Half Dome Weekend
Half Dome in one weekend from a Little Yosemite Valley base camp. The most direct backpacking route to the summit.
Length 2 to 3 days
Difficulty Intermediate
from $1,250/person See the trip
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.
Your permit, my job.
Every trip I've scheduled got its permit. Yours is next.
One guide. Always Eric.
I plan it, I lead it, and I'm the one who answers your email.
Secure your trip now.
$150 pre-books your party on the trip you pick. From that day, you're on it.
2027 Backpacking · Pre-booking
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.
Half Dome + Clouds Rest
Half Dome, then Clouds Rest or Echo Valley, from a base camp above Little Yosemite Valley. A long weekend with room to do more than one summit.
Length 4 to 5 days
Difficulty Intermediate
from $1,450/person See the trip
Tuolumne to Half Dome
Start high on Tioga Road, camp at alpine lakes, and finish on the summit of Half Dome. The through-hike, at a pace with room in it.
Length 5 days
Difficulty Intermediate
from $1,650/person See the trip
Alpine Lakes Loop
Two nights at two alpine lakes above 10,000 feet, out of Tuolumne Meadows. No cables, no crowds, big landscapes.
Length 3 to 4 days
Difficulty Moderate
from $1,250/person See the trip
North Rim Traverse
Up the Yosemite Falls trail to North Dome and Indian Rock Arch, out by Snow Creek. The Valley's north rim, end to end, with the whole Valley below you.
Length 4 to 5 days
Difficulty Intermediate
from $1,450/person See the trip
Little Yosemite Valley in Spring
Up past Vernal and Nevada Falls at full spring flow to Merced Lake and back. The Valley's backcountry before the crowds, with the cables still down and the waterfalls at their loudest.
Length 3 to 4 days
Difficulty Intermediate
from $1,450/person See the trip
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 · 6.4 mi
Mist Trail to Nevada Fall
2,000 ft 6-8 hr moderate View this route → Valley Classic · 7.2 mi
Upper Yosemite Fall
2,700 ft 6-9 hr strenuous View this route → Tuolumne · 14.4 mi
Clouds Rest
2,300 ft 9-11 hr strenuous+ View this route → South Entrance · 4.5 mi
Mariposa Grove
1,200 ft 4-5 hr easy 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. No team, no rotating staff, no handoff between the person you talk to and the person on the trail with you. Every trip is personal because there's no other way for me to do it.
63/63 National Parks
1,400+ Miles in Yosemite
Hundreds Nights in the backcountry
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.
Can I book a 2027 backpacking trip now?
Yes. Pick a trip on the 2027 calendar, put down $150, and your party is on it. Regular booking opens trip by trip as each permit comes in, starting this winter. Pre-booking is how you get your place before then.
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% Stripe 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.
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