My adventure this week explored unknown territory, containing unexplained and mysterious oddities that defied gravity and logic. I visited the Mystery Spot! Where: The Mystery Spot, Santa Cruz Difficulty: Easy (but there is one steep section with rails to hold on) Elevational Range: About 300 to 340′ Date: September 24, 2017 I had plans to meet some “old” friends at ...

OAKHURST — Fall is here, which means fall fun is about to start, as the fine folks at Branches Books & Gifts invite you to participate in the month-long, annual Oakhurst Scarecrow Contest running from Sunday, Oct. 1 through Tuesday, Oct. 31. The friendly competition is open to all businesses, schools, establishments and anyone who wants to be a little extra ...

Sally and I took a short but steep hike up to Gardisky Lake and were rewarded with amazing views of the surrounding high country, white puffy clouds reflecting in the lake and a surprise. Where: Inyo National Forest Distance: 5.09 Miles Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Elevational Range: 9,732′ to 10,524′ Date: September 14, 2017 Topographic Quad Maps: Falls Ridge, June ...

COARSEGOLD — The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus (ECV), otherwise known as the Clampers, is working hard on another monument to the history of the west – this time in the community of Yosemite Lakes Park. While the Clampers are always open to some good old fashioned merry-making, they do have a very important mission – the ...

If you’re a thrift store junkie like I am, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the various shops we have here in the Yosemite area. I’ve gotten so many deals at the thrift stores here in town, half my house is decorated with my fun finds. I mean, why pay retail if you can recycle? And when you’re ready for a ...

The Conness Lakes are glacial lakes, fed by the largest glacier in the Sierra Nevada north of Tioga Pass. Their colors change with the sun and clouds from a greenish turquoise to grey to blue and when those clouds reflect in the waters of the high lakes and tarns, it is very special! Where: Harvey Monroe Hall Research Natural Area, ...

OAKHURST — All are invited to the New Community United Methodist Church’s dedication ceremony of the labyrinth for community use. The event, led by Pastor Gayle Basten, will take place on Sunday, Sept. 24, beginning at 11:15 a.m. at the church. Following the ceremony is a workshop for those who are interested in more information on the history, meaning and ...

NORTH FORK — If you are looking for proof that fuel reduction and preventative activities work, look no further than the community of Cascadel Woods, says Yosemite/Sequoia Resource Conservation and Development Council (Y/S RC&DC) Project Manager Justine Reynolds. The fast-moving Mission Fire destroyed three homes on its way up the mountain to Cascadel Woods. While credit is always due to ...

From the tippy top of Dana Plateau, we were looking straight down at Mono Lake and the Tioga Road. Beautiful wildflowers lined the trail on the way up and we even saw a pika! Where: Ansel Adams Wilderness Area, Inyo National Forest Distance: 5.69 Miles Difficulty: Strenuous Elevation Range: 9,654′ – 11,651′ Date: August 28, 2017 Maps: Falls Ridge and ...

On the Jan. 15, 1939, Southern Pacific Railroad Schedule there is a stop between Knowles and Knowles Junction off the Raymond train called Hillside, not Hills Pride, like the bar in Knowles, Hillside. In several references, including a 1934 Madera County map, Hillside is listed in an article about Alexander McGilvray, who ran the McGilvray Quarry until 1928 when the ...