YOSEMITE — One of the preeminent Native American basket makers and tribal elders in California will lead two workshops this fall on the subjects of basket weaving and native food preparation. Julia Parker will take the helm for a pair of Yosemite Conservancy Experience Packages using the knowledge she’s gained as a respected elder and long-time cultural demonstrator in the park. ...

OAKHURST — Ever wondered what there is to do around the mountain area? Come to the Oakhurst Branch Library to hear Judi Hussain explain the plethora of activities this marvelous area has to offer. Judi has been the Visitor Center Coordinator at Yosemite Sierra Visitor Center (now called Visit Yosemite | Madera County) for the past five years, and this weekend she’ll ...

YOSEMITE — Bears emerged from their dens in March this year and have been active throughout the park ever since. Recent observations have included bears grazing in roadside meadows and along hiking trails. Bear incidents this week have centered on activities by backpackers. Two incidents occurred in the Yosemite Valley Backpacker’s Campground when bears got into food left unattended in ...

I had a rare treat to participate in a special tour of Bodie, with the local historian behind doors of old buildings that are closed to the general public. Where: Bodie State Historic Park Difficulty: Easy When: June 12, 2016 I spent the night in Bridgeport and headed south on Hwy 395 to Hwy 270, following the paved road and ...

Written by Dave Hubbard — Tioga road history is fascinating! First established by the animals of the region, Indians soon followed the animal trails and eventually established “trade paths” of their own over the difficult terrain. The Sierran range provided an effective natural barrier rising to over 13,000 feet and challenging both animal and human travelers with dangerous obstacles and ...

YOSEMITE — Visitors to Yosemite National Park can revel in its natural wonders like never before through Yosemite Conservancy’s guided Outdoor Adventures involving high country camping, bird watching and backpacking, among 60 unforgettable experiences offered in 2016. “Our Outdoor Adventures are led by naturalist guides who share lifetimes of experience and insider knowledge of the park,” said Frank Dean, president ...

YOSEMITE — If you’re looking for the best thing to do in Yosemite, join a Yosemite Conservancy Outdoor Adventure. Conservancy naturalist guides have lifetimes of Yosemite experience and insider knowledge. Join them for backpacking treks, day hikes, photography workshops, bird-watching tours and discover Yosemite’s “hidden gems” with expert naturalist-guides. Yosemite Conservancy works hand-in-hand with the park to create unforgettable experiences. ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite Conservancy is providing $15 million in support to Yosemite National Park to restore the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, protect great gray owls and rebuild spectacular hiking trails, among 34 projects being funded in 2016. “Everywhere you look in the park you can see the impact of Yosemite Conservancy grants and programs, whether that’s hiking a restored ...

We had headed over for the “Superbloom” but how can you not go to Death Valley and see more? Rugged, wildly colored canyons and mountains where miners seeked their fortunes and lonely sand dunes called to us to explore them. Many wonderful books have been written about Death Valley and I am not about to attempt to do that in this blog, ...

El Nino has helped create a “superbloom” of wildflowers in Death Valley. About every 10 years or so this rare event takes place and doesn’t last too long. I couldn’t wait to get over there and experience those yellow, pink and purple wildflowers for myself. Death Valley’s average annual rainfall is 2 inches a year, and sometimes, it gets no rain ...