NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — The signs are all around us, from the withered buckeye and earlier darkening skies, to little hints of temperatures dropping that send us running to the closet to pull out just one long sleeved shirt, for a change! The autumnal equinox, when days and nights are approximately equal in length, arrives this year on Thursday, Sept. 22 ...

Sally and I searched for the footprints that miners made in the Tioga Pass area long ago. We found a few of them but also discovered beautiful reflections in high lakes and caught a few trout while we wandered in the high country. Where: Hoover Wilderness Distance: 8.74 Miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Range: 10,094′ – 10,524′ Date: September 7, 2016 ...

Written by Linda Giampa — CALIFORNIA — Whether heading out for a long backpacking trip, local day hikes, or an all-terrain run with our dogs, all of us are consistently aware of the need to pack provisions for varying weather, terrain and potential dangers. However, very few of us would stop to think about ticks or the dangers of tick-borne ...

OAKHURST — Coming home from work around 5 p.m. last week, Anne Grandy’s eyes scanned the road, watching for the usual hazards of deer and drivers, when she spotted one that stood out against the late summer landscape. Anne was on Road 425B heading toward Still Meadow when, there on the right, clipping along toward Deadwood, was a tortoise. How did she know it was ...

BASS LAKE — The 4th annual My*Tri at Bass Lake was a huge success this year as the event that’s all about youth fun and family fitness drew more than 40 community sponsors, over 85 volunteers, and a record-breaking number of enthusiastic participants. My*Try is hosted by Miller’s Landing Resort at Bass Lake, and sponsored by the Children’s Educational Foundation. The swim-bike-run took ...

We hiked up to lakes that were smooth as glass and full of reflections. A really nice, big, flat rock made a dandy place for lunch and a siesta. Where: Sierra National Forest Distance: 9.19 Miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Range: 9,130′ – 8,434′ Date: September 1, 2016 Maps: Merced Peak Topographic Quads Dog Hike? Maybe We drove up Beasore Road ...

About 15 years ago, I ruptured a disc in my back (L5/S1 for those who like details). My doc was sure that surgery was in my future but I had other ideas. After the physical therapist had done all she could for me, I moved on to Pilates to complete my rehabilitation. I’ve written about this period of my life, ...

Written by Dave Hubbard — The Yosemite Granite Icon represents such a dominating presence within Yosemite Valley that it is likely that the first adventurous human being to set eyes on it thought about climbing it… But no one succeeded until 1875, over 25 years after the first white man entered the valley.   Climb Half Dome…It was in the ...

OAKHURST – Sierra Tel invites area residents to Yosemite High School’s football stadium this year to commemorate Patriot Day 2016, with Keynote Speaker Michael A. Vane, Lieutenant General, US Army Retired. LTG Vane was most recently the Deputy Commanding General at the US Army Draining and Doctrine (TRADOC) Futures Center. The 2-star general lives at Shaver Lake. The ceremonies begins at 9 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 12. YHS Principal Randy ...

Submitted by Dave Smith — NORTH FORK — Mid-May found members of North Fork Troop 357 traveling to the Johnson Meadow area above Mammoth Pool for a weekend camping trip. The Scouts spent the weekend practicing their camping and cooking skills as well as just enjoying outdoor activities. The last week of June, three Troop 357 Scouts participated in the ...