California

Seasons of Magic in Yosemite: Splendor in the Sierra Nevada

Program No. 1197RJ
Gain a deeper understanding of Yosemite as you explore natural wonders, visit a historic hotel and learn the story of how art helped establish one of America's first national parks.

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At a Glance

Experience the ever-changing beauty of Yosemite National Park and the expansive Sierra Nevada on an extraordinary adventure. Feel the mist of Bridalveil Fall. Delight in your first glimpse of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley from historic Tunnel View. Walk among towering sequoia trees. Led by an exceptional storyteller, hear the history of this legendary landscape and delve into its geology, wildlife and vegetation during fascinating field trips into Yosemite National Park.
Activity Level
Varies by date
Optional hiking up to three miles on gently sloping terrain. Elevations up to 7,000 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Stand before El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite Falls.
  • Walk trails that wind among giant sequoias, the world’s largest trees and some of the oldest living things on Earth.
  • Visit the Ansel Adams Gallery and Native American Village.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, and a live performance or event.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Chris Cameron
Chris Cameron is a naturalist, consultant, and educator. A student of science with a degree in theology, he has been a pastor, a naturalist, and consultant to the California Department of Education. He loves teaching the UC/California Naturalist program and speaking for Road Scholar. He retired as the Executive Director of Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria in 2018, after 17 years rebuilding the facility and programs and bringing it back to capacity. A birder and a master falconer, Chris encourages hands-on experiences integrating multiple perspectives.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Debbie Sebastian
Debbie Sebastian View biography
Debbie Sebastian has lived in Oakhurst, the southern gateway to Yosemite National Park, for 38 years. After retiring as a high school math and journalism teacher, she has continued to pursue her passion for writing, photography, hiking, grandmothering and volunteering. Backpacking trips with family and friends have crossed the Sierras to Devil’s Postpile and back. Day hikes have allowed her to access numerous Yosemite National Park and nearby destinations.
Profile Image of Chris Cameron
Chris Cameron View biography
Chris Cameron is a naturalist, consultant, and educator. A student of science with a degree in theology, he has been a pastor, a naturalist, and consultant to the California Department of Education. He loves teaching the UC/California Naturalist program and speaking for Road Scholar. He retired as the Executive Director of Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria in 2018, after 17 years rebuilding the facility and programs and bringing it back to capacity. A birder and a master falconer, Chris encourages hands-on experiences integrating multiple perspectives.
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Year
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
Date
Sep 01 - Sep 06
  • May 05 - May 10
  • May 12 - May 17
  • May 19 - May 24
  • Jun 02 - Jun 07
  • Sep 01 - Sep 06
  • Sep 15 - Sep 20
  • Oct 06 - Oct 11
  • Nov 24 - Nov 29
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
Sep 01 - Sep 06
  • May 05 - May 10
  • May 12 - May 17
  • May 19 - May 24
  • Jun 02 - Jun 07
  • Sep 01 - Sep 06
  • Sep 15 - Sep 20
  • Oct 06 - Oct 11
  • Nov 24 - Nov 29
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
15 meals
5 B 5 L 5 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Oakhurst, CA
D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Lodge check-in from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in Lyles Dining Hall to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Please call if you expect to arrive after 6:30 p.m. Following registration, we’ll gather for a get-acquainted social hour with appetizers and beverages.

Dinner: At Lyles Dining Hall.

Evening: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, a farm-to-table meal, and evening entertainment. Our program is staffed with an expert who will serve as our Study Leader and instructor. Classes at ECCO (Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst) will be held in Lower Lyles West or the chapel, a short walk from Lyles. Transportation for off-site field trips will be by shuttle bus. Field trips to and from Yosemite are about 35 miles each way on country roads. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Next, we’ll watch a short, award-winning video from the National Park Service about Yosemite National Park. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
Yosemite Valley Field Trip
Oakhurst, CA
B,L,D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 45 miles each way, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking up to 3 miles over the course of the day; mostly flat ground in Yosemite Valley, paved and unpaved.

Breakfast: In the dining hall. Each full day after breakfast, we will pack our own lunches from a variety of choices. Bring your own personal, reusable water bottle.

