The Merced River Canyon’s Hite’s Cove Trail has reopened just in time for a glorious poppy extravaganza. It has been 3 long years since it was closed from the Ferguson Fire. If you don’t feel like going the distance that I did, the most concentrated area of poppies is within the first 1/2 mile or so. But that is also ...
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Madera County Mountain Community Destinations Reawaken
Bass Lake springs into action with Miller’s Landing Resort and The Forks Resort opening for the season today, March 26. Plus, Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is scheduled to roar out of the station Thursday, April 1. BASS LAKE, CA – Located 14-miles from the south gate entrance of Yosemite National Park, Bass Lake is known for sparkling warm water, ...
Read More »Virtual Yosemite: Winter Continues
Two weeks ago, we wrote about the retreat of winter in Yosemite as spring approaches. But Yosemite remains unpredictable. This past week, colder temperatures – along with more snow and precipitation – returned, bringing beautiful winter views to the park once again, along with welcome additions to the Sierra snowpack as California prepares for yet another year of drought conditions. ...
Read More »Hiking From Briceburg Down The Merced River Trail With Wildflowers
Spring has definitely sprung in the Merced River Canyon and the poppy show has begun! Hike it, bike it, drive it or find a good spot to sit in a chair and watch it. There are so many ways to view these beautiful, golden poppies. Where: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Merced River Recreation Management AreaDistance: 10.76 miles round trip but ...
Read More »Hiking From Briceburg Up The Burma Grade: Exploring Old Roads and Goods Gulch Mine
Old dirt roads led me along the Merced River, by old mines, wildflowers, views, a singing frog and the Love Shack. Starting at Briceburg, I walked up the Burma Road switchbacks then beyond. Where: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Merced River Recreation Management AreaDistance: About 15 miles roundtrip but you can go shorter or longerDifficulty: Moderate to StrenuousElevation Range: 1,138′ ...
Read More »Virtual Yosemite: Winter’s Retreat
YOSEMITE — Yosemite in the winter offers far less-crowded, and frequently more dramatic views of its landscape than in other seasons. The colder weather of winter keeps many visitors away, but the lack of foliage on deciduous trees can provide more open views. In the linked panoramic image, photographed adjacent to Southside Drive, one can see Lower Cathedral Rock with ...
Read More »Hiking From Briceburg Up The Burma Grade: Old Mining Activity and Wildflowers
I love walking the same road each week in the spring, admiring the changing wildflower colors, butterflies, bugs and occasional critter. Snake tracks on the road also told me that the rattlesnakes were waking up. Last week I had spotted a few old mines on the map not far from my path and you know me, I had to check ...
Read More »Wilderness Permit Reservations Upgrade
Wilderness permit reservations for the Sierra National Forest (SNF) moves to Recreation.gov making the reservation process for overnight visitors much easier with move. Launching on March 09, 2021, overnight visitors to the SNF wilderness areas will be able to make their wilderness permit reservations using the website Recreation.gov. This replaces the current system, by which reservations were submitted by mail, or in person, ...
Read More »Interpretive Signs Installed at Old North Fork Mill
Submitted by Michael Olwyler, North Fork History Group NORTH FORK – You can make the old North Fork Lumber Mill come back to life by using your imagination! Last month, three new educational interpretive signs were erected at the North Fork Community Development Council (NFCDC) property that was once the North Fork Lumber mill site. The main theme of the ...
Read More »Hiking From Briceburg Up The Burma Grade To A High Spot With Views
I was in the mood for a good conditioning hike with some miles and a climb. 12 miles with about 2,000 elevational gain at the Merced River at Briceburg would do the trick. It was a little early for the beautiful spring wildflowers that this area is known for but I found a few early birds. Oh, and I had ...
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