Get away from it all. We invite you to spend an extended weekend exploring and adventuring in the outdoors. Join our trained staff for a change of scenery, an opportunity to meet interesting people, a chance to try something new and different while gaining an understanding and appreciation of the outdoors. We do the planning and set it all up. All you have to do is register and provide the items specified on the equipment list. Our trips are designed for individuals who have no previous experience in the specific activity. If prior experience is needed, it will be written in the trip description.
COLORADO RIVER CANOE
Awesome is the only word that can truly describe the feeling one gets when canoeing through Black Canyon below Hoover Dam. Canoeing on the clear, cold water released from the dam and being surrounded by high cliff walls is a great way to spend a weekend. We start our paddling at Willow Beach and travel up canyon to our camping area. Hot springs near our campsite are a welcome treat at the end of a day of paddling. All three days are scheduled for paddling and exploring on the river. Trip leaders will provide canoe instruction. We camp along the river for two nights, so we must carry our gear in canoes. All skill levels are welcome to join this trip. Fee includes round trip transportation, basic canoe instruction, use of canoes and canoeing gear, breakfasts and dinners while camping, and group cooking gear. You must supply your own lunches, road meals and personal equipment.
YOSEMITE BACKPACKING
Yosemite Valley is only one feature of this magnificent national park. For those of you who’d like to throw on a backpack and leave civilization behind, this is your chance. Come see some beautiful backcountry, incredible rock formations, dramatic waterfalls and spirited wildlife. Your final destination will be Little Yosemite Valley. We’ll spend our first night camping in the main valley and begin your incredible journey in the morning. We’ll wind our way up the John Muir Trail towards Little Yosemite Valley, passing magnificent Vernal and Nevada Falls along the way. Friday night and Saturday night will be spent in Little Yosemite Valley. Saturday is designed as a layover day to do with as you please. You may take a day hike or relax around camp. Sunday morning we’re up early and back on the trail, heading towards the van and then heading home. Spring in the backcountry is lovely, but it can be cold, wet and snowy if storms come in. Therefore, you will need good boots, warm clothes (not cottons), a warm sleeping bag (25° or below), and a tent. Having an enjoyable time is closely related to how well you are equipped. Remember, the main goal is to have a good time. The fee includes round trip transportation, breakfasts and dinners while camping, camping fees, park entrance fees, permit fees and group cooking equipment. You must supply your own lunches and personal equipment. This trip requires that you be in good physical condition. Aside from carrying your own personal equipment, you will be responsible for carrying some group food and group equipment
SEQUOIA CAMPING
“The sequoias are a link between the present and the past. They hark back to Eocene or earlier times when, in a comparatively young world, the trees and reptiles were gigantic? The dinosaurs are gone; the sequoias remain.” Walter Fry and John R. White, Big Trees, 1930. Come visit this beautiful park with us, day hike to vistas of the Great Western Divide, see the largest living organism on the planet, and revel in the enigmatic beauty of ancient Redwoods. Beginners with a sense of adventure welcome! We will drive to Sequoia National Park stopping along the way for lunch and a visit with the Ranger Station. Days two and three will consist of exploration and moderate day hikes through this amazing natural wonder. Depending on the desires of the group, outings will be chosen to focus on the geology, botany, and scenery of the park. Some sites that will not be missed include the enormous Sherman tree, Moro Rock, which offers views of the entire mountain range, and Little Baldy Peak, a granite dome that offers such spectacular views it was once used as a fire lookout point. Day four will begin with breakfast at our campsite nestled in the woods. From there we will break down camp, load up, and take a final drive through the forest before heading back to Santa Barbara. This trip is open to campers of all skill levels. All hikes will be rewarding and moderately strenuous; any reasonably fit person will find them enjoyable. All communal group and cooking gear will be provided. Camping breakfasts and dinners are included. A pre-trip informational meeting will be held to answer questions and mollify any concerns.
SESPE BACKPACKING
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the most incredible scenery and hike in our local backcountry. We will follow Sespe Creek as it winds through the mountains and canyons between the California Condor Sanctuary near Fillmore. Warm, sunny days, cool swimming holes and good companionship will be highlights of this trip. This trip is more intense than our beginning backpacking trips. We recommend the participants be in very good physical condition with previous backpacking experience. We will cover approximately 30 miles in four days of hiking. Part of this trip is directly down a creek bed without a trail. Fee covers group breakfasts and dinners while camping, round trip transportation, group cooking equipment and guides. You provide your own lunches and personal gear. Aside from carrying your own personal equipment, each person will be responsible for carrying some group food and group equipment.
