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Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Lodge check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Upon arrival at the Murie Ranch of Teton Science Schools, please come to the main office to register with the program staff, get your cabin assignment, and receive your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in. Snacks, coffee, tea will be available in the main office.
Dinner: At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin, enjoy a buffet and family style meal featuring a variety of healthy and balanced options, plus coffee, tea (hot/iced), lemonade, water.
Evening: Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. All transportation is via Teton Science Schools' vans. All activities will be led by a combination of Teton Science Schools staff, Murie Ranch Staff, local experts, and experienced docents. All hikes will be on official trails in Grand Teton National park or the surrounding national forest land over uneven terrain with an elevation change of 500 to 1500 feet. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please be aware that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Activity note: Hike up to 6 miles over uneven terrain with elevation gains up to 1200 ft. Drive time 30 minutes.
Breakfast: At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin, enjoy a hot breakfast buffet with granola, oatmeal, fresh fruit, and more, plus water, coffee, juice, and tea.
Morning: This morning we will embark on our first hike, at the base of the Teton Mountains. We will travel through a series of habitats, exploring the wildlife and geology present while enjoying magnificent views of this iconic mountain range.
Lunch: Enjoy a packed field lunch in a scenic location during our hike. Remember to bring plenty of water!
Afternoon: After we finish our hike, we'll ride to the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Grand Teton National Park, where displays provide a self-led introduction to the cultural and natural history of the park. Choose to walk 1/2 mile or ride in a van back to The Murie Ranch from the visitor center.
Dinner: At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin.
Evening: Murie Ranch staff will share the story of Wilderness and the Murie Legacy. Olaus and Mardy Murie left a legacy of conservation and preserving wilderness. Their work was integral to the passing of the Wilderness Act in 1964 and the creation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 1960. Mardy continued pioneering conservation work until her passing in 2003 at the age of 101.
Activity note: Hike up to 6 miles with an elevation gain of 450 ft. Drive time 30 minutes.
Breakfast: At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin.
Morning: Today, we will explore the trails at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. Opened to the public in 2008, the preserve is the most recent addition to Grand Teton National Park. It sits at the base of Phelps Lake at the southern end of the Teton Range. Laurance S. Rockefeller donated this parcel to the National Park with the requirement that it be preserved as a contemplative place where visitors can develop a connection with the beauty of the lake and the Tetons. During the hike, we will arrive at the stunning, glacially-carved Phelps Lake at the base of Death Canyon.
Lunch: Packed field lunch.
Afternoon: Following a morning hike, we will return to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Visitor Center. This center is the first environmentally sustainable and LEED Platinum Certified structure in a National Park. The displays inside entice the visitor to quiet reflection and contemplation. This could be a great time to bring out your journal!
Dinner: At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin.
Evening: Tonight we will take a scenic float trip down the Snake River. A local outfitter will supply and fit personal flotation devices (PFD) before transporting us via mini-bus to the launching point at the northern end of Grand Teton National Park. View the entire Teton mountain range as we float down the river, watching for wildlife along the shores.
Activity note: Hike will start at 10,400 feet, and will include elevation changes of 500-1,500 feet over the course of a 2-6 mile hike. Total drive time of one hour.
Breakfast: At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin.
Morning: Start the morning with a short lecture on alpine ecology. After the talk, we'll head to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to ride the aerial tram to 10,450 feet. On a clear day, the summit of Rendezvous Mountain provides participants with a fantastic view of the Jackson Hole valley. Glacial processes, historical meanderings of the mighty Snake River and human settlement patterns are all seen from a bird’s eye view. Once we’ve reached the summit, our Group Leaders will offer choices for hikes that explore of the alpine environment and the unique flora and fauna found there. Our groups can choose a hike ranging from as little as 1/2 mile to as much as 5.5 miles. For those who may choose not to hike, the views from the top of the tram are worth it all the same!
Lunch: Packed field lunch.
Afternoon: We’ll continue hiking one of the trails at the summit of Rendezvous Mountain, and return to the valley floor via the Aerial Tram or Bridger Gondola. Once there, we will enjoy some free time to explore the charming mountain village before returning to the ranch.
Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost, as you enjoy dinner with a view in Grand Teton National Park. A TSS shuttle will take you to Dornan's, where you may choose between the Pizza Pasta Company or the Chuckwagon.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Hike up to 7 miles at Jenny Lake and Cascade Canyon with elevation gains of up to 1000 ft. Total drive time of one hour.
Breakfast: At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin.
Morning: Our final hike will be at Jenny Lake and Cascade Canyon. Jenny Lake is one of the most famous and beautiful alpine lakes in the country. We'll take a ferry across the lake to start our trek. From there, the climb to Inspiration Point on the west side of the lake affords an unparalleled view of the Grand Teton, Jenny Lake, and the Jackson Hole valley. Motivated hikers can continue hiking into Cascade Canyon, entering into the heart of the Tetons, with breath-taking views of the Grand Teton throughout.
Lunch: Packed field lunch.
Afternoon: On our return, take a ferry ride across Jenny Lake back to the parking lot. Enjoy the views as you relax on the boat.
Dinner: At the Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin.
Evening: Relive a simpler time with an evening around a campfire at the ranch. Enjoy hearing local stories and share your own as you reminisce about the week with friends new and old.
Activity note: To complete our program, we’ll head to the National Museum of Wildlife Art to explore the museum with an experienced docent. Resting upon a cliff above the National Elk Refuge, the NMWA serves to inspire the relationship between humans and nature. The museum contains over 5,000 works of art, with exhibitions that focus on wildlife of the world. Following lunch at the museum, you may continue on your own adventure, get a ride into town from a Group Leader or secure a taxi to the airport.
Breakfast: At The Murie Ranch Homestead Cabin.
Morning: After checking out of the Ranch, load your luggage in a Teton Science Schools van and head to the National Museum of Wildlife Art (NWMA) to explore the museum with an experienced docent. Constructed to fit seamlessly into the landscape, the building was inspired by the ruins of Slains Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The museum contains approximately 5,000 works of art. Reflect upon the connection between humans, art, nature, and our natural parks as you explore this world-class museum. At the end of our field trip, there will be free time to explore the museum on your own.
Lunch: At the Palate restaurant at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, choose from a seasonal menu selected by the executive chef.
Afternoon: This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy all your Road Scholar learning adventures and we look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. We encourage you to join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!