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Overview

Gather the family together for a fun-packed private camping adventure in the heart of the Ansel Adams Wilderness - one of the best-kept secrets of the High Sierra, located on the southeast edge of Yosemite National Park. Be wowed by spectacular vistas, sweeping granite ridges, dazzling alpine lakes, and wildflower-strewn meadows. Spend your days exploring this stunning mountain environment on moderately paced hikes for all ages. Plus swim, fish, relax at camp, and even learn backpacking skills from expert guides - who make amazing mentors to inspire a life-long love of the outdoors. This is a perfect week-long summer camp for the entire family.

  • Experience the wonders of the Ansel Adams Wilderness on this private backcountry camping adventure designed for the whole family

  • Hike, swim, fish, stargaze and learn the skills necessary to camp in the backcountry - great for first-timers in the wilderness!

  • Follow scenic trails high in the Sierras with an option to tackle a 10,000-foot peak

  • Arrive: Bass Lake, California
  • Depart: Bass Lake, California
  • Duration: 5 Days
  • Group Size: 2-13 Guests
  • Minimum Age: 9 Years Old

Itinerary

  • Day01

    Arrive in Bass Lake, California

    Check in at the Pines Resort beside the beautiful Bass Lake any time after 4pm. Meet your guide and group at 6pm in the main lobby for a trip orientation. Dinner tonight is on your own at one of the many local restaurants.

  • Day02

    Head into the Ansel Adams Wilderness

    Meet after breakfast at 7:30am and drive to the pack station and trailhead. Your guide will accompany you in your vehicle. It will take approximately one hour to get to the pack station and trailhead. After dropping our gear with the packers, we'll make our way to the trailhead. While hiking, you'll carry just a daypack with some water, a camera, etc. We will hike approximately 6 miles into a centrally located lake where we will make basecamp.

    • Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp - Ansel Adams Wilderness
    • Activity: 5-6 hours/6 miles hiking with breaks, with 1,709' elevation gain and 322' elevation loss
    • Transportation: 2-hour private van transfer
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day03

    Hike the Upper Lakes

    Today, follow your guide through the pristine upper lakes basin via established on- and off-trail hiking routes. Our guides excel at customizing the itinerary to meet the needs of families, so exact destinations and distances vary depending on the preferences of the group members. The day ends with swimming at our lakeside camp and stargazing.

  • Day04

    Explore Alpine Peaks & Lakes

    After a hearty breakfast prepared by your guides, set out again to explore the surrounding area. An optional summit hike to one of the nearby 10,000'+ peaks that make up the southern border of Yosemite National Park is a possibility. You can also fish and swim at other nearby alpine lakes, depending on your interest, or learn backcountry wilderness skills from your expert guides.

  • Day05

    Hike Back to the Trailhead

    After a leisurely morning, bid farewell to camp and follow the path back to the trailhead. Expect a 4pm departure from the high country, returning home on your own.

    • Activity: 5-6 hours/6 miles hiking with breaks, with 322' elevation gain and 1,709' elevation
    • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Want to extend your adventure?
Contact our Regional Specialists for more travel ideas!
From: $3,495.00 What's Included?
5 Days
Request This Trip

Got Questions?
Speak with an expert.

Erick Malver

Erick Malver

MT Sobek Regional Specialist

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High Sierra Private Family Adventure Map

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Why take this trip with us?

Reason #01

MT Sobek has been leading trip in the Sierras for 50 years, working with the best local guides to create truly outstanding hiking adventures.

Reason #02

This unique family trip is especially tailored for all ability levels so that everyone can enjoy the entire wilderness experience.

Reason #03

We make it fun! It's like summer camp for the whole family with opportunities to bond on the trail and around crackling camp fires.

Meet Our Guides

Our expert guides and trip leaders are truly the key to our trips' success. Many are locals who live in-country year-round; others have made it their second home—all are passionate, enthusiastic and endlessly knowledgeable. Meet a few of the guides that might be on your trip.

What To Expect

  • Activities

    Moderately paced hikes, tailored for all ages, with options for swimming and fishing. Plus learn insights into wilderness survival.

  • Lodging

    Full-service hotel to kick off the adventure, followed by MT Sobek tented camps with spellbinding views in the heart of the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

  • Climate

    Average temperatures are between 70°F-80°F in the daytime and 40°F- 50°F at night.

FAQ

  • Is this really family friendly?

    Absolutely! This trip takes you into one of the world's most beautiful places - the Ansel Adams Wilderness - where we will be based for 3 nights at the same beautiful camp. This means you can hike with your kids as much as you like, or stay back and swim, fish, or play games. This is heaven for outdoorsy families!

  • How do I prepare for this trip?

    Training is paramount to the enjoyment and success of your trip. We recommend exercising in the months prior to your trip to bolster sustained cardiovascular/aerobic activities as well as core and leg strength. Day hikes, preferably on hilly, off road terrain, is the best way to train for our trips. Activities such as cycling and step-master type machines are also excellent and preferable to a routine comprised solely of running.

  • How are the meals while camping?

    We provide meals starting with breakfast on day two through lunch and trail snacks the last day. Our "Backcountry Gourmet" meals have been acclaimed in Sunset Magazine. We take pride in providing excellent meals even in remote surroundings.

  • What will the packstock do?

    Mules will be carrying all of our equipment and your personal gear on Day 2 and Day 5. We won't be hiking with the mules nor camping with them. You will need to pack your personal belongings efficiently into one mid-sized compression sack or duffel as outlined in our pre-trip materials. You are welcome to pack anything extra in your daypack.

  • What about bears?

    There are black bears in the Sierras, but there are no brown or grizzly bears. We will use bear proof food storage, so as not to attract snacking bears. In very rare instances, black bears have shown dominance by bluff charging, especially when guarding cubs. This is very rare, and no one has been seriously injured by a black bear in Yosemite.

  • What camping equipment is provided?

    We supply all group camping gear (stoves, cookware, water filters, group first aid kit, bear cans, etc.). We can also supply personal camping equipment (daypacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, trekking poles, and tents) upon request with no additional fee.

Dates & Pricing

Pricing Dates

Flexible Dates

We offer this trip on a private basis with seasonal departure dates that offer great flexibility (pending availability). Click below to request dates and an MT Sobek Regional Specialist will be in touch to help organize your private adventure.

Request This Trip
2020 2021
$3,495.00 Price per person

Additional Cost

  • $350.00 Single Supplement
  • $500.00 2 Person Surcharge

Price Includes

  • Expert leadership from experienced family-friendly adventure guides
  • Accommodations as noted in the itinerary
  • Meals as noted in the daily itinerary
  • Potable water and snacks throughout
  • All tips and gratuities for support staff with the exception of your lead adventure guide(s)
  • All necessary camping gear
  • All group entrance fees, activities, and ground transportation

Price Does Not Include

  • International airfare, any airport taxes, or excess baggage charges
  • Optional tips to your lead adventure guides
  • Personal expenses such as medical immunizations, phone calls, laundry, or souvenirs
  • Optional travel protection
Request This Trip

Testimonials

  • "Great experience every time with some of the most knowledgeable guides in their fields. We always come home with wonderful memories of the people we meet and things we see."

    Bob J.

    MT Sobek Guest

  • "MT Sobek took care of everything for our extended family vacation. Not a hiccup in the planning, the itinerary, the lodging or the guide. Everything in life should be so easy."

    Kathy J.

    MT Sobek Guest

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