Summit Offerings for Adults

It can be challenging to imagine a Summit if you have not been to one. We've compiled the Top Ten Adult Classes from 2010 so you can get a feel for the adventures in store. 

1. Susie Lake (Elev. 7800 ft.)

Stunning granite peaks and high alpine lakes. 8.0 miles round trip. Elevation Gain: 1200 feet Aerobic: Moderate Technical: Advanced. Location: South Lake Tahoe, west of Fallen Leaf Lake (23 miles, approx. 40 minutes, from Granlibakken)

2. Painting Nature like the Impressionists

Impressionist artists enjoyed painting landscapes and other outdoor subjects. Their style of art will inspire the hiking Summiteers to stop and capture the surrounding beauty in a colorful way. Try your hand at Impressionist art in the Sierras! Instructor: Marilyn Hartness. Duration: 2.5 hours.  Location: Granlibakken

3. Birding Mount Rose and the Washoe Valley, Nevada

We'll start early and drive along part of the north shore of Lake Tahoe on the way east to Tahoe Meadows and the summit of Mount Rose. At Mount Rose we'll walk the 1.3 mile interpretive trail and also bird the trailhead area of the Ophir Creek Trail loop. We’ll also explore Washoe Lake where we'll try to visit a variety of habitat types, Davis Creek Regional Park, nearby Scripps Wildlife Management Area, Jumbo Grade, Washoe Lake State Park, and Deadman's Creek Trail.  Possible bids include Hermit Warbler, Pine and Evening Grosbeak, Clark's Nutcracker, Red Crossbill, Cassin's Finch, Pygmy Nuthatch, Black-billed Magpie, Bushtit, Brewer's Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Lazuli Bunting, several woodpecker species,Calliope Hummingbird, and much, much more. We'll try to forget about the birds, for awhile at least, and head back to Tahoe City for lunch by noon. Instructor: Brete Griffin.  Duration: 5.5 hours.  Location: Lake Tahoe region

***See the full 2010 Birding Report, complete with tales of birds, habitats, and more from Tahoe.

4. Squaw Valley Night Hike (Elev. 8,100 ft.)

We will take a gondola ride from the base of Squaw Valley ski area to what is known as “high camp”. We will allow time to take pictures of the sunset, and once the sun has set, we will provide stargazing with a resident guide. Hike 2.3 miles down the mountain at dusk or take a gondola ride back down. Location: Squaw Valley Ski Area (a previous winter Olympic site), northwest of Lake Tahoe (6 miles from Summit Site at Granlibakken, approx. 15 minutes)

5. Kayaking Truckee Marshes Botany Field Trip

Come learn about this unique ecosystem, especially the Tahoe yellow cress, is a rare and endangered member of the mustard family. Recovery efforts have been ongoing since 2003 and we will visit the biggest and most impressive population located at the mouth of the Upper Truckee River in South Lake Tahoe. The Upper Truckee Marsh is the biggest wetland in the basin and it provides a stunning example of the native vegetation and habitat that used to circle the lake. We will get there via kayaks, starting near the center of town and making a short paddle (about 30-45 minutes) west to the river mouth. At the beach we will talk about how TYC is uniquely adapted to Lake Tahoe and learn about an extensive research program to restore the species. We will also discuss the marsh and its critical role in maintaining lake health and clarity. We may paddle up river if time allows and we will also be able to see the Angora burn area from there so we can discuss the role of fire in the basin too. Instructor: Alison Stanton. Duration: 4 hours. Additional Fee: $20/person. Location: Lake Tahoe, 40 minutes from Granlibakken.

6. Sugar Pine Mansion, Shoreline - Field Trip

Pine Lodge at Sugar Pine Point State Park (the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion) is one of the grand old lodges overlooking Lake Tahoe, and we're fortunate to get a special tour from Susan, the superintendent of California State Parks for the Tahoe region.    She'll also lead us to a small Olympic Museum that commemorates the Nordic events that took place here during the 1960 Winter Olympics. We'll visit two boat houses with historic boats on display, a pioneer’s cabin, and of course walk out on the estate’s pier and along the shoreline to view the incredible views and very, very clear water. The Dolder Nature Trail is lovely if time permits. Instructor: Susie Grove. Duration: 3 hours. Location: 15 miles from Granlibakken

7. Five Lakes Hike (Elev. 7600 ft.)

High alpine lakes surrounded by classic California conifers and exposed granite. 3.6 miles round trip.
Elevation Gain: 900 feet. Aerobic: Moderate. Technical: Intermediate. Location: Northwest Lake Tahoe (15 minutes from Granlibakken).

8. Freshwater Ecology of Lake Tahoe – Field Trip

Come get wet while exploring and discovering the many secrets of the nearby waters. Bruce will make use of plankton, dip, and seine nets while telling the fascinating history of Lake Tahoe and it's one outlet, the Truckee River. The group will compare & contrast the two ecosystems and learn about current issues (no pun intended) such as declining water quality and invasive species. Special attention will be paid to Endangered and Threatened Species such as the Tui Chub and the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. Participants will also discuss recent efforts by environmental groups to "heal the lake". Field microscopes will be used to examine the many amazing aquatic invertebrates that most folks never see, but are so vital to the survival of so many organisms. You will be walking on wet rocks so good footwear is a must. "...the water was not merely transparent, but dazzlingly, brilliantly so" - a description of Lake Tahoe by Mark Twain, Roughing It (1871). Instructor: Bruce Lampright. Duration: 3 hours

9. Tracking – Field Trip (Levels 1 & 2 prerequisite)

Learn how to find and identify tracks, interpret gait patterns, and read stories in the trails of animals. Mammals are elusive and hard to observe in the wild. However, as a nature detective you will learn to find and decipher the clues that write the stories of their lives. Emphasis is placed not simply on track identification but on tracking as a process for understanding animals behavior.
This program is composed of three parts that build on each other: Part 1 - the footprint; Part 2 - Gaits and Stories; and Part 3 - Field Trip with Exercises. This is Part 3 of the series and requires previous enrollment in Level 1 and Level 2 unless you have consent from the instructor to enroll. Instructor: Jim Halfpenny Duration: 4 hours

10. Geology of Tahoe - Field Trip

Lake Tahoe provides a beautiful backdrop to many of the views of this year's Summit location. The vistas, of course, are punctuated by nearby granitic mountains to both the east and west. The geology field trip will build upon topics covered during the geology lecture; however, the field trip is intended as a "stand alone" geology adventure. Geologic features in the area include moraines, cinder cones, block faults, lava flows and granite cliffs. The field trip will include numerous stops and we will visit as many of these features as "up close and personal" as possible. The field trip will include a trip to Donner Pass, at the core of the granite mountains and displaying many microscale geologic features. Instructor: Dave Egan. Duration: 4.5 hours. Location: Lake Tahoe Region.

A few other highlights included...
Photography: Tahoe’s Wildflowers
Alpine Ecology
Cooking with Local Ingredients
Breakfast with a Ranger
Flat Button Jewelry
Green Lifestyles in Truckee Field Trip

If these classes sound exciting to you, join us in the Ozarks for the 2011 Summit!  We’re planning more exciting Summit adventures for the 2011 Summit in the Ozarks, from caving to birds and more!  Join us as we explore, learn, and grow together in 2011! 

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Keep exploring our Summit offerings.  Here are some sample materials from past Summits that might be helpful:

2010 Adult Class Materials