Travel, Vacation, Sierra Camping, fishing, hiking, Yosemite

Explore the turn-of-the-century stage to Yosemite

Saturday, October 15, 2011

The Stage Route Tour is a six-hour bus tour that explores the late 1800s and early 1900s history of Eastern Madera County, concentrating on the stages that traveled to Yosemite. The tour starts at the Coarsegold Historic Museum, 31899 Hwy 41, and offers oral history from two tour leaders, both lifelong residents of the area. The bus travels from Coarsegold to Knowles where the group visits the old St. Ann’s Church and the Hill’s Pride Inn, the second oldest bar in California. On to the Raymond Museum to explore the old railroad station master’s home (and caboose!) and the history of the area where the tourists moved from the train to the stage to head to Yosemite. On up historic Road 600 with a stop at what was a booming mining town, Grub Gulch. On to the Wassama Roundhouse for an included lunch and lecture on this Indian Ceremonial building. The old town of Fresno Flats (now Oakhurst) is next. Travel some old wagon routes, then a walking tour of old Coarsegold completes the tour. Back to the Coarsegold Museum for a tour of three buildings, (the adobe “way-station” is over 100 years old) and an afternoon dessert and tea/coffee (about 2:30-3 p.m.).

The tour is by reservation only. Tickets are $40 ($35 members). Make reservations by sending a $10 nonrefundable deposit, your name and phone number to CHS (Coarsegold Historical Society), PO Box 117, Coarsegold, CA 93614. You may also call 559-642-4448 for information or send an email to CHS@sti.net

Saturday, June 4^th, 3 to 8 p.m., 31899 Hwy 41

The Coarsegold Historical Society is pleased to again offer an entertaining afternoon and evening of music, good food and entertainment at its Coarsegold Historic Museum, 31899 Hwy 41 (just south of Chukchansi’s Lucky Lane). This year the outdoor event will feature the toe-tapping music of the String Bandits with young Jack Kinney on the fiddle. Also, the amazing “Prestidigitations of Dr. Phineas T. Barnabus” will delight everyone! There will be demonstrations of crafts and various arts. There will be a “Children’s booth” to keep them entertained. A snack shack will be available and an included picnic dinner will be served. We suggest attendees bring their own comfy chair; our chairs are metal.

Tickets for the event are $20 for adults until May 31; June 1 to 4 they will be $25. Children 6 to 12: $10; under 6 free. Tickets may be purchased at the museum and at other locations—call the museum for information: 559-642-4448 or mail a check with name and address to CHS, PO Box 117, Coarsegold, CA 93614 and tickets will be mailed. Email questions to: CHS@sti.net

Pack up your hiking boots and get ready to embark on an adventured filled with some of nature’s most stunning wonders. With the Yosemite Wildflowers and Waterfalls Package available through the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, guests will receive a personalized, guided tour of Yosemite’s secret spots where they can discover the park’s most gorgeous falls and vibrant wildflowers. And when it comes to waterfalls at Yosemite – with snowmelt as the driving force – spring and early summer are the peak times to glimpse falls at their mightiest. This package, starting at $575 for two adults, includes one-night’s accommodations in a Deluxe or Cottage Room, a customized guided tour for two and two lunches to go to enjoy during your adventure. Additional persons may be added on. To make reservations or receive more information, visit TenayaLodge.com/spring or call 888-514-2167. Use promo code WATERFALLS.

Whitewater River Rafting Package (April – July) As the Merced River tumbles and twists out of Yosemite Valley into a "raftable" whitewater river 4 miles below the town of El Portal, the adventure begins. Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions, the largest rafting outfitter in the Sierra region takes visitors through abundant rapids confined by a narrow corridor, making this package a memorable vacation for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure-seekers alike. This package is available for Sunday through Thursday night stays, starting at $319 per night for two adults. It includes a two-night stay with deluxe or cottage room accommodations, two full-day whitewater rafting trips with all necessary equipment, cold beverages and a full deli-style lunch. To make reservations and view a full trip itinerary, visit TenayaLodge.com/spring or call 888-514-2167. Use promo code WHITEWATER.

