Category Archives: California

Conservation, State Parks

Come volunteer at our California State Parks during this holiday season!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

From the California State Parks Foundation:

Give thanks for your favorite state parks by volunteering with Park Champions. Help us repair popular hiking trails at Chino Hills or Wildwood Canyon, improve habitat by removing invasive plants at Silver Strand, or help with general park maintainence and CAMP FOR FREE at Palomar Mountain.

Chino Hills State Park
Saturday, November 16, 9:00am to 1:00pm

Help us make improvements to the Easy Street Trail. Teens 14 and up welcome with a legal guardian. See a map here.

Silver Strand State Beach
Saturday, December 7, 9:00am to 1:00pm

This family friendly workday is part of an ongoing project to restore valuable beach dune habitat at Silver Strand. Kids 10 and up welcome with a legal guardian. See a map here.

Palomar Mountain State Park
Sunday, December 8, 9:00am to 1:00pm

This workday will focus on general park maintenance. Teens 14 and up welcome with a legal guardian. FREE CAMPING available Saturday night. See a map here.

Continue reading →

National Forests, Wildfire

Sierra National Forest lifts campfire restrictions

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Based on changing weather trends, increases in relative humidity and a decrease in average temperatures, the Sierra National Forest is lifting the fire restrictions that were put in effect July 2.

Forest Visitors will still need to obtain a campfire permit when camping outside of designated campgrounds and follow all guidelines when having an open flame fire.

The following guidelines for forest campfires remain in effect:

  • Clear all flammable material away from the fire for a minimum of five feet in all directions to prevent escape of the fire;
  • Have a shovel available at the campfire site for preparing and extinguishing campfires;
  • Have a responsible person in attendance at all times;
  • Extinguish campfire with water, using the ‘drown, stir, and feel’ method; and
  • In the wilderness, no campfires above 10,000 ft. (this varies by area, and will be posted on individual wilderness permits).

Continue reading →

Adventures, Day Hikes, Hiking - General, National Parks

YExplore to Offer Discounted and Complimentary Guided Hikes in Yosemite to Veterans November 9-10

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Leading Adventure Company in Yosemite National Park honors veterans by sharing outdoor adventures during holiday weekend.

To honor veterans of the United States Armed Forces, YExplore Yosemite Adventures will offer special incentives to active and retired military members and their families to enjoy guided hiking tours in Yosemite National Park on November 9th and 10th. “In the spirit of the national parks waiving entrance fees for veterans this weekend, we would like to offer special discounts for service members who plan to visit Yosemite,” announced YExplore Founder John P. DeGrazio.

Continue reading →

Hiking - General, National Parks

A Backpacker’s Guide to the Wildflowers of Yosemite

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Nathan Roberson recently wrote about the incredible number and diversity of wildflowers in Yosemite.  From the article:

Wildflower lovers rejoice when they visit Yosemite Park in eastern California. The 761,268-acre World Heritage Site is home to 1,450 plant species. In fact, Yosemite’s website notes that 25% of California’s native plants grow in the park, offering backpackers ample opportunity to view and photograph their favorite blooms.

Because Yosemite is so large and its terrain so varied, many different types of wildflowers grow in the park throughout much of the year. Here’s a list of some Yosemite’s better-known wildflowers and when and where you can find them…

You can read the rest of the very detailed article (including a whole lot of pictures!) HERE.

National Forests

Mendocino National Forest Christmas Tree Permits on Sale Today

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Beginning today, Christmas tree permits will be available from the Mendocino National Forest for the 2013 holiday season.

Permits are available for purchase in person or by mail from Mendocino National Forest offices, as well as at area vendors. Vendors are listed below with contact information for the Forest Service.

Permits are $10 per tree at Forest Service offices. Customers are advised to call vendors to verify permit price and availability. The permits will be sold at Forest Service offices through Monday, December 23. Trees may be cut and removed any day of the week in authorized areas of the Mendocino National Forest. Please check current Forest fire closure areas in case your annual tree cutting spot is within the closure.

There is a limit of one permit per household, with each permit using a valid name and address. Up to four additional permits may be purchased for additional households, using separate names and addresses. Individuals must be 18 or older to purchase a permit. All Christmas tree permit sales are final, with no refunds. Permittees will receive a tree tag and Forest map.

Continue reading →