Half Dome and Clouds Rest Sept 1- Sept 5 (4 nights 5 day)
Half Dome permits are some of the hardest permits to obtain. This four night / five day adventure which includes two of Yosemite National Park’s most iconic features – Half Dome and Clouds Rest. We start on the iconic John Muir Trail at Happy Isles trail head , and end back coming down the amazing mist trail back in the Valley. Come experience incredible views, waterfalls, iconic summits, and overall amazing hiking.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
A professional, knowledgeable, certified Yosemite hiking guide
National Park backcountry camping permits
Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
Group shared water filtration systems , fuel and cook system
A mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yosemite
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
IF ORDERING MEAL PACKAGES the first-night meal is not included with meal packages please bring something to eat or dine in the valley at the few restaurants available
BEAR CANISTER
National park entrance fee/parking fee
Sunscreen, toiletries, and personal items
Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
DAY 1
Summit Backpacking Adventure begins with a rendezvous in Yosemite Valley in the parking lot of Curry Village near the bear boxes at shuttle stop 14 at 6PM on Day 1. You will easily spot your guide waiting for you in a Wildland Trekking hat. We’ll conduct an orientation meeting, after which we’ll get settled in the Backpackers Camp a stone’s throw away from majestic Tenaya Creek and under the spectacular domes and cliffs of Yosemite Valley. We’ll enjoy dinner either at Curry Village or in camp.
Day 2
After breakfast, we should be getting on the John Muir trail no later than 9 am. Today we will have an elevation gain of approximately 2900 feet over 4.5 miles. Our lunch break will be with amazing views overlooking Yosemite Valley atop Nevada Falls! After lunch we will make our way the last mile to Little Yosemite Valley, Here we will set up camp and enjoy the rest of our day resting and lounging next to the Merced River. We will be sleeping early after a long day and an anticipated hike to Clouds Rest.
Day 3
Today will be a big day to the top of Clouds rest so we will be leaving camp no later than 8 am. Today is a 9-mile day with 3680 feet of elevation gain but don’t worry we aren’t carrying our backpacks only day packs are required. We will break for lunch and enjoy the spectacular views atop Clouds Rest. After we spend our time up we will head all downhill back to Little Yosemite Valley here we will eat and sleep early.
Day 4
Today we leave camp very early to Summit Half Dome around sunrise. We will be leaving base camp no later than 4:30 am so make sure your headlamps are ready for the first hour or so in the morning. Today's hike is 6.7 miles and 2662ft in elevation gains. Again we will only have day packs so we can leave our heavy packs back at basecamp. Once we summit Sub Dome we will rest and have a snack before we go up the cables to Half Dome. After Half Dome, we will make our way back to basecamp and have a good last day relaxing at camp or next to the Merced River
Day 5
Today we have a leisurely morning. We will leave camp around 9 am and make our way back to Nevada Falls. Here we will take a moment and rest before we head down the mist trail. We will get back down to Yosemite Vallet around 1-2 pm.
*Notes about climbing Half Dome- The Cable Route is not for everyone. It is extremely exposed and steep and those with a fear of heights will NOT enjoy it. However, summiting Half Dome is not required and the views from Sub Dome are also spectacular! Those choosing not to summit can wait at Sub Dome and enjoy the sights until the rest of the group returns.
Terms & Conditions: It is important that all S.S.B.A trip participants arrive in good enough condition to successfully complete and enjoy their backpacking vacation. Depending upon the trip and your body size, you’ll be carrying a backpack that weighs between 20 to 35 pounds at the beginning of a trip. Most modern backpacks are quite comfortable to carry, provided that they properly fit.
The vast majority of our clients do just fine, even on their first backpack trip. Nonetheless, backpacking is for active, not sedentary people, and in most situations, folks who are seriously overweight or who regularly smoke cigarettes are going to have a tough time and will likely be putting themselves and others in jeopardy.
