Which Yosemite Backpacking Trip is Right For You?

Yosemite National Park is a popular destination for backpackers (for good reason!), and The Alpinistas Collective offers a wide range of backpacking trips for women of all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced backpacker, we have a trip for you. If you're a beginner who wants to learn how to backpack or a seasoned backpacker wanting to hone in your skills, the educational trips like Backpacking 101, Ultralight Backpacking, and Off-Trail Backpacking offer an immersive experience in the park. For those looking for a fun and adventurous backpacking trip, the recreational trips like Early Summer Splendor at Glacier Point, Yosemite Valley Views and High Points in Tuolumne Meadows, Ten Lakes Backpacking Retreat, or Half Dome Summit are great options. All of these trips are designed specifically for women, offering a supportive and empowering environment for female backpackers.

Yosemite National Park Women’s Educational Backpacking Trips

If you're new to backpacking or are an experienced backpacker who wants to take your skills to the next level, The Alpinistas Collective offers three educational trips:

Backpacking 101: Are you new to backpacking and looking for a supportive environment to learn how to hit the trail safely and confidently? Our Backpacking 101 course is designed for beginners who want to learn the basics of backpacking in a small group setting. You'll learn about gear, navigation, Leave No Trace principles, and more. We are offering three courses throughout the summer in various locations within Yosemite National Park, including May in Hetch Hetchy, June in Glacier Point, and August in Tuolumne Meadows.

Ultralight Backpacking: Our ultralight fundamentals course is for experienced backpackers who want to learn how to reduce the weight of their packs. You'll learn about gear selection, packing techniques, and other tips to help you go lighter on the trail. Our course involves online pre-trip work, and then a Shakedown backpacking trip in beautiful Tuolumne Meadows.

Off Trail Backpacking: This course is for experienced backpackers who want to learn how to navigate off-trail terrain. You'll learn about map and compass navigation, route finding, and other skills needed to hike off-trail. The trip takes place in the remote wilderness of Yosemite, where you'll have the opportunity to explore areas that are off the beaten path.

When choosing an educational trip, consider your skill level and interests. If you're new to backpacking, Backpacking 101 is a great place to start. If you're an experienced backpacker looking to improve your skills, Ultralight Backpacking or Off Trail Backpacking may be more suitable.

Yosemite National Park Women’s-Only Recreational Backpacking

The recreational backpacking trips offered by The Alpinistas Collective are designed for women who want to experience the beauty of Yosemite National Park without worrying about the logistics of planning a backpacking trip. All of the recreational trips include meals, so you don't need to worry about packing food or cooking on the trail. Additionally, The Alpinistas Collective takes care of obtaining all the necessary permits for the trip, so you can focus on enjoying the experience.

Early Summer Splendor: Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley: Hike through stunning alpine scenery and past iconic landmarks like Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. Experience the peace and tranquility of Yosemite's backcountry while enjoying delicious meals provided by The Alpinistas Collective.

Yosemite Valley Views and High Points: See Yosemite Valley from multiple high country summits, including the famous Cloud's Rest. This is a challenging backpacking trip but well worth the work for the amazing views.

Ten Lakes Backpacking Retreat: Relax in the remote and peaceful Ten Lakes area of Yosemite, with opportunities to swim in alpine lakes, explore the wilderness, and connect with nature. Though our hike in to our base camp is challenging, we'll travel at a leisurely pace and have two full days of relaxation once deep in the heart of the wilderness.

Backpacking Half Dome from Glacier Point: Experience the thrill of hiking to the summit of Half Dome, with stunning views of Yosemite Valley and the surrounding peaks along the way. This challenging hike is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for experienced backpackers.

When choosing a recreational backpacking trip, consider your fitness level and interests. If you're looking for a challenging hike with stunning views, our Yosemite Valley Views and High Points trip or Half Dome summit may be the trip for you. If you're looking for a relaxing trip in a peaceful setting, the Ten Lakes Backpacking Retreat in Tuolumne Meadows or Early Summer Splendor trip at Glacier Point may be right up your alley.

We offer a variety of backpacking trips to fit different skill levels and interests. When choosing a trip, consider your skill level, interests, and fitness level to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience. If you have any questions about which trip is right for you, please send us an email! We love chatting about backpacking!