California John Muir Trail Northbound to Yosemite Trekking Tour

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Hike 103 miles on one of the most scenic wilderness trails in the world
            [Description] => Hike 103 miles on one of the most scenic wilderness trails in the world
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Take in spectacular protected areas, including the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness
            [Description] => Take in spectacular protected areas, including the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness
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Descend from the Pacific Crest to Yosemite's high-elevation Tuolumne Meadows with its meandering river
            [Description] => Descend from the Pacific Crest to Yosemite's high-elevation Tuolumne Meadows with its meandering river
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            [Description] => yosemite valley view
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            [Description] => lake ediza
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            [Description] => wildflowers
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            [Description] => devil's postpile
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            [Description] => hikers lake ediza
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            [Description] => storm
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            [Description] => campsite
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            [Description] => overlook
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            [Description] => sunrise reflection
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            [Description] => group
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            [Description] => iceberg lake trail
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            [Description] => tuolumne meadows
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            [Description] => waterfall
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            [Description] => hiker
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            [Description] => sunset
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            [Description] => wildflowers
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Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Fred A.

Fred enjoyed his first backpacking trip in college, walking 20+ miles in inappropriate footwear and spending a few cold nights in front of the fire without a sleeping bag. He caught the travel bug from there and was soon plotting and executing adventures in California's endless wild places. In addition to being an adventure guide, Fred is also an EMT with a certification in wilderness medicine. He's hiked and climbed thousands of miles around the Sierra including a solo 200+ mile hike of the Sierra High Route. Join Fred on MT Sobek's hiking adventures in California.

Meghan O.

Meghan grew up in a family of travelers and always wanted to be an explorer. She loves being in nature, cooking good food, moving her body, and visiting places that remind her of the diversity of the human experience. In addition to guiding, she has worked as a yoga teacher, Peace Corps volunteer, health educator, chef, and snowboarding coach. She finds joy in teaching people new things and empowering them to work through challenging experiences. She has traveled and trekked around the world, but the Sierra Nevada is her favorite place on Earth. The grandeur of its granite peaks, the crystal clarity of its glacial streams, and the vibrant wildflowers that blanket its meadows leave her in constant awe. She is excited and grateful to spend her summers exploring the infinite beauty of its wilderness alongside brave and curious people.

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Arrive in Fresno, California, to check in at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Fresno Yosemite Airport, near the Fresno air terminal, by 4pm. At 6pm, join the guides for an orientation and final gear check, along with a welcome dinner near the hotel.
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                    [Headline] => Start the John Muir Trail at Sallie Keyes 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 3-4 hours/5.24 miles hiking with 862\' elevation gain and 453\' elevation loss
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Meet at 7am after breakfast. Drive about three hours to Florence Lake, and meet the horse-packer and mules to offload the gear. Then begin the first leg of the trip, which starts with a ferry ride across Florence Lake (7,325\') into the John Muir Wilderness. Today\'s hike is a mild 5.24 miles with a 862-ft elevation gain and 453-ft elevation loss to the junction of the John Muir Trail at the Sallie Keyes cut-off and Shooting Star Meadow.
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                    [Headline] => Hike Over Selden Pass to Rosemarie Meadow
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Hike 9 miles over the Selden Pass (10,880\') to Rosemarie Meadow, past the picturesque Sallie Keyes Lakes, which were named after Sallie Keyes Shipp, the daughter of the principal owners (and sheepherders) of Blayney Meadows (from 1890-1940). An aspen tree in the meadows is rumored to still have her name carved in it.
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                    [Headline] => Descend to Mono Creek
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Today\'s hike is 10.87 miles downhill (except for a stout but brief uphill climb of Bear Ridge) to Quail Meadows and into the Mono Creek Drainage at 7,870\'. Mono Creek, named after the Mono Indians, drains from the nearby Mono Divide, first crossed on August 2, 1864, by the Brewer party of the Whitney Survey. Mono Creek serves as a main artery in the California watershed.
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                    [Headline] => Head Up to Chief Lake
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Today is another uphill day. You\'ll journey 8 miles to Chief Lake over Silver Pass (10,880\') across the Silver Divide, named in 1907-09 by the USGS survey from Theodore S. Solomons\' 1896 map of the area. Solomons gave the creek its name because of its silvery appearance.
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                    [Headline] => Pass Tully Hole & Camp at Duck Lake 
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Just over 11 miles of hiking up and down leads past Tully Hole and Purple Lake to the camp at the Duck Lake junction (9,520\'). Tully Hole was named after Gene Tully, who was one of the original 60 rangers of the US Forest Service. He helped rid Yosemite National Park of sheep from 1905-07. Tully Hole was where he rested his stock during his 6-week patrols of the mountains. One of today\'s highlights is a lunch stop at the picturesque Lake Virginia.
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Today enjoy 11.5 miles of cruising to Red\'s Meadow in the Mammoth area, with astounding views of the Minarets as well as Mount Ritter and Banner Peak. John Muir made the first ascent in October 1872 and his account of the climb is legendary to mountain climbers. Meet the food drop here and be treated to a shower.
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Today enter the Ansel Adams Wilderness, named after the famous photographer and conservationist who took all those iconic photographs of the West. Highlights include the unique Devil\'s Postpile National Monument. It\'s an 11-mile hike to Shadow Creek, the next camp, home for the next two nights.
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Today is a well-deserved layover day in the heart of John Muir Trail country. Take time to photograph, fish, hike, wash socks, or just plain hang out.
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                    [Headline] => Hike Over Island Pass to Rush Creek Camp
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A 10-mile hike today leads through the famous "postcard" John Muir Trail country of Garnett, Waugh, and Thousand Island Lakes. Hike over Island Pass (10,205\') to the campsite on Rush Creek.
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                    [Headline] => Meet the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River
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Hike over towering Donahue Pass (11,050\') beneath the highest peak in Yosemite (Mt. Lyell at 13,114\') and down to the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park. Donahue was a sergeant in the cavalry and the peak and pass were named after him by Lt. McClure in 1895, when Donahue made the first ascent.
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                    [Headline] => End the Trek and Return to Fresno
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Hike the remaining eight miles along the John Muir Trail and finish the incredible journey in Tuolumne Meadows, where the shuttle awaits with cold drinks and a fresh lunch. After lunch, continue through Yosemite National Park en route to the airport hotel in Fresno for a celebration dinner and a good night\'s sleep.
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Today take the hotel\'s airport shuttle to the terminal to catch your flight, which can be scheduled to depart at any time.
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    [ActivityHighlight] => This trip is designed for the seasoned hiker. You are expected to hike with up to 15 pounds in your daypack about 5 to 13 miles per day (about 5 to 8 hours per day) for 12 days, with one layover day. We will hike a total of 90 miles on mountain trails that are often steep and uneven and mostly at elevations above 9,000\'.
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Accommodations

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Camps in pristine settings along the way and a full-service hotel as the bookend, featuring an outdoor pool and spa to enjoy before and after the expedition.

MT Sobek Camp-John Muir Trail Northbound

Wilderness Camping

We supply all camping and commissary gear, including tents and sleeping pads. We encourage guests to bring their own sleeping bag, rated to 15 degrees in the 2-3 pound range. We encourage this because everyone sleeps differently, some need a really warm bag, others not so much thus having your own will ensure more comfort than renting. We also provide a Crazy Creek chair for every trip member. Previous camping experience is required for this trip! Guides will assist guests with their tents on the first night, but then it is up to the guests to set up their tents after that.

Fairfield Inn & Suites Fresno Yosemite Airport

Comfortable Hotel

Conveniently located two blocks from Fresno Yosemite airport, the Fairfield Inn is clean and modern, and offers all the amenities necessary to rest and recharge on your MT Sobek adventure. The hotel boasts a 24-hour fitness center, heated outdoor pool, in-house restaurant for breakfast, and local restaurant delivery service for dinner. Each room features complimentary Wifi, a flat screen Smart TV for streaming services like Hulu and Netflix, comfortable bedding, electronics dock, coffee maker and microwave.

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