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND DAY TOUR
Welcome aboard! We will be kayaking along the Santa Cruz Island coastline with your Adventure Programs guides. Santa Cruz Island is rich in marine and bird life, so be ready for some fantastic sitings. Sea lions are always a treat as they keep a watchful eye on our group at stops along the way. We look forward to finding marine life as we cross the channel, so keep your cameras ready. Once we get there, more adventure begins. While some folks are sunbathing, others will be watching educational programming about the island on one of the plasma screens. We will run kayking rotations where everyone will get the opportunity to explore the coastline up close and personal. As conditions permit, we’ll take the opportunity to explore into the depths of Painted Cave, one of the world’s largest sea caves! A waterproof camera will be handy. We will meet you at Sea Landing in the Santa Barbara Harbor at the time on your receipt on the day of the trip. We will travel with our kayaks to the island on the state of the art catamaran. The Condor Express operates like a ferry service and leaves on time no matter who is on board or not. Please be on time and remember there are no refunds if you miss the boat. The Condor Express operates a full galley with drinks, snacks, and grille. Plan on bringing some money for lunch and a crew gratutity if you desire. * Call Aquatics (967-4456) or any other dive shop if you wish to rent a wetsuit for kayaking. This may be optional depending on the time of year.
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND CAMPING/HIKING
Need a break from school? This is a weekend adventure you can not miss! We will meet in Ventura early Saturday morning and load our gear on a boat bound for Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz Island is located about 20 miles from the mainland coast, and travel time from Ventura Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage is about an hour. We commonly see sea lions and dolphins as we enjoy a scenic ride to the island together. We will spend the rest of Saturday exploring the most diverse island in the National Park. There are island and coastal bluff hikes. We will return to Ventura harbor Sunday afternoon. Come join us on another fantastic trip to the islands! The fee includes a round trip boat ride, camping permit, stoves, Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast. You are responsible for your own lunches, snacks, transportation to Ventura harbor and personal gear.
PINE MOUNTAIN BACKPACKING
Our local backcountry has some of the most beautiful places to visit if you are willing to venture off the beaten path. There is a lovely valley at the top of Pine Mountain that radiates a sandstone version of the Sierra. Sleeping out among picturesque pine trees and rock formations offers the perfect chance for a weekend escape. This is a great opportunity to get a first backpacking experience. You will see what it’s like to survive for days in the wilderness with nothing but what you carry on your back. The 5-mile trail has a steep elevation gain of 3,000 ft in the last few miles, which can be quite challenging with an overnight pack. No previous experience is necessary but you should enjoy exerting yourself. The group will leave UCSB on Friday morning and return Sunday late afternoon. The fee includes round trip transportation, breakfasts and dinners while camping, permit fees and group cooking equipment. You must supply your own lunches and personal equipment. This trip requires you be in good physical condition. Everyone will help in carrying the group food and group equipment besides all of your own personal equipment.
IDYLLWILD ROCK TRIP
Prerequisite: Rock I or equivalent
Idyllwild is one of those quiet mountain towns with delicious mom n’ pop food stops, cabin-side firewood piles and one general store, where each local knows the other and everything closes by 5pm. Not only is this pine forested paradise a beautiful place for camping, hiking and viewing wildlife, it just so happens to be one of Southern California’s top destinations for rock climbing. Ask anyone in the climbing community and they’ll agree, Idyllwild boasts world-class granite formations. Tahquitz Rock, a monolith visible from miles down the highway, towers over 2,000 feet above the mile-high town. Suicide Rock, it’s shy but solid counterpart, gapes with smooth granite faces across the valley floor. Viewing vertical multi-pitch terrain and feeling the technical strain of these giant rocks will provide worthy exposure to the life of a traditional rock climber. This trip is designed to give the aspirant climber experience in a classic trad climbing setting. We recommend the participants be in very good physical condition. Prepare for steep hikes with weight and long days of climbing. Previous experience in belaying and outdoor rock climbing is a must! The group will leave from Rec Cen early Saturday morning and return Monday evening. Fee covers group breakfasts and dinners while camping, round trip transportation, group cooking equipment, rock gear and guides. You provide your own lunches and personal camping gear.
