This wonderful program, especially designed for students completing the 7th and 8th grades, is a perfect introduction to backpacking, whitewater rafting, and sea kayaking in the wondrous Yellowstone wilderness. Imagine spending two weeks in the "American Serengeti" with wildlife, amazing thermal springs, and geysers. There is no better two-week program for students completing the 7th and 8th grades than this one.
Hike the Yellowstone Wilderness
Following your arrival into Jackson Hole and a day hike in Grand Teton National Park, we'll move north to Yellowstone National Park. Our introductory backcountry hike will take us to shimmering lakes, amazing thermal hot springs, geysers, and waterfalls. On this short backpack, we'll teach you how to comfortably carry a backpack, cook delicious meals, and camp without leaving a trace of your presence. Yellowstone has often been described as the "American Serengeti," and we will see why as we sight bison, moose, elk, coyotes, pronghorn antelope, bears, and possibly wolves.Whitewater Raft the Gallatin River
The day we conclude our backpack, we'll pick up our whitewater rafts on the nearby Gallatin River where we'll paddle in teams through some of the finest whitewater to be found in the West. This whitewater adventure will be a perfect introduction to rafting and will prepare us for our final day of rafting on the Snake River.Sea Kayak Yellowstone's Lakes
Few words can describe the serenity and beauty of gliding across the mirror-like high altitude lakes of Yellowstone in safe 2-person, ocean-going kayaks. This 3-day trip will be a perfect introduction to kayak touring, as we explore this amazing water wilderness at 9,000 feet in elevation. If we missed any wildlife on our first backcountry adventure, we will certainly see it here. Our campsite each night will be on a sandy beach and the night sky will be ablaze with stars.Hike the Spanish Peaks Wilderness
Bordering the western edge of Yellowstone lie the breathtakingly beautiful Spanish Peaks and the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. Our next 3 days will find us backpacking to beautiful blue lakes surrounded by soaring snowcapped peaks and lush wildflower strewn meadows. We'll return to Yellowstone, spending an afternoon hiking through the spectacular Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone where we'll view the wonder of Yellowstone Falls. Before nightfall, we'll visit the famous Old Faithful geyser and hike among some of the other thermal wonders such as Castle and Beehive geysers.Whitewater Raft the Snake River
Returning to Jackson Hole, we'll spend our final day rafting the thrilling Class III and IV rapids of the Grand Canyon of the Snake River and then share our final banquet together beneath the beauty of the Tetons.
All the major components of this trip have been offered by us over the past 37 years
