Category Archives: California

Snowshoe Yosemite: Mariposa Grove

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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Fire Restrictions Take Effect in Los Padres National Forest

Due to extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials today announced that Level III fire restrictions will go into effect beginning tomorrow, January 11, 2014. The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced until this Forest Order expires:

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Scientist to speak on solar eclipses

Press release form the SCMF:

Join the Southern California Mountains Foundation and the Big Bear Solar Observatory on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 4 p.m. at the Big Bear Discovery Center to welcome guest speaker Jay Pasachoff, a leading scientist on solar eclipses, in a presentation of “The Sun and Solar Eclipses.”

Combining his rare appearance with his devotion to teaching and sharing with the world the joys of observing eclipses, Professor Pasachoff’s presentation will be open to the public. Admission is free; seating is limited on a first-come basis.

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Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

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

The Hike: John Muir in a week

Michael Lanza posted a great article back in 2007 on the Backpacker Magazine website about hiking the John Muir Trail.  I’m thinking about doing this same thing; Hiking the JMT in a week.  How hard could it be?  I’ve always wanted to see how many blisters I can get on my feet…

From the article:

Got a few days off, a pair of healthy feet, and a pain threshold higher than Dean Karnazes? You can (possibly) blaze the length of America’s Most Beautiful Trail.

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