Activity note: Lodge check-in from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in Lyles Dining Hall to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. We'll enjoy our get-acquainted social hour that includes drinks and appetizers.

Dinner: At Lyles Dining Hall, we will enjoy a buffet of rotating entrees, sides, salads, vegetables, and desserts. Coffee, tea, water, juice, soft drinks included.

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. Field trips off site will be by shuttle. 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. Please note this is not an active outdoor program: however this and the field tip on Day 5 may include walks/hikes of varying lengths to enhance and illustrate the subjects being taught. If mobility is an issue, please contact the coordinator for further information. 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. Afterwards, we’ll have 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: Getting on/off shuttle. Approximately 1.5 hours of driving today on country roads. Hike lengths range from 6-7 miles.

Breakfast: At Lyles Dining Hall, we will enjoy a buffet of rotating breakfast items like eggs, hot/cold cereals, fruit, toast or muffins, yogurt, and granola. Coffee, tea, water, juice, soft drinks included.

Morning: After packing lunch, we will board the shuttle for Mariposa Grove, departing around 9:00 a.m., and begin our hike for the day.

Lunch: On the trail, we will enjoy a sack lunch we packed this morning, consisting of sandwiches, chips, fruit, and other snacks. Water included.

Afternoon: After completing our hike, we will return to ECCO for dinner.

Dinner: Dining hall buffet.

Evening: We will enjoy an evening presentation from a local expert, which 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: Hike lengths vary between 5-9 miles with an elevation gains of about 1,000 ft. Steep, decomposing granite at Sentinel Dome. The trek to the top is optional and a leader will stay with those who do not feel comfortable traveling to the top. If snowpack on Southern Rim affects scheduled hikes, alternate hikes within Yosemite will be offered. Getting on/off shuttle. Approximately 3 hours of driving today.

Breakfast: Dining hall buffet.

Morning: We will board the shuttle for the day's Yosemite trailheads.

Lunch: Yosemite sack lunch.

Afternoon: After our hike is complete, we will return to ECCO by motorcoach for dinner.

Dinner: Dining hall buffet.

Evening: We will enjoy our evening presentation from a local expert.

Activity note: Getting on/off shuttle. Approximately 3 hours of driving today. Range of activities dependent on free time choices.

Breakfast: Dining hall buffet.

Morning: We will board the shuttle for another day in Yosemite. Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Lunch: Yosemite sack lunch.

Afternoon: We will continue our 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! We will meet at a designated location and time for our return by shuttle to ECCO.

Dinner: Dining hall buffet.

Evening: We will enjoy our evening presentation from a local expert.

Activity note: Depending on choice, 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. Getting on/off shuttle. Approximately 3 hours of driving today.

Breakfast: Dining hall buffet.

Morning: We will board the shuttle early for our last day of hiking in Yosemite.

Lunch: Yosemite sack lunch.

Afternoon: We’ll board the shuttle for ECCO after a day of hiking.

Dinner: Dining hall buffet.

Evening: We will enjoy our evening presentation from a local expert.

Activity note: Lodge check-out 12:00 Noon. The walk from the trailhead back to ECCO involves a mixture of single track rolling hill trails and wide dirt forest service roads over 4 miles with little elevation change. Minimal driving today. You may be asked to check out of your rooms and return 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.

Breakfast: Dining hall buffet.

Morning: We will board the shuttle for our last hike. This area, south of Yosemite National Park, boasts its own beauty, which we 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. 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.

Lunch: Dining hall buffet. This concludes our program.

Afternoon: 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!