AUGUST 2017 RECREATION & ACTIVITIES (schedule and activities subject to weather and changing conditions – visit Recreation Desk for updates)

www.rushcreeklodge.com (209) 379-2373 x 3 [email protected] GUIDED RECREATION

TOURING & ‘Wonders of Yosemite’ Hike & Tour HIKING This two-in-one tour offers an unparalleled Yosemite experience, from a 3-mile hike into the grandeur of a Giant Sequoia grove, to the dramatic beauty of and its stunning panorama views, showcasing the sites that made us a National Park. Advanced reservations required, 9:15am-5:15pm, $135 per adult, $85 per youth (8-12)

Yosemite Valley & Tour (with Optional 4.6 Mile Hike) This wide-ranging tour takes you high above the Yosemite Valley floor to magnificent Glacier Point. Take in supreme views of Yosemite Valley, then continue on with a

memorable tour of the Valley floor, visiting iconic attractions. You’ll have the option to enjoy an invigorating self-guided scenic hike down the famous Four Mile Trail to the Valley floor, or ride with our Naturalist Guide and enjoy a shorter walk along the way. Advanced reservations required, 9:15am-4:45pm, $135 per adults, $85 per youth (4-12)

Yosemite High Country Naturalist Tour Experience the unforgettable, breathtaking and serene High Country. This special tour takes you to the Park’s less traveled High Sierra, where we visit scenic vistas, take short walks and relax among pristine lakes, meadows, rivers, granite domes and peaks. Advance reservations required, 8:45am-4:45pm, $135 per adult, $85 per youth (4-12)

Big Trees Hike & Swim Experience the unique beauty and majesty of the western Sierra on this half-day adventure to Yosemite’s Giant Sequoias. This 3-mile round trip historic walk takes you along one of the first roads into Yosemite and into a grove of Giant Sequoias, the largest living tree species on Earth! Just as the day starts to heat up we’ll head deeper into Yosemite for lunch beside one of our favorite swimming holes. Advanced reservations required, 9:15am-2:15pm, $105 per adult, $65 per youth (8-12)

North Dome Naturalist Hike This 9-mile guided hike to one of Yosemite’s premier destinations takes you through lush old growth forest to a breathtaking perch on the north rim of Yosemite Valley, directly across from . A day spent hiking in the High Country is unforgettable, and the view atop North Dome is an absolute jaw-dropper – among the finest in the Sierra. Advance reservations required, 8:45am-4:45pm, $135 per adult, $85 per youth (9-12)

May Lake & Mount Hoffman Hike Join us to the geographic center of the Park, as we hike past one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the High Country and enjoy 360-degree views of Yosemite from the top of a mountain that offers a unique and spectacular perspective of Half Dome. Advance reservations required, 8:45am-4:45pm, $145 per adult, $85 per youth (12-14)

Sunset Vista Happy Hour Tour What better way to end your day in Yosemite than watching the last rays of the sun illuminate the majestic Tuolumne River Canyon? Our guide will drive you up to a dramatic vista where you can relax with some wine (or a non-alcoholic beverage) and snack on delicious hors d’oeuvres. Advanced reservations required, departure time varies, $45 per adult, $25 per youth (12 and under)

(This tour leaves from our sister property, Evergreen Lodge)

Yosemite Cellars Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting You’ll be amazed at the richness of the wines we’ve discovered in the charming Gold Rush town of Groveland. Relax and let our guides drive you to our favorite local vineyard, Yosemite Cellars, where the owners will treat you to a personal tour of their vineyard, some fascinating history, and a tasting of their 6 varietals paired with hors

d’oeuvres and inspiring views. Advanced reservations required, see Rec Desk for details, 4:45-7:45pm, $75 per adult, $40 per youth (12 and under)

**FOR TRIP AVAILABILITIES: VIEW LIVE ONLINE UNDER THE “EXPLORE” TAB, EMAIL [email protected], CALL (209) 379-2373 X3 OR SEE THE RECREATION DESK** GUIDED RECREATION & WELLNESS

RAFTING Half Day and Full Day White Water Rafting Trips Experience the exhilaration of the finest whitewater rafting in the state, on the beautiful Merced (class II to III) and Tuolumne Rivers (class III to IV). Full day trips are available on both the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers, and Half Day Trips are available on the Merced. Offered daily, See Recreation Desk to book your adventure!

Merced Half Days start at $116, Full Days start at $165, Tuolumne Full Days start at $269

FLY FISHING Private Full & Half Day Fly Fishing Trips Our Private Fly Fishing trips allow every experience level to find just what they need in order to obtain the upper hand in the Yosemite area. Our knowledgeable guides get you away from all the crowds of Yosemite’s main tourist attractions, as you fly fish in pristine locations around the park. Advance reservation required, visit the Recreation Desk for details.

Private Half Day prices start at $300, Private Full Day Fly prices start at $450

STARGAZING Stargazing at Rush Creek Lodge Experience the night sky like never before! Up close to nature’s light show, you’ll be gazing through our 12” aperture Dobsonian telescope with go-to tracking technology. Learn about constellations, observe planets, nebulas, galaxies, and other celestial wonders. 10-11pm, $35 per adult, $10 per youth (12 and under). Advance reservation required, please contact Recreation Desk for availability and details.

WELLNESS & Therapeutic Massage YOGA After a hard day of play in the great outdoors, enjoy an indulgent full body massage by our certified massage therapist, who offers a blend of traditional European modalities as well as deep tissue massage, reflexology, hand/food/scalp and therapeutic relaxation massage. Advance reservation required, 50 and 80 minute sessions available. Visit Recreation Desk for availability and details. Hatha Flow Yoga Session Start your morning with an energizing Hatha Flow yoga class. We combine slow and fluid

movements, deep stretches and breath work to leave you ready to take on the day! Classes are designed for all ability levels. Must be 16 or older to participate. Advance reservation required. 60 minute session, $20 per person. Contact Recreation Desk for availability and details. Offered Saturday mornings at 8am.

