This 3-day backpacking trip to the Eagle Tower loop in Yosemite National Park promises an unforgettable adventure. This route offers a unique experience "Off-Trail". Navigating by map/GPS, you will discover this hidden gem and secret vista that is inaccessible to most visitors in the park. This Off-Trail exploration will allow you to create your own adventure and make a deeper connection with Yosemite's wilderness.

OVERVIEW:
Distance: 19.64 miles/ 31.6 Km
Elevation Gain: 4833 Ft/ 1473 meters
Duration: 3 days (2 nights)
Difficulty: Challenging

HIGHLIGHTS:
Upper Yosemite Falls
Eagle Tower

GUIDE CONTENTS:

1- ROUTE ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arriving
Day 2: Eagle Tower
Day 3: Coming Back

2- CAMPSITES:
Specific campsites
Suggestions camping spots

3- PERMITS AND REGULATIONS:
Information on obtaining permits
Guidelines for wild camping
Bear safety regulations

4- LOGISTICS:
Transportation within the park
Recommended gear list

5- ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
GPX-tracks of the route
Custom Google Maps with all the important locations, such as my campsites, grocery stores, water sources, trails, public transport stops, viewpoints, and more
Alltrails activity link
Trail conditions 

Yosemite National Park, California, USA

Backpacking Eagle Tower (secret spot) in Yosemite (3 days)

This unique "Off-Trail" backpacking hike in Yosemite National Park offers an extraordinary adventure to one of Yosemite's hidden gems, Eagle Tower. Along the way, the trail also passes through Upper Yosemite Falls. Camping at this spot is a truly special experience, as it is inaccessible to most visitors in the park. As you ascend from Upper Yosemite Falls and venture "Off-Trail Hiking" towards Eagle Tower, you'll have the flexibility to hike at your own pace, allowing you to add or subtract days as needed. 

Custom Google Maps, Alltrails Activity and GPX File :

I will include GPX File, Custom Google map and my Alltrails activitiy of this backpacking trip . 

Things you will need, permits, fees, extras 

To be able to do this trip you will need a few things:

Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permits

-The Permit you will need for this trail is "Yosemite Falls" (ID# 721) 

-Sixty percent of wilderness permit reservations become available by lottery 24 weeks in advance. Some permits are hard to get so getting into the lottery is the best option. Any remaining reservations after each weeks lottery become available on a first come, first served basis the Friday after the lottery application period closes and are available up to three days in advance. The remaining 40% of reservations become available seven days in advance at 7AM. This is how I have got all of my permits but you have to be logged on and ready to reserve at 7AM sharp. It is rare to get a walk in permit but it's possible. Due to the popularity of this trail it is nearly impossible to get a walk in permit for this specific trail. 

-You have to pick up the permit in person at Yosemite Wilderness Station the day before or the day of your hike. Wilderness Station is open from 8AM-5PM.

-The processing fee is $10 per application. If you receive a wilderness permit, an additional fee of $5 per person applies.

- For this trip you will need 2 days worth of food. Including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dehydrated Mels are the best in this occasion and what I recommend the best. 

- Canisters are REQUIRED to backpack in Yosemite. You must have one or you can rent one while picking up the permit at the Yosemite Wilderness center. It is only 5$ for per week with a $95 deposit (cash or card) 

- Make sure all food, all trash, all toiletries, and all other scented items are inside the container. This includes but is not limited to all sealed or packaged food, sunscreen, soap, mosquito repellent, lip balm, deodorant, medications, and feminine products.

- Water filter is a must have while backpacking Yosemite or other parks. All water should be filtrated before consuming. 

- Make sure to leave every camp spot better than how you find it.

- You have to take all the trash with you, including toilet paper. 

- Ask for Fire restrictions in the Wilderness center prior to the hike. 

- There is a 35$ fee to to enter Yosemite National park 

- There is a general store (shown on the map) that has everything including "dehydrated meals"

- The best overnight parking for this trip is at Curry Village (shown in the map). This is the closest to the backpackers campground. No permits needed or parking fees.

- You can stay at the Backpackers campground a day before or after your trip. NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED. You pay with a QR code there and it is 8$ per person a night. If all the sites are full, you can ask gently to share a site with someone else. 

- The best times to visit this trail are April through October. This trip was specifically from October 6th-8th, 2023.

