National Parks of the Sierra Nevada: Yosemite, King's Canyon and Sequoia
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At a Glance
What You'll Learn
- Be part of history at Muir's Rock in King's Canyon, the place where John Muir frequently addressed the Sierra Club, and visit Roaring River Falls and Zumwalt Meadow.
- Experience Congress Loop in Sequoia to encounter the largest tree by mass in the world, and take in the vast landscape of the Great Western Divide and the San Joaquin Valley.
- Catch at breathtaking first glimpse of Half Dome in Yosemite, and stand before natural and man made marvels like El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Sentinel Bridge and Yosemite Falls.
General Notes
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Conference center check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00-5:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table 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. Welcome Reception: 5:30 p.m. We will gather for a get-acquainted social hour.
Dinner: In Lyles Dining Hall.
Evening: 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. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. 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 a Study Leader, who will provide educational content, and a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics. Periods in the 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/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Next, we will view a short video highlighting the beauty of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, our destinations for tomorrow. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a bus; driving about 70 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking about 3 miles throughout the day; mostly flat ground, 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 bus to Yosemite Valley and set out by 8:00 a.m. This will be a big day, with a first stop at Tunnelview (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.) one of the most photographed places on earth. We will then ride on to Bridalveil Fall and further into Yosemite Valley to Yosemite Lodge where our Study Leader will lead our exploration of the Yosemite Falls. We'll make our way to the Pioneer Cemetery and Indian Museum in Yosemite Village.
Lunch: Sack Lunch in Yosemite Valley.
Afternoon: Free time for independent exploration will begin before regrouping and heading back to campus in the late afternoon. (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.) An optional saunter in the valley with your instructor will be available for those who are up for a little more activity. We’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
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 prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a bus; driving about 70 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking about 4 miles throughout the day; mostly flat ground, paved and unpaved.
Breakfast: In the dining hall.
Morning: We will depart for Glacier Point in Yosemite (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.). Take a walk up to Sentinel Dome where you can view not only Yosemite Valley, but miles and miles of scenery all the way to Mt. Diablo in the coastal range. 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.
Lunch: At the Glacier Point.
Afternoon: We will make our way back to Wawona area (20 miles, 45 min.) to explore the Pioneer History Center, Wawona Hotel, and Thomas Hill Studio before departing back to ECCO in the afternoon (15 miles, 35 min.).
Dinner: At Lyles Dining Hall.
Evening: We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on a topic of interest. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a bus; driving about 170 miles throughout the day, approximately 3.5 hours total riding time. Walking up to 6 miles over the course of the day; mostly flat ground in Grant Grove & Kings Canyon, paved and unpaved.
Breakfast: In the dining hall.
Morning: We will check out and board a bus for the ride to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (105 mi., 2 hr. 15 min.). Our Study Leader will provide commentary along the way as we go from rolling foothills, traverse thriving crops and farms of the central valley, and up to Hume Lake. We’ll learn about the seven botanical zones of Kings Canyon and the histories of three parks.
Lunch: At Grant Grove.
Afternoon: We will begin our exploration of Kings Canyon (30 miles, 45 min.) with field trips to sites such as include Grizzly Falls, Roaring River Meadow, and Muir Rock. As we explore, we’ll learn about floral life zones of the Sierra Nevada. We will ride to Hume Lake (25 miles, 45 min.) for check-in after our field trip.
Dinner: At Hume Lake Conference Center.
Evening: We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on a topic of interest.
Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a bus; driving about 35 miles each way, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Walking up to 5 miles over the course of the day; mostly flat ground in Sequoia National Park, paved and unpaved.
Breakfast: At Hume Lake.
Morning: We will board the shuttle bus for a field trip to Congress Trail loop in Sequoia National Park that includes the General Sherman Tree (35 miles, 1 hr.). This is the largest living tree on earth according to the National Park Service.
Lunch: At the Giant Forest Museum, we’ll have our sack lunches.
Afternoon: Our field trip will continue to nearby locations featuring interpretive hikes of ancient groves, wildlife abundant meadows, and spectacular views of the Great Western Divide. Visit the Giant Forest Museum and stroll through Round Meadow before returning to Hume Lake (40 miles, 1 hr).
Dinner: At Hume Lake. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening: We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on a topic of interest. Prepare for check-out and departure after breakfast tomorrow.
Activity note: Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Check-out 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast: At Hume Lake.
Morning: We will board bus for return to the Fresno area for those catching a flight, train or bus to your next destination (62 miles, 1 hr. 30 min). We will return to ECCO following dropping off any fellow participants departing from the Fresno area (55 miles, 1 hr.).