BIG SUR CAMPING
Studded with historical sites, artistic stops and breathtaking viewpoints along the way, Highway 1 winds through Big Sur’s cozy, mystical shoreline. This area is home to redwood forests, crystal clear waters and some of the world’s most sheltered endangered species. Big Sur is a must see stretch of the California coast! Jack Kerouac once referred to a “cabin in the Big Sur woods where [he] would be alone and undisturbed... just chopping wood, drawing water, writing, sleeping, hiking...” It won’t take long to discover the simplistic and secluded nature of the place. This trip is excellent for those wanting a long weekend of relaxation and natural stimulation. And you won’t have to chop wood! Big Sur trails meander through redwood groves and clear streams in the foothills and on beaches refreshed with ocean breeze and the spray of a coastal waterfall. Driving along the coast at cliff’s edge gives unparalleled birdseye views of the ocean’s surface 100s of feet below and possible encounters with the California Condor! Low maintenance camping, to top it off, will provide you with time and rest to reflect on this beautiful place and renew your vitality for life. We will depart on Saturday morning and return Monday evening. Fees include transportation, permits, campsites and all breakfasts and dinners while camping. You will need to supply your own lunches, snacks, and personal camping gear.
HAVASU BACKPACK/COLORADO RIVER CANOE
Havasu Canyon is famous for the beautiful waterfalls that cascade down into breathtaking emerald pools. This portion of the canyon is owned by the Havasupai Indians but people may backpack and camp in the canyon with permits from the Indian reservation office. The first leg of our trip will give us three days in Havasu Canyon. The group will have the opportunity to explore, photograph and hike the inner reaches of the canyon. Temperatures in and around Havasu Canyon can get quite cold and there is even a possibility of snow. Thus, be prepared for cold weather (boots, warm pants, a warm sleeping bag, [good to 20° F], and warm clothes are required). The second leg of our trip will take us along the Colorado River through Black Canyon which is below Hoover Dam. After we hike out of Havasu Canyon, we will drive to Lake Mead and re-supply. The canoeing portion is contingent upon our canoes being at the river because we are meeting up with another one of our trips which will leave the canoes for us to use. The canoe portion of this trip may be changed to three days of camping and hiking at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. This change will occur if our Colorado River canoe trip does not go. We start our paddling at Willow Beach and paddle up canyon to our camping areas where we plan on spending two nights. Be advised that we must carry our gear along in the canoes. Your time on the river can be spent paddling, exploring and relaxing. Canoe instruction will be available. There are hot springs near our campsite which are a welcome treat at the end of a day of paddling. We will leave at 8am on Friday morning. We are scheduled to return to UCSB the following Friday late evening. The fee includes round-trip transportation, breakfasts and dinners while camping, camping fees, permits for Havasu Canyon, group equipment, canoeing equipment and canoeing lessons. You must supply your own lunches and personal equipment. Only nine spaces are available.
ZION CAMPING UCSB
Adventure Programs is proud to offer a CO-OP trip to Zion National Park. Zion is an ancient Hebrew word meaning a place of refuge or sanctuary. Described by the LA Times as “A symphony of stone, where nature is the maestro.” Located in southern Utah at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Mojave Desert, Zion boasts 229 sq. miles of dramatic landscape including sculptured canyons and soaring 2000-3000ft cliffs. We will enjoy a number of the incredible sites by day hiking from our car-camping style campsite. No hiking experience is necessary as long as you are in good physical condition. Weather permitting, some hikes can be up to a strenuous 9 mile roundtrip with a significant elevation gain/loss. We will depart on Friday morning and return Monday evening. Fees include transportation, camping, permits, and all breakfasts and dinners while camping. You need to supply your own lunches, snacks and personal gear.
GRAND CANYON BACKPACK
John Wesley Powell was one of the first people to explore the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Years ago he wrote, “We are now ready to start on our way down the great unknown... three quarters of a mile in the depths of the earth... walls and cliffs, that rise to the world above.” Things have changed since then; thousands have ventured to the bottom of the canyon by mule train or on foot, yet the canyon has remained unscathed. The awe felt by John Wesley Powell and his party is shared by all canyon explorers. We are fortunate to have received one of the few permits issued for this time of the year. The permit allows us to hike and camp in the main corridor of the canyon for five consecutive days. The itinerary has us hiking eight to ten miles each day with one lay over day scheduled on the third day. The group leaves UCSB on Friday and drives all day to the South Rim of the Canyon. We spend the next five days in the canyon with Thursday as the day we hike out. Our drive home begins Thursday evening with a planned camping stop along the way. We will continue our drive on Friday with an estimated arrival to campus early Friday evening. Temperatures in and around the Canyon can get quite cold and there is even a possibility of snow. Thus, be prepared for cold weather (boots, warm pants, a warm sleeping bag, [good to 20° F], and warm clothes are required). The hike down into the canyon and back up is strenuous, especially with the weight of a backpack. Participants must be in good physical condition and previous backpacking experience is highly recommended. The fee includes round-trip transportation, breakfasts and dinners while camping, camping fees, permit fees and group equipment. You must supply your own lunches and personal equipment. Due to permit restrictions there are only nine spaces available for participants.