The Granite Grind

up to 6 guests 

4-day expedition 

June-September 2025 

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This 4-day backpacking expedition provides a great sampling of everything the Yosemite High Country has to offer. Remote alpine lakes, sustained altitude, peak ascents, and opportunities to really burn some daylight in ways that speak to you. This expedition provides lots of flexibility depending on the goals of the group and is intended for moderate backpackers or seasoned day hikers looking to hone their skills. Learn the difference between the daily grind versus the granite grind.

dates

June-September 2025 

Trip Itinerary

  • Day 1-Meet in Lee Vining at 5pm. Go over our itinerary, packing, and group gear, and have our first meal together. Perhaps do some stretching - wink wink.
  • Day 2: Pack up, and drive into Yosemite. Start hiking up towards the Vogelsang High Sierra Csmp. The day will be spent loving our lives (even the altitude challenges!) and focusing on navigation as we meander past lakes, meadows, and a mountain pass.
  • Day 3: Travel up and over Vogelsang pass and leave the trail. The destination is currently and happily unknown.
  • Day 4: Today is a good day. The challenges of outdoor living are second nature to you now. We will be on and off-trail and definitely swimming at one of the many lakes we will pass.
  • Day 5: Feeling refreshed and perhaps utterly exhausted and definitely jazzed, pack up and hit the trail back to Tuolumne Meadows. Back at the trailhead between 12-2pm. Congratulate yourself for making the most of those daylight hours!
    • Does the itinerary seem vague? That's the point! We want you to be surprised, and to not google every location before you go. Part of disconnecting from technology on this trip begins before you even leave!

Details

  • Expedition begins out of Tuolumne Meadows. Closest airports are Reno, NV and Fresno, CA. Public transportation to Tuolumne Meadows is available through Yosemite Area Regional Transit (Y.A.R.T.S.). If transportation to Tuolumne has too many speed bumps, please contact us for other transportation ideas.
  • All food and beverages are included in the cost, starting with dinner on the first day of the course, through lunch on the final day.
  • Group gear (stoves, cookware, first aid kit, group tarp, etc) is included. Check out our personal packing list on our planning page. There may be options to rent gear from us.
  • With the unpredictable and lengthening wildfire season, we recommend purchasing trip insurance. Possible evacuations are not covered in the cost.

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