WildLink July 2026: Fresno - Building Healthy Communities

Gerardo Carranza and Lizbeth Esquivel Flores fearlessly chaperoned this trip returning for another year with a new group, and their experience showed. Throughout the trip they laughed with and supported the group, always being a helping hand and voice. It really takes a superb level of commitment to accompany and lead others through an experience like WildLink. From the NatureBridge side the group was led by Sam and Cassie, two amazing educators with lots of experience. 

The group arrived at the National Environmental Science Center (NESC) to an overcast sky and a brisk breeze. Once everyone unloaded their vehicles and settled into their cabins they gathered for an orientation to the campus and dinner. 

Monday morning quickly arrived and the team went over to Yosemite Valley to gather all the gear they needed for the week ahead. This is where the chaperones Gerardo and Lizbeth really began showing their experience with the previous groups, looking over everyone's personal gear and ensuring they had everything they needed to be warm and comfortable during the expedition. Once all the gear was gathered the team took the afternoon to explore some of Yosemite valley and go over to the Merced river where they dipped for the first time in the refreshing head waters of the central valley. Heading back to the NESC for dinner and an evening program talking about their hopes and fears for the expedition the team went to bed knowing that the next night they would be in the Wilderness under the stars. 

The first morning of the backpacking trip arrived and the team was so excited that some of them got up at five in the morning to see the sunrise in the mountains, then went back to bed for a couple of hours before starting their day. Breakfast was served by our awesome cooks and the team was ready to go load up in the vehicles remembering to grab everything since they would not come back. Between packing and repacking backpacks, double checking pockets for crucial items and recording pre-trip interviews the excitement could be felt in the air. The sky was scattered with some darker clouds that loomed over the landscape as the team drove over to their trail head in the Yosemite High country. At the May Lake trail head the wind had a chill to it and the clouds rumbled in the distance. Antonio, one of the participants, took the opportunity to record a short weather update using a pinecone on a stick as a microphone predicting rain was in their future. After lunch at the trailhead the team grabbed their full backpacks and said goodbye to the trailhead walking into the forest. Packs were full and feet were not accustomed to the weight, but once the team got to May Lake it was all worth it. Settling into their new home for the week the team set up their tents and established themselves in the landscape. The sense of accomplishment was already so high. That first night, the stars were welcomed and the lake was quiet as the team drank some tea and went to bed. 

Day two was bright, the clouds had lifted and the sun was warm. Some more exploring of the area came naturally after the team had some breakfast as well as some relaxing and painting by the lake. The group was met by Wilderness Ranger Cate who led them through a restoration project of the area and the team spent some time caring for May Lake by cleaning up trash and illegal fire rings. The rest of the day was spent around the lake and the camp site, a fire welcomed the setting of the sun and evening drifted past as stories and laughs were shared. 

On the third day of the expedition, the team woke up ready for an adventure having talked about attempting to hike to Mt. Hoffman the night before. They all gathered what they would need for the day, water and snacks, as well as lunch and other essentials and began their journey up the mountain. It was a day full of exploration, challenge, fun, and memorable interactions. At the summit of Mt. Hoffman there was still some snow which the team used to cool each other down. The team got back to camp full of accomplishment for their day and welcomed their last evening out in the Yosemite backcountry with a fire, dinner and stories. 

The last day came quicker than anyone expected. After breakfast the team began packing up their camp, saddened by the end of the trip, but excited to return home with their hearts full of wild stories. The hike out felt shorter than the hike in and after one last trail lunch back at the trail head the team was on their way back home looking back at the towering Mt. Hoffman knowing it was now home too.