June 5-11, 2010
Explore the “Crown Jewel” of our National Park System – Yosemite. Spend a week hiking and discovering the granite monoliths, towering trees and roaring waterfalls that make Yosemite a unique experience. Just outside Yosemite Valley, guests stay in a base camp from which they travel to explore the high country of Tuolumne Meadow, the Giant Sequoia in Mariposa Grove, and the many waterfalls that surround Yosemite Valley. Each day includes hikes and new experiences. Each night you’ll gather around the campfire to share your experience with your fellow adventurers.
Take your experience to the next level with an overnight backpacking trip. Up to 6 guests can hike the back country from the overlook at Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley. From this camp site, you have an opportunity to hike to the top of Half Dome before returning to the valley via Vernal Falls and the Mist Trail. The other guests will meet you along your return journey at Vernal Falls.
All guests will travel together from the San Francisco/Oakland area. Our Friday departure permits guests to stay and visit the San Francisco area for the remainder of the weekend. This trip is limited to 10 guests.
(As of March 7, 2010 - 2 spots gone! 8 spots left!)
Your Itinerary - - - - - - - - - - - -
Day 1 – Saturday – June 5th
Fly in to Oakland airport (OAK) where your group leader picks you up and drives you to Yosemite. We make stops along the way for last-minute supplies and dinner.
Day 2 – Sunday – June 6th
We travel to the high country, visiting Olmsted Point for a view back across the valley to Half Dome. We continue past Tenaya Lake into the Tuolumne Meadow. We have options for hikes near Lembert Dome, the Gaylor Lakes or along the trails to the high sierra camps.
Day 3 – Monday – June 7th
We catch our first glimpse of Yosemite Valley. We stop at the well-known overlook at Tunnel View as we drive to the home of the Giant Sequoias – Mariposa Grove. In the grove we take a guided tour deep into forest and hike our way back. Throughout the journey we stand among towering 300 foot giants and gentle mule deer. After our grove explorations we return to the valley for our first full experience of the 3000’ granite cliffs and 2000’ waterfalls. We visit Yosemite Village with its visitor center, Ansel Adams Gallery, historic Ahwahnee Lodge and more. We will re-supply our food here before returning to our campsite for dinner.
Day 4 – Tuesday – June 8th
Today we have the entire day in the valley with several opportunities for hiking and exploring. One popular hiking option is the 3.5 mile trail to the top of Yosemite Falls. This is a moderately strenuous hike, climbing some 2700’ to the rim of the valley. Another hiking option is Mirror Lake. This hike is less strenuous and takes visitors around a peaceful reflective pool often visited by wildlife. There are more opportunities for exploring the valley floor and the village.
Day 5 – Wednesday – June 9th
We are up to the high country again. This time we make our way to Glacier Point for fantastic views of the valley below and the symbol of Yosemite – Half Dome.
From this spot our backpackers will hike along the Panorama Trail to the back side of Half Dome. The trail passes over Illilouette Falls on the way to Little Yosemite Valley campground. The campground lies along the Merced River below the rounded portion of Half Dome.
The day hikers will bid farewell to the backpackers and then begin new explorations. Sentinel Dome, a short hike from Glacier Point, is an option. And there are other trails still unexplored in the valley.
Day 6 – Thursday – June 10th
The backpackers have the opportunity to summit Half Dome. These adventurers leave the campsite behind for a strenuous hike up many switchbacks above the tree line. Near the top, there is the last leg of the hike – the cables. Adventurers will hike/climb/pull there way up the cables to the top of the rock. On top they can have spectacular views of the valley below. The backpackers then return to the campground where they will break camp and then travel past Nevada Falls and Vernal Falls on their way back to the valley floor.
The day hikers will have time for some explorations near the base camp before heading into the valley. In the valley, the day hikers will take the shuttle bus to Happy Isles, from which they hike up the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls. At the falls, backpackers and day hikers will meet before returning to the valley.
Tonight is our last night in Yosemite. The group will dine at Yosemite Lodge to celebrate our time in Yosemite National Park.
Day 7 – Friday – June 11th
After breakfast, we will leave Yosemite and return to Oakland. Guests have the option of returning home then, or spending the rest of the weekend in the San Francisco area.
