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OAKHURST, CALIFORNIA

Photograph Yosemite: Capturing Waterfalls, Cliffs, and Domes

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 CA

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Road Scholar
Program #8713RJ

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5 Days | 4 Nights
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Active
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Love to learn in a small-group setting? This collection of programs has at most 10-24 participants.
See our Small Group programs.
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EasyFor people looking to exercise their minds more than their bodies. There’s minimal walking and not too many stairs.
ModerateThese programs get you on your feet and include activities such as walking up to a mile in a day through a city and standing in a museum for a few hours.
ActiveFor people who enjoy walking as much as two miles a day, perhaps to explore historic neighborhoods or a nature trail.
Moderately ChallengingFor hardy explorers who enjoy a good physical challenge, spending most of their days on the go.
ChallengingGet ready to keep up with our highest-energy group. These demanding — and rewarding — programs are for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Program Details > Daily Schedule

Elevation Note
ECCO's elevation is approx. 3,100 ft. On field trips bus may briefly stop at an elevation of 6,000.

Itinerary for Oct 13 — Oct 17, 2013

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Type: Conference Center

 Description: ECCO sits on 160 lovely acres forested with oaks, manzanita, incense cedar and ponderosa pine. Our dining room overlooks a pond populated by mallards, egrets, herons--and one mute swan. We are set back from the highway 1 mile , away from traffic and noise. It's a perfect place to reflect, relax and learn. We are at the gateway to Yosemite, only 12 miles from the southern entrance to the park and about 45 miles from Yosemite Valley itself. As you enjoy a walk on our grounds, you may find yourself accompanied by mule deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife.

Contact info:
43803 Highway 41
Oakhurst, CA 93644 USA
phone: 559-683-8162
web: www.conferencecenter.org

Room amenities: Climate-controlled, hair dryers.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before:
Because we are a conference center, we are not often able to accommodate either early arrivals or late departures.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day One: Sunday, October 13 - Arrivals and Orientation 
Dinner: Please plan to arrive at ECCO between 3 to 5 p.m.--but no earlier than 2 p.m., please--staff is not available to assist you until that time.) After check-in, take time to relax before our get-acquainted social hour with a brief orientation beginning at 5 p.m. Dinner follows at 6.

Evening: After dinner, your group leader completes your orientation to ECCO; then your instructor gives you an introduction to the class material.

Lodging: Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst

Meals Included: Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Conference Center

 Description: ECCO sits on 160 lovely acres forested with oaks, manzanita, incense cedar and ponderosa pine. Our dining room overlooks a pond populated by mallards, egrets, herons--and one mute swan. We are set back from the highway 1 mile , away from traffic and noise. It's a perfect place to reflect, relax and learn. We are at the gateway to Yosemite, only 12 miles from the southern entrance to the park and about 45 miles from Yosemite Valley itself. As you enjoy a walk on our grounds, you may find yourself accompanied by mule deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife.

Contact info:
43803 Highway 41
Oakhurst, CA 93644 USA
phone: 559-683-8162
web: www.conferencecenter.org

Room amenities: Climate-controlled, hair dryers.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before:
Because we are a conference center, we are not often able to accommodate either early arrivals or late departures.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Two: Monday, October 14 - Class to Assess Skills and Learn Basic Instruction Followed by Free... 
Class to Assess Skills and Learn Basic Instruction Followed by Free Time

Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast in Lyles Hall. Class follows at 9:00 a.m. with an introduction to photography, assessment of skill levels and basic instruction. Get acquainted with your instructor, a professional photographer who has specialized in the Sierra Nevadas for over 20 years. You'll enjoy her stories of Yosemite's early years, as well. Note that following the basic information, class will be held outside to the extent weather permits.

Lunch: 12 noon - Lunch in Lyles Hall followed by class, a photo discussion with instructor

Afternoon: Beginning at 2:30 p.m. enjoy free time - an opportunity for participants to explore our surrounding area or just relax.

Dinner: Dinner in Lyles Hall at 6:00 p.m. After dinner, meet with your group leader to discuss the procedure for the following days' field trips.

Lodging: Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Conference Center

 Description: ECCO sits on 160 lovely acres forested with oaks, manzanita, incense cedar and ponderosa pine. Our dining room overlooks a pond populated by mallards, egrets, herons--and one mute swan. We are set back from the highway 1 mile , away from traffic and noise. It's a perfect place to reflect, relax and learn. We are at the gateway to Yosemite, only 12 miles from the southern entrance to the park and about 45 miles from Yosemite Valley itself. As you enjoy a walk on our grounds, you may find yourself accompanied by mule deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife.

Contact info:
43803 Highway 41
Oakhurst, CA 93644 USA
phone: 559-683-8162
web: www.conferencecenter.org

Room amenities: Climate-controlled, hair dryers.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before:
Because we are a conference center, we are not often able to accommodate either early arrivals or late departures.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Three: Tuesday, October 15 - Itinerary Subject to Change - Photo Walk in Yosemite Valley 
Breakfast: Breakfast at 7:00 a.m. in Lyles Hall.

Morning: Please note that the schedule for this day is subject to change from what is described here in order to take advantage of the best photo opportunities in Yosemite Valley. Your group leader will give you detailed information upon your arrival.

Lunch: Sack lunch in Yosemite Valley. After lunch, participate in a photo walk in Yosemite Valley with instructor. Those who do not wish to walk are free to explore the Valley's wonders on their own. (Free shuttle buses are available on the valley floor.)

Afternoon: Photo walk in Yosemite Valley with instructor. Those who do not wish to participate in the photo walk are free to explore the Valley's wonders on their own. (Free shuttle buses are available on the valley floor.)We will stay thru sunset, so be prepared an extraordinary day of photography

Dinner: Because you are out on a long day, we either provide you with a box dinner or you will dine in Yosemite Valley.

Lodging: Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Conference Center

 Description: ECCO sits on 160 lovely acres forested with oaks, manzanita, incense cedar and ponderosa pine. Our dining room overlooks a pond populated by mallards, egrets, herons--and one mute swan. We are set back from the highway 1 mile , away from traffic and noise. It's a perfect place to reflect, relax and learn. We are at the gateway to Yosemite, only 12 miles from the southern entrance to the park and about 45 miles from Yosemite Valley itself. As you enjoy a walk on our grounds, you may find yourself accompanied by mule deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife.

Contact info:
43803 Highway 41
Oakhurst, CA 93644 USA
phone: 559-683-8162
web: www.conferencecenter.org

Room amenities: Climate-controlled, hair dryers.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before:
Because we are a conference center, we are not often able to accommodate either early arrivals or late departures.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Four: Wednesday, October 16 - Itinerary Subject to Change - Photo Walk in Yosemite Valley 
Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. breakfast in Lyles Hall. At 8:45 a.m., board bus for destination in Yosemite. Destination will be determined based on weather, road conditions and available photo opportunities. Bus will depart by 9:00 a.m., as soon as all participants are on board.

Lunch: Sack lunch in Yosemite National Park.

Afternoon: Photo walk. Take advantage of our professional photographer's expertise as well as her knowledge of Yosemite National Park to enhance your photo skills in the Queen of National Parks. Meet your bus at the assigned location at 3:00 p.m. for return to ECCO. (Arrival time is approximately 4:00 p.m.) Note that several locations in Oakhurst offer one-hour processing for digital, print and slide film. You may wish to take advantage of the opportunity to have your photo work developed for review by fellow students and the instructor. The processing fees are NOT included in your Road Scholar program.

Dinner: In our effort to provide you with your best photographic experience, we will provide dinner within the park(box or at the cafeteria) within the park.You will be out taking pictures around sunset.

Lodging: Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Five: Thursday, October 17 - Class to Share Your Photos with Instructor and Other Participants 
Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. breakfast in Lyles Hall. Please vacate your sleeping rooms by 9:00 a.m. so our housekeeping staff may prepare for our next group's arrival; however your program continues with class following breakfast. Please return keys and evaluations to your group leader.

Morning: At 9:00 a.m. class convenes. This is your opportunity to show your fellow students and your instructor the photos you've taken during your stay at ECCO and your field trips to Yosemite Valley. Your instructor will critique your photos at your request.

Lunch: Lunch and farewell.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch


Free Time Opportunities


Oakhurst
Bass LakeBass Lake is one of the most popular vacation spots in Central California. The lake was created back in 1899. It was enlarged 6 years later, and work on the present dam began in 1909. At 3,500 feet in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains, the 4-mile long lake is on the north fork of Willow Creek which is a tributary of the San Joaquin River. Its waters turn powerful, electricity-producing turbine engines for Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), the world's largest non-government utility. Because of its altitude, it's not unsual for Bass Lake to have snow on the ground for several weeks during the winter--not tons of snow...but enough snow to carry chains in your trunk...and, as locals put it, enough snow to be beautiful but not bothersome. Bass Lake is popular for all of the right reasons. It's close to California's Central Valley (1 hour from Fresno) via Highway 41 and only 20 minutes from Yosemite. Nature lovers appreciate the lake, and so do fishermen--it's stocked with trout, bass, salmon, catfish, crappie and bluegill. Water skiers appreciate the warm water--75 to 78 degrees in the summer. The lake has excellent marina facilities.
Fresno Flats Historical SiteFresno Flats Historic Park recaptures the flavor of 19th Century life in the Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains of Central California. Eastern Madera County is the southern end of the historic Mother Lode gold fields, but the people who settled here came not so much for gold but more to build their lives and raise their families, making their living as farmers, merchants and using the rich natural resources of the mountains. The museum complex is built around two restored and furnished homes dating to the 1870s. Both have been designated by the State of California as Points of Historical Interest for their unique construction styles once common throughout Northern California, but virtually unknown today. They were saved from demolition, moved to Fresno Flats Historical Park and restored by the volunteers of Sierra Historic Sites Association, as were a pair of early-day one-room schools, two 19th Century jails and several other farm buildings.
For additional information, visit: www.fresnoflatsmuseum.org/about.html
Sierra Mono MuseumSierra Mono Indian Museum Roads 225 & 228, North Fork 9:00 - 4:00 Tuesday-Saturday 559-877-2115 Admission: $3/Adults $2/Seniors $1/Students The North Fork Mono Tribe is the original inhabitant of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The tribe consists of two clans: the golden eagle and the coyote, both of which are represented at the entrance to the museum. The Mono way of life is featured in the museum through examples of fishing, hunting, acorn gathering, cooking, healing, basketmaking, games and ceremonies. Also featured is the Tettleton Wildlife Collection, one of the finest in California.
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine RailroadThe Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is a restoration of the old narrow gauge Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company Railroad. A section of the original railbed has been reconstructed using the same techniques used at the turn of the century. Two vintage Shay steam locomotives have been brought in from the Westside Lumber company and restored to provide authentic motive power for the trains. Shay number 15 was built in 1913 and weighs 60 tons. Number 10, built in 1928 weighs 83 tons and is the heavest operating narrow guage Shay locomotive today. Railcars once used to provide transportation for logging and track repair crews have been refurbished and are now operated for passenger excursion. Antique Model "A" Ford gas engines power the trolley-like "Jenny" cars over the route.
For additional information, visit: www.ymsprr.com/
Yosemite Sierra Visitors BureauCheck out the Yosemite-Sierra Visitors' Bureau for the wealth of activities available to visitors to our area, from photo, art and antique galleries to outdoor recreation activities to many sites of historical interest.
For additional information, visit: www.yosemitethisyear.com
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Important information about your itinerary:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date.
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Included
at no additional cost on this date ...
•4 nights of accommodations
•12 meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
•4 Expert-led lectures
•3 Field trips
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