MARIPOSA — Starting July 1, Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) will begin the second year of the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) for Mariposa County. This program will provide up to four (4) free YARTS round-trip tickets to Mariposa county residents who apply until all tickets have been issued or June 30, 2020, whichever comes first. In order ...

Wild azaleas were showing off their white flowers and we caught a whiff of their scent before we saw them. This was the perfect time to see them blooming between Fish Camp and the Mariposa Grove plus got a nice workout as we wandered through Mariposa Grove to Wawona Point. Where: Sierra National Forest, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Grove of ...

YOSEMITE — An all-American concert featuring a full symphony orchestra is a special way to celebrate America’s birthday. But to experience such a concert in Yosemite National Park in a historic location is a rare, extra-special opportunity. The Mariposa Symphony Orchestra regularly performs in Yosemite Valley, but its first-ever outdoor Wawona concert will allow attendees to revel in a simpler ...

YOSEMITE — Officials in Yosemite National Park have announced that the Tioga Road will open to unrestricted vehicular traffic on Monday, July 1, at 8 a.m. From now until the full opening Monday morning, vehicular access will continue to be available from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will continue to be no stopping ...

MARIPOSA — The Yosemite Songwriting Retreat showcase is slated for Music on the Green on Friday June 28, and on June 29 there will be no music in the Art Park as the Mariposa Symphony Orchestra performs in Wawona that night. The Yosemite Songwriting showcase will feature performances by retreat founders Gail Dreifus (Meltwater Bridge Band), Adam Burns (Burnsy, Bootstrap ...

Yoko Savage, a long-time resident of Coarsegold and former proprietor of Oakhurst’s Kyoto Kafe — a Japanese “home-cooking” restaurant open from 2000 to 2007 — passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2019. She was a lovely, generous spirit who enjoyed sharing her delicious meals along with a hefty helping of Japanese hospitality and culture to her beloved customers. Yoko was ...

Our destination was icy Ostrander Lake, full of beautiful reflections and bordered by a snowy, rocky ledge. But we had to work for it, hiking through burned areas and up the trail through open granite in the heat. It was so worth it! Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 12.83 Miles Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Elevation Range: 6,998′ – 8,612′ Date: ...

YOSEMITE — For visitors interested in crossing the Sierra, just in time for the official start of summer, Yosemite National Park announces limited access to Tioga Road (Highway 120 East). Tioga Road will be open to all vehicles, including bicycles, beginning on Friday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. No parking ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — Here we go! This is your cue to start celebrating. Summer officially kicks off at precisely at 8:53 a.m. PDT on Friday, June 21, with solstice, marking the point during the year when the sun takes its most northerly path across the sky. Sunrise on Friday will be at 5:41 a.m. and sunset at 8:07 p.m. Summer ...

YOSEMITE — There have been three bear incidents so far this season with a total property damage of $190. One bear has been hit by a vehicle near Foresta. Compared to this same week in 2018 (the lowest year on record for bear incidents), bear incidents in 2019 are the same as last year, and damage amounts (in dollars) are ...