Sierra Sisters

If you are a woman who loves the Sierra Nevada or have always wanted to visit Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Zion, Bryce, or Point Reyes National Parks, then these trips are for you! 

Everything is included--round trip transportation from many cities in California to the National Parks, entrance fees into the Parks, lodging within the Parks in lodge rooms or cabins with comfortable beds and hot showers, delicious meals, and daily guided hikes to beautiful locations, all for just $300 a day!

These are NOT camping or backpacking trips, they are trips that combine day hikes and spectacular scenery with great meals and comfort at the end of each day, in a small group setting (minimum 4, maximum 8 women).

  

Your guide, Janet Kelly, is a licensed trail guide and has been hiking for over 40 years and 2,000 miles in the National Parks.  She is knowledgeable about the trails, wildlife, birds, flowers, geology and histories of the National Parks.  You DO have the option to not hike on any particular day and may choose to read, relax, or just enjoy the beauty of your surroundings instead.

For more information contact Janet Kelly at:

 

707-978-1050 or sierrasisters@ymail.com

Sierra Sisters, PO Box 9, Gualala, CA, 95445

We have 5 great trips in the 2023 season:

WINTER IN YOSEMITE - FEBRUARY 6 - 10,  2024

SPRINGTIME IN ZION AND BRYCE;  APRIL 23 - 30, 2024

SPRINGTIME IN POINT REYES - APRIL 18 - 20, 2023

THE 5 WATERFALLS OF YOSEMITE - JUNE 15 - 19, 2023

SUMMER IN THE HIGH SIERRA - AUGUST 9 -13, 2023

AUTUMN IN SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON - OCTOBER 16-20, 2023 

Trip Descriptions and Rates

YOSEMITE IN WINTER - February 6 - 10, 2024 (5 days/4 nights)

 

Experience Yosemite in its quietest season, when it is a sparkling wonderland and Half Dome and El Capitan are frosted with snow.

Trip includes:  Round trip transportation, 4 nights accommodations in Yosemite (shared rooms with baths), all breakfasts and lunches (4 dinners not included).  Also includes guided hikes in Yosemite Valley and snowshoe hikes with a ranger at Badger Pass.  For an additional fee you may also choose to ski (downhill or cross-country), snowboard, go tubing, and ice skate in Yosemite Park. Rate: $1500 per person  ($300 per day).

SPRINGTIME IN ZION AND BRYCE NATIONAL PARKS - April 23 - 30, 2024 (8 days/7 nights)

 

We will travel to these spectacular Parks in spring, when the wildflowers are blooming, temperatures are warm, but typically not hot, and tourists are few.  

In Zion we will hike to The Watchman, The 3 Sacred Pools, Angels Landing, and The Narrows (conditions permitting), with a layover day to read, relax, get a massage, etc. (Note:  You can opt out of hiking on any day).  

In Bryce we will hike to The Queen's Garden, with its amazing rock formations, known as hoodo's.

Included are:  Entry fees into the two National Parks, 7 nights lodging in deluxe shared rooms with comfortable beds and hot showers, all meals, and daily guided hikes. (8 days/7 nights) $2400 per person ($300 per day) all-inclusive.  

NOTE; You must purchase your own round trip airfare, from a city near you to Las Vegas, Nevada, to arrive on April 23, no later than 12 noon. Pick up will be at the Hertz Rental Desk, Las Vegas Airport. Departure from Las Vegas to your home destination at 11 am or later on April 30.  

SPRINGTIME IN POINT REYES - APRIL 18 - 20, 2023 (3 days/2 nights)

               

See hillsides blanketed with thousands of spring wildflowers, outstanding views of the Pacific Ocean, Drakes Bay, and Tomales Bay, visit the Point Reyes lighthouse,  view gray whales, sea lions, tule elk and other wildlife and birds as we hike along the incomparable trails of Point Reyes National Seashore.

Trip includes:  Round trip transportation, 4 nights lodging in Point Reyes (shared rooms with bath), daily guided hikes, and ALL meals--breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.  Rate:  $1500 per person ($300 per day) all-inclusive.

