Category Archives: Outdoors

Conservation, News, State Parks

California State Parks Seeks Public Input on a Road and Trail Management Plan for Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Weott, Calif. — California State Parks will hold an open house meeting to solicit comments on a draft road and trail management plan (RTMP) for Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The RTMP describes the existing roads and trails of the state park and provides specific direction for management and operations in the future. The goal of the plan is to enhance recreational trail opportunities, while protecting the park’s cultural and natural resources.
The open house meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the River Lodge Conference Center located at 1800 Riverwalk Drive, Fortuna. The draft plan can be viewed online at www.parks.ca.gov/HRSP-RTMP or be reviewed in person at the following locations:

  • North Coast Redwoods District Headquarters, 3431 Fort Ave, Eureka
  • Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center, 17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott
  • California State Parks Facility Management Division, 704 O Street, Sacramento
  • Humboldt County Library Branches:

Eureka Main Library, 1313 3rd Street, Eureka

Arcata Library, 500 7th Street, Arcata

Fortuna Library, 753 14th Street, Fortuna

Garberville Library, 715 Cedar Street, Garberville

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Conservation, National Parks, Wildlife

Yosemite Conservancy launches KeepBearsWild.org

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

In partnership with the National Park Service and Wharton Media, the Yosemite Conservancy has launched KeepBearsWild.org, a website designed to help educate Yosemite National Park visitors about the black bears that live in the park.

The website has an online bear tracker, information to educate the public on what to do when they encounter bears, how to view bears in the wild, how to properly store food, photography and videos on the parks iconic black bears.

“KeepBearsWild.org is an important way to raise awareness, appreciation and respect for Yosemite’s beloved black bears,” said Yosemite National Park Acting Superintendent Chip Jenkins. “Our message is simple: everyone can keep bears wild by driving slowly, storing food properly and staying at a safe distance when you see them.”

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Adventures, National Parks

Devils Postpile Campground Update for 2017

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Due to winter storm and flood damage and prioritization of trail repairs including Rainbow Falls, the monument’s 20 site campground is not anticipated to reopen in 2017. We regret any inconvenience, but this delay will allow the park to ensure the safety of our visitors and necessary preservation/restoration of the park’s natural resources impacted by the storm.

However, within the Reds Meadow Valley, there are another 128 first-come, first-served campsites we encourage visitors to consider visiting. The Minaret Vista Station provides site availability information before you enter the Reds Meadow Valley.

Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery. The formation is a rare sight in the geologic world and ranks as one of the world’s finest examples of columnar basalt. Its columns tower 60 feet high and display an unusual symmetry.

Activities, National Forests

Public invited to Eldorado National Forest Open House to discuss Off-Highway Vehicle grant applications

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

From USDA / Forest Service – The Eldorado National Forest will be submitting applications for Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Cooperative Funds for the upcoming 2015/2016 grant cycle.  The Forest is developing preliminary applications to the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division which includes a strong emphasis on trail maintenance and repair, law enforcement across the four Ranger Districts, printing and distribution of the Motor Vehicle Use Maps, restoration of impacted areas, planning, and education.

As your ideas are important for developing our proposals, the Forest will be hosting an Open House on February 10 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM to discuss the proposed preliminary grant applications.  This Open House will be held at the Eldorado National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 100 Forni Road, Placerville, CA 95667.  You can call (530) 622-5061 for directions.

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Activities, Adventures, Hiking - General

Accessing Whitney Portal: How To Make it Work in 2016

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Press Release (USDA) – If you do plan to visit Whitney in the summer of 2016, please pack your patience and carefully plan your trip to avoid the construction delays and the parking problems.

    • Check the construction schedule before you head up to Whitney Portal (Twitter (@mtwhitneyinfo), at the Interagency Visitor Center (760-876-6222), on the web HERE. There may be times when delays and parking are little impacted. There may be periods with 30 minute delays, and two 3-hour delays per day in the peak of construction.
    • Please be prepared that there may not be a parking space available for you.
    • Consider carpooling, being dropped off by friends, or explore local shuttle services.

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