• Expedition: May 9-13, 2016
  • Vicente Martinez and Groundwork Richmond
  • Yosemite National Park: Little Yosemite Valley and Sub Dome

Students from Vicente Martinez and Groundwork Richmond joined forces to explore Yosemite National Park's incredible Wilderness and give back by helping to execute a stewardship project - restoring campsites to their natural state!

The group met in Yosemite Valley where they immediately hit the ground running. They met with Ranger Shelton Johnson -- making sure to get some silly photos, and explored the valley on a warm spring day.

They began their journey into the wilderness by walking up the steep trail to the top of Vernal and Nevada Falls on the Mist Trail and YES, IT WAS MISTY!

They spent 3 wonderful nights in Little Yosemite Valley, one of which was spent with Wilderness Ranger Dan. Dan hiked with the group and led them in a campsite restoration project during which the group removed fire rings that were improperly built, and cleaned out all of the others so the next groups to use them find them in perfect condition. This is a particularly tough job as Little Yosemite valley campground is one of the most popular places for visitors to stay, making it subject to trash accumulation. These students are truly ambassadors of wild places and we can thank them for helping to keep Yosemite pristine and beautiful!

group with shelton

The group spent a few hours with Ranger Shelton Johnson--strike a pose!

group on subdome

An epic and challenging hike to the Sub Dome was something everyone could be proud of.

group investigation

The students conducted a science experiment -- team names were chosen and the investigation began!

group rainbow

Rainbows on the way up, AND down!

group with ranger

Wilderness Ranger Dan talked about the importance of protecting wild places and showed the students how to do this by following leave no trace principles. Dan also stuck around for an adventure or two!

group on subdome

On Sub Dome!

WildLink is a proud partner of the National Park Service, National Forest Service, and Nature Bridge.