BANDS, TASTINGS Monday Night Wine Tasting & EVENTS Join the owners of Yosemite Cellars right here at the lodge for a relaxing evening of local wines and good company. Sample their 6 varietals, while learning about the near-by vineyard. Includes souvenir wine glass and small bites. Must be 21 or older to participate. 6-7:30pm, $30. Advance reservation required, please contact Recreation Desk for details.

Saturday Night Craft Beer Tasting Sample at least 4 beers indigenous to the Golden State while learning some brewing history to boot. Includes souvenir tasting glass and snacks. Must be 21 or older to participate. 6-7:30pm, $25. Advance reservation required, please contact Recreation Desk for details.

Live Music! Join us every week for live music by the Pool from 6-9pm.

 August 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th: Samantha Church  August 2nd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 16th, 18th, 23rd, 25th, & 30th: Campfire Sing-a-long with Samantha  August 3rd: Park St. Trio  August 5th & 6th: Christopher Hawley Band  August 10th: Ty Alex  August 12th: The Good Bad Band  August 13th, 20th, & 27th: Felisha Rodriguez Fireside  August 14th, 21st, & 28th: Sequoia  August 19th: Silent Pine  August 24th: Roger Perry Band  August 26th: Todd Stritter  August 31st: Steven Graves Band

Visit the Recreation Desk for information on live music at our sister property, Evergreen Lodge.

DAILY ACTIVITIES Monday • Bee Aware! Two Sessions: 3 & 4pm, Pick Up Honey Sticks at Recreation Desk ($5 per participant). Learn all about bees and their relationship to our food! • Yosemite Wildlife Talk: 6pm, Guest Lounge. Learn how Yosemite’s wildlife use adaptations and strategy to survive in different ecosystems in the Sierra Nevada. • Yosemite Cellars Wine Tasting: 6pm, Sign Up at Recreation Desk by 5pm ($30). See description under ‘Bands, Tastings & Events Section’. • S’mores: 7-9pm, Outdoor Fireplace. Make yourself a tasty treat over the fire with marshmallow, graham crackers and chocolate. Tuesday • Owl Pellet Activity: 3-5pm, Purchase from Recreation Desk ($5 per pellet). Have you ever wondered what an owl has for dinner? Find out by dissecting an actual owl pellet in this fund hands on activity! • Movie Night! Ordinary, Extraordinary Junco*: 7pm, Events Hall. Curious about birds? Meet the most common, yet remarkable, birds found across North America. • Trivia: 7-8pm, Guest Lounge. Great for the entire family. Win prizes! • S’mores: 7-9pm, Outdoor Fireplace Wednesday • Sun Print Craft: 3-5pm, Pick up kit from Recreation Desk. Use our special photographic paper and the sun to create beautiful personalized works of art in this self-guided craft. • Talk: 6pm, Guest Lounge. Learn the story behind the smoke. Join us as we discuss California’s 3rd largest wildfire, the 2013 Rim Fire, and its impact on the surrounding Stanislaus National Forest and . • Movie Night! The Mono Lake Story*: 7pm, Events Hall. Learn about the history and ecology of Yosemite’s mysterious neighbor, Mono Lake. • S’mores: 7-9pm, Outdoor Fireplace Thursday • Weather Windows Nature Craft: 3-5pm, Game Room. Have you ever wondered what

type of weather the clouds will bring? Identify cumulus, stratus and nimbus clouds and what is to come with each cloud in this educational and fascinating self-guided activity. • Movie Night! Adventure Film*: 7pm, Events Hall. See Recreation Desk for details. • S’mores: 7-9pm, Outdoor Fireplace Friday • Crack Your Own Geode: 3-5pm, Purchase from Recreation Desk ($5 per geode). Crack

your very own geode and discover the crystals that lie within. • Bingo! 7:30pm, Guest Lounge. Great for the entire family. Win prizes! • S’mores: 7-9pm, Outdoor Fireplace • Stargazing at Rush Creek Lodge: 10pm. $35 per adult, $10 per youth (12 and under). Advance reservations required, see Recreation Desk for availability. See description under ‘Guided Recreation & Wellness Section’. Saturday • Hatha Flow Yoga Session: 8-9am. Advance reservations required, see Recreation Desk for

availability. ($20 per person) See description under ‘Guided Recreation & Wellness Section’. • Tie Dye! 3-5pm, ($10 includes logo t-shirt- Buy at Recreation Desk) Create a souvenir you can wear all summer to remind you of your Yosemite vacation. • California Craft Beer Tasting: 6pm, Sign Up at Recreation Desk by 5pm ($25). See description under ‘Bands, Tastings & Events Section’. • S’mores: 7-9pm, Outdoor Fireplace Sunday

• Sierra Reptile Painting: 3-5pm, Recreation Desk. Learn about our local reptiles while creating a fun take away during this self-guided craft. All On-site • Rim Fire Talk: 6pm, Guest Lounge. See Wednesday’s description. activities are • Movie Night! The National Parks – America’s Best Idea: 7pm, Events Hall. Learn about complimentary unless the birth and growth of our National Parks in this compelling documentary. otherwise noted. • S’mores: 7-9pm, Outdoor Fireplace

*movies on August 8th, 9th & 10th will be played in the Bridalveil Room. See Recreation Desk for details.