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California

Four Jewels: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite & Death Valley

Program No. 4352RJ

Witness awe-inspiring nature, grand artifacts of geography, ancient flora and unique fauna as you immerse yourself in four of California’s most stunning national parks.

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Program

At a Glance

Duration

9 days

Program Begins

Sierra Nevada Mountains - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Program Concludes

Las Vegas, NV

Meals

22 ( 8B, 8L, 6D )

Activity Level

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.

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General Notes

Includes long bus rides to reach rural site. Bus times can range from 3 to 4 hours each day. Spring dates may be affected by seasonal road closures.

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

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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.

Dawn Spare

Dawn Spare is an avid traveler with a deep love of nature, history, and culture who enjoys both the city and country life. She earned her BFA magna cum laude from the University of California, Irvine, and attended graduate school at Temple and the University of Wisconsin. She lives on California’s Central Coast underneath pine trees at the beach, where she walks in nature daily. She belongs to a book club and has sung for over 20 years with the award-winning Vocal Arts Ensemble.

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.

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 two miles on uneven terrain on paved and unpaved paths. Long distances by large motorcoach with 3-4 hours each day on the coach. Elevations range from 4,000-8,000 feet. Death Valley can reach temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Suggested Reading List

View Full List (12 Books)

You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

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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's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

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's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.
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.