Day Hike Gear List
What to Bring — and What I'll Bring for You
A good gear list isn't just a checklist. It's how you show up comfortable instead of miserable by mile four.
This list covers everything you need for a full-day guided hike in Yosemite. It's specific — fabric types, footwear guidance, what to skip — because the details matter on trail in a way they don't on a neighborhood walk. Go through it before your pre-trip planning call.
What I provide
A few things are included with every day hike at no additional cost:
- Lunch and trail snacks
- Group water filter (with backup)
- First aid and emergency equipment
You're welcome to bring your own food or water treatment if you prefer.
How to read this list
Every item is marked with a priority:
- Critical — non-negotiable. If you're missing something in this category, reach out before the trip.
- Suggested — strong recommendation. You'll want most of these.
- Optional — comfort and personal preference. Worth considering depending on your style.
- Contingent — trip- or weather-dependent. We'll talk through these on your pre-trip call.
If you're unsure about any item, email me before you buy anything. Not all gear is worth the price tag, and I'll tell you what actually matters for the specific hike you're doing.
VIEW FULL GEAR LIST ↗ — DOWNLOAD PDF ↓ — DOWNLOAD XLS ↓
A note on pack weight
For a day hike, your goal is a pack that weighs somewhere between 8–18 lbs when you leave the trailhead. Where you land depends mostly on how much water and gear you carry — and on the route.
To understand what that means in practice:
Water is the biggest variable. 1 liter weighs 2.2 lbs. In Yosemite, water sources are frequent enough that you rarely need to carry more than 1–2 liters at a time — I manage water stops and carry the group filter, so you're never far from a refill. On exposed summit routes like Half Dome or Clouds Rest, you may carry more between sources.
Layers add up fast and are usually the first place people overpack. Check the forecast and pack accordingly. An insulated jacket and a rain shell weigh about 2 lbs combined — that's enough coverage for most conditions.
Food and snacks are covered. Lunch and trail snacks are provided, so you don't need to pack a day's worth of food on top of everything else.
What you bring, your pack should be light enough to forget it's there. A day pack loaded above 20 lbs starts working against you. If you're unsure whether you're overpacking, bring everything to the trailhead and we can sort it out before we start walking.