Photo: Bill Glenn Yosemite Valley Springtime Service, California Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09065A Price: $ 395 Deposit: $50 Capacity: 18 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Bill Glenn Yosemite has long been hailed as the flagship of our national park system. Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees received federal protection in 1864 when Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant, considered the foundation upon which national and state parks were later established. Sierra Club founder John Muir helped lead the drive for a much larger Yosemite National Park, which was established by Congress on October 1, 1890. Yosemite's unique beauty continues to enchant visitors from around the world. More than 3 million people a year come to experience its vertical granite walls, cascading waterfalls, Sequoia groves, and microclimates ranging from 4,000 to over 10,000 feet. The contrast from a flat, lushly green valley floor to treeless granite peaks has been the subject for authors and artists for decades. We will have the opportunity to learn more about this park's natural and cultural history and create our own personal experiences. Bring your curiosity and hiking boots and explore Yosemite Valley while we work and play. The Project We will work on restoration projects in or around the valley that will mainly focus on removal of invasive plant species. The National Park Service will provide all tools and instruction.
 Photo: Bill Glenn We will assemble at Yellow Pine Volunteer Campground by 2 p.m. on day one. After orientation and introduction, we'll set up our base camp for the week. We will likely work four days in all, taking one day off midweek to explore. The trip will conclude at midday the following Saturday. Flexibility is always important – for instance, a late snowpack may necessitate moving to another campsite. We'll adjust to whatever surprises come our way!Getting There If you fly to Fresno or Merced airports, you will need to drive about two hours to reach the park. Flying to San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland airports, requires about a four-hour drive (but will likely be a less expensive flight). Please note: If you plan to arrive at Reno Airport, you will need to drive over Tioga Pass Road (State Hwy 120), which is often closed this early in the season. If 120 is open, the drive would likely take four to five hours. State Highways 120, 41, and 140 provide park access. Please make sure the route you plan to use is open. Amtrak services Yosemite via Merced, where you change to bus transport to the valley. Carpooling is strongly recommended, and the leader will help facilitate ride sharing among participants.
We will be camping in a developed campground designated for volunteer groups. It's private and located near the Merced River. Late snowpack will require a change in location. You will need to bring a weather-tested tent, a three-season sleeping bag and pad, and personal camp gear for your comfort. We will be in the mountains, so plan accordingly. Bring rain gear and be prepared for any type of weather. The days can be quite warm at 4,000 feet, but temperatures drop once the sun falls behind the valley's rim. Our first meal will be dinner on May 10, and the last will be breakfast on the final day. We have an experienced cook, and participants and staff will assist him. Meals will lean toward vegetarian fare, but will be varied, plentiful, and tasty. Special dietary requirements or food allergies should be noted on your questionnaire. All trip members can plan on helping with commissary chores, which can be a nice time to socialize. There is no shower facility at the campground, but you may bring your sun shower or use a paid shower facility elsewhere in the valley.
This trip should not be too strenuous. You may find you are a bit short of breath due to the elevation gain, but you should adjust in a few days. The valley trails are almost all well-developed with reasonably good footing. You will need boots while we are working on the project, and they are recommended if you intend to do a more strenuous hike above the valley floor. You will not be asked to do more than meets your comfort level. Safety is a priority and you are the best judge of your abilities. We work at our own pace. At the end of each day we will be free to hike, tour the immediate areas, or just rest our tired muscles. Minor medical conditions are no impediment to having a full, enjoyable experience. Please do not forget that all participants must have a current tetanus shot within the past 10 years. This injection is most commonly available in the combination of DPT – Diptheria, Pertussis, Tetanus – from your doctor or at your local public health department for a modest cost.
You will need a basic first-aid kit containing moleskin, bandaids, sunblock and lip balm, at least three 1-quart water bottles, densely woven long pants, work gloves, comfortable broken-in boots, and clothes to layer for the daily temperature changes. Please bring your eating utensils, cup, plate, and covered Rubbermaid-type container for your lunch. While we hope for warm, clear days, rain and even snow are always possible – so please bring three-season camp gear. A more detailed list of suggested equipment will be sent to participants.
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Conservation We will learn what the phrase "loved to death" means in terms of human impact on this park's frontcountry and backcountry access, traffic, flora and fauna. We will also discuss how park policies have changed to deal with this issue, and what the future holds.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Leader
 Assistant Leader Michael Griffith has been a Sierra Club member since 1996, and has worked on service trips in Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and California. He lives in Ellijay, Georgia, and enjoys being creative in the kitchen. His experience includes assisting with gourmet cooking classes and testing recipes for Food Network chefs. When not in the kitchen, he produces video and multimedia. E-mail: michael@griffiti.com General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Bill Glenn has led Sierra Club service outings in Idaho, California,
and five other states since 1992, and keeps coming back for the
incredible surroundings, invariably terrific people, and satisfaction
of good, physical work. He lives with his wife and
daughter in San Francisco, where he does communications work
for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.