It was the first day that Yosemite National Park had reopened after the COVID-19 shutdown, a new Day Use Entry system was in place and I was determined to cross through the gate as soon as I could to check out the waterfalls. My adventures always have a surprise or two and this one delivered some.Where: Yosemite National ParkDistance: 10.92 ...
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Graciela Tafoya Earns Mariposa Arts Council’s Annual Student Award
MARIPOSA — The Mariposa County Arts Council has announced that Graciela “Gracie” Tafoya is the recipient of the organization’s annual High School Student Award. The $500 award is given annually to one area graduating senior who has demonstrated “a commitment to the arts and the community of Mariposa over the span of their high school career,” said a press release ...
Read More »Adventures with Candace: Hiking with Fannie at Nelder Grove
I told my puppy Fannie the Corgi all about a special place called Nelder Grove and how it wouldn’t be a long drive or hike. I tried to explain to her just how huge the Giant Sequoias were. I don’t think she totally grasped the concept but she said let’s do it!Where: Sierra National Forest, Nelder GroveDistance: 2.31 miles, but ...
Read More »Walking up a Dirt Road: Worman’s Mill Loop Along Sunny and O’Neals Meadows
Walking up historic wagon roads near my house on a cool day after a rain was a party for my senses, full of fresh smells of the forest and flowers. Dogwoods were blooming like crazy and those animal tracks were easy to spot while the gnats and skeeters slept in. Distance: 10.62 Miles (but you can go shorter or longer)Difficulty: ...
Read More »New Yosemite Conservancy Book Spotlights John Muir’s ‘Grand Yosemite’
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK — With the reopening of Yosemite National Park hopefully imminent, Yosemite Conservancy announces a new book to help visitors have their own “John Muir Experience.” Every day, Yosemite National Park welcomes people from around the world who seek a deeper connection to nature. A good many of these visitors are inspired by the example set by the ...
Read More »Walking up a Dirt Road: Worman’s Mill to Cedarbrook, Up and Around O’Neal’s Meadow Loop
Adventuring close to home, I walked the same dirt roads, followed different spur roads, giving me a looped walk along a historic stage route that carried Yosemite tourists to Wawona starting in the 1880s. Distance: About 11 Miles (but you can go shorter or longer)Difficulty: Easy to ModerateElevation Range: 3,418′ to 4,994′Date: May 13, 2020Maps: Ben Hur and Daulton Topographic ...
Read More »Sierra Art Trails ‘Open Studio Tour’ Postponed Until 2021
OAKHURST — Sierra Art Trails announced this week that the 18th annual Sierra Art Trails Open Studio Tour has been postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The application for Sierra Art Trails 2021 will go live on SmarterEntry.com on Feb. 1, 2021. If you are an artist who has already applied for 2020, your application fee will be ...
Read More »Walking up a Dirt Road: Worman’s Mill to O’Neals Meadow Loop
Same dirt road close to home but a different spur road off of it gave me a looped adventure back to O’Neals Meadow, searching for flowers and history. Men weren’t the only homesteaders in this neck of the wood. Cora Ives lived here, ranched here and was quite the adventurer. She also wrote articles for Fresno newspapers about wildflowers, Native ...
Read More »Walking up a Dirt Road: Worman’s Mill to the Lone Sequoia
A little more mileage on my adventure took me up to the Lone Sequoia and it is called that for a reason. But it wasn’t alone. It was accompanied by snowplants, wildflowers and dogwoods getting ready to bloom. . . and gnats. Distance: 12.37 Miles (but you can go shorter or longer)Difficulty: Easy to ModerateElevation Range: 3,418′ to 4,619′Date: April ...
Read More »Walking up a Dirt Road: Worman’s Mill to Pilot Peak
You might wonder what walking up a dirt road, an American Black Bear and Yogi Berra might have in common. Made perfect sense to me as I walked up a dirt road close to home to a high point to check out the views. Distance: About 8 Miles (but you can go shorter or longer)Difficulty: Moderate to StrenuousElevation Range: 3,418′ ...
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