YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK  — Yosemite Conservancy’s roster of inspiring Outdoor Adventures in Yosemite National Park for 2018 has new guided programs for visitors of all ages and abilities such as day and night hikes, backpacking treks, photography workshops and bird watching tours. 

 “Outdoor Adventures offer visitors a vastly different way to experience the park by connecting them with veteran naturalists, professional photographers, hiking experts and others with unique backgrounds,” said Frank Dean, president of Yosemite Conservancy. “This year, we’ve added shorter and less strenuous adventures to complement our line-up of multi-day programs and backcountry expeditions. There’s something for everyone.”

 Among the Outdoor Adventures offered in 2018 are: Overnight Under the Milky Way, an easy guided overnight trip for first-time backpackers to a campsite specially selected with open skies to view the stars; Dine and Discover: Full Moon Hike to Taft Point, an easy one-mile hike to the iconic viewpoint off Glacier Point Road; and, a three-day Atmospheric Perspective watercolor painting adventure in Yosemite Valley. Custom Adventures are also available for groups, families or individuals ranging from easy one-hour hikes to challenging overnight treks.

 There are adventures spanning the entire park geography and occurring throughout the year. Each program is limited to small groups to allow for a personalized park experience guided by expert naturalists, historians and artists. Proceeds from Outdoor Adventures go to preserving and protecting to the park, so visitors are able to simultaneously explore and care for Yosemite. Register for an Outdoor Adventure at www.yosemiteconservancy.org, email adventures@yosemiteconservancy.org or call 209-379-2317 x10. 

 Yosemite Conservancy inspires people to support projects and programs that preserve Yosemite National Park and enrich the visitor experience. Thanks to generous donors, the Conservancy has provided $119 million in grants to the park to restore trails and habitat, protect wildlife, provide educational programs, and more. The Conservancy’s guided adventures, volunteer opportunities, wilderness services and bookstores help visitors of all ages to connect with Yosemite. Learn more: yosemiteconservancy.org or 1-415-434-1782.