Embark on an extraordinary Yosemite backpacking adventure in the breathtaking Sierra with Sierra Rec Magazine as your go-to resource. Discover the ultimate recreational travel destination for backpacking enthusiasts. Explore the untamed beauty of Yosemite’s pristine wilderness as you traverse rugged trails, witness towering waterfalls, and camp under a star-studded sky. With Sierra Rec Magazine’s expert insights and trail recommendations, plan an unforgettable backpacking experience in the heart of Yosemite. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring landscapes and natural wonders Yosemite backpacking offers. Let Sierra Rec Magazine guide you on your journey to create lifelong memories in the captivating wilderness.
For many visitors, Yosemite National Park begins and ends in Yosemite Valley. They’ll marvel at Half Dome, photograph Yosemite Falls, and spend a few unforgettable days exploring one of America’s most iconic national parks. But according to Yosemite guide Kara Maceross of Lasting Adventures, the real magic often begins when you leave the pavement behind. … Read more
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine A Four-Day Three-night trip into McCabe, Roosevelt and Young Lakes The planning for this trip started in January, but the dream of it began years earlier. On this July morning, as I packed the final gear into the truck and headed out to pick up Tom, I felt … Read more
Reduced capacity. Limited communication. Rising safety concerns. If you’re planning a wilderness trip into Yosemite National Park this year, take note—significant changes are underway that could impact your entire route. And with little notice or explanation, backpackers are scrambling to adjust. As of April 25, 2025, the Yosemite Valley Backpackers Campground will be temporarily relocated … Read more
Cathedral Lakes Trail Guide: Yosemite’s High Sierra Icon Cathedral Lakes is one of those hikes that almost everyone does in Yosemite High country—and almost everyone experiences differently. This is the hike that I recommend to friends that want to experience Yosemite, but might not want a full back country commitment. This was my first hike … Read more
Sometimes, Yosemite’s most soul-stirring hikes don’t begin in the valley. They start high, stay quiet, and lead you to unexpected encounters with Half Dome, wildlife, and waterfalls the crowds will never see. This loop from May Lake Trailhead to Mt. Watkins and Snow Creek is a lesser-known route that offers a unique perspective of Yosemite … Read more
Unveiling Hidden Gems and Creating Lasting Memories in Yosemite National Park I’ve returned to Yosemite’s high country for the past seven summers, each trip revealing new wonders among the granite peaks and alpine lakes of the High Cathedral Range. I’ve trekked through the rugged beauty near Mt. Conness and North Peak and swooned beneath the … Read more
Looking for an unforgettable adventure this summer? Are you seeking to challenge yourself, connect with nature, and forge lasting bonds with like-minded women? Look no further than Lasting Adventures’ empowering lineup of Women’s Backpacking Trips and Young Women’s Summer Camp Programs. For Women of All Ages: Adventure Awaits in Yosemite and Olympic National Parks In … Read more
Backpacking Itineraries Yosemite National Park Wilderness One of the most diverse and exciting Backpacking routes in Yosemite is the route from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley via the Vogelsang High Camp and Rafferty Creek. Backpackers looking to experience a little bit of everything Yosemite is known for will find this 27-mile-plus route filled with options, … Read more
Yosemite National Park is a treasure trove of natural wonders, but one gem that often remains hidden from the spotlight is Chilnualna Falls. Located in the southern part of the park, this cascading wonder comes to life in high-water years, offering visitors an unforgettable experience. Join me on a journey to explore the magic of … Read more
I’m grateful to be out of the rain, but it’s hardly ideal. I took cover quickly under the slight overhang of a shed-sized boulder, and I find myself squatting with my back against its sloping side. I have a tarp over my legs because they are sticking out into the rain, which is coming down … Read more
June 2023 Update: Because of historic snow pack at Yosemite’s ability to get into the high camps this season they have canceled the opening of the 2023 high camps and issued refunds to all lottery winners for the camps in 2023. Lottery winners were notified by email that the Parks service decided that by time … Read more
The first wave of Yosemite Wilderness Permits Early in November Each Year. Yosemite National Park, November 11, 2021 – Yosemite National Park features 1,200 square miles of iconic landscapes with millions of visitors traveling to Yosemite to experience the park and its wilderness each year. In 1984 Congress designated 95 percent of what is today … Read more
Backpacking Adventure to Yosemite National’s Park North East Borders to Visit Young and Roosevelt Lakes. Tuolumne Meadows – Yosemite National Park – 2021- Four years ago I took my first backpacking trip into Yosemite National Park to Young lakes. This first visit was magical and drove me to dive into backpacking and I have since … Read more
Tuolumne Meadows – North of Lembert Dome in Yosemite’s Tuolumne Meadow is striking section of the Sierra Nevada Range that climbers and hikers for generations have enjoyed exploring. With famed locations such as Mt. Conness and Ragged Peak calling climbers and backpackers to the north of Tioga Pass, but it was a set of lakes … Read more
May Lake and Mt. Hoffmann are a perfect match for an early morning Sunrise Reflection.
Tent or Hammock? It has become one of the most asked questions for backcountry backpackers and national park visitors over the past 6-7 years. About four years ago, I switched from tent camping to hammock camping and had never looked back. My sleep comfort level is unmatched, and adding a mosquito net to my setup … Read more
On May 21, 2021 Yosemite National Park will once again require visitors to the park to have a reservation for entrance. However there are some change in 2021 that are different than in 2020. Here is a run down on what you need to know and understand about your summer Yosemite Visit Plans. 1 – … Read more
Yosemite National Park to Re-Implement a Day-Use Reservation System Beginning on Friday, May 21, 2021 Yosemite National Park – Beginning Friday, May 21, visitors to Yosemite National Park will need a day-use reservation to enter the park. The temporary day-use reservation system will allow the park to manage visitation levels to reduce risks associated with … Read more
As a seasoned backpacker with over 10 years exploring Yosemite’s trails, I’ve always craved adventure. But my 2020 trip to Vogelsang Pass via Rafferty Creek was unlike any other. It wasn’t just about the destination; it was the journey filled with unexpected solitude and breathtaking scenery. In February 2020 when I booked this trip to … Read more
Tioga Road Scheduled to Re-open June 15th When will Yosemite National Park reopen? In accordance with guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local public health authorities, Yosemite National Park will continue to incrementally increase recreational access. Beginning June 11, the park will open all the primary attractions … Read more
YOUNG LAKES – YOSEMITE HIGH ALPINE HIKE A perfect beginner backpacking experience in Yosemite National Park Back country. This Three lake destination is a Sierra Rec Magazine favorite in Yosemite National Park. Three unique and beautiful high alpine lakes perched on a ridge line between Ragged Peak and White Mountain, and neighboring the popular climbing of Mt … Read more
Welcome to one of the least visited Jewels in the Sierra. Matthes lake is one of the scenic icons in Yosemite National Park and yet getting to Matthes lake prohibits crowds from gathering at it shores through out the summer. The Matthes Crest is a popular rock climbing destination in Yosemite as the Peaks seem … Read more
