified and have 48 hours to update your payment method. After that, your spot is forfeited and the deposit is not returned.
What is the cancellation policy for backpacking trips?
- 31 or more days before the trip: Full refund, minus the 3% credit card processing fee.
- 0–30 days before the trip: Non-refundable.
For full details, including no-shows, guide availability, and park closures, see our Terms page.
What if the weather is bad during my trip?
Multi-day trips run in variable weather. Rain, wind, and cold are part of the Sierra Nevada experience and are planned for. What changes a plan: sustained dangerous lightning, extreme conditions that make travel unsafe, or an official NPS closure. I monitor forecasts closely in the days leading up to the trip and will communicate proactively if something requires a change. Weather alone is not grounds for a refund.
Field Notes
Yosemite, thoroughly explained.
Trip Report: Clouds Rest Backpacking, April 2026
A 3-day guided backpacking trip through Yosemite: Mist Trail, backcountry camping with Half Dome views, and a Clouds Rest summit to ourselves.
Clouds Rest: Yosemite's Best Summit You Don't Need a Permit For
Clouds Rest stands 1,000+ feet above Half Dome with no permit, no lottery, no cables. Two routes, summit details, and gear.
Mariposa Grove Trail Guide: Yosemite's Giant Sequoias
Complete guide to Mariposa Grove trails, giant sequoias, shuttle logistics, and the best routes from a quick walk to the full upper grove loop.
Three ways to start
Ready when you are.
The same person answers all three. That's the whole pitch.
Talk it through
Schedule a free 15-min planning call.
The fastest way to figure out which trip is right for you. We'll talk fitness, dates, and goals. No commitment, no upsell.
Book a planning call Call or text
+1-414-334-0025
My real phone number. Texts welcomed. Pacific Time hours, generally same-day response.
Tap to call Write to me
eric@yosemite.life
Average response under 24 hours. If you want to send a paragraph about what you're hoping for, this is the right channel.
Send email