Yosemite Half Dome Backpacking Trip: Happy Isles
4-Day Guided Thru-Hike
- Duration: 4 days
- Activity level: Strenuous
- Group size: Small group, up to 8
- Departs from: Several cities — ask us
- Next departure: Dates on request
- From: $1,895
From $1,895 / person
StrenuousLong, hard days, several in a row, at altitude.Is this trip right for you? ›
Overview
Embark on the ultimate Yosemite adventure with this 4-day, 3-night out-and-back guided backpacking tour. Beginning at the famous Happy Isles Trailhead, this route takes you up the breathtaking Mist Trail, establishes basecamp in Little Yosemite Valley, and culminates in a thrilling ascent of the iconic Half Dome. With all permits and logistics handled by our expert guides, you can focus on the awe-inspiring waterfalls, granite domes, and the climb of a lifetime.
Day by day
The whole trip at a glance
1 / 6 Day 1
Welcome to Yosemite Valley
Your journey begins in the heart of the park at the North Pines Backpacker’s Camp. Meet your guide and fellow trekkers for a thorough gear check, safety briefing, and the distribution of group equipment and trail meals. Spend your first evening relaxing and bonding with your group under the towering granite cliffs, getting plenty of rest for the climb ahead.
1 / 3 Day 2
The Mist Trail to Basecamp
After breaking camp in the Valley, we head to the Happy Isles Trailhead to begin our ascent. Today’s hike takes us up the steep and spectacular Mist Trail, where you will experience the sheer power of Vernal and Nevada Falls up close. We will climb from the valley floor into the backcountry, arriving at Little Yosemite Valley to establish our basecamp for the next two nights.
Day 3
The Half Dome Summit
Today is entirely dedicated to conquering the legendary Half Dome cables! Basing ourselves in Little Yosemite Valley gives us the flexibility to time our summit attempt for the best possible experience. An early morning start for a sunrise summit is ideal, providing stunning lighting and leaving time for a backup attempt if afternoon weather rolls in. Alternatively, an evening ascent for a sunset summit offers equally breathtaking views of the High Sierra and a quieter trail.
Yosemite National Park Day 4
Sunrise Summits & The John Muir Trail
If weather or trail conditions prevented our climb yesterday, we will make a final early-morning push for the Half Dome summit at sunrise. Afterward, we will pack up our basecamp and begin our scenic descent. We will hike back down to the valley floor via the iconic John Muir Trail (JMT), enjoying panoramic views of Liberty Cap and Nevada Fall before concluding our unforgettable trek back at Curry Village.
What to Pack
Required Gear
- Base Layers, Tops, and Bottoms
- Fleece/Wool Gloves
- Fleece/Wool Hat
- Long Sleeve Shirts (Synthetic, Lightweight)
- Hiking Pants (Quick-Dry, Lightweight)
- Hiking Socks (Synthetic or Wool)
- Hiking Boots
- Casual Shoes for Travel and Free Time
- Insulated jacket and/or Vest
- Rain Jacket (Hooded, Lightweight, Waterproof, Breathable)
- Day Pack (36L-50L)
- Water Bottles (Three 1-liter) or Hydration System, Plus One 1-liter Water Bottle
- Personal Bathroom Kit: Toilet Paper, Ziplock Bags, Personal Wipes, Hand Cleaner
- Prescription Medications
- Whistle
Recommended Gear
- Bandana or Buff for Sun Protection
- Hiking Shorts (Quick-Dry, Lightweight)
- Rain Pants (Lightweight, Waterproof, Breathable)
- Underwear
- Sun Hat
- T-shirts (Cotton and Synthetic)
- Sunblock and Lip Balm
- Sunglasses and Accessories
- Water Shoes (Full Foot Protection)
- Electrolyte Drink Additives
- Hand Sanitizer
- Large Plastic Garbage Bag
- Pack Rain Cover
- Toiletries
- Earplugs
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- Camera and Accessories
- Insect Repellent
- Liner Socks (Synthetic)
- Reading and Writing Materials
- Small Binoculars
- Face Mask
- Energy Snacks and Drink Mixes
Trail Conditions
This trip follows a mix of well-maintained and more rugged sections of the trail. Be prepared for periods of steep hiking, moderate to significant exposure, and, at times, loose surfaces that require attention and careful footing.
Physical Demands of this Trip
This trip is rated Vigorous.
Participants will carry their own backpack weighing 35 to 40 lbs at a high elevation for several miles over steep, exposed, and rocky terrain, with constant and dramatic elevation gain and/or loss exceeding 2,000' or more per day on most days of this trip. Keep the high elevation of this trip in mind when training for this adventure, as backpacking/hiking will feel harder and use more energy than at lower elevations, especially if coming from a lower elevation/sea level. Previous backpacking experience is highly recommended; this is not a beginner's backpacking trip.
To maximize your enjoyment of the trip, we strongly encourage you to be involved in a consistent training regimen starting at least 3-6 months before the trip, ideally including training hikes with a weighted pack. We also recommend staying hydrated before departure to help mitigate the effects of hiking at high altitudes. Your overall fitness level is crucial to your enjoyment of this trip.
Call for availability - 800-970-5864 - Contact Us
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 35-45lb backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on rugged, steep, or loose terrain
Is this trip right for you?
StrenuousLevel 4 of 4
- Long ascents and descents on rough ground, repeated day after day. Steep, sustained climbs, exposure in places, and stretches where stopping early is not an option.
- Altitude, weather that turns fast, and days that start before light. You need to be hiking regularly already — this is not a level to arrive at cold.
- Not suitable for anyone who does not already hike hard days back to back. This is the one level where we will turn a booking down rather than take it.
- Your guide may change or drop a stop for weather, road closures or time. What is walked on the day is their call.
Anything specific — a knee, a hip, a height worry, a wheelchair — is worth one phone call to 800-970-5864. We would rather move you to a different trip than have you on the wrong one.
Tour details
In the price7
- All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
- Campsite and Permit Fees
- Experienced hiking guide with extensive wilderness expertise, medical certifications, and a deep passion for leading adventurers through stunning landscapes.
- Trekking Poles
- Cooking Stove and Cookware
- Company-issued first-aid Kit
- Emergency Communication Device(s)
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Ask about a date
From $1,895 per person, 2026
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We build tours to order — the same guides and the same itineraries, rearranged around your group and your dates.
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