The Stanislaus National Forest is OPEN!
There has been a forest order(s) closing down most of the Groveland district of the Stanislaus National Forest since the Rim Fire started in August 2013. Now over a year later the order is expiring and we are allowed back into our backyards! I really want to go into the forest sometime soon just for the heck of knowing I can – but I have heard a lot of rumors saying…
True Story: Deer Love Pine Mountain Lake
I just got off the phone with my Mom, who told me that my Dad is off at deer camp. Which means a daily routine of being cold for a few hours followed by hanging out with the guys. My dad is not upset if he doesn’t get a deer at deer camp because I am pretty sure relaxing is a higher priority during his vacation than dragging a carcass through…
Take a Groveland Hike! – Smith Peak, Stanislaus
Did you know today is “Take a Hike Day”? Neither did I until Trails’ Guide informed me! To celebrate I am posting about my favorite “local” Groveland hike – Smith Peak! Smith Peak Fire Lookout, Stanislaus National Forest/Groveland, CA Trailhead: I park at the Pines Campground then hike up to the peak along the dirt road. I think at certain times of year this road open to vehicles, but doesn’t that…
Jordan Oak, Stanislaus National Forest: A Quick Trip for Tree Huggers
There are many different types of oak tree: Valley Oak, Poison Oak, and the Canyon Live Oak are all pretty common in the Groveland area. The Jordan Oak tree is one of the biggest Live Oak trees you have probably seen. I don’t claim to be very knowledgeable in trees/forests/silviculture/botany/soils. I mean, I try to remember how to identify some important ones – but I’m happy to learn (or relearn)…
Talking about the Localizing California Waters Conference and Water Reuse
Tomorrow is the start of the Localizing California Waters, a four day conference bringing together people who care about water reuse, water policy, and water management in California. I am a part of the group putting on the conference, the Telele Foundation, and I will be milling about doing registration and various other tasks. Hopefully I will be able to pop in and see at least one talk & maybe learn…
Eagle-Shawmut Mine: A Hidden History Except in Years of Drought
2014 has been a heck of a drought year in California and not one farmer, environmental group, or politician is happy about it. We are trucking fish to try and keep them alive, proposing a $14.4 billion dollar bond measure, and looking at all the ways we can conserve and reuse our limited supply. It is a mess. But while visiting Groveland’s best coffee shop, the Mountain Sage (which really knows how…
Hiking from Hodgdon Meadow to Tuolumne Grove
The Old Big Oak Flat Road trail from Hodgdon Meadow is Yosemite’s closest trailhead to the town of Groveland. Which makes sense because the old road did literally connect from Groveland to the park until it was bought by the state of California in the 1940‘s and then upgraded to become Hwy 120. I have read a few different accounts of history buffs hiking along the old road path, but here…
If your house was burning what would you take?
Today I was reading a blog called The Burning House. It asks a simple but fascinating question – If your house was burning what would you take? Since I actually did pack up stuff for the Rim Fire evacuation this year immediately thought, what was it I took? Plus I was already planning to do a little update latter this week on how the Stanislaus National Forest is looking after…
Hello! I am a 30-something outdoors-lady, backpacker, and resident of Groveland, California - 
Follow Me: