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.
Yosemite, explained by your guide.
Everything I've learned from years in Yosemite, trail guides, trip reports, and straight answers on permits and planning. Written by me, the guide who'll be hiking it with you.
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.
Why Hire a Yosemite Guide?
What a Yosemite guide actually does, who it's for, and why it changes the trip. Permits, safety, and the things you'd miss on your own.
The Mist Trail: Yosemite's Best Day Hike
Complete guide to hiking the Mist Trail in Yosemite. Routes, what to expect, gear, seasonal tips, and insider advice from a Yosemite guide.
Backpacking in Bear Country: Everything You Need to Know
Bear safety, food storage, and bear canister tips for backpacking in bear country. Written by a permitted Yosemite guide.
Is OMG Point the Best View in Yosemite?
OMG Point on the Yosemite Falls Trail may be the best view in the park. Trail guide, directions, what to expect, and photos from a Yosemite guide
Half Dome Permits: The Complete 2026 Guide
Get a Half Dome permit in 2026. Learn lottery odds, backpacking options, and key rules for hiking Yosemite’s iconic summit.
Yosemite Backpacking Permits: The Complete 2026 Guide
How Yosemite wilderness permits work in 2026. Lottery system, trailhead quotas, strategy tips, and how to improve your odds from a Yosemite guide
The 1864 Yosemite Grant: A Document That Changed America
I held the original 1864 Yosemite Grant bill at the National Archives. The document that made every National Park possible.
When Yosemite Becomes Part of Your Life
Yosemite backpacking trips, guided day hikes, and practical planning resources to help you explore Yosemite with confidence.