d e s t i n a t i o n
a w i n t e r w o n d e r l a n d o f a d v e n t u r e
TimeforaNew
don’tenjoyse�ngmyselfupforfailure, althoughithappensalltooregularly.SoasIset mysightson2023andIwasthinkinglastquarter aboutwherewemighttakeourreadersand fellowexplorersin2023,Irememberedthis quotefromthelateKobeBryant.
e EXPERIENCES
Sowhatis yourJAM?
Overthepast9yearsIhave traveledandexploredthe Sierrawithfriendsandfamily aswellasmanytripsjustby myself.Ialwaysfindit interes�ngwhatexperiences peoplefindthemost rewarding.
Areyoulookingforthethrill andaccomplishmentofthe highestpeaks?Needtohave thewindandwaterinyour faceasyouraceacrossan alpinelake?Ortakeathrilling ridedownthesideofthe mountainonabikeorskis?
Orlikememaybeitisjust findinganewplacetoexplore thatisuniqueandbeau�fulin itsownway,takeapicture, hangahammockandenjoy
the�meaway.
TheSierrayoucouldargueisa bonanzaofoverthetop experiencesjustwai�ngtobe discovered.
Asweprepfor2023inournon stopthirstforadventurewe highlightafewofthe expereinces,thatareboth knownworldwide,andthose thatfewerhavediscovered.
FromNa�onalParkTrailsand scenicdrivesovertheSierra crest.Toslowfloa�ng adventuresonahighalpine laketoyourveryown hammockcove.
Thesenextfewpageswill temptyoutoaddjustone moreadventuretoyour2023 bucketlist.
FeedTheChickadeein LakeTahoe
LakeTahoe -Nothingmakesyou,feellikea DisneyPrincess,likefeedingtheChickadeebirds intheLakeTahoe.
Forfamiliesorvisitorslookingforaunique experienceintheLakeTahoeregion,feedingthe ChickadeebirdsofNorthLakeTahoenearMt Roseisabitlegendary.
Bestdoneinthecoolerseasonasthebirdstend togroupupinthetrees,Chickadeebirdsare foundyearroundthroughouttheSierra.
AlthoughChickadeecanbefoundelsewhere, thisisolatedareanearMt.Rosethebirdsare moreaccustomedtovisitorsandseemto welcomethewinterfeeding.
ExploreTheBeaverDams ofLundyCanyon
LeeViningCa -Timechangeseverythinginthe Sierra.TheBeavercommuni�escon�nueto growandmakeacomebackacrosstheSierra. ThebeaversinLundyCanyonaresomeofthe mostindustrialwhenhandlingadversity.
Thelargestdaminthecanyonhasbeenwashed outfromspringfloodsandrebuiltseveral�mes, each�mewithaddi�onalreinforcementdams.
Theviewsinthespringwhenwaterisrunning highandthecanyonwallss�llhavesnowon theirpeaksisastunning�metovisitthecanyon andseetheprogressoftheSierramodernday engineer.
KyackU�caReservior
Ok,weknowhundredsofgreatKayakloca�ons intheSierra.Buttrustus,adayfloa�ngonthe U�caandUnionreservoirsregionnearBear Valleyisauniqueloca�onforKayaking. Thescenicserenityofthesegranite-linedisland lakesneartheSierraCrestisoneofSierra's mostrelaxingandrewardingoutdoor experiences.
Aneasydriveinthesummerseasonup Highway4andapavedaccessroadthatheads backtoSpicerReservoirgivesaccesstoawellmaintainedmountaindirtroadthatallows KayakandPaddleboarder’stocruiseuptothe shore,paddletotheira�ernoonoasisand enjoyadayintheSierra.
LundyCanyonishometoseveralbeaverdamsintheHooverWildernessSierraCrest
TakeatourwithBearValleySnowmobile; they'llsetyouupwithasnowmobileandall thenecessarysafetygearforthe65 kilometersofgroomedtrailswithinthe StanislausNa�onalForest.Rentalscanbe reservedforaminimumoftwohoursuptoa wholeweek!
MountainBikeRidethe
ArnoldTrail
Keeptheadrenalinepumpingalldaylongby mountainbikingtheArnoldRimTrail,30+ milesofdirtroad,andsingle-tracktrail throughpris�neforestwithincrediblevistas atCougarRockandtrailsidebonuseslikeSan AntonioFallsoverlook.Thecourse,which connectsWhitePinestoAvery/SheepRanch Road,iswell-marked,butit'ss�lladvisableto haveamapsincemanyfireroadsintersectthe route.
WhiteWaterToursonthe Stanislaus
MeetupwithO.A.R.S.WhitewaterRa�ingin BigTreesStateParkforadayofbigwateron theNorthForkoftheStanislausRiver.Ride throughClassIV+doozieslikeBeginner'sLuck, BodySlam,andSurfCityonanexhilara�ng half-daytrip.Thisuniquewhitewaterrunis typicallyonlyavailablefora�nywindowof �meeachSpring,somakesuretocallahead tojoinavailableSpringrunsbeforeit'stoo late.
SierraRecMagazineSpecialEdi�on21h�ps://sierrarecmagazine.com
Thename"Devils Postpile"referstoa darkcliffofcolumnar basalt.Radiometric da�ngindicatesthe forma�onwas createdbyalavaflow atsome�meless than100,000years ago.
ExploreDevilsPostpile
Na�onalMonument
NoplaceismoreuniqueintheSierra Nevada.Devil'sPostpileisamust-stopand experiencedes�na�onlocatedinMammoth, California.
AdjacenttotheAnselAdamsandJohnMuir Wildernessregions,Devil'sPostpileisa stunningcontrasttotheSierra'slush landscapeandpolishedgranitesurface. Takethebusridedowntheparkfrom Mammothmountainandenjoyashortwalk tothetoweringgraniteblocks.
Takeanopportunitytofollowtrailstothe topandseethehexagonshapesfromthe topview.(Carefuloftheedge,notaplaceto bebrave).Then,spendthea�ernoonhiking aroundtheparkandenjoyinglakes, waterfallsandlushmeadows.
HorsepackAdventures intoHooveror
EmigrantWilderness
Oneoftheuniquewaysto
ClimbingthroughtheBlack SandFissuresofMonoLake
Todate,oneofourfavoritesurpriseadventuresintheSierra Nevada.TheFissures,locatedontheNorthshoreofMono lake,areanexcellentslotcanyonexperiencethatincludes hikingintheblacksandsonthehillside,wanderingabout lookingforthefissuresonaratherruggeddesertlandscape, andenjoyingthecrawlthroughseveralslotcanyonswhere thelightdancesofthewallsdifferentlyeveryhouroftheday.
Discoveringthe wondersofFossil
Falls
JustsouthofLonePine,California, FossilFallsisanoldremnantofthe Owensriver.Locatedjustoff Highway395,andeasyhikeforthe parkingareaallowsgueststohike aroundandclimbthroughanold historicwaterfallcanyon.
Acampgroundisalsoadjacentto thesiteforaperfectovernight excursion.
SierraHotSprings
FromMammoth,California,toReno,Nevada,onthe EasternsideoftheSierra,travelerswillfindan assortmentofhotspringexperiences.
Localsandtravelersalikewillgiveyoumanydifferent answersonwhatmakessgreathotspringexperience. S�ll,theyallareadamantthatsoakinginanaturalhot bathissomethingtheywishtodorepeatedly.
Likemanyofthesierraac�vi�es,thishasgrownin popularitysincetheInstagramrevolu�onhas evolved,butthereares�llgreatexperiencesinthe Sierrahotsprings.
IntheCentralSierraRegion,fromBridgeporttoReno, youwillfindseveralwell-maintainedHotspring experiencesworthavisitwhenbookinganytravelon theeastsideofLakeTahoe.
Bridgeport- TheTraver�neHotspringislocatedjust Eastof395andisthemostInstagram-famousofthe group.ButitmightbetheBuckeyeHotspringthat localswouldinsistwedonotshare.
InMarkleville,California,atriptoGroversHot SpringsisashorttripoverMonitorPass.Featuringa splendidMountaincampingareajustoutside Markleville,GroversHotspringshasagiantspring poolandnicecool-downswimmingpool.
IntheCarsonValley, enjoythefinersideofHotspring experiencesatGenoaHotsprings.A�erward,stopby NevadaOldestBarforanicecocktailinGenoa.
CarsonCity, Hotspringemitsapproximately60gallons of120°Fahrenheitgeothermallyheatedgroundwater perminuteandisthelargesthotSpringintheEagle Valley.
DrivetheRailsin
CarsonCity
TheV&TRailwayEastgate Depotisyourstopforhistory, discoveryandexcitement. ExploreCarsonCity'snewest a�rac�on,CarsonCanyon RailbikeTours,attheV&T RailwayEastgateDepot! These"MadeinAmerica"rail bikesareinnova�veandeasy topedal.
TheCarsonCanyonRailbike Tourisarailbikeexperience thatgivespeopleofallages theopportunitytoseethe beautyoftheCarsonRiver Canyoninawholenewway. Wildhorsesroamthisrange, soluckyvisitorsmightjustsee abeau�fulwildherd.
TheExpedi�onCrawling& SpelunkingTour
AtMoaningCaverns
Readyforabellycrawltoadventureandunseen wonders?
Hometothelargestsinglecavechamberin California,MoaningCavernsisoneofthemost spectacularcavingexpedi�onsinCalifornia.The CrawlingandSplunkingtourisnotforeveryone butforthosewholovetotakeitjustali�lebit furtheranddon'tmindge�ngali�ledirty,this mightbethetripforyou.Visitorswillexplorethe undevelopedpassagesdeepwithinthecavernfor about3hours,anditisanexperienceyouwill rememberfortherestofyourlife.THISISNOT ANEASYWALKINGTOUR!Therearenolights, stairs,orwalkways.Instead,visitorsdaringly explorebyclimbingandbellycrawlingwith lightedhelmetstoshowtheway!
Lookingforali�leeasierbuts�llbeau�fultour? Checkoutthespiralstaircasetour.
BiketheTahoePyramidTrail
Discoverthis60.2-milepoint-to-pointtrailnear TahoeCity,CaliforniatoSparks,Nevada.The Tahoe-PyramidTrail(abbreviatedas'TPT')started asanaudaciousideathat,oncecompleted,will resultinatrailthatfollowstheen�relengthof theTruckeeRiver,fromitssourceatthestunning LakeTahoe(6225ʹ)tothemajes�cdesert terminusofPyramidLake(3796ʹ).
Hikers,runners,walkers,orcyclistscanenjoythe trail(nowat80%comple�on).Oncefully completed,thetrailwilldescendnearly2500ʹin eleva�onoverthecourseofthe114-milelength, usingacombina�onofexis�ngdirt,paved,and historicroads,bikepaths,aswellasmanynewly constructedsec�onsoftrailandconnec�ng bridgesinbothurbanandmoreremotetrail areas.
TakeontheLongBoard
D DESTINATIONS
Hiking
HalfDome inYosemiteNa�onalPark
Expecta�onson YosemiteNa�onal
Parksmostcelebrated
hike.
Risingnearly5,000feetaboveYosemiteValley HalfDomeisaYosemiteiconandabucketlist adventuretomanyhikers.Despitean1865report declaringitwas"perfectlyinaccessible,being probablytheonlyoneoftheprominentpoints abouttheYosemitewhichneverhasbeen,and neverwillbe,troddenbyhumanfoot,"George Andersonreachedthesummitin1875,andinthe processcreatedthepredecessorfortoday'scable route.
The14to16milesround-tripadventuregains 4,800feet,makingtheCablesonlypartofthe difficultexperience.Ifyou'replanningtohikeHalf Dome,youshouldbeingoodphysicalcondi�on. However,therewardisworththeeffort!Along theway,you'llencounteroutstandingviewsof VernalandNevadaFalls,LibertyCap,HalfDome, and—fromthesubdomeandsummit—panoramic viewsofYosemiteValleyandtheHighSierra.
Ittakesmostpeople10to12hourstohiketoHalf Domeandback.Ifyouplanonhikingduringthe day,it'ssmarttoleavebeforeoratsunrise.Check sunriseandsunset�mesbeforeyouembarkon yourhike,andalwaysbringaflashlightor headlampwithfreshba�eriesforeachperson. Althoughthetrailiswellmarked,youshouldbe preparedwithagoodtopographicmapand compass,andknowledgeofhowtousethem.
asYosemiteValleyorhikerscominginfromthe EastviaMayLakes�llneedpermitstoclimb.
Backpackersbeginningawildernesstripoutside YosemiteshouldapplyforHalfDomedayhiker permitsasdayhikers.Itispopularsidetripfor PCTorJMThikerstotryandbagHalfDomeon theirjourney.
PreseasonLo�ery
Duringthepreseasonlo�ery,225permitsare availableforeachdayintheHikingseasonof Yosemite.Theapplica�onperiodforthislo�eryis fromMarch1throughMarch31(eastern �me).Applicantswillreceiveanemailwithlo�ery resultsinmid-Aprilorcangetresultsonlineorby callingRecrea�on.gov.
Oneachpreseasonlo�eryapplica�on,an applicantcanapplyforuptosixpermits(six people)andforspecificrangeofdates.
Applica�onswillonlybesuccessfulifthenumber ofpermitsrequestedisavailableonatleastone oftherequesteddates.Permitswillbe automa�callyawardedtothehighestpriority date,asenteredbytheapplicant.
Allapplicantsmustspecifythenameofthe permitholderandmayspecifythevalidemail addressofanalternatepermitholder.Applicants maybeapermitholderoralternateonlyonceon onlyoneapplica�onduringthepreseason lo�ery.(Thatis,aperson'snamemayappearon onlyoneapplica�on,aseitherapermit holderoralternate).Peopleapplyingmul�ple �mesaspermitholder/alternatepermitholder willhavealltheirlo�eryapplica�onscanceled. Permitsareonlyvalidifthepermitholderand/or alternatespecifiedonthepermitsispartofthe groupusingthepermits.Thepermitholderor alternatemustbepresentwiththeen�regroup atthebaseofthesubdome,whererangerswill checkforpermits.Thenamesofthepermit
holderandalternatemaynotbechangedonce theapplica�onissubmi�ed.Permitsarenot transferable.
Alternatepermitholdersmusthaveorcreatea Recrea�on.govaccountwithinthespecified amountof�menotedontheapplica�on. Alternatesmustacceptthisrolewithinthe specifiedamountof�meortheywillnotbe consideredavalidmemberofthegroup.
DailyLo�ery
Addi�onalHalfDomepermitsareavailableeach daybylo�eryduringthehikingseason.Thedaily lo�erieshaveanapplica�onperiodtwodaysprior tothehikingdatewithano�fica�onlatethat night.(Example-tohikeonSaturday,youwould applyonThursdayandreceiveanemail no�fica�onofresultslateonThursdayevening. Resultsarealsoavailableonline,orbyphonethe nextmorning.)Theapplica�onperiodisfrom midnightto4pmPacific�me.
Dailylo�eryapplica�onsonlyallowapermit holder(noalternate).
Improveyourchances
Thereisnomagicalformula.It'sassimpleas lo�ery.Youapplyandyouwisheverythingisright. Althoughthereisnoguaranteethatsuccessis possible,therearewaysinwhichyoucanincrease yourchancesofachievingthem.Applyonthe weekendsinsteadofweekdays.Youhavemore chancesofbeingselectedonTuesdaysratherthan Saturdays.Maybethejobschedulesmakeyou hard,buttakeitoutofsomeonethathasdoneit. Takingadayoffduringvaca�onwouldbe worthwhile.November–November.Plantotravel fromSeptembertoOctober.Thefollowingmonths aremorelikelythanJulyandAugust.
IfyouhaveflexibilityonwhichdaystohikeHalf Dome,ingeneral,yourchancesofsuccessare higheronweekdays(especiallybeginningatthe endofAugust).Fortheen�re2018season, averagesuccessrateonweekdayswas47%,but only24%onweekends.209/372-0826(MondayFriday,9amtonoonand1pmto4:30pm,March throughearlyOctober).
Alldailylo�erieshaveatwo-dayapplica�on
SierraRecMagazineSpecialEdi�on36h�ps://sierrarecmagazine.com
processbeforethehikeandwillinformtheuser laterintheevening.IfhikingSaturdaythenapply onThursdaywiththeexpectedresultsreceived laterThursdayevening.Resultsarealsoavailable viaemailorbyphoneinperson.Applica�onsare openbetweenmidnightand4PMEST.Daily lo�eryrequestsarelimitedtoonepermit holders(withoutalterna�ve).
HowtoApplyforaPermit
Toapplyforapermit,visitRecrea�on.govorcall 877/444-6777(callcenterisopenfrom7amto9 pmPacific�me;onlinerequestscanbemadeany �meduringalo�eryperiod).
Fees
Twoseparatefeesarecollected.Thefirstfee, whichischargedatthe�meyousubmitan applica�on,is$10.Thisnon-refundablefee, whichisperapplica�on(notperperson),is chargedbyRecrea�on.govforthecostsof processingyourpermitapplica�on.
PermitCheatSheet 2023
Hikingpermits -NoPermitsneeded, you don'tneedapermittodayhikeinYosemite Na�onalPark,withtheexcep�onofHalfDome (whenthecablesareup).
HalfDomepermits -Permitsareavailable viaalo�erythroughRecrea�on.gov.Permits requiredforallvisitswhenthecablesareup, from26May-10October2023.Pre-season lo�eryopensfromMarch1-312023.
Backcountrypermits
-Youalwaysneeda WildernessPermittocampovernightinthe backcountry.Availablebylo�ery24weeksin advancethroughRecrea�on.gov.(Thisincludes WinterandOffSeasonMonth’s)
SierraRecMagazineSpecialEdi�on37h�ps://sierrarecmagazine.com
2023PermitrollingLo�eryOpen
SequoiaandKingsCanyonNa�onalPark–The 2023backpackingseasonforSequoiaandKings CanyonNa�onalParkisuponus.Recrea�on.gov hasofficiallybegunaccep�ngtripi�nerariesfor backpackerslookingtotravelintheearlyseason inoneofthelargestwildernessareasinNorth America.PermitsforSequoiaandKingsCanyon canbereservedthroughalo�erysystem6month plusoneweekinadvance.Soatthis�meweare lookingatMay2023Backpackingopportuni�es.
Theparksoverlieanextraordinarycon�nuumof ecosystemsarrayedalongthegreatestver�cal relief(1,370to14,505feetineleva�on)ofany protectedareainthelower48states.Stunning glacialcanyons,lakebasins,lushmeadows,and sheergranitepeaks–hallmarksofthemost ruggedpor�onoftheHighSierra–formthecore ofthelargestexpanseofcon�guouswildernessin California.
Well-knowndes�na�onssuchasMountWhitney andpopulari�nerariessuchastheJohnMuir Trail,PacificCrestTrail,HighSierraTrail,andRae LakesLoopareheavilytraveledandthereishigh demandforlimitedentry.Thelakebasinsnear LodgepoleandMineralKingarebusyon weekendsbutcanbequietmid-week.Lesserknowndes�na�onssuchastheMonarchDivide, RoaringRivercountry,easternslopesoftheGreat WesternDivide,andtheHocke�Plateaucanoffer outstandingopportuni�esforsolitude throughouttheyear.
Permit&SeasonInforma�on
TheSequoiaandKingsCanyonreserva�onisfora quotaseasonpermitforovernighttravelof wildernessandbackcountryareas(SEKI).Permits issuedbySEKIarevalidforcon�nuouswildernessand backcountrytravelintheSequoia,Sierra,andInyo Na�onalForests(NF)andYosemiteNa�onalPark, subjecttothoseagencies’condi�ons.
ToenterSEKIfromtheJennieLakeWildernessobtain apermitfortheJOPass,BelleCanyon,orSugarloaf entrypoints;toenterfromtheDeerCoveareaofthe MonarchWilderness,obtainaSEKIpermitforthe LewisCreekentrypoint.
ToenterSEKIfromtheInyoNF,SierraNF,Golden Troutpor�onoftheSequoiaNF,orYosemiteNP obtainpermitsfromthoseagencies;thosepermits arevalidforcon�nuoustravelinSEKI.
Whatareyourbestreasonsforgoing?The2-day loweleva�ontrekkingatSequoiaNa�onalPark offerscampinginthegrovesofenormousSequoia trees.Itisperfectforthoseearlyseasonswhen themountainsares�llcovered,butthe excitementishigh.TheMiddleForkTrailisideal forhikingduetothechillyweatherinthespring andautumn.Embracethedirtroadthat’snearly 1.3milesupthemainSequoiaHighwayandpark attheend.Putexcesssnacksinsideyourcarbag andwearshoes.PantherCreekFalls,fishinginthe MiddleForkoftheKaweahRiverforthosewho don’tmindbush-whacking,wildflowersinthe spring,viewsuptheriverdrainagetotheGreat WesternDivide,accesstoRedwoodMeadow(one ofthemostremotesequoiagrovesinthepark).
RaeLakesLoop
This4-5daylooptakesyouthroughmountains andvalleystoenjoybreathtakingviewsonthis spectacularhike.RaeLakeLoophasthetoughest permit-obtainingprocessinSequoia&Kings Na�onalPark.What’swrongwiththat?Almostall thetrailsarefilledwithbreathtakingSierra
landscapes.Thistrailofferseverythingfromthe gnarredwoodfoxtailstothemassivegranitepeak andthebeau�fulalpinelakesfilledwithfresh snow.StartyourwalkattheRoadendandgo clockwise.TheRaeLakesLoopisoneofthemost popularhikesinSequoiaandKingsCanyon,ifnot intheen�reSierra.Theloopis41.4mileslong, andclimbsfrom5035ʹ(1535m)atthetrailheadto 11,978ʹ(3651m)atGlenPass.Itismosto�en accessedviatheWood’sCreektrailhead (clockwise)ortheBubb’sCreektrailhead(counter clockwise).Highwateratstreamcrossingscanbe aprobleminMayandearlyJune.GlenPassmay beimpassabletohikersun�lmid-lateJulyand evenlaterforstock.Becausethisissuchapopular hike,therearecertainrestric�onsalongthistrail: HighSierraTrail–CrescentMeadowto WhitneyPortal
Whyit’sworthgoing:CrossSierraNevada,and thentriumphoverMt.Whitney.It’sabsolutely breathtaking.Itiseasilyoneofthebesttrailsthe Sierraoffers,analpinerompoverhighmountain passes,throughverdantmeadows,pastaremote hotspring,anduptothesummitofMt.Whitney, thehighestpointintheCon�nentalDivide.This7-
daytripisoneofthemostextensiveeleva�on adventuresavailableintheUnitedStates.early seasonmaybeabitofachallengeandthepermit processisabitmorecomplicated.Lookingfora greatreviewofthisen�reroute,checkoutthe ModernHikerReview
HamiltonLake
Whyshouldwegoonthesemagicaltwo-night walksintothecenteroftheWesternDivide? HamiltonLakehasareputa�onforbeinga stunningsapphiregemthathasahigheleva�on barrierthatkeepsmanyhikersout.Thetrekitself isfulloftrueSierrabeautyinallofitsforms. Massivewaterfalls,rushingstreams,colossalcliff faces,andold-growthforestsgreetyoualongthe 15-milejourneyasyouclimb.Thereisan incrediblytoughroadtogoon,buttrustme,it worksoutperfectly.TakingahikefromCrescent MeadowtothehighSierratrailfollowsitswellmarkedupandit’swell-markedoutofBearpaw Meadow.FromBearpawmeadowthehikeis nothingshortofexhaus�ngasitfollowsasetof steepswitchbacksuptothetopofthegreat westerndivide.Formoredetailedtriptakealook atOutdoorProjectreview
Don’tforgettheBearCanister
Thebear-resistantcontainermustremainonthe trailduringthedayunlessthebearcanbeseen overnightandshouldbeusedanywhereelse throughoutSequoiaNa�onalPark.Bearcanscan beboughtatmostvisitorcentersatthe�meof thepermitapplica�on($5pernightand$2.2per extranight).Thefeeis$5.Theseheavycontainers arecumbersomeandseemlikeanuisance,and theykeepbearsfromea�nghumanfood.Ifabear getsusedtothehigh-caloriefoodweconsume everyday,itcanquicklybecomeanissuebear. ThenewBearcanistersfrombearvaultallowfor customizingyourtripssafely.
NotablechangesoftheRecrea�on.govtransi�on
Nomail,email,orfaxreserva�onrequestswillbe accepted.
Thereserva�onwindowcanbeasearlyas6 monthsinadvancetooneweekpriortoyour desiredstartdate.
Real-�mereserva�onavailabilitycanbechecked onRecrea�on.gov.Aninstantreserva�on confirma�onwillbeemailedtoyou.
Youcanlistupto3alternatetripleaders. There’salimitofsixac�vepermitsatanygiven �me.
Thereserva�onfeebasepricehasincreasedfrom $10to$15,buttheper-personfeewillstayat$5.
Integratedpaymentop�onsallowtheabilityto payentryfeesand/ormakecampground reserva�onsatthesame�meyoumakeapermit reserva�on.Pleaselookformoreinforma�onon therecrea�on.govwebsite.
Refundsforcancella�onsandpartysizereduc�ons (>1week).
Abilitytomodifyyourexitdateandi�nerary loca�onsthroughRecrea�on.gov. Emailcommunica�onsabouttrailclosures, advisoriesandimportantinforma�onthrough Recrea�on.gov.
Snowshoe Winnemucca Laketo RoundTop Lakein Mokelumne Wilderness
ByCraigCooperThetrailis7milesroundtripto comple�on,withanoveralleleva�on gainofapproximately1,140feet.The trailheadbeginsabove8,000feet eleva�on,ensuringtypicallygoodsnow coverageduringthewintermonths, evenonless-than-averagesnowpack seasonsfortheSierra.Theareaisan idealloca�onfornotonlysnowshoeing butforcross-countryskiingaswell. ThetrailheadisaccessiblefromCarson Pass,locateddirectlyoffofHighway88. FromNovember-May,Sno-Parkpermits arerequiredforbothparkinglotsnear thesummit.Thesecanbepurchased aheadof�mehere:Irecommend purchasingthesepermitsinadvance,as permitsarenotavailableonsite.
someoftheSierra’smostalluringpeaks andmountainranges.Elephant’sBackis visible,whichisapopularmountainfor backcountrydownhillskiers.RoundTop peakisalsoprominent,toweringat 10,381feetofeleva�on.
Alotofsnowshoersandcross-country skierswillcompletetheirhikesat WinnemuccaLakebutifyouhavethe �meandstamina,Ihighlyrecommend con�nuingontoRoundTopLake.This por�onofthetrailIfindmostdifficult, asyougainapproximately350feetof eleva�oninamilebeforereaching RoundTopLake.Deepinthewinter months,thelakecanbefrozen,crea�ng anincrediblycharmingwinterlandscape atthebaseofoneofthemostunique peaksintheSierra.Duringmymost recenttriptoRoundTopLake,Iwas fortunateenoughtobeabletowitness asmallherdofdeerplayinginthesnow, fromasafedistanceofcourse.You neverknowwhatyou’regoingtorun intointheSierra!
Togetbacktothetrailhead,Itypically justretracemysteps.ImakesurethatI takethe�metotrulyenjoytheviews evenmorealongthemucheasierand muchmoreleisuretrekdownhillbackto theparkinglot.
Withsuchagreatstarttothe2022-2023 winterseason,Iamenthusias�cand eagertogetoutthereandexplorethis magicalplacewecallhome.Hopetosee yououtthere!
ightEast-to-WestScenicByways oftheSierraNevada
SierraNevadaScenic
TravelRoutes
TheNa�onalScenicBywaysProgram,established byCongressin1991,recognizeshistoric,scenic andculturallyimportantroads.TheCalifornia ScenicHighwayProgram,establishedbystate legislaturein1963undertheStreetsand HighwaysCodeSec�on260,seekstoprotectand enhanceCalifornia’snaturalbeautyandscenic resources.
AllthattosaytheSierraNevadaishometosome ofthemostbeau�fulandscenicdrivingand travelexperiencesintheUnitedStates.Thereare mountainpassesthattaketravelersfromEastto Westoverhighal�tudebywaysthatarecarved intomountainsides.Andtherearescenic segmentsonhighwaysthatbothtraveltheedges ofthesierraNevadaorTravelintothemountains toascenicstoppingpoint,givingvisitorsan
incrediblevisualexperienceofmountain authority.
Onthispageyouwillfindabasicdescrip�onto theScenicbywaysandscenicroutesoftheSierra Nevadaandnearbyareasofsignificance.Manyof theseby-wayswehavelargerfeatureinforma�on providedtolinksoftheindividualroutesand storiesornewseventswehavecollectedforyour enjoyment.
TheEightEast-toWestScenic Bywaysofthe SierraNevada
TiogaPass-ScenicRoute120
throughYosemiteNa�onalPark
64miles-Take90minutestodriveorthreehours tovisitplacesalongtheway.TiogaPassisonly openinthesummerandprovidestravelersa scenicroutethroughYosemiteNa�onalPark. DrivingTiogadoesrequireaparkentrancefee butwilltakeyouthroughTuolumneMeadow, andnexttoTenayalakeandOlmstedPointalong theroute.Italsogivesyouaccesstopopular campingareassuchas20Lakesbasin,White WolfLodgeandTuolumneCampground.
SonoraPass-ScenicRoute108
SonoraPass(108)isadesignatedScenicHighway andis64mileseasttowest.Sonoraisknownfor itsstunningviewsofthesurroundinglandscape. ItisthehighesthighwaypassintheSierra Nevada.Itreachesaneleva�onof9,624feetand isonlyopentovehicletrafficduringthesummer months,duetoheavysnowfallinthewinter. SonoraPassoffersaccesstoavarietyof recrea�onalac�vi�es,includinghiking,camping, fishing,andskiing.Thepassisalsohometoa numberofhistoricsites,includingtheExcelsior HotelandtheKennedyMeadowsPackSta�on. OherPopularrecrea�onalareasincludethe Leavi�MeadowontheEastside,TheCrossingof thePCTontopofthepassisgreathikingarea andPinecrestLakeresort.
Ebbe�'sPass-ScenicRoute4
Ebbe�'spassisapureScenictravelexperience. Highlightedbyasec�onofhighwaythatisbarely wideenoughfortwocarsandnowcenterline roadmarkings,Ebbe�'spassisabeau�ful mountaindrivegivingtravelersaccesstoseveral lakes,theMokelumneRiver,BearValleySki resortandCalaverasBigTreeStatePark.
Ebbe�'sPassisapproximately46mileslong.It runsfromthetownofMarkleevilleintheCentral ValleytothetownofArnoldinCalaverasCounty. Thepassitselfreachesaneleva�onof8,730feet. Inthemiddlepor�onbetweenLakeAlpineand SilverCreek,theroadandthetravelexperience changesdrama�cally,becominganarrowtwolaneroadwithnocenterlineandnoshouldersas itslowlywindsitswayupandovertheSierra crest.
Thispartofthebywaycontainssomesteep, narrowandcurvypor�onswithafewprecipitous drop-offs.Therouteisrecommendedforcars andmotorcycles,butisnotaccessibletotractortrailers,busesorlargerecrea�onalvehicles (RV’s).
MonitorPass-HWY89Southern PassNearMarkleville
MonitorPassreachesaneleva�onof8,314feet andisonlyopentovehicletrafficduringthe summermonths,duetoheavysnowfallinthe winter.ThepassislocatedonHighway89andis adesignatedScenicHighway.Itisapopularroute fortravelersheadingtoorfromLakeTahoe,asit offersamorescenicalterna�vetothebusier Highway50.
Thereareseveralrecrea�onalac�vi�esavailable intheareasurroundingMonitorPass,including hiking,camping,fishing,andskiing.Thepassis alsohometoanumberofhistoricsites,including theMonitorPassHistoricSummitandthe MonitorCreekPackSta�on.FallonmonitorPass
isstunningandpopularlocalMotorcycle routefortouring.MonitorPassisalsopart oftheannualDeathRideexperience.
CarsonPass-HWY88Eastto West
Apopularyearroundrouteacrossthe SierraHwy88isapopulardes�na�onfor touristsandoutdoorenthusiasts.Ittravels overCarsonPasat8'574feetandisa popularroutetoandfromSouthLake Tahoe.TheViewsofthesierracrestare stunningfromHwy88andtravelingnext toKirkwoodSkiresortisstunningno ma�erwhatseasonyoupass.CapleLake andSilverLakeprovideroadsidelake accessandthehighAlpinemeadowsof HopeValleyontheeasterslopeofthe sierraisapopularrecrea�onareaallyear round.
TheCarsonPassHistoricSummit:Thisisa historicmarkerlocatedatthehighest pointontheCarsonPassHighway.It marksthespotwherethefirstwagon traintocrosstheSierraNevadabywayof thepasswasbelievedtohavecrossedin the1850s.
TravelingtoSouthLakeTahoemost travelerswillturnontoHWY89andTravel overLutherPassatPicketsJunc�onwhich islocatedjustbeforetheCarsonRiver start'sitsplungedownintotheCarson ValleyofNevada.LutherPassreachesan eleva�onof7,740feetandisopenallyear roundeventhoughitgetsaheavyamount ofsnowinthewinter.ashortroadthat connectsHighway88toHighway50and travelsbyseveralhikingtrails,a CampgroundandtheTahoeRimtrail.
SierraRecMagazineSpecialEdi�on53h�ps://sierrarecmagazine.com
Highway50overEchosummitisthemost populartravelroutefromsouthLakeTahoeto Sacramento.IttravelsfromCarsonCityoverthe SpoonersummitandalongtheeastshoreofLake Tahoe.travelingthroughthecenterofSouthLake TahoeandthenoverEchosummitat7'382feet.It isopenallyearroundeventhoughitreceives considerablesnowfallandEchosummitis historicallyanareaofhighAvalanchedangerin thewinter.Thisscenicroutetravelsnearthe Americanrivera�ercrossingoverEchosummit andishighlightedbyviewsofHorsetailFalls comingoutofDesola�onwilderness.Thisisa populardes�na�onfordayhikesfortravelers comingoverthepass.TheHistoricLodgein Strawberryservesasapopularstoppingloca�on toenjoytheriverandtakeinthescenicregion. LoversLeapisapopularcampingareawithrock climbing,hikingandmountainbikingtrailsnear by.
Highway50alsogivestravelersaccesstothe CrystalBasinrecrea�onareaNorthofthe highwayandthehistorictravelareaofPlacerville California.
YubaPass-Highway49
YubaPassreachesaneleva�onof6,722feetand isopentovehicletrafficyear-round,althoughit canbepronetoheavysnowfallinthewinter.The passisadesignatedScenicHighwayandisa popularroutefortravelersheadingtoorfromthe LakeTahoearea.
TheYubaPassregionfeaturestravelsthrough historicGoldcountryastheYubaRiverpours westerlyfromtheSierraCrestandtheSierra Bu�estotheCaliforniaCentralValley.travelers haveaplethoraofcampingandfishingloca�on ontheYubawithhistoricsitessuchas
Downieville,SierravilleandTheGoldLakes Highway(duringthesummerSeason).
Itisapproximately190miles(306kilometers) longandrunsfromthetownofOakhurstinthe CentralValleytothetownofDownievilleinthe SierraNevada.Thehighwaypassesthrougha numberofhistoricminingtownsandisknownfor itsbeau�fulviewsofthesurroundinglandscape.
TheFeatherRiverHighwayRoute70
TheFeatherRiverHighwayStateRoute70isa scenicrouteknownforitsbeau�fulviewsofthe surroundingwilderness,includingtheFeather RiverCanyon,whichthehighwayfollowsfor muchofitslength.Thehighwaybeginsinthe townofOroville,about70miles(113kilometers) northofSacramento,andendsinthetownof Quincy,about80miles(129kilometers) northwestofLakeTahoe.
