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Eastern California and Nevada Education Programs
Hiking the Rugged and Magnificent Eastern Sierra Southern Region
Hiking the Eastern Sierra Northern Region
HIKING DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK: Road Scholar Program #6120 ( Level 5 )
Spend your days hiking and exploring the unique landscape and incredible geology of Death Valley National Park which encompasses over 3.3 million acres in southeastern California. It is rich in its history of man, mines and minerals, and its geological phenomena shows a land torn by immense physical changes. Enjoy a diversity of Level 5 hikes led by experienced guides on varying terrain through scenic canyons, across ancient lake deposits and into crystallized salt pans, visit abandoned borax mining areas, rich fossil sites, and gentle climbs across alluvial fans, mesquite flats and mud playas. We also plan to visit Furnace Creek Ranch, Stovepipe Wells and Scotty’s Castle. Hikes are moderately strenuous and are approx. 4-6 miles long per day.
This is a very busy itinerary for the participants and a detailed itinerary can be located by going to www.roadscholar.org and searching program #6120. Be sure to check the dates for all available programs.
Motel accommodations and food services are in Beatty, Nevada (20 miles from the park entrance). Rooms have Private Baths, TV's, phones, Refrigerators, and the hotel offers an outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, indoor casino, cocktail lounge, and a 24-hour restaurant. Round trip transportation is available from Las Vegas with prior arrangements, for an extra fee per person; reservations must be made two (2) weeks in advance, please.
DEATH VALLEY HIKING CHALLENGE, UNIQUE LANDSCAPES AD INCREDIBLE GEOLOGY: Road Scholar Program #8109 ( Level 6 )
This is a Level 6, Vigorous hiking program for well-seasoned hikers who are ready to get out and explore many areas in Death Valley National Park that the usual visitor would not normally see and experience. This program offers hikes ranging from 6-10 miles per day on very uneven and (in some areas) rugged locations. Hikes are led by well-trained and experienced guides who have learned to envelope this land of extreme diversity and provide an extensive venue for those hikers able to hike longer hikes than the Level 5 program. THIS PROGRAM FILLS RAPIDLY!
With this magnificent and diverse National Park as the backdrop, participants will see what makes this park so special. This is a land of many sights and adventures! Each person will have the opportunity to retrace areas where the 1849'ers traveled on their fateful trek through Death Valley, or hike through some of the mining history, where equipment is still there as if they had just been mining yesterday! The natural history of this park is truly amazing.....just when you know "it's a dry heat".... you discover the water and the teaming life that exists here. Look for Birds, Mammals, Insects, and Reptiles, along with a variety of plants and flowers in the park.
Motel accommodations and food services are in Beatty, Nevada (20 miles from the park entrance). All Rooms have Private Baths, TV's, phones, Refrigerators, and the hotel offers an outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, indoor casino, cocktail lounge, and a 24-hour restaurant.
Round trip transportation is available from Las Vegas with prior arrangements, for an extra fee per person; reservations must be made two (2) weeks in advance, please.
The 2007-2010 season programs filled RAPIDLY and had a maximum capacities! For more detailed information about this program, go to www.roadscholar.org and search for Program #8109.
HIKING THE RUGGED AND MAGNIFICENT EASTERN SIERRA: Road Scholar Program # 6122 ( level 5)
( Southern Region based in Bishop, California )
Hike and explore the landscape of the southern Eastern Sierra while based in the wonderful community city of Bishop, California, where people revel in the beautiful mountains of the Sierra Nevada Range. Experienced guides will lead you to daily hikes in a variety of settings from the rugged and unique rock formations of the Alabama Hills to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest of the Methuselah Trail high, in the White Mountains, then into the beautiful Alpine Lakes of the region. This is a Level 5 program with hikes ranging from 4-6 miles daily on a variety of terrain.
Hikers can expect dramatic mountain and desert scenery as well as breathtaking views. The diverse geology of California's Eastern Sierra is a place of magical wonder.....people from all over the world have visited here to see the dramatic Sierra Mountain Range, home of Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States! Discover the geology, natural history and human history of this area while you bask in the beauty of the variety of pines, lakes, trees and views! The Owens Valley of California is home to the dramatic history of California's "Water Wars" and Native American history. You'll have the opportunity to visit the Law's Railroad Museum and the Chidalgo Canyon Petroglyphs which add much to the history of the region.
You can locate this program through www.roadscholar.org and search for program #6122. Be sure to check the dates for all available programs.
Motel accommodations are located in Bishop, California. The hotel offers comfortable rooms, telephones, TV's, private bathrooms, outdoor pool and hot tub. Near restaurants and shopping in Bishop.
This program is usually held back-to-back with the Mammoth Lakes Hiking Program #4812 (shown below). Shuttle service may be available for this program from Reno, NV to Bishop, CA and return. Please contact the program administrator at 775-835-8708 for more information.
