Atlas Learning Academy

Five high school students went to Utah for a week long expedition.  They designed their own research projects around the National Park System.  They hiked miles on a multitude of different types of trails and soaked up information in visitor centers.  It was a trip of a lifetime!

Day #1

The group left ATLAS Learning Academy in Lincoln, CA just after 4:00 am.  Students were instantly asleep in the van and one stayed asleep over most of the next 12 hours.  Driving the "loneliest highway in America" (Hwy 50), the group set out in an easterly direction.  By around noon they were in Ely, NV for some lunch and by 3:30 PM they were rolling through the Bryce Canyon National Park entrance.  Arriving earlier than expected, they set up camp and headed out to the visitor center to do some exploring.  

After learning all kinds of interesting things, the group headed out to the canyon rim to watch the sunset before heading back to camp to make dinner and get some needed rest.

 

Today started with breakfast and a camp breakdown before getting packed up for the day hike.  The plan was the 8 mile Fairyland Loop trail starting just outside the northern end of the park.  There would be no water on the hike and it was important students took plenty of food and water.  In addition, there would be practically no shade, which would prove to take a lot out of everyone in the group.  The hike started with a 2000+ ft drop into the canyon.  

 

 

 

Then, the trail spent the next 5 miles or so zigzagging up and down and around all the oddly shaped formations called Hoodoos.  It gave the group lots of time to have small conversations and it gave the teachers lots of time to start the brainstorming process with students about the direction of each of their project.

 

 

The group finished the hike at about 2 pm and then made the 90 minute drive south to Zion National Park. The views upon entering the park were amazing and so very different than the types of formations in Bryce.  We made our way through the middle of the park and onto the southern entrance and our campsite in the Watchman Campground.  This is a walk in campground and fairly new.  Each of the 16 sites had a tent picnic table and bear locker.  And the views from the site....well...see the picture below.

 

 

 

The plan was made that afternoon to hike the Narrows Wednesday and Angel's Landing on Thursday.  The Narrows is a sixteen mile section of the Virgin River which is a gorge with walls a thousand feet tall and the river sometimes just twenty to thirty feet wide.  The "Bottom Up" allows day hikers to hike 4 miles into the canyon before turning around.  The canyon starts out a bit wider and not as deep.  The further up the canyon the deeper the water and narrower the canyon.  

 

Day #3

The group boarded the bus at about 9:00 am for the 40 minute ride to the other end of the canyon.  Once at the shuttle drop-off called the Temple of Sinawava, it was still another 1.25 miles to the end of the trail and the mouth of the Narrows.  This is where the 4 mile hike of the river begins.  

 

 

After about three miles, there were two pools that needed to be crossed. Each of those pools went to nearly each person's shoulders.  At the end of the four miles, the group stopped in a isolated bend of the river to enjoy the last rays of sun getting into the canyon.

 

 

After lunch, to was time to hike back the four miles to the mouth of the canyon.  For the first couple of miles the group saw almost no one at all.

 

 

Back at camp it was time for dinner and some work on projects.  Students walked over to the visitor center to use their wifi with the ATLAS Chromebooks.  For a few hours, students worked very hard to continue to define their thesis statements as well as begin to outline their papers.    

 

 

Day #4

Thursday was the famous Angel's Landing hike.  Angel’s Landing is one of the world's most renowned hikes, and is an unforgettable short adventure hike worthy of all bucket lists. Anyone in an average physical condition can make the trek, but it can be mentally challenging with its steep switchbacks and sheer drop-offs. There are chains bolted into the cliff to provide secure handholds all the way to Scout Lookout. Boarded the shuttle at 8:00 am for the 30 minute ride to the trail-head where winds were beginning to blow. 

The trail out and back is a mere 5 miles.  The first two miles are filled with steep switchbacks.

 

While the last quarter mile went virtually straight up utilizing the chains that were anchored into the rock.

 

 

 

All of the students felt strongly that the effort to get to the top was well worth it as they rested with food and water at Scout Lookout.

 

 

Day #5

Because the group had heard a thunderstorm was coming late in Thursday night and early Friday morning, the choice was made to get a jump on the storm and leave Thursday early evening.  The group took a southerly route home to skirt the falling snow all along highway 50.  

This picture pretty much says it all about the drive for the students.

 

And there it is.  Another amazing ATLAS expedition in the books.  In this group of students:

• None had ever seen a Hoodoo.

• None had ever walked a "trail" in the water.

• Some had never hiked as many miles in a day.

• Some had never seen red dirt.

• Some had never been physically challenged as much.

• Some had never been out of California.

• All were pushed harder academically than ever to create their own customized research project.

