Message from the Camp:
Treks
We offer 17 pre-planned treks ranging from moderately easy to strenuous. All of the treks are available for view below, click on the trek for more information. If you wish, you may customizes your own trek and present it to the staff for review. If you wish to plan your own trek, we strongly recommend using TOPO! (a computer program for trek planning). We will accept TOPO files through email. Soon you will be able to use our "Your Trip" section to plan your week and submit it to us for review.
HIGH COUNTRY GATEWAY 2007 PRE-PLANNED TRIPS
A) Tuolumne Meadows To Silver Lake - Easy/Moderate
B) Silver Lake To Tuolumne Meadows - Moderate
A) Budd Creek To Tenaya Lake - Moderate
B) Tenaya Lake To Bud Creek - Moderate
A) Tenaya Lake To Yosemite Creek - Moderate
B) Yosemite Creek To Tenaya Lake - Moderate
A) Tuolumne Meadows To White Wolf - Moderate /Strenuous
B) White Wolf To Tuolumne Meadows - Moderate
A) Tuolumne Meadows To Green Creek - Moderate
B) Green Creek To Tuolumne Meadows - Moderate
A) White Wolf To Twin Lakes - Strenuous
B) Twin Lakes To White Wolf - Strenuous
A) Tuolumne Meadows To Twin Lakes - Strenuous
B) Twin Lakes To Tuolumne Meadows - Moderate/Strenuous
A) Tenaya Lake To Twin Lakes - Moderate/Strenuous
B) Twin Lakes To Tenaya Lake - Moderate/Strenuous
A) Green Creek To Twin Lakes - Moderate/Strenuous
B) Twin Lakes To Green Creek - Moderate/Strenuous
A) Virginia Lake To Tenaya Lake - Moderate/Strenuous
B) Tenaya Lake To Virginia Lake - Moderate/Strenuous
A) Yosemite Creek To Ten Lakes - Moderate
A) White Wolf To White Wolf Loop Trail - Moderate
A) Tuolumne Meadows To Budd Creek - Moderate
B) Budd Creek To Tuolumne Meadows - Moderate
A) Three Peaks Trail - Moderate
A) Saddlebag Lake To Tuolumne Meadows - Moderate
B) Tuolumne Meadows To Saddlebag Lake - Moderate
A) Tuolumne Meadows to Vogalsang Loop - Moderate
A) Tenaya Lake to Half Dome Loop - Moderate/Strenuous
Trip Descriptions
Trip 1: - map
Tuolumne Meadows to Silver Lake 27 mi. +2750’ Easy/Moderate
Silver Lake to Tuolumne Meadows 27 mi. +3930’ Moderate
Peaks along this trail: Mammoth and Donohue
On this trail you will hike Donohue Pass, one of Yosemite's highest passes. You will
have views of the ruggedly beautiful Minaret Mountains as well as most of Yosemite. You will
see the second largest glacier in the Sierras on Mount Lyell. Your group can fish or swim in Lyell
Fork, Waugh Lake, Gem Lake, and Agnew Lake. There is no shortage of water on this hike,
however, this trail is known for its bears. Because Donohue Pass has a fragile ecosystem, the
park service limits the number of people allowed on a permit to eight per group.
Trip 2: - map
Yosemite Creek to Tenaya Lake 34 mi. +3400’ Moderate
Tenaya Lake to Yosemite Creek 34 mi. +3800’ Moderate
via Yosemite Falls
Peaks along this trail: Mt. Hoffman and Tuolumne
This hike offers breathtaking views of Yosemite Valley. A short side hike to North Dome
provides a view of the entire Yosemite Valley. Experience the majesty of Yosemite Falls from the
top. You will see water rush over Upper Yosemite falls as it plunges over a thousand feet to the
valley floor. You also will have great views of Half Dome from the north rim of the valley. Fish or
swim in May Lake and along Yosemite Creek and Snow Creek.
Trip 3:- map
Tenaya Lake to Yosemite Creek 22 mi. +3870’ Moderate
Yosemite Creek to Tenaya Lake 22 mi. +4550 Moderate
via Ten Lakes
Peaks along this trail: Tuolumne
On this hike you will climb three moderate passes that offer views of most of Yosemite.
