Sunday morning pick up in Fresno. Shuttle north toward the famous Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias where we’ll take a short, peaceful hike amongst these gentle giants. Following lunch we drive into the park, stopping for a picnic lunch and photo ops at Tunnel View. Tunnel View is the classic view that Ansel Adams made famous showcasing El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. Late afternoon, check into Rush Creek Lodge, your home for the next two nights.

About Rush Creek Lodge

Recently opened in 2016, The Rush Creek Lodge is the first new resort in Yosemite National Park in over 25 years! These brand-new accommodations feature two queen beds, a private bathroom, and a private deck with scenic views of the forest at sunset. Keeping in the spirit of an authentic, rewarding mountain experience, you won’t find televisions or other electronic distractions in the room. Instead, you’ll find radio streaming, games, and the option of renting a portable DVD player and movies. Hoping to catch the big game? The Tavern offers a selection of local craft brews and sports broadcasts, along with live music or karaoke. And don’t forget the pool! The lodge hosts a saltwater pool, hot tubs, The Pool Bar, and a cozy fire pit lounge. All in all, the pristine luxury of the Rush Creek Lodge is the perfect way to begin our trek through Yosemite.

After breakfast, shuttle to Lembert Dome where we will stretch our legs on a short hike and be rewarded with a spectacular view of the Tuolumne Meadows, the Cathedral Ridge and surrounding peaks. Hold on to your hats as it get a bit windy up there.  Look for wildlife along this fascinating trek, listen as your guides tell you stories of John Muir’s time in Yosemite. He claims the Hetch Hetchy Valley was every bit as beautiful as Yosemite Valley until the 1920s; then the Tuolomne River was dammed to create a water supply for San Francisco. After lunch, we will head to Tenaya Lake, known as “Jewel of the High Country” for swimming and lakeside lounging.  Return back to the lodge for relaxation and then dinner.

This morning, we shuttle to the trailhead of the Mist Trail. A 7-mile round-trip hike takes us to the top of Vernal Fall, tackling 1,600 feet of elevation gain that includes an unforgettable stretch of steep stone steps in the midst of a waterfall. When you get to the Vernal Fall footbridge, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the 317-foot-high waterfall roaring down below. Continue up to Clarke Point and return on the famed John Muir trail. Later, we’ll transfer to Tenaya Lodge, your home for the next three nights. Continue your exploration of this amazing area tonight as you spend dinner and the rest of the evening on your own.

About Tenaya Lodge

Named after the legendary Chief Tenaya this lodge is located near the park’s south gate in the Sierra National Forest. Tenaya Lodge is an all-season resort that offers AAA Four-Diamond Yosemite accommodations, a rich range of recreational activities, and awe-inspiring beauty at every turn. Located only two miles from Yosemite National Park, Tenaya offers the cozy feel of a mountain retreat – but features a full range of world-class amenities. The luxurious spa features 12 treatment rooms and signature organic treatments, men’s and women’s steam rooms and saunas, relaxation rooms, and a fitness center. You’ll also find two indoor heated pools and a newly expanded outdoor pool, adjacent to a kids’ splash pool and an adults-only soaking pool. The five dining venues on-site range from casual to candlelit – all serving fresh, local, sustainable fare.

Fuel up with a warm, fresh meal before we head out to Half Dome Village, where we’ll grab some climbing shoes for a fantastic day of rock climbing and rappelling – no trip to Yosemite would be complete without it! Classes are designed for climbers of all levels, so everyone from beginners to experts will take away a new skill-set. You’ll spend the better part of the day learning everything there is to know about rock climbing – from tying knots to rappelling, and everything in between. After a pizza lunch at your climbing site, we’ll continue our uphill ascent through the early afternoon. After our climb we will head to Merced River to cool off with a quick dip followed by an early dinner and take in a sunset from Glacier Point before making our way back to Tenaya.

Today we head to Taft Point and Sentinel Dome, two of Yosemite’s south rim highlights, are what we’ll hike on this 5-mile scenic loop. Taft Point offers dramatic exposure and one of the best vistas over the western Yosemite Valley, while Sentinel Dome’s symmetrical granite summit provides the south rim’s best panorama. Along the way, we’ll emerge at viewpoints featuring unique perspectives of El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. Transfer back to Tenaya for a final dinner with the group.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge. This morning you can take advantage of some last-minute pool or spa time. Reluctantly we say goodbye to the park and start our way back to Fresno. Hotel and airport drop-offs in the early afternoon.

**Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather, and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures.