Plans for the Backcountry of Yosemite
It is hard to believe, but Curtis and I have been living with Yosemite as our “backyard” for a little over 2 years now! Sometimes we like to fancy ourselves old pros, people who have visited many time a year and taken hundreds of photos. But then I looked at the map. Over our two years here we have only went on 2 backpacking adventures in the park! This is rather like…
Tioga Road Biking
Did you know that it a not-so-secret time honored road biking tradition to travel over mountain passes after the snow melts but as the road remains closed? I didn’t, until we heard about being able to cycle Tioga Pass in the park! I cant tell you the last time Curtis and I REALLY road our bikes, other than going into town, so this was quite the change – and physical…
Bike Paths, Cold Rivers, and Trail Markers
Curtis and I had planned to bike around wine country this weekend, but, as we should have expected, it was your traditional end of September scorcher of a day. Instead we decided to take the opportunity to swim in Yosemite, and bike around the valley there. We had been avoiding the valley all summer because of the hoards of people everywhere. I enjoy people watching to a degree, but we…
North Dome, Not the North Pole
Trailhead: Porcupine Creek Trailhead, off of Tioga Rd / Hwy 120
Distance: ~9 miles. Slightly downhill on way out and then uphill on the way back. The end of this hike take you onto granite slopes and it is probably best if you wear some shoes with traction & not your foam Tevas like I did.
The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Pikas… on Mono Pass!
Pikas are distant cousin of Basil and all bunnies, and occasionally are referred to the real life Pokemon Pikachu. No joke, I read it on the internet ;) And pikas are liable to become an (Word of the day!) endemic species with climate change, due to their highly specific mountain sub-alpine scree environments and mortal distaste for warm environments. These cute little threatened critters can be found throughout the park,…
Hetch Hetchy Day Hike or as we like to call it Hetch Hedgehogy: the story of our water source and a brave hedgehog
Trailhead: Evergreen Rd down into Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station, parking lot by dam
Distance: ~ 4 miles rounds trip to Wapama Falls, we went ~ 1.5 miles past that and in addition got to see rattlesnakes & bears!
Day Hiking Inspiration Point, Yosemite: Our second trip focusing on an Inspiration.
Trailhead: Behind Tunnel View, off of Hwy 41 right outside of the Valley
Distance: ~ 2.5 miles, but filled with steep switchbacks and hot in the summer sun!
Valley Floor Day Hike instead of unpacking!
Trailhead: Parked by Bridal Veil Falls (parallel because parking area was full) in the Valley.
Distance: ~4 miles ( we walked there on the trail and back partially along the road/bike paths) Flat with but unexpected hills compared to the road.
Hello! I am a 30-something outdoors-lady, backpacker, and resident of Groveland, California - 
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