Bold West: California, Nevada, Utah

Our adventure continues with two days of rock climbing in Saint George, UT. Tall sandstone walls will beckon as we learn how to tie climbing knots and the basics of belaying from professional leaders. A multitude of routes will be set up from beginner to advanced, so you can push your limits as much as you want. Beat the heat in the afternoons by dropping down into a nearby slot canyon to explore the rocks in the shade with our climbing leaders, then dust off the dirt with a swim in nearby Crawdad Canyon’s pristine pools. Afterward, we’ll head toward California and more adventures!

Our first stop in California will be in Sequoia National Park where we’ll walk along the Congress Trail in the Giant Forest, home to the world’s largest tree, General Sherman. We’ll volunteer with the park rangers in Sequoia, giving back to this unique ecosystem by assisting with clean-up and other conservation projects. Next up on this 21-day trip is Yosemite National Park, internationally recognized for its colossal granite cliffs and towering waterfalls. A frolic in the green meadows in front of El Capitan offers unobstructed views of this monumental, 3,000-foot-tall monolith and the nearby Cathedral Rocks. A cliff perhaps even more impressive than El Cap, Half Dome sits just a short way away—this is often the mascot of Yosemite Valley. Just south of Half Dome, we’ll admire Nevada Falls, whose powerful mist can be felt far away from the 600-foot-tall falls. We’ll wrap up our tour with a hike around the verdant Tuolumne Meadows and picturesque Cathedral and Tenaya lakes.

There’s no better bonding time with your new best friends than spending two days on the secluded Middle Fork of the American River. This section of the river is a must-do for anyone wanting to experience thrilling class IV rapids. Perhaps the most exciting section of the river is the Tunnel Chute, so named because of the blasting done by gold miners in the late 1800s. After a series of incredible rapids, you’ll find yourself in an underground tunnel for 90 feet before emerging back out to daylight. We’ll camp under the stars and have splash wars in our rafts during the day. Calmer sections lend themselves to rock and cliff jumps into deep pools!

Known by locals as the most beginner-friendly surf spot in the area, we’ll spend two days on Stinson Beach receiving professional surf instruction. You’ll learn techniques, water safety, awareness, and etiquette before paddling out to watch for the perfect line. These mellow waves are so reliable, it’s not unusual to catch 20 to 30 lines in a day!

We’ll finish our Bold West adventure with a two-day tour of historic landmarks, including the famous Golden Gate Bridge. We’ll ferry to Angel Island for hiking with panoramic bay views and explore the island’s rich history as the “Ellis Island of the West.”

We will walk Fisherman’s Wharf, a historic fishing village turned destination. While walking past clam chowder cafes and street performers, we will make our way to Pier 39 to see the vivacious California Sea Lions in residence!

We’ll give back to this scenic and well-traveled area by spending four hours removing invasive species in Marin County Parks.