Adventure Trips Calendar
Registration will open 7:00am on January 29
Snowshoe Mariposa Grove: Sunday, February 4th
Join us as we travel to Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park to spend the day snowshoeing, being surrounded by the Giant Sequioa trees. The trip fee includes transportation, park entry, snowshoeing gear and guiding. This trip is rated moderate to difficult due to altitude, mileage, and low temperature.
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $30. All others: $60
Yosemite Ice Skating: Saturday, February 10th
Join the OEP staff for a fun day as we head to Half Dome Village Ice Skating Rink and glide the afternoon away at one of the most picturesque skating rinks in the country. This is an open-air rink right in the heart of Yosemite. Trip fee includes transportation, park entry, skating fee and skate rentals. This trip is rated easy to moderate.
Registration Deadline: Online: 2/6; In-Person: 2/7
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $40. All others: $70
Explore SF: Sunday, February 11th
Enjoy a day in San Francisco and leave the driving to us. Shop and visit the sights or enjoy the great cuisine of the city. You will definitely leave your heart in San Francisco. Trip fee includes transportation and parking. This trip is rated easy.
Registration Deadline: Online: 2/7; In-Person: 2/8
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $30. All others: $60
Explore Monterey Bay: Saturday, February, 17th
Join us as we travel to historic Monterey Bay. Take a stroll down iconic cannery row or enjoy some fresh seafood on the wharf. Experience what this part of the California coast has to offer. Trip fee includes transportation and parking. This trip is rated easy.
Registration Deadline: Online: 2/14; In-Person: 2/13
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $30. All others: $60
Explore Angel Island: Sunday, February 18th
Come with us to explore Angel Island State Park, the largest natural Island off of the San Francisco coast. You will have the opportunity to explore some of its hiking trails, which offer beautiful views of the surrounding bay. You could also do a self-guided tour of the barracks station and museum or the immigration station and museum. Trip fee includes transportation, ferry fee, and parking. This trip is rated easy to moderate.
Registration Deadline: Online: 2/15; In-Person: 2/14
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $45. All others: $75
Kayak Elkhorn Slough: Saturday, February 24th
Join us as we enjoy the breathtaking views of kayaking on one of the last natural wetlands in California. Led by OEP staff and Kayak Connection for a thrilling paddle in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We will be passing by otters, sea lions and an infinite amount of birds. This is a great chance to see wildlife as you have never seen before. Trip fee includes transportation, equipment rental and guiding. This trip is rated moderate.
Registration Deadline: Online: 2/20; In-Person: 2/21
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $100. All others: $130
Hike Point Lobos: Sunday, February 25th
Join us as we travel to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve to hike the Seal Lion Point to Hidden Beach Loop. This 3.2 miles loop near Carmel has beautiful scenery throughout the hike. This trip is rated easy.
Registration Deadline: Online: 2/20; In-Person: 2/22
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $30. All others: $60
Camp Big Sur: Sat-Sun, March 2nd – 3rd
Come with OEP staff to spend the night oceanside at Big Sur State Park! You’ll be able to spend some time by the beach and hike some gorgeous trails, enjoying iconic California views. After the day is done, you’ll be able to relax at camp and go to sleep near the ocean. Trip fee includes transportation, gear rentals, food, and campsites. This trip is rated easy to moderate.
Registration Deadline: Online: 2/27; In-Person: 2/28
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $110. All others: $140
Horseback Riding on the Coast: Saturday, March 9th
Join us as we travel to the California Coast for a day of horseback riding. Enjoy amazing views while riding around. Trip fee includes transportation and riding fee. This trip is rated easy to moderate.
Registration Deadline: Online: 3/3; In-Person: 3/1
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $155. All others: $185
Hike Mirror Lake: Sunday, March 10th
Join us for a hike around Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park. This hike is 2 miles to the lake and back or add an additional 3 miles to go around the lake. Depending on weather conditions, you may be able to see a clear reflection of the surrounding cliffs. Trip fee includes park entry and transportation. This trip is rated easy to moderate.
Registration Deadline: Online: 3/6; In-Person: 3/7
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $30. All others: $60
Hike Natural Bridge to Lighthouse Field Trail: Saturday, March 16th
Join OEP staff as we hike along the Santa Cruz coast! This easy, 4.8 mile hike takes you along the coast at Natural Bridges state park. You’ll see picturesque views of the ocean, along with rocks that form a natural bridge over the waves. This hike also takes you through a protected monarch grove. Trip fee includes transportation and parking.This trip is rated easy.