The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Rail Road is planning for an April 8 opening, delayed a few weeks from their original plan due to heavy snow.

Max Stauffer, owner of the popular historic railroad just south of the Highway 41 entrance to Yosemite National Park had planned on opening March 19. The next day, however, a series of storms dropped anywhere from five to nine feet of snow along the four-mile route the train runs through the Sierra National Forest.

"We’ve been doing a lot of clean up after these storms," said Stauffer. "In addition to the snow there were a lot of trees down so we’ve been clearing those as well as plowing the lines," he said.

"Weather permitting, we’ll open up on April 8. We’re not expecting any more heavy storms, so we’re holding pretty firm to that date."

The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Rail Road runs two authentic, narrow-gauge Shay locomotives through the Sierra National Forest. Engine 10 was built in 1928 and Engine 15 in 1913. The regular tours highlight the scenic beauty of the area while describing the unique history of the region, all while recreating an authentic logger train experience.

Starting in May, the rail road also offers the Moonlight Special, which includes a BBQ dinner, live entertainment during dinner and at stop at the picnic area where everyone gathers around a large campfire with more entertainment on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.

In addition to the train, there is also a historic museum that showcases how life was in the region at the turn of the century. "In the late 1800′s and early 1900′s, loggers worked the mountains providing wood for the Industrial Revolution. Their tools and way of life is shown at the museum" said Stauffer.

The region’s history in the gold rush is also recreated at a gold panning sluice box where kids are taught how to find gold. "They really love getting their hands in there and actually finding gold. It always gets a big smile for them," said Stauffer.

To see a full schedule and learn more, visit the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Rail Road website at www.YosemiteSteamTrains.com.

THE COARSEGOLD HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S MUSIC IN THE MEADOW WILL BE ON JUNE 4TH FROM 3:00-8:00 p.m., . ART, DINNER AND MUSIC, PLEASE CONTACT CHS at 559-642-4242 for FURTHER DETAILS.

All roads into Yosemite National Park have reopened this morning, pending weather and safety along the roadways. This includes park entrances via Highways 120, 140, and 41. The park is open to visitors until 7:00 p.m. this evening. Reservations for rooms in the park will be honored this evening. The Hetch Hetchy Road and the Badger Pass Road will remain closed until further notice.
Yosemite National Park will be fully open to the public beginning tomorrow, Friday, March 25, 2011. Again, this is contingent upon the weather and safety on the roads. There is no electrical power throughout the park and power is projected to be restored sometime this weekend. Generator powered lodging will be available in Yosemite Valley beginning Friday evening. Heated tent cabins will also be available at Curry Village.
Limited food and retail services are available to the public today, and full services will return on Friday. Badger Pass Ski Area will remain closed throughout the weekend. Additionally, all campgrounds in Yosemite Valley will remain closed until noon on Monday, March 28.
The Merced River Plan (MRP) Recreation Workshop that was scheduled for Friday, March 25, 2011, has been postponed due to the winter storm activity. A new date for the workshop has not been determined.
A winter storm warning remains in effect until Friday morning. Current road conditions in Yosemite National Park and park operating hours are available by calling 209-372-0200. Road conditions outside of Yosemite can be found by calling 1-800-427-7623.  
Bus service to Yosemite via the Highway 140 corridor on the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) will begin an abbreviated schedule tomorrow, March 25. Buses into Yosemite Valley will include Runs 2, 3, and 5. Buses leaving Yosemite Valley will include Runs 9, 11, and 12. YARTS will begin the regular weekend schedule beginning Saturday, March 26. Please check www.yarts.com for current schedules.
The park anticipates returning to full operations by Monday, March 28, 2011.

Yosemite National Park will be without electricity for three to six days after a powerful weekend storm forced officials to close the park amid power outages and blocked roads.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. says a rock slide broke an integral transmission pole that serves Yosemite and El Portal.The utility must fly in a replacement pole by helicopter since snow is blocking vehicle access to the location..

