Hiking Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite

Arrive at any time into Las Vegas. There are no planned activities, leaving the day open to explore the city's unique Fremont Street or the main Strip. The overland journey to the mountains begins early on Day 2, so any desired extended time in Vegas should be planned for before the trip begins.

The day is a long overland drive, trading the neon of Las Vegas for the high desert and, eventually, the granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada. The route pushes west across California toward Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. After the 677km journey, the evening is for setting up camp and adjusting to the quiet of the mountains.

A full day is dedicated to the giant trees of Sequoia National Park. The main objective is a 12km loop with 549m of elevation gain through the Giant Forest. The trail begins with a descent to the General Sherman Tree, the world's largest, before continuing on the Congress Trail among groves of its colossal relatives. A picnic lunch is taken here.

The afternoon offers an optional hike into Tokopah Canyon. This 6km out-and-back trail follows the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River to a 365m cascade. The falls are most impressive in early summer, fed by snowmelt from the high country.

Today’s hikes deliver panoramic views of the High Sierra. An early start leads to the Little Baldy trail, a 5.4km route with 243m of gain on switchbacks that climb out of the forest onto an exposed granite dome. From here, the views open up across the western flank of the Sierra Nevada range.

A short drive leads to the second objective: Buena Vista Peak. Though only a 3.2km round-trip hike with 125m of gain, it provides a 360-degree perspective over the high peaks and the San Joaquin Valley below. The day finishes with time to explore the trails of Grant Grove before returning to camp.

The route turns north, driving from Sequoia to Yosemite National Park. Arrival into Yosemite Valley provides the first direct views of its iconic geology: the sheer faces of El Capitan and Half Dome, and the plume of Bridalveil Fall. An initial orientation walk follows the easy Lower Yosemite Falls trail to get acquainted with the valley floor.

The afternoon is free for self-guided exploration. Options include walking sections of the Valley Loop Trail, which follows old wagon roads along the Merced River and beneath the granite cliffs, or finding a spot in a meadow to watch climbers on El Capitan. The day ends with a short drive to set up camp just outside the valley.

Today's objective is one of Yosemite's classic, strenuous hikes: the Mist Trail. This 11.2km loop gains 610m, requiring 5-6 hours of moving time. The trail starts along the Merced River before climbing a steep granite staircase directly into the spray of Vernal Fall. After a brief flat section, the path continues upward on more switchbacks to the top of Nevada Fall.

The summit offers wide views of the High Sierra landscape, including Liberty Cap and the back of Half Dome. The descent follows the John Muir Trail, which contours along the canyon wall, providing a different perspective on the falls and valley below. Expect to get wet on the ascent; the rock steps can be slick.

The final full day is a challenging high-country hike to get a different perspective on the park's granite architecture. The primary goal is the 14.2km round-trip trail to North Dome, a 4-6 hour effort. The route begins off the Tioga Road, meandering through forest and crossing small streams before emerging onto exposed granite slabs. The payoff is a direct, eye-level view of Half Dome's sheer northwest face and a sweeping overlook of the entire Yosemite Valley and Clouds Rest to the east. Trail choice is dependent on seasonal conditions, particularly snowpack on the Tioga Road. Alternate high-elevation trails may be used, but all require a comparable level of effort for similarly expansive views.

The trip concludes with a final overland journey, descending from the Sierra Nevada foothills and driving west toward the coast. The route covers approximately 315km to San Francisco. The tour ends upon arrival in the city; onward travel should be booked for 7pm or later.