2012 Yosemite Twin Valleys Waterfall Workshops (May 18-21, 2012)

All New 1 & 2 Day Eastern Sierra All Digital Masters Photography Workshop with National Geographic Photographer Phil Schermeister (June-October 2012)

June 21, 2012 Half Dome Adventure Hike - 4 permits remain

If you secure Half Dome Permits for 2012 through the lottery, we will be able to obtain a permit to guide your group.

Please call 800 886 8009 or email tours at yexplore.com

All Yosemite Photo Sessions and Guided Hikes are open unless they are designated as Private Tours.

We will gladly schedule a tour for you on the date you plan to visit Yosemite if it is not already on the calendar.

May 13, 2012    -    May 19, 2012
(Week 20)
Public Access

Time:

9:00am-2:00pm

Description:

Yosemite Inspiration Point Hiking Tour

Travel back in time on one of Yosemite’s most storied trails and find your inspiration on a breathtaking hike up the south rim of Yosemite Valley. This gently used trail leads to one of the Valley’s hallmark vistas. We will uncover many of the same views witnessed by the first western visitors of Yosemite and will be visiting the site of the 1851 "Discovery of the Yosemite". On this hike, we will discuss the importance of this "discovery" and history of Yosemite National Park.

Type of Tour: Moderate

Distance: 7 miles roundtrip

Elevation Gain: 1400 feet

Time: 5 hours

Water Requirements: 80 ounces

Price: Varies based on size of your group

Please visit our Tours Page here: Y explore Yosemite Hiking Tours or call us toll free at: 800 886- 8009

Time:

8:30am-1:30pm

Description:

Yosemite Valley Naturalist Hike.

Join a naturalist as we journey through Yosemite Valley. Learn about the unique natural history and ecological roles of the flora and fauna. Be sure to bring your camera as this hike will offer unique photographic opportunities of majestic landscapes and possible wildlife encounters.

Type of Tour: Gentle Full Day Hike (Gentle)

Distance: >4.5 miles roundtrip

Elevation Gain: Minimal

Time: 5 hours

Water Requirements: 32 ounces

Price: Varies based on size of your group

Please visit our Tours Page here: Y explore Yosemite Nature Excursions or call us toll free at: 800 886- 8009

Description:

Yosemite Twin Valleys Waterfall Workshops

Join us for the unique opportunity to explore, compare, and contrast the magnificence of two Yosemite Valleys including Hetch Hetchy, the hidden treasure of Yosemite National Park. The week's events will commence with an introductory interpretive hike in Yosemite Valley led by two renowned naturalists, David Lukas and the group's leader, James McGrew. A week of discovery will follow with instructional photography tours guided by acclaimed photographers Walter Flint, Phil Schermeister, Robb Hirsch, and Joshua Cripps. James will be leading a 2 Day Naturalist workshop focusing on art in the national parks, and David will guide naturalist excursions including birding tours that transect both regions. Complimentary evening slide show programs will be available throughout the week.

Type of Tour: Multi Day Workshop

Days: 4

Difficulty: Gentle

Prices:

Naturalist Hiking Tour: $50 per person

Naturalist Birding Walk: $100 per person

Photography Workshops: $175 per person ($250 for Master Sessions)

2 Day Naturalist Workshop: $175 per person/per day

Please visit our Workshop Page here: Yosemite Twin Valleys Waterfall Workshops or call us toll free at: 800 886- 8009

Time:

All day event

Description:

North side Yosemite Valley Backpacking Adventure

Make sure to take a deep breath before you peer over the top of the 3000 ft. face of El Capitan. You just might get dizzy. Gaze across the gaping valley at the face of Half Dome from the summit of Yosemite Point, North Dome, and Indian Rock. This short but sweet trip is guaranteed to satisfy.

Type of Tour: 3 Days/2 Nights Backpacking Adventure

Distance: 22 miles roundtrip

Price: Varies based on size of your group

To reserve this adventure please contact us, Please visit our Overnight Backpacks Page here: Y explore Yosemite Overnight Backpacks or call us toll free at: 800 886-8009

Time:

7:00am-12:00pm

Description:

Yosemite Twin Valleys Masters Abstracts and Colors in Nature Photography Session

Photograph Yosemite Abstracts and Colors in Nature

Working with Yosemite's spectacular geography and distinctive setting, we will explore a variety of photographic techniques as we work with light, color, form, and motion to create our own works of photographic art. National Geographic photographer Phil Schermeister will help you create visually unique images of many of Yosemite's outstanding features and teach you how to work with water, wildflowers, and other natural features of the park. Artificial light sources will also be discussed and utilized. Seminars will take place in Yosemite Valley and other areas of the park. Participants should bring basic camera equipment, a photographic flash, tripod, and your imagination.

Type of Tour: Yosemite Explorer Masters Photo Workshop

Price: $250 per person

Difficulty of hiking: Gentle

Miles: under 3 miles hiking roundtrip

Elevation Gain: Minimal

All levels of experience are welcome.

Phil Schermeister’s Yosemite Photography Sessions

Please visit our Tours Page here: Y explore Twin Valleys Waterfall Workshops or call us toll free at: 800 886- 8009

*Class Sizes will be limited and are subject to a 2 person minimum.

