Ales and Trails Hiking Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Bass Lake

Welcome to California! Check-in to the hotel in Bass Lake after 4pm and settle in. At 6pm, head to the Southgate Brewery in Oakhurst to meet your guide and group for appetizers, a pint of the local brew, and a trip info session. Grab dinner on your own or with your group, then return to the hotel for the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bass Lake
Distance: None
Meals: Appetizers + Beer

Day 2 Hike into Ansel Adams Wilderness

Rise early and meet after breakfast at 7:30am. In your own transportation, drive to the pack station to drop off gear for the pack mules, then continue to the trailhead. All you need to bring for the hike is your daypack, water, and camera. Follow your guide into the Ansel Adams Wilderness, a stunning region replete with lush grass and wildflower fields, immense rocky peaks, and pines covering the landscape. You’ll reach a sparkling alpine lake to set up camp for the night. Relax while your guide prepares dinner and pours you a pint of the specially crafted beer for this trip. Cheers!
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 6 mi, 1,709 ft of ascent, 321 ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Beer

Day 3 Explore Upper Lakes Basin

Once you’ve finished breakfast, it’s time to venture off for a day hike. Your guide will lead you on- and off-trail towards the upper lakes basin for breathtaking vistas of peaks and lakes, galore. The trail’s distance and difficulty will depend on the group’s preferences, but no matter which route is chosen, finish back at the lakeside camp for another jovial evening of gathering for food and beer. If the skies are clear, partake in some stargazing.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 1–6 mi (distance and elevation varies depending on group)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Beer

Day 4 Optional Summit of 10,000 ft Peak

After breakfast, your guide will discuss the day’s trail options. If the group is keen, you can summit one of the nearby 3,048 m / 10,000 ft peaks on the border of Yosemite National Park. Expect a challenging climb leading to impressive panoramic views of massifs and valleys as far as you can see. Shorter day hikes are also an option, or you can hang out at camp, swim, fish, and take hundreds of photos. End the day with an exceptional dinner and a refreshing beer. It’s your last night here, so make the most of it.
Overnight Location: Camping
Distance: 1–6 mi (distance and elevation varies depending on group)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Beer

Day 5 Return to Bass Lake + Farewell

Get up early and catch the sunrise for your last morning in the wild. After breakfast, descend through the deep backcountry leading to the trailhead. The tour ends here, so bid farewell to your group and guide. Maybe you all want to meet at the brewery for one last pint together?
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 6 mi, 321 ft of ascent, 1,709 ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch