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| Yosemite Family Multisport
A 6-Day tour starting from $3,098
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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hiking & Biking from the Sierra Foothills to Yosemite Valley Deep within California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range lies Yosemite National Park, a breathtaking sanctuary of dense forests, sprawling meadows, thundering waterfalls and dramatic granite peaks. Immortalized by famed photographer Ansel Adams and cherished by legendary conservationist John Muir, Yosemite is one of our nation’s most stunning national parks and celebrated natural wonders, intimate in feel yet grand in scale. This memorable Backroads family vacation begins with a taste of the Wild West in California’s Gold Country before forging into Yosemite itself. Overnight stays in a mountain resort and a historic lodge are the perfect complement to this inspiring journey. |
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ROUTE RATING
Levels 1–3
Recommended minimum age for the trip: 3 years DAY 1 Meet your Trip Leaders at 8 a.m. in the lobby of the Hotel Monaco in San Francisco. Please arrive dressed in your walking clothes and carrying a daypack stocked with any items you might need for today’s walk (camera, sunglasses, etc.) SHUTTLE TO THE SIERRA NEVADA 4 HOURS CALIFORNIA TUNNEL TREE WALKING LOOP 3.5 MILES (600-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) After meeting, we shuttle to the Sierra Nevada, a region that captivated John Muir with “glorious floods of light” and “irised spray of countless waterfalls.” Along the way, we stop in the gold rush town of Mariposa for a picnic at the Mariposa Museum and History Center, one of America’s best small museums according to the Smithsonian Institute. We continue to the world-famous Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. With 500 mature trees, this is Yosemite’s largest stand of giant sequoias (also known as “Sierra redwoods”), some dating as far back as 2,700 years. One noteworthy resident is the Grizzly Giant, one of the largest of the species with a base diameter of 30 feet! As you follow a well-marked uphill path lined with these masterpieces, keep in mind that they have withstood the tests of time—sequoias, in fact, do not die from old age but from other factors such as weather and soil conditions. After exploring, we shuttle to our home for the next two nights, Tenaya Lodge. Cradled by the pines of the Sierra National Forest, this impressive lodge exudes rustic elegance with its magnificent stone fireplaces, grand public spaces and American Indian-inspired décor. Tonight, we feast on a delicious dinner of California cuisine at the lodge’s Sierra Restaurant. Lodging: Tenaya Lodge DAY 2 SUGAR PINE BIKING ROUTE 12 MILES (750-FOOT ELEVATION LOSS) FAMILY OPTION: CORRAL OUT AND BACK 5 MILES LONGER OPTION: BIG SANDY 17 MILES (1,000-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) OPTIONAL LEWIS CREEK HIKE 3.7 MILES (880-FOOT ELEVATION LOSS) HORSEBACK RIDING (KIDS 7 & UP) OR HISTORIC TRAIN RIDE (KIDS UNDER 7) Today we bike into the Sierra National Forest, heading out on a dirt road right behind our hotel. The rolling route offers views of an uninhabited wooded valley and takes you through groves of pine trees past an old Western corral. Then enjoy a breezy descent to the historic community of Sugar Pine, where you can find a shady spot to enjoy your pack lunch. Feel free to continue biking to the Big Sandy, a beautiful river weaving through the forest. Or, hike the Lewis Creek Trail along a lumber flume route that leads to the 80-foot cascade of Corlieu Falls. This afternoon your leaders have some special activities planned for the kids: an easy horseback ride for ages 7 and up or a historic train ride on the Sugar Pine Railroad for the younger ones. Meanwhile, adults can take advantage of the lodge’s amenities— including a full-service spa and fitness center, two swimming pools and hot tubs. Tonight, indulge your appetite at either of the lodge’s dining venues: the Sierra Restaurant for adults or Jackalope’s Bar and Grill with the kids. Lodging: Tenaya Lodge DAY 3 SHUTTLE TO GLACIER POINT 1½ HOURS POHONO VALLEY HIKE 4 MILES WITH SHUTTLE (500-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) FAMILY OPTION: SENTINEL DOME 2.2 MILES WITH SHUTTLE (200-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) LONGER OPTIONS: YOSEMITE VILLAGE 8.6 MILES WITH SHUTTLE (1,000-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) OR AHWAHNEE HOTEL 10.4 MILES (1,000-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) After breakfast, we leave Tenaya Lodge behind and return to Yosemite National Park. Covering 1,170 square miles, the park is about the size of Rhode Island, yet most visitors only spend time in Yosemite Valley, an area 7 miles long (and, at its widest point, 1 mile across). Yosemite has been sculpted over millions of years by geologic activity, including erosion from the Merced River, and the movement and retreat of glaciers. The valley has inspired artists for decades, including Ansel Adams, the famed photographer who immortalized the park’s distinct