Adult/Family Summer Programs for 2009
You may register using our online adult registration form, or you may call us at (970) 871-9151 or send us email at info@yampatika.org. If you register online or leave us a message, we will contact you within two business days to confirm your registration. If you do not hear from us, please contact us to confirm we have your correct information.
Please be aware that registrations are not final until we receive payment. Please also look at Yampatika's cancellation policy.
Yampatika programs for adults are divided between programs that repeat on a weekly basis and Special Programs that occur only once or twice per summer. Most adult programs are suitable for children 12 and older. You may sign up for any program by calling Yampatika at 871-9151 or clicking on the adult registration form. Except for the Vista Verde program you do not need to sign up in advance for the weekly programs--you can just appear at the location indicated. You do need to register for all other programs.
Weekly Programs
(July 1 - September 4)
Nature Hikes
- FISH CREEK FALLS
- Days: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays (July 2 - September 4)
- Times: 10am - 1 pm
- Location: Meet at Fish Creek Falls
- Cost: FREE! (But we never turn down donations.)
Only a few miles from town but tucked away between rocky evergreen hillsides, Fish Creek Falls is a peaceful oasis and a popular place for both locals and tourists to get out into nature. Join a Yampatika Naturalist for an informative tour of the falls, creek, and surroundings. Learn about the area's flora, fauna, geology and history. The hike to the falls is only moderately strenuous on a well-graded trail. In partnership with the U. S. Forest Service.- HIKES ON MT. WERENER
- Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays: June 23 - August 20, 2009
- Times: 10:30 - 1:30
- Location: Information center at the base of the ski area
- Cost: FREE! A season pass or a gondola ticket is required
Learn about the flora and fauna of Mt. Werner. These intermediate to advanced hikes are co-led by a Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation Ambassador and a Yampatika Naturalist. Sponsered by Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. Call (970) 871-5444 to reserve a spot.
- MINERAL SPRINGS TOURS
- Days: Tuesdays: June 30 - September 1, 2009
- Times: 9:00 - 10:30
- Location: In front of the Bud Werner Library (1289 Lincoln Ave.
- Cost: FREE
Visit several of the most important mineral springs in the Steamboat area, including the Steamboat Spring! Learn about the springs' medicinal qualities and their relevance in the lives of the Native Americans and early settlers, as well as today's residents and visitors. Participants will also learn how geological forces created the mineral springs. Click here for a description of the springs and a map. A brochure is also available. Level of difficulty: easy. Receive $1.00 of your next visit to the Tread of Pioneers Museum after completing the tour. This program is partly supported by the City of Steamboat Springs and is run in conjunction with the Tread of the Pioneers Museum.- VISTA VERDE GUEST RANCH
- Days: Thursdays (July 2 - September 3)
- Times: 10 - 12pm
- Location: Meet at Vista Verde
- Cost: FREE! (But we never turn down donations.)
Explore the beautiful and extensive forests and fields of the Vista Verde Guest Ranch with a Yampatika Naturalist. Are you having visitors? This is a perfect event for entertaining guests. Spaces are limited. Call Yampatika to sign up at 871-9151. In partnership with Vista Verde Guest Ranch.
- WEEKLY BIRD WALKS
- Date:Wednesdays, May 13 - June 24
- Time: TBA 2-3 hours
- Location: Varies--call Yampatika for times and locations
- Cost: FREE
- Join Yampatika, the United States Forest Service and the Yampa Valley Birding Club for a weekly bird walk in and around Steamboat Springs. Walks are designed to get more people involved in birding and to raise awareness about the diversity of migratory and resident species near our urban area. The walks start at a reasonable hour, do not last a long time, and we welcome families and people with low mobility. Walks are especially good for beginners because they focus on common urban birds and how to use field guides and binoculars. Loaner binoculars are usually available. Walks are free and open to the public but group size is limited and reservations are required. Call Yampatika for details and to sign up, or register on-line. This program is offered in partnership with the Yampa Valley Birding Club, the United States Forest Service, and is partly funded by the city of Steamboat Springs.
- INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY
- Date: Saturday, May 9
- Time: 9am - 3pm
- Location: Carpenter Ranch
- Cost: FREE
Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with Yampatika, The Nature Conservancy, the Yampa Valley Birding Club and the United States Forest Service. "Celebrating Birds in Culture" is the theme for IMBD. Activities will be held all day at The Nature Conservancy's Carpenter Ranch. Ted Floyd, Editor of "Birding," the publication of the American Birding Association will lead bird walks for the advanced birder; there will be an art exhibit by Joan Hoffmann ; beginning bird walks; and children's activities for kids ages 3 and up. This event is free and open to the public. No registration required.- WILDFLOWER HIKES
- Date: Saturday May 30th, June 13rd, July 18th, and September 26th
- Time: For 5/30, 6/13, and 9/26 9am-12pm. For 7/18, 8am - 4pm
- Location: varies -- call Yampatika for locations.
- Cost: For 5/30, 6/13, and 9/26, $40 members / $45 non-members. For July 18, $55 members / $60 non-members
Join Karen Vail, our area's local authority on wildflower identification and their uses for a four part series on Colorado creations. We kick off the season with a spring walk. Learn about the edible and medicinal plants in the area and collect your own (May 30). As the snow melts, we will explore the beauties in our own backyard, focusing on wildflowers in the urban area (June 13). As summer progresses, escape the high temperatures of the valley and hike to see wildflowers that make their home happily at elevation (July 18). As our botanic buddies grasp for a last blast of color, we'll host an exploration of fall foliage and fall edibles (September 26). This four-part series is perfect for guests or locals who want to learn more about our amazing Colorado wildflowers.- SECOND WILDFLOWER HIKE
- Date: Saturday, June 13
- Time: 9am - 12pm
- Location: Call Yampatika for details.
- Cost: $40 members / $45 non-members
This is the second of a four part series. See entry for May 30.- PADDLE WITH THE BIRDS
- Date:Saturday, June 27
- Time: 8am - 1pm
- Location: Meet at Yampatika
- Cost: $45 members / $50 non-members
Join local bird expert Dee Bolton for a quiet morning canoe paddle to learn about the Valley's migratory and resident bird species. Dee has been birding the Yampa Valley for decades and knows where to find 'em. She will share her wealth of knowledge about bird identification and behavior as well as her passion for paddling. Previous experience with bird watching and canoeing is not necessary.- HISTORICAL/ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVENTURE AND WILDFLOWER WALK
- Date: Friday July 10
- Time: 8am to 1pm
- Location: Meet at Mad Creek Trailhead
- Cost: $40 members / $45 non-members
What is Mad Creek all about? What is the barn doing there? Are there archaeological artifacts? Join Karen Vail to hike up the Mad Creek trail and learn the answer to these questions and others. Karen has researched this site, and it will be a trip worth taking. You will learn how the origin of the ranch came, how it was turned into a dude ranch in the 1920s, and what has happened since. You will also see some spectacular wild flowers.
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- THIRD WILD FLOWER HIKE
- Date:Saturday, July 18
- Time: 8am - 4pm
- Location: Call Yampatika for location.
- Cost: $55/members, $60/non-members
This is the third of a four part series. See entry for May 30.- 5 DAY FLAT TOPS WILDERNESS LLAMA TREK
- Date: JULY 20 - 24
- Cost: $700
Explore the astounding beauty of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area with local guide Karen Vail, and a fuzzy beast carrying all your gear while looking over your shoulder. For 5 days, 4 nights gawk at the endless views, walk for hours on the wildflower covered tundra plateaus, and wake up to paradise. Each guest will have their own llama for the trip, which they will learn to pack and lead. The main focus of the trip is learning about the area: wildflowers, geology, wildlife, and so much more. Participants must be able to walk up to 7 miles at elevations over 10,000 feet with severe elevation changes, and move camp each day. This is a once in a lifetime trip! Group size is limited. Please call for a complete itinerary and equipment list.- ROCKIN-J RANCH
- Date: Saturday, August 1
- Time: ALL DAY -- Call for specifics.
