Compare Portered Shining Rock by Wildland Trekking vs USA Road Trip- The Best of Cali by G Adventures
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| Trip |
0 | Poor
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 3 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 915 | $ 2,252 |
| Price Per Day | $ 305 | $ 250 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Camping | Camping |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners |
| Description |
Our Appalachian guides feel this is the best hiking route we run east of the Mississippi River! When it comes to trails, views, swimming, and summits it is amazing in that it quite literally has it all despite technically being outside the Smokies. The difference between this trip and the backpacking version is that porters carry our gear and supplies in on Day 1, set up camp, and hike back in on the final day to break camp and transport our supplies out. This is an wonderful way to see experience the Appalachian backcountry while hiking with light daypacks. |
California is the land of dreamers and schemers and we schemed up quite the adventure for you. Start in LA and travel north to San Francisco along Highway 1 on this short nine-day trip. Then, head inland to see mighty Yosemite National Park and all of the beautiful hikes and views that landscape has to offer before driving back to southern California for an included surf lesson. Sounds like a win in our book! |
Day 1
Shuttle to the trailhead: 1-hour drive from Asheville
Hiking Mileage: ~ 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1000 feet
This multi-day Appalachian hiking trip to the Shining Rock Wilderness starts with a drive through the city of Brevard and a stop at an amazing roadside attraction, Looking Glass Falls. From here it is a short drive to our trailhead along the famed Blue Ridge Parkway. Our hike (with just light day packs) is along the scenic Art Loeb Trail over multiple 6000’ peaks. As we cross over Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain we’ll enjoy huge views of the surrounding Appalachian Mountain Range. Lunch today is either on the summit of one of these two peaks or in the grassy meadows of Ivestor Gap. Eventually we’ll hike on to our two night basecamp near Shining Rock Gap, which will be set up and waiting for us. After settling in we’ll enjoy a sunset dinner, prepared fresh by your guide, on the unique and other worldly summit of Shining Rock, a mountain capped with white quartzite rock outcroppings.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 5 or 9 miles
Elevation Loss/Gain: 750 or 1795 feet
Today we get to enjoy the Appalachian High country with one of two options. The first option is hiking up to an amazing summit view from atop Cold Mountain, whose name you might recognize from Charles Frazier’s historic fiction novel based in this region during the Civil War, "Cold Mountain". Our summit brings us to a height of 6,030 feet. After lunch at the summit we’ll hike back toward Shining Rock Gap and our comfortable, scenic camp for one more, much deserved, hearty Appalachian dinner prepared by your guide!
Our second option is just to shorten this hike to turn around and have lunch along a scenic ridgeline called “the Narrows”. This shorter hike will allow for extra time to relax and explore the quartzite rock outcroppings of Shining Rock further before another hearty dinner prepared by your guide.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 4.1 miles
Elevation Loss: 2550 feet
Shuttle to Asheville: 1-hour drive to Asheville
Today we head down the beautiful Shining Creek trail. Our porters will hike in break camp, and transport everything out, allowing us again to hike with just light day packs. On the way we will stop and enjoy multiple cascades along our journey to our waiting vehicle at Big East Fork. Lunch today is at one of the many amazing viewpoints of the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. While enjoying the views and a delicious lunch we will recount the highlights of our Shining Rock Wilderness adventure. After lunch it is a short drive back to Asheville and hot, deserved showers!
Day 1 Los Angeles/Santa Margarita
Group will depart Los Angeles in the morning and drive to Santa Monica. Walk the iconic Santa Monica pier this morning or spend some time cruising the shoreline. Not in the mood for the beach? That's cool, maybe consider visiting the Santa Monica farmers market to stock up on all sorts of local goodies. Grab a quick bite to eat for lunch in Santa Monica and travel northwest to San Luis Obispo for a quick detour to see the chewing gum alley and to grab any last minute provisions before heading to our campsite for the night.
Day 2 Santa Margarita/Santa Cruz
Today is all about Highway 1. Devote the entire day to seeing the best of the best along this famous route. Stop to see Elephant Seals, walk through Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and make stops in Carmel and Monterey en route to the next destination. Later in the day set up camp in Santa Cruz.
Day 3 Santa Cruz/San Francisco
Head out from camp in the morning and continue up Highway 1 towards Half Moon Bay. Your CEO will take you on a brief orientation of the city. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Join your CEO for a driving tour through some of San Francisco's most iconic highlights then hit the town on your own or join a sunset sail under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Day 4 San Francisco/Yosemite National Park
Leave San Francisco behind this morning as you drive to Yosemite National Park. Along the way stop for some fresh produce at a farmer’s market in the central valley. Once in the park hike to Tuolumne Grove to see massive Giant Sequoias. Finish the day with a stop to see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall en route to your camp for the night.
Day 5 Yosemite National Park
Enjoy free time to navigate the majestic Yosemite Valley at your own pace. Walk the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail or Swinging Bridge Loop Trail. Relax under the towering granite monoliths of Half Dome or El Capitan. Up for more of a challenge? Test your endurance on a more challenging hike like Upper Yosemite Falls or Four Mile. On the way back to camp, search for climbers on the sheer rock face of El Capitan.
Yosemite Village is a great starting point for launching into your adventure. Your CEO will help you get oriented to visit the Ansel Adams gallery, Ahwahnee Museum and the Yosemite Visitor Center. Here you can start a valley hike or catch a free shuttle around the park.
Day 6 Yosemite National Park
Today is all about getting active and exploring the landscapes of Yosemite. Head out on a hike to Vernal or Nevada Falls or opt to rent bikes and cruise around the valley. This park is a hiker’s paradise filled with different options for every skill level. From miles of trekking to short walks featuring amazing views, you won’t have a hard time finding a trail to set out on and enjoy. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and make sure to take plenty of pictures. In the evening relax around the fire and swap stories with your group.
Day 7 Yosemite National Park/Hermosa Beach
Bid farewell to Yosemite this morning and get ready for some ocean waves and sand between your toes as the group heads south to Hermosa Beach. Travel through the rolling hills and vastness of the Central Valley and arrive at the Pacific coast just in time to walk the beach during golden hour and grab some delicious dinner by the sea.
After the forests of Yosemite the beaches of southern California will be a welcome change for some time to relax and recharge. So suit up, grab a towel, find a volleyball, and live out those California beach fantasies with your friends.
Day 8 Hermosa Beach
Live the California dream as you wake up to the distant sound of waves crashing against the sand. Then, suit up and get ready for your surf lesson where you'll learn a thing or two about what it takes to make riding those waves look so easy. Afterwards, enjoy free time on Hermosa Beach to lounge in the sun, walk out to the pier, or find a beachfront cafe with a table outside for some people watching. Or choose to rent bikes or surf boards and continue the adventure. Your only dilemma today should be deciding which burrito place you want to eat at.
Day 9 Hermosa Beach/Los Angeles
In the morning travel to Los Angeles. The adventure ends upon arrival.
