Backpacking Yosemite, Olympic & Sequoia National Parks | Hidden Trails, Family Trips Tips
Backpacking season is here, and few people know Yosemite’s backcountry better than Kara Maceross of Lasting Adventures.
In this episode of Sierra Rec Now, we explore some of the best backpacking experiences in Yosemite National Park, Olympic National Park, and Sequoia National Park. Kara shares beginner backpacking advice, youth adventure opportunities, family-friendly guided trips, and some of her favorite hidden corners of Yosemite that most visitors never see.
We also discuss:
• Youth backpacking camps and outdoor leadership programs
• Family adventure trips in national parks
• Hidden Yosemite backpacking routes
• Cathedral Lakes, Glen Aulin, Snow Creek and the Yosemite high country
• Olympic National Park rainforest and glacier adventures
• Sequoia National Park’s spectacular Mineral King region
• How beginners can get started backpacking
• Essential gear advice and common mistakes new backpackers make
• Why national parks remain some of the best places to introduce kids to wilderness travel
Whether you’re planning your first overnight backpacking trip or searching for your next national park adventure, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Yosemite Waterfalls & Spring Conditions
03:00 30 Years of Lasting Adventures
05:00 Youth Backpacking Programs
08:00 Olympic National Park Adventures
10:00 Backpacking Gear for Different Environments
12:00 Common Challenges for New Backpackers
14:00 First Wilderness Experiences & Night Skies
16:00 New Trips & Family Adventures
18:00 Hidden Yosemite Backpacking Routes
20:00 Backpacking Through Yosemite’s High Country
23:00 Guided Trips & What Gear is Provided
28:00 Is Half Dome Worth It?
30:00 Favorite Places in Yosemite
32:00 Kara’s Favorite Sierra Backpacking Destination
34:00 Backpacking Food & Gear Tips
35:30 Final Thoughts
#YosemiteNationalPark #Backpacking #OlympicNationalPark #SequoiaNationalPark #HikingCalifornia #NationalParks #OutdoorAdventure #FamilyTravel #BackpackingTips #YosemiteBackpacking #SierraNevada #SierraRecNow
Lasting Adventures
,
Yosemite backpacking
family backpacking tips
Olympic National Park hiking
Sequoia National Park backpacking
#ExploreSierraNevada #SierraNevada #HikingCalifornia
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Welcome back to the Sierra Rec Now podcast! Join us as we dive into the exciting season of national park openings, discussing everything from backpacking to essential camping tips. We’re thrilled to share insights on exploring the incredible national parks usa and making the most of your travel adventures with the national park service. Tune in for all the details on your next great outdoor trip!
3 Comments
What part of Yosemite would you most like to backpack?
Kara shared some incredible destinations in this episode, including Cathedral Lakes, Glen Aulin, Snow Creek, and the remote northern backcountry near Matterhorn Canyon.
For me, there are still corners of Yosemite's high country that feel just as wild and inspiring today as they did on my first backpacking trip.
I'd love to hear from you:
If you had 3 days to backpack anywhere in Yosemite, where would you go?
You can also read our companion article and find additional Yosemite guides at SierraRecMagazine.com.
A lot of people don’t know they can access the southern Yosemite backcountry as well as the Ansel Adams Wilderness from Beasore road south of Yosemite. There are many awesome trailheads that extend all the way to Yosemite Valley and over to the Eastern Sierra as well.
This July/August I’ll be taking the Chiquito trailhead to Chain Lakes, Lower Merced Pass Lake, Ottoway Lakes and Red Peak Pass.
If you take the Norris, Fernandez, Cora Lakes or Isberg trailheads you can go into the Ansel Adams wilderness (which is absolutely incredible)
Another underrated spot to backpack in Yosemite is the Chilnualana Falls trailhead into Royal Arch and Buena Vista Lakes.
The Dinkey Lakes Wilderness in the Sierra National Forest is tranquil and beautiful.
15:52 Regarding staying up after the sun goes down when camping; "…my buddy does better than me…" …well it helps that your buddy typically gets to bed only a few hours before you typically wake up on a regular day…
21:53 Mama bear and cub…broken toe… To set the scene of how many things were going wrong, you forgot to tell how the water filters were only barely working (and I think the second wasn't working at all). Still can't believe how you powered through with the broken toe!…
33:25 "Ice cream I'm all for…" …but you go for Salted Carmel🧂…perhaps a good winter flavor❄…but for summer, we need refreshing flavors like mint🥬, or <something>berry🍓🫐…😆