Women Tour and Travel - Yosemite National Park

Yosemite
National Park
and the Pacific Crest Trail

August 24 - 29, 2008

This year we return to Yosemite to explore it in a very special way--on foot. Our time will be filled with spectacular scenery, and easy to moderate walks. To walk through Yosemite is to see the features of this incredible park up close, to be able to reflect on the geology that makes up the landscape, and to view the vistas as famous artists and photographers once saw them. Ansel Adams did many of his famous works at Yosemite and used the area to perfect his renowned techniques.

While in the area we will also spend some time on the Pacific Crest Trail. While many are familiar with the east coast Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail runs from Mexico to Canada and boasts the greatest elevation changes of any of America's National Scenic Trails, allowing it to pass through six out of seven of North America's ecozones including high and low desert, old-growth forest and arctic-alpine country. No, we won't hike the whole thing, but to be on the Pacific Crest Trail is something everyone should do who is interested in the great trails of America.

The view across Yosemite is breathtaking. This picture is from our last visit to the area in 2006.

Trip Full and Closed

$1386
(non-member: $1461)
Single Room–add $392

Activity Level:

80% Easy;
20% Moderate

TOUR INCLUDES:

- Airport transfers and transportation throughout the tour

- All activities as listed in the itinerary

- Meals: Breakfast daily, 2 dinners and 2 lunches.

- Services of WTT tour leader and local guides

- Lodging:

Yosemite View Lodge
Embassy Suites Hotel, Sacramento

__________________

Air Information
Travelers will make their own air reservations and are requested to arrive and depart as follows:

Arrival Airport:
Sacramento, CA (SMF)

Arrive:
Arrive Sacramento on Sunday, August 24th at your convenience but no later than 1:00pm.

Depart:
Friday, August 29 at your convenience.

Early Arrival: WTT can make reservations for those interested in arriving a day early:

$95dbl $190sgl

Not Included in the Price of this Tour:

· Air from your home to the tour starting point and return,

· Meals or Activities not specified in the itinerary,

· Any personal expenses, and any guide/driver gratuities.

· You will be responsible for your own airport transfer(s) if you arrive or depart at times or dates other than specified above when transfers are provided.

· Transfers are not provided for early arrival or late departure.

Sunday, August 24: Arrive Sacramento, Drive to Yosemite

Arrive Sacramento at your convenience but no later than 1:00pm. Once we have everyone we will depart for Yosemite, enjoying the view of Half Dome, Arch Rock and El Capitan during our drive into the park.

Yosemite Valley is only seven miles long and less than a mile wide, but it ranks higher in scenery per square foot than perhaps anywhere else in the world. Because it was formed by glaciers, the valley walls are sheer and high, leading to world-famous cliffs: El Capitan, rises more than 3,000 feet virtually straight up from the Yosemite Valley floor, and Half Dome looms 4,800 feet above.

Monday August 25: Yosemite National Park, Morning Yosemite Valley Tour, Afternoon Free, Welcome Dinner

This morning we will take a tour of the valley floor via the Park's tram, a 2 hr tour. On this tour, we will be introduced to some of Yosemite’s most famous sightseeing points in Yosemite Valley and learn the history, geology, plant and animal life of the region. We will see Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, Tunnel View, and Bridalveil Falls.

This afternoon is free time. There will be time to walk around Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and the Yosemite Museum. You could take the free shuttle bus to visit Yosemite Falls where a 10-minute walk brings you to the falls. There are many park tours as well as ranger-led walks, talks and hikes. Complimentary shuttle bus service is available to various points in the park. This evening we will have our welcome dinner. (B, D)

Tuesday, August 26: Day Trip to the Giant Sequoias, Hike

We will spend today at Mariposa Grove and take a park tour of the Giant Sequoias. The Mariposa Grove is the largest stand of giant sequoias (also known as Sierra redwoods) in Yosemite. At the grove, we will take an easy 1.6-mile roundtrip walk to the massive 209-foot tall tree know as the Grizzly Giant, one of the largest trees in the Mariposa Grove and is estimated to be 1,800 years old. A little beyond the Grizzly Giant is the California Tunnel Tree, cut in 1895 to allow horse-drawn stages to pass through. We will have lunch here and explore other hiking possibilities.
(B, L)

Wednesday, August 27: Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows, Hike Portion of Pacific Crest Trail

All of the roads in Yosemite National Park are scenic, but the most famous scenic drive is along the Tioga Road through forests and past meadows, lakes, and granite domes. Many turnouts offer broad and beautiful vistas. Tuolumne Meadows is a large, open sub-alpine meadow graced by the winding Tuolumne River and surrounded by majestic peaks and domes. The John Muir Trail joins up, and shares the same path, as the Pacific Crest Trail at Tuolumne Meadows. We will hike this portion which is very flat. This trail wanders through a canyon, mostly alongside the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River. (B, L)

Thursday, August 28: Return to Sacramento, Farewell Dinner

We will depart mid-morning, stop for lunch along the way and arrive in Sacramento around 3pm where we will have some free time before enjoying our farewell dinner. (B, D)

Friday, August 29: Depart for Home

Return home at your convenience, remembering that checkout is at 11:00am. Return airport transfers provided. (B)

All previous information has been superseded.