29 Mar 2024
Tags: wellness, Tuolumne County, Outdoor Recreation, California, High Sierra, spa
John Muir once said, “Thousands of tired, nerve shaken, over civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountain is going home; that wilderness is a necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.”
John Muir recognized the connection between the mountains and “wellness” even before it had a name.
In Tuolumne County, CA, wellness is a lifestyle, not a trend. Surrounded by dramatic High Sierra scenery and the peaceful rolling foothills, it's only natural to breathe in the tranquility and relax into the mountain hospitality.
Here are some experiences for visitors to help them take home an intangible souvenir of expanded mindfulness and enhanced wellness.
Experience the peace of the forest - Snowshoe through the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park
Nordic skiing or snowshoe touring in Yosemite can be a magnificent experience.
The Tuolumne Grove trail descends 500 feet from the trailhead to the majestic giant sequoias. This is a popular trail both with snowshoers and hikers, 2.5 miles round trip with a strenuous 1-2 hour return trek with a 500-foot elevation gain.
The Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias is located on Tioga Road (Highway 120 East), just east of Crane Flat.
Snowshoe and cross-country ski package rentals are available at Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort on Highway 108 near Pinecrest Lake.
Since its opening season in 1950, Dodge Ridge has been loved by generations of families with values that celebrate the skiers and riders who continue to enjoy a life-long love of this sport.
www.nps.gov/places/000/tuolumne-grove.htm
https://www.echocoop.com/adventures,
Encounter the nature within yourself at Rush Creek Lodge & Spa,
Rush Creek Lodge & Spa, in Groveland, is the newest Yosemite-area spa resort, featuring indoor and outdoor spa elements inspired by the natural beauty and power of the High Sierra.
The award-winning spa invokes Yosemite's magnificent waterfalls, granite formations, glaciers, river rocks smoothed by the rushing river waters, hot springs, fragrant wildflowers, and the stirring sounds of wildlife, all bundled up into one beautiful spa journey.
The Aromatherapy Steam Room and Himalayan Salt Block Sauna will remind you of the deep warmth felt during a hike through Yosemite's trails on a hot summer's day. The Cool Mist Room and Warm Waterfall Coves transports you to the base of a roaring waterfall to feel the cool mist spray against your skin. This small glimpse into Yosemite's healing power is designed to bring guests one step closer to health and wellness.
The Wellness Team can provide information about seasonal offerings and complimentary Spa Socials, such as Friday Face Yoga, Saturday Bath Salt Blending, and Sunday Aromatherapy Blending.
Exercise your brain with Motherlode Escape Rooms in Sonora.
Tuolumne County's very first escape room offers three challenging 60-minute experiences.
In the Jesse James Escape Room, players are part of Jesse James gang. The gang has failed at robbing the Bank of Durango and have been captured. A very upset Jesse James has given them 1 hour to redeem themselves.
In the Apothecary Escape Room, players are wizards visiting the infamous Pepper Alley Apothecary. Upon arrival to the shop, they find it's deserted and it's up to them to find the Apothecary Wizard Argus Flynn who has been cursed by the local fortune teller, Madame Zola. Players must release him from an unfortunate fate, but a trap has been set for anyone who tries to rescue the wizard.
The Espionage Escape Room is coming soon. Players are agents, given a mission to save the world. An agent lost in the field was working on collecting top secret information from agents in other countries. Unfortunately, he has been assumed compromised. He was able to send us a few pieces of intel before disappearing. Will the team of agents save the other countries in 60 minutes?
https://www.motherlodeescaperooms.com/
Book a stay and massage at McCaffrey House Bed and Breakfast – indoors or in the forest
A welcoming, three-story mountain lodge nestled in a quiet forest hollow near the popular town of Twain Harte, McCaffrey House Bed and Breakfast sits at an elevation of 4,000 feet and experiences the four seasons. The guest rooms are thoughtfully decorated, spacious and enjoy exquisite forest views.
Spa treatments offered in the spa studio at MacCaffrey House are designed to help renew the spirit and calm the mind. In warmer months, “massage in the forest” is also available.
Take an inner journey at Healing with Jenia in Jamestown.
Some visitors experience their visit to Tuolumne County in a more meaningful way by beginning with an appointment at Healing with Jenia in Jamestown. Jenia Willhite helps people to clear their minds and free their spirits through intuitive body work, massage, Reiki, cranial sacral therapy, reflexology, shamanic journeys, personal empowerment, and more in a serene and calming environment.
She has studied at the Holistic Life Institute and Calaveras College of Therapeutic Massage and is an ordained, non-denominational minister. For appointments, call or text 209-352-8075,
www.facebook.com/IntuitiveWork
Explore an emerging Blue Zones Certified community.
What began as a New York Times bestseller by National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner about places where people lived measurably better and longer – called “Blue Zones” - has evolved into a global movement that's inspiring people to live longer more active lives.
Blue Zones Project® encourages communities to make changes that lead to healthier options. When the entire community participates—from worksites and schools to restaurants and grocery stores—the small changes contribute to huge benefits for all: lowered healthcare costs, improved productivity, and ultimately, a higher quality of life.
Participants in Tuolumne County include Nature's Whole Food Depot and Claudia's Café in Sonora, Sugar Shack in Twain Harte, with more to come.
Learn more at https://tuolumnecounty.bluezonesproject.com/
For the most enriching Yosemite experience, plan ahead and follow the road less traveled.
Reservations will be required to enter Yosemite National Park on some weekends in February and for some dates and times on April 13-Oct. 27, 2024. Reservations are available now.
Reservations are not required (a) to visit the dramatic Hetch Hetchy area of the park, (b) if you visit with a park-authorized tour operator, or (c) if you enter the park before 5:00am or after 4:00pm.
Also, reservations are not required when visiting the park on Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS).
For information and the link to make reservations, visit www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm
About Visit Tuolumne County
Visit Tuolumne (“to-all-o-me”) County (VTC) is the official destination marketing organization for Tuolumne County in Northern California. Tuolumne County is just a 2.5 hour drive east of the San Francisco Bay Area. The destination is known for its pristine, scenic expanse reaching into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Gold was discovered in Tuolumne County in 1848, setting off the major gold rush of 1849. The main highways leading to the picturesque drive from the Bay Area are Highways 108 and 120 from the west and Highway 49 from the north. The State Highway 120 entrance to Yosemite National Park is considered the “front door” of the park for the Bay Area. The Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park and other surrounding areas provide natural vistas and settings for hiking, water skiing, horseback riding, rafting, camping, snowmobiling, boating, snow skiing, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Seven restored historic hotels, four golf courses, numerous and varied dining establishments, historic saloons, four wineries, a hard cider distillery, train rides, casinos, seven museums, two state historic parks, two live theaters, many bed-and-breakfast inns and a variety of Airbnb accommodations are among the many other attributes that make the county a year-round vacation destination. For more information, go to www.visittuolumne.com.
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Media Contact:
Laurie Armstrong Gossy
415-290-6830
