Early highway openings at Sierra passes
Spring arrives to the high country Tioga Pass, the epic Sierra pass that crowns Yosemite National Park at an elevation of 9,943 feet, is projected to open May 11. That would the fourth-earliest opening...
View ArticleAmazing Monterey orca, humpback sightings (photo gallery & video)
Those aboard whale watching boats Sunday in Monterey Bay feasted on rare sightings of a pod of killer whales on the move -- plus sensational tail salutes from humpback whales, and a sighting of a blue...
View ArticleTahoe opens early — see how on trek to Crag Lake (photo gallery & video)
Tahoe and its world-renown recreation, from the Lake Tahoe shore up to Desolation Wilderness in the remote high country, is opening up. This early access to Desolation, one of the most popular...
View ArticleThunderstorms and lightning harpoon Sierra Nevada — new Tioga opening
Snow in the high country and pockets of heavy rain on the west slopes of the Sierra Nevada is making for some big changes — and a new Saturday opening date for Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park. In...
View ArticleLightning sparks high country to life (amazing Yosemite image)
A wave of thunderstorms and lightning strikes swept across Northern California this week. The above photo by Nolan Nitschke, 27, at Yosemite National Park might be the most dramatic lightning photo...
View ArticleAmazing sightings: Hawk gives blackbird free ride (gallery)
Spend enough time in the outdoors and you never know what you might see. Take your camera with a long lens with you and you can bring the memories home to share. This is what photographer Eric Dugan...
View ArticleAt Yosemite: Glacier Point Road Trailheads
My Sunday Drive Getaway in Sunday’s Chronicle is “Yosemite: Glacier Point Trailheads.” The photos, above of Yosemite Falls, below from Glacier Point of Half Dome, were captured at 8:30 a.m. Sunday from...
View ArticleMemorial Day recreation outlook, great to nightmare
Conditions for the coming Memorial Day Weekend could hardly be more disparate –- from great to nightmare — across the state as the recreation season launches for summer. People are included in that...
View ArticleWeather matching up for outdoors, World Series
If you’re a Giants fan and outdoors lover, the weather and World Series schedule matches up close to perfect in the coming week. “It’s classic start to a fall weather pattern,” said Michael Pechner,...
View ArticleChron readers’ search for perfect park leads to surprise Bay Area destination
The search for the perfect park for a group hike with Chronicle members isn’t much different than what many do every weekend. These are the factors: Relatively unknown. Beautiful. Destinations with...
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