The first spring poppies danced in the wind for me as I hiked up Briceburg’s Burma Grade and beyond for 15 miles with a 2,340 gain, leading me to a view of El Capitan and Half Dome. Where: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Merced River Recreation Management AreaDistance: About 15 miles roundtrip but you can go shorter or longerDifficulty: Moderate ...

It was a little early for Merced River Canyon’s wildflower show but the right time to get in a good winter conditioning hike with some miles and a climb along the Merced River at Briceburg. Where: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Merced River Recreation Management AreaDistance: 10.6 miles roundtrip but you can go shorter or longerDifficulty: Moderate to StrenuousElevation Range: ...

By Debby Carter, Librarian, Sierra Historic Sites Association You’ve probably seen this famous old photo of two daring ladies posing at Glacier Point. In the August 16, 1962, issue of the Sierra Star, the photo was posted requesting any information about these two ladies. Two weeks later, a letter to the editor was posted in the Star with just that ...

The Merced River Canyon’s Hite’s Cove Trail has reopened just in time for a glorious poppy extravaganza. It has been 3 long years since it was closed from the Ferguson Fire. If you don’t feel like going the distance that I did, the most concentrated area of poppies is within the first 1/2 mile or so. But that is also ...

Spring has definitely sprung in the Merced River Canyon and the poppy show has begun! Hike it, bike it, drive it or find a good spot to sit in a chair and watch it. There are so many ways to view these beautiful, golden poppies. Where: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Merced River Recreation Management AreaDistance: 10.76 miles round trip but ...

Please don’t tell my dogs that I left them home for this easy hike along the Wild and Scenic Merced River on an old Railroad Bed. It would have been a perfect hike for them. Where: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Merced River Recreation Management Area, United States Forest Service, Sierra National ForestDistance: 8.93 miles round trip but you can ...

YOSEMITE VALLEY — One of the area’s most spectacular waterways is among the stars of a new series of “forever” stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service. The Merced River is one of 12 U.S. rivers featured in the new “National Wild and Scenic River System” stamp series, which was unveiled and went on sale earlier this summer. The colorful ...

We were driving home from hiking the Moss Creek Trail but the day was still young, so we swung through the Briceburg area to check out the poppies along the way. This is one of those adventures that you can drive, hike, or a combination of both to enjoy beautiful spring flowers. Where: Bureau of Land Management Distance: About 5 ...

Low snow and plenty of it would give us an amazing snowshoe adventure from Tenaya Lodge up Big Sandy Road . . . if we could get there. We could not believe how loaded the trees were with the snow and to top that off, Mother Nature provided cinnamon rolls. Where: Sierra National Forest Distance: 5.83 miles (but you can ...

“The song of the river ends not at her banks, but in the hearts of those who have loved her.”  — Buffalo Joe MARIPOSA — The first time Steve ever set foot on the property, he didn’t really set foot. He was just a baby, one year old, riding on his father’s shoulders. That was nearly 70 years ago. Ever ...