- Location: Meet at Yampatika
- Cost: $60 members / $65 non-members
Our first Soup Session this past winter featured John Weibel, talking about permaculture on his Rockin-J ranch near Craig. This is now your opportunity to actually see the results of his work. You can see his web site at http://www.rockinjcattle.com/.- 4 DAY FLAT TOPS WILDERNESS LLAMA TREK
- Date: August 4 - 7
- Cost: $525
If you're not quite up to the 5 day rigors, the 4 day trek might be just the ticket. We will hike 7 miles in to a spectacular base camp for the three nights. Day hikes will be taken from the camp each day, or feel free to lounge around in camp and take the day at your own pace. Group size is limited. Please call for a complete itinerary and equipment list.- WINDY RIDGE ARCHAEOLOGY HIKE
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- Date: Saturday, August 8
- Time: 8am to 2:30pm
- Location: Meet at Yampatika
- Cost: $40/members, $45/non-members
Robin Roberts, a U. S. Forest Service archaelogist, will lead a hike to Windy Ridge, located near Rabbit Ears Pass. The Windy Ridge quarry dates back at least 8,000 years. This is a five-mile, round-trip hike that will include views of Rabbit Ears and east to the Front Range. Participants must be 12 years or older. Group size is
limited to 12 people. You can find out more about Windy Ridge in this article from the Steamboat Pilot.In partnership with the Routt National Forest- PERSEID METEOR SHOWER
- Date: Aug 11-12
- Time: after dark
- Location: see below
- Cost: $45 members / $50 non-members
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Come watch dark skies and the Perseid Meteor Shower on the evening of August 11th. The shower actually peaks in the early hours of August 12th before dawn but we will meet at the Dumont Lake Picnic Site up on Rabbit Ears around 10:00 pm. The moon sets about midnight so the best viewing is after that. This will still be a great show with somewhat less than the usual 60 meteor shower events per hour visible. A guide from the Yampa Valley Astronomy Club will be available to discuss meteor showers, stars, and the visible constellations. - BATS, OWLS, and OTHER NEAT THINGS
- Date: Thursday, Aug 20
- Time: 7:30pm - 9pm
- Location: USFS building
- Cost: $45 members / $50 non-members
- Join Wildlife Biologist Apple Snider to explore the unique world of nocturnal creatures. These fascinating creatures are rarely seen, but are an important part of our ecosystem. Learn about the myths and facts of these myserious cretures. We’ll start with an indoor presentation about owls and bats, and then move outdoors in search of Steamboat’s “night life”!
- WILD MUSHROOM FORAY
- Date:Saturday, August 22
- Time: 8am to 3pm
- Location: Meet at Yampatika
- Cost: $45 members / $50 non-members
This is another Yampatika favorite. This year we have changed to a one day program. Join us and Bill Emerson on Saturday morning to collect mushrooms. Bill really knows mushrooms, so you can feel safe eating what you collect--and you get to EAT THEM right there!- LOCAL GEOLOGY WALK WITH NEWELL CAMPBELL
- Date:Saturday, August 29
- Time: 9am to 2pm
- Location: Steamboat Area: Meet at Yampatika
- Cost: $40/members, $45/non-members
Many of you may have read Newell Campbell's book "Geology Profiles of the Steamboat Springs Area" You can get it from Yampatika if you missed it. Join Newell for a hike exploring local geology and learn more about how our valley was formed. Steamboat so much more interesting when you can look around and recognize how it came to be.
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- FOURTH WILD FLOWER HIKE
- Date:Saturday, Sept. 26
- Time: 9am - 12pm
- Location: TBA -- Call Yampatika for details.
- Cost: $55/members, $60/nonmembers
This is the fourth of a four part series. See entry for May 30.
The following hikes are free, thanks to our generous partners. They are moderate to moderately strenuous in difficulty. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes and bring your own snacks, water, and sunscreen. Weather can change dramatically and quickly in our region. Be prepared for heat or rain!
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Adult Field Schools
Spring, Summer, and Fall, 2009
During the summer we offer over a dozen different programs that highlight the environment and our relationship with it. A few of these programs are intended as fund raisers, but most are hikes or trips to natural and historic locations around Steamboat. A minimum of four participants are generally needed to run each of the following programs. Registration is required for these programs. Please call Yampatika at (970) 871-9151 or use the on-line registration form for adult programs.
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Last updated on April 9,2009