landmarks—Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls— in his magnificent photos. Today’s hike begins at Glacier Point (elevation: 7,214 feet) with panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and magnificent Half Dome towering above. There are four walking options to choose from: Follow the Pohono Trail along the ridgeline and climb to the summit of granite-faced Sentinel Dome for 360-degree views of the park. Once you’ve completed your hike, a van shuttle takes you to the valley. For a more strenuous route, you can follow the Panorama Trail down to the Mist Trail for spectacular close-up views of thundering Nevada and Vernal Falls—you’re so close, you may get to cool off with a refreshing spray! If you’re just warming up, forge on through Yosemite Village and to our hotel for the next three nights, the legendary Ahwahnee. Named for the word the original Miwok Indians used for Yosemite Valley, Ahwahnee means “Place of the Gaping Mouth.” This grand 1920s hotel is a designated National Historic Landmark that sits proudly in a wooded setting, granite cliffs towering behind it. When you enter the lobby, note the impressive patterned floors, soaring beamed ceilings and the masterful blend of American Indian artifacts, artwork and Colonial Shaker furnishings. This afternoon relax in your room or explore the Ahwahnee’s magnificent public spaces, such as the Grand Lounge, Mural Room or Solarium. Tonight, you’re on your own to sample the fine cuisine at the Ahwahnee (we recommend making reservations two to four weeks in advance) or at one of the more casual restaurants nearby. Lodging: Ahwahnee Hotel DAY 4 NATURALIST-GUIDED WALK FREE TIME IN YOSEMITE VALLEY Our morning begins with a walk led by a naturalist from the Yosemite Association. Then the rest of the day is yours to explore the park by bike, on foot or on horseback. If you’d like to hike, there are several family-friendly routes in the valley, including hikes to Bridalveil Falls, Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls (if you didn’t see them the day before). You can either walk or bike to the trailheads, or hop on one of the free, park-operated shuttle buses that run through the valley. If you choose to bike, we’ll provide you with locks and chains, as well as maps and directions to help you get to your destination. (Please note that due to park restrictions, we’re unable to provide van support for bike rides in the park.) Riding around the valley is a lovely way to experience the park: Hop off to watch a deer grazing in a meadow, dip your feet in the river or visit Happy Isles Nature Center, a great place to find educational children’s books. Or, your family may decide to explore the park on a horseback ride to Mirror Lake. For a more relaxing option, consider an in-room massage (call the Ahwahnee Hotel concierge desk at 209-372-1426 to make a reservation). If you have some extra time, visit the Ansel Adams Gallery or learn more about the area’s history and culture at the visitors center or the Indian Cultural Museum. (Please note that massage services, horseback riding and museum fees are not included in the trip price.) For lunch on your own, choose from several nearby restaurants. This evening, we learn about the Ahwahnee’s history on a private tour of the hotel. Afterward, the leaders take the kids out for pizza, while adults dine at nearby Yosemite Lodge. Lodging: Ahwahnee Hotel DAY 5 SHUTTLE TO TUOLUMNE MEADOWS 3 HOURS ROUND-TRIP ROCK-CLIMBING CLASS (FOR KIDS) 5 HOURS DOG LAKE AND LEMBERT DOME HIKE (FOR ADULTS) 5.9 MILES (850-FOOT ELEVATION GAIN) SHORTER OPTION: FORKS OF THE TUOLUMNE LOOP 3 MILES After breakfast, we shuttle to Tuolumne Meadows, the largest subalpine meadow in the Sierra Nevada. Sitting at 8,600 feet, the meadow was created by a glacier more than 2,000 feet thick and 2½ miles long! Today’s adult hiking route is incredible and highlights a wide variety of scenery. We begin by crossing two forks of the Tuolumne River, whose rushing water winds through the meadow, past granite domes, alpine lakes and deep canyons, and into the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. The trail continues through forest to the base of Lembert Dome, a huge mound of polished granite rising 800 feet above Tuolumne Meadows. It’s pretty to look at, but for the best vantage point, you’ll want to climb it. It’s a short steep ascent on the dome’s spine; endless views at the top are worth the effort. Continue on to Dog Lake, framed by distant Mount Gibbs and Mount Lewis. DAY 6 EL CAPITAN MEADOWS HIKE 2.8 MILES SHUTTLE TO SAN FRANCISCO 5 HOURS This morning we start our hike from Camp 4, a world-famous gathering place for rock climbers. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s a great place to watch climbers prepare, share ideas and swap stories. Our route takes us to a meadow in the shadow of El Capitan, a 3,000-foot sheer rock face and longtime destination for serious climbers. If you look closely, you’ll see them scaling the legendary “Nose” route—they look miniscule compared to El Capitan’s mammoth size. Then we head out of Yosemite, stopping for a farewell picnic lunch on the way back to San Francisco, where our trip ends. See “Arriving & Departing” for end-of-trip logistics.
