The granite giants of Yosemite don’t whisper—they roar. And on the trail from Happy Isles to Tuolumne Village, a group of women answered that call with boots laced, packs secured, and spirits high.
This wasn’t just a backpacking trip. It was a testament to the strength, grit, and grace of women spending time together.
Yosemite is certainly one of the most beautiful places on earth, but what I got on that 4-day, 3-night backpack was more than just views.
Day 1: Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley – The Ascent Begins
The first steps out of the Happy Isles Trailhead were anything but easy. With each upward switchback through the Mist Trail, we were sprayed by Vernal Falls and humbled by Nevada Falls’ power. Our calves burned, but so did our determination.
Day one was 8 miles and 3,500 feet of elevation gain. But we weren’t just here to conquer Yosemite—we were here to rise with it. The trail climbed to the top of Nevada Falls, before entering the Yosemite Wilderness. This is where a permit (a very hard one to get) is required.
Surprisingly, there were compostable toilets until we got to this portion of the trail. We hiked past the Half Dome turnoff, and across the Little Yosemite Valley. Night one brought laughter and conversations, while we filtered water, stretched sore shoulders, and shared the joy of making it through day one.
Day 2: Little Yosemite Valley to Sunrise Lake – Where Fear Was Abound
The morning came early, and so did the climb. Clouds Rest loomed ahead—an intimidating ridgeline, narrow and exposed, carved straight into the sky. Anyone that knows me knows that I am not comfortable with heights. My friends found a Clouds Rest bypass trail to circumvent the summit, but the anxiety was ever present.
We climbed. And climbed. Day two had another 3,500 feet of elevation gain over 7.5 miles. With every step, the adrenaline helped me climb up.
Standing at 9,931 feet, Clouds Rest has a clear view of Half Dome and the valley. So we carried on. Luckily the trail bypass did not have sheer drop offs, so we accomplished our mission that day. Two of my friends summitted, while the rest of us stayed with the heavy packs.
From there, we descended into alpine calm, arriving at Sunrise Lakes by late afternoon. The water was glassy, and our bond from two challenging days was unshakable. There was no cell service—just connection of a different kind.
Two of my friends on Clouds Rest
Day 3: Sunrise Lake to Cathedral Lakes – The Land of Shallow Pools
We rose to sunlight filtering through lodgepole pines and walked in rhythm, past open meadows and granite domes. The views opened with every step toward Cathedral Pass, where peaks pierced the sky and wildflowers painted the ground. Day three brought another 1,000 feet of elevation gain, over 6 miles. It was easier than the first two days but still challenging as we had sore legs.
By evening, we reached Cathedral Lakes, one of Yosemite’s most serene backcountry treasures. We dipped our tired feet in the warm water, laughed and toasted to our trek that day, and watched alpenglow kiss the mountains. That night, we were graced with a full moon rising above the mountains surrounding the lake.
We weren’t just hiking. It was more than that. We were experiencing something truly magical.
Day 4: Cathedral Lakes to Tuolumne Village – The Journey Home
The morning light danced across the lake as we packed up for the final stretch. The trail into Tuolumne felt like a slow exhale—a walk through wide meadows and over cool streams. Mostly downhill.
When we arrived in Tuolumne Village, we were dusty, but we were a whole lot more: more confident, more connected, more courageous.
Final Reflections: A Trail (and Trial) of Strength
Yosemite tested us. And we rose. We carried more than gear—we carried stories and each other. We made room for silence, for effort, for awe. And in doing so, we discovered something: we found proof of our strength and power.
To every woman wondering if she can do something like this: Yes, you can. Yes, you can!
I am forever changed as a result of this experience. I have more confidence in myself and have learned to trust the journey.
And when women walk together through wild spaces—mountains move.
What trails have pushed you mentally and physically? I’d love to hear your experience below.
Additional Resources
Looking for more info on Yosemite or other backpacking routes? Check out one of our other blog posts:
