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At Flybook, adventure isn’t just what we support; it’s who we are. Nearly 70% of our team has worked as guides, outfitters, or managers in the outdoor industry, and all of us live and breathe the experiences we help outfitters create. From rivers to ridgelines, we’ve spent years leading trips, solving challenges, and finding joy in the wild places that inspire our work today. In this series, we’re sharing those adventures, along with the lessons, tips, and tricks we’ve picked up along the way. Think of it as trail-tested wisdom, straight from the Flybook crew to you.
In this post, we take to California's Eastern Sierras on a backpacking trip from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite National Park.
Table of Contents
Backpacking From Mammoth Lake to Yosemite
By Jessica Ary, Flybook Business Analyst
I've spent a decade exploring the Sierras, and this is my all-time favorite backpacking trip! You get a taste of everything the Sierra has to offer: snowcapped mountains, sparkling alpine lakes, and the wildness that can only be experienced in the Sierra! If you've never been to Yosemite, this is a fantastic way to experience areas that many tourists will never see, with an ending down the Mist Trail and into the Yosemite Valley.
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Trip Details and Recommendations
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Time of Year: Summer - Mid-June through September
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Commitment: 5 days is suggested for a moderate pace. Add more days for a slower pace to take it all in, or less if you want to make it spicy!
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Red Tape: A permit is required through the Inyo National Forest. Either the River Trail or High Trail trail heads are your options. Plan early! These are popular trailheads, so make your reservation 6 months in advance. Not a planner? Walk-In permits are released online 1 week in advance. Two (2) trailhead options mean 2x the chances of getting the permit!
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Tips: This is a point-to-point hike. Park at the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center, where you'll need to take a shuttle to the Agnew Meadows Trailhead (this is where both trailheads start).
Shuttle tickets can be purchased at the Adventure Center. Arrive early because these shuttles will be packed, and the wait gets longer as the day goes on. On the return, take the YARTS bus on the 395 Route. Buy your ticket in advance, they do sell out! The last stop will be back at the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center back to your car.
You can stay in Yosemite after your trip. First-come, first-served campsites are non-existent these days, so you'll need to make reservations in advance. The free shuttle will get you around the park to see all of the sights, or you can rent a bike to pedal around!
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The Itinerary
Day 1: Park at the Adventure Center and take the shuttle to Agnew Meadows. Start your hike at either the River Trail or the High Trail. Camp at Thousand Island Lake. (Approx. 8.5 miles, 2,750 ft gain)
Day 2: Hike from Thousand Island Lake over Island Pass and continue to Donahue Pass. Hike over Donahue and down, down, down to Lyell Canyon. Campsites are throughout Lyell Canyon, and they do fill up quickly, so you may have neighbors. Depending on the time of year, you'll be competing with PCT and JMT hikers for spots. First campsite after Donahue is approximately 9 miles, 2,122 ft gain, and 1,763 ft loss. Continuing down into Lyell Canyon to camp below Potter Point is an additional 4.5 miles and 1,620 ft loss.
Day 3: This was one of my favorite days of the trip! Continue through Lyell Canyon for about half a mile until you reach the Ireland Lake junction. Leave the PCT and continue toward Ireland Lake and Evelyn Lake. Shortly after, you'll come to the Vogelsang High Camp. This is a nice stop for lunch if they're open! Then you'll continue along Fletcher Creek. Camping is sparse along this route. We camped at Babock Lake, which was a total shot in the dark, and it turned out to be very nice! The trail in is a little hard to follow, but we had the lake all to ourselves on the 4th of July! If you don't camp here, your next option is at the Merced Lake High Camp. (Approx. 11 miles, 2,120 ft gain, 2,100 loss)
Day 4: Another favorite day of this trip! Starting at Babcock Lake. Continue down to Merced Lake and remember to take a dip! Stay left at the PCT junction and continue hiking along the Merced River. Hike through Little Yosemite and enjoy the scenery of the granite domes and waterfalls! Camp at Little Yosemite Valley Campground. You will see a Ranger here and must present your backcountry permit. (Approx. 12.5 miles, 1,507 gain, 4,277 descent)
Day 5: The easy day! Follow the JMT all the way down to the Happy Isles Trailhead! (Approx. 5.5 miles, 1,262 gain, 3,364 descent) Walk or take the shuttle over to Curry Village and grab yourself some pizza and a beer to celebrate!
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Summary: From the Industry, For the Industry
No matter where the trail leads, these adventures remind us why we do what we do: to make it easier for outfitters and adventurers alike to focus on the experiences that matter most. At Flybook, we’re proud to support the outdoor community because it’s where we come from, and it’s what continues to inspire us every day. We hope these stories spark your next adventure, and maybe even a few new ideas along the way.
Got a great story or trail-tested tip of your own? Share it with us, we’d love to hear how you’re getting out there and making the most of every adventure.
