It’s 7pm on a warm mid-August evening and I’m halfway down the wall of the Tuolumne River canyon. Far below me, meandering like a silvered serpent, runs the river—still distant though I’ve already been hiking downhill for half an hour. Faint murmurs of running water and fragments of voices from a rafting party camped on a lone sand bar rise up to greet me on the delicious, velvety-soft air. 

I hadn’t planned on walking this far down—the climb back up will leave me exhausted and drenched in sweat—but the canyon pulls me in, each turn in the trail promising yet another closer view of the river, and I can’t help myself. The opposite hillside has already taken on the deepening yellows of late summer grasses, accented by the oranges and reds of the setting sun; and upriver the canyon reveals its source, a glimpse of high peaks and lingering snowy patches on the Sierra crest. The scene is utterly enchanting. 

Written by David Lukas

David Lukas is a professional naturalist and writer. For more than 20 years, he has conducted nature tours and classes in places such as Peru and Borneo. He is the author of Wild Birds of California and the newly revised Sierra Nevada Natural History guidebook, the classic hiker’s handbook to plants and animals of the Sierra Nevada. He also wrote the environment chapter for the Lonely Planet travel guide to Yosemite National Park, and several hundred newspaper and magazine articles on nature.

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Do you have an opinion about the Merced River? The National Park Service and Yosemite National Park are seeking the public’s ideas for a plan to protect the Merced River, which runs through the heart of Yosemite Valley.

In response to public comments the public scoping period has been extended to February 4, 2010.

According to Ranger Kari Cobb the Park is seeking public comment on how to preserve the pristine beauty of the Merced River but at the same time make it available for visitors to enjoy.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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Summertime, sweet summertime:  school is out, warm weather is here, and you just might be ready to sign up for that whitewater rafting trip you’ve long been considering.  There’s no time like the present!

Ask yourself some questions first to help you decide what river trip is right for you. Be honest.  What do you like? Are you an adrenaline junkie? Do you enjoy stepping out of your comfort zone? Are you looking for a fun, one-day rafting trip for the entire family? Have you rafted before, loved it and want to step it up a notch? Are you looking for something close to home? Are you looking for stunning scenery? Do you want to combine your river trip with another activity to turn it into a vacation?

California rivers are rated Class I – V.  Here is a brief explanation of river ratings to help you decide what is right for you:

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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What the ?#%$#@!?!  Can it be?  The unofficial start of summer… Memorial Day Weekend?  Wasn’t it just spring?  Weren’t the O.A.R.S. California whitewater rafting guides just out on their training trips?  Weren’t the California hills just lush green with swaths of orange poppies?

If you need any last minute ideas for the Big Weekend…

Here in Northern California, the three major Mother Lode mountain passes are all open for the season:

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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A California whitewater rafting trip on the Merced River near Yosemite National Park begins with Class III-IV rapids and passes through fun, bouncy wave train rapids. A spring run almost always means there will be an incredible display of Sierra Nevada’s gold-plated California poppies.  The terrain is currently lush emerald green smothered with orange poppies and purple lupine.  Daytime temps have been in the 70s, and the skies have been clear.  It’s a great time to be in Northern California.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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