5-Day Yosemite Backpacking: Mount Hoffman, Polly Dome & Glen Aulin Sunsets

Tuolumne Meadows•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

5 days

Fitness Level

Moderately fit: comfortable hiking 3–6 miles per day with a 25–35 lb pack and simple uphill sections at high elevation

Overview

Five days of alpine lakes, granite domes and nightly shows of sunset light: this guided Yosemite backpacking trip links Tuolumne Meadows, May Lake, Polly Dome and Glen Aulin with manageable distances and guided logistics — ideal for families or a first big backcountry trip.

5-Day Yosemite Backpacking: Mount Hoffman, Polly Dome & Glen Aulin Sunsets

Other

Wildlife

Hiking

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

The trail begins where Tioga Road opens onto high country granite and sky — Tuolumne Meadows at late afternoon, air thin and cool, the meadow grasses already leaning toward dusk. Guides meet the group at the Tuolumne Meadows Store, load packs into quiet rhythm and move out beneath a sky that seems to expand with every step. Hikers push up toward May Lake, cross the rim above Tenaya, and by nightfall tents cluster along shorelines while the first sunset throws long, burning edges across the granite.

Adventure Photos

5-Day Yosemite Backpacking: Mount Hoffman, Polly Dome & Glen Aulin Sunsets photo 1

Adventure Tips

Acclimate before you go

Spend a night at elevation (Tuolumne Meadows or Yosemite Valley) before hiking; altitude can make moderate distances feel much harder.

Bring a bear canister

Bear canisters are required in Yosemite backcountry—food storage preserves wildlife and prevents trip cancellations.

Start hikes early

Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer high country; plan summit pushes and lake swims for morning to reduce lightning risk.

Pack water capacity + filter

Streams are plentiful but cold—carry 2–3 liters and a lightweight filter or tablets to refill between camps.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Black bear
Yellow-bellied marmot

History

Mount Hoffman became a favorite viewpoint for early conservationists like John Muir; the Tuolumne corridor has long been used by Sierra Miwok and Paiute peoples for seasonal travel.

Conservation

This is designated wilderness: group sizes and camp location rules minimize impact. Use provided bear canisters and follow Leave No Trace to protect fragile meadows.