COARSEGOLD — The third annual PRCA-sanctioned Coarsegold Stampede kicks off on Friday, Sept. 14 and continues Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 and 16. In addition to pro rodeo both days, the Stampede will have vendor booths, food trucks, kids’ area and activities, rodeo royalty,  a cornhole tournament, cowboy church, mutton bustin’ and two rodeo dances with live music. New this year ...

Sally and I had reached a threshold where we just had to get out of the smoke and heat but with Hwy 41, 140, 120 and then 108 all closed to the eastern side, it was time get serious about our escape. So, we drove south down Hwy 99 to Bakersfield across Tehachapi and up 395. Smoke was following us ...

Saddlebag Lake Campground in the Tioga Pass area had just opened and I wasted no time heading up there to check out the high country. Four days of camping gave my dog Sally and me plenty of time to wander by the high lakes in the area and get some fishing in! Where: Hoover Wilderness, Inyo National Forest Distance: 9.08 ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — An easy-going group of like-minded, ultra-competent individuals, the Sierra Freepackers unit of the Back Country Horsemen of California (BCHCSFP) is comprised of a small but committed unit of volunteers, currently 50 members strong. Despite their moderate size, the group consistently ranks among the highest per capita for volunteer hours in trail maintenance, public awareness and education, logging ...

Sally and I needed a break from weedeating and we escaped over Tioga Pass, camping along roaring Lee Vining Creek. Relaxing and reading were my goals but I walked back through history up to the Poole Hydroelectric Plant. Where: Inyo National Forest, Aspen Campground Elevation: 7,490′ Date: June 4-7, 2018 Maps: June Lake Topog Dog Friendly? Yes Sally and I headed ...

Some of us snowshoed, some of us hiked and all of us postholed and sank through the spring snow on our way up to beautiful frozen lakes in the Tioga Pass area with blue sky and white puffy clouds to add some sparkly to the day. Where: Yosemite National Park, Inyo National Forest Distance: 4.98 Miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Range: ...

Fair warning to those looking for our normal wine posts… the first couple are just vacation posts for friends or for Karen and I when we get senile and can’t remember what we did when we were here… Danny finally graduated which means — Italy, here we come! We’ve been waiting to take this trip since he graduated from high school, ...

MADERA – A bat found near the track at Yosemite High School has tested positive for rabies. Kirsten Gross, Director of Madera County Animal Services, says the bat was found last week lying on the track, not moving, but still alive. It was taken to the Madera County Health Department for testing. This is the second rabid bat reported in ...

SAN FRANCISCO — In recognition of California Wildfire Awareness Week (May 7-10), PG&E announced it will provide $2 million to local Fire Safe Councils in 23 counties for 30 projects that reduce wildfire risk and help keep communities safe. The funds will pay for fuel reduction, emergency access and defensible space projects, as well as chipper days in local communities. ...

We did not snowshoe Tamarack Ridge but we carried our snowshoes all day thinking that we would. We headed up above Shaver Lake to find well packed snow and once we left the main trails, that snow was pristine and untouched by people. Where: Tamarack Ridge SNO-PARK, Sierra National Forest Distance: 5.82 miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevational Range: 7,354′ to 7,800′ ...