• All did things that they will share with their grandchildren.

• All will create projects that are worthy of college and career readiness.

Two teachers and five high school students went to Yosemite for a week long expedition.  They would be in Valley on day and night one and then in the backcountry for the rest of the week.  It was epic.

 

Day #1

 

We left ATLAS at about 7:30 today and arrived on the valley floor at 12:30. Picked up our permit at the wilderness station in Yosemite Village and we were lucky enough to get a ranger who taught a mini Leave No Trace lesson to a group of students who recently received LNT certificates through a short online REI class.

Wandered around in the visitor center afterwards and had students take pictures of items and displays that might be of help in some of their projects connected to the trip.

After a quick stop in the village store for snacks we made our way to Upper Pines Campground and got camp set up for our one night in the valley. Once done, we hopped back in the van and headed to the Yosemite Falls Trailhead to walk the one mile loop to the base of the falls.

 

Upon arriving at the falls we decided to boulder to the foot of the falls and some of the students hopped in the frigid water.  We then hiked back through the Yosemite Lodge property and into the meadows surrounding the Merced River. Students took in the views of Half Dome, Glacier Point, the Cathedral Spires and El Cap.   When all started getting hungry we headed back to the campground to do some cooking before turning in for the night.

Day #2

 

Woke up at about 7:00 to a light drizzle, broke down camp and had some food before hitting the road.

Arrived at the Ten Lakes Trailhead at 9:30 and hit the trail.

The trail immediately started to ascend and students were pumping along at a very quick pace. It wasn't long before they petered out a bit and finally had to stop and rest a bit.

The rest of our 7ish mile hike was much of the same with some longer breaks to let students catch their breaths.  We crested Ten Lakes Pass and had some snacks before hiking the 2 more miles to Lake #3. There are 10 lakes in the basin and we  decided to camp at one off the main trail to try to have a lake to ourselves. And a lake to ourselves we got.  Sitting in a small bowl, Lake #3 is amazing.

 

 

Almost all swam before snacking. Later a competitive game of Uno took place before students found quiet places to work in some writing responses to prompts they chose before the trip.

It was a cloudless night and much colder here at 9000 feet than the Valley 4000 foot elevation. A great night sleep.

 

Day #3

 

Woke up to another light drizzle today, a bit harder than yesterday. It rained on and off for about 90 minutes before we were able to spread out all our gear in the sun to dry out. We swam a bit more before hitting the trail. We walked back to Lake #1 and around the opposite side that we had come in on. After less than a mile, we rejoined the Ten Lakes Trail and headed east and up. The climb of nearly 700 feet had everyone huffing and puffing. We arrived at Lake #4 and took a short break before heading off trail for the next 48 hours. Up over a small Pass and then up another led us to beautiful Lake #5.

There was really only one viable campsite for our size group on the north side of the lake and about 100 feet above the water. We set up camp, had some lunch and did some swimming at this beautiful granite lined 9400 ft. lake.  In the afternoon, we decided to go for a afternoon day hike up to the top of the pass above the lake.   Over 900 feet of elevation, had us walking on ridges, hopping over creeks, trekking through alpine tundra, walking next to ice cold ponds, crossing snow fields, picking our way through boulders, and working to keep our footing while navigating inclined fields of scree. It was amazing and all 5 students stood atop the 10,300 ft unnamed pass with northern views into the depths of Yosemite and out at peaks topping 12,000 feet.

 

The afternoon was filled with more swimming, eating, swimming and student work. Just after sunset, each student stood, one at a time, with the lake as their backdrop, and presented his paper. Each shared his feelings and ideas surrounding nature in the form of a written response to an English writing prompt. All were terrific!

Day #4

 

No rain this morning!!  We all slept in knowing that the mileage to our next camp wasn't very far. It was a leisurely morning of sitting in the sun, a few went swimming, and enjoying our surroundings.

We packed up about 10:30 and hit the dirt. Our goal was to hike along the side of a mountain, heading for a pass above Lake #6. It was epic. With no trail to follow, the two teachers took the front and back and kept the group together but not too close. Where yesterday's day hike was filled with large boulders, today's hike was filled with medium and small rocks. This made hiking slowly and carefully our main objective. Students were spaced out at about 40 yard intervals and worked together to point out the best route for the one behind them. They often stopped and held a hand out for another as they crossed a particularly tricky section.

 

In the end all made it to the top of the pass and took a break for a bit before heading down the other side. The back side was very different as there were many trees, bushes and loose sand. We took it slowly as the first of the two Granite Lakes came into view. We continued to stay high and skirt the side as we aimed for the second and smaller lake that would be home for the night.

