Grand Traverse

A 60-mile (6-7 day) route from Post Peak Pass to Tuolumne Meadows, across a significant chunk of Southern Yosemite’s finest landscape.

Enter the park from the Ansel Adams wilderness; then cross the headwaters of the Merced River system, taking in gorgeous meadows, harsh granite basins sprinkled with reflective lakes, peaks, towers and cliffs and waterfalls; then join the famous John Muir Trail to wind across to Tuolumne Meadows. Ascent of Half Dome included.

A demanding hike. Described by master walker Peter Potterfield as a “cheat sheet of Yosemite backcountry”

This is demanding walking reaching 12,000ft in remote mountains with uncertain weather. Beware thunderstorms, get off high ground if one approaches. Beware bears in backcountry. You will be truly alone, so need to be good at backcountry and fully prepared. Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides  pioneered this trail, and are worth considering to guide you.

See our Yosemite page for more general and practical information and photos.

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