TheFeatherRiverHighwayisapopular des�na�onforoutdoorenthusiasts,withmany opportuni�esforhiking,fishing,andother recrea�onalac�vi�esinthesurroundingarea. Thehighwayalsopassesthroughseveralsmall towns,includingBelden,Twain,andClio,which offeravarietyofservices,includinggassta�ons, restaurants,andlodgings.
Thehighesteleva�onontheFeatherRiver Highwayisabout5,340feetabovesealevel.This occursatapointnearthetownofBelden,which isabouthalfwayalongthehighway'slength.
WawonaHotelYosemite
TheWawonaHotelisoneofthemosthistorichotelsinYosemiteNa�onalPark.Thefirstcabinbuilt forlodgingwasin1856gavetravelersaplacetostopandrestandpickupsupplieswhentraveling throughthevalley.TheWawonaHotelisonly4milesfromthesouthentranceoftheparkand28 milesfromtheYosemiteValley,givingitsguestsagreatloca�onintheparkwithoutthecrowds.
TheWawonaHotelisoneoftheoldestmountainresorthotelsinCaliforniaandwascompletely renovatedin2002,givingthehotelitsclassicVictorian-erastyle.Openedformostoftheyear,the WawonaHoteloffersitsguestsacharmingstayinarelaxedenvironmentyets�llclosetoallofthe hustleandbustlethatcon�nuestomakeYosemitealas�ngtradi�onformanyfamilies.
BridgeportInn
Ifyouwishtoexploreandexperiencethedeephistory,atriptotheBridgeportInnisthebestplace tostart.Builtaround1877,thehotelbecamethedes�na�onwheremanyminerssoughttheriches oftheirjourneytotheBodie.RumorsaysSamuelClemensstayedthere.
Withareputa�onforcomfortablelodging,familyfinediningandfriendlyservice,theBridgeportInn
EvergreenLodge
TheEvergreenLodgeisanidealchoicetotraveltoYosemiteandthesurroundingareaandprovides excellentvalueformoney.With0ver100yearsoffamilymemoriesfloodingtheresort,Evergreenhas awholesomevalueofmountainlifethatishardtofindintradi�onaltourismtravel.Amilefrom HetchHetchy,youmayspendthedayshowcasingthelesser-knownbutamazingwaterfall&granite dome.Itendsthedayatacampfirewithlocaleatsandsnacks.
FernCreekLodge
Rus�cromancebloomslikeadesertfloweratFernCreekLodge,oneofJuneLake'soldestand friendliestfamilylodges.Quaintcabinsareaquiethideawayatthebaseofthemajes�cCarsonPeak, whereyoucanliveinpeaceandprivacyinthesecludedhorseshoe-shapedcanyonloopbeforethe drama�cmountainbackdropofMonoBasin.Grillfresh-caughtfishunderthecoveredcanopy barbeques.Hikecanyontrails,sailthelakes,orhorsebackrideintothesunsetofCalifornia’swild west.
HistoricCaryHouseHotel
TheHistoricCaryHouseHotel,abou�queloca�onforindividualsandgatheringsforallinone wedding,celebra�ng,andmee�ng,isconvenientlylocatedintheheartofNorthernCaliforniawine andgoldcountryanddirectlyonthewaytoLakeTahoe.ThealwaysoriginalHistoricCaryHouseHotel isacalmandquietsanctuaryamongtheSierrafoothills.Ourhistoric,smoke-freeloca�on,with spectacularperiodpiecesandan�quesda�ngbackto1857,ismatchedbyexcep�onalservice, dedica�ontodetailandafriendly,comfortableenvironmentwithfreewi-fiandfreeparking.Walk andexperienceMainStreetan�queshops,tastewine,olive,andcheese,browseartgalleries,and tastebeersatlocalbreweries
St.BernardLodge
TheNa�onalExchangeHotel
TheTruckeeHotel
youjustenjoymakingmemoriesintheTahoe Na�onalForestandrelaxingonthebanksofthe pris�neNorthYubaandDownieRivers-Carriage HouseInnwelcomesyouandadventureawaits!
SierraPinesResort-YubaCity
Theresortiscomprisedof40acresofbeau�ful Sierra�mberlandthroughwhichStateHighway 49andtheNorthForkoftheYubaRivermeander forathirdofamile.Onceaboomingmining town,SierraCityhasbecomeapopulartourist areawithmorethanfi�yglaciallakesproviding oneofthefinestandmostbeau�fulrecrea�on areasoftheen�restate.Thelastremainingbarn onthepropertyisover150yearsold.Thetree growingthroughtheroofofthelobbyisa centuryoldRoyalAnnCherryTreewhichs�ll bearsfruiteveryyear.Thetroutpondinfrontof thelodgeis10feetdeepinthecenterandholds severalthousandtrout.Thetroutrangeinsize
from10to28inchesandarene�eddailyforthe restaurant’suse.
LakeElowinResort
TranquilCabinParadiseontheFoothillsof CaliforniaMountainside-EscapetoLakeElowin Resort,oneoftheoldestandtheabsolutebest resortsinThreeRivers,California,21/2miles westofincrediblybeau�fulSequoiaNa�onal Park.LakeElowinResortissetonanenchan�ng landscapealongtheKaweahRiver.Theresort’s beau�fulpark-likelandscapewithshadedlawns andpeacefullakeprovidestheperfectse�ngto enjoytheserenityoftheSierraNevada mountains!Relaxbythekoipond,hikethe nearbySierraNevadamountainsandtrails,visit anelegantvineyard,orcanoedownKaweah River.LakeElowinResortisasecludedCalifornia hiddengemfullofexquisitesurprises!
GoldHillHotel-VirginiaCity
TheGoldHillHotelisapicturesquecountryinn locatedinGoldHill,Nevada,onemilesouthof VirginiaCityintheComstockHistoricDistrict.It istheoldesthotelinNevadaandoffersguest facili�esintheoriginal1861stonestructure,a 1987addi�on,andseveralseparatehistoric buildings.Eachroomfeaturesaprivatebath andisuniquelydecoratedinperiodstylewith an�quesandreproduc�ons.TheCrownPoint Restaurantoffersfinedining,andtheGoldHill Saloonprovidesguestswitharus�c environmenttorelaxandunwind.Called "MarkTwain'sfavoritebar"sincehis�mein GoldHillbackin1862,comebackin�meand enjoyyourfavoriteliba�oninourhistoricbar.
TheRiverRockInninMariposa
Tuckedjustoffthemainstreetintheheartof downtownMariposa,thehistoricRiverRock Innchecksalltheboxeswithnineroomsand suites,averdantgardenpa�oandanadorable
onsitecoffeeshop,S�cksCoffee.Theoriginal structureatRiverRockInnwasbuiltin1891and becameahotelin1941.LikemostMariposahotels, it’sstepsawayfromshopping,dining,drinksand theYARTSbusboundforYosemitedaytrips.
SpringTimeAdventureBrings BlossomsandBigTrees
VisaliaCalifornia,longknownasthegatewayto Sequoia&KingsCanyonNa�onalParks,was recentlydesignatedastheveryfirstCer�fied Au�smDes�na�oninthecountybyIBCCES,a leaderincogni�vetrainingandcer�fica�on.For travelerswithau�smandtheirfamilies,this meanshavingtheabilitytotravelwith confidenceknowingtheywillbetreatedwith understandingandcompassion.VisitVisalia,the city’sdes�na�onmarke�ngorganiza�on,worked withtourism-basedbusinessesthroughoutthe cityincludinghotels,museumsanda�rac�ons, toundergospecializedtraininginau�sm spectrumdisorders.
Theresultisthatkeytourisma�rac�onsaswell as42%ofthehotelsarenowCer�fiedAu�sm Centers–
andthecityhasbeennamedaCer�fiedAu�sm Des�na�on.
Hereisaspring�meBlossomTraili�nerarythat familiescanfollowthatincludesavisittothe nearbySequoia&KingsCanyonNa�onalParks aswellasprovidesfamily-friendlyhotelsand a�rac�onsthatareCer�fiedAu�smCenters.
AtthebaseoftheSierraNevadamountains,in California’sCentralValley,agriculturalfields dominatethelandscape.AndTulareCountyis themostdiversifiedagproducingareainthe world.Thispowerhouseofagricultureputsona spring-�medisplayofblossomsthata�racts visitorsfromalloverthestateforachanceto seethisamazingdisplay.ForVisalia,inTulare County,thefieldsthatsurroundthecitybecome awashwithcolorasthetreesbegintosprout
theirfloralbuds.More than120cropsgrowinand aroundVisaliaandthe orange,plum,almond, peach,andapricottrees burstwithvibrantpinks andsnowywhiteblossoms eachspring�me.Almonds, walnuts,blueberriesand otherfruitsandnutsare alsopreparingfortheir annualharvest.
Star�nginlateFebruary throughMarchvisitorscan takeadrivetoseethe BlossomTrailfor themselves.Whetheryou areheadedtoSequoiaor KingsCanyonNa�onalPark andwanttotakeaquick detouralongthewayto viewtheblossomsoryou wanttospendan a�ernoonexploringthe orchardsandgrovesat leisure,wehave�pstosee oneofthebestblossom trailsinCalifornia. Alongtheblossomtrail, visitorscanseenotonly thegrovesoforangesand orchardsoffruitandnut trees,butalsosmallfarms andbigdairiesfordeeper lookintothisregionthat feedstheworld.
Stopalongthewaytotake atour,visitape�ngzoo, ortasteoliveoil.Visita farmstore,thefarmer’s marketoracornerfruit
stand.Dineinarestaurant wherelocalchefsmakethe freshestingredientsshine. Immerseyourselfina regionwhere“farmto fork”isnotjustatagline, it’sawayoflife.
BLOSSOMTRAILROUTE
Usetheblossomtrailmap (availableforfreeonthe VisitVisaliawebsite)asa star�ngpointfor youradventure,thenfeel freetoexplore.Because theroadsandavenuesare onagrid,youcan headoffthebeatenpath ortakesideroadstoget theSequoiaorKings CanyonNa�onalPark andnevergettoolost.You canstartanywherealong thetrail,spendasmust �measyoulike exploring,andviewthe beau�fulbloomsalongthe way.Ifyouareheadedto theparksfora visit,takeabriefsidetrip toenjoythespring blossoms.SequoiaNa�onal Park
Foran“off-the-beatenpath”routetoSequoia Na�onalPark,head towardsFarmerBob’s World.FollowRoute216
throughWoodlakeandconnectwithHighway198 whichgoestotheparkentrance.Thisroutewill takeyouthroughPlums,Almonds,Orangesand Pomegranates.
Therearemorecropsthatgrowalongthisroute butmaynotbeinbloom.Ifyouseeafarmstand alongtheway,stopinandseewhat’sinseason. TheMainSqueezeMarket,alongHighway198just beforeLakeKaweahisagreatplacetostop.
KingsCanyonNa�onalPark
FromdowntownVisalia,Highway63headsnorth towardHighway180andtheentrancetoKings CanyonNa�onalPark.Foraquickdetourand bloomviewing,takeRoad120whichparallels Highway63tothewest.Thiswilltakeyouthrough orangegroves,stonefruit(likepeaches)andeven olives!
Moretodo:
� Ifyouhave�me,bookatouratFarmerBob's WorldatMcKellarFarms.TheyareaCer�fied Au�smCenter.Theircitrusranchhasbeenfamily ownedfornearly100years.Theyofferwagon toursofthegrovesaswellaseduca�onalexhibits tolearnmoreabouttheprocesstogetthe orangesfromthefieldtoyourtable.
FarmerBob’sWorldwillalsohostaCitrus Celebra�onApril1-8.
Alongwithwalkingtoursthefragrantorchardsat peakblossom�me,heofferswagontours,u-pick andfun,farmanimals.
� BigLRanchisafunspotforU-Pickblueberriesin season.Theyalsohostfamilyfriendlyevents,have canoesandkayakstorentalongtheriver,and seasonalac�vi�es.
� A�eradrivealongtheblossomtrail,takethe kidstoVisaliaAdventurePark,alsoa
Cer�fiedAu�smCenter.Therearelotsoffamilyfriendlyac�vi�esincludingminiaturegolf,Ko-Kart racetrack,andsummer-�mefunatSequoia SpringsWaterslides.
� ImagineUChildren’sMuseumisthebesthandsonspaceforkids.AlsodesignatedaCer�fied Au�smCenter,themuseumhasspecialsensoryfriendlyplaydateseachmonth.
� TulareCountyMuseumandArtsVisaliaareboth Cer�fiedAu�smCentersandofferaddi�onal placestoexploreduringyourvisit.Oneofthe largestna�veAmericanbasketcollec�onson displayisattheTulareCountyMuseuminMooney GrovePark.
Wheretostay:
Visaliahas6hotelsthatareCer�fiedAu�sm Centers.Theyare:BestWestern,ComfortSuites Downtown,HamptonInn,LampLiterInn,Marrio� Hotel,andtheWyndhamHotel.
TravelthroughoutCalifornia:
IfyouplantotraveltootherareasofCalifornia, followourCaliforniaAu�smRoadTrip.Eachofthe a�rac�onslistedareCer�fiedAu�smCentersand makeagreatstoponaCaliforniaroadtrip.From thenewlyopenedSesamePlaceinSanDiego,to L.A.sGRAMMYMuseum,totheSantaBarbaraZoo andtheSixFlagsproper�es,au�s�cadventures andtheirfamilieswillhavelotstoexplore.
Eaglesand Agriculture
Callingwildlifeloverstothe CarsonValley!Thisannual Winterweekendshowcasesbird, wide-openspacesandthecutest calvesimaginable!Eachyear,the calvingseasondrawsraptors, includingbaldeagles,toCarson Valley.
EaglesandAgriculturecelebrates theirarrivalandoffersachance towitnessthesemajes�cbirds. Highlightsoftheeventinclude anopeningdinner,where falconersbringtheirbirdsforup closeviewing,toursforexclusive accesstotheranches.
ComeLinetheroadwayswith yourCamerasaslocalrancher playtheirpartandbringthe ca�lefrontandcenterforthe show.
Eagles&Ag2023:January26th throughJanuary29th
Jumping FrogJubilee
Locatedinthebeau�fulrolling foothillsofCalifornia’sGold Countryjustoutsidethequaint GoldRushtownofAngelsCamp, theinterna�onalTheCalaveras CountyFairandJumpingFrog Jubileeisdisguisedasasmall townfairharkeningbacktoa simplerera.
