Yosemite Blog

Category: News

  • Don’t Like the Smell of Sweaty Feet? Don’t Cancel Your Trip Yet.

    I spoke to Adrienne Freeman with the National Park Service yesterday and if you’ve been thinking about canceling your trip to Yosemite because the prospect of smelling the aroma of sweaty-feet from the recently discovered Yosemite bog-orchid, don’t worry about it. The populations of the flowers are so small you probably won’t notice the smell…

  • More Smoke in the Valley

    The smoke you’re seeing in the Valley and on the webcams is from a controlled burn set to take place this morning. The burn is approximately 36 acres and runs between the Merced River and Southside Drive, from El Cap Crossover to the Sentinel Beach Picnic Area and is projected to last one day. If…

  • Take a Tour with Your Own Tour Guide

    Yosemite is a large, wondrous place but unless you have your own tour guide it’s hard to know what you’re seeing. That’s why the National Park Service, Yosemite Association and Big Escapes came up with the Explorer, a handheld device that leads you on a personalized video tour of the Lower Yosemite Falls loop. Developed…

  • Researchers Solve Mystery of Orchid in Yosemite

    Biologists in Yosemite have solved an age-old mystery and discovered a new species of orchid, the Yosemite bog-orchid. USGS: “The Yosemite bog-orchid is an example of how both historic and contemporary plant specimens can serve to inform scientists and managers about the biological diversity of natural reserves,” said Peggy Moore, a USGS plant ecologist in…

  • Fire. It’s a Natural Thing

    Carol from Indiana writes in to ask: “What’s happening in the high country behind half dome? On the live web cam from yosemite.org , from Sentinal Dome, there’s smoke rising. I thought I saw it yesterday, and now it’s even bigger. Is it another prescribed burn or something worse.” Well Carol there are a number…

  • Smoke in the Valley

    Just got word that the controlled burns by Bridal Veil Falls are filling the valley with thick smoke. Visibility is poor. You’re unable to see Half Dome from Ahwahnee meadow. If you have asthma or are sensitive to smoke you may not want to be out hiking around the Valley. Thanks, Edie. Technorati Tags: yosemite,…

  • No Entrance Fee Increase Next Year

    Though it will take a projected $1.2 million in revenue from the NPS budget next year, the National Park Service has decided to waive the entrance fee increase for Yosemite. This is good news for local communities surrounding the park who rely on tourist money. Fresno Bee: Vehicle fees to get into Yosemite National Park…

  • Man Falls From Half Dome

    In a tragic accident, a man climbing the cables on Half Dome lost his footing and plummeted down the side of the mountain to his death on Saturday. Modesto Bee: Hirofumi Nohara, 37, of Japan, was ascending Half Dome mid afternoon when he slipped and fell, Yosemite park ranger Adrienne Freeman said. He was pronounced…

  • Check this Out: Annual Yosemite Indian Big Time June 16-17

    If you’re in Yosemite Valley this weekend be sure to check out the annual Yosemite Indian Big Time at the Indian Village June 16th and 17th. There will be Indian crafts and traditional cultural activities, games and dancing. This is a very special even that few National Parks enjoy. So stop by the Indian Village…

  • Tuolumne Campground Opens for Season

    Tuolumne campground is now open and in operation. Sites are available on a first come-first served basis until July 14th when 1/2 the campground will be open for reservations. Tip: To get a site try to be at the registration office a little before checkout time to get campsites as they’re vacated. Some people like…