Days 1-2 Fish Camp Meet in San Francisco and shuttle into the heart of the Sierra Nevada A hike in the famous Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias lets you see some of the world’s largest and oldest trees up close Get acquainted with the Sierra National Forest on a fun-filled ride past an old-west corral to the Big Sandy River Kids embark on an afternoon horseback ride or historic train ride while adults enjoy the lodge’s full-service spa, swimming pools, Jacuzzis or nearby hiking trails. Days 3-6 Yosemite Village Begin hiking at Glacier Point, with views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and the Sierra Nevada Climb to the top of giant granite-faced Sentinel Dome or descend along a trail that offers views of thundering Nevada and Vernal Falls A layover day in the valley allows ample time for an array of activities—a visit to Bridalveil Fall, a bike ride through the valley, Junior Ranger programs or a horseback ride to Mirror Lake Shuttle to Tuolumne Meadows for a full day of exploration in the alpine meadows Revel in stunning views of the valley from the celebrated dining room of the Ahwahnee Savor one last memorable impression of Yosemite on a hike to Mirror Lake before heading back to San Francisco. Recommended minimum age for the trip: 3 years Add $1150 for single occupancy ROUTE RATING Levels 1–3 Recommended minimum age for the trip: 3 years ACCOMMODATIONS AT THESE PREMIER INNS TENAYA LODGE (2 nights) Set at the southern entrance to the park, this grand lodge features soaring ceilings, natural wood and stone accents, and American Indian artwork, giving it a rustic yet refined air. AHWAHNEE HOTEL (3 nights) Designated as a National Historic Landmark and as much an icon of Yosemite as Half Dome, the Ahwahnee is the epitome of luxury, masterfully designed to fit in with its natural surroundings. Yosemite Valley LEVEL 1 *10-20 miles/day (biking) *2-5 miles/day (walking) *2-3 hours/day LEVEL 2 *21-30 miles/day (biking) *5-7 miles/day (walking) *2-4 hours/day LEVEL 3 *31-40 miles/day (biking) *7-9 miles/day (walking) *3-5 hours/day On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with no significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own . ARRIVING & DEPARTING Please note that meeting and departing times provided here were current at the time of printing, but are subject to change. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS UNTIL YOU ARE CONFIRMED ON YOUR VACATION AND HAVE VERIFIED THE DETAILS OF ARRIVING & DEPARTING WITH YOUR TRIP CONSULTANT. MEETING TIME AND LOCATION On the first day of the trip, we meet at 8 a.m. at the Hotel Monaco. Look for your Trip Leaders in the hotel lobby. From here, we shuttle 4 hours to the Sierra Nevada. Please arrive dressed in your walking clothes and carrying a daypack stocked with any items you might need for today’s walk (camera, sunglasses, etc.) For your convenience, we suggest arriving in San Francisco at least one day before the trip starts. If you’d prefer to drive yourself to Yosemite, you can leave your car at the Tenaya Lodge, our first hotel, for the week at no charge. Please arrive at the lodge by 1 p.m. to meet up with the group before our hike in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. You will miss the picnic, so please eat lunch beforehand. |
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||