Day 0: Arrival Day Reno, Nevada with evening program.
6pm meeting and tour orientation. Now is the chance to see and explore Reno, Nevada known as the “Biggest Little City of the World.” We do a city walking tour than head over the Reno’s Truckee River “Riverwalk District” and have dinner as a group.
Day 1: Virginia City and Carson City, Hike Carson Pass to Winnemucca
We depart early for our first stop of the day in Virginia City, NV. Here you see and experience the oldest living Ghost town of the USA West. Topics for learning include Comstock Load, Samuel Clements and much more. After Virginia City, we head to tour Carson City, Nevada State Capital.
Our next stop is a hike in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The trail from Carson Pass to beautiful 9,000 foot Winnemucca Lake is a local favorite, known for its gorgeous wildflowers and excellent views. This is a great hike for photographers, because of the picture perfect scenery, and the small elevation change and rewarding sights.
Day 2: Lake Tahoe Tour and Spooner Trail Hike
Lake Tahoe is one of the cleanest, deepest mountain lake in the world. Its elevation is 6200 feet (1890 meters) and is surrounded by gorgeous Mountains and wealth of activities. Lake Tahoe previously served as a transcontinental route for first railroad and later highways. Exploring Lake Tahoe’s towns that encompass the lake might make you feel like you’re swaggering through a modernized downtown from the Old West. You will have a chance to go swimming after our hike and see the 90 feet of underwater visibility for yourself. Unbelievable!
Day 3: Yosemite National Park
Early start to Yosemite National Park. We travel one of American West’s most beautiful, scenic roads in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We stop for a coffee in an old western town and than a swim and picnic at Tenya Lake, Yosemite. On our way to Yosemite Valley, we stop for a short hike to see the giant sequoias at Tuolumne Grove.
Hike: Tuolumne Grove 2.5 miles.
Hotel: Yosemite Valley Glamping
Total Drive time: 6.5 hrs / 220 miles
Included: Breakfast and Picnic Lunch
Day 4: Yosemite National Park, Hike Panorama Trail from Glacier Point.
Panorama Trail one of the most impressive hikes in Yosemite National Park and maybe the world. The trail descends past Illilouette Falls on a course with spectacular views of Half Dome at nearly every turn. The hike follows the Mist Trail alongside two famous Yosemite waterfalls, Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall, making this hike a must do. The Panorama Trail is a nearly 10-mile long point-to-point hike from the top to the bottom of Yosemite Valley.
Day 5: Sacramento and famous HWY 49 Gold Country
Early departure required. We travel the incredible, beautiful, Sierra Nevada foothills historic HWY 49 Gold Country country road to our first stop for coffee at Murphys. Next stop, Suttersmill Historic Park, where they discovered gold in 1948. See and swim the famous American River. When we arrive in Sacramento, we go on a city walking Tour visiting State Capital and Sacramento Old Western City.
Hike: Sightseeing and city tour 4 miles of walking.
Hotel: Sacramento City
Total Drive time: 4.5 hrs / 200 miles
Included: Breakfast and Picnic Lunch
Day 6: Sacramento and Sierra Hot Springs.
From its roots at Sutter’s Fort during the California Gold Rush to its place today as the state’s political hub, Sacramento is a city representing the history of the West. We start the day walking the city and touring Sutter’s Fort. On our way back to the mountains, we stop for picnic and swim either at American River or Folsom Lake. We travel up to the Sierra Nevada Mountains to our last stop at the Sierra Hot Springs. We set up a western camp, near a natural hot springs. Here you will experience a evening never to forget.
Option: Spa Treatments
Hike: Sightseeing walking 1 mile
Hotel or Camping: Sierra Hot Springs
Total Drive time: 2.5 hrs / 120 miles
Included: Breakfast and Picnic Lunch
Day 7: Sierra Hot Springs and Reno, tour over.
Go for a morning self guided hike and soak in the hot springs. We head out for Reno with a stop in Historic western town of Truckee, California.
Get a coffee and visit the tourist visitor center to learn more about the history of Truckee, including the tragic Donner Party Story.
Option: Morning Spa Treatments
Hike: Sightseeing walking 1 mile
Hotel or Camping: Sierra Hot Springs
Total Drive time: 3.0 hrs / 140 miles
Included: Breakfast and Picnic Lunch