We Require a doctor’s note for anyone that takes medication or over the age of 65. If you have any doubts about your physical capability to trek in the backcountry, or if you’re going on your first backpack trip, please see your physician. This is especially important for the elderly and for folks who have any known or suspected physical ailments that might compromise their safety (and group safety) on a backpack adventure.
S.S.B.A may contract with independent contractors to provide transportation, guide services, and/or all other related travel services. We assume no responsibility, however caused, for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service provided by an independent contractor or resulting directly from the following: - acts of God - detention - annoyance terrorism - thefts - pilferage - force majeure - civil disturbances government restrictions or regulations - strikes - delays and expenses arising from quarantine - failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled - discrepancies or change in transit or hotel services over which we have no control. We reserve the right to make reasonable changes in the itinerary where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of trip members. By advancing deposit to S.S.B.A, the depositor thereby agrees to be bound by the above terms and conditions.
Cancellation: If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due to S.S.B.A at the time (prior to departure) we receive notice of your cancellation.
60 or more days $0 of trip cost 60 to 30 days 50% of trip cost
30 to 15 days 75% of trip cost
0 to 15 days 100% of trip cost
To protect your investment, we recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance. Travel insurance Should you have to cancel your trip because of illness, injury or death to you or an immediate family member, this insurance protects all your deposits and payments for both air and trip costs. We will mail you the necessary forms in your trip packet. S.S.B.A recommends that you purchase this insurance at the time of sign-up to be covered for pre-existing conditions (certain restrictions apply). We strongly recommend the purchase of trip insurance. If we cancel a trip S.S.B.A reserves the right to cancel all or a portion of a trip for force majeure or any other circumstances beyond our control and, in the event of such cancellation, full or partial refunds, if any, will be at S.S.B.A sole discretion. We also reserve the right to cancel any trip if sign-up is inadequate to make the trip economically feasible for us to operate, and in this event, we give a full refund of the trip price. However, S.S.B.A is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by you in preparing for the trip (e.g., non-refundable air tickets, visa fees if applicable, gear or medical expenses). Refunds S.S.B.A does not give any refunds for unused hotel rooms, meals, sightseeing trips or trek arrangements.
48-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Policy
Any reservation can be canceled within 48 hours of the initial booking, and we will grant you a full refund minus a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions. After 48 hours, our standard terms and conditions apply. To cancel, please email us at Summitbacking@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at 831-713-7399. This policy does not apply if the booked trip occurs within 96 hours of the initial booking.
Fire/Smoke Cancellation Policy
Fire/smoke cancellations are considered circumstances beyond our control. If your chosen travel insurance does not cover fire/smoke cancellations, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. If we cancel during your adventure with us, we will issue a non-refundable credit equal to the dollar amount associated with the number of days not used. In both cases, these credits will be lifetime/transferable but non-refundable.
Other Considerations
Departing From a Trip: Once a participant has joined a trip and the trip has begun, no refunds or credits will be issued, regardless of the reason for departure. Costs associated with assisting a participant with evacuating from the wilderness will be passed on to the participant. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.
Minimum Participants: Our Guide Service multi-day trips have a two-person minimum. (Yoga trips have a three-person minimum.) Our Summer Camps have a four-person minimum. Should we fall short on these minimums, we will contact you 30 days before your scheduled start date with options that may include switching to another trip/date and/or a single-participant surcharge.
Infectious Illness Policy (including COVID): Any participant on any program/trip with any sign/symptom of a potential illness will not be able to participate, and no refund or credits will be given. Many forms of Travel Insurance cover these circumstances. We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child before participating and contact us to cancel if any sign of illness is present. Health screenings can be expected in all youth programs.
Half Dome & Other Summits: Reaching the top of a summit, such as Half Dome, is risky and can be made far worse by inclement weather. While we aim to get everyone to the top, summiting is not guaranteed. Lightning and rain can be deadly on exposed summits, and our experienced guides may have to call off a summit bid if weather conditions are unfavorable. You will not be allowed to summit using a Summit Backpacking Adventures permit should the experienced guide decide the conditions are not favorable.