After arriving at about 3:30, the students collapsed into their sleeping pads to rest, eat and hydrate.

The afternoon was filled with much of the same and some Uno added in as well.  Early to bed as we hit the trail at 6:30 to get a good start home.

 

Day #5

 

Today was an early up and out!  Students were up at 5:30 am and out of camp by 6:30 am.  We hiked about a mile mile and a half off trail before hooking back up with the trail we came in on.  This type of trip route is called a lollipop as we came in and out on the same trail and completed a loop at the “top of the stick.”

We were back at the trailhead and van a bit after 8:00.   After a quick stop at Omstead Point for a few pictures from the very spot Ansel Adams stood, we continued to Tenya Lake for a ceremonial “get clean swim.”  After a bit of complaining that the water was “too cold” all five students completed the required “complete submersion” needed to sit in a van for the next several hours on the way home.  A stop at The Barn, in Bridgeport, CA and we were back on the road to Lincoln.  

On January 24th we took a group of strong students from the trail-head at Castle Peak, a bit over 3 miles to the Peter Grubb Hut.  Much of the hike was through fresh deep powder and was extremely strenuous.  The group did an amazing job, powering through the deep snow.  We were so very lucky to have such a beautiful day to explore!

                                                     

 

                                   

 

                                             

 

 

 

Today, we headed back up highway 80 to the Castle Peak Trailhead with 5 excited and a bit hesitant students.  None had ever been on snow shoes and the amount of gear was a bit overwhelming for a few.  Nevertheless, we hit the chilly trail at about 9:30 and walked uphill on the snowy trail that's a dirt road in summer months.  

 

Every trip has a different focus depending on the makeup of the student group.  This trip was about getting a group of students together that didn't know each other, on an experience that they wouldn't have chosen to go on by themselves.  Simply...it was a day of walking in the snow.  And walk we did...until we sat down for some lunch and a "snowball fight" that lasted for a while and gleaned a lot of smiles and laughter.  

 

The trip was a complete success on every level.  Students met new people and some formed relationships that would extend well beyond the trip.  Students had a brand new experience in nature that they might never have had the opportunity to take part in.  And...all students reported (in a post survey) that they enjoyed the experience to the point that all 5 have either signed up or a future trip or reported that they plan to sign up.

 

A large focus of the ATLAS program is around relationships.  Forming and nurturing student to student and student to teacher relationships in an effort to positively effect overall student achievement.  This goal was truly achieved today and we look forward to collecting even more evidence to support this in the coming weeks, months and years.

 

                       

 

                

Today we went on a day hike that was supposed to be a snowshoe trip.  It was changed to a day hike because we didn't have nearly enough show to snowshoe.  After parking at the Pacific Crest Trailhead off Old 40, we snapped a few pictures before heading up the trail.

 

The first real winter snowstorm was scheduled to arrive in in the mid afternoon and we were hoping to sneak in a 5 mile loop hike before it hit.  The morning was cold with a biting wind.  Our plan was to summit Donner Peak and then continue up Mt. Judah and loop back.  With everyone moving at their own pace, we reached the summit of Donner Peak in about 90 minutes.  The sky was a crystal blue with space ship like lenticular clouds floating above Donner Lake.

 

  

 

After a light lunch, the group talked a bit about options in terms of the rest of the hike.  The remainder of the loop was covered in snow.  Some students didn't feel comfortable walking the angled slope on the icy snow and mud mix.  In the end, one student joined one of the two teachers for the remainder of the 5 mile loop while the others went back down the same way they had come.

 

    

 

The wind at the top of Mt. Judah was in the mid 30 mph range.  We held onto hats, glasses and the mountain itself for a few quick pictures before heading back out of the wind into the safety of the northern side of the ridge.

 

 

Pedro, featured in the picture above, had never hiked in his life.  He's a runner and found himself jogging on the trail quite a few times.  Trail running just might be in Pedro's future some day.......

 

 

Today, we were notified that we had received a Western Placer MediCal Grant.  This grant was written to enable us to send lead teacher, Adam Salinger, to a nine day Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course taught by NOLS (the National Outdoor Leadership School).  This class and certification will provide Mr. Salinger with the training needed to quickly and appropriately respond to any medical emergencies in the back country.

Thank you so much MediCal grant committee!

 

 

Today, we were notified that we had received the Western Placer Educational Foundation Grant (WPEFG).  We wrote this grant to help fund the transportation costs associated with the Adventure and Service pieces of our program.  The foundation did indeed see the importance and validity of our request and granted us $2000 to help cover the costs of the rest of the 16/17 school year.  