Time:

10:30am-3:30pm

Description:

Yosemite Twin Valleys Naturalist Hike

Hike Yosemite Valley

This 5 hour introductory walk through Yosemite Valley will be our first event and will be led by James McGrew. He will expertly guide you through the valley to discover its vast beauty while discussing the natural history of this remarkable place. Participants will have ample opportunities to absorb the area's budding spring wildflowers while uncovering the incredible vistas that have inspired visitors since 1855. We will stroll along trails that will explore the booming waterfalls and iconic peaks of the Valley of Ahwahnee while discussing ecological relationships within its granite walls. Tour will last five hours.

Type of Tour: Gentle Hike

Distance: 6 miles roundtrip

Elevation Gain: None

Time: 5 hours

Water Requirements: 32 ounces

Price: $50

Please visit our Tours Page here: Y explore Yosemite Twin Valleys Waterfall Workshops or call us toll free at: 800 886- 8009

Description:

Yosemite Twin Valleys Waterfall Workshops

Join us for the unique opportunity to explore, compare, and contrast the magnificence of two Yosemite Valleys including Hetch Hetchy, the hidden treasure of Yosemite National Park. The week's events will commence with an introductory interpretive hike in Yosemite Valley led by two renowned naturalists, David Lukas and the group's leader, James McGrew. A week of discovery will follow with instructional photography tours guided by acclaimed photographers Walter Flint, Phil Schermeister, Robb Hirsch, and Joshua Cripps. James will be leading a 2 Day Naturalist workshop focusing on art in the national parks, and David will guide naturalist excursions including birding tours that transect both regions. Complimentary evening slide show programs will be available throughout the week.

Type of Tour: Multi Day Workshop

Days: 4

Difficulty: Gentle

Prices:

Naturalist Hiking Tour: $50 per person

Naturalist Birding Walk: $100 per person

Photography Workshops: $175 per person ($250 for Master Sessions)

2 Day Naturalist Workshop: $175 per person/per day

Please visit our Workshop Page here: Yosemite Twin Valleys Waterfall Workshops or call us toll free at: 800 886- 8009

Time:

All day event

Description:

North side Yosemite Valley Backpacking Adventure

Make sure to take a deep breath before you peer over the top of the 3000 ft. face of El Capitan. You just might get dizzy. Gaze across the gaping valley at the face of Half Dome from the summit of Yosemite Point, North Dome, and Indian Rock. This short but sweet trip is guaranteed to satisfy.

Type of Tour: 3 Days/2 Nights Backpacking Adventure

Distance: 22 miles roundtrip

Price: Varies based on size of your group

To reserve this adventure please contact us, Please visit our Overnight Backpacks Page here: Y explore Yosemite Overnight Backpacks or call us toll free at: 800 886-8009

Time:

7:25am-12:25pm

Description:

Yosemite Twin Valleys Hetch Hetchy Falls and Flowers with Robb Hirsch

Photograph Yosemite Hetch Hetchy Valley

Join professional photographer Robb Hirsch on a customized workshop in beautiful Hetch Hetchy Valley during its prime time of the year. With several striking waterfalls and colorful wildflower displays, Hetch Hetchy offers a multitude of potential subjects to photograph in a far less crowded setting than Yosemite Valley. Emphasis for this workshop will be placed on creating strong compositions, teaching techniques for shooting waterfalls and wildflowers, the art of pre-visualizing images to be more productive, and reading light to best utilize the current conditions. Learn how to become more creative with photography by manually choosing apertures and shutter speeds and shooting a scene in a variety of ways to isolate the subject or put it in the context of the surrounding environment. Come away with fine images of this intriguing landscape and more importantly the knowledge to better capture quality images of the natural world wherever you may be.

Type of Tour: Yosemite Specialty Photo Workshop

Price: $175 per person

Difficulty of hiking: moderate

Miles: up to 5 miles hiking roundtrip

Elevation Gain: less than 1000ft

All levels of experience are welcome.

Robb Hirsch’s Yosemite Photography Sessions

Please visit our Tours Page here: Y explore Yosemite Twin Valleys Waterfall Workshops or call us toll free at: 800 886- 8009

Time:

7:30am-12:30pm

Description:

Yosemite Natural History Adventure Photography

This three-day program will compare and contrast the similarities yet striking differences between these two magnificent sister valleys. Subjects will include geology, natural and cultural history, aesthetics, art and photography. Bring a camera capable of manual control, your sense of discovery, and your creative side of your brain for a series of exercises that will open your eyes to new perspectives and unique way to see Yosemite's twin valleys. Note: Day one is at Glacier Point; Day two in Hetch Hetchy; Day three in Yosemite Valley. You may enroll in one or all programs which will be complemented by James' Natural History Hike on May 18.

Type of Tour: Photography Hike

Difficulty: Gentle-Moderate

Prices: $175 per person/per day

Please visit our Workshop Page here: Yosemite Twin Valleys Waterfall Workshops or call us toll free at: 800 886- 8009

Time:

9:00am-2:00pm

Description:

Yosemite Twin Valleys Specialty Birding Tour with David Lukas

Target Yosemite Bird Species and their Habitats

Find some of Yosemite 's many birds with a naturalist on this tour throughout the productive areas surrounding Yosemite Valley. We will travel in our own cars and make stops that focus on target birds or habitats with long stops at each site. (Note: This tour may be modified to search for certain target species or to take advantage of shifting bird populations.) Tours will last approximately five hours.

Type of Tour: Yosemite Birding Tour

Price: $100

Difficulty of hiking: Gentle

Elevation Gain: Minimal

David Lukas’ Naturalist Excursion Series

Please visit our Tours Page here: Y explore Yosemite Twin Valleys Waterfall Workshops or call us toll free at: 800 886- 8009