Classic Half Dome and Clouds Rest Trek: 5-Day Yosemite Backpacking Adventure
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
5 days
Fitness Level
You should be in good cardio shape with experience carrying a loaded pack for consecutive days; ability to handle sustained uphill sections and exposed terrain is required.
Overview
A five-day guided backpacking loop through Yosemite that combines a dawn summit on Clouds Rest with a cable-assisted climb of Half Dome. Expect alpine ridgelines, river meadows and guided backcountry camping with permits and meals included.
Classic Half Dome and Clouds Rest Trek: 5-Day Yosemite Backpacking Adventure
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The morning light in Yosemite Valley has a way of rearranging priorities. Teams gather at Curry Village, packs humming with anticipation and coffee, while the granite faces above seem to breathe with the wind. Guides sort permits and check gear; a map smoothed at the creases marks the next five days: Cathedral Lakes, Sunrise Lakes, Clouds Rest, a summit push up Half Dome and a return down the Mist Trail.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring a lightweight daypack for summit days
Guides provide bears cans and tents, but a 20–30L daypack keeps water, layers and snacks handy for Half Dome and Clouds Rest summits.
Start summit bids before sunrise
Thunderstorms build quickly in summer afternoons; an early start reduces exposure and crowds on the cables.
Practice with a bear canister
Food storage rules are strict—know how to pack and seal a canister to avoid fines and protect wildlife.
Footwear with sticky soles
Expect both talus and smooth granite; grippy, supportive boots improve traction on wet or polished rock.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Black bear
- Mule deer
History
Yosemite has long been inhabited by the Ahwahnechee; in the late 19th and early 20th centuries the valley became central to America’s conservation movement and the National Park Service model.
Conservation
Guides enforce leave-no-trace camping, bear canister use and permit limits to reduce human impact on fragile alpine meadows and wildlife corridors.
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Adventure Hotspots in Yosemite Valley (Yosemite National Park)
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sturdy backpack (30–50L)
Big enough for layers and summit-day supplies yet small enough for cable sections.
Hiking boots with good grip
Support and traction for talus, switchbacks and polished granite.
Layered clothing (base, insulating, shell)
Weather at elevation shifts fast — pack a warm layer and a waterproof shell.
Headlamp with extra batteries
Early starts and campsite navigation make reliable light essential.