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REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. This is a paid event with payment managed through the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for details; you will be given payment instructions after you sign up. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.



Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Snake River Adventure


The Basics:
Event Type:Adventure
Event Location: Jackson, Wyoming and surrounding area
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Aug 11 2012  2:00 pm >> Sat, Aug 18 2012 10:45 am
Registration Opens: Sun, Apr 15 2012 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, May 11 2012 7:00 pm
Event Duration:6 Days 20 Hours 45 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult (Exploratory)
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Clay White
Jimmy
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Member Cost:$475.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:6
Number Registered So Far: 12 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:
With massive jagged mountain peaks against wide blue skies, abundant wildlife, lakes nestled between mountains, plunging gorges, rivers, and waterfalls, the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks provide almost unparalleled opportunities for outdoor adventure in the United States. These wilderness playgrounds have long been cherished as pre-eminent symbols of the American West.

Please join us as we explore these national treasures (and surrounding areas) through a series of day hikes and a rafting adventure on the Snake River (which includes a big cowboy breakfast). One night, we'll even take a wagon train ride and enjoy a chuck wagon meal, including a ribeye steak.

We will stay in two "camping cabins" in a campground on the Snake River. While the cabins are modest in size (400 square feet), each is equipped with a half kitchen, cookware, beds, dining area, gas BBQ grill, camp fire ring, flat screen television, patio, and bathroom with shower. Please review the "notes" section below for important information regarding our accommodations.

Because our adventure is planned as a series of day events, you have flexibility with your arrival and departure dates. Similarly, you are not required to participate in all daily events. However, the trip is based on a flat rate, and the price remains fixed regardless of the events in which you elect to participate.

Detailed Itinerary (given our incredible abundance of choices, the specific trails hiked are subject to change at the discretion of your TLs).

Saturday, August 11 (Day 1) - Arrive in Jackson, Wyoming and settle into cabins.

Sunday, August 12 (Day 2) - Rendezvous Mountain and Granite Canyon hike (D4). We will ride the tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain (10,450 feet elevation) and hike a 12.8 mile loop. Because we are starting from the top, it will be mostly downhill! This hike is reported to offer fabulous views of the Teton range and passes through a number of large meadows. Dinner will be at home in our cabins or in town, depending on the group's desires.

Monday, August 13 (Day 3) - Hermitage Point hike in Grand Teton National Park (D4). This is a 9.4 mile hike on a peninsula in Jackson Lake, located in Grand Teton National Park. We will pass Heron Pond and perhaps see pelicans and other waterfowl. According to one guidebook, this route offers outstanding views of the Teton range, in addition to the lake, pond and wildlife.

For dinner, we'll take an old fashioned ride on a horse drawn wagon to an outdoor location where we'll enjoy a cowboy dinner, including a grilled ribeye steak. A country and western show is provided.

Tuesday, August 14 (Day 4) - Mount Sheridan and Avalanche Peak hikes in Yellowstone National Park (D5). Mount Sheridan, at an elevation of 10,308 feet, offers fabulous views, including Heart Lake. The hike is only 6 miles, but steep. We'll enjoy some down time at the top of the mountain, after our difficult climb.

Next, we'll drive to a different trailhead located only a few miles away and hike up to Avalanche Peak, which is also short and steep. The view from the top is described as spectacular. Our totals for both mountains will be approximately 10 miles and 5000 feet. This will probably be our most challenging day of hiking. Therefore, we'll give our legs a rest on Wednesday and do some rafting!

Wednesday, August 15 (Day 5) - Scenic Snake River float (D2) plus whitewater rafting (D4) on the Snake River in Jackson Hole. While not in the national park, this portion of the Snake River is part of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, which boasts 18 million acres of protected wildlife habitat. Rafters have observed, among others: elk, mule deer, moose, otter, black bear, blue heron, eagle, osprey, wolves and coyotes.

We'll begin our morning with a scenic 8 mile river float on calm waters with beautiful mountain views. Our outfitter will then stop at a private camp for breakfast, which includes wild rice pancakes, maple sausage, scrambled eggs and fresh fruit. Then, we'll change into our whitewater gear and return to the river for 8 miles of rafting through whitewater rapids. Dinner will be back at the cabins or in town, depending on group wishes.

Thursday, August 16 (Day 6) - Cascade Canyon hike in Grand Teton National Park (D4). This is a very popular 9.8 mile hike with approximately 1100 feet in elevation gain. This hike includes cascading streams, a spectacular waterfall, and Jenny Lake. At the end of our hike, we'll take a boat ride back across Jenny Lake.

Friday, August 17 (Day 7) - Okay, what's a trip to Yellowstone without making a few tourist stops. We'll visit Old Faithful, Mystic Falls, and Fairy Falls (D2). These are easy hikes with big payoffs.

Saturday, August 18 (Day 8) - check out and return home.

Required Items to Bring:
Day backpack
Good hiking shoes/boots
Rain gear
Fleece
Jacket
Swimsuit (for rafting)
Synthetic shirt (for rafting)
Secure water shoes (for rafting - flip flops are not allowed)
Towel
Hiking clothes
Clothes for town, restaurants, etc.

