MADERA COUNTY — The search has stretched into a second week for a camper who went missing over the July 4th holiday weekend in the Sierra National Forest above Bass Lake. “Your family is worried about you,” was written on a sticker attached by Forest Service officials to Sandra Johnsen Hughes’ car, which was found about two miles from her ...

SQUAW VALLEY — A 56-year-old Madera County man died early Friday morning after suffering injuries during a fight with a Squaw Valley man. Shortly after midnight on Thursday, a man dialed 911 to report he had just been involved in a fight with an intruder, later identified as Thomas Robert Christopher. Deputies responded to a home on the 49000 block ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Ranger District is seeking enthusiastic volunteer candidates to fill the position as campground host volunteer for Nelder Grove Campground. The volunteer would start July 31, 2020 and work through end of September. Volunteer is expected to work on weekends and holidays. The volunteer will be required to reside in the designated ...

When those views of Mono Pass, Parker Pass and Kuna Crest are streaked with snow, they contrast so beautifully with those multi-colored mountains. This is one of those hikes that I love to do soon after Tioga Road reopens for the year and those white puffy clouds always liven up the scenery, even if they threaten a bit of the ...

Joseph L. Frank, age 80, passed away on June 15, 2020, at his home in Fresno. He is survived by his wife of 40 years Jeanne Frank, his son Jason Frank, his daughter Jennifer Kornegay, half-brother Joseph M. Frank, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Joseph was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1939 and graduated from Withrow High School at 17. ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — Sierra National Forest (SNF) together with California Land Management (CLM) and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) officials announced Thursday the reopening of more developed recreation day use and picnic sites. SNF, CLM and PG&E officials have been working together closely and consulting with state and local public health officials for direction in a phased approach to safely ...

OAKHURST – The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the National Park Service to make adjustments to how park visitors access Yosemite this summer. But there’s a silver lining: Park visitors are reporting more intimate, leisurely –and safe — experiences. Each day 1,700 day-use park passes are available via online reservation. While the situation is not ideal when passes sell out, local ...

Long before YARTS existed, daily automobile shuttles ran from Madera to Wawona on the road we call Miami Mountain Road today. Before that, it was an old stage route and I had been walking up parts of it the past few months. This time I visited the locations where some of the people that I had written about died and ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The Sierra National Forest (SNF) is initiating the formal public comment period for the Motorized Recreation Project (Project) Environmental Assessment (EA). The project area identifies roads, trails and areas across the SNF, outside of designated Wilderness areas, where approximately 29 miles of trails — and 12 “areas” (totaling 11 acres) can be added to the National Forest ...

06/30/2020 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm - In a Partnership with Yosemite Conservancy, the Wawona Ranger Evening Program will offer a narrative/discussion about a variety of topics, including the park’s geology, early people, wildflowers and trees, astronomy and bird watching. (And don’t forget to ask about the history of the Park Rangers’ famous hat!) These Yosemite programs are offered in all areas [...]