ultiMate national Parks exPeDition venture into the WilDerness to celeBrate the 100th anniversary oF the national Park service—what
writer Wallace Stegner called “the best idea we ever had.” explore five of america’s most iconic national parks, learning about national geographic’s vital role in preserving and promoting these natural treasures along the way. EXPEDition HiGHLiGHtS
• explore an astonishing diversity of landscapes in five national parks: Grand teton, yellowstone, Glacier, olympic, and Grand canyon. • stay in historic park lodges, and examine the achievements of the past century with representatives from the national Park service. • admire the soaring peaks of the tetons, and witness old Faithful geyser’s spectacular eruptions in yellowstone. • raft down the Middle Fork of the Flathead river in Glacier national Park.
nationaL GEoGraPHiC EXPErt
i t i n E r a rY
Writer, photographer, and biologist Jeremy schmidt has worked in and around america’s national parks for more than 30 years, including stints as a park ranger, a naturalist, a photographer, and an author. in addition to articles for National Geographic and National Geographic Traveler magazines, Jeremy has written the national geographic guidebooks on Yellowstone and grand teton national parks, grand canyon national park, and Yosemite national park; as well as the National Geographic Guide to America’s Outdoors: Northern Rockies. he will share his enthusiasm and knowledge with travelers as we explore these magnificent parks.
Day 1 Jackson, WyoMinG/GranD teton national Park
JEREMY WILL ACCOMPANY THE JULY 3 DEPARTURE. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR THE EXPERTS ON OTHER DEPARTURES.
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Arrive in the lively mountain town of Jackson, gateway to Grand Teton National Park. Go for a short hike with spectacular views of the snowdusted pinnacles of the Teton Range. Visit the National Elk Refuge, and gather for a welcome dinner. ruStic inn at JackSon hole (d) Days 2 anD 3 GranD teton national Park/yelloWstone national Park
Delve into the natural and human history of Grand Teton National Park at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, and walk scenic trails along Phelps Lake. Then drive north to Yellowstone—the world’s first national park, established in 1872. Most of the park rests atop a slumbering volcano whose magma chamber is the source of the area’s colorful hot springs, steaming fumaroles, and geysers—including Old Faithful, whose eruptions we will witness this evening. Spend the next day exploring gurgling mud pots and mesmerizing
A misty sheen descends from Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Geyser.
mineral pools. Have dinner at Old Faithful Inn, a national historic landmark. old FaithFul SnoW lodge (b, l, d dailY) Days 4 anD 5 yelloWstone national Park
Head out early to search for wildlife in Hayden Valley. Visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and walk the rim to view thundering waterfalls. Cross Dunraven Pass on our way to Mammoth
Above: Gilt by the early sun, the Grand Canyon shrugs off a blanket of morning fog.