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CALIFORNIA HIKING TOURS

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California is home to alpine meadows, granite monoliths, glacier fed lakes and waterfalls – you’ll get to see them all on a guided hiking tour with MountainBased Adventures.

2022 TripAdvisor AwardOur California hiking tours will have you exploring the best of Yosemite National Park, Emerald Bay State Park and D.L. Bliss State Park in South Lake Tahoe. Walk amongst giant ancient Sequoias, wonder at the granite cliffs of El Capitan, and be astounded by waterfalls along the John Muir Trail. Visit Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America. This 2 million year old lake is known for its panoramic sunset views.

Our top-rated guides will ensure you have an incredible experience in California—leading you on the best trails, providing you with fresh, healthy meals, and sharing the complex history of early settlers, geology, flora and fauna. Choose a camping tour to rest your head under ponderosa pines by the Tuolumne River, or select lodging for our favorite curated accommodations close to the parks. Either of these hiking tours are great for solo travelers, couples and families alike. Contact us to learn more about our Yosemite + Lake Tahoe multi-day tour.


ALL CALIFORNIA HIKING TOURS

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Why book a guided hiking tour to California?

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Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe are two stunning natural destinations in California that offer a variety of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. A guided hiking tour to these locations can provide a hassle-free and enjoyable experience for visitors. With the help of a trained guide, you can avoid the challenges of navigating unfamiliar trails, finding parking, and staying informed about any trail closures or permit requirements. Instead, you can simply relax and take in the breathtaking beauty of these parks, while your guide handles the logistics. MountainBased offers guided tours to both Yosemite and Lake Tahoe from Reno, making it easy for you to fully experience and appreciate these gorgeous natural wonders.

Each tour is great for couples, families, and solo travelers alike

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Where We Visit in California

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Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is a popular destination for hikers, with trails ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry routes. The Mariposa Grove, located near the park’s southern entrance, is home to hundreds of giant sequoias, some of which are over 2,000 years old. The Mariposa Grove Trail is a 3-mile loop that takes hikers through the grove, passing some of the largest trees in the park.

Vernal and Nevada Falls are two of the park’s most popular waterfalls, and both can be reached by hiking the Mist Trail. The Vernal Fall Footbridge offers a close-up view of Vernal Fall, while the top of Nevada Fall can be reached by continuing on the Mist Trail. The hike to the top of Nevada Fall is strenuous and involves climbing more than 600 stairs, but the views of the waterfall and the surrounding landscape are worth the effort.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, straddling the border between California and Nevada in the United States. It is known for its crystal-clear waters and stunning scenery, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers.

Emerald Bay State Park, located on the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe, is a popular spot for hiking and offers several trails ranging in difficulty and length. One of the most popular trails is the Eagle Falls Trail, which leads to a series of cascading waterfalls and offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Another popular trail is the Rubicon Trail, which follows the shoreline and offers views of the lake and the bay.

D.L. Bliss State Park, located on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, also offers a variety of hiking trails, including the Balancing Rock Trail, which takes hikers to a large boulder that appears to be precariously balanced on a small rock, and the Rubicon Trail, which offers panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.


CASUAL LODGING

This tour is classified as a CASUAL LODGING experience which means it focuses more on proximity over luxurious amenities. Each selected property includes double queen rooms, wi-fi, TV and are both centrally located in town. Both rustic properties are known for their mountainous views, great staff, and close proximity to wildlife exploration. Want to learn more? Chat with an expert by calling 1-800-206-7909 or email us here.

ACTIVITY LEVEL 2

This is an Easy to Moderate tour for fit hikers, and will be do-able with some effort by less fit hikers. This tour has a heavy emphasis on wildlife viewing and sightseeing. The trails on this trip feature flat boardwalks and gently rolling terrain with some rocky areas. Perhaps some short, relatively steep climbs and descents, but nothing longer than 20 minutes. Average hiking distance per day is 3-5 miles per day. All activities are optional, and our guides will brief all guests on the activity level of each prior to hiking. You should be in good physical shape and able to hike on uneven terrain for this tour. Trip members should be capable of hiking and carrying a daypack that weighs 10-15 pounds. Want to learn more? Chat with an expert by calling 1-800-206-7909 or email us here.

 

HOW OUR 1-5 ACTIVITY LEVELS WORK

1 - Easy: These tours will be Easy for anyone who can walk for up to 90 minutes without stopping. Flat to gently rolling terrain with some rocky areas and maybe some steps but no sustained or steep ascents or descents. Max hiking distance per day is 2-3 miles.

2 – Easy to Moderate: These tours are Easy - Moderate for fit hikers, and will be do-able with some effort by less fit hikers. Flat to gently rolling terrain with some rocky areas. Perhaps some short, relatively steep climbs and descents, but nothing longer than 20 minutes. Max hiking distance per day is 3-5 miles.

3 - Moderate: These tours are Moderate for fit and active hikers, and will be a little challenging but do-able for less fit hikers. Rolling to hilly terrain with frequent climbs and descents often over rocky terrain. May have some short, relatively steep climbs and descents. Max hiking distance per day is 5-7 miles.

4 – Moderate to Strenuous: These tours are classified as Moderate to Strenuous for fit hikers who will find them a satisfying and challenging workout; they are not appropriate for unfit hikers. Rolling and often steep terrain with frequent challenging ascents and descents, often over rugged and uneven terrain. Max hiking distance per day is 10 miles.

5 – Strenuous: These tours are for strong hikers in excellent physical condition, this tour is classified as Strenuous, pushes themselves daily, distance and elevation are not an issue. First one to the top! Rolling and often steep terrain. Challenging sustained climbs and descents of up to 4,000 ft. Has no issue with changing altitudes during physical exertion. Max hiking distance per day is 10-15 miles.

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