 

THE 5 WATERFALLS OF YOSEMITE - June 15 - 19, 2023 (5 days/4 nights)

                                            

Experience them all--Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, and hidden Illillouette Fall.  Hear the roar, feel the cool spray, see the rainbows reflected in the mists of Yosemite's five magnificent waterfalls!

Trip includes:  Round trip transportation, 4 nights lodging in Yosemite (shared cabins with baths nearby), guided daily hikes, all breakfasts and lunches (4 dinners not included).  Rate:  $1500 per person ($300 per day).

 

SUMMER IN THE HIGH SIERRA - August  9 - 13, 2023 (5 days/4 nights)

 

Travel to the heart of the Sierra in Yosemite's high country. Visit a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by wildflowers, see the towering granite icons of Cloud's Rest and Half Dome, and take a hike through lush Tuolumne Meadows. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the clear pools of the Tuolumne River, and hike the trail to North Dome, with Half Dome directly across and so close you'll feel like you can reach out and touch it!  (Alternate hike to May Lake).  The darkness of August nights in Yosemite provides ideal viewing for the Perseid Meteors--we should see one streaking across the sky about every minute!

Trip includes:  Round trip transportation, 4 nights lodging (shared cabins with baths nearby), guided daily hikes, and all breakfasts and lunches (4 dinners not included) $1500 per person ($300 per day).

 

AUTUMN IN SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS  October 16 - 20, 2023 (5 days, 4 nights)

       

See spectacular fall color, breathtaking vistas, a canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon, and hike among the largest living things on earth--the Giant Sequoias. We'll visit TWO National Parks on this trip!

Trip includes:  Round trip transportation, 4 nights lodging in Sequoia (shared deluxe cabins with baths) guided daily hikes, and ALL meals--breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.  Rate:  $1500 per person ($300 per day) all-inclusive.

 

 

Your guide and founder of Sierra Sisters, Janet Kelly, has been hiking and backpacking for over 40 years and has logged over 2,000 miles on the trails of the National Parks. Her greatest pleasure is to bring that experience to others and to be part of the excitement, wonder, and peace they feel when in Nature, especially the "Range of Light"--John Muir's name for the Sierra Nevada.

Janet is a licensed trail guide and is certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.  She lives in northern California and she enjoys hiking, reading, photography, singing, watercolors, and exploring Nature with her grown children and young grandchildren.  In a former life she was a teacher for 25 years.  Janet loves to talk about her trips.  Feel free to e-mail her at sierrasisters@ymail.com or call her at (707) 978-1050. 

 

What to Bring

Boots

 

Your hiking boots are your most important piece of equipment.  Purchase them at least one month before the trip to break them in.  Choose a comfortable pair with good tread and wear them an hour a day the first week, increasing the wear time 2 hours more each week (1 hour, 3 hours, 5 hours, 7 hours).  Waterproof them a few days before the trip (I like Nikwax--available at REI and most sporting goods stores). It's important that your feet stay dry in all terrain! Tennis shoes and sandals will NOT work--they can be very slippery on the trail.

 

A Note About Electronics

 

There is often no wifi connection available in the National Parks. You may bring a cell phone so that if we are in an area with reception you can check in with home.  However please let family members know that reception is often spotty in the National Parks.  Pay phones are available to call home.

This trip is an opportunity for you to enjoy all the gifts of nature without the noise of civilization--TV, radio, computer, etc. for a few days.

 

What to Bring (Spring, Summer, Autumn)

 

Wear:  Hiking pants or shorts (comfortable, elastic waist), T-shirt, hiking boots, hat with brim, sunglasses, fanny pack containing sunblock, bug repellent, trial size hand sanitizer, 1/2 roll toilet paper flattened, lip balm, camera, money, credit card, and ID. Bring a hooded sweatshirt.  NO purses or extra bags, please! 

