Compare LA to Vegas Adventure by Intrepid Travel vs Choose Your Pace: Hiking the Southern Adirondacks by Road Scholar

Day 1 Los Angeles

Welcome to the USA! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting in the lobby today at 6 pm. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. If you do arrive early, perhaps take a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or spend some time learning about the lives of the rich and famous on a celebrity homes tour. After the welcome meeting, we’ll head beachside and visit Venice and Santa Monica beach for a stroll and some people watching. Day 1 is all about introductions, so why not spend some time getting to know your fellow travellers with an optional group dinner.

Day 2 Joshua Tree National Park

Today, you’ll head away from the coast and drive to Joshua Tree National Park. Sitting between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, the park is famous for its spectacular desert plants – including the park’s namesake Joshua trees – along with cacti and Mojave yuccas. The area is also home to striking rock formations and mountain ranges, so you might like to head out on a scenic hike around the park or take a refreshing dip in the Colorado River. You’ll head to Lake Havasu City later on to your accommodation for the night, and check out London Bridge: a 280-metre structure rebuilt in Arizona in 1971 after being transported, piece by piece, from the banks of the Thames in London.

Day 3 Grand Canyon National Park

Drive to Grand Canyon National Park, along a section of the famous Route 66, stopping in at the eccentric town of Seligman. Once we arrive at the Grand Canyon National Park, be ready to visually delight in the natural beauty for hours. This stunning gorge is 1.5 kilometres deep, formed by over six million years of erosion from the Colorado River. You'll spend two nights here, and you’ll need it, to allow for a full day of exploration tomorrow.

Day 4 Grand Canyon National Park

Today is a free day to explore the Grand Canyon, one of the largest canyon systems in the world. Stroll along the meandering South Rim Trail or hike your way down to Plateau Point. With eagles soaring overhead and chasms extending as far as the eye can see, it’s so important for you to experience its vast gorges from multiple viewpoints. In the early evening, relax at the canyon's edge and enjoy a spectacular sunset over one of the world's natural wonders.

Day 5 Las Vegas

Head out of the Grand Canyon and cross the western deserts of Arizona to Las Vegas. Las Vegas may be the gambling capital of the world, but there's plenty to do if gambling isn't your thing. Hit the shops, feel your stomach drop on a rooftop roller coaster or simply stroll along the Strip, soaking up the glitz and gaudiness. As there is no accommodation organised for tonight, you are free to leave at any time upon arriving in Las Vegas. If you would like to spend some more time here, we'll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Day 1
Arrival, Orientation, Lecture
North River, NY D Garnet Hill Lodge
Activity note: Shuttle from Albany Airport will be leaving at 2:00PM. If you plan on taking the shuttle, please complete and return the shuttle information form that can be found in the information packet.

Afternoon: If you are taking the transfer from the Albany Airport, the shuttle will be leaving at 2:00 PM. It will be approximately a 1.5 hour drive, depending on traffic. Please complete and return the shuttle information form that can be found at the end of your information packet. Check in to the hotel between 4-5PM. Meet at 5:30 for welcome reception and dinner (at hotel).

Dinner: At 6 p.m. we will enjoy a special welcome dinner at Garnet Hill's Log House Restaurant. Guests will be able to choose an appetizer, entree and dessert from the restaurant's full menu as well as a free glass of wine or beer as they enjoy our spectacular views of 13th Lake and the Adirondack mountains.

Evening: After dinner, guests will be introduced to our guides and program for the week. Following orientation, there will be a class on the wide variety of Mushrooms and Wildflowers of the Adirondacks. As they walk along the trails on day two, guests will be well prepared to observe and appreciate the flowers and mushrooms discussed during this lecture. Be advised that specific hikes & trails throughout the program may change last minute due to weather, group interest, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Day 2
Mushrooms & Wildflowers of the Adirondacks
North River, NY B,L,D Garnet Hill Lodge
Activity note: There will be 3 options to choose from on trails that lead to rivers or lakes. Easy Hike - Walk at your own pace on the hiking trail alongside 13th lake. Turn around when you are ready. Moderate Hike and Paddle - 1.2 mile hike to Elizabeth Point on 13th lake and paddle back to the Garnet Hill boat launch. Slightly challenging descent to the lake after turning off the Old Farm Trail. Challenging Hike - 5 mile round trip hike to Blue Ledges overlooking the Hudson River. 230 ft vertical rise.

Breakfast: A delicious buffet-style breakfast at Garnet Hill Lodge's Log House Restaurant, including eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes or french toast, fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, granola and pastries.

Morning: Hikers will set out on the trails near 13th Lake or the Hudson River, organized into three groups based on preference and ability. Choose from a gentle walk at your own pace around the lake, a 1.2 mile hike to 13th lake, paddle back in canoes or kayaks, and an optional walk back to the Log House, or a 5 mile round trip hike to Blue Ledges overlooking the Hudson. The Blue Ledges trip requires a 30 minute bus ride to and from the trailhead.

Lunch: Garnet Hill Lodge will provide each hiker with a made to order picnic lunch to be enjoyed at a scenic spot on the trails. Hikers may choose from a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches that will include a gluten free and vegetarian option. The lunches include a choice of pretzels, chips or trail mix as well as fruit and a drink.

Afternoon: Hikers will continue their chosen hikes and have some time to relax once they get back to the lodge. The lounge, games room, pub and fire-side seating in the Log House will all be open and available to guests at their leisure, as well as our network of trails and the Garnet Hill Beach.

Dinner: A buffet-style dinner will be offered at our Log House Restaurant including vegetarian and gluten free options.

Evening: For those at the Lodge, there will be a local band and beer garden this evening.

Day 3
Garnet Mines, 1-way overnight trip departs
North River, NY B,L,D Garnet Hill Lodge
Activity note: Easy Hike - A 1-mile hike with 200 ft of vertical rise to Hooper mine. Explore an abandoned open pit garnet mine and the ruins of miners cabins along the way. Moderate Hike - touring oldest family owned and operated mine in the U.S. Hike 4 miles back to Garnet Hill Ski Shop through the forest preserve, passing two scenic ponds on the way. Challenging hike - embark on 13 mile total, 1-way over night hike (about 5.5 miles today).

Breakfast: A delicious buffet-style breakfast at Garnet Hill Lodge's Log House Restaurant, including eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes or french toast, fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, granola and pastries.

Morning: Hikers will set off on their chosen trips to either Hooper Mine, Barton Mines or the overnight trip through Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area. Our Advanced Hikers may choose to depart on our 13 mile, 1-way hike with a shuttle drop-off. This group will be camping out in tents over night. We will see them again tomorrow as they triumphantly walk back into the lodge after having walked through the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area. If you are interested in taking part in this over night hike, you must complete the form at the end of this information packet indicating that you would like to take part in this unique experience. For those who would prefer to stay at at Garnet Hill Lodge overnight, we are offering two hikes to Garnet Mines.

Lunch: Garnet Hill Lodge will provide each hiker with a made to order picnic lunch to be enjoyed at a scenic spot on the trails. Hikers may choose from a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches that will include a gluten free and vegetarian option. The lunches include a choice of pretzels, chips or trail mix as well as fruit and a drink. The Easy group will picnic at Garnet Hill Beach, the Moderate group will picnic at Barton Mines, and the Challenging group will picnic along the trails.

Afternoon: Easy - Hikers will be taken via shuttle to visit the Adirondack Depot Museum in North Creek, where they will learn about the fascinating important role of the railroad in developing the Adirondack region. North Creek is a small town with a surprising amount of history. Moderate - Hikers will continue their hike back from Barton Mines.

Dinner: Easy and Moderate groups will enjoy a buffet dinner at Garnet Hill Lodge including vegetarian and gluten free options. The challenging group will enjoy dinner cooked on the campfire on their overnight trip.

Evening: We'll gather after dinner for a lecture by a local expert on garnet mining in the area in preparation for our garnet mine visits on Day 3, then weather permitting, relax beside a campfire out on the lawn.

