OA Calendar
Outdoor Adventures Calendar 2009-2010
The UC Merced Outdoor Adventures program has something to offer for everyone. We offer trips for all skill levels, all year round. From leisure day trips to San Francisco to the heart pounding whitewater of the Merced River, Outdoor Adventures offers something fun for you in the outdoors.
Fall 2009
September
Tuolumne Meadows Trail Ride
Step up into the saddle in Yosemite’s spectacular high country for an incredible 2-hour trail ride. Our trail will meander along the Tuolumne River through forests and meadows to reveal some of the most amazing scenery that Yosemite has to offer. Transportation, parking entry fee and stable fees are included.
Trip Date: September 12
Pre-Trip Meeting: September 9
Departure Location and Time: 7:00am Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation Center
Cost: $75/$95/$105 (S/A/G)
Trip Rating: Moderate
Information Sheet
Yosemite Backpacking-Young Lakes
Join Yosemite National Park Wilderness Rangers on a 2-night adventure to the spectacular Sierra high country. Depart campus Friday afternoon and spend the night in backpackers’ camp. Rise with the sun Saturday morning for a 6.5-mile hike up to three lakes surrounded by granite ridges and alpine peaks. The return hike on Sunday is via Dog Lake.
Trip Date: September 18-20
Pre-Trip Meeting: September 9
Departure Location and Time: 4:00pm Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation Center
Cost: $50/$65/$75 (S/A/G)
Trip Rating: Strenuous
Information Sheet
Sentinel Dome at Sunset
At 8,122’, spectacular Sentinel Dome is the second highest viewpoint above Yosemite Valley; only Half Dome stretches higher into the sky. From Sentinel’s rotund summit, we will witness amazing views of Yosemite’s wilderness along with an incredible sunset, followed by one of the brightest starry nights imaginable (if cloudless conditions prevail). In addition to this moderate 2.2 mile round-trip hike to Sentinel Dome, we will also visit nearby Washburn and Glacier Points, believed by many world travelers to be the most beautiful views on the planet.
Trip Date: September 19
Pre-Trip Meeting: September 16
Departure Location and Time: 7:00am Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation Center
Cost: $30/$45/$55 (S/A/G)
Trip Rating: Moderate
Information Sheet
Middle Earth Expedition
Ready to get muddy underground? Join the Outdoor Adventure program on a four hour tour of California Mammoth Cave. We will explore the historic "Mammoth Cave" area and "Jungle Room" area of Mammoth Cave, walking, crawling, wiggling and squirming through natural passages that connect through thirteen chambers. Once at California Caverns we will don our overalls, gloves and hard hats for our trip through the cave. After four hours of mucking through the mud exploring the amazing sites, we hit the showers.
Trip Date: September 26
Pre-Trip Meeting: September 23
Departure Location and Time: 6:30am Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation Center
Cost: $80/$95/$150 (S/A/G)
Trip Rating: Strenuous
Information Sheet
Yosemite Face Lift
Join the largest volunteer clean up in the park system. Spend the day giving back to the Park and enjoy the spectacular scenery at the same time. Volunteers will be entered in a raffle at the end of the day and can stay for a free reception dinner in the evening. Become a steward of Yosemite and help protect your National Park!
Trip Date: September 27
Pre-Trip Meeting: September 23
Departure Location and Time: 7:00am Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation Center
Cost: $5/$10/$15 (S/A/G)
Trip Rating: Easy
Information Sheet
October
Journey to the Center of Yosemite
John Muir said, “When you get to Yosemite, go straight to Mt. Hoffman!” On this adventure we will follow his advice by climbing to the summit of Hoffman, which rises 10,850’ into cobalt skies at the exact center of Yosemite. From the top, the entire Park will be laid out before you in a vast 360-degree panorama like a gigantic map, offering the most striking views of Yosemite’s varied landscapes.
Trip Date: October 3
Pre-Trip Meeting: September 30
Departure Location and Time: 7:00am Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation Center
Cost: $30/$45/$55 (S/A/G)
Trip Rating: Moderate/Strenuous
Information Sheet
Registration
Yosemite Backpacking-Clouds Rest
Spend 2 days and 2 nights out with Yosemite Wilderness Rangers hiking to one of the most amazing vistas in the Park. On Friday, hike 2 miles into Sunrise Lakes and set up a base camp. Saturday morning will be spent hiking up to the summit of Clouds Rest and back. From Clouds Rest, you will enjoy 360-degree views of the Sierra Nevada, incomparable vistas from the Valley all the way to the Crest.
Trip Date: October 9-11
Pre-Trip Meeting: September 30
Departure Location and Time: 4:00pm Friday Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation Center
Cost: $50/$65/$75 (S/A/G)
Trip Rating: Strenuous
Rock Climb Yosemite
The Yosemite Mountaineering School will provide a half-day of technical rock climbing in the spectacular Yosemite Valley. Learn climbing techniques, knots, belay techniques and how to repel from the experts. YMS guides are world class! Experience some of the best rock climbing in the world!
Trip Date: October 17
Pre-Trip Meeting: October 14
Departure Location and Time: 7:00am Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation Center
Cost: $70/$100/$145 (S/A/G)
Trip Rating: Strenuous
Information Sheet
Registration
See Yosemite by Bike
Imagine yourself in the most beautiful valley on earth, gliding past thundering waterfalls, sheer cliffs, lush meadows and majestic domes on your mountain bike. A Yosemite Ranger will escort you and your bicycle from campus to Yosemite for an unforgettable day in paradise. As an added bonus, part of the day will be spent with an Ansel Adams Gallery staff photographer who will share the “photo master’s” secrets of successful picture taking in the very landscapes where Mr. Adams captured his most famous images.
Trip Date: October 24
Pre-Trip Meeting: October 21
Departure Location and Time: 7:00am Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation Center
Cost: $30/$45/$55 (S/A/G)
Trip Rating: Moderate
Information Sheet
Registration
November
Yosemite Rocks! Rocks, Domes & Waterfalls of Yosemite
How did the wonderful, magical place that we call “Yosemite” come about? Join a Yosemite Park Ranger in and around Yosemite Valley for a fascinating day of discovery about the geology of “The Incomparable Valley.”
Trip Date: November 21
Pre-Trip Meeting: November 18
Departure Location and Time: 7:00am Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation Center
Cost: $30/$45/$55 (S/A/G)
Trip Rating: Moderate
Information Sheet
Registration
Cost:
The letters in the Cost heading in the Activities schedules above refer to the following groups:
S-Currently registered UC Merced students.
A-Affiliates of the UC Merced Recreation & Athletics program, Faculty/Staff that have purchased a Recreation membership.
G-Individuals that are not affiliated with the UC Merced Recreation & Athletics program (non-students, faculty/staff that do not have memberships). Costs include transportation, any permits, guide fees and equipment (unless noted in information sheet).
Pre-trip Meetings
All trips require attendance at a pre-trip meeting. They are usually held the Wednesday prior to the trip. The specific information regarding pre-trip meetings will be provided when you register for the trip.
Activity Rating System:
All activities in the Outdoor Adventures program are evaluated and rated so participants will have an idea of activities that are appropriate for them to attend. These ratings evaluate the level of physical demand, not prior skill. All activities are appropriate for the first time outdoor beginners unless noted. If you have specific questions about a trip rating, please inquire at the Recreation & Athletics Office.
For more information on any Outdoor Adventure programs, please contact the Recreation & Athletics Office at (209) 228-7732 or email recreation@ucmerced.edu. You can also stop by our office in the Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation Center.
