Program Overview: Enjoy summer scenery as you practice identifying songbirds by sight and sound and figure out which wildflowers are blooming along the trails using a combination of clues such as flower shape, leaf arrangement, and petal count. During a series of slow-paced day hikes in the White Wolf area, you’ll learn about and look for diverse bird and plant species that live at these elevations. Some of the stunning plants might include alpine lily, scarlet gilia, crimson columbine, and alpine shooting star. When you slow down and really pay attention, some birds that you could see include the American dipper, osprey, Williamson’s sapsucker and black-backed woodpecker.
If conditions allow, on Sunday morning, get a close look at birds and bird science in the park by joining our MAPS (Monitoring Bird Productivity and Survivorship) bird banding crew at the White Wolf banding station to learn about what they are doing and witness the process of mist netting and banding birds.
Whether you’re new to birding and botany or you want to learn more about Yosemite’s high-country ecology, you’re bound to enjoy this relaxing weekend with a naturalist guide.
Know Before You Go:
- Program dates: Friday, July 19 evening meeting (6:30pm-8pm), Saturday, July 20 through Sunday, July 21, 8am-3pm each day.
- Program location: White Wolf
- What’s included: Two full days of guided instruction by a Yosemite Naturalist, park entry (as needed), and shared tent camping (camping dates cannot be altered). There is no discount if you choose not to use the included gate pass or campsite.
- Camping dates: Participants can arrive on July 19 after 12pm and depart July 22 by 11am. There are three shared campsites among all the participants. We guarantee tent camping only. If you choose to bring a recreational vehicle, we cannot guarantee you will have a parking spot. Please be prepared to tent camp. A picnic table, bear locker and firepit are provided at each site. Campsites accommodate 6 people per site.
- Campground Location: White Wolf
- Lodging: Upgrade to White Wolf Lodge (if it opens) for an additional fee. Lodging dates match camping dates. Lodging blocks expire 30 days prior to the program. Details on using our Group Code will be emailed to you immediately after you register.
- Experience level: All levels welcome, but participants must be physically fit to walk at elevation with a daypack.
What’s not included:
- Gear or meals during your program.
- Camping gear or meals in the shared campsites.
- Transportation.