Day 4
Great Camps
North River, NY B,L,D Garnet Hill Lodge
Activity note: Easy and Medium Groups will visit Camp Santanoni, one of the Adirondack's historic "Great Camps." The Challenging group will return from their overnight hike (about 7.5 miles today).

Breakfast: A delicious buffet-style breakfast at Garnet Hill Lodge's Log House Restaurant, including eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes or french toast, fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, granola and pastries. Challenging - Hikers will enjoy breakfast by the campfire on their overnight trip.

Morning: Easy and Moderate groups will take the shuttle to Camp Santanoni, about an hour drive from Garnet Hill Lodge. Easy - We will meet our tour guide and our tour will take place at the Gate Complex. We will then hike to 1.75 miles alongside Lake Harris to the Lake Harris Campground for lunch before hiking back. Moderate - We will hike 4.9 miles to the main complex of Camp Santanoni, past their old farm complex. Once we arrive, we can picnic, swim and complete our tour before getting a horse and carriage ride back to the gate complex.

Lunch: Garnet Hill Lodge will provide each hiker with a made to order picnic lunch to be enjoyed at a scenic spot on the trails. Hikers may choose from a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches that will include a gluten free and vegetarian option. The lunches include a choice of pretzels, chips or trail mix as well as fruit and a drink.

Afternoon: Hikers will continue their trips. Those at Camp Santanoni will return via shuttle.

Dinner: As we welcome the overnighters back to the comforts of the lodge, we will enjoy a delicious buffet dinner at the Log House Restaurant.

Evening: After a lecture from a local expert about the history of logging in the area, and treacherous tales of balancing on logs to free up jams on the Hudson River as they floated down to market, we will again light a campfire on the lawn and have time to relax on the adirondack chairs as we enjoy each others company and tell stories from the day. As always, the Log House Pub is open to all of our guests and patrons.

Day 5
Adirondack Experience - Rivers, Lakes, Mountains, Woods
North River, NY B,L,D Garnet Hill Lodge
Activity note: We will again be offering three levels of activity. Easy - Enjoy the morning on our campus. Enjoy the beach and trails or simply relax in your room or at the Log House. Moderate - Hike to the East Branch of the Sacandaga River, a 5 mile round trip that begins along Old Farm Trail near Garnet Hill Lodge. No significant vertical rise. Challenging - Paddle across 13th Lake, then hike up Peaked Mountain, a 6.4 mile round trip with 1245 ft of vertical rise.

Breakfast: A delicious buffet-style breakfast at Garnet Hill Lodge's Log House Restaurant, including eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes or french toast, fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, granola and pastries.

Morning: Choose to spend the final morning with some free time on our campus, or on a moderate or challenging hike.

Lunch: Garnet Hill Lodge will provide each hiker with a made to order picnic lunch to be enjoyed at a scenic spot on the trails. Hikers may choose from a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches that will include a gluten free and vegetarian option. The lunches include a choice of pretzels, chips or trail mix as well as fruit and a drink.

Afternoon: Easy - Visit the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. A beautiful museum with both indoor and outdoor exhibits showcasing the best of Adirondack art, architecture, history and culture as well as our wildlife and natural beauty. Moderate - Hike back from the river. Challenging - Hike and paddle back from Peaked Mountain.

Dinner: Farewell dinner. Guests will be able to choose an appetizer, entree and dessert from the restaurant's full menu as well as a free glass of wine or beer as they enjoy our spectacular views of 13th Lake and the Adirondack mountains.

Evening: Live music at the Log House, a chance to relax with new friends and celebrate the end of a great week!

Day 6
Departures
North River, NY B
Activity note: Shuttle will be departing the Lodge to Albany Airport in the morning, based on flight schedule. Please do not book flights until after 12:00PM.

Breakfast: A delicious buffet-style breakfast at Garnet Hill Lodge's Log House Restaurant, including eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes or french toast, fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, granola and pastries.

Morning: Independent departures. For those enrolled to take the shuttle back to Albany Airport, the return shuttle will be based around your flight schedules and departure time will be sent to you prior to your program. Please do not book flights until after 12:00PM. Your information packet will include a form to fill out and send to Road Scholar regarding your flight information. It is very important to fill out this form. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!