Helping California State Parks: November 2010 Ballot Initiative

January 8, 2010

I’m a strong supporter of California State Parks, and I’m a member of the California State Parks Foundation, the group that works hard to keep parks open and affordable.
The California State Parks Foundation is the driving force behind a group that has qualified an important proposition for the 2010 ballot, and it’s one I fully [...]

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Start the New Year Right: Hike with the Siskiyou Wanderers

January 6, 2010

The Siskiyou Wanderers hiking group continues its Thursday rambles. Here’s the Siskiyou Wanderers hike schedule for January:

Jan 7: Scott Mountain Snowshoe and or Ski: Bring your cross-country skis or snowshoes to enjoy the wilderness in the snow starting from the Highway 3 Scott Mountain Summit. Alternate activity is to hike Masterson Road through scenic and slightly hilly ranch/mini-estate country [...]

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East Bay Regional Parks Disctrict Makes Major Addition to Vasco Caves Regional Preserve

December 18, 2009

I’ve heard great things about Vasco Caves Regional Preserve and we just got some great news: East Bay Regional Parks District has just acquired more land for it.
Here’s the news straight from the East Bay Regional Park District about the Vasco Caves addition:
Park District Adds Major land acquisition to vasco caves regional preserve near BYRON

At [...]

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Feeling Burned Out?

December 16, 2009

Winter’s here. Short days, clouds, rain, snow. The worst part: it’s a lot harder to get to some of our favorite trails to go hiking, and many of the best ones are covered with the white stuff.
Walking in nature has always been one of my favorite ways to release stress and prevent burnout, and being [...]

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Gambolin’ Man on the Trees of Northern California

December 13, 2009

Gambolin’ Man has written another beautiful and insightful essay, this time about the special qualities of trees:
Trees! Ah! Delightful and important living specimens that offer up their bountiful shade, indulge us with sensorial and aesthetic pleasures, and induce ecstatic joy in our lives at their mere presence and sight.

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Yosemite National Park’s Tioga Road and Glacier Point Roads Closed For Winter

December 1, 2009

Well, winter’s officially here in my books. Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park are closed for the winter:

The Tioga and Glacier Point Roads in Yosemite are closed for the season.  These roads close each fall and remain closed throughout the winter months until weather conditions permit reopening in the spring next [...]

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Lassen Volcanic National Park Main Road Closes For Winter

November 19, 2009

Lassen Volcanic National Park’s annual autumn closing of the main park road is the unofficial beginning of winter for me. Still, even though the hiking trails are buried under snow, the park is a great place to snowshoe and cross-country ski in the winter.
Here’s the Lassen Volcanic National Park road closure/recreational opportunities press release:

Winter has [...]

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Free Entrance to National Parks on Veterans’ Day this Wednesday

November 8, 2009

National Parks and most federally managed lands are letting everyone in for free on Wednesday, November 11. Here’s the press release from Lassen Volcanic National Park:

To honor America’s service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that areas managed by the department will not charge entrance fees on Wednesday, November 11, 2009.
Visitors [...]

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Wilderness Land Trust Protects 320 Acres in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest

October 29, 2009

The Wilderness Land Trust just reported two important land acquisitions in two of my favorite California wilderness areas: the Trinity Alps Wilderness and the Mount Shasta Wilderness, which both have a lot of hiking trails.
The Wilderness Land Trust, and similar organizations such as the Siskiyou Land Trust, purchase property and help protect wild lands and [...]

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How to Survive a Bear Attack

October 26, 2009

Northern California outdoors photographer Ken DeCamp pointed me to this hilarious video about how to survive a bear attack. Enjoy!

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Pacific Crest Trail Maintenance in Castle Crags State Park This Saturday

October 21, 2009

The Pacific Crest Trail Association and the Mount Shasta Trail Association (I’m on the board of directors) are co-sponsoring trail maintenance work on the Pacific Crest Trail section in Castle Crags State Park this Saturday, October 24th.
Here’s what Mount Shasta Trail Association president Joe Wirth says:
We need a trail crew of ten people to work [...]

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Campfire Restrictions Removed on Many National Forests in California

October 14, 2009

If you’re still willing to camp during these cold and long autumn nights, then I have some welcome news for you: fire restrictions are being lifted on the national forests in many parts of the state, so you can enjoy a cozy and warming campfire after a brisk hike. I know for sure that the [...]

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Prescribed Burn Time in Northern California Forests

October 8, 2009

It’s that time of year when the Forest Service begins its prescribed burns. Expect to see periodic smoke over the mountains of Northern California through spring, although it seems most common in fall.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
I’ve already seen pronouncements of prescribed burns for Klamath National Forest, and the Shasta-Trinity National [...]

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October Hike of the Month: Black Butte Trail Near Mount Shasta

October 2, 2009

Black Butte is practically in my backyard. I live maybe 10 crow miles from it and I see its steep volcanic flanks frequently. I also love to climb it. It’s one of the first real hikes Stephanie and I do in May as soon as the snow melts off the north side. (And, according to [...]

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Siskiyou Wanderers October Hiking Schedule: Fall Foliage!

September 29, 2009

The Siskiyou Wanderers, an intrepid hiking group in Siskiyou County, will revel in spectacular fall color on this month’s hikes. Feel free to join them!

October 1: Tangle Blue Lake:
As summer fades into fall and you are feeling a little blue, visit Tangle Blue Lake, a popular lake near Scott Mountain Summit, and I am sure [...]

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