Wonderful set of photos here from Ansel Adams, curtesy of the Guardian. John Muir maybe coined the phrase "the range of light" for the Sierra Nevada, but nobody captured its essence better than Adams. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2022/feb/17/ansel-adams-rare-photographs-in-stunning-hi-definition?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Otherby balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
If you have reservations for lodging inside the park you should be fine. I wonder how they handle the situation with lodging like the new Rush Creek--which is just outside of the park. I know they have a shuttle that goes into the park each day, but don't know what you would do if you didn't want to take the shuttle...by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I spent Saturday with a trail crew outside of Yosemite, working to remove trees and maintain trails in the Sierra National Forest. Just wondering how many here do anything similar....and if anyone else would like to join the crews around Mariposa? A short summary of the crew here: https://www.backpackthesierra.com/post/more-mariposa-trail-crew-actionby balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Bones of the Earth, the second in my series of mystery novels set in the High Sierra and featuring ranger Dan Courtwright is now published. You can find it at the Napa Bookmine, the Mountain Bookstore in Sonora, and of course, you can always get these on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Paul-Wagner/dp/B09R96CDCR?language=en_US Hope you enjoy the read! PWby balzaccom - General Discussion
Really nice report. We've got this on our list of places to visit this spring. Now you've made us even more determined to get to it. We are big fans of Obata's artwork--really beautiful stuff.by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I have taught in this program for 27 years, and I am very proud to note that the California Community College system has chosen to make it a poster child for how community colleges and local industry can work together to create a better community. Some of the best and brightest students I know, and they get to work with a really wonderful bunch of instructors. in fact, two of us have been singleby balzaccom - General Discussion
Absolutely stunning! And many reminders that the best photos come when the weather ain't great...!by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
We're already well along with planning our summer adventures. Yes, it's still only the end of January. But we've already managed to get our California campfire permit, which allows us to cook in the backcountry (pending the obvious fire restrictions) and a California fishing license, so that we can while away the hours in distant lakes and streams. But that's only half the story. With theby balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
This is a companion thread to all the threads on gear on most backpacking community boards. It is increasingly clear that consumerism is a driving force in the issue of global climate change. With that in mind, I am not suggesting that we avoid ever buying anything again, or even avoid buying anything that comes in plastic packaging, but I am suggesting that we should also have a thread here to cby balzaccom - General Discussion
I think they are, Tom. The schedules I've seen are for this work to be done over the next three years or so. But given the short working season in the mountains, there's no way to get work done when tourists don't want to visit. At least the work is getting done. And in a few years, things should be a lot better all the way around.by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just bought a copy that should arrive soon. Thanks for the tips!by balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I had not heard of Obata Lake before I read this report....by balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Looks like it's back to the future for wilderness permits in Yosemite. The new policy for 2022 manages to avoid some of the pitfalls of the last couple of years. Only 60% of the permits for each trailhead can be reserved, and those only by a lottery system--no more "fastest fingers win the prize." And the remaining 40% are available first-come-first-served to walk ups on the day befby balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
For those of you who don't want to carry around paper and ink... The first in my series of mysteries set in the Sierra Nevada is now available as an e-book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09Q4V222Q/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3 And the next mystery in the series, “Bones of the Earth” should go to print this month. These books are all set in the Emigrant Wilderness, andby balzaccom - General Discussion
Which parks get SAR calls the most often? Want to guess? We guessed three of the top five...but not the other two: So which parks have called on SAR teams the most over the past two years? Once you're done guessing, here is a link: https://www.backpackthesierra.com/post/ ... rous-parks Or a link to a more in-depth look on Outforia: https://outforia.com/search-and-rescue-hotspots/by balzaccom - General Discussion
Snow level is well below 3500 feet these days. The warmer temperatures will begin to melt the snow...but where there isn't snow, there may well be water! Bring a ground cloth, as the very least. If the site has been used, the snow may be have been cleared...by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I love these posts. Thanks again for making sure we see them!by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Good story! Glad you made it out without problems, and that you enjoyed the time you had there. It's a snowy winter so far, and that's a good thing!by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Same to you, and everyone else who makes these boards both helpful and fun!by balzaccom - General Discussion
Excellent news.by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Clump, Clump, Clump...easy for you to say! But, yes, that is the unwritten (but often not unspoken!) rule.by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Nice! That's the best solution of all!by balzaccom - General Discussion
This one is more fun, because these are the people who make getting out into the mountains easier for everyone: The firefighters and first responders who are called every summer to save people, homes, and vast swaths of forest. You are heroes indeed. The endlessly patient people who work in our parks and explain the rules and regulations over and over to people who don’t want to hear tby balzaccom - General Discussion
Who's been naughty? Please feel free to add, delete, amend, correct, fold, spindle or mutilate: Each year we put together a naughty list, and a nice list, to share our thoughts about this year's adventures. Here's the first part of that list: Who's naughty this year? Idiots who deface our public spaces and parks, whether that be with graffiti, trash, or endless piles of stacked rocksby balzaccom - General Discussion
I can't help but think that this will add traffic and impact to the Porcupine Creek campground, which is already too cramped and crowded...by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
You've asked some good questions, but the answers are more complicated than the questions. There are campsites throughout the canyon, and a four day (three night) trip would have most people camping in Pate Valley the first night (lots of campsites here) the second night below Muir Gorge or above or below Cathedral Creek, and the third night near Glen Aulin, and then out on the final day. Thby balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Same here,. right back at you. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.by balzaccom - General Discussion
The kind of backpacking we do here is what you call trekking in Europe: not cheap travel to big cities, but hiking in the wilderness carrying all your gear on your back.by balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Funny you should ask. Just got this from Napa Bookmine, who hosted the event: Here is the link to your event on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pkyuokt8c4by balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Most of the less popular campgrounds in Yosemite are closed, and have been closed. I assume this question comes from someone planning a trip next year, and wanting to start narrowing down dates...by balzaccom - General Discussion