Ten Lakes offer some of the best swimming and fishing in Yosemite. A nice side trip you can
take is to Polly Dome Lakes. The lakes do not have fish in them but are great for swimming.
Trip 4:- map
White Wolf to Tuolumne Meadows 34 mi. +4700’ Moderate
Tuolumne Meadows to White Wolf 34 mi. +4000’ Mod./Strenuous
Peaks along this trail: None
Hike through the majestic grand canyon of the Tuolumne. This hike offers views of
beautiful waterfalls along the Tuolumne River. You will see Tuolumne Falls, Cascade Falls,
California Falls, Le Conte Falls, and Waterwheel Falls. Your group can fish or swim in the
Tuolumne River and Harden Lake (no fish).
Trip 5:- map
Tuolumne Meadows to Green Creek 31 mi. +4430’ Moderate
Green Creek to Tuolumne Meadows 31 mi. +3870’ Moderate
Peaks along this trail: Sheep, Camaica, Virginia, North Peak, and Excelsior Mountain
This hike travels though beautiful Cold Canyon and Virginia Canyon. Summit Lake sits
on the boundary of the park at 10,400 ft. You will see both Tuolumne falls and Cascade Falls
near Glen Aulin. Your group can fish or swim in the Tuolumne River, McCabe Lakes, Return
Creek, Summit Lake, Hoover Lake, East Lake, and Green Lake.
Trip 6:- map
White Wolf to Twin Lakes 45 mi. +7100’ Strenuous
Twin Lakes to White Wolf 45 mi. +8300’ Strenuous
Peaks along this trail: Price and Volunteer
On this hike you will go from one of the lowest areas in Yosemite (Pate Valley) to some
of the highest. Along the way you will pass beautiful lakes and see most of Yosemite from the
three passes you will climb. Your group can fish or swim in the Tuolumne River, Murdock Lake,
Benson Lake, Peeler Lake, and Barney Lake. This hike is strenuous and should only be
hiked by experienced backpacking groups.
Trip 7:- map
Tuolumne Meadows to Twin lakes 51 mi. +6700’ Strenuous
Twin lakes to Tuolumne Meadows 51 mi. +8100’ Strenuous
Peaks along this trail: Volunteer and Price
On this hike you will have breath-taking views of Yosemite from the four passes you will
climb. You will also hike through beautiful Cold Canyon, Virginia Canyon, and Matterhorn
Canyon. Along the way your group can fish or swim in the Tuolumne River, Return Creek, Miller
Lake, Benson Lake, Snow Lake, Crown Lake, and Barney Lake. This hike is strenuous and
should only be hiked by experienced backpacking groups.
Trip 8: - map
8A) Tenaya Lake to Twin Lakes 41 mi. +6200’ Moderate/Strenuous
8B) Twin Lakes to Tenaya Lake 41 mi. +7300’ Moderate/Strenuous
Peaks along this trail: Matterhorn, Slide, and Whorl Mtn.
On this hike you will hike in beautiful Cold Canyon, Virginia Canyon, and Matterhorn
Canyon. You will see both Matterhorn Peak and the Sawtooth Ridge. The views from the three
passes you will climb will be spectacular. Your group can fish or swim in MeGee Lake (no fish),
Tuolumne River, Return Creek, Miller Lake (no fish), Crown Lake, and Barney Lake. You may
want to fill up on water before entering Cold Canyon.
Trip 9:- map
Green Creek to Twin Lakes 39 mi. +6400’ Moderate/Strenuous
Twin Lakes to Green Creek 39 mi. +7400’ Moderate/Strenuous
Peaks along this trail: Virginia, Camiaca, Matterhorn, Slide, Excelsior, and Whorl
On this hike you will have breathtaking views from the four passes you will climb. You
will also see both Matterhorn Peak and the Sawtooth Ridge. Your group can fish or swim in
Green Lake, East Lake, Hoover Lake, Summit Lake, Return Creek, Miller Lake (no fish), Crown
Lake, and Barney Lake.
Trip 10:- map
Virginia Lake to Budd Creek 47 mi. +6950’ Moderate/Strenuous
Budd Creek to Virginia Lake 47 mi. +8270’ Moderate/Strenuous
Peaks along this trail: None
This hike travels through beautiful Virginia Canyon, and Cold Canyon. This hike passes
over three moderate passes that offer views of the surrounding peaks. You will also pass by
Sunrise Lakes, Cathedral Lakes, and towering Cathedral Peak. You will hike through some
beautiful long meadows were you could stop to photograph the wildflowers. Your group can fish
or swim in Summit Lake, Return Creek, Tuolumne River, MeGee Lake (no fish), Sunrise Lakes,
and Cathedral Lakes.
Trip 11:- map
Yosemite Creek to Ten Lakes 14 mi. +2800’ Easy/Moderate
Peaks along this trail: Tuolumne Peak and Mount Hoffmann
This hike is perfect for the first time backpacking group or a group that just wants to sit
around and fish for a week. Ten Lakes offers some of the best swimming and fishing in
Yosemite. Your group will hike in the first day and spend four nights in Ten Lakes Basin. During
that time you can fish, swim, or explore the surrounding area.
Trip 12:- map
White Wolf to White Wolf: Loop Trail 31 mi. +2900’ Easy/Moderate
Peaks along this trail: Smith Peak
This area of Yosemite has very few visitors. This is a perfect hike for groups that want a
hike were they will most likely not see anyone else on the trail. The trail passes through thick
forests and long meadows. You will even get to travel up the now abandoned Tioga Pass Road.
Your group can fish or swim at Harden Lake (no fish) and the South Fork of the Tuolumne River.
Trip 13:- map
Tuolumne Meadows to Budd Creek 27 mi. +3100’ Moderate
Budd Creek to Tuolumne Meadows 27 mi. +3100’ Moderate
Peaks along this trail: Cathedral
This trail passes by both Tuolumne Falls and Cathedral Peak. You will also pass by
Cathedral Lakes, Sunrise Lakes, and Tenaya Lake. Your group can fish or swim in the
Tuolumne River, MeGee Lake (no fish), Polly Dome Lake (no fish), Tenaya Lake, Sunrise Lakes,
and Cathedral Lakes. This trail is very popular, therefore, may be hard to get permits for.
Trip 14:
The Three Peaks Trail Moderate
Log Cabin Loop Trail
Peaks along this trail: Mono Dome, Lee Vining, and Mount Warren
This hike originates out of Log Cabin Wilderness Camp and visits the three peaks around
the camp. You will have beautiful views of Mono Lake and the surrounding Sierra peaks. This
hike is perfect for groups that do not want to travel to a far off trailhead.
Trip 15:
Saddlebag Lake to Tuolumne Meadows 21 mi. +1220’ Moderate
Tuolumne Meadows to saddlebag Lake 21 mi. + 720’ Moderate
Cross Country
Peaks along this trail: Sheep Peak, North Peak, White Mountain, and Mount Conness
This hike offers extra adventure in that there is no trail over much of the hike. You will
hike over one pass that has views of both 20 Lakes Basin and Upper McCabe Lake. Your group
can fish or swim in the 20 Lakes Basin, McCabe Lakes, Roosevelt Lake, and Young Lakes. This
hike should only be attempted by experienced backpacking groups. Because this is a crosscountry
hike only eight People are allowed on a permit.
Trip 16:- map
Tuolumne Meadows to Vogalsang 41 mi. +5100’ Moderate
Loop Trail
Peaks along this trail: Vogalsang Peak, Rafferty Peak, and Fletcher Peak
On this hike you will visit many beautiful lakes and Meadows. From the two passes you
will climb you will have views of the surrounding peaks. You will also see beautiful cascading
streams as you hike through the canyons. Your group can fish or swim in Lyell Fork, Ireland
Lake, Evelyn Lake, Fletcher Lake, Vogalsang Lake, Bernice Lake, Babcock Lake, Emeric Lake,
and Boothe Lake. This trail is very popular, therefore, may be hard to get permits for.
Trip 17:- map
Tenaya Lake to Half Dome 38 mi. +7230’ Moderate/Strenuous
Loop Trail
Peaks along this trail: Half Dome
On this hike you will see breathtaking views as you pass over Clouds Rest and climb Half
Dome. You will also see beautiful streams, meadows, and glacial sculpted canyons. This trail
uses part of the John Muir Trail, so it may be crowded with people. This trail is very popular,
therefore, may be hard to get permits for.