SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – University scientists studying the effects of forest thinning on a species of small mammal did not expect to find evidence of toxic chemicals in the organs of their subject, the Pacific fisher. When post-mortem tests showed that fisher after fisher had the same significant amount of rodenticide in the liver, researchers looked not far afield and ...

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – The Bass Lake Ranger District, Sierra National Forest, is preparing to implement the fall/winter burning program. Projects will consist of three activities: pile burning, broadcast, and underburning. “The objective of underburning is to reintroduce low intensity fire to the ecosystem,” says District Ranger Dave Martin.

NORTH FORK – After 13 years as District Ranger on the Bass Lake District of the Sierra National Forest, Dave Martin has decided it’s time to move on to the next chapter. “After long and thoughtful conversations with my wife and personal deliberation over the last many months, I have made the decision to retire at the end of this ...

NIPINNAWASEE – For two years now, with ninety stories and counting, outdoor enthusiast Candace Gregory has been deftly guiding SNO readers through the Sierra and beyond, writing about her escapades as she hikes, fishes and meanders with trusty canine companion, Sally. The author likes to think of her work as “an exploration in progress.”

SAN JOSE – Firefighters will gather together to pay their respects to Airtanker Pilot Geoffrey “Craig” Hunt, who paid the ultimate sacrifice with his life while fighting the Dog Rock Fire near El Portal, Calif. A celebration of Craig’s life, with full Line of Duty Death fire service honors, will take place Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m. On Oct. ...

OAKHURST – Prepare to be scared, warns the Oakhurst Mountain Lions Club, as they get ready to host their 7th annual Haunted House, aptly called “Screamfest.” The event takes places on Friday, Oct. 31 from 7 to 10 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at the former Blockbuster building in the Von’s shopping center, 40050 Highway 49 in ...

My mom and I were on the second of a 4-day adventure at Rock Creek Lake, just south of Mammoth Lakes on the eastern side of the Sierra. We headed separate directions for the day. I took off for a hike to Dorothy Lake and Mom took a hike up Rock Creek. (Read Part One here).

SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST – After the devastation of the French Fire along the Scenic Byway, the main roads have since been reopened to the public. Forest Road 81(Mammoth Pool/Minarets Road) is open, however some campgrounds in the area remain closed. Fish Creek, Rock Creek, Placer and Sweetwater campgrounds are closed. All campgrounds from Little Jackass and beyond are open. For ...

FISH CAMP – With the crowds of summer gone, this is the perfect time to spend the day with friends and family at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. Just 15 minutes from Oakhurst and 4 miles south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad offers excursions with authentic, historic Shay locomotives and Jenny ...

I wanted to escape the heat and smoke, so since Mom and I were headed to Corvallis, Oregon for a Family Reunion, we decided to add a day to the trip and take a drive to the Central Oregon Coast for some cool weather. It was a good call!