Category Archives: Activities

Activities, Adventures, Conservation

Long Meadow Back Packing Trip – High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Back Packing trip, rock work.

Event Date: 07/19/2015 – 07/25/2015
Cost: FREE

This is not any easy trip, high altitude and 5-7 mile long hike into and out of base camp. You are encouraged to stay over Saturday night at the trail head to acclimate. Please provide you own food for Saturday night and Sunday breakfast. Food will be provided Sunday lunch thru Saturday lunch. Crew will hike in the morning and should come out to trail head Saturday afternoon the following Saturday. This event is located in the in the Golden Trout Wilderness. An experienced crew leaders will train volunteers in general trail maintenance techniques and safe usage of hand tools. We will be removing brush and trees, repairing water bars, and installing water diversion structures. This is a beautiful area high in the Sierra, at least 6,000-7,500 ft. The nature of the topography, the distance of the hike into the base camp usually 5-7 miles and the work performed will make this a strenuous trip. There is no charge for this event, week long back packing trips usually cost at least $5,000 with 15 people participating that equals $300 per person. Please consider making a donation online or bringing a donation to the event. More detailed information will be sent to you after you sign up. Continue reading →

Activities

National Trails Day – June 6, 2015

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day is June 6, 2015! This is billed as “the country’s largest celebration of trails.”

According to AHS, there will be “National Trails Day” events in every state across the country. Get out today with your hiking shoes, your bike or your horse! Events include hiking, biking, horseback rides, paddling trips, birdwatching, geocaching, gear demonstrations, stewardship projects and more.

You can find out more by visiting the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day website HERE.

Activities, National Parks

Yosemite National Park Joins National Find Your Park Movement

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

National Park Week is April 18 – 26 this year.  Yosemite National Park has joined the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation’s public awareness campaign as the National Park Service ramps up for it’s Centennial in 2016.

From Yosemite National Park’s Press Release on the NPS website:

National Park Week 2015 Encourages Everyone To Find Your Park

Yosemite National Park joins parks, programs and partners across the country to encourage everyone to find their park and share their stories online at FindYourPark.com. Launched yesterday by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation, Find Your Park is a public awareness and education campaign celebrating the milestone centennial anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016 and setting the stage for its second century of service.

Continue reading →

Activities, Day Hikes, Hiking - General

Hiking Review: Quail Hill Loop

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Quail Hill offers a few hiking, biking, and horse riding options from the Quail Hill Trailhead and Staging Area.  The Trailhead is located on Shady Canyon Drive, just past Fossil Road on the right.  To get there from the 405, take the Sand Canyon / Shady Canyon exit towards Shady Canyon Drive.  Enter the traffic circle and take the first exit to the right onto Shady Canyon Drive.  Turn into the first driveway on your right past Fossil.

I like the Quail Hill Loop for a few reasons, not the least of which is that it offers better views than you’ll find walking, jogging, or running around a high school athletic field.

Continue reading →

Activities, Adventures, National Parks

Lottery Now Open for Historic Ostrander Ski Hut in Yosemite’s Backcountry

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yosemite Conservancy is Accepting Online Reservation Lottery Forms Until November 19, 2014 for Experienced Skiers to Stay Overnight at Ostrander Ski Hut

Yosemite Conservancy announced today that it is accepting online reservation lottery forms for the 2014-2015 season at historic Ostrander Ski Hut, the cherished rustic stone cabin used by experienced cross-country skiers who make the strenuous 10-mile journey from Badger Pass Ski Area to Ostrander Lake in Yosemite National Park.

“Trekking to Ostrander Ski Hut offers an unforgettable winter adventure with an overnight stay at the historic cabin nestled on the edge of a glacier cirque, beside stunning Ostrander Lake,” said Mike Tollefson, president, Yosemite Conservancy. “It’s the perfect winter retreat to leave crowds behind and head into isolated backcountry with breathtaking views of Half Dome, the Clark Range and Mount Hoffmann.”

Continue reading →