HIKING THE EASTERN SIERRA: Road Scholar Program #4812 ( Level 6 )
( Northern Region based in Mammoth Lakes, California )
Hike and explore the landscape of the Beautiful Eastern Sierra in its northern area near Mammoth Lakes, California. Experienced guides lead daily hikes into a variety of settings from high sierra lakes to volcanic craters as young as 600 years. Hike the shores of Mono Lake with it's majestic Tufa formations and delicate eco system, and its abundant bird life........one of the world's largest avian migratory paths! Experience first-hand the historic Ghost Town of Bodie (one of the best preserved mining towns) and which is now a California State Park. Hikers can expect dramatic mountain scenery as well as breathtaking views throughout each day!
The geology of this magnificent area is tremendous and offers much to be discovered! While hiking, experience some of the natural history of this area which is teeming with life, and also learn about the human history of early settlers and pioneers while exploring this magnificent and scenic countryside.
Motel accommodations are at a local hotel in Mammoth Lakes, CA. Walk to shops, restaurants, and outlet malls and enjoy the beauty of this unique community. Past participants have stayed at the Holiday Inn, Mammoth Lakes and we expect to do the same this year. This hotel offers an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, in-room refrigerators, TV, Phone, internet service, elevators and a downtown location close to just about everything.
You can locate this program through www.roadscholar.org and search for program #4812. Be sure to check the dates for all available programs. These courses fill rapidly due to the popularity of Mammoth Lakes, CA and the extraordinary beauty of this area!
This program is usually held back-to-back with the Bishop, CA program #6122 (shown above). Shuttle service may be available for this program from Reno, NV to Mammoth Lakes, CA and return. Please contact the program administrator at 775-835-8708 for additional information.
Many new programs are being considered and investigated. Much work goes into developing new programs including course content, popularity, sufficient experienced staff, venues, food, costs, etc. etc. etc. You are welcomed to submit your ideas. Some programs that are being investigated and researched include:
Hiking Death Valley National Park ( Level 4 )
This Program is designed for the active walker and outdoor enthusiast with some hiking skills and gear required.....More details coming soon.
Service Program at Death Valley National Park
Details coming soon
Art in the Park
Can you imagine the stark and geological beauty of Death Valley National Park? The magnificence of its rugged and diverse geologic phenomena offers an incredible subject for your creative artistic skills, from watercolor, oil, pen & ink, sketching…..you select your medium, of course…..or try several! Class sizes will be limited, and future dates are being considered. You can contact the program administrator for more information.
Photography in Death Valley National Park
"Picture" yourself embracing the stark beauty of Death Valley National Park with the skill and eyes of a trained photographer who will teach you the techniques necessary to produce beautiful photography........photos you'll be proud to show off! Learn from the experts while you experience the Park in its natural and magnificent beauty.
Virginia City! Boom to Bust! Trails and Rails of History!
Trains, Gold, and the History of the West! Unravel the masters of trains and gold mining in the Comstock of Virginia City, NV! Details to be announced soon!
All current and available programs are listed on Road Scholar's web page at www.roadscholar.org and can be searched by their program numbers as shown.
Transportation services are available from Las Vegas to Beatty, Nevada for most Death Valley Programs. Participants drive to Bishop or Mammoth Lakes, California for programs held in the Eastern Sierras, or may possibly coordinate travel arrangements via a projected shuttle service by contacting the program administrator at 775-835-8708.
Most meals are in restaurants at or away from hotels. Special dietary needs must be provided by individual participants; hotels and staff cannot accommodate for special dietary needs. Some refrigerators are available in most rooms for personal use.
Hiking programs offer acclimation to elevation gains, beginning at lower elevations, increasing to higher elevations at the end of the week. People residing in lower elevations should consider arriving a day or two earlier to begin to acclimate to higher elevations. Mammoth Lakes is located at approx 7,500' and Bishop, Ca is at approx. 4,000'. It is important that you arrive in good physical condition and be active in hiking programs or regimens on a regular basis in order to gain the most benefit and enjoyment from all of the programs. Death Valley National Park is at Sea Level or slightly above or below!
Watercolor and Digital Photography programs do not require hiking ability, but there may be some walking into and out of various sites. It is recommended that you be in good physical condition that allows you to access diverse locations, and bring appropriate shoes/clothing with you to do so. Each program will have a "What to Bring" list include in the program Welcome Packet.
After enrolling in a specific program a confirmation letter and welcome packet will be mailed to you. Upon its receipt, please complete the necessary forms and return them as quickly as possible. You will then receive a more detailed and daily program package at the Welcome Reception on the first day of the program.
To register online: Visit www.roadscholar.org and log in using your username & password. If you do not know your username and password you can find them by clicking on the "Need help logging in?" link in the upper left corner of the Road Scholar home page; or register. Use the appropriate program number shown above to register in that specific program. Remember, programs fill rapidly. Many of the programs offered here fill and have waitlist status only, causing some people to miss the program entirely during that season, if they don't register at an early date.
To register by phone: Please call Road Scholar 1-877-454-5768 Monday – Friday, 9 am to 6 pm ET.
More information? Click: Contact Us to contact the Program Coordinator
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