With the closure of our tour operations, like so many people, we’ve had to re-invent ourselves.

Ken has re-oriented his career toward Wildfire and Environmental Planning and is seeking work collaborating on site visits and projects to reduce wildfire threats and improve sustainability for homes and communities. He is also open to doing Custom tours

Ira has been learning about and practicing the science and art of gold panning. We’ve been out together with other friends who share parallel interests. He can now confidently offer gold-panning experiences to visitors who want to experience success in this local, historical activity. So if this idea is at all interesting, please email us, and one of us will get back to you shortly.

Visitors who’d like a first-rate, socially-distanced, custom tour in the region surrounding Yosemite (but not within the park) are welcome to email us an inquiry, providing such details as dates, routes and timing of your arrivals and departures, including your desires, interests, and intentions. Please check out this link to a custom geology tour that I gave on the East Side of Yosemite a few years ago.

On the morning of July 11th, Ira and Ken arose early and made a short drive out to a site with an excellent view to the east where Comet Neowise rose before the dawn’s early light…

Here’s the photo that they took that morning. Ira and Ken have shared many evenings, not only gazing at the night sky, but also talking about our solar system, how it formed, where it resides in our Milky Way spiral galaxy, and so much more. If you are at all interested in an evening of star-gazing, please let us know. It’s highly likely that we can connect you with someone locally who can provide you with a memorable night-sky experience.

Moonlight photography? Ira’s your guy! While Ken’s done his share, Ira has had LOADS of experience with moonlight photography and should be your GO-TO resource for guidance in moonlight and starlight photography.

Moonlit Yosemite Valley
Moonlit Yosemite Valley
Upper Yosemite Fall and Moonbow
Upper Yosemite Fall and Moonbow

Many of you have seen the story of the Geology Custom Tour that Ken led for an enthusiastic couple on the East Side of the Sierra a few years ago. While restrictions on entrances to, and activities within, Yosemite are closely controlled and monitored, the GOLD COUNTRY and the EASTSIDE remain available for a wide variety of Custom Tours which will introduce you to the geographical and cultural aspects of the region. So we invite you to email us with your arrival-departure plans, your interests, and any other information that would help us to understand your desires for your visit to the Yosemite region. We’ll provide you with the best options for your visit to this area.

yosemitecloseup@gmail.com