I was sneaking in a fall color hike in Yosemite Valley before a storm could blow the leaves off the trees, but where to go? I picked Mirror Lake to see delightful dogwoods, beautiful big leaf maples, wonderful willows and outstanding oaks. Oh, and those reflections of them all in magnificent Mirror Lake! Where: Yosemite National ParkDistance: 8.24 Miles (Depending ...

Checking out dogwood blooms and waterfalls in Yosemite Valley is an annual thing for me but I sure didn’t expect to meet a bear while hiking on the Mirror Lake Loop Trail. Where: Yosemite National ParkDistance: 7.25 MilesDifficulty: EasyElevation Range: 3,983′ – 4,285′Date: April 30, 2021CALTOPO: Curry Village to Mirror Lake Loop TrailDog Hike? Maybe I maximized my dogwood viewing ...

There was a really good reason why I headed up to Yosemite Valley when I did. A nice storm came in and the timing for it moving out would be a perfect time to be in the valley. Maybe if I was lucky, I would see clouds swirling around the high places on the rim. Where: Yosemite National ParkDistance: About ...

I had been dreading taking this hike because of the devastation left behind when the 12,047 acre 2017 Railroad Fire roared through the area. It would be a sad hike through many burned trees to visit the Giant Sequoias along the Graveyard of the Giants Trail up on Nelder Ridge. Where: Sierra National Forest, Nelder Grove.Distance: 6.28 miles, but you ...

I had a three bear day while I snuck in some exercise checking out fall color on the Yosemite Valley Loop. Yellow Black Oaks and Maples, along with Red Dogwoods reflected along the Merced River! Where: Yosemite National ParkDistance: 12.12 milesDifficulty: EasyElevation Range: 3,869′ – 4,105′Date: November 4, 2020Maps: El Capitan and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Topographic QuadDog Hike? NoHorseback Trail? ...

I told my puppy Fannie the Corgi all about a special place called Nelder Grove and how it wouldn’t be a long drive or hike. I tried to explain to her just how huge the Giant Sequoias were. I don’t think she totally grasped the concept but she said let’s do it!Where: Sierra National Forest, Nelder GroveDistance: 2.31 miles, but ...

We hiked on a trail full of history that included an old wagon road and the old Civilian Conservation Corps camp known as CCC Co. 920, YNP 6. Camp Cascades started in 1933 and the men who worked there created many elements within Yosemite National Park that we pass by each time we visit. We also saw some fall color ...

My dog Sally is now a BARK Ranger and we want to share what we learned when we headed to Yosemite Valley to do some camping, checking out the dogwood blooms and exploring the trails where dogs are allowed. Where: Yosemite National Park Difficulty: Easy Elevation Range: 3,888 to 4,129′ Date: May 13 – 15, 2019 Maps: El Capitan Dog ...

Warm weather’s spring snow melt is fueling Yosemite’s waterfalls and I couldn’t resist a drive up to Yosemite Valley to check them out. And, what about those dogwoods? Were they blooming yet? Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: About 10 miles to drive my Yosemite Valley Loop, but you can also walk it or take the free shuttle to explore it ...

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE — The colors of fall in the Sierra are spectacular, without comparison — perhaps especially so in the foothills. This time a year ago we had a wee bit of rain, just enough of a taste to make the mouth water. Now, until the forecast changes, we’ll have to settle for the beautifully changing light, and put those ...