Butdon’tletappearancesfool ya.TheCalaverasCountyFair andJumpingFrogJubileeblends goodol’fashionedfunwitha heartydollopofworldliterary history.Heldthe3rdweekendin Mayeachyear(Thursday throughSunday)theCalaveras CountyFairandJumpingFrog Jubileecommemoratesthestory thatlaunchedMarkTwain’s career,TheCelebratedJumping FrogofCalaverasCounty. May18th -21st 2023-MarkYour Calendars
TheHighSierraMusicFes�valis anannualmusicandcamping fes�valthattakesplacein Quincy,California.Itwas foundedin1991andhasbeen heldeveryyearsincethen.The fes�valfeaturesavarietyof musicalgenres,includingrock, bluegrass,funk,jazz,andmore. Inaddi�ontomusic,thefes�val alsooffersavarietyofother ac�vi�es,suchasyoga,hiking, andcra�s.Thefes�valisheld overthecourseoffourdaysand typicallytakesplaceinlateJune orearlyJuly.
Inyo National Forest
2023 Seasonal Recreation Positions
TheInyo National Forest is hiring seasonal recreation positions starting mid-June available in a variety of exciting and rewarding trails, facilities and developed recreation. preserving andprotecting to apply!
Recreation specialists and technicians perform most of their duties outdoors, which could include trail repair, campground and facilitieis maintenance, visitor information and wilderness protection. Positions are available across the Inyo in Bishop, Lee Vining, Lone Pine and Mammoth Lakes, CA.
To connect with a recruiter, email inf_outreachresponse@usda.gov.
ResolvingtoGetinShapein2023?
Don’tForgetYourFeet
StatePoint)Whileyoumaywanttotoneyour abs,glutesandtricepsinthenewyear,there’s oneo�en-overlookedareaofthebodythat deservesyoura�en�ontoo:yourfeet!
“Alotofpeoplehitthegymordustofftheir homeexerciseequipmentinJanuary,”says DanielleBu�o,DPM,FACFAS,aboard-cer�fied footandanklesurgeonandaFellowMemberof theAmericanCollegeofFootandAnkle Surgeons(ACFAS).“Butwithoutproper precau�ons,anewexerciserou�necancause footandankleinjuriesthatcouldsidelineyou justasyou’rehi�ngyourstride.”
AccordingtoACFAS,here’swhattoknowasyou followthroughonyourresolu�ontogetfit:
CommonInjuries
•Don’tplaythroughthepainofananklesprain. Avoidingtreatmentcannotonlycausefurther damagetotheligamentswhichmaytakemuch longertohealorpossiblyrequiresurgery,but youmaybeoverlookingamoreseriousinjury— astressfracture.
•Astressfracturemayfeellikeananklesprain atfirst,butyou’llno�ceaddi�onalwarning signs,suchasswellingwithoutbruising,and painevenduringnormalac�vi�esorwhen touchingthearea.Ifyouhaveanyofthese
symptoms,haveyourfootandankleevaluated byafootandanklesurgeonassoonaspossible.
•PainorswellingaroundyourAchillestendon a�eraworkoutcouldbeindica�onsofAchilles tendoni�s.Untreated,astretchedorstrained Achillestendonmayworsenover�me,leadingto s�ffnessandfa�gueinyourinjuredleg.Worse yet,untreatedAchillestendoni�scouldresultin arupturedtendonrequiringsurgeryanda rehabilita�onofseveralmonths.
•Heelpainthatlastsformorethanadayortwo, orworsenswhenyoustanda�ersi�ngforan extendedamountof�me,maybeplantar fascii�s.Thiscommoncondi�onisaresultof inflamma�onofthe�ssueextendingfromyour heeltoyourtoes.Ifcaughtearly,yourfootand anklesurgeoncanrecommendat-home condi�oning.Inlatestages,plantarfascii�sis hardertotreatandtakeslongertoresolve.
Preven�onTips
Thegoodnews?Manyinjuriesarepreventable. Footandanklesurgeonsofferfive�pstohelp youkeepyourfeetandankleshealthy: Besmart. Considerconsul�ngapersonaltrainer atfirsttoensureyou’reprac�cinggoodform, andtoincreasethedura�onandintensityof yourworkoutsgraduallyandsafely.
Stretch.Incorporatemobilityandstretchinginto yourfitnessregimen,par�cularlybeforeand a�erworkouts.
Befootwearaware. Wearproperly-fi�ng athle�cshoesthatsupportthearchofthefoot, provideheelcushioningandaredesignedforthe exerciseinwhichyou’reengaged.These measurescanhelpyouavoidplantarfascii�sand neuromas.Wearco�onornonslipsockstohelp preventpainfulblisters,whichcanbecome infectedandcausemoreseriousissues,
especiallyifyouhavediabetes.
Guardagainstbacteria. Sweatyshoes,public showers,exerciseequipmentandthepooldeck arebreedinggroundsforfungus,virusesand bacteria.Wearwatershoesinpublicareas,and a�erworkouts,andgetyourfeetcleananddry quickly.
Bookanappointment. Footandanklepainisn’t normal.Itsignalsaproblemthatneedstobe evaluated,diagnosedandtreatedbyaspecialist whofullyunderstandsthispartofthebody.To findafootandanklesurgeonnearyou,usethe “FindaPhysician”searchtoolat FootHealthFacts.org.
“Whenyouexercise,yourfeetand anklesdoatonofworkholdingyou upandabsorbingtheshockofeach stepyoutake,”saysDr.Bu�o.“So,as youkickoffyournewfitnessrou�ne, don’tforgettoprotectthem.”
PHOTOSOURCE:(c)kazumaseki/iStockvia Ge�yImagesPlus
Phillipsgraduatedfrom StanfordUniversityand spenthercareerworking inwaterresourcesalong theTruckeeRiverin Nevada.Whenshe re�red,sheknewshe wantedtospendher�me crea�ngtheonethingshe sawmissingalongthe TruckeeRiver;atrailforall toenjoy.Phillipsworked withtwostates, numerouscoun�es,the railroad,andcountless otheragenciestoget approvaltobuildsec�ons ofthetrail.In2019, Phillipswasnamedthe Reno-SparksCi�zenofthe YearbytheRenoGaze�eJournal.EDAWNalso awardedherthe President’sAward. Inaddi�ontoherprimary loveoftheTPTJanet servedasChair,from incep�on,oftheTruckee RiverFundwhichhas awardedmorethan268 grantstotalingwellover $10million.Shewasa generoussupporterofa widevarietyofchari�es includingKeepTruckee MeadowsBeau�ful,the ChildAssaultPreven�on, WomenandChildren’s CenteroftheSierra,the Alzheimer’sAssocia�on, theNa�onalFounda�on forCancerResearch,the OvarianCancerResearch
Alliance,Resurge, Compassion&Choices, andFINCA.
Phillipsfoughtavaliant ba�leagainstcancerfor nearly2years.Herlegacy willforeverbecrea�ng theTahoePyramidTrail whichisalreadyenjoyed bythousandsofhikers andcyclistseveryyear. TosupportJanet’slegacy andthecomple�onofthe trail,pleasevisit h�ps:// tahoepyramidtrail.org/ donate/ Amemorialservicefor Phillipswillbeheldalong thetrailthisspring. JanetPhillips1952–2022
Tahoe-PyramidTrail Founder
Remember the last time your family visited the forest? It’s a place of wonder and imagination for the whole family—where stories come to life. And it’s closer than you think. Sounds like it’s time to plan your next visit. Make the forest part of your story today at a local park near you or find one at DiscoverTheForest.org.