Backpacking Eagle Peak in Yosemite is a classic 24-hour backpacking trip that passes the famous Upper Yosemite Falls. Wake up to views of Half Dome on this epic trip!
WHY Go BACKPACKING AT EAGLE PEAK
Living in the Bay Area, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Yosemite National Park a few times. The highlights of the park are typically views of Half Dome or hiking Half Dome. When I bring friends, that’s definitely on the top of their list. In my opinion, Eagle Peak in Yosemite offers some of the BEST views of Half Dome because you get the views without the crowd!
If you are a first-time visitor and you are looking for where to backpack in Yosemite, Eagle Peak needs to be at the top of your list. The photos below quite honestly don’t do this hike justice. There’s something magical about waking up in the morning and seeing beautiful Half Dome, without another person in sight. So without further ado, here is my guide to backpacking Eagle Peak!
Looking for more Yosemite ideas? You can also check out my Yosemite National Park Guide for First Time Visitors.
QUICK STATS ON Yosemite’s EAGLE PEAK
Distance (total): 14.5 miles, 6000 ft elevation gain
Time: In 100 degree heat, it took us 5.5 hours up. On the way down in the morning, 2.5 hours
Trail: Well trafficked and well-marked
Trailhead: Upper Yosemite Falls / Camp 4 in Yosemite Valley
Permits: Overnight permits required but this is one of the easiest permits to obtain!
Preparing for Backpacking Eagle Peak
Eagle Peak Permits
To prepare for this hike, you’ll need to acquire a backcountry permit here. Choose your hiking date and select Yosemite Valley and Yosemite Falls for your entry point. You can also look up how full each trailhead is here. Yosemite Falls is one of the easiest permits to get because most people who hike here stay in the hotels or do daytrips. I’ve been trying to get a permit for Cloud’s Rest for 5 years now and haven’t been able to – so for those frustrated by the Yosemite Bots, this is a good alternative!
What to Pack
Because this is only a 24 hour trip and the mileage is fairly short on the first day, we went with some of our heavier but more comfortable equipment. We also packed real food rather than freeze dried food. Here was our packing list:
- Osprey 45L Women’s Overnight Pack
- Leki Corklite Trekking Poles – your knees will thank you!
- Hoka One One Shoes: I stopped hiking in boots a couple years ago and now prefer something lighter. This brand is excellent because of it’s stability and mid-sole, but I recommend buying a few different models and sizes to find the best fit. I personally have the Evo Mafate 2.
- GSI Pinnacle 2 person stove set
- MSR MiniWorks EX Microfilter: My preferred way to fill up water! It does take some effort and time but I like it over pills
- Sea to Summit Sleeping Bag: I’ve had this for over 5 yeras and it’s still working great
- Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 person tent with mtnGLO: Still my go-to tent! It’s nice and roomy for 2 people and not too heavy so I’ll take it on shorter trips.
- Therma Rest Sleeping Pad: I prefer the cell foam sleeping pads when I head to shorter backpacking trips. The inflatable ones are easier to carry but I don’t sleep as well on them
HIKing Yosemite’s EAGLE PEAK
We started off at the Camp4 trailhead after driving a little more than 3.5 hours to Yosemite. We drove up in the morning since we didn’t have permits so we started pretty late in the day at 11AM. Typically I recommend starting Yosemite in the summer MUCH earlier (~7AM). The hike was pretty brutal because of the heat but the views are completely worth it!
The hike up to Upper Yosemite Falls will be tough – lots of switchbacks going back and forth and on tough footing. But you have beautiful views of Yosemite Valley the entire way through! It took us 2 hours to get here, and then we hung around and swam in the pools for another hour. The trick to getting to the pools is to make a left at the junction where it says to go to the outlook (which goes right). You’re effectively heading for Yosemite creek.
Yosemite Creek is also your last spot to fill up water before Eagle Peak so don’t forget to stop here!
After filling up water, the hike to Eagle Peak is pretty relaxed. It took us a little less than 2 hours to get there. The hike becomes more shaded and goes through some meadows before making a steeper ascent to the top.
At the top of Eagle Creek, there are only about 5 designated camping spots so you really don’t have a lot of choice! 3 of the campsites have great views of Half Dome and I’d definitely recommend snagging one of those.
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When did you do this hike?
The last weekend of July!