YOSEMITE – The cables to the summit of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park will be reset this Friday, May 16. This opening date is a week earlier than previously scheduled due to the low snow pack. Hikers wishing to ascend the cables between May 16 and May 22 can apply online at: www.recreation.gov for a first-come, first-served, permit.

Tioga Road Opens!!May 2 is a pretty early date for Tioga Road to open, so you know what Sally and I did. On opening day, we took a drive and hike across the higher country to see what the snow conditions were and I thought you might like to see what we saw. (click photos to enlarge)

Mom and my dog Sally were in search of blooming dogwoods and we headed up to Nelder Grove, just out of Oakhurst. We saw a few of those dogwoods starting to bloom, along with gooseberry and apple. It was my mom’s first visit to Nelder Grove and I think she was quite impressed with those huge Giant Sequoias, thousands of ...

It was the first day after Glacier Point Road opened up for the season and you know that I had to get into the higher country. Did you know that Ostrander Lake is the primary source of Bridalveil Creek, which feeds Bridalveil Falls?

Wildflowers are definitely the star along this trail, but we also had a lot of critters to keep us company on our hike along the San Joaquin River.

OAKHURST – Some bunny wants everyone to know that the Children’s Museum of the Sierra (CMOS) is hosting an Easter Open House for kids on Sunday, Apr. 20, from noon to 4 p.m. Family-oriented festivities include photo opportunities for the mama-and-paparazzi, and the chance for kids to make their own Easter baskets. Refreshments will be served at the free, fun-filled ...

OAKHURST – The Children’s Museum of the Sierra (CMOS) is raising butterflies throughout April in support of the Mariposa Butterfly Festival. Butterflies will be raised from eggs in the museum discovery center, and docents have organized some activities designed to enhance the spring project.

There is a short window when the poppies in Hite Cove are ready for prime viewing and that window is wide open right now. Taking the drive and short hike to view them, along with several other wildflowers, is a must do each year for me. Oh, and we were visited by a talking newt!

We had crunchy snow under our feet in the morning, blue skies all day, views of snow covered mountains and the trail all to ourselves. What more can I say?

Seeing all of that water coming out of Stevenson Falls is something to behold but we had a big surprise when we saw the first diverse and colorful displays of wildflowers of the season!