UC Davis Outdoor Adventures

Here are some photos captured in Point Reyes on a rainy backpacking trip last weekend!📸 💦

Image Descriptions:
Image 1: A group of backpackers pause on trail to take in the view. The coast is in the background.
Image 2: A gray tent surrounded by bushes, with a bright pink sunset in the background.
Image 3: A rainbow covers the sky with green buses and rolling hills in the background.
Image 4: Greenery on trail with the coast in the background.

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We spent the last two weekends exploring South Lake Tahoe with some very special guests: our ! ❄️

Huge thanks to the Cal Aggie Alumni Association for partnering with us to make these snowshoeing trips happen. There’s nothing quite like welcoming our UC Davis alumni back to the great outdoors and hearing stories of their time on campus while snowshoeing!

Image descriptions:
Image 1: The alumni hikers smile with snowshoes on. There is a view of a snowy valley and mountains in the background.
Image 2: A selfie on trail of the alumni smiling and snowshoeing.
Image 3: A scenic image of the pine tree and snowy mountain view’s.
Image 4: The group snowshoes up a snowy hill.

Here’s a recap of our winter trip to Yosemite ❄️🏔️ Our group camped at Upper Pines, snowshoed through the Valley, and experienced Yosemite in its snowy season



Image Descriptions:
Image 1: Three campers stand in front of a waterfall, with a rainbow shining through.
Image 2: A reflective lake with pine tree surrounding it and a mountain in the distance.
Image 3: Point of view- a camper sitting in the tent with mountains and trees as the outside view.
Image 4: A group photo of the campers in front of the waterfall.
Image 5: A very starry night.
Image 6: Yosemite valley with half dome in the back.

Winter Guide School 2026 is a wrap ❄️

8 new guides spent the weekend getting fully prepped for the snow! Training included snow caves, navigation, avalanche awareness, medical scenarios, and mastering how to teach our winter sports. You’re in good hands this winter!



Image Descriptions:
Image 1: OA guides cross-country ski across an open plane of snow.
Image 2: Five guides sit in the snow and smile with their red snowshoes on.
Image 3: Sonya cross-country skis through the tall pine trees.
Image 4: The OA guide group smiles on the ledge of snow with mountains in the background.
Image 5: Five guides smile around a snow man n their snow shoes.
Image 6: A snowy hill with guides skiing at the bottom of it.
Image 7: Two guides smiles with pines and mountains the the background.

Do you love the water and want to try something new? Apply to be a white water raft guide! Applications are OPEN NOW! 🌊

You do not need any experience to be a raft guide, and the training is completely FREE. For more information on the position and the application process, please visit our website. You can find the Google Form application under “Student Employment”

Send this to anyone you think may be interested. The application closes January 21st. Get excited😎‼️

Image Description: 5 rafts float down the American River. The image has the caption “Apply to be a raft guide!”

Winter Quarter trip registration opens tomorrow at noon! ❄️ Spots fill fast so don’t wait to sign up!

🏕️ Camping & Backpacking
* 1/17-1/19 · Camping Yosemite
* 2/14-2/16 · Backpacking Point Reyes
* 2/28-3/1 · Camping Redwoods
* 3/7-3/8 · Backpacking Point Reyes

🎿 Cross-Country Skiing
* 1/31
* 2/8
* 2/14
* 2/22
* 3/7

🥾 Snowshoeing
* 2/7 · Snowshoeing
* 2/15 · Snowshoeing
* 2/21-2/22 · Camping: Overnight Snowshoe
* 2/28 · Snowshoeing
* 3/8 · Snowshoeing

🚌 Ski Shuttle
* 1/31
* 2/7
* 2/8
* 2/16
* 2/21
* 3/1
* 3/7
*Round-trip transportation to Sierra-at-Tahoe. Transportation only; lift tickets, rentals, and lessons not included.

⚡ Register starting 1/5/26 at 12:00 P.M.:

https://rec.ucdavis.edu/program?classificationId=9cdca414-42fb-44c5-a4bc-83ce9245a3ff

Please note there are no refunds without a doctor’s note!

Image 1: Cross-country skier surrounded by snow with a mountain peak in the background. Captioned “Winter Registration. Opening soon!”
Image 2: A snowy mountain stream. Captioned “Tomorrow 01/05/26 at 12:00 P.M.”
Image 3: Two skiers build a snowman. Captioned “We can’t wait!”

