Sierra Summer Adventure
Mammoth Lakes - Tioga Pass - Yosemite National Park
5 Days - Departs
August 26, 2009
Experience
the breathtaking beauty and history of the Sierra Nevada on an escorted motor coach
tour. One of California's best kept secrets is summer at Mammoth. Offering just
as many thrills as winter, visitors enjoy a jaw-dropping mountain setting and
consistently warm, sunny weather. Hidden gems such as Devil’s Postpile National
Monument and the Mammoth Lakes Basin allow you to explore the quiet beauty of
the Sierras without the crowds. Then it is over the dramatic Tioga Pass
surrounded by lofty peaks to the impressive Yosemite Valley.
Travel to Mammoth Lakes
Board you
motor coach and travel along #395 to the scenic eastern side of the Sierra
Nevada. Stop at Lone Pine for views of Mt. Whitney, and Bishop with time to
shop at Schat’s Bakery. Arrive at the Mammoth
Mountain Inn, our home for three nights. Then join your
traveling companions at a get-acquainted dinner. On Mammoth Mountain at 9,000
feet, the Mammoth Mountain Inn is the ultimate alpine escape, steps from the
Panorama Gondola and shuttle to Devils Postpile. The Mammoth Mountain Inn
features the Mountainside Grill Restaurant, Sierra General Store, and a heated
pool.
Mammoth Basin
Our full
day of sightseeing with a local guide will include the Mammoth Lakes Basin,
Devils’ Postpile National Monument, and Rainbow Falls. The area is unsurpassed
in scenic, historic and geologic wonder. Self guided trails pass alpine lakes,
mountain vistas, pine forest and unusual geologic formations. The lakes, once
ancient lake beds, scooped out of solid rock by glaciers, are now popular for
boating, fishing and photography. Devils Postpile is home to one of nature's
most interesting geological spectacle. Formed when molten lava cracked as it
cooled, the 60‘ high basalt columns that form the Postpile look more like an
enormous pipe organ than anything you'd expect to see made from stone. The
mostly six-sided columns were formed underground and were exposed when glaciers
scoured the valley during the last ice age, some 10,000 years ago.
Mammoth Mountain, June Lake
Day 3 - Friday, August 28th
Choose
between hiking or mountain biking on Mammoth’s trails, or join us on a motor
coach tour of the scenic June Lake Loop, or spend the afternoon on your own, or
take an optional Gondola ride to the top of Mammoth Mountain for spectacular
views and to visit the new Interpretive Center.
Mammoth to Yosemite
Day 4 - Saturday, August 29th, Includes
Picnic Lunch
Today our
tour continues through Inyo National Forest and over Tioga Pass, with its
breathtaking views, to Yosemite National Park. Along the way we drive through
the dramatic Tuolumne Meadows high country of Yosemite .to the valley floor.
Thrill to the grandeur of Yosemite as you view El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridal Veil
Falls and Yosemite Falls. You will see spectacular scenery and have time on
your own to explore. You may bike or hike on the nature trails, explore the
park on the free shuttle, and see the exhibits at the Visitor’s Center and
nearby Ansel Adams Gallery. Early evening departure
for Yosemite View Lodge, located
just a short distance from the eastern entrance to the park.
Travel Home along the Eastern Sierra Range
Day 5 - Sunday, August 30th
On the last
portion of our journey we travel down the eastern side of the Sierra through
the Central Valley to home.
From $645 double occupancy or $845 single
occupancy
Tour Price includes:
·
Deluxe motor
coach transportation
·
Services of a
professional tour director
·
4 nights accommodations at 3-diamond hotels or best available
·
Luggage
handling throughout (One bag per person)
·
Three meals
·
Full day
sightseeing tour of Mammoth Basin with local guide
·
Yosemite
National Park and Devils’ Postpile fees
·
Sightseeing throughout
DEPARTURES AND PARKING:
Glendale
College Campus
Upper
Parking Lot at Mountain Street & the SR-2 Glendale Freeway
Orange
County at Saddleback College
Mission
Viejo Lot #1, enter on Avery Boulevard.
Ventura
Museum of
Ventura County
or Holiday Inn Express, Ventura Marina , Harbor Blvd
Contact Information, for Reservations or
Questions
Glendale
Community College CSE 818-240-1000 X5015
Saddleback
College Community Education 949-582-4646
Museum of
Ventura County 805-641-1876 X305
Email Loretta
at lorettadubois@gmail.com
Phone
Loretta at 805-641-3131
Mail
Loretta at:
Loretta
DuBois
California
Discovery Tours
1015
Belfast Lane
Ventura CA 93001
Payment Due Date:
See group
itinerary, college program, or museum newsletter
Cancellations:
Cancellations
& Trip Cancellation Insurance: Refunds for cancellations less a processing
fee will be given if your space can be resold. For trip cancellation insurance
contact Access America 800-284-8300 or www.accessamerica.com . Recommend: Basics or Cancel for Any
Reason policies. Travel Agent Application #VL F029908
Clothing:
Casual
clothes and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Days may be warm but
evenings and the motor coach travel will be cool and may warrant a jacket.
Don't forget a camera and plenty of film or memory cards for the outstanding
scenery you will see. A flashlight for evening strolls and binoculars add a
great dimension to sightseeing!
Wheelchairs and Health Issues - Please
Read Carefully:
Travel may
require participation in excursions that can, by their nature, be physically
demanding. Higher elevations, walking tours, traveling a long distance on a
motor coach with limited access to your luggage, in addition to weather
changes, are a few experiences you may encounter on tours. Medical attention
may be hours to a day away in case of emergency. You should only participate in
these outings if you are free of any physical disability that would limit your
participation. If you have any doubt about your ability to safely participate
in the activities you should consult your physician. It is important that you
notify us if you will be bringing a wheelchair or require any special
assistance. Participants needing assistance must have an attendant companion to
take full responsibility for them and must provide their own wheelchair.
Responsibility:
Loretta
DuBois, California Discovery Tours, or Loretta DuBois
Tours, Museum of Ventura County, Glendale Community College CSE and Saddleback
College Community Education act strictly as agents for travel arrangements and
are not responsible for any damages a customer may suffer due to the negligence
of any individual entrusted with service. We shall not be held liable for
personal injury, property damages, or delays due to mechanical difficulties,
weather conditions or any circumstances beyond our control and reserve the
right to cancel any tour without notice and/or to substitute services provided
when deemed necessary. Tours are based on a minimum of 30 persons in a 55
passenger coach.