5-Day Yosemite Backpacking + Road Trip from WA to CA

Join for a 5-day backpacking trip to Yosemite! We'll hit the road from Washington on June 28 and explore from July 1 to 5, and return home by July 6.
One way trip is 14 hr 15 min (897.2 mi) via I-5 S. We will stop/camp in Oregon.

Day 1 – Tuolumne Meadows to Gaylor Lakes & Yosemite Creek Camp

• Trailhead: Tuolumne Meadows → Gaylor Lakes → Yosemite Creek
• Distance: ~9 miles
• Elevation Gain: ~2,000 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Day 2 – Yosemite Creek to Red Peak Pass

• Trail: Yosemite Creek → Red Peak Pass
• Distance: ~10 miles
• Elevation Gain: ~3,500 ft
• Difficulty: Strenuous

Day 3 – Red Peak Pass to Clouds Rest

• Trail: Red Peak Pass → Clouds Rest Summit
• Distance: ~11 miles
• Elevation Gain: ~4,000 ft
• Difficulty: Very strenuous
• Highlights:
• Ascend toward Clouds Rest, a challenging yet rewarding peak with 360-degree views of Yosemite’s iconic landscapes.
• The summit of Clouds Rest provides some of the most spectacular vistas in the park, including Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, and the Sierra Nevada.

Day 4 – Half Dome Summit Day

• Trail: Little Yosemite Valley → Half Dome Summit
• Distance: ~14-16 miles (round trip)
• Elevation Gain: ~4,800 ft
• Difficulty: Extremely strenuous
• Caution: The cables route is exposed, and the climb requires both mental and physical readiness.

Day 5 – Mist Trail to Yosemite Valley (Exit)
Trail: Little Yosemite Valley → Mist Trail → Yosemite Valley
Distance: ~5 miles
Elevation Loss: ~2,000 ft
Difficulty: Moderate

Essential Gears:
Backpack & Sleeping System:

• 40-60L backpack
• 2-3-season tent
• Sleeping bag
• Insulated sleeping pad

Cooking & Hydration:

• Stove
• Fuel for 5 days
• Water filter
• Water bottles (2-3L capacity)

Other Essentials:

• Trekking poles
• Headlamp (with extra batteries)
• Map & compass
• First-aid kit
• Bear canister
• Gloves for Half Dome cables
• Layered clothing for varying temperatures

Links:

1. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/yosemite-national-park
2. https://www.yosemite.com
3. https://www.youtube.com/user/yosemitenationalpark