Registration Deadline: Online: 3/12; In-Person: 3/13
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $30. All others: $60
Spring Break Camping Trip to Death Valley and Joshua Tree NP: Sun-Fri, March 24th – March 29th
Join OEP staff for an adventure-packed week exploring two of Southern California’s parks. We’ll start off the week camping the night at Joshua Tree, where we’ll be able to see some rock formations and desert landscapes. After that, we'll spend the next four days in Death Valley National Park, where we’ll get to go on some ranger-led hikes, and do some exploring of our own, getting to camp under the stars each night. Trip fee includes transportation, camp site, food, access into the Parks, and gear rental. Trip is rated moderate to strenuous.
Registration Deadline: Online: 3/19; In-Person: 3/20
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $250. All others: $280
Hike Mariposa Grove: Saturday, April 6th
Join the OEP and Wilderness Center staff on a hike through the biggest sequoia grove in Yosemite National Park. You will experience the best views of Wawona Valley and the 1800-year-old Grizzly Giant sequoia. Trip fee includes transportation, park entrance fee and guiding. This trip is rated easy to moderate for mileage.
Registration Deadline: Online: 4/2; In-Person: 4/3
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $30. All others: $60
Hike Wapama Falls: Sunday, April 7th
Join the OEP and WEC staff for a hike to Wapama Falls. This hike that is around 5 miles in length will give you a spectacular view of Wapama Falls. Trip fee includes transportation, park entrance fee and guiding. This trip is rated moderate due to distance.
Registration Deadline: Online: 4/3; In-Person: 4/4
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $30. All others: $60
White Water Rafting: Saturday, April 13th
Join the OEP staff for a fun and exciting rafting trip down the South Ford American River! This trip will start at beautiful Camp Lotus and go around 10 miles down the river. There will be a shuttle back to Camp Lotus afterwards, where you can shower, change, and grab something to eat. This trip is great for first time rafters yet still lots of fun for seasoned veterans. Trip fee includes transportation, guide, and equipment rentals. This trip is rated moderate.
Registration Deadline: Online: 4/9; In-Person: 4/10
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $140. All others: $160
Hike Chilnualna Falls: Sunday, April 14th
Join the OEP and WEC staff for a hike up to Chilnualna Falls. This 8.2-mile hike has views of several large cascades and a spectacular view of Chilnualna Falls along the hike. Trip fees include transportation and park entry fee. This trip is rated strenuous due to the mileage and elevation gain.
Registration Deadline: Online: 4/10; In-Person: 4/11
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $30. All others: $60
Wildflower Hike, Hite’s Cover. Saturday, April 20th
Join us for a spectacular day hike into Hite's Cove Gold Mine, just outside of Yosemite. Experience one of nature's most amazing wildflower displays in the entire western US. On our 6.5-mile round trip hike, you will encounter many plants and animals. Learn about Native American tales as well as the story of John Hite, the richest gold miner of the Central Sierra. Trip fee includes transportation, entrance fee and guiding. This trip is rated moderate for high mileage.
Registration Deadline: Online: 4/16; In-Person: 4/17
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $30. All others: $60
Hike Mist Trail: Sunday, April 21st
Join us for a strenuous hike up to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Yosemite. Get soaked from the spray of Vernal Falls and enjoy the majesty of Nevada Falls on this 8-mile round trip hike. Trip fee includes transportation, park entrance fee and guiding. This trip is rated moderate to strenuous for high mileage, water and altitude.
Registration Deadline: Online: 4/17; In-Person: 4/18
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $30. All others: $60
Shakespear and Explore in Yosemite: Saturday, April 27th
Join the OEP in Yosemite National Park to see A Midsummer Yosemite’s Dream and explore the park. The show is 90 minutes long and cast by UC Merced students, park rangers, and Yosemite employees. After the show participants are welcome to explore the Valley Floor. Trip fee include entry into the Park and transportation. This trip is rated easy.
Registration Deadline: Online: 4/23; In-Person: 4/24
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $30. All others: $60
Shakespear and Explore in Yosemite: Sunday, April 28th
Join the OEP in Yosemite National Park to see A Midsummer Yosemite’s Dream and explore the park. The show is 90 minutes long and cast by UC Merced students, park rangers, and Yosemite employees. After the show participants are welcome to explore the Valley Floor. Trip fee include entry into the Park and transportation. This trip is rated easy.
Registration Deadline: Online: 4/24; In-Person: 4/25
Pricing: Currently enrolled UCM Students and Rec-Cen Members: $30. All others: $60
Pre-Trip Meeting
Please note attendance at pre-trip meeting is mandatory for each trip. Participants not attending the pre-trip meeting will be removed from the trip and not eligbile for a refund.
All pre-trip meetings will be held on the Wednesday before a Saturday departure at 5:00pm and Thursday before a Sunday departure at 5:00pm in the Outdoor Center in SAAC.
For participants seeking a refund, the following will apply:
Up to 14 days prior to trip departure - 100% refund minus $20 processing fee
From 13-7 days prior to trip departure - 50% refund minus $20 processing fee
Fewer than 7 days prior to trip departure - No refund.
