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Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Lodge check-in from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
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 up-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. We’ll enjoy a get-acquainted social hour that includes drinks and appetizers.
Dinner: 6:30 p.m. in Lyles Dining Hall.
Evening: 7:30 p.m. 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. Our 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. This program has a Road Scholar activity rating of “Outdoor: Choose Your Pace.” Field trips off site will be via shuttle bus. Field trips to and from Yosemite are around 35 miles each way on country roads. Classes will be held in Lower Lyles West or the chapel, a short walk from Lyles. Field trips including Day 5 may include walks/hikes of varying lengths to enhance and illustrate the subjects being taught. If mobility is an issue, please contact ECCO for further information. Each full day after breakfast, we will pack our own lunches from a variety of choices. ECCO will provide reusable water bottles to use throughout the program. 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 have a review 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: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 15 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time; country roads. Moderate hike: 6 miles, elevation gain/loss 1000+ feet, hike begins at 5,500 feet. Challenging hike: 7 miles, elevation gain/loss 1,200 feet, hike begins at 5,500 feet.
Breakfast: In Lyles Dining Hall.
Morning: At 8:45 a.m., we will board the shuttle bus and ride to Mariposa Grove where we’ll begin our hike for the day. Choose from two hikes, moderate or challenging. Moderate hike: 6 miles, elevation gain/loss 1000+ feet, hike begins at 5,500 feet. Challenging hike: 7 miles, elevation gain/loss 1,200 feet, hike begins at 5,500 feet.
Lunch: On the trail, we’ll have the sack lunches we packed this morning.
Afternoon: After completing our hike in the late afternoon, we will return to the Mariposa Grove parking lot and reboard the shuttle bus for return to ECCO.
Dinner: In Lyles Dining Hall.
Evening: We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on a topic of interest. Possibilities could range from a live animal presentation, living history performance, musical or artistic guests, or lectures on human and cultural history of the area.
Activity note: Light exercise available prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Moderate Hike: 5.75 miles in length, total elevation gain of 1,000', net loss of 500', hike begins at 7,700'. Challenge Hike: 9 miles in length, elevation gain and loss of 1,000', with a net gain of 200', hike begins at 7,000'. Bus trip to Yosemite is 45 miles each way on country roads. Approximately 3 hours of bus time today.
Breakfast: In Lyles Dining Hall.
Morning: We will board the shuttle for the day's Yosemite trailheads. Choose from two hike options, moderate or challenging. Moderate Hike: 5.75 miles in length, total elevation gain of 1,000', net loss of 500', hike begins at 7,700'. Challenge Hike: 9 miles in length, elevation gain and loss of 1,000', with a net gain of 200', hike begins at 7,000'.
Lunch: In the field, we’ll have our sack lunches.
Afternoon: After completing our hikes in the afternoon, we will return to the shuttle bus at Glacier Point and reboard for return to ECCO.
Dinner: In Lyles Dining Hall.
Evening: We’ll gather for a presentation by a local expert.
Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 70 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Extent of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast: In Lyles Dining Hall.
Morning: We will board the shuttle for a full free day for independent exploration in Yosemite, to see and do what interests each of us most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Lunch: In Yosemite, we’ll have our sack lunches.
Afternoon: We will continue our free time in the Park. If you like, tag-a-long on a scheduled Park Ranger walk or talk (as available), or simply relax and enjoy the beauty of Yosemite. We will rendezvous at the shuttle stop at 3:15 p.m. and reboard the shuttle bus for our return to ECCO.
Dinner: In Lyles Dining Hall.
Evening: We’ll gather for a presentation by a local expert.
Activity note: Light exercise available prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 70 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Moderate Hike: 4.75 miles, elevation gain 200 feet; hike begins at 4,000 feet. Challenging Hike: 5.75 miles, elevation gain/loss 1,500 feet; hike begins at 4,000 feet.
Breakfast: In Lyles Dining Hall.
Morning: We will board the shuttle bus for our last day of hiking in Yosemite. Choose from two hikes, moderate or challenging. Moderate hike: 4.75 miles, elevation gain 200 feet; hike begins at 4,000 feet. Challenging hike: 5.75 miles in length, elevation gain/loss 1,500 feet; hike begins at 4,000 feet.
Lunch: In Yosemite, we’ll have our sack lunches.
Afternoon: After completing our hikes mid-afternoon, we will return to the shuttle stop and reboard the shuttle bus for return to ECCO.
Dinner: In Lyles Dining Hall. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening: We’ll gather for a presentation by a local expert. Prepare for check-out and departure after lunch tomorrow.
Activity note: Light exercise available prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, gardening, etc.). Getting on/off a shuttle bus; driving about 3+ miles, less than 1/4 hour riding time. Walking about 4 miles, approximately 1.5 hours; mixture of single track rolling hill trails, wide dirt forest service roads; elevation loss 900 feet. First half of hike is steep downhill. Lodge check-out 12:00 Noon.
Breakfast: In Lyles Dining Hall.
Morning: We will board the shuttle bus and ride to the beginning point of our last hike. This area, south of Yosemite National Park, boasts its own beauty, which we will experience as we 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. As we go, we’ll 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). We’ll discuss challenges that face both agencies today. Returning to the lodge, we’ll have some time to shower and pack before lunch.
Lunch: In Lyles 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 rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!