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OAKHURST, CALIFORNIA

Hiking Yosemite: Up Close and Personal

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 CA

Interest

 Walking/Hiking

Price Range

 $700 - $1000

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Road Scholar
Program #13977RJ

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5 Days | 4 Nights
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderately Challenging
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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 is situated at 3,100 feet. You will be hiking at elevations from 3,100 to 8,000 feet.

 Equipment Requirements
Participants should bring

1. Comfortable, well-broken-in hiking boots,

2. a hat,

3. insect repellent

4. a day pack in which to carry lunch and other items during field trips

5. sunglasses

6. A personal first aid kit

7. Water container, such as a Nalgene bottle or hydration pack. (You may feel very comfortable filling them with our well water.)

8. You may consider bringing emergency rain gear which can be carried in your daypack for sudden afternoon showers.

9. Trekking pole(s) are helpful if you have them.

Itinerary for Oct 13 — Oct 17, 2013

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Type: Conference Center

 Description: ECCO is a conference center situated on 162 acres in the Sierra Nevada foothills 12 miles south of the south entrance to Yosemite National Park. Our grounds are forested with oaks, incense cedar and manzanita, which provide a home to deer, raccoons, coyotes and squirrels. Our pond features a swan and other waterfowl as well as perch and bass. (Fishing is catch-and-release with barbless hooks.)

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

Room amenities: Rooms are individually climate-controlled with private baths. Each room has a hair dryer. Please bring your own shampoo and conditioner.

Facility amenities: In keeping with our tranquil retreat setting, you are not disturbed by the distraction of televisions or telephones in sleeping rooms. Satellite TV is available in the main lodge, as well as a recreation room with ping pong/game tables. Our Fourth Green recreation complex features basketball, volleyball, soccer/football fields and a horseshoe pitch. Wireless internet is available in Lyles Hall and on Lyles Hall deck. (Bring your own laptop.) Walking/hiking trails on-site and nearby, including a self-interpretive nature trail onsite at ECCO. The towns of Oakhurst, Bass Lake, North Fork and Mariposa feature a number of fine arts galleries and museums. Bass Lake offers swimming/boating opportunities 5 miles from ECCO.

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 rarely able to offer early arrives or late departures.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day One: Sunday, October 13 - Arrival between 3 to 5 p.m./Social Hour/Introductory Session 
Arrive To: Please plan to arrive between 3 to 5 p.m. (but not before 2:00 p.m.). Unless otherwise posted, registration will be at the east end of Lyles Hall. If you find that you will be arriving late, please give us a call at 559/683-8162 to let us know, so we don't worry about you. If you receive our voice mail, please be sure to leave a message, as we may be away from the office attending to arriving guests.

Afternoon: At 5:00 p.m. we will have a get-acquainted social hour with wine and/or sparkling cider and hors d'oeuvre in Lyles Hall dining room.

Dinner: Dinner in Lyles Hall dining room. Dinner features a delicious main entrée of beef, chicken, fish or pasta, along with potatoes or rice, vegetables, salad bar, rolls and dessert. Please note that only one entree selection is served per meal.

Evening: After dinner class convenes with an overview of the course, as well as a discussion of trails to be hiked, review of equipment requirements and safety considerations. Please note that daily hike destinations may be revised during the program due to weather or other circumstances as necessary.

Lodging: Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)

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

 Description: ECCO is a conference center situated on 162 acres in the Sierra Nevada foothills 12 miles south of the south entrance to Yosemite National Park. Our grounds are forested with oaks, incense cedar and manzanita, which provide a home to deer, raccoons, coyotes and squirrels. Our pond features a swan and other waterfowl as well as perch and bass. (Fishing is catch-and-release with barbless hooks.)

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

Room amenities: Rooms are individually climate-controlled with private baths. Each room has a hair dryer. Please bring your own shampoo and conditioner.

Facility amenities: In keeping with our tranquil retreat setting, you are not disturbed by the distraction of televisions or telephones in sleeping rooms. Satellite TV is available in the main lodge, as well as a recreation room with ping pong/game tables. Our Fourth Green recreation complex features basketball, volleyball, soccer/football fields and a horseshoe pitch. Wireless internet is available in Lyles Hall and on Lyles Hall deck. (Bring your own laptop.) Walking/hiking trails on-site and nearby, including a self-interpretive nature trail onsite at ECCO. The towns of Oakhurst, Bass Lake, North Fork and Mariposa feature a number of fine arts galleries and museums. Bass Lake offers swimming/boating opportunities 5 miles from ECCO.

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 rarely able to offer early arrives or late departures.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Two: Monday, October 14 - Hike destination to be announced 
Breakfast: Breakfast in Lyles Hall. Breakfast in Lyles Hall - An ECCO breakfast buffet may include French toast, waffles or pancakes accompanied by sausage or bacon. Standard items include eggs, hot/cold cereals, fruits, toast or muffins and yogurt.

Morning: Bus departs destination at the time announced in your final schedule.

