Friends of Channel Coast State Parks, a nonprofit organization serving the Channel Coast area of the California State Parks, is launching a new kayak education program on June 9th.
Kayak lessons include all equipment, water safety lessons, and an educational tour of the harbor and run $40 (all fees associated with this program help to support educational programs and projects in Ventura and Santa Barbara county state parks). Continue reading
In celebration of National Get Outdoors Day, the U.S. Forest Service is offering a fee-free day Saturday, June 8.
Fee-free days are offered four times a year to encourage people to reconnect to the forest for some healthy, active outdoor fun. If you didn’t get out to the first free day this year (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), then this is your chance!
From the U.S. Forest Service website:
The pilot effort of National Get Outdoors Day was launched June 14, 2008, through a partnership between the Forest Service and the American Recreation Coalition. The partnership built on the success of More Kids in the Woods and other efforts to connect Americans – especially children – with nature and active lifestyles. Go Day, as it sometimes called, now includes federal, state and local agencies, key organizations and recreation businesses to create activities across the country.
Forest Service lands, which include 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, offer something for everyone, from the casual hiker to the thrill-seeking recreationist. There also are opportunities and programs for children, from Discover the Forest that helps kids learn what to do outside to becoming a Junior Forest Ranger that comes with special access to the online “JFR Clubhouse.”
If you can’t make it to the parks this weekend, then try to schedule some time during the next couple of free days: September 28th (National Public Lands Day) or November 9th through the 11th for Veterans Day Weekend.
You can read more about National Get Outdoors Day HERE.
Due to high fire danger, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are instituting fire restrictions inside the parks starting today.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks lie side by side in the southern Sierra Nevada, east of the San Joaquin Valley. Visitor activities vary by season and elevation (1,370 to 14,494 feet).
The restrictions are:
You can see a list for park alerts HERE.
It’s already started back in D.C.
The National Park Service is REMOVING trash cans from national parks under a new “Trash Free Park” program that’s being instituted in some parks outside of California. According to the Question/Answer sheet found HERE, this is the idea behind the program:
“…Visitors are responsible for removing all refuse they generate in the park when they leave the park. Trash must be picked up and the area left in a clean condition before departure. Visitors are encouraged to come prepared when visiting the park. If they plan to picnic, barbecue, or in any way generate waste, they should plan ahead to provide the means to organize materials needed, and correctly package items and refuse, in order to efficiently remove it with them by the means in which they came -by walking, metro, bicycle, car, etc.. The park encourages visitors to consider how they package items. Using materials that can be recycled or composted when they return home is a positive way to help the environment…”
I don’t know about you, but my questions in no reflect the rainbows and unicorns questions dreamed up but the NPS flunky who wrote that sheet up. My only question is this:
What fucking moron came up with this idiotic plan?
The Yosemite Valley Stable offers two great rides: One up to Mirror Lake, and one up to Clark’s Point.
The Mirror Lake trip is a two hour ride that offers riders great views and many photographic vistas. It’s a great ride for beginners.
The Clark’s Point trip is a half-day excursion. According to the website, the trail is “uneven, and consists of many switchbacks up a steep slope, with an elevation gain of 1500 feet. This is a strenuous ride best suited to riders in good physical condition.” This trip includes great views of Vernal Falls. Visit the website for more information HERE.
