Seasonal Summit Hikes in Yosemite National Park

Experience Yosemite's best summit hike based on season you are visiting with one of these seasonal summit hikes!

• Recommended for hiker's 12 and older!
• Private hikes available!

JANUARY & FEBRUARY | DEWEY POINT | 7.5 MILES | STRENUOUS

This Guide's Choice adventure boasts one of the most beautiful winter vistas in Yosemite.

This snowshoe comes with birds-eye​ views of Yosemite Valley and Yosemite Falls, as well as panoramic views of Yosemite high country after a 3.5 mile snowshoe adventure through Yosemite’s old growth forests.

Points of Interest

Half Dome, Tunnel view, Badger Pass, Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and Dewey Point.

MARCH & APRIL | CLARKS POINT VIA THE VERNAL FALLS LOOP | 7 MILES | STRENUOUS

Day hike on the Vernal Falls Loop on the eastern rim of Yosemite Valley a bonus tour of the most iconic sites in Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park.

This twist on the classic Mist Trail starts in Yosemite Valley and climbs 1500 feet high above the Valley floor, past the iconic Vernal Falls to Clark Point, before a slow and scenic decent along the first 1.5 miles of the famed John Muir Trail. Afterward, we'll enjoy a tour of the most iconic sites in Yosemite Valley!

Points of Interest

Half Dome, Tunnel view, Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Vernal Falls & Nevada Falls.

MAY | YOSEMITE POINT VIA YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL | 9.5 MILES | STRENUOUS

Hiking to the top of tallest waterfall in the United States during peak flow is one of the best experiences Yosemite has to offer!** This 7.5 - 9.5 mile day hike to the northern rim of Yosemite Valley was one of John Muirs favorite hikes and has unprecedented views of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley.

Points of Interest

Half Dome, Tunnel view, Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls.

JUNE | NORTH DOME | 9 MILES | MODERATE

This classic Yosemite Hike has old growth, vistas, an amazing view of Half Dome and a natural arch

This hike is one of our easiest summit and includes a beautiful hike through old growth forests before reaching unprecedented views of Half Dome from North Dome on Yosemite's Valley's northern rim! On our return, we'll stop at Yosemite's only natural arch for even more incredible views!

Points of Interest

Tioga Road, North Dome, Tenaya Canyon, Quarter Domes, North Dome, Half Dome, Yosemite Valley.

JULY | MONO PASS VISTA | 8 MILES | EASY - MODERATE

Day hike to Mono Pass from Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park's high country.

Enjoy summit views of the eastern and western Sierra as well as subalpine lakes and meadows without summiting anything! This trail only gains a modest 900 feet of elevation on its way to spectacular views of Mono Lake and the Owens River Valley from 10,599 feet! All of this, plus the wildflowers, swimming and relative solitude make this a Guide's Choice Hike!

Points of Interest

Tioga Road, Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, Dana Peak, Tioga Pass, Mono Lake and Owens River Valley.

AUGUST | DANA PEAK | 6 MILES | X STRENUOUS

Summit the 2nd highest peak in Yosemite National Park!

This short but challenging hike begins at 10,000 feet near Tioga Pass and travels through the wildflowers of Dana Meadows before ascending high above alpine to 13,601 feet giving you breathtaking views of Mono Lake and the Eastern Sierra!

Points of Interest

Tioga Road, Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, Dana Peak, Tioga Pass, Mono Lake and Owens River Valley

SEPTEMBER | MT HOFFMANN SUMMIT | 6 MILES | STRENUOUS

Looking down on both Clouds Rest and Half Dome from the 10,854-foot summit of Mt. Hoffmann is not even the best part of this incredibly scenic cross country day hike.

In addition to the 360-degree panoramic views of the high country from Yosemite's geographic center, you get high alpine lakes, marmots galore, wildflowers, and tons of history and geology, making this a definite Guide's Choice Hike!

Points of Interest

Tioga Road, Clouds Rest, Half Dome, High Country Vistas, and Tenaya Lake.

OCTOBER | HALF DOME SUMMIT | 17 MILES | EXTREMELY STRENUOUS

Summit the most iconic peak in North America without the lines!

This adventure requires an additional permit and trips dates are limited, but it's worth the extra work! This 17 mile round trip adventure has waterfalls, peaks, vistas, old growth forests, class 4 climbing and more! You'll never forget this adventure!

Points of Interest

Half Dome, Tunnel view, Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls.

NOVEMBER | SMITH PEAK | 14 MILES | STRENUOUS

The summit hike to Smith Peak in the Hetch Hetchy Region of Yosemite National Park comes with the rare promise of solitude!

This trail is rarely recommended by rangers both because of its distance and cross country feel of the hike making this a true adventure! From the summit you’ll epic views of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Wapama Falls, Pate Valley and Yosemite’s high Country!

Points of Interest

Hetch Hetchy, O’Shaunessy Dam, Wapama Falls, Hetchy Dome, Pate Valley, and the Clark Range.

DECEMBER | DEVILS DANCE FLOOR | 6.5 MILE | STRENUOUS |

A rare gem off of an unmarked trail!

We'll begin this 7 mile round trip hike at the historic town of Foresta nestled in below the Big Oak Flat Road just before reaching Yosemite Valley. This cross country hike takes us through many burn scars and along Wildcat Creek before the granite slab summit spanning several footballs fields. We’ll have exceptional views of the Merced River Canyon, Yosemite Valley and the Clark Range before having lunch and heading back!

Points of Interest

Foresta, Half Dome, El Capitan, Clarks Range

What's Included

• Local and experienced guide and Wilderness First Responder.
• Transportation from several locations along Highway 120
• National Park Entrance Fee, If applicable
• Echo Water Bottle
• Filtered Water
• First Aid & Emergency Equipment available throughout the adventure.

Duration

• 7-5pm unless noted
• 10 hours

Adventure Add-On Options

• **Hiker's Lunch** Custom Sandwich with 2 sides and drink made to order!
• **Echo Trail Pack A bespoke trail kit perfectly paired to keep you moving in the harshest Yosemite elements!**

Update on Non US Resident Fees:

Beginning in 2026 the US Government has created a nonresident fee of $100 per person or $250 per group that will be charged to non-U.S. residents entering Yosemite National Park aged 16 and older. This may be charged to international visitors on this trip, so please bring the following to help reduce additional fees at the gate:

• Proof of US residency of applicable
• Resident Interagency Pass
• Non-Resident Interagency Pass

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What's Included

• Local and experienced guide and Wilderness First Responder.
• Transportation from several locations along Highway 120
• National Park Entrance Fee, If applicable
• Echo Water Bottle
• Filtered Water
• First Aid & Emergency Equipment available throughout the adventure.

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What to Bring

• Proof of US Residency of Applicable
• Layered Clothing
• Trainers, Hiking Boots or Hiking Sandals
• Liter of Water per Person
• Brimmed Hat & Sunglasses
• Sun Block & Insect Repellent
• Camera & Binoculars
• Lunch

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Be Prepared

Vacationing in the mountains is amazing if you plan well! We provide almost everything you need during your trip, but there are a few things you will need to make sure you have during your visit:

Layered Clothing

Brimmed Hat & Sunglasses

Sun Block & Insect Repellent

Camera & Binoculars

Hiking boots or shoes

Also,​ be prepared for unexpected storms or adverse road conditions by checking the weather forecast.

CLICK HERE to see the Weather Forecast for Yosemite Valley

Again, thank you for choosing Echo Adventure Cooperative for your Yosemite hiking adventure! We are so excited for your visit and helping you make the most of your time in Yosemite, so please don't hesitate to call or email if you have questions about your visit!