 
   

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Hiking poles
Insect repellent
Bear Spray
Camera

Notes:
Accommodations: Our accommodations are conveniently located 13 miles from the Jackson town square, 16 miles from the Grand Teton National Park, and 64 miles from Yellowstone National Park. The camp site has a convenience store, coin laundry, and serves hot and cold meals.  Check-in is at 2:00 p.m. and check-out is at 11:00 a.m.

Important Information on Group Size:  Each cabin sleeps six people. Therefore, the trip will work at the advertised price with either six or twelve people, but nothing in between. Therefore, if more than six, but less than twelve, register, we will cancel one cabin and only the first six registrations will be included on the trip. If less than six register, the trip will be canceled. Your TLs will make these determinations as promptly as possible to allow everyone to plan appropriately. If the trip is cancelled by the AOC, those who have already paid will receive refunds.

Important note on cabins:  Some people enjoy communal living arrangements, while others find it quite challenging. If you fall into the latter category, this trip may not be ideal for you. Our cabins each have two queen beds and two single beds. One of the queen beds is in a relatively (but not completely) private area. Thus, we will all be living in close quarters and need to be mindful that we cannot expect the same level of privacy, comfort, solitude, quiet, etc. to which we are accustomed at home. Moreover, the listed price is based upon 2 persons sleeping in each queen bed. If we have any couples, this decision will be easy. If not, we will need volunteers to share these queen beds. The TLs reserve the right to add and remove participants as necessary to fill all beds.

Transportation:  Each person will be responsible for his or her own airfare and for obtaining transportation from the airport to the cabins and the cabins to the airport. Your TLs will provide their arrival times shortly after registration opens, and thereafter initiate communication with all participants, to assist in determining if ride sharing is possible from the airport.

We will have two rental cars for transportation to our events. Anyone who elects not to participate on an event will be responsible for his or her own transportation while not with the group. We will share gas expenses equally as they are incurred during the week.

Weather: In this part of Wyoming, August is widely regarded as the best month for summer activities. However, even in August there can be wide weather swings. Typically, highs can reach the 70s or 80s, with night time lows in the 30s or 40s. You might need shorts during one part of the day and a light jacket in another part of the day. August is a relatively dry month, but rain storms sometimes occur in the afternoons. You are advised to independently review weather reports as the time for departure approaches.

Rafting:  We have listed water shoes as an item in the "items to bring" list.  However, our outfitter has agreed to provide water booties and a wet suit to all of our members, free of charge, if requested.  In August, I am doubtful anyone will need a wetsuit.  However, the booties might come in handy if you are trying to save room in your suitcase.

Notes on wildlife:  Many people visit the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks with the hopes of viewing wildlife. These sightings greatly enhance the experience for many of us who love the outdoors. However, as we all know, wildlife also adds an element of danger. These parks have populations of bears, bison, mountain lions, wolves, elk, moose, coyotes and other species. We will be hiking in a group, which usually deters wildlife from approaching, but is not a guarantee. You should educate yourself fully on these issues and make a determination as to whether you are comfortable with the risk posed by wildlife.

Exploratory nature of Events: For your TLs, this event promises to be a glorious week of exploration in an exciting environment we have never visited. However, understand that your TLs have never been to Wyoming! We have never hiked these trails or rafted the Snake River. While we have studied maps and trail guides, and will have these maps and trail guides in hand while hiking, you should be in sufficient shape to hike additional mileage if we miss a turn or hike the wrong route.
 
Changes:  Details of this event, such as the specific trail hiked, are subject to change based upon an assessment of a multitude of variables, such as weather, conditions, crowds and new information.

Additional Payment InformationA $150 deposit is due on or before April 25, 2012 to guarantee your spot. Full payment (balance) is due on or before May 11, 2012. You will be moved to the waiting list if you fail to meet these deadlines.
 
Payment may be made via PayPal, PC Banking or Check. It is your responsibility to get the deposit payment and/or balance payment to the AOC by the due dates. Allow two days processing for PayPal and PC Banking and one week to mail a check.

Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC:

     - Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.

     - Some paid events require a minimum number of registered participants. If that number is not met, the event will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who have already paid.

     - Third-party vendors often require damage deposits. Each registrant agrees to be liable for and required to reimburse the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any withheld deposits due to the actions of or damages caused by that registrant.

     - No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.

     - Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost & Payment:
Member Cost:$475.00/Person
Cost Includes:Rental cars; camping cabins; full day of river rafting (including breakfast provided by outfitter); water booties and wetsuit during rafting trip (if needed or desired); wagon train ride and chuck wagon ribeye dinner; entrance fees into Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks; bedding linens.

Cost does not include: Airfare; transportation from airport to cabin or from cabin to airport; meals, except as specified in itinerary; tram cost on Day 1 (approximately $25.00); boat ride on Jenny Lake on Day 6 ($7.00); gas for rental cars.
Payment Cut Off:Payment must be received by the AOC on Fri, May 11 2012.
Make a Payment:Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note: If you cancel on or before May 11, 2012, full payment will be refunded less a $5 administrative fee. This trip requires a minimum number of participants. Therefore, there will be no refunds for cancellations after May 11, 2012, unless someone replaces you from the wait list and pays in full. If you are replaced, you will receive a full refund less a $5 administrative fee. There is no partial payment for partial attendance.