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Hiking Yosemite: Up Close and Personal

Program Number: 13977RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/23/2013 - 6/27/2013; 10/6/2013 - 10/10/2013; 10/13/2013 - 10/17/2013; 10/27/2013 - 10/31/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Oakhurst, California
Price starting at: $836.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Walking/Hiking; National Parks Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 12; 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Vegetarian; Low Salt; None    

Those who really want to know Yosemite must explore its wonders on foot. Follow in the footsteps of pioneers like John Muir, the father of Yosemite National Park, and Galen Clark, its Guardian, not to mention the Native Americans who first inhabited this enchanting land. Explore Yosemite’s unique glacially-carved valleys, granite monoliths, waterfalls and lush meadows and hear on-site lectures. If you’ve long yearned for a chance to see the treasures of Yosemite National Park away from the madding tourist crowd, this is it!




Highlights

• With instructors who are expert Yosemite hikers, trek three major trails in the Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley areas of Yosemite National Park.
• Learn about the geology, flora, fauna and human history of this Queen of the National Parks.
• Explore the complexities of managing Yosemite National Park from the perspective of those who have worked in the park.



Activity Particulars

Hiking 5-10 miles a day, uneven terrain. Elevations of 8,000 feet.




Date Specific Information

6-23-2013, 10-13-2013, 10-27-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst.




Oakhurst

With Yosemite National Park and the expansive Sierra Nevada just out the backdoor, Oakhurst is an active community and gateway to the region’s many natural splendors, including fine hiking trails and native wildlife.
Accommodations
Conference center on 162 forested acres, hiking trails, buffet dining overlooking pond.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Becky Zentmyer
Becky Zentmyer is a native Californian with a passion for the Sierra Nevada. She holds both a bachelor's and master's in geology and loves to teach about Yosemite's fiery origins. Her work experience has been varied: she has taught community college, run a mass spectrometer, taught skiing, analyzed soils and more. Currently, she works as a field educator in Yosemite teaching school-aged children about geology, ecology, park history and environmental stewardship. Becky has traveled the world, but always manages to return to the magical Sierra Nevadas.
 
Mark Spencer
Mark and his wife Shirley have lived in the foothills of southern Yosemite for over 30 years. He is active in many outdoor sports including hiking, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, scuba diving and mountaineering. Mark currently works as an engineer for Mariposa County Fire Department and is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Together with his wife, he has co-authored and published two books as well as several magazine articles focusing on recreation and natural history within the Sierra Nevada.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)
  Oakhurst, CA 4 nights
 Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)
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 allowed: No
  Additional nights prior:  Because we are a conference center, we are rarely able to offer early arrives or late departures.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after:  Because we are a conference center, we are rarely able to offer early arrives or late departures.
  Check out time: 9:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check in 3PM (but not earlier than 2 PM nor later than 6:00 PM, please!) Staff is not available to assist you before or after those times. Program Orientation Begins at 5PM You will be staying at Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO) that night.
  End of Program:
Hotel late check-out at noon - Lunch is at 11:30AM - Program ending at noon- after lunch. You will be staying at Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO) the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. You will receive program materials approx 6 weeks or more before program. Please complete and return the enclosed Health, Supplemental Info & Liability Release forms to us NO LATER THAN 3 weeks prior to program. These are very important in our planning and preparations for the program.
  Parking availability:
Parking is available directly in front of lodge rooms.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Oakhurst, CA
  Nearest city or town:  Our nearest large town is Fresno, CA
  Nearest highway: Highway 41 (Although our driveway begins on Hwy 41, the conf. ctr. is set back a mile from the highway.
  Nearest airport:  Fresno/Yosemite International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Oakhurst, CA
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Fresno, CA

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
ECCO
phone: 559-683-8162
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$75.00 per person - subject to change until reservation confirmed with ECCO
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hour 
   

ECCO shuttle is only available on program opening/closing days. Shuttle is limited to a maximum of 4 passengers. Reservations must be made and payment received by ECCO in advance of arrival. Other local businesses may provide on-demand shuttle service. Please call Kristen at 559/683-8162 for further information.
 
Driving Directions
  Eastern Sierra via Tioga Road (Note: Tioga Road is closed from the first snowfall in November through May or June--if you travel close to those dates, call 209/372-0200 for up-to-the-minute road conditions.) From Hwy 395 take Hwy 120 westbound. You will travel through some of the most beautiful parts of Yosemite, dropping down into Yosemite Valley. Watch the signs for Hwy 41 southbound. Take Hwy 41 southbound toward Oakhurst. (It will be 1 to 1-1/2 hours’ driving time from Yosemite Valley.) After exiting the park’s south gate, travel approximately 12 miles. ECCO will be on the left, after the turn to Cedar Valley Road. Watch carefully because the signs are a little hard to see from this direction. Keep an eye out for the Christ Church sign, since we share a parking lot with them. Once you’ve turned into the Christ Church parking lot, follow the signs one mile back to ECCO.
  Northern California (Sacramento, Etc) Take Hwy 99 south to Merced. Exit on Hwy 140 eastbound, toward Mariposa/Yosemite. Stay on Hwy 140 until you come to the intersection of Hwy 49 (approximately 50 miles). Turn right on Hwy 49. Turn left on Hwy 41 in Oakhurst. Continue north, toward Yosemite, approximately 4 miles. ECCO will be on the right-hand side of the road and is the first driveway after the big Sierra Sky Ranch neon sign. (We share the driveway with Christ Church.) Follow the signs one mile back to the conference center.
  San Francisco International Airport Take Hwy 101 south toward San Jose. Exit on Hwy 152 westbound toward Gilroy. Stay on Hwy 152 until it merges with Hwy 99 southbound. In Madera, exit on Hwy 145 toward Yosemite. At the end of the offramp, turn left. Go over the freeway. Turn at the second right (Cleveland Avenue). Watch carefully here; this can be confusing. )If you pass a Jack in the Box, you’ve taken the first right!) Stay on Cleveland Avenue until you get to Hwy 145. Turn left. Go about 20 miles to Hwy 41. Turn left. Although you will stay on Hwy 41, your first landmark will be the traffic signal at Hwy 41 and Hwy 49. Continue north, toward Yosemite, approximately 4 miles. ECCO will be on the right-hand side of the road and is the first driveway after the big Sierra Sky Ranch neon sign. (We share the driveway with Christ Church.) Follow the signs one mile back to the conference center.
  Southern California (Including Fresno) Take I5 north to Hwy 99. Take Hwy 99 north to Fresno. In Fresno take Hwy 41 north toward Yosemite. You will go up into the Sierra foothills and then drop down into the valley where Oakhurst is located. Although you will stay on Hwy 41, your first landmark will be the traffic signal at Hwy 41 and Hwy 49. Continue north, toward Yosemite, approximately 4 miles. ECCO will be on the right-hand side of the road and is the first driveway after the big Sierra Sky Ranch neon sign. (We share the driveway with Christ Church.) Follow the signs one mile back to the conference center.
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.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival between 3 to 5 p.m./Social Hour/Introductory Session
(Sunday, October 27)
   
 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.
   
Accommodations: Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Hike destination to be announced
(Monday, October 28)
   
 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.
   
Accommodations: Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Hike destination to be announced
(Tuesday, October 29)
   
 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.
   
Accommodations: Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Hike destination to be announced
(Wednesday, October 30)
   
 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.
   
Accommodations: Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Hike from Highway 41 on the Lewis Creek Trail, Return to ECCO for a Farewell Lunch
(Thursday, October 31)
   
 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
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. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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