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we went on a camping trip to the Redwoods! So many tall trees and fun memories had! 🌲😌

Image descriptions:
Image 1: A group of campers huddle together to take a selfie in nature. Tall pine trees are in the background.
Image 2: Hikers walk on trail through the redwoods with many trees covered in moss.
Image 3: Campers sound the campfire and roast marshmallows on sticks.
Image 4: A hiker hugs a large redwood tree. The redwood tree is so tall the top of it is cut off in the photo.
Image 5: Two hikers smile with tall, green redwood trees surrounding them on all sides.
Image 6: A flowing river with rocks in the foreground and a fallen tree in the background.

A foggy recap of the Auburn day hike! 🌲

Image Description:
Image 1: Four hikers smile on trail while taking a selfie. There are pine trees and fog in the background.
Image 2: A foggy landscape photo of a valley and a river. Tall pine trees cover the hillsides.
Image 3: Three hikers walking on a grassy trail.
Image 4: Two moss covered trees.

Here are some highlights from a rainy Big Sur weekend🌲

We camped, hiked St Lucia’s Fire Road and Point Lobos, took in the ocean views, and ate so many snack! Big Sur is always a memorable time 🙂

Image Descriptions
Image 1: a turquoise blue cove in the ocean surrounded by rocks.
Image 2: Fog covers a hillside of pine and oak trees.
Image 3: A camper sits on a large rock surrounded by smaller rocks and a creek.
Image 4: A scenic ocean view with green hillsides along the coast.
Image 5: Three hikers walk on trail with fog and tall mountains in the distance.
Image 6: A sign that points to the gorge, camping, and lakes with green trees in the background.
Image 7: A crystal blue scenic view with foamy waves crashing on the rocks.
Image 8: A valley with a blue river running between two green mountainsides.

This week’s OA Staff Spotlight is Adelyne (she/her)!

Adelyne is a Rock Wall employee for OA and brings reliability and great energy to every shift she works😁

When she’s not at the wall, Adelyne is double-majoring in Psychology and Political Science. She loves spending time in the snow, especially on trips to Mammoth and Tahoe for snowboarding and skiing ⛷️. Outside of outdoor adventures, she’s a big fan of board games and hanging out with friends!

We’re so grateful for Adelyne and all the fun and dedication she brings to the OA community! ☀️

Image Descriptions
Image 1: A collage of two outdoor images. In the center, Adelyne is rock climbing. Behind and around the main image, the collage shows a bright blue sky, trees, and glimpses of a lake and rocky terrain.
Image 2: A collage of outdoor and portrait shots. At the top left, Adelyne takes a selfie. The surrounding images include a blue sky, a mountainous canyon, and lake views.
Image 3: The main image shows Adelyne bouldering, mid-move with one leg extended. In the smaller overlay, she stands indoors taking a mirror selfie, surrounded by bright, modern décor.

Last weekend we had the opportunity to backpack through Point Reyes National Seashore!! This is one of our favorite coastal spots😎

Image Descriptions
Image 1: A backpacker looks out to the ocean with the sun starting to set.
Image 2: A group of backpackers smile on trail with trees and the ocean in the background.
Image 3: The backpackers travel up trail through the dense, green trees.
Image 4: Our OA guides talk to the group on the sand.
Image 5: Backpackers hike across the shoreline.
Image 6: Backpackers hike up the incline of the trail on the side of a hill, blue skies in front of them.

This week’s OA Staff Spotlight is Miles (he/him)!

Miles is a Wild and Rock Guide for OA and brings amazing leadership and experience to every trip he leads 🔥

When he’s not guiding, Miles is studying Environmental Engineering. He loves spending time in the North Cascades in Washington, where backpacking and mountaineering are his favorite ways to explore wild places.

We’re so thankful for Miles and all the skill, leadership, and enthusiasm he brings to the OA community!🏕️🌲🧗🏻‍♂️

Image Descriptions:
Image 1: A collage of 2 images. On the left, a green meadow with a snow-covered peak rising behind tall evergreens. On the right, Miles stands outside a trailhead building, smiling up at the camera.
Image 2: A collage of 3 images. On the left, a backpacker stands at a trailhead. In the center, a climber ascends a vertical rock face on a rope. On the right, Miles climbs a steep rock wall.
Image 3: A collage of 3 images. On the left, Miles and two friends stand on a ridge at sunset. On the right, a tall pine tree. Along the bottom, a snowfield stretches out beneath a mountain peak.
Image 4: A collage of 2 images. On the left, Miles and a coguide smile in front of the starry night. On the right, guides are doing a river crossing,
Image 5: A collage of 2 images. On teh bottom, Miles lights a fire in the snow. On top, Mies smies with 2 other backpackers on top of a green peak.