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Trip Number: 12320A
Price: $495
Deposit: $50
Capacity: 14
Staff: Cara Wilson
Highlights:
- Explore Yosemite's amazing Sierra high country
- Help care for one of our most treasured national parks
- Meet like-minded people from across the U.S.
Includes:
- All meals and snacks
- Group campsite at Tuolumne Meadows
- Training and guidance from staff and park personnel
The Trip
Photo: Bill Glenn
The sheer granite walls, lush meadows, and cascading waterfalls of Yosemite
have long attracted visitors from around the globe. Sierra Club founder John
Muir was one of its earliest champions, making Yosemite Valley his home in the
late 1860s, just five years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant
to protect the valley and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees. In 1890, thanks largely
to Muir's efforts, the larger watershed received federal protection and became
Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite's spectacular high country floats nearly 5,000 feet above its legendary
valley. Characterized by granite domes, sweeping meadows, clear rivers and lakes,
and mind-blowing vistas, it's Yosemite's most prized destination for backpackers.
Muir considered the high Sierra to be paradise -- and you'll see why.
At 8,600 feet along Route 120 west of Tioga Pass, Tuolumne Meadows is the accessible
jumping-off point for many high-country adventures. We'll set up camp there
and work with National Park Service staff on projects to help manage this well-loved
area. We will have the opportunity to hike some great trails, learn more about
this park's natural and cultural history, and create our own personal experiences.
The Project
We will work on projects with Yosemite National Park's Resources Management
and Science Division in the Tuolumne Meadows area. Projects will be chosen by
the Park Service based on need and level of importance. Work might be either
in the front-country or a short hike in. The National Park Service will provide
tools and instruction.
Itinerary
Photo: Bill Glenn
We will assemble at Tuolumne Meadows Campground Group Camp in the late afternoon
on Sunday, August 12. After orientation and introductions, we'll set up our
base camp for the week. We will work four days in all, taking Wednesday and
Saturday off to explore and/or relax. The trip will conclude the following Sunday
morning.
As circumstances are bound to change in the backcountry, flexibility is a valuable
asset. For instance, wildfires some distance away can affect visibility and
air quality, or a storm can roll in when you least expect it. We'll adjust to
whatever surprises come our way!
Getting There
If you fly to Fresno or Merced airports, you'll need to drive three hours
or more to reach Tuolumne Meadows. Flying to San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland or Sacramento airports will require about a four- to five- hour drive but will likely be a less expensive flight. The airport in Reno, Nevada, is about a four-hour drive from Tuolumne Meadows, approaching from the other side of the Sierra.
State Highways 120, 41, and 140 provide park access. 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.
Accommodations and Food
We will be camping in Tuolumne Meadows Campground, in a site designated for
groups. The campground has bathrooms, running water, and bear boxes to keep
food and other fragrant items out of bears' reach. There are no shower facilities
at the campground, but you may bring a sun shower or use a paid shower facility
(the closest one is at least a half-hour drive away).
Come with the attitude that food is part of the adventure. Trip menu planning
considers that there will be no refrigeration other than coolers with ice, and
that food must be protected from animals. We provide delicious, nutritious,
and abundant meals tailored as much as possible to the preferences of the group.
We have a group commissary with everyone taking turns in food preparation and
cleanup. Before applying for the trip, people with food allergies and/or strong
food preferences must contact the cook to see if accommodations are possible.
Our first meal will be dinner on day one and our last meal will be breakfast
on the final day.
Trip Difficulty
Photo: Bill Glenn
This trip will be moderately strenuous, in part due to the high elevation.
You may find yourself a bit short of breath working at 8,000 to 9,000 feet,
but your body should adjust within a few days. Trails are generally well established
and usually involve additional elevation change. You will need boots while we
are working on the project -- they are recommended for hiking, as well.
Our work will include a range of tasks, and you will not be asked to do anything
that exceeds your comfort level. Safety is a priority, and you are the best
judge of your abilities. We'll each work at our own pace. At the end of each
day we will be free to hike, explore 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.
Equipment and Clothing
The NPS will provide the tools for the work project. In addition to your regular
camping gear, come prepared to work with sturdy boots, long pants, long-sleeved
shirts and leather work gloves. You will need a day pack to carry your lunch,
water, raingear, sunscreen, etc.
We will provide food and the necessary equipment for cooking it. You will need
personal eating utensils such as bowl, cup and spoon. A plastic food container
with a tight-fitting lid is necessary for carrying your lunch to the work site
each day.
We will also provide a first-aid kit for emergencies, but you should bring
any personal medications you require.
A full list of needed equipment will be sent to you after you've been accepted
onto the trip. If you have questions please contact the trip leader.
References
Books:
- Muir, John, The Yosemite.
- Giacomazzi, Sharon, Trails and Tales of Yosemite and the Central Sierra.
- Schaffer, Jeffrey, Yosemite National Park -- A Complete Hiker's Guide.
- Wolff, Kurt, and Amy Marr, David Lukas, and Cheryl Koehler, Lonely Planet
-- Yosemite National Park.
Websites:
Conservation
Photo: Bill Glenn
We will learn what four million visitors a year means in terms of human impact
on this park's well-loved geology, flora, and fauna. We will also hear from
National Park Service professionals about the challenges of managing public
lands and discuss how policies have evolved to maintain a balance between accessibility
and resource protection.
Trip Price
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.
Staff
Leader:
As a somewhat recent transplant to California, Cara Wilson enjoys exploring her new state through Sierra Club trips. She likes interacting with the great people who participate in service trips, and getting the opportunity to get away from life and give something back to the environment. She is looking forward to a week of Frank's fabulous cooking on this trip! Cara is an oceanographer who works for NOAA in Monterey, CA.
E-mail: caracaraw@yahoo.com
Cook:
Frank Bruno has been a trail cook and service trip participant for several organizations over the past years. He enjoys cooking healthy meals in the Mediterranean style. He is an avid hiker, cyclist, runner, and cross-country skier; the latter activity honed during his years in Alaska. He has been an enthusiastic domestic and world traveler for 25 years.
E-mail: frankbruno24@yahoo.com
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips