Posts in Mountains
Yosemite Valley Lodge - The Perfect Home Base for Yosemite Adventures

What are the best places to stay in Yosemite National Park? Today I'm sharing one of the best Yosemite hotels for your next national park vacation. Centrally located near iconic landmarks, hiking trails, and viewpoints, Yosemite Valley Lodge is one of the top spots to stay in the park. Hike to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls, see Half Dome from Cooks Meadow, and grab food at on-site restaurants.

Read More
5 Unique Hotels In & Around Yosemite National Park

What are the best hotels in Yosemite? Today I'm sharing 5 of my favorite unique hotel stays in & around Yosemite National Park, ranging from luxury resorts to airbnb villas to dog friendly stays. Check out this comprehensive travel guide to learn about lodging dining options, room & suite amenities, family friendly activities, and proximity to main entrances to plan your next Yosemite vacation.

Read More
Yosemite Fall Color Report **CURRENT CONDITIONS** (Nov 1st)

Wondering what the Fall colors look like right now in Yosemite Valley? I spent the last week exploring my top spots in Yosemite National Park for enjoying the autumn foliage, and I'm excited to share the current conditions today for this first week of November 2024. I'm rating the park as a "Go Soon" with a mix of vibrant colors at spots like Bridalveil Fall, Cooks Meadow, and Yosemite Chapel.

Read More
Silver City Ghost Town - Exploring California's Rich Mining History

What are the best ghost towns in California? Bodie and Calico might be two of CA's official gold & silver mining ghost towns, but Silver City Ghost Town is one of the top historic spots to visit this year. Located in the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains near the Kern River, Lake Isabella, and Sequoia National Forest, this top day trip destination is a short drive from Bakersfield & Los Angeles.

Read More
Convict Lake Camping & Kayaking in the Eastern Sierra

Looking for the best spot to camp & kayak in the Eastern SIerra Nevada Mountains? Join me today as I share my complete travel guide to a camping & kayaking adventure at Convict Lake in the Inyo National Forest. Located in between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop along HIghway 395, this alpine lake is perfect for photography, fishing, boating, and camping, especially during autumn with the fall colors.

Read More
Eastern Sierra Fall Color Report **CURRENT CONDITIONS** (October 8th-9th)

What do Fall colors look like right now? GO NOW / GO SOON! Read this Eastern Sierra Fall Colors Report to find out what the current conditions look like at North Lake, Lake Sabrina, Bishop Creek, Rock Creek Lake, Convict Lake & June Lake Loop. Get my estimation on when the Fall colors will be arriving in the Bishop & Mono County regions, so you can plan out your upcoming Fall adventure road trip.

Read More
North Lake Fall Camping Adventure in the High Sierra

Seeing the Fall colors at North Lake is bucket list experience. This week we're camping at the North Lake Campground in the High Sierra, with quick & easy access to several hiking trails as well as capturing epic & iconic photography of North Lake during peak Fall season. This is my top spot to camp in the Eastern Sierra near Bishop, CA, surrounded by quaking aspen trees & the autumn foliage.

Read More
Eastern Sierra Fall Color Report **CURRENT CONDITIONS** (October 2nd-3rd)

What do Fall colors look like right now? Read this Eastern Sierra Fall Colors Report to find out what the current conditions look like at North Lake, Lake Sabrina, Bishop Creek, Sagehen Summit, Convict Lake, Virginia Lakes & Conway Summit. Get my estimation on when the Fall colors will be arriving in the Bishop and Mono County regions, so you can plan out your upcoming Fall adventure road trip.

Read More
Top 10 Fall Photo Spots in Mono County, CA

What are the best spots in the Eastern Sierra for Fall photography? Today I'm sharing a travel guide for the top 10 photo spots in Mono County, CA to see the Fall colors. We'll be heading into multiple national forests to find perfect locations to set up the tripod, including Convict Lake, June Lake Loop, Mammoth, Conway Summit & more, along with valuable photo tips to prep you for your 395 trip.

Read More
Eastern Sierra Fall Color Report (Mono County) **CURRENT CONDITIONS**

What do Fall colors look like right now? Read this Eastern Sierra Fall Colors Report to find out what the current conditions look like in Mono County, California, including hidden gems like Rock Creek Lake (PEAKING SOON), Convict Lake & June Lake Loop...and get my estimation on when the Fall colors will be arriving so you can plan out your upcoming Fall foliage adventure road trip.

Read More
Top 10 Fall Photo Spots Near Bishop, CA

What are the best spots in the Eastern Sierra for Fall photography? Today I'm sharing a travel guide for the top 10 photo spots near Bishop, California to see the Fall colors. We'll be heading into Inyo National Forest to find perfect locations to set up the tripod, including North Lake, Bishop Creek, Aspendell, Lake Sabrina & more, along with valuable photo tips to prep you for your 395 trip.

Read More
Eastern Sierra Fall Color Report **CURRENT CONDITIONS**

What do Fall colors look like right now? Read this Eastern Sierra Fall Colors Report to find out what the current conditions look like at North Lake, Aspendell, Cardinal Village, Lake Sabrina, Bishop Creek, and Intake Two...and get my estimation on when the Fall colors will be arriving in the Bishop region of Inyo National Forest, so you can plan out your upcoming Fall adventure road trip.

Read More
Fossils to Falls Road Trip & Contest - WIN a Yosemite Adventure Vacation!

Looking for the ultimate family fun road trip to Yosemite National Park? Play the Fossils to Falls scavenger hunt and collect all 10 trading cards, starting at the Fossil Discovery Center in California's Central Valley, taking you thru Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Bass Lake & more Madera County gems, ending in the Yosemite Valley...and then enter