Category Archives: National Parks

National Forests, National Parks, State Parks

U.S. Forest Service offers new digital maps for mobile devices

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Avenza Systems has developed a mobile app for iOS and Android.  The app itself is free … the maps are a reasonable $.99 for a national forest atlas, or $4.99 for a forest visitor map.

From the press release:

The U.S. Forest Service now offers access to a variety of visitor maps for people using Android and iOS devices.

“This mobile app makes it easier than ever to plan your visit to a national forest or grassland,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “By putting important forest information right at your fingertips, it will encourage more Americans to get outside and explore their forests.”

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Adventures, National Parks

Snowshoe Yosemite: Mariposa Grove

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Even though we’re experiencing a kinda dry winter, Yosemite Conservancy is hosting a shoeshoe event early in February, and it seems like a fun (if exhausting) event.  From the event page:

See giant sequoias in a way few visitors have on this fun and informative day of snowshoeing into the Mariposa Grove. Winter offers the rare opportunity to feel as if you have this ancient grove all to yourself. Naturalist Shirley Spencer will enhance this trip with her creativity and extensive knowledge. You’ll learn about the natural history of the grove, as well as the plant and wildlife species that call it home. If you’re looking for an unforgettable Yosemite experience, don’t pass this one up. This excursion is recommended for adults and mature teens. This trek will begin Saturday morning at Yosemite’s south entrance gate on Hwy. 41.

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National Forests, National Parks

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Only 133 of our country’s 401 national parks usually charge an entrance fee. So start Planning Your Visit!

If you’re planning a trip that includes multiple national parks, you might consider the $80 annual pass that provides entrance to all national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and many other Federal lands-more than 2,000 in all. The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is offered free to all active duty military members and their dependents. Information on these and other pass options is available online. Continue reading →

National Parks

Sunset Magazine’s Top Wow Spots for Yosemite

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Sunset Magazine has quite an extensive series of articles on Yosemite, including a slideshow of the ‘Top Wow Spots’ in the park.

From Sunset Magazine:

Getting there. Yosemite lies 195 miles east of San Francisco, 175 southeast of Sacramento, and 90 miles northeast of Fresno. The main gateway towns to Yosemite are El Portal, on California 140 just west of the park; Mariposa, also on 140 30 miles southwest from El Portal; Groveland, on California 120 west of the park; and Oakhurst, on California 41 south of the park. The entrance fee is $20 per vehicle.

When to go. Yosemite is a four-seasons park. Summer is the busiest time, with highs in the 80s and occasional thunderstorms. Fall offers warm days, cool nights and fall color. Winter brings lows in the 20s, considerable snow at higher elevations and lesser quantities in the valley. Spring is gorgeous, with blossoming dogwoods, splashing waterfalls and highs in the 60s.

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Day Hikes, National Parks

Four Mile Trail reopened!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Four Mile Trail from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point has reopened. It’s usually closed from December through May because of “dangerous winter conditions,” with the last mile to the top almost NEVER opened up until May.  Even though we’re experiencing a mild winter here on the west coast, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for winter conditions from Union Point to Glacier Point.

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