MARIPOSA COUNTY — Visitation to Mariposa County increased in 2021, bringing with it a boost to the tourism-based economy as pandemic restrictions eased. In total, $361.6 million was spent by visitors to the county, a huge increase over the $255.3 million spent in 2020 according to The Economic Impact of Travel in California, a report published this week by Visit California ...

There is no need to travel far to see fall colors, just a drive or walk where you live will deliver. But I put in some extra miles because I just couldn’t resist heading over to the Sierra’s eastside to do some leaf peeping at Convict Lake, even more beautiful with a dusting of snow up high on those rugged ...

Road trip to the east side! It is an annual thing for me to try and take at least one trip to the east side of the Sierra to check out the fall colors. Those colors start up earlier over there than they do here and there is something about the way those yellow and orange leaves contrast with those ...

Trees were showing off their fall colors on the eastern side of the Sierra but it wouldn’t last long. I headed to Lundy Canyon to check out the aspens before forecasted winds stole the show away. Where: Inyo National Forest, Hoover Wilderness Elevation Range: 7,800′ Date: October 15, 2019 Maps: Big Alkali, Buckeye Ridge, Falls Ridge and June Lake Topographic ...

On the Eastern Sierra, high colorful peaks of red, white and gray are incredibly beautiful all on their own. But wait. Picture them decorated in fall colors of yellows and reds, then add a dusting of white snow. And if that isn’t enough to get excited about, imagine covering even more ground exploring this country on the back of a ...

Fall made a grand entrance on the east side of the Sierra. There is something about seeing the leaves turning their brilliant reds and yellows, along with that first brisk weather to really get you in the mood. I discovered a perfect place to do this by horseback at the oldest working guest ranch in California–the Hunewill Ranch out of ...

We were on the hunt for fall colors on the eastern side of the Sierra. We discovered gold, yellow and a few reds along the way but white puffy clouds and reflective lakes kind of stole the show. I was ok with that! The fall color show on the eastern side of the Sierra was winding down and I wanted ...

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 ...

My dog Sally and I hiked up Convict Canyon on a crisp morning after a dusting of snow, along side colorful mountains that steeply rose up from the trail, and through fall color toward Mildred Lake. The snow wasn’t an issue but the ice ended up being one, but those views along the way were well worth it! Where: Inyo ...

I heard some reports that fall was starting to create colorful splashes on those mountains on the east side of the Sierra and had to go check it out for myself. Fall was happening on the east side . . . but so was winter! Where: Inyo National Forest, John Muir Wilderness Distance: 2.77 Miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Range: 7,582’ ...