The gear I take on every backpacking trip varietes depending on a few factors like, weather, lengths, restrictions, etc 

My gear

GPX FILE

Silence Solo Backpacking Yosemite (Secret Spot)

This itinerary consists of three stages (3 days, 2 nights), including the first night spent at the backpackers' campground a day before starting the trail and one night of wild camping on the trail. You will ascend from Upper Yosemite Falls and make your way "Off-Trail" to Eagle Tower. You have the flexibility to hike at your own pace, adding or subtracting days as needed and choosing your camping spot. This hike is not particularly difficult, but some prior experience will definitely help due to "Off-Trail" navigation and elevation gain.

I arrived in Yosemite pretty late at night and parked my car at the Curry Village Parking Lot. I got my backpack ready and headed to the Backpackers Campground, which is a 0.9-mile/20-minute walk from the parking lot. Upon arrival at the campground, I registered and set up my campsite. I spent some time at the site, preparing and doing some research on the hike. After dinner, I went to sleep early to get an early start and be at the Wilderness Station as soon as they open (8AM) to pick up my permit.

Route: Backpackers Campground, Upper Yosemite Falls, Eagle Tower

I woke up around 6:30 AM, packed all my gear, and made some breakfast. After that, I made my way to the Wilderness Station where I waited about 10-15 minutes for them to open to get the permit (1.1 miles/1.9 km - around a 27-minute walk from the Backpackers Campground). I got my permit, refilled water, and headed to bus station #5 (5 minutes walk from the Wilderness Station). I waited for about 15 minutes, and the bus wasn't coming so I decided to start walking toward the start of the Upper Yosemite trail (this added 1 mile/ 1.6 km to the trail). You could take bus #5 and get off either at Lower Yosemite Falls (stop #6) or Yosemite Valley Lodge (stop #7), and it will save you from walking the extra mile. I started hiking up the trail and made it to Columbia Rock, where I took a break and enjoyed the view. After that, I kept hiking till I got to the water creek (shown on the map). I refilled water and took a little break. I kept going and made it all the way up to Upper Yosemite Falls where I went to check out the look. Then, I went to the Yosemite Creek where I found the perfect swimming hole. I swam, rested, and made a quick lunch. I got back on the trail and started hiking towards Eagle Peak Meadow. A little bit past the meadow (shown on the map) is where the "Off-Trail" part starts. This can be a little tricky, but it's not really hard if you follow my route on AllTrails. I recommend you use the trail of my way back to go up since on the way up I crossed the Meadow and got my shoes wet (this can be prevented by following the route of the way back). After hiking "Off-Trail" for around 1.5 miles/ 2.4 km, you will end up at the edge of the cliff where you can definitely guide yourself way easier to the spot. Once you get to the spot, you can see why this spot is a hidden gem. The stunning views will make this your favorite spot in Yosemite. There are a few flat and open campsites to choose. I set up camp and went to explore the area around to take some photos. There is a perfect photo spot a little bit past the campground of rock that sticks out. After that, I made dinner and enjoyed the spectacular sunset. I stayed up till dark to see the beautiful sky full of stars and then I went to sleep.

Route: Eagle Tower to Upper Yosemite Falls to Curry Village Parking Lot

I woke up before sunrise and made breakfast. I stayed inside my tent, drinking coffee and eating breakfast while enjoying the amazing sunrise. After that, I packed all my stuff and got my backpack ready. I got back on the trail and made it all the way back to Upper Yosemite Falls pretty quickly since I already knew the route. I went back to the swimming hole, made lunch, and rested for some time before starting to head back down. The way back down is much faster but it can also be really tiring. I hiked all the way down and decided I was going to walk all the way back to Curry Village Parking lot. This added an extra 2.6 miles/4.1 km. I love walking through the valley, which is why I did it, but you can take the bus at stop #5 or #6 and ride it to Curry Village Parking lot, which is stop #14.

In conclusion, embarking on the backpacking journey to Eagle Tower in Yosemite National Park promises an unforgettable adventure filled with breathtaking scenery and unique experiences. This "Off-Trail" hike offers the opportunity to explore the hidden gem, Eagle Tower. Remember to plan ahead, follow safety precautions, check the weather, and adhere to Leave No Trace principles to ensure a responsible and enjoyable trip. The Eagle Tower hike will leave a lasting impression and create amazing memories of Yosemite's Wilderness. 

I hope this guide assists you in planning your trip. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Backpacking Eagle Tower (secret spot) in Yosemite (3 days)

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