Highlight - wilderness mountain trips - Brief Article

Sierra, Jan, 2000

Cover a lot of territory with ease. Highlight Trips are for people who like to dayhike scenic trails and move to new camps to cover more ground. For luxurious mountain travel, try one of our wilderness Highlight Trips. On moving days pack animals carry food, equipment, and most personal gear from camp to camp. Other Highlight Trips use vans between sites, enabling you to visit a larger territory. Accommodations range from campgrounds to lodges.

Whooping Cranes, Javelinas, and the King Ranch: The Birds and Wildlife of Southeast Texas. March 11-17. Southeast Texas in spring is perhaps the best birding spot in North America! Via van, we explore four National Wildlife Refuges, the Gulf Coast, Rio Grande Valley, and the famous King Ranch in search of migrants, rarities, and Texas specialties. Expect to see whooping cranes, ferruginous pygmy owls, tropical parula, Aplomado falcon, green jay, Harris' hawk, and more! Lodging in motels. Leaden John O'Donnell. Price: $955; Dep: $100. [00065A]

"Ruffing it" on the Rogue, Rogue River Valley, Oregon. May 1-6. Dayhike from lodge to lodge along 40 miles of southern Oregon's beautiful Rogue River Valley. Designated a Wild and Scenic River by Congress in 1968, the Rogue is steeped in the history and color of the gold seekers and settlers of the late 1800s. No tents, no bags, great food, and clean, warm beds. Couples encouraged. Leaden Jim Jackson. Price: $995; Dep: $100. [00240A]

By Paddle and Foot: Following the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Blackfeet Reservation, Montana. June 25-July 1. History will come alive as we retrace the Corps of Discovery's monumental journey on the Missouri River and the mountains of Montana. We'll spend three days canoeing the White Cliffs of the Missouri River (downstream!) and hike some of the areas first seen by America's foremost adventure travelers Canoe rental and van transportation from Great Falls included. Leader: Constance Lederer. Price: $1,145; Dep: $200. [00241A]

The East Coast Trail--Newfoundland, Canada. July 8-16. This is a place like no other--a dramatically beautiful coastline, whales, wildflowers, lighthouses, and islands teeming with sea birds. Come join us for hikes in this pristine wilderness of rocky cliffs and coves, enchanted forests, and coastal meadows. We'll also enjoy St. John's (the picturesque capital), great seafood, a boat trip, and local music. Accommodations in seaside B&Bs. Leader: Marleen Fouche. Price: $925; Dep: $100. [00242A]

Mineral King-Kaweah Peaks Loop, Sequoia Park, California. July 31-August 10. Breathtaking, historical Mineral King will be the starting point for our High Sierra wilderness outing. We'll follow mountain trails and cross-country routes over the Great Western Divide into glacially carved lake basins and canyons, surrounded by sky-piercing peaks. This ten-day, 50-mile loop will include four layover days for exploring, peak bagging, flowering, fishing, and/or relaxing by timberline lakes and streams. Leader: Emily Benner. Price: $1,195; Dep: $200. [00243A]

Tetons South, Targhee Forest, Wyoming and Idaho. August 6-13. This outing begins near the Wyoming-Idaho border. The route skirts the southwestern rim of Grand Teton National Park, whose peaks will come into view as we move through forested terrain home to moose, deer, elk, and beaver. There will be fine, perhaps spectacular, displays of wildflowers. The region is also known for impressive springs, caverns, sink holes, and lakes. Leaden David Bernstein. Price: $725; Dep: $100. [00244A]

Rae Lakes Loop, Inyo Forest, California. August 20-27. The Rae Lakes Loop will be a leisurely highlight trip starting at Onion Valley. We'll follow the John Muir Trail up through the Rae Lakes basin, then up and out over Sawmill Pass with its spectacular view of the southern Sierra Crest. There will be two layover days, and one short mileage day when we'll detour through Sixty Lakes Basin. Leader: Bill Davies. Price: $1,150; Dep: $200. [00245A]

25 Adventuring the Dry Tortugas, Florida. September 10-16. Snorkel the clear, calm waters of a living reef, swim on remote beaches, and explore historic sights. From Key West we'll sail to the Dry Tortugas, an island cluster surrounded by coral reefs and white-sand beaches, for two nights. Mainland accommodations are in a well-equiped campground convenient to Florida's finest snorkeling sites. Two meals not included. Leader: Patrick Nichols. Price: $695; Dep: $100. [00246A]

Grand Canyon Waterfalls and Wilderness, Havasupai Reservation and Grand Canyon Park, Arizona. October 15-21. See the Grand Canyon's premier waterfalls. Walk the park's wilderness paths. Wind down a desert path carved through a stream bed to the hidden valley of Supai where blue-green water cascades over hundred-foot cliffs into travertine pools. Hike to secluded alcoves and down a ridge to a spectacular view of the Colorado River. Comfortable lodges. Van transportation from Flagstaff. Leaders: G. K. Sprinkle and Bob Valentine. Price: $1,195; Dep: $200. [00247A]