Afternoon: Make your way to Lyles Dining Hall at 5:00 p.m. for a get-acquainted social hour that includes drinks and appetizers. We'll briefly get to know each other and have a short orientation to answer all of your questions.

Dinner: Dinner in Lyles Hall at 6:00 p.m. 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. Dinner is served until 6:20 p.m.

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.

Activity note: The offered hike is an acclimatizing hike that begins at 5,500 ft. Hike through a diverse grove of the world's largest trees, by mass. Bus trip to Yosemite is 30 miles each way on country roads, Nelder Grove is located 7 miles from ECCO and takes roughly 30 minutes of travel time. Approximately 1 hour of bus time today.

Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast in Lyles Hall. Breakfast in Lyles Hall - An ECCO breakfast buffet may include French toast, waffles or pancakes accompanied by potatoes, sausage or bacon. Standard items include eggs, hot/cold cereals, fruits, toast or muffins granola and yogurt.

Morning: 8:45 a.m. - Board bus for Nelder Grove, bus departs at 9:00 a.m. or when all participants are aboard.

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

Dinner: 6:00 p.m. - Dinner in Lyles Hall.

Evening: 7:00 p.m. - Evening Programs are optional, but usually highly valued as an entertaining and educational cap to the day. Presentations could range from a live animal presentation, living history performance, musical or artistic guests, or lectures on human and cultural history of the area. Our presenters are professionals who enjoy expanding guest's knowledge on Yosemite.

Activity note: Hike lengths vary between 5-9 miles with an elevation gains of about 1,000 ft. Reaching the top of Sentinel Dome involves walking up sometimes steep decomposing granite. The trek to the top is optional and a leader will stay with those who do not feel comfortable traveling to the top (*Note that snowpack on Southern Rim can affect scheduled hikes, alternate hikes within Yosemite will be offered). Bus trip to Yosemite is 30 miles each way on country roads. Approximately 3 hours of bus time today.

Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. - Breakfast in Lyles Hall.

Morning: 7:45 a.m. - Board the bus for the day's Yosemite trail heads, bus departs at 8:00 a.m. or when all participants are aboard.

Lunch: Sack lunch on the trail.

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

Dinner: 6:00 p.m. - Dinner in Lyles Hall.

Evening: 7:00 p.m. - Evening Programs are optional, but usually highly valued as an entertaining and educational cap to the day. Presentations could range from a live animal presentation, living history performance, musical or artistic guests, or lectures on human and cultural history of the area. Our presenters are professionals who enjoy expanding guest's knowledge on Yosemite.

Activity note: Bus trip to Yosemite is 30 miles each way on country roads. Approximately 3 hours of bus time today. The range of activity for today will vary depending on how you choose to spend your free time.

Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. - Breakfast in Lyles Hall.

Morning: 7:45 a.m. - Board bus for Yosemite Valley. Bus departs at 8:00 a.m. or as soon as everyone is aboard. This field trip is designed to give you the freedom to explore Yosemite National Park as you choose. We will drop all participants off near Yosemite Village where you can choose to explore the Ansel Adams Gallery, Indian Village, Visitors Center and so much more! Your Group Leader is more than happy to help you in planning out your free day!

Lunch: Enjoy a sack lunch in Yosemite Valley.

Afternoon: Continue your free time in the Park. Take advantage of the free shuttle system to get to and from desired destinations within Yosemite Valley, tag-a-long on a scheduled Park Ranger walk or talk (if available) or simply relax and enjoy the beauty of Yosemite! Meet bus at designated location and time for return to ECCO

Dinner: 6:00 p.m. - Dinner in Lyles Hall

Evening: 7:00 p.m. - Evening Programs are optional, but usually highly valued as an entertaining and educational cap to the day. Presentations could range from a live animal presentation, living history performance, musical or artistic guests, or lectures on human and cultural history of the area. Our presenters are professionals who enjoy expanding guest's knowledge on Yosemite.

Activity note: Depending on hike you choose, hike between 3.5 and 5.5 miles with an elevation gain between 200 and 2,000 feet. Hike destinations include either Mirror Lake or Vernal Falls. Both hikes boast views the famous Yosemite Valley formations such as El Cap, Half Dome, Yosemite and Bridalveil Fall, Merced River, and lush meadows. Bus trip to Yosemite is 30 miles each way on country roads. Approximately 3 hours of bus time today.

Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. - Breakfast in Lyles Hall.

Morning: 7:45 a.m. - Board the bus for the day's Yosemite trail heads, bus departs at 8:00 a.m. or when all participants are aboard.

Lunch: Lunch on the trail.

Afternoon: Board the bus for return to ECCO at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Dinner: 6:00 p.m. - Dinner in Lyles Hall

Evening: 7:00 p.m. - Evening Programs are optional, but usually highly valued as an entertaining and educational cap to the day. Presentations could range from a live animal presentation, living history performance, musical or artistic guests, or lectures on human and cultural history of the area. Our presenters are professionals who enjoy expanding guest's knowledge on Yosemite.

Activity note: The walk from the trail head back to ECCO involves a mixture of single track rolling hill trails and wide dirt forest service roads. The 4 mile trail experiences little elevation change. Lewis Creek trailhead is located just 5 miles from ECCO, approximately 20 minutes of bus time today.

Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast in Lyles Hall.

Morning: 8:45 a.m. - Board bus for hike. 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: 12:00 p.m. - Participants get together for a farewell lunch prior to embarking on the next leg of your journey.