Cornucopia Of Fall And Winter Outdoor Adventures Offered In Yosemite National Park

Art, photography and nature enthusiasts will enjoy a compelling roster  of affordable field classes in Yosemite into December.

Learn to weave a basket from tule and willow, capture brilliant fall leaves and subdued autumn hues with a professional photographer, bring the artist and the forest alive in a field journal, and seek eleven different species of woodpeckers in their native habitat – all in spectacular Yosemite National Park this fall and winter. The award-winning non-profit Yosemite Association (YA) presents an impressive array of guided Outdoor Adventures from October 13 through December 9.

Miwok-Paiute Tule-Willow Basketry – October 13 to 15
What better way to learn Native American basketry than from its source? Prepare a tule and willow food-gathering basket in Yosemite Valley with three well-recognized Yosemite Miwok women and learn weaving techniques, basket traditions and history at the same time. Easy; 1 mile; 4,000 feet. Cost (includes all materials): $298 YA member; $351 non-member.

East Side Digital Photography – October 13 to 15
Beginner to intermediate digital camera buffs are invited to discover Yosemite’s dramatic East side during an insightful weekend workshop with writer, filmmaker, photographer and naturalist Lisa Strong-Aufhauser. Guests will learn the benefits of good composition, manually selecting apertures and shutter speeds, and explore Photoshop with its varied capabilities. Digital photography allows for immediate gratification, and photos from the seminar will be viewed during the course. Easy; 2-4 miles at 7-9,000 feet. $265 YA member; $312 non-member.

Yosemite Forest Field Journal – October 21 to 22
The artist in all is inspired in the forests of Yosemite Valley during this weekend workshop with guided experiments in watercolor, colored and pastel pencil, and pen and ink. Painter Andie Thrams specializes in wild forest images of the west and is nationally renowned for her field journals from her walks, treks and kayaking voyages from Baja to Alaska. Easy; 2-4 miles at 4,000 feet. $144 YA member; $170 non-member.

Autumn Light: Photography in Yosemite Valley and Beyond – October 23 to 25
Stands of bright yellow maples, ground fog over the meadows, a rainbow rising out of a waterfall. Noted photographer and author Dave Wyman takes novice through advanced photographers through both tested and novel approaches seeing and recording the natural world with a camera, be it 35mm, digital or medium format cameras. Capture Yosemite icons and lesser-known subject in the Valley and Foresta. Easy; 2-4 miles. Cost: $209 YA member; $246 non-member.

Focusing on Nature: Autumn Photography in Yosemite – November 2 to 5
Renowned photographer and author Keith Walklet demystifies nature photography for beginning to intermediate artists during the period of late autumn color in Yosemite Valley. Keith will mix discussion of fundamental concepts of successful composition with practical instruction on how to get the most from one’s equipment. Optional sunset/moonrise excursion. Easy; 2-4 miles. $216 YA member; $254 non-member.

Woodpeckers: The Quest for Eleven – December 9
There are no less than 11 species of woodpeckers in Yosemite seen on a regular basis, more varieties than any one location in the country. Join YA Education Program Director Pete Devine while the trees are bare and other bird activity is at a minimum for a day of discovery at ideal birding locations in Yosemite Valley and elsewhere. Easy; 2-4 miles; carpooling. Cost: $70 YA member; $82 non-member.

Registration information:
Cost for each Outdoor Adventure includes Park entrance fee, a $20 value, and complimentary camping in Yosemite. Motel lodging has been reserved, for an extra fee. For a free catalog or more information, call (209) 379-2321 or visit online at www.yosemite.org/seminars. Advanced reservations are required for all courses.

About Yosemite Association’s Outdoor Adventures:
Since its inception in 1971, the award-winning Outdoor Adventures program has been growing steadily, reflecting the public’s continuing interest in quality outdoor education. Founded in 1923, the Yosemite Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of Yosemite National Park through its volunteer, publishing, outdoor education and other programs. Revenues from YA programs such as the Outdoor Adventures provide substantial annual funding to supplement the National Park Service’s interpretive services, museum and research programs.

Yosemite Outdoor Adventure participants do not have to be a member of Yosemite Association to attend field courses. However, those who wish to become a steward of Yosemite, can join the Yosemite Association with memberships starting at $35 per year. Membership benefits include discounted room rates in and around Yosemite, a 15% discount on all outdoor adventures, subscription to “Yosemite,” the quarterly journal of the association, 15% discount on all books, maps, posters and calendars, and regular email newsletters.

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