Morning: We will board the shuttle for Yosemite Valley (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.) and set out by 8:00 a.m. Along the way, our instructor will give us natural history lessons enhanced by views of geology, flora, and fauna we learned about the day before. We will first stop at Tunnel View for a renowned first glimpse of Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan, and Cathedral Rocks. As we view the woodlands through the conifer forest, we’ll ride down into the glacially-carved valley of Yosemite to visit Sentinel Bridge and Yosemite Valley Lodge. Even those who have been to Yosemite before will see the park’s glory with new eyes, enlightened by the passion and knowledge of our instructors.

Lunch: In Yosemite Valley, we’ll have the sack lunches we packed this morning.

Afternoon: Next, we will walk with our instructor on a field trip to the Ahwahnee Hotel, where we’ll marvel at the architecture, the basketry displays, and the history inherent within its walls. We will then make our way to Yosemite Village to explore the area for the rest of the afternoon before returning to campus (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.).

Dinner: In the dining hall.

Evening: We will be joined by a local expert for a presentation on fascinating aspects of the area such as natural history, human and cultural history, musical or other artistic guests, and the like.

DAY
3
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Glacier Point
Oakhurst, CA
B,L,D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 15 miles each way, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 3 miles over the course of the day; undulating ground in Mariposa Grove, paved and unpaved.

Breakfast: In the dining hall.

Morning: We will board the shuttle for Yosemite National Park, departing at 8:00 a.m., for Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (12 miles, 25 min). Our instructor will guide us to the grove while examining the history of this historical grove and its majestic inhabitants.

Lunch: In the Grove, we’ll have sack lunches.

Afternoon: We will take another shuttle bus ride to Glacier Point (26 miles, 50 min.). Our field trip guide will share not just the geologic significance of the valley below as well as the political history of the very significant look out. We will ;oad the shuttle bus for return to ECCO in the afternoon (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.)

Dinner: In the dining hall.

Evening: We will gather for a presentation by a local expert.

DAY
4
Yosemite Valley Full Free Day
Oakhurst, CA
B,L,D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 45 miles each way, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking up to 3 miles over the course of the day; mostly flat ground in Yosemite Valley, paved and unpaved.

Breakfast: In the dining hall.

Morning: We will board the shuttle for Yosemite Valley (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.), departing by 8:00 a.m., for a full day of independent exploration in the park to see and do what interests each of us most. We will be dropped off at Shuttle Stop #7. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Lunch: In Yosemite Valley, we’ll have the sack lunches we packed this morning.

Afternoon: Free time for independent exploration will continue before regrouping and heading back to campus in the late afternoon (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.). We’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: In the dining hall.

Evening: We will gather for a presentation by a local expert.

DAY
5
Yosemite Valley Field Trip
Oakhurst, CA
B,L,D
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst

Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, gardening, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 45 miles each way, approximately 3 hours riding time. Walking up to 3 miles over the course of the day; mostly flat ground in Yosemite Valley, paved and unpaved.

Breakfast: In the dining hall.

Morning: We will board the shuttle for Yosemite Valley (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.), departing at 8:00 a.m. Our first stop will be exploring the Happy Isles Nature Center to study the truly adventurous animal pioneers of the Sierra Nevada.

Lunch: In Yosemite Valley, we’ll have the sack lunches we packed this morning.

Afternoon: After lunch, our instructor will lead us on a field trip to Mirror Lake, where we will take in the beauty of Mirror Lake positioned perfectly between Half Dome and North Dome in Tenaya Canyon. We will return in the afternoon to Shuttle Stop 7 to board the bus for return to ECCO (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.).

Dinner: In the dining hall. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: We will gather for a presentation by a local expert. Prepare for check-out and departure tomorrow.

DAY
6
National Park Issues, Program Concludes
Oakhurst, CA
B,L

Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Lodge check-out 9:00 a.m. Walking around campus.

Breakfast: In the dining hall.

Morning: In our last class, we will discuss present-day national park issues. Our national parks are ever-evolving entities, changing to meet human and ecological needs. With our instructor, we’ll focus on current issues and how the park service responds to them, as well as learning about plans for the future.

Lunch: In the dining hall. This concludes our program.

Afternoon: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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