Lunch: Enjoy a sack lunch on the trail as we travel to our destination.

Dinner: Dinner in Lyles Hall.

Evening: Evening activities to be announced. They often include living history presentations, live birds of prey demonstrations and videos.

Lodging: Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)

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

 Description: ECCO is a conference center situated on 162 acres in the Sierra Nevada foothills 12 miles south of the south entrance to Yosemite National Park. Our grounds are forested with oaks, incense cedar and manzanita, which provide a home to deer, raccoons, coyotes and squirrels. Our pond features a swan and other waterfowl as well as perch and bass. (Fishing is catch-and-release with barbless hooks.)

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

Room amenities: Rooms are individually climate-controlled with private baths. Each room has a hair dryer. Please bring your own shampoo and conditioner.

Facility amenities: In keeping with our tranquil retreat setting, you are not disturbed by the distraction of televisions or telephones in sleeping rooms. Satellite TV is available in the main lodge, as well as a recreation room with ping pong/game tables. Our Fourth Green recreation complex features basketball, volleyball, soccer/football fields and a horseshoe pitch. Wireless internet is available in Lyles Hall and on Lyles Hall deck. (Bring your own laptop.) Walking/hiking trails on-site and nearby, including a self-interpretive nature trail onsite at ECCO. The towns of Oakhurst, Bass Lake, North Fork and Mariposa feature a number of fine arts galleries and museums. Bass Lake offers swimming/boating opportunities 5 miles from ECCO.

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 rarely able to offer early arrives or late departures.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Three: Tuesday, October 15 - Hike destination to be announced 
Breakfast: Breakfast in Lyles Hall.

Morning: Board the bus for the day's destination, as announced by you group leader.

Lunch: Sack lunch on the trail.

Afternoon: Board the bus for return to ECCO at approximately 4:00 p.m.

Dinner: Dinner in Lyles Hall.

Evening: Evening activities to be announced.

Lodging: Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)

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

 Description: ECCO is a conference center situated on 162 acres in the Sierra Nevada foothills 12 miles south of the south entrance to Yosemite National Park. Our grounds are forested with oaks, incense cedar and manzanita, which provide a home to deer, raccoons, coyotes and squirrels. Our pond features a swan and other waterfowl as well as perch and bass. (Fishing is catch-and-release with barbless hooks.)

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

Room amenities: Rooms are individually climate-controlled with private baths. Each room has a hair dryer. Please bring your own shampoo and conditioner.

Facility amenities: In keeping with our tranquil retreat setting, you are not disturbed by the distraction of televisions or telephones in sleeping rooms. Satellite TV is available in the main lodge, as well as a recreation room with ping pong/game tables. Our Fourth Green recreation complex features basketball, volleyball, soccer/football fields and a horseshoe pitch. Wireless internet is available in Lyles Hall and on Lyles Hall deck. (Bring your own laptop.) Walking/hiking trails on-site and nearby, including a self-interpretive nature trail onsite at ECCO. The towns of Oakhurst, Bass Lake, North Fork and Mariposa feature a number of fine arts galleries and museums. Bass Lake offers swimming/boating opportunities 5 miles from ECCO.

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 rarely able to offer early arrives or late departures.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Four: Wednesday, October 16 - Hike destination to be announced 
Breakfast: Breakfast in Lyles Hall.

Morning: Both "teaching" and "challenge" hikes will be offered, with destinations to be announced. See Day 1 for further information.

Lunch: Lunch on the trail.

Afternoon: Meet bus at assigned time and location for return to ECCO.

Dinner: Dinner in Lyles Hall followed by presentation of graduation certificates.

Evening: Evening program to be announced.

Lodging: Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Five: Thursday, October 17 - Hike from Highway 41 on the Lewis Creek Trail, Return to ECCO for a... 
Hike from Highway 41 on the Lewis Creek Trail, Return to ECCO for a Farewell Lunch

Breakfast: Breakfast in Lyles Hall.

Morning: The area south of Yosemite National Park boasts its own beauty. Hike from the Highway 41 trailhead on Lewis Creek trail through national forest land back to ECCO. The most notable feature of the area is Corlieu Falls, the highest waterfall in Madera County. The trail also follows the historical route of the Madera-Sugar Pine Lumber flume. Learn about management differences and similarities between the National Park Service (administered by the Department of the Interior) and the U S Forest Service (operated by the Department of Agriculture). Discuss challenges that face both agencies today. Total hike length: approximately 4 miles. You may be asked to check out of your rooms, return your keys and evaluations prior to your hike; however where possible you are allowed to remain in your rooms until after lunch so that you can shower and change before your departure. Your group leader will give you complete information about your final day.

Lunch: Participants get together for a farewell lunch prior to embarking on the next leg of your journey.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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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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Our Value Promise To You

You won't find a better value.

Included
at no additional cost on this date ...
•4 nights of accommodations
•12 meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
•1 Expert-led lectures
•4 Field trips
•1 Performances
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Ratings

4.7
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Ratings are determined by participant evaluations.

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