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Volcanoes & Vino - Lassen National Park & Napa Valley
Sacramento, California
7 Days
Please Contact us for Pricing.
Hiking, Wine, History
Volcanoes & Vino - Lassen National Park & Napa Valley
Sacramento, California
7 Days
Please Contact us for Pricing.
Hiking, Wine, History
Trip Overview
Lassen National Park is a lesser known, undiscovered park, nestled in the southern tip of the Cascade Mountains. Lassen is a wonder for volcanic geology, including all 4 types of volcanoes (shield, plug dome, cinder cone, and composite). There are also plopping mud pots, bubbling pools and roaring steam vents. We’ll hike each day and return to our cozy lodging. It’s a step back in time but with all the modern comforts and delicious meals at nearby restaurants. At night we will watch the stars come out and gaze at the constellations. We’ll hike, bike, and have options for spa services or hot air balloon rides. No trip to Napa Valley would be complete without a winery bike tour.
Highlights
- Experiencing the breathtaking beauty of Lassen National Park on foot
- Hiking along lakes, next to volcanoes and through beautiful forest
- Biking through the vineyards
- Tasting some of the regions great wines
- Visiting a historic and still in operation grist mill
Inclusions
- 1 - 2 experienced AGC guides based on group size
- Six nights lodging in lodges and local inns
- All meals from dinner the first night through lunch on the last day, with the exception of one dinner.
- Transportation from our Sacramento hotel at the beginning of the trip back to the Sacramento airport at the end of the trip
- Park entry fees
Not included: Travel to and from Sacramento CA, alcoholic beverages (with the exception of the wine tasting), one dinner, guide gratuities, optional activities and travel insurance
Trip Info
This trip is designed for women who enjoy hiking in the mountains and desert surrounded by breathtaking scenery. There is biking on day which is suitable for beginners. The trip is rated a level 3. Prior to beginning the trip, participants should be engaging in aerobic conditioning, such as walking vigorously up hills, jogging or stair stepping for 30 - 45 minutes at least 3 - 4 times a week.
This trip consists of hiking along dirt trails, rocky paths and occasionally uneven footing with significant elevation gain and losses for 3 - 6 hours a day. There is one day of easy biking. Please note that there are a couple of days with significant elevation gain and for this trip you should be working out at the upper end of these ranges.
Rating: 1 2 [3] 4 5.
Lassen National Park is a lesser known, undiscovered park, nestled in the southern tip of the Cascade Mountains. Lassen is a wonder for volcanic geology, including all 4 types of volcanoes (shield, plug dome, cinder cone, and composite). There are also plopping mud pots, bubbling pools and roaring steam vents. We’ll hike each day and return to our historic, secluded ranch in Lassen National Park. It’s a step back in time but with comforts and delicious meals in nearby restaurants. At night we will watch the stars come out. We’ll hike, bike, and have options for spa services or hot air balloon rides. No trip to Napa Valley would be complete without a winery bike tour.
We will stay the first night at a local hotel near the airport that has an airport shuttle. The next nights will be a mix of local lodges and resorts. The rooms will be 2-bed rooms with ensuite bathrooms. There are a limited number of single rooms available for an additional cost.
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Itinerary
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
DAY 1
We start our trip at trip hotel at 5pm! Your guides will meet you in the lobby of the hotel and after introductions the group will begin head to dinner to discuss the trip. (D)
DAY 2
Today we start our hiking at Lassen Volcanic National Park. We will hike the Terrace, Shadow and Cliff Lakes Trail. This hike takes you to three of the prettiest lakes in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Along the route you’ll walk through a mixed forest and see Lassen Peak and other nearby mountains. Round-trip distance: 3.4 miles High point: 8050 feet Elevation gain: 700 feet (B, L, D)
DAY 3
Today we explore the largest plug dome volcano in the world. The trail to the top of Lassen Peak begins at the peak parking area at an elevation of 8500 feet. The popular trail is 2.5 miles one-way to the summit. There are many fantastic vistas of the park and surrounding areas from the trail. The summit provides one of the most spectacular views of the Devastated Area, a view from the top looking down. This view is the best vantage point to contemplate the power of the 1914-17 eruptions. The lingering rotten-egg smell of hydrogen sulfide near the summit reminds visitors that Lassen is still considered an active, but dormant, volcano. Hiking: 5.0 miles Elevation 2,000 ft Gain/Loss: (B, L, D)
DAY 4
For sheer beauty and rugged mountain scenery the Brokeoff trail is one of the best in Lassen. The trail climbs steadily through open meadows and forest for two miles and then through scattered hemlocks and finally above timberline to the top. At the west end of the mountain just before the last half mile of the climb, there is a good view of Mt. Shasta. From the top of the mountain there are good views of Lassen Peak, Conard, Chaos Crags, Diller, Shasta, and other mountains of the vicinity. The view of the old Brokeoff Volcano (Mt. Tehama) caldera is excellent from the summit. Hiking 7.4 Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,600 ft (B, L, D)
DAY 5
Today we get to see a bit of California history. We will drive to Napa Bothe State Park and hike 1.2 miles to the Bale Grist Mill. Built in 1846 by Edward Turner Bale, this fully restored water-powered grist mill is now managed by the Napa Open Space District in partnership with the Napa Valley State Parks Association, and still grinds grain. Points of interest along the way include visiting Pioneer Cemetery which contains the remains of several early Napa Valley pioneers, and White Church, the first church in Napa Valley which was named after the founding Minister Asa White. The trail passes through dense forest, clearings filled with chaparral shrubs, a riparian corridor along Mill Creek and will be of interest to plant and bird lovers as well as history buffs. We will have a private tour and watch the original set of French Buhr millstones in action when the miller grinds grain into Bale Mill flours and meals. After visiting we will hike back to our vehicles. From there we will drive right down the street, 300 feet above the town of Calistoga. We will be visiting Sterling Vineyards. An aerial tram carries us up the hill to the winery, whose architecture was modeled after that of the Greek island of Mykonos, where Sterling founder Peter Newton once lived. Walkways, balconies, and motion-sensitive DVD screens allow us to take a self-guided tour of Sterling Vineyards’ wine making facilities. Beautiful outdoor terraces and elegant tasting rooms provide the perfect environment to enjoy exceptional wines while taking in the view. Dinner is on your own tonight; your guide can help with suggestions on where to go. (B, L)
DAY 6
We have had a great week of hiking. The morning is open for relaxing or sleeping late at the hotel or optional activities that you guide can help you to arrange. Perhaps it is time for pampering or an exhilarating hot air balloon ride. In the early afternoon we will meet for a guided wine tour with lunch on bikes. Enjoy flat, quiet roads that meander through Calistoga and out through the vineyards that produce this world renowned wine. (B, L, D)
DAY 7
Sadly, we must leave the beautiful area. We will have a 2-hour drive to the airport. We will arrive at the airport by 10:30am and you can plan to fly out anytime after 12:30pm. (B)
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Dates & Prices
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Common Questions
Most breakfasts and dinners will be in restaurants where you can order off the menu or select from a buffet. A couple of meals will be cooked by your guides. Before you start the day, the guides will put out lunch 'fixings' and you'll take a packed lunch or occasionally lunch will be picnic style.
If we know well in advance, we can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-sensitive diets. We cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free diet and we cannot provide a kitchen guaranteed to be free of cross-contamination. If you are vegan, we ask that you bring some additional protein bars; and if you are gluten-sensitive, please bring some gluten-free snacks. If you have severe allergies, Celiac disease and/or other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register.
You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise we’ll pair you up with someone and then switch roommates every time we switch lodging.
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