Thank you so very much Western Placer Education Foundation!!

 

 

What a whirlwind of a couple days.  The first day was all about prepping.  Windows, doors, trim, gutters etc. were all taped off in preparation for painting the base coat on day two.  The district had loaned us their industrial sprayer for the two days and rain was coming, so we were on a tight timeline.  Students did virtually all the prepping.  From caulking to taping, they were amazing.  This was a prime example of an on-site Service learning project.  Service is another major piece of ATLAS and students didn’t disappoint.  Working throughout most of the day, and writing reflections about their work, students earned credits and learned valuable life skills.

 

 

Today was a banner day.  We completed the gear room!  We have written, and been awarded, grants totaling more than $15,000 for student gear.  We are still writing grants for additional funding, but at this point we have almost everything that a student needs to be safe and successful for multi-day trips in the back-country during spring, summer and fall.  We also have day trip gear for winter!  

Our gear includes: backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping bag liners, sleeping pads, tents, Tyvek for ground sheets, waterproof food bags, Frogg Togg rain gear, JetBoil cook sets and fuel, Sawyer Filters for water purification, Nalgene Canteens, rope, gloves, snowshoes, trekking poles and pole baskets, winter gaiters and now booties.

       

We were lucky enough to get the help of Mr. Nelson’s father in building all of our cabinetry and now are completely organized in a way that makes giving out and collecting gear easier than ever.  Gear is also being stored properly as to keep it safe, clean and accessible.  We are ready to hit the trail!! 

A bucket list trip it was!  Even though some of these students might not be old enough to even have bucket lists...buckets were filled in more ways than one.

We left Lincoln at about 7:30 and began on the long twisty roads right away.  The district van; not a sports car.  After making our way into the park we took Tioga Road to the Porcupine campground.  It was nearly empty.  We found two spots next to each other with enough room (only 6 people were allowed at a single site) and began setting up camp…..in the snow.  Yes, it had been snowing for about 30 minutes and many of our 6 had never seen snow coming out the other sky.  As with the other trip, the teachers began teaching and modeling the correct procedures for setting up camp.  Everyone was moving quickly to stay as dry as possible.

 

Once camp was set up we loaded the van and drove to the May Lake trail-head, our planned short trek (1.25 miles to the lake) for the afternoon.  Once at the trail-head the weather was more of a sleet than a snowfall and we decided that because of the weather, we would forgo the hike this afternoon and hope for the best tomorrow.  Instead, we drove further up Tioga Road, past the other campground and past the post office, to a huge granite monolith that disappeared into the low clouds.  Once the van was parked the students couldn’t wait to do some exploring as we had been sitting in the van for the vast majority of the day.  The rock was smooth and slippery with tiny streams running down all over.  The group explored the rock for about an hour before the cold and moisture started to soak into everyone.  The group then made their way back to the van to head back to the campsite and some dinner.

Cooking was a wet activity in the light drizzle.  Standing close to the campfire provided some relief.  After dinner the clouds parted and gave way to a beautiful sky filled with stars.  Everyone had to look quickly, as a layer of fog dropped in and blanketed everyone in a fine mist. The group visited around the campfire for quite a while and then a few at a time ventured off to their tents to get ready for the big day planned tomorrow.

The teachers woke the students at 6:00 to an icy cold and crystal clear morning.  Temperatures had dropped overnight into the high teens and all of the moisture from the snow, rain and mist had all frozen overnight.  It was easy to hear campers around the campground emerge from their tents as the crackle of ice breaking off tent rain-flys could be heard everywhere.  

After a quick breakfast we boarded the van once more and drove east on Tioga Road.  We stopped first at Olmstead Point, one of the most famous views of Yosemite.  After a bit of exploring and picture taking, we drove to the Sunrise Lakes trail-head to begin our hike for the day.  Our goal was Clouds Rest.  A 14.5 mile round trip with a total elevation gain of 1,775 feet.  A distance and elevation that none of the students in this group had ever attempted before.  Everyone was dressed in all of their layers as we hit the trail with the temperature at 24 degrees.   Cold bodies warmed up fast as the rocky inclined trail pushed everyone.  The uphill continued for about 90 minutes when we took a break on a saddle under Sunrise Peak.  Students did some reflective writing connected with their lab and also some work with their resting pulse rate; work from another lab prior to the trip.  After some food, water, work and small talk...it was back to the trail for the 4.7 miles left to get to the top of Clouds Rest.

We dropped into a valley for the next hour or so passing a small lake, a couple streams and some beautiful fall color.

