Tehipite Valley

(7 customer reviews)

$1,649.00

5 NIGHTS | 45 MILES | TEHIPITE DOME
MAY, JUNE, SEPT, OCT

Starts near Fresno/Clovis, CA

Immerse yourself in the wonder of Tehipite Valley, the most powerful, majestic and remote glacial valley of the Sierra.

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Overview

If Yosemite Valley is for tourists, Tehipite Valley is for true adventurers. Immerse yourself in a valley of mythical proportions on a 5-night, 6-day backpacking trek that will take you into the most majestic, powerful and remote valley in the Sierra. You’ve heard of Half Dome? Discover Tehipite Dome, the largest dome in the Sierra, with a sheer 3,500′ rise from the valley floor, and venture onto its ledges. Enjoy a layover day camped along the wildly exuberant Middle Fork of the Kings River with time to explore cascading waterfalls, swimming holes and native petroglyphs in the serene wonder of a valley filled with solitude. This 45-mile Y-shaped trek includes two base camps, roughly 4 miles of off trail trekking to Tehipite Dome (day hike, no pack), and a layover day to explore Tehipite Valley. Our route includes moderate hiking through the beautiful wilderness of Crown Valley and an epic descent of 3,500′ in just over 2 miles to our ultimate destination, Tehipite Valley, in Kings Canyon National Park.

What’s included

  • Guided 5 night, 40 mile trek to Tehipite Dome and Tehipite Valley
  • Roundtrip transportation between Shaver Lake, CA meeting point and trailhead
  • Optional transportation between Fresno/Clovis area or San Francisco Bay Area and meeting point
  • All meals and snacks while in the back-country
  • Backpack, tent, sleeping bag and pad if needed
  • Personalized pack-check prior to departure
  • Group gear and equipment
  • Post-hike shower
  • Flexible cancellation policy

What’s not included

  • Meals in the front-country
  • Lodging in the front-country, pre- or post-trek

How it works

A $475 deposit per person is required with balance due 60 days prior to the event. Typical group size of 7, including one guide. Maximum group size of 12, including two guides. An additional 5% charge will be applied when your reservation is made to offset new fees mandated by the U.S. Forest Service. Private, family and modified itinerary trips available through TSX Pods. Cancel up until the day of the trip without the risk of lost money. View cancellation policy.

Waterfall Photo credit: Leon Turnbull http://www.waterfallswest.com

Itinerary

We coordinate transportation to and from our Tehipite Valley trailhead from the San Francisco Bay Area (REI Dublin) and Central Valley (Fresno/Clovis area designated meet-up point). We’ll then converge at a designated cabin in Shaver Lake, California. This is a 3-4 hour drive from the Bay Area, 4-5 hour drive from Southern California, or 1 hour drive from the Fresno/Clovis area. If you have your own ride, that’s great! Additional details will be provided and arranged on a group by group basis.

Day 1 – Late morning arrival, pack-check, overnight on trail

Pooled transportation from the Bay Area will depart at 7am. Pooled transportation from the Fresno/Clovis area will depart at 9am. If driving in, plan on arriving at our Shaver Lake meet-up point between 10 and 11am There we will hold a pre-trek pack check, distribute group food and snacks and load up the van. From the meetup point, it is a 1.5-hour drive toward Wishon Reservoir and our trailhead. By 1pm we will have packs on and hit the trail.

The afternoon hike is a rolling 6-mile hike with moderate elevation gain/loss on good trail. We will wind through forests dotted with High Sierra meadows and small stream crossings. At the end of the day we will set up the first of two basecamps on a ridge with views of Tehipite and Kettle Domes.

Day 2 – Crown Valley camp to Tehipite Dome and back

Trail: 8 miles on trail with moderate incline and 4 mile off trail

After breakfast, our team will set out on an out-and-back day hike to the ledges of Tehipite Dome. The first 4 miles will be on primitive trail winding through woods, meadows and river crossings. We’ll leave the trail behind and begin off-trail on a 2 mile trek along steep slopes with short scrambles until our route gives way to stomach tingling views as we approach the ledges of Tehipite Dome. After enjoying the view and a well-deserved lunch we will hike back the way we came to basecamp and prepare for the next day.

Day 3 – Crown Valley camp to Tehipite Valley

Trail: 9 Miles over rough trail with 3,500′ descent into Tehipite Valley

We will pack up our basecamp and hike down into Tehipite Valley. The first 7 miles of the hike will be over moderate to rough trail until we come to “The Point of No Return” which marks the beginning of the descent into Tehipite Valley. With stunning views we will begin our 2.5 mile descent, dropping 3,500 ft. into the valley. At the bottom of the switchbacks it is a short mile hike along the Middle Fork of the Kings River and camp.

Day 4 – Tehipite Valley layover day

This is your day to choose your own adventure and explore the many wonders of the Tehipite Valley. Hike up the valley and find “Painted Rock” which is covered in petroglyphs. Take a side trip up to Silver Spray Falls or search for the infinite pools in the Gorge of Despair. If you like to fish, spend the day angling up and down the Middle Fork of the Kings River. Or rest and reflect by the river in serenity.

Day 5 – Tehipite Valley to Meadow Camp

Trail: 8 Miles with intense uphill over moderate trail

What goes down must come up. We will set out early to get a jump on our long climb back up the 70 switchbacks. After a well-earned break at the top we will have an easy hike back to Rocky Creek meadow where we will camp for the night.

Day 6 – Meadow Camp to Wishon Reservoir

Trail: Easy to Moderate 5-mile hike along a rolling and well-maintained trail

We will hike back the way we came along the same trail as Day 1. With an early start we will be back at the van by 11:00 AM and then back at our Shaver Lake cabin meet-up point by 1PM. Here you can unpack, shower, enjoy pizza and a beer… then home to brag!

Logistics

Transportation

If traveling by air, Fresno Yosemite International is the preferred airport. It’s a one hour drive from the airport to our meeting point in Shaver Lake, CA. If you’ll need a ride, please let us know! Be ready for pick-up by 11am. If traveling by car, meet us at our Shaver Lake cabin. It is a roughly 4 hour drive from the Bay Area, and 5 hour drive from Southern California to Shaver Lake. We will provide transportation from our Shaver Lake meet-up point to and from the trailhead.

Arrival time

When scheduling flights or planning your drive, ideally, please allow enough time to arrive at our Shaver Lake meet-up point between 1pm-2pm, or the Clovis/Fresno area by 11am if you need a ride up to Shaver. This will allow enough time for welcome activities, a pack-check, and a drive to our trailhead where we will begin our trek that evening before making camp.

Departure time

We plan on exiting the trail between 10am and 12pm on the last day of the trek. Please plan your return transportation accordingly. If flying out of Fresno on the same day, we suggest scheduling flights for departure no earlier than 3pm. Staying one additional night in the Clovis, Fresno or Shaver Lake area is also popular option.

Pre- and post-trek accommodations (Out of State Guests)

For guest traveling in from out of state, we suggest flying into Fresno, CA the evening before departure and staying at the Best Western Clovis Cole, in historic downtown Clovis or Hampton Inn and Suites Clovis. Both are about a 10 minute cab/Uber ride from the airport. We can pick you up at the hotel on the morning of departure. If you plan on staying somewhere else, please let us know where you end up, and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Don’t own a backpack, tent or sleeping bag? We provide all major gear for those who request it at no additional charge. We also take care of all group items like stoves, food, water filters, first aid and more. Your guides will do the cooking and dishes. Just show up with your personal items ready to hike!

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7 reviews for Tehipite Valley

  1. Niki Stokols (GI Jane) –

    This was my 4th trip with TSX Challenge, so you know they’re doing it right. Tehipite Valley Challenge was well worth the challenge with the views of the valley from the trail and ledges of the dome and the views of the dome from the valley. I enjoyed exploring the valley as we hiked to the petroglyphs and waterfalls.

    I just want to point out, I mistakenly thought the number of switchbacks down into the valley and back up was the challenge and the reason so few people backpack into the valley (I was picturing Grand Canyon switchbacks). The trail itself was the challenge, since so few people come here (just our group of 11 in mid-October) nature has taken over the trails with downed trees, branches, rocks, shrubbery, and occasionally gnats. On the switchbacks, there were a pair of downed trees together thst we had to sit and slide under going down, and crawl under going up. For the younger people (30s) the terrain may not have seemed full of obstacles, but in my mid 60s with a fear of jumping down from 2 feet or higher, I straddled a lot of trees. But the wonderful people that TSX attracts were always there with a helpful hand. Luckily, our guide, Dirk, brought clippers so we didn’t have to go around the shrubs on the narrow switchback path which made coming up easier.
    Our two guides, Dirk and Dave, were great. Their calm leadership takes away any anxiety you might feel about a trip with the word challenge in its name. The meals are always good with the fresh ingredients we all helped carry: burritos with fresh made guacamole and salsa, beef stroganoff, jambalaya, lasagna, and thai ramen (Dave’s specialty). All in all another great TSX trip I recommend to anyone who wants to explore a part of the Sierras few people know about with all the details taken care of so you just have to show up and enjoy the trek.

  2. Jill –

    This was my first TSX trip and I chose it because I really wanted to see this valley. I couldn’t have found better guides and fellow hikers with whom to share the experience. TSX runs a great trip and I would love to join another one. For now, I’ll treasure the memories of laughing around the campfire, sleeping with a view of the dome reflecting the light of the moon, swimming below the waterfall, and pushing up those switchbacks.

  3. Philip (Joe Cool) –

    If you want and easy hike to see the Sierra’s along with everyone else, then this hike isn’t for you. The challenge of the hike is worth the solitude and incredible views few people see.

    From the dome, imagine the beauty of Yosemite without roads, building or other evidence of people. Once on the valley floor you will not want to leave. But be warned the price of admission is “steep” down the switchbacks. But so worth it.

    I enjoyed every step of this hike and appreciate Dave and Dirk guidance.

  4. Peter Callan –

    October 2022 Tehipite Valley: When I signed up to hike this newer trail with TSX, I knew it was going to be good, but I didn’t realize it was going to be so amazing. It’s seldom that you get to hike to one of the most remote valleys in North America, swim beneath a waterfall which is only seen by a handful of people each year, see petroglyphs that have been hidden for ages and witness the night sky without a hint of light pollution. This is a tough hike for sure, but not near as hard as some of the comments one sees online. The campsites – views for ever!!! What made this trek extra special was the expert guidance, education and gourmet food prepared by the TSX team. If you’re looking for something different, off the grid for sure and trek of a lifetime – I highly recommend Tehiptite Valley and Dome with TSX. You will not be disappointed – 10 stars ********** (fyi – 65yr old)

  5. Thea –

    This was the most incredible trip. Magical and solemn, our small group didn’t see anyone else on the hike. We brought all the humans. It’s a hidden treasure filled with meadows, waterfalls, crystal clear streams.
    If you only go to the gym or hike leisurely , you are perfectly fit to do this hike.
    In our group we had people in their 20s and 50s and were all comfortable with the pacing of the trip. Our guides Dave and Nate were extremely knowledgeable, experienced and laid back.
    Can’t wait to do another hike with the TSX team!

  6. Kristi Olguin –

    This was one of my favorite TSX treks out of 3 I have done so far. The views in the back country were unparalleled, with granite domes, rivers, waterfalls and petroglyphs. We had 2 day hikes where we did not have to break down our camp or carry our big backpacks. I met a fantastic group of people and our guides (Chris and Dirk) were so helpful and supportive. Challenging at times, but so well worth it!

  7. Jose Untalan –

    A trail less traveled; expansive valley views from the ledge of the dome and then riverside camp at the base of the largest granite dome in the Sierra Nevada. This trek has it all, steep ascents and descents, on and off trail miles, water crossings, plus upright trees and sideway trees. Like all TSX treks the hiking days are challenging with rewards of earned views and a sense of accomplishment. There are always hearty and tasty meals to end or start the day. This trip is unique to the TSX mix with its two days of day hiking (no backpack/no tent setup), which allows you to choose your own experience in the valley. It’s a fun filled adventure that makes me hungry for the next one.

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