If you’re looking for an incredible backcountry adventure that isn’t too strenuous, look no further! During this five-day trip you’ll experience some of Yosemite’s pristine wilderness locations. Camp at the base of Mount Hoffman (10,850′) along the shore of May Lake. Swim, relax, or opt for a four-mile roundtrip hike to the summit of Mount Hoffman. Trek through high alpine meadows as you make your way to Polly Dome Lake—a hidden location surrounded partially by granite. Camp at Glen Aulin, nestled at the mouth of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. Amazing sunsets are a specialty along this route! This trip is perfect for a family backpacking adventure, or those wanting something less strenuous.
As the calendar is confusing, our 2022 dates are:
6/14 - 6/18
6/21 - 6/25
7/4 - 7/8
7/22 - 7/26
7/29 - 8/2
8/11 - 8/15
8/16 - 8/20
9/4 - 9/8
9/11 - 9/15
9/17 - 9/21
9/24 - 9/28
Posted By : 217Jules
We had a great 4 days of backcountry hiking with John as our guide. We hiked from the Ostrander Lake trailhead to Glacier Point via Ostrander Lake, Hart Lake and Buena Vista Lake. This was a replacement for a Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne tour that was inaccessible due to a road closure. We were mostly hiking on faint trails, with a little bit of off-trail hiking. The scenery was amazing and we saw very few other people once we were a few miles from the trailhead. It was quite challenging at times but within what we’d requested and what we turned out to be capable of. It was a wonderful family experience.
There were a couple of things we wouldn’t have done without a guide, including wading thigh deep across a fast flowing mountain stream (which was not necessary for our itinerary). John was a great guide - good company, very knowledgeable and experienced, and a great chef. The food was a positive surprise including freshly-made Penang Curry…not the prepackaged camping food I’d expected.
One thing to bear in mind when choosing a tour is that hiking with a full backpack is much slower and harder work than carrying a light day pack. A good rule of thumb is to multiply by 3. Hiking 6 miles with 1500 feet elevation with a full backpack felt about the same effort as hiking 18 miles and 5,000 feet of elevation with a day pack.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-06-19 07:06:38 
Posted By : A6693LRandreak
My family of 4 just returned from the Amazing Sunsets backpacking trip with Lasting Adventures (5 days, 4 nights) . It was truly amazing! How soon can we go back?!
From the time we booked the trip, the communication was helpful and clear. Meeting our guides in Curry Village was easy and they had everything organized for us to quickly begin our adventure.
Our guides were Bella and Kanyon and they were FANTASTIC! They were knowledgeable about the area and routes, geology of the park, and plants and animals we saw along the way. The food they prepared exceeded our expectations! Bella and Kanyon were quick to share stories, offer guidance when needed, and were patient with all of us and our varying paces while hiking. Their energy and enthusiasm was contagious...they kept things fun!
Experiencing the backcountry of Yosemite was such a gift. I appreciated having the opportunity to do optional day trips to explore other areas. We were able to swim by a waterfall which is something we all looked forward to doing. My family wanted to be challenged, work together, and explore this beautiful area. The trip did not disappoint! We will gladly book another trip with Lasting Adventures in the future (and hope Bella and Kanyon will be our guides again!).
Rating :
Posted On : 2022-06-29 16:49:09
Posted By : cezefo
We were a group of 7 family members (ages 22-65 years old), for all of us was our first hiking/backpacking/camping experience. We all have such an amazing yet challenging experience, it was really worthy! Thank you so much to our guides Nicole and Jack for your cheers, your spirit, your cooking, your yoga time, your knowledge and for doing this family trip so great! We really enjoy it!!
Rating :
Posted On : 2021-09-27 13:27:35
Posted By : Kdewitt59
From registration to trip completion Lasting Adventures provided excellent service and truly a once in a lifetime experience. Thanks to our guide Trey for his professionalism, vast knowledge, hiking and cooking skills, flexibility, and adaptability. Trey’s back country experience allowed the group to experience and truly enjoy places and things we could not do on our own. Lasting Adventures did not cut any corners, the equipment and food were excellent! I highly recommend this guide service, they secured all the permits and communication was excellent. I can’t wait to go again!
Rating :
Posted On : 2021-07-02 12:27:37
Posted By : lisawB1517IC
I can’t say enough good things about my trip with Lasting Adventures! Max and Gus were absolutely amazing guides. They did a great job explaining all of the plans and protocols, ensuring everyone was comfortable, and probably most importantly for me, accommodated my dietary restrictions. They were also a seemingly endless font of knowledge; though I day hike in the Sierras regularly, I learned SO much about the local flora and fauna. I was also given a very valuable lesson in orienteering! In addition, they didn’t make me feel bad about my slower pace. Recently, I’ve been dealing with some health issues and this trip has helped me developed the mental fortitude to deal with my symptoms; if I can spend 4 nights in the wilderness, I can surely accomplish anything! I definitely left with memories to last a lifetime, and the unquenchable hunger to return to the mountains. I highly recommend choosing Lasting Adventures!!
