High Sierra Yoga Retreat Trip - Itinerary
- About the Trip: The Ansel Adam's Wilderness may be one of the best-kept secrets of the High Sierra. Located on the southern border of Yosemite National Park, the Ansel Adams Wilderness has mile upon mile of sweeping granite ridges, spectacular vistas and meadows are blanketed in colorful sub-alpine wildflowers. On this departure we spend our days going on various hiking excursions, practicing yoga and reconnecting with the natural world and ourselves. Mules will carry our belongings to a centralized basecamp leaving us free to enjoy the beauty of the mountains. As this is a retreat designed to meet your individual needs, all activities are optional.
- Group Size: 4-10 participants with 2 guides.
- Grade: Moderate: On-and off-trail hiking on uneven terrain with modest to difficult climbs. This trip is five days in duration and the commitment level on the activities you choose to participate in.
- Accommodations: 1 night at the Pines Resort on Bass Lake and 3 nights camping in tents. The price of your trip is based on shared accommodations, but private occupancy can be arranged for a supplemental charge.
- Equipment: All camping gear is provided if requested on the registration form: sleeping bags, large tents, and ground pads. You need to bring a small daypack for personal items during the hikes. You may print from our web page a detailed what to bring list, directions, and this itinerary.
- Your Cost Includes: First nights' shared accommodations, meals while in the back country, camping equipment, personalized yoga instruction, one 20-30 minute massage, applicable wilderness permits, Mountain Guide(s) and Yoga Instructor(s).
- Not Included: Meals in the front country, alcoholic beverages, personal items, tips for guides (10-20% of trip fee recommended), optional trip cancellation insurance.
- Meals: All meals while in the backcountry are included. Our "Backcountry Gourmet" meals have been acclaimed in Sunset Magazine. If you have any requests or food allergies, please be as detailed as possible on your reservation form.
- About the Pack Station: Mules will be carrying all of our equipment and your personal gear into a central camp. You will need to pack your personal belongings efficiently into one mid- sized duffel bag or large compression stuff sack weighing no more than 20 pounds. This does not include your tent, sleeping bag or sleeping pad.
- Preparation: As with all active travel trips, the more you prepare the more you'll enjoy your trip. Participants should walk (in the shoes they will wear on the trip) on excursions of 4-6 miles prior to the trip and be comfortable with that distance in under 4 hours. Most of this trip will be spent above 8,000 feet in elevation. It is not necessary to have any prior experience with yoga, but bring an open mind.
- Day 1:
- Check into the Pines Resort anytime after 4pm. We meet at 6pm at the Pines Resort Lobby for an orientation and meet/greet. Dinner will be on your own the first night.
- Day 2:
- We meet after breakfast at 7:30am to drive to the pack station and trailhead. Your guide will accompany you. The drive is approximately an hour and half and it is your responsibility to drive to the pack station and trailhead. While hiking, you'll only carry a daypack with some water, a camera, raingear, etc. We will hike into a centrally located lake to our base camp. In the evening we will enjoy a light yoga practice to welcome in the next few days of peace and renewal. Massages will be offered before and/or after dinner each evening, depending on the time we return from the day's activities.
- Day 3:
- Your guide(s) will lead a morning yoga session, followed by a later breakfast. In the afternoon, we will hike to a nearby lake for a day of exploration and reflection. In the evening, we'll enjoy a wonderfully prepared dinner, followed by a campfire and stargazing.
- Day 4:
- Today includes an optional summit hike to one of the nearby 10,000'+ peaks that make up the southern border of Yosemite National Park. If you this is not for you, you can hike with the other guide to another nearby alpine lake with great swimming and photo opportunities. You can look forward to an afternoon/ early evening yoga session back at our central camp, followed by a light, healthy dinner and a campfire.
- Day 5:
- We awake for another enlivening yoga session beneath the lofty mountaintops. Hike out after breakfast back to the trailhead by early afternoon. Expect a 2pm-4pm departure from the high country.
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