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Sierra Trekking: Yosemite and Lake Tahoe Region

Day 1
Arrive in Reno and transfer by a short 45 minute shuttle to our meeting point at The Cedar House, nestled in the Martis Valley, just minutes from historic downtown Truckee. You might have a chance to check out the town or enjoy the wonderful outdoor spa before settling in for our welcome dinner at a favorite local restaurant. (Cedar House)

Day 2
Our first hike finds us on a nearly forgotten trail north of Lake Tahoe. Mt. Lola (el. 9148) is the high point in Nevada County, and the northernmost point from which the waters of Lake Tahoe can be seen. It offers possibly the finest views of the northern Sierra region where the range melds into the Cascade Range (Mt. Lassen can be seen from the summit on a clear day). The Pacific Crest Trail passes beneath the peak to the west, and to the north the Little Truckee River has carved out a wide canyon running east-west, and the beautiful Perazzo Meadows lie at the base of the peak through which the river meanders. (Cedar House)

Day 3
Our second day of hiking takes us along the newly completed Donner Lake Rim Trail. Many options await us as the route wraps around the east end of the sapphire expanse of Donner Lake, rises up Schallenberger Ridge to the granite escarpments of Mount Stephens, then weaves through steep hills and dales to the north of Donner Summit. (Cedar House)

Day 4
Today we travel to Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics. We might choose to ride the cable car 2000 vertical feet to High Camp (el. 8200') or choose to ride it back at the end of the day. From High Camp we climb towards Emmigrant Peak and then to the summit of Granite Chief. The views are quite rewarding with Desolation peaks to the south and Castle Peak near Donner to the north. From here we decend to Shirley Lake and either hike back to High Camp or follow Squaw Creek to the valley floor. (Plumpjack Inn)

Day 5
The West Shore of Lake Tahoe is our destination today hiking along the Rubicon Trail to Emerald Bay. We will see Fannette Island, the only island in Lake Tahoe, and tour Vikingsholm Castle. We also have an option to hike above Emerald Bay, past Eagle Lake Falls to Eagle Lake. (Sunnyside Resort)

Day 6
Hiking far above Emerald Bay we enter the Desolation Wilderness in search of Dicks Lake. Passing Eagle Lake we steadily climb until we are out of the trees and and bounding along the trail with Dicks Peak coming into view and the East side of Mt Tallac off to our left. We soon reach Dicks Lake and enjoy a well-deserved lunch on its quiet shore. On our return we connect with the Bay View trail which will lead us back down to Emerald Bay. Fannnette Island, the only island in Lake Tahoe, sits perched in the middle of Emerald Bay and the entire expanse of the Lake comes into view as we descend the final switchbacks for the end of a fantastic day. (Sunnyside Resort)

Day 7
From Tahoe we will travel south on historic Highway 395 along the east side of the Sierras making a stop at one of the oldest lakes in North America, Mono Lake. We head west via the highest trans-sierra route in California, crossing Tioga Pass at 9,945 feet in elevation. We enter the eastern gate of Yosemite National Park, passing thru Tuolumne Meadows on our way to Yosemite Valley. We'll have time for an afternoon stroll to Mirror Lake/Meadow. At the stone bridge, we will either choose to turn right and take the five-mile loop around the meadow or stay our current course for a shorter but equally scenic option. Exhibits detail the story of the area's lake-to-meadow succession and it is a great area for spotting wildlife. (Ahwahnee)

Day 8
Today we have the option of hiking a full loop, roughly 13 miles, along the floor of Yosemite Valley or taking a shorter 6 mile option. This superb hiking trail follows many of the Valley's first east-west trails and wagon roads. The half-loop trail crosses the Merced River on El Capitan Bridge, while the longer loop continues on to Bridalveil Fall. Much of the Valley floor loop provides solitude as we hike through meadows and forests, and along the Merced River. Along the way we enjoy classic views of Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks, El Capitan, Three Brothers, Bridalveil Fall, and Yosemite Falls. (Ahwahnee)

Day 9
Another spectacular day hiking along one of Yosemite's must-do hikes. While many of Yosemite's trails are popular due to having a single spectacular destination, the Mist Trail has fabulous views scattered all along it, beginning at the bridge overlook, progressing to two unforgettable waterfalls that fall a combined total of more than 900 feet, and ending with a spectacular view of Nevada Fall, Liberty Cap and the backside of Half Dome from the John Muir Trail. (Ahwahnee)

Day 10
Today we head back to the high country of Yosemite and beautiful Tuolumne Meadows, the largest sub-alpine meadow in the Sierra Nevada. Our hike today passes through Lyell Canyon, along the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River, once again on a section of the famous John Muir Trail. There are several creek crossings, including Rafferty Creek and Ireland Creek. We have a good chance to see bear in the back corners of the Canyon. In the afternoon we have the option to hike to the 9400 foot summit of Lembert Dome and catch some afternoon glows and watch the shadows as they begin to creep into the meadow. (Tuolumne Meadows Lodge)

Day 11
Our hike today leads to the high saddle above Budd Lake separating the Mathis Crest from Cathedral Peak. From the trailhead we once again hike along the John Muir trail towards Cathedral Lakes before turning off on a much quieter path along Budd Creek. The uniquely shaped Cathedral Peak soon comes into view with its pointy summit and will be our constant companion as we make our way to the 10,000 foot saddle. We are not disappointed as the knife-edged ridge of the Mathis Crest is before us and to our backs is Cathedral Peak and a spectacular view of Tuolumne Meadows and numerous granite domes scattered throughout. (Tuolumne Meadows Lodge)

Day 12
Our Yosemite Hiking tour finishes after breakfast, and we will drive to Reno International Airport for our post-trip destinations, arriving about 12:00pm.

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