Backpacking Red Peak Pass with Discovery Treks in Yosemite
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
6 days
Fitness Level
Participants should be in excellent physical condition with experience in multi-day backpacking and high-altitude hiking.
Overview
Discover Yosemite’s hidden high-alpine route on Discovery Treks’ Red Peak Pass backpacking trip. This 51-mile loop rewards hikers with solitude, rugged terrain, and alpine lakes far from the crowds.
Red Peak Pass
Starting at $1997 per person
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Adventure Photos
About This Adventure
Discovery Trek's Red Peak Pass backpacking trips are perfect for the adventurer looking for classic High Sierra views and alpine lakes (lots of lakes actually) with more solitude
Rates
- 6 Day Hike - $1997
About
The Red Peak Pass tour will have you gaining elevation as you make your way up to the Merced River Canyon to this pass which crosses the high peaks of the Clark Range in Yosemite. This area is a rarely visited Yosemite hiking trail due to its rugged terrain, but your efforts will be rewarded with pristine alpine lakes and above tree-line landscapes that allow for open star-gazing at night.
Red Peak Pass is a less popular route that takes you through meadows away from the crowds before making our way to the Clark Range and the over 11,000 foot elevation of Red Peak Pass. Camp will change every night as you move through the area to the highest trail elevation in all of Yosemite National Park via this 51 mile loop. You will camp at Moraine Dome, Washburn Lake, and Ottoway Lake, to name just a few of the many beautiful destinations.
Adventure Tips
Prepare for High Elevation
Acclimate properly and bring layers to handle rapidly changing mountain weather above 11,000 feet.
Carry Adequate Water Filtration
Multiple alpine lakes provide water sources, but always treat water before drinking.
Leave No Trace
The route passes through fragile alpine meadows; minimize impact by camping at designated sites and packing out all waste.
Bring a Reliable Map and Compass
This less-traveled trail is not always well-marked; navigation skills are critical.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Mule deer
- Black bears
History
Red Peak Pass lies within the Clark Range, a rugged section of Yosemite named after explorer Galen Clark, the park’s first guardian appointed in 1864.
Conservation
This area benefits from strict Leave No Trace practices promoted by Discovery Treks to preserve its fragile alpine environment and maintain its remote character.
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Adventure Hotspots in Fresno, California
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Backpacking Tent
Lightweight shelter designed for alpine conditions and varied weather.
Water Filter
Ensures safe drinking water from alpine lakes and streams.
Layered Clothing System
Crucial for regulating body temperature as mountain conditions shift.
all specific
Topographic Map and Compass
Reliable navigation tools are key on this remote, less marked route.