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Yosemite
National Park
and the Pacific Crest Trail

June 6 - 11, 2010

    This year we return to Yosemite to explore it at the height of the Spring runoff - when the waterfalls are at their best! Our time will be filled with spectacular scenery, cascading waterfalls 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, one of America's National Scenic Trails. The section we will walk passes through Yosemite National Park and wanders through a canyon, mostly alongside the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River.

 

 

 

The view across Yosemite is breathtaking.

$1593
(non-member: $1668)
Single Room–add $517

Activity Level:

 80% Easy;
   20% Moderate

 

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Arrival Airport transfer 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

• Roomsharing: We will provide you a roommate  unless you:
  A) tell us you want to room with someone in particular, or
  B) you elect to pay the additional cost for a single room.
  These choices are clearly stated on the trip reservation form.

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, June 6th at your convenience but no later than 1:00pm.

Depart: Friday, June 11th at your convenience.

 

Early Arrival: WTT can make reservations for those interested in arriving a day early into Sacramento. The rate includes hotel night and breakfast:

      $98dbl    $196sgl

Special Notes Regarding this Tour:

· This tour requires walking on unpaved and uneven surfaces.

. This tour is not suitable for those who have walking difficulties or who cannot walk, without stopping, for 15 minutes.

 

Not Included in the Price of this Tour:

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

. Departure Transfer

. Baggage Handling

· Meals or Activities not specified in the itinerary,

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

 

Travel and Cancellation Policies:

· A copy of the complete WTT travel policies can be found at: Policies

Sunday, June 6: Arrive Sacramento, Drive to Yosemite

Arrive Sacramento at your convenience but no later than 1:00pm.  Have a bite to eat for lunch on your own. Once we have everyone we will depart for Yosemite, enjoying views 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.

Our home the next four nights will be Yosemite View Lodge. After arriving at the hotel and checking in, the remainder of your evening is free.

 

Monday June 7:  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 dinner together. (B, D)

 

Tuesday, June 8: 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, June 9: 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.  After a picnic style lunch 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, June 10: 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, June 11: Depart for Home

Return home at your convenience, remembering that checkout is at 11:00am. The tour leader will assist in coordinating ride-shares to the airport. (B)


All previous information has been superseded.