 

The hike continued up the final assent to the top of Clouds Rest.  Students were getting tired at this point and the group broke into three smaller groups going various paces.  The last spur before the top was a narrow granite ledge that tested each of the students both physically and mentally.  Hikers needed to stay focused and diligent during this last section.

 

   

Finally, the entire crew made it to the top.  The first group had about 2 hours to take in the view and the last group had about 30 minutes.  All in all, it was a beautiful day.  The cold kept us all on our toes.  The mental and physical demands of the day were real growth experiences for everyone.  On the top, a few students continued on their writing while others did some work with their resting pulse and still others did nothing at all except try to take in the enormity of it all.

 

The hike down, although exhausting, was a good amount faster and we were back at the van as the sun was going behind the granite peaks around us.  On the drive back to camp, we decided to stop at Olmstead Point once more so that students could get a clear view of what they had just attempted.  They posed pointing in gratification at the top of Clouds Rest knowing something about themselves that just 12 hours prior, they hadn’t known.  They were indeed hikers who could tackle a 14.5 mile day!

Dinner that night was much the same as the first night, only much more dry.  Although students were tired, most stayed up late talking about the day and enjoying each other’s company.

By 8:00 AM the next morning breakfast had been eaten and camp had been broken down.  We loaded up the van and drove east once more on Tioga Road but this time kept going right over Tioga Pass and onto the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  Crossing over the top, we immediately started getting views of aspen trees turning from green to yellows, oranges and reds.  We continued down the pass and headed straight for Mono Lake.  Students had never been on the eastern side of the Sierras and had never seen Mono Lake.  The group took some time on a sunny back deck of the Visitor Center to do some more writing that would help finish up projects once back at school.  After some writing, students spent time in the Visitor Center learning about the history, geology and science behind Mono Lake and the Owens River Valley.  It ended up being information that would facilitate some interesting conversations on the way back to school that day.

 

We stopped for lunch in Bridgeport for a much needed burger or burrito (the restaurant serves both).  Continuing on, we got more and more views of beautiful aspen colors and in Hope Valley stopped one more time so students would have a final place to do some more work on their projects.  The area was perfect to inspire these young writers.

 

This was an amazing trip with a terrific group of students.  This will surely not be our last trip to Yosemite National Park or the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Today, was our final lab.  At the end of the previous lab students were given lists of clothing and food that they were to bring to today’s lab.  ATLAS has all of the gear needed to go on trips, but food and clothing are the student’s responsibility.  After checking what students brought in, making lists of what was still needed, the teachers issued gear to each student.  Gear issued included: a backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, sleeping pad, tent and ground cover (to groups of two), a down jacket, food bag, rain gear, stove and fuel, water purifier, and gloves.  Time was spent going over each piece of gear, it’s use and care for it.  Once all the gear was issued, we spent the rest of the time teaching students about how exactly to pack a backpack.  We are all ready to go.  Student will be here at 7:00am Monday!

Today was the second lab in preparation for our Yosemite trip in October.  Today’s focus was on the science of nature. Our focus was on the following:

Essential Question:

Does something special and clinically therapeutic happen when people spend time in nature?

Additional Questions:

• Is spending time in nature good for your heart?

• Does spending time in nature increase your sense of awe?

• Does spending time in nature help with symptoms of  ADHD, depression and anxiety?

 

 

After doing a “close read” of an article from Time Magazine, students did some work with their own heartbeats as well as some writing reflections of the article that was discussed.  This work will be used on both the trip and at the culmination of the trip to come to specific conclusions about how spending time in nature affects humans physically and emotionally.

We were excited to offer our first on-site lab prior to a trip today.  The six students who signed up for our next expedition to Yosemite National Park, spent an hour in a lab co-taught by the two teacher leaders who would take them on the trip.  Today’s lab focused on Leadership.  We discussed the four Leadership Roles: Designated Leadership, Active Leadership, Peer Leadership and Self Leadership.  These would be the roles that were expected to be understood and demonstrated on the trip. The lab focused on conversation and research into the following questions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

We leave tomorrow on our first backpacking trip of the school year.  We will be heading east on Interstate 80 up to Donner Summit for a 3 day/2 night trip.  We have 4 high school aged students geared up and ready for the trip.  As this is our first trip of the year it will be a learning experience for students and teachers alike.  We have the district van reserved for a 7:30 am departure on Tuesday morning.  We can’t wait!

 

 

ATLAS is up and running with 9 students.  The building is bustling with activity as we finish painting the interior and await the photo art that we have ordered to decorate the walls.  The learning rooms are slowly coming together and the gear room is in the planning stages.  We are so excited at all the possibilities.  We are also getting ready for our first backpacking trip of the school year.  Stay tuned!