Lewis and Clark were both hobbled during their great expedition—Clark, from resentment at his second billing, and Lewis from a Lego slipped into his hiking boot by Clark. Enjoy noncompetitive nature excursions with today's Groupon: for $170, you get a two-day Big Sur backpacking trip plus outfitting and meals from Bay Area Expeditions (a $370 value). Pioneers can meet at the company’s Haight Street office for a lift for an additional $30 fee (not included with your Groupon) or opt to drive ahead and join the group at the Starbucks in King City or directly at the trail head.

Bay Area Expeditions corrals up to 16 adventurers for a two-day excursion through the California Coastal Range. The low-impact jaunt, which spans six mostly flat miles round-trip, makes an ideal introduction to backpacking skills for beginners and the perfect outdoor playing field for tiddlywinks. Seasoned outdoorsmen lead the shade-parade through the area's redwood-rainforest ecosystem, tossing over juicy acorns and information about the landscape’s history and woodsy residents. At night, safari-goers can nosh on provided meals and catch Zs in a teepee that can house six–eight people or one entire grizzly bear.

Adventurers hike only early and late in the day, opting to relax near the camp or partake in voluntary classes when the sun is at its highest and most choleric. Optional day hikes furnish opportunities for hikers to learn survival tactics, including logistics, planning, and how to win a staring contest against a waterfall. Two-day expeditions usually set out on Saturdays; outdoorspeople should check the schedule before calling to make a reservation. Although Bay Area Expeditions outfits explorers with most of the essential camping equipment (including a compact, solar-powered SunShower), they should peruse the recommended gear list on the expedition page for a complete list of what to bring.