 

Pack in suitcase:  (CARRY-ON size 14"x 22"x 8"--space is limited), 1 hiking shirt (preferably wicking), 1 fleece or down vest, 1 pair pants for after hiking, 4 T-shirts for after hiking, 4 pair underwear (microfiber is good), extra bra, comfy sandals (such as Tevas), 2 pairs hiking socks, 2 pairs sock liners (to prevent blisters), washcloth, swimsuit, book or magazine, 1 pair pajamas or long johns (for sleeping), rain poncho (or rain jacket and pants), gloves, warm hat (it can get cold in the mountains in all seasons), mini flashlight or headlamp, personals (soap, shampoo, medications, toothbrush, etc.), trekking poles (optional) which help knees on downhill grades. Please also bring a day pack with 2 one-liter water bottles and room for lunch and rain gear (OR a 2-liter hydration pack with pockets for lunch, water, and rain gear).

Please bring ONLY your packed suitcase, day pack, fanny pack, and sweatshirt.   Thanks!

 

What to Bring (Winter) 

 

Wear:  Comfortable long pants, long sleeved shirt, warm socks, hiking boots or snow boots, hat with brim, and sunglasses.  Wear a fleece or down vest OR hooded sweatshirt (only one), fanny pack containing sunblock, trial size hand sanitizer, lip balm, camera, money, credit card, and ID.  NO purses or extra bags, please!

 

Pack in suitcase: (CARRY-ON size 14"x 22"x 8"--space is limited), waterproof bibs OR snow pants, 3 long sleeved shirts, 3 pair underwear, extra bra, 1 pair warm socks, 1 pair ski socks, warm waterproof jacket, ski cap, waterproof gloves, 1 pair pajamas or long johns for sleeping, book or magazine, mini flashlight or headlamp, personals (toothbrush, medications, etc.). Also bring a small day pack with a one liter water bottle OR a l-liter hydration pack with room for jacket and lunch. Please bring ONLY your packed suitcase, fanny pack, day pack, and vest or sweatshirt.  Thanks!

 

Conditioning

Although you do not have to be a hiker to enjoy these trips, you will see more of the Parks and get the most out of your experience if you can do some hiking.  Many of the sights are accessible only by foot.  Our daily hikes will average 5 miles a day, with some shorter and longer options.  If you hike regularly, I suggest hiking 5 miles a day with hills or stairs included in your hike to condition for our trip.

 

If you don't hike regularly, here's how to get in shape, starting 7 weeks before our trip:

 

Week 1:  In your car, clock .5  (1/2 mile) from your home.  Hike it (1 mile roundtrip) for 6 days, rest on the 7th day.  This will take about 20 minutes.

 

Week 2: Clock .75 mile, hike it (1 1/2 miles roundtrip) 6 days, 1 off. Takes 30 min. 

 

Week 3:  Clock 1 mile, hike it (2 miles roundtrip) 6 days, 1 off. Takes 40 minutes.

 

Week 4:  Clock 1.25 miles, hike it  (2 1/2 miles roundtrip) 6 days, 1 off. Include a hill or 25 stairs (total up and down) each day.  Takes about an hour.

 

Week 5:  Clock 1.5 miles, hike it (3 miles roundtrip) 6 days, 1 off.  Include a hill or 40 stairs (total up and down) each day.  Takes about 1 hour, 15 min.

 

Week 6:  Clock 2 miles, hike it (4 miles roundtrip) 6 days, 1 off.  Include a hill or 50 stairs (total up and down) each day.  Takes about 1 hour, 40 min.

 

Week 7:  Clock 2.5 miles, hike it (5 miles roundtrip) 6 days, 1 off. Include a hill or 60 stairs (total up and down) each day.  Takes about 2 hours.

 

You will now be conditioned, feel great, and be ready for our hikes and the beautiful scenery that awaits around every bend in the trail! 

 

 

Contact Us

Janet Kelly

Sierra Sisters

PO Box 9 

Gualala CA 95445

phone: 707-978-1050

e-mail: sierrasisters@ymail.com

 

Terms and Conditions:  $300 non-refundable deposit due per person, per trip, on booking.  Balance is due 90 days prior to trip.  Full refund if cancelled 90 or more days before trip. Cancellations less than 90 days prior to trip--amount paid will be applied toward another trip, to be taken within the next 12 months (NOTE:  rates may increase on future trips).