Program Overview: Beth Pratt has spent her life exploring Yosemite, and her newest book, Yosemite Wildlife: The Wonder of Animal Life in California’s Sierra Nevada, is the first book dedicated to the park’s animals to be published in over a hundred years. This program kicks off with an evening presentation with Beth Pratt. She will share insights into Yosemite’s residents and what their stories tell us about resilience, adaptation, and the importance of protecting wild places.
The next day, you’ll have the rare opportunity to join Beth in the field at Gaylor Lakes, a spectacular high-country basin just outside Tioga Pass. Beth will weave science, field observations, and stories from her work into an engaging exploration of the Gaylor Lakes Basin. As you hike at a relaxed pace through alpine meadows and along shimmering lakes framed by granite peaks, you’ll learn about the resilient wildlife that survives in these high elevations, from marmots and pikas to Clark’s nutcrackers and alpine butterflies.
Know Before You Go:
- Program dates: Saturday, August 8, 6:30–7:30 pm evening meeting and Sunday, August 9, 9 am–3 pm
- Program location: High Country, Tuolumne
- What’s Included
- Guided instruction with a Yosemite Conservancy Naturalist Guide
- Park entry pass (valid for program dates only)
- Free day on Friday, August 7, to explore the park on your own!
- Shared tent camping (camping dates cannot be altered)
- No discount is available if you choose not to use the gate pass or campsite.
- Camping Information: Arrive Friday, August 7, after 12 pm. Depart Monday, August 10, by 11 am. Two campsites are shared between all participants, each with space for 2–3 tents and equipped with a picnic table, bear locker, and fire pit.
- Camping Location: Tuolumne Meadows
- Important Notes: Due to the shared nature of the campsites, we cannot accommodate RVs, campers, or car camping. If you would like a private campsite, have an RV/camper, or plan to sleep in your car, you’ll need to make your own reservation. Please note that camping is reserved for program participants only.
- Hiking is an integral part of this course, so you must be in good physical condition to attend. For any outing, if you are unprepared or appear physically unable to complete the required activities, trip leaders have the right to ask you to leave the course to ensure your safety and the safety of the group.
- Lodging Upgrade: Upgrade to Tuolumne Meadows Lodge for an additional fee. A block of rooms is reserved for program dates only. Lodging blocks expire 30 days prior to the program. Booking details, including the Group Code, will be emailed after registration.
What’s Not Included
- Gear or meals during your program
- Camping gear or meals in the shared campsites
- Transportation
Experience Level: Intermediate; hiking at high elevation