Rating :
Posted On : 2021-06-27 20:50:49
Posted By : rgebhart1814
My husband and I just completed a great backpacking trip with Lasting Adventures. Registration and communication with the company was first rate, responsive and timely. Our guides, Gus and Max, were knowledgeable, encouraging, and cooked delicious food for us at every meal. The epitome was watching the set set over Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, while our guides made us dessert right there on the bluff: hot donuts! Our guides had endless amounts of information about Yosemite history, flora, fauna, and geology, which we appreciated very much. There were seven in our group, plus the guides, and we all enjoyed meeting each other, hiking together, and working together to solve the riddles that the guides posed. Great trip!
Rating :
Posted On : 2021-06-27 17:16:49
Posted By : 8899lesliey
My teenager and I just got back from a 5 day/4 night guided backpacking trip in Yosemite with Ciara as our guide. The trip was incredible and Ciara was an AMAZING guide.
The trip exceeded all expectations and was so special for us after a year of many cancellations due to Covid-19. Our itinerary was well thought out, especially since we were first time backpackers. Lasting Adventures and our guide planned challenging hikes with incredible views while also allowing us to swap out our food supplies and have time to relax. The highlight was sunrise at the summit of Cloud’s Rest; we hiked through the night with total confidence and supportive encouragement from Ciara. Throughout the 5 days, we learned all about Yosemite, got to know each other, and had the luxury to unplug and simply enjoy the magnificent park.
The food was amazing and not at all what we expected. Ciara provided us with freshly cooked meals that fully accommodated our dietary needs. We are planning to make some of her recipes at home!
Finally, as for Covid-19, Lasting Adventures had procedures in place for hand sanitizing and minimizing any cross contamination. It was rational and not burdensome, and we felt safe. We have already recommended Lasting Adventures to several friends and we will be back! My teenager has caught the backpacking bug after this incredible adventure. Thank you so much to the Lasting Adventures entire crew for superb communications & organization, and a trip that we will treasure for a lifetime.
Rating :
Posted On : 2020-08-16 11:57:40
Posted By : foregj
Booked a last minute vacation for my family with Lasting Adventures and could not be happier. We did the Amazing Sunsets Backpacking trip and had an amazing time. Our guide August took care of us, cooked wonderful meals and made sure we were comfortable and safe at all times. The highlight for us was summiting Cloud's Rest at sunrise where August prepared coffee, hot chocolate and a eggs and cheesy hash browns breakfast. If you love the outdoors, this is the adventure for you!
Rating :
Posted On : 2020-08-07 12:59:01
Posted By : melaniecjones
My family of 5 and I signed up for the Amazing Sunsets trip (5 days, 4 nights). I was not sure I (the mom) was going to love sleeping out in the wild with my family among wildlife (read: bears). But once we got there and started having fun...it was never an issue! (Although I am not sure I would ever get used to using the "poop kit" regularly...lol)
We began in Yosemite Valley and ended at Soda Springs/Glen Aulin area. Critter and Curtis were our guides and THEY WERE AMAZING!!! Critter was fun (swimming with us, playing games, snowman making competition...), knowledgeable and laid back. You could tell that he loved his job. He was attentive (provided delicious dairy free food for me--with a severe dairy allergy) and was EXCELLENT with our kids. Critter was always making sure we had all we needed, as well as being sure the pace he set for us was good for each of us (esp my youngest). He gave my youngest a pep talk when she thought she could go no further. :) And when my son lost his favorite souvenir Critter gave him one of his. As parents we could not have dreamed of a better guide! He prepared AMAZING meals. We never dreamed of enjoying tacos, curry or spaghetti in the woods! We really enjoyed our chats after we set up camp with hot tea/coffee in hand.
Curtis was also light hearted and fun! He was always up for helping, learning from Critter and making our trip a good one. He also was great with our kids.
We learned so much and saw some of the most gorgeous places in the world. I would highly recommend this company and this trip. And if we go again...we hope it's with Critter!
We went the first week of July and the mosquitos were A STRONG PRESENCE. We were hiking over snow but swatting mosquitoes. We wore the head nets, long pans/sleeves, and spray but they were relentless at times. I know this sounds crazy but it did not ruin the trip at all. It was worth it. :)
Rating :
Posted On : 2019-08-12 10:21:30
Posted By : Gil B
I had a great 5 days backpacking trip with lasting adventures with my son and Trey as our guide at Yosemite NP. It wasn’t physically easy but so beautiful, exciting and amazing bounding trip with my son. Trey is an amazing guide he cooked, play, took photos, and explained everything to us. I highly recommend this trip to anyone that would like to recharge his batteries. We did many of the sights including El Capitán, North Dome, Yosemite Falls, Eagle Peak among others. I would strongly recommend everyone to experience this trip!!!
Rating :
Posted On : 2019-07-07 12:44:24
