California
Four Jewels: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite & Death Valley
Program No. 4352RJ
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Four Jewels: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite & Death Valley
Four Jewels: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite & Death Valley
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Program
At a Glance
Duration
9 days
Program Begins
Fresno, CA
Program Concludes
Las Vegas, NV
Meals
20 (
8B, 6L, 6D
)
Activity Level
From
4,599Enroll Early And Save
Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Death Valley: four spectacular American National Parks. Explore them from the mighty Sierra Nevada range to the stark allure of the Mojave Desert as on-site presentations delve into their geologic, human and natural histories.
Best of all, you'll...
- Study the magnificent forest ecosystem of Sequoia, named for giant trees that can live for more than 2,000 years.
- Admire granite monuments like El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall as you learn how Pleistocene glaciers carved the wonders of Yosemite Valley.
- Explore the forbidding, dramatic, beautiful Death Valley and learn about the unique geology of the landscape.
General Notes
Spring and early Summer dates may be affected by seasonal road closures.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Frank Helling
Frank Helling is an active adventurer and naturalist who has spent much of his life “sauntering” in the footsteps of the great mountaineer, philosopher, and nature writer John Muir. He has backpacked, hiked, and climbed in the Sierras, Rockies, Cascades, Alps, Alaska, Hawaii, and the deserts of the American Southwest. A former high school science teacher, Frank has also worked as a ranger and naturalist in Kings Canyon National Park and as a professional wilderness instructor.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Jeff Crow
Jeff Crow is a naturalist in the tradition of John Muir, rambling around the wilds of California for decades. He has spent much time in the distinct ecosystems of the state (from marine to mountains), bringing a perspective that incorporates a wide range of environments. He was trained in English at UC Santa Barbara and uses his knowledge to put his students on pilgrimages to exotic lands outside their doors, best told through a lens of classical science, modern science, indigenous cultures, philosophy and observation.
Frank Helling
Frank Helling is an active adventurer and naturalist who has spent much of his life “sauntering” in the footsteps of the great mountaineer, philosopher, and nature writer John Muir. He has backpacked, hiked, and climbed in the Sierras, Rockies, Cascades, Alps, Alaska, Hawaii, and the deserts of the American Southwest. A former high school science teacher, Frank has also worked as a ranger and naturalist in Kings Canyon National Park and as a professional wilderness instructor.
Dorris Welch
Dorris Welch is a marine biologist, professional educator, licensed boat captain, and owner of Sanctuary Cruises Whale Watching. She leads educational whale watching trips on the Monterey Bay year round. She was the curator of natural sciences at the Oakland Museum of California for 15 years and the education director of Long Marine Lab at UC Santa Cruz for ten years. She holds a bachelor's in wildlife biology from Humboldt State University and a master's in marine biology and education from UC Santa Cruz.
Renee Rusler
Renee Rusler was born in the Southwest. She earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in ecology from the University of Arizona. Renee spent 20 years as an interpretive park ranger for the National Park Service, working in arid land parks such as Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon and Death Valley. She is now the death valley field institute director for the Death Valley Natural History Association (DVNHA), which is the official non-profit partner of Death Valley National Park and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
Barrie Simpson
After a long career in the technology, pharmaceutical, and hospitality industries, Barrie Simpson became a Road Scholar group leader. She was raised in New England; following high school, she made her way to Oregon, where she planted trees all over the West before going on to earn a degree in environmental engineering. Currently living in San Francisco, she is a historical group leader for SF City Guides, a waterbird docent on Alcatraz, and a long time member leader of the American Society of Quality (ASQ).
Amy Bowen
Amy Bowen was raised in northern New Jersey and currently lives in Sonoma County, California. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree from New York University as well as a teaching credential from Sonoma State, and her prior careers include commercial lending and teaching high school. Amy enjoys leading groups throughout California and the Pacific Northwest. Past and current adventures include San Francisco and Yosemite, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. In between programs, she spends time with family, often planning personal adventures.
Scott Reinhardt
Scott Reinhardt, after a childhood of tromping around the forest, received a bachelor’s of science degree for biology with related minor concentrations from UConn. He then spent six years working with black bears in Connecticut. Moving to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in 2014, Scott has since divided his time between working with black bears for the parks and providing hikes, explorations, and outdoor education. Recently, he has become a published photographer who has been featured in Sequoia Parks Conservancy's KNP Complex Fire Report.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 3 miles per day at a moderate pace of 2 mph on paved and dirt paths as well as wooden boardwalks and undulating ground. Standing up to 1 hour per day. Program will require approximately 10 miles of walking over 8 days. Extent and duration of walking during independent exploration is according to personal choice. Elevations of 4,000-8,600 feet. Must be able to use stairs in order to navigate field trip sites; elevators not available at all accommodations. Travel includes long distances by motorcoach equipped with a lavatory; approximately 2-4 hours per day and up to 6 hours on 1 day with scheduled stops for breaks; boarding and disembarking the motorcoach several times a day with unavoidable use of stairs. Yosemite Valley Shuttle System may be used as transportation for free time on 2 days and can be crowded, require standing and unavoidable use of stairs. Death Valley can reach temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Must be physically capable of participating in a
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
Helpful Links
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
- Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
- Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
- Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
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