Frequently Asked Questions

We're open Tuesday through Thursday from 10:30am to 6:00pm, Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and Saturday from 9:00am to 6:00pm. We're closed Sunday and Monday. Always check our Instagram or call ahead for holiday hours.

We're at 5081 CA-140, Suite A in Mariposa, right on the main route to Yosemite's Arch Rock Entrance. We're about 45 minutes from the park entrance—conveniently located for an easy stop on your way.

Yes! Easy parking in our building's lot or plenty of options along CA-140—even for RVs and trailers.

We're primarily an in-store experience, but we can ship items in special cases. Give us a call to discuss—we'll do our best to help if you can't make it to the store.

We stock trusted outdoor brands including Osprey, Black Diamond, Petzl, MSR, Nalgene, Jetboil, BearVault, and more. We focus on quality over quantity—if it's on our shelf, we stand behind it.

We carry hiking socks and La Sportiva approach shoes. We occasionally have boots and shoes available in our Switchback Gear Exchange. For a wider footwear selection, we recommend Fremont House here in Mariposa.

We don't currently offer gear rentals, but check our Switchback section for affordable used options that you can buy at a discount.

Not currently. We're a small operation focused on the in-person experience. Part of what we offer is personalized advice and the ability to see and touch gear before you buy. That's hard to replicate online.

Bring your gear to the store with a photo ID. We research a fair price and email you for approval within 7 days — you can approve, negotiate, or retrieve your item. When it sells, you get 70% (Premium condition) or 60% (Standard) as store credit. Credit is issued 8 days after sale. Prefer cash? Convert at $0.80 per dollar. Consignment minimum is 12 weeks, with full price for the first 4 weeks, then eligible for price reductions. No upfront fees.

We accept recent, functional, clean outdoor gear across several categories: hiking gear (packs, trekking poles with lever locks, headlamps), lightweight backpacking equipment (packable tents, sleeping bags, canister stoves), climbing accessories (shoes, chalk bags, packs—no safety gear), technical apparel and footwear from recognized brands, and some watersports gear (dry bags, PFDs, wetsuits). We don't accept ski/snowboard equipment (insurance exclusion), helmets, fishing or cycling gear, large items, or anything damaged, dirty, or off-brand. See our Switchback page for full details by category.

You can retrieve unsold items at any time. After 8 weeks, items may enter an Extended phase (stays on consignment longer) or Final Mile (up to 40% off with a 4-week pickup deadline). You can also mark items "Retrieve Unsold" at drop-off to make sure they come back to you. See our Switchback page for full terms.

We're about 45 minutes from Yosemite's Arch Rock Entrance (Highway 140 route). From our store to Yosemite Valley, it's roughly an hour depending on traffic and park conditions.

For day hikes, no. For overnight trips in Yosemite wilderness, yes—they're required by the park. We sell approved bear canisters. Day hikers should still store food properly and never leave it unattended.

No — bear spray is not allowed in Yosemite National Park. The black bears here are not aggressive like grizzlies and are best deterred by making noise, keeping your distance, and storing food properly. We don't carry bear spray, but we do stock bear canisters and can help you with proper food storage for your trip.

Check out our Prepare to Hike page for a complete checklist. The short version: plenty of water, sun protection, layers, snacks, a map, and a headlamp (just in case). We stock all of it.