Sierra News Online News from the communities in and around Yosemite National Park

News from the communities in and around Yosemite National Park

Hiking to a pretty lake never gets old, especially when it reflected the surrounding mountains in its crystal clear water and I had the lake to myself. Where: Yosemite National ParkDistance: 12.35 MilesDifficulty: Moderate to StrenuousElevation Range: 7,490′ – 9,635′Elevation Gain: 2,590′Date: September 2, 2021CALTOPO: Grant Lakes HikeDog Hike? NoLeaving the house early, I headed into Yosemite National Park via ...

Escaping the heat and smoke, I took a Day Vacay at Marina Dunes Beach.  I headed west, over Highway 152, 101, and toward Monterey. It took me about 3 hours to drive over to the Marina Dunes Preserve, just a little east of Monterey. Parking on the road, I grabbed my stuff and headed to the beach. There are many ...

Orlando Fuller established the Golden Crown Mine in 1879 and built his cabin hanging over Parker Pass Lake so that a horse could walk over the ice with safety. Now that is plenty of reason for me to visit that location and learn more about him.Where: Yosemite National ParkDistance: 12.67 MilesDifficulty: Moderate Elevation Range: 9,596′ – 11,142′Elevation Gain: 1,765′Date: August ...

I thought of the people whose footsteps walked before me on the historic trail Mono Pass Trail. Native Americans have been using this trail to travel from the Mono Basin toward Tuolumne Meadows and beyond for eons. Miners with dreams of hitting a big gold strike walked on it. Mules carrying loads of whisky, and apparently sardines, to those miners ...

Sure wasn’t an easy hike up to the top of 13,061′ Mount Dana with 3,000′ gain in elevation over 2 1/2 miles, full of rocks of every size, shape and slipperiness on switchbacks too many to count. All of my hard work was richly rewarded with many Pikas and Marmots paying visits along the route. Where: Yosemite National ParkDistance: 5.41 ...

How about a short hike not too far from home with beautiful views of Oakhurst and the surrounding mountains? It was known to the Mono Indians as “wah-me-yelo” (“the greeting place”), much more poetic of a name than Fresno Dome in my opinion. Where: Sierra National ForestDistance: 1.8 miles Difficulty: Easy to moderateElevation Range: 7,184′ – 7,503′Date: August 5, 2021CALTOPO: ...

Fireweed was the star of the wildflower show on my looped hike from Bridalveil Campground through Empire Meadows. A sea of brilliant pink with crazy billowy blooms were throughout the Empire Fire burn. Wildflowers are putting on a tremendous show right now in the meadows off of Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park and if you want to see ...

Sally the Weimaraner, Fannie the Corgi and I headed up to the glacial-fed Conness Lakes in the Tioga Pass area. I have no doubt they enjoyed their adventure but I especially love to visit these magical lakes that change color before my eyes. Where: Harvey Monroe Hall Research Natural Area, Hoover Wilderness, Inyo National ForestDistance: 9.95 Miles (includes about 2.6 ...

Cooler temperatures, white puffy clouds, a breeze, incredible views, marmots, blooming wildflowers and a great workout. We had a perfect day to escape the heat at home as we hiked up and around Dana Plateau in the Tioga Pass. Where: Ansel Adams Wilderness Area, Inyo National ForestDistance: 6.94 Miles (5.69 miles to the Mono Lake overlook)Difficulty: StrenuousElevation Range: 9,653′ – ...

It was hot at the house but cool and foggy along the coast. Mom was in need of a fried oyster lunch and Phil’s Fish Market makes a mean fried oyster. The obvious solution was a road trip to Moss Landing. We headed over Highway 152, 101, and toward Monterey. Between Castroville and Moss Landing, we stopped by one of ...