Feb 12, 2011 – Fish Camp, CA, Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite will be celebrating Earth Hour by encouraging guests to shut off the lights in their rooms and head to the lobby for special Earth Hour Events. In addition, The Lodge will be shutting off any non-essential lighting on the premises. Earth Hour is globally celebrated from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

From its inception as a single-city initiative in 2007, Earth Hour has grown into a global movement where hundreds of millions of people from every continent join together to acknowledge the importance of protecting our planet.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite will be hosting a complimentary flashlight hike from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., complete with “Spark in the Dark” Life Savers®. Following the hike, there will be a “Malibu Bike” in the lobby from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., where guests can make their own complimentary blended drinks by pedaling a bicycle to operate a blender. Complete the night with stargazing from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with professional astronomer Steve Harness on the new Terrace, with its expansive views of the High Sierra starry clear skies.

Jackalope’s Bar and Grill will be offering the following Earth Day specials throughout the day: 1) Organic and sustainable heirloom tomato salad with organic watercress and local spiced almonds, served with valley honey-pistachio dressing. 2) Wilted organic spinach topped with trap caught sustainable shrimp, quinoa and local orange-tarragon salsa. Jackalope’s is 100% compliant with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program by responsibly sourcing sustainable seafood to protect the oceans.

The Ascent Spa at Tenaya’s true total well-being philosophy creates and provides a unique integration of therapeutic services that are authentic and mindful of the natural surroundings. Ascent is proud to feature an exclusive line of handcrafted Kimberly Parry Organic, one of the highest-rated certified organic skin care lines available, that offers a combination of natural and sustainable herbal blends indigenous to the Southern Sierra. In celebration of Earth Hour, 5% of all revenue on Kimberly Parry Organic spa products sold will be donated to the Yosemite Conservancy. Additionally, Kimberly Parry will be matching every donation.

For more information or to make reservations for Earth Day Events, call Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite at 888-514-2167, option 3 or visit online at www.TenayaLodge.com

Yosemite National Park will require Day Use Permits seven days per week for climbing the Half Dome cables during the summer 2011 season. Day Use Permits were required Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the 2010 summer season. However, due to high volumes of people on the cables during the non permitted days, the park is instituting the seven day requirement. This is part of a two year interim program designed to address crowding on the cables that has been occurring over the past few years.
Hiking to the top of Half Dome is one of the most popular hikes in Yosemite National Park. The iconic granite monolith, at 8,842 feet above sea level, attracts people from all over the world who attempt to climb to the summit. Most visitors ascend Half Dome via the cables, which are in place from mid-May through mid-October. Most visitors begin and end their hike at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. This is an approximately 17 mile round-trip journey.
Permits are available by reservation starting March 1, 2011 for climbing the cables in May and June, 2011. Reservations for the permits can be made online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Subsequent permits will be available at the beginning of each month for permits three months in advance. Each person climbing the Half Dome cables will be required to have their own permit. Up to four permits may be obtained under one reservation. The permits are free, however, there is a non-refundable $1.50 service charge per person for each permit obtained.
The previous system did not allow hikers to cancel a portion of their Day Use Permit without canceling the entire permit. However, several user-friendly changes have been made to maximize flexibility for hikers wishing to obtain a permit. These include a feature that allows users to reduce the number of hikers on their existing reservation without canceling the entire permit. Another added feature is that users can cancel unneeded permits up to the day before to their planned climb. Additionally, users can now reserve available permits up to the day before their planned climb.
Hikers who obtained Half Dome Cables Day Use Permits and are unable to use them are urged to cancel their reservations through www.recreation.gov. Although the service charge will not be refunded, this will enable other hikers to obtain available permits. Hikers interested in reserving a Day Use Permit should be aware that the Half Dome cable permit page on www.recreation.gov will not be fully functioning until the week prior to March 1, 2011. However, information regarding the Half Dome hike is currently available on the website.
A visitor use study on the 2010 Half Dome Cables Day Use Permit is available at http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/half-dome-cables.htm. To learn more about the Half Dome hike please visit http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm