Yosemite + Mammoth Lakes California Trail Running Vacation

Fall 2024: Sep 12-15, 2024

Join us for our long weekend Runcation in California's Sierra Nevada for our Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes, and Eastern Sierra trail running vacation. This high altitude itinerary delivers some of the best running in California on this 4-day long weekend running retreat. Our runs will take place in California's Eastern Sierra, stretching from our base in Mammoth Lakes, to the gateway to Yosemite National Park bordering the high country of Yosemite’s Toulumne. Throughout the weekend our trail runs will take place in valleys with rising granite cliffs, bordering Yosemite's high country, high-desert landscape through sagebrush-lined trails at the foot of snow-capped peaks, more lakes than you can count, and the spectacular fall foliage in some of the best locations in the Sierra.

Our afternoons and evenings afford plenty of time for guided adventures to hot springs, swimming in alpine lakes and beaches, afternoon hikes, and special afternoon running workshops including how to prepare for trail runs, sports nutrition, and strength training tips for trail runners. We also have a special guest professional running photographer that will capture both individual photos of participants and the group so that you can take away special memories from this Runcation. We get off the beaten tourist path as much as possible on this adventure to provide a California wilderness trail running adventure during the day, with comfortable evenings at a mountain lodge during the evenings. Options for activities like yoga, beer/wine tasting, lounging in the fresh mountain air, and sports massage are available in Mammoth Lakes as well.

Trip Difficulty: Level 2 (click to learn more about trip difficulty levels).

This adventure running holiday is open to ages 15 and up of any pace of running. Multiple mileage options available each day, with the longest being 12 miles with 3,000 feet of elevation gain. This trip takes place at high altitude ranging from 4,000-10,000 feet above sea level. Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime!

Overview

• Run the top trails in California’s Sierra Nevada with expert running guides, from routes bordering the high country of Yosemite and lakeside routes in Mammoth Lakes

• Special professional guest running photographer to capture your time on the trails (photos included in cost of trip)

• Run through fall foliage in the Eastern Sierra

• Relax at a comfortable 3-star hotel in Mammoth Lakes, CA

• Enjoy side adventures to lesser known hot springs, lakes, and swimming options in the Eastern Sierra

• Transport between all adventures and runs

• Accommodates all levels of runners

• Special afternoon sessions from expert trail runners on how to prepare for trail runs as well as strength training and sports nutrition tips for trail running

Run your way through Yosemite National Park — ***Enjoy guided trail runs at the gateway to Yosemite National Park***

Trip Itinerary Fall 2024

Day 1

Welcome to Mammoth!

Day 1: Our trip will start the afternoon of Day 1 from our meeting point in Mammoth Lakes. We'll get settled at our mountain lodge retreat for the weekend before heading out for a lake shakeout around one of the most scenic lakes in town followed by a sunset at the hot springs over the mountains and sagebrush. After a welcome dinner + drinks we'll catch some sleep before tomorrow's adventure.

~2-4 miles, 200-400 feet elevation gain/loss

Guided trail run included

Private transfers between town and run/hot springs included

Professional trail running photographer photos included

All Permit/Entrance/Parking Fees included

Double accommodation in lodging at 3-star hotel in Mammoth Lakes included

DAY 2

Alpine Lakes and Fall Colors

Day 2: After breakfast, our day’s adventure will take us to explore some of the best trails in the Sierra surrounding Mammoth Lakes. We’ll get a chance to explore uncrowded high alpine lakes, the top of Mammoth mountain, and views of the spectacular peaks of the Eastern Sierra stretching around us. We’ll head up the famous steep and challenging Dragon’s Back for views all around us before enjoying smooth singletrack and loops around lakeside trails that make Mammoth Lakes famous for a gradual descent and rolling runnable trails for the remainder of the run. We’ll have a special professional running photographer capture scenes from the run and go for a swim in the lakes basin afterwards before heading back to town.

In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a special sunset bonus photo session with our guest running photographer at another stunning lake in the area. You’ll have the rest afternoon and evening free to explore or relax and enjoy another restaurant in town!

~12 miles, 3,000 feet elevation gain/loss

Guided trail run included

Private transfers between town and run included

Professional trail running photographer photos included

All Permit/Entrance/Parking Fees included

Double accommodation in lodging at 3-star hotel in Mammoth Lakes included

Bonus adventures in the afternoon include photo session and trail running workshops, or enjoy relaxing at our lodge.

DAY 3

Big Day in the Gateway to Yosemite!

Day 3: After breakfast, we'll get an early start on the road for our day traveling north to see the famous Mono Lake and the gateway to Yosemite National Park! We'll stop and explore some of the most beautiful lakes around before an amazing route that borders Tuolumne, the high country of Yosemite. There are plenty of opportunities for photos, lake picnics, and a swim at some of our favorite spots. We'll spend the full day soaking up the trails, history, and culture of the region before returning back to our base camp, stopping for a special meal at a scenic spot on the way back.

In the afternoon/evening we’ll have a special session for trail runners including how to prepare for trail runs, strength training, and sports nutrition for trail runners. You’ll have the rest afternoon and evening free to explore or relax and enjoy another restaurant in town!

~8 miles, 800 feet elevation gain/loss

Guided trail run included

Private transfers between locations in itinerary above included

Professional trail running photographer photos included

Special afternoon sessions on trail running included

All Permit/Entrance/Parking Fees included

Double accommodation in lodging at 3-star hotel in Mammoth Lakes included

DAY 4

Mammoth Classic

Day 4: After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we'll be transported to our final run of the trip in Mammoth. We might spot an Olympian or two on this classic route with buttery singletrack and panoramic views of the impressive surrounding mountains throughout. After an optional stop at another hot springs, we'll head back to say our goodbyes!

~5-9 miles, 500-1,400 feet elevation gain/loss (depending on mileage option selected)

Guided trail run included

Private transfers between locations in itinerary above included

Professional trail running photographer photos included

All Permit/Entrance/Parking Fees included

Elevation gain for longer option. For shorter 5 mile option, elevation gain/loss is 500 feet from the same start.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Runcation Travel operates under a permit from the Inyo National Forest.

What’s included

Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations

A 8:1 ratio of guide to participants

Transport each day between locations and trailheads as well as group activities to hot springs, beaches, and lakes

Knowledgable guide and running coach along the entire route

All Permit/Entrance/Parking Fees

Special professional guest running photographer to capture your time on the trails (photos included in cost of trip)

Special bonus adventures including hidden hot springs, wellness options, and special afternoon sessions from expert trail runners on how to prepare for trail runs as well as strength training and sports nutrition tips for trail running

Shared accommodation is included in 3-star hote in Mammoth Lakes (single supplement option available for those that would like a private room)

Not included

Airfare/Transport to Mammoth Lakes

Travel Insurance

Meals

Extra expenses due to a change in itinerary or in case of you having to shorten the day or trip as a whole (including personal return trips to the airport/next destination/etc.)

Before You Go

Getting There:

The trip starts and ends in Mammoth Lakes, CA. There is a small airport in Bishop, CA, just 30 minutes away and is now open again for commercial flights during periodic times of the year. If flights are not available during trip, Reno Nevada is the closest major airport to Bishop.

Mammoth can also be reached by flying into Reno, Nevada (3 hour drive), Los Angeles, CA (LAX) or Las Vegas, NEV (LAS) and renting a car for the drive or driving from your location. More information on how to arrive found here:

https://www.visitmammoth.com/driving/

Please contact us if you have trouble determining how to arrive.

Travel Insurance: Must have travel insurance prior to start of trip.

Who should attend?

You do not need to be an expert trail runner! However, please note, this is a LEVEL 2 trip. We accept all different paces of runners, but participants must be able to complete the full distance each day on the trip itinerary (4-13 miles) with significant amounts of elevation gain and loss (500-3,000 feet per day) in mountainous environments, on technical trails, and at times in unfavorable weather conditions in the mountains. It is expected that all participants will hike the long and strenuous uphill climbs and also run whenever the guide determines is feasible (including downhill and flat sections). We cannot accommodate walkers or hikers on this running trip. If you’re psyched about visiting the Eastern Sierra and can meet this trip requirements, you should attend!

Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime!

Weather

Although the weather in the locations we visit is often ideal during this time, weather in the mountains is variable and trail conditions are subject to change on an hourly basis! Route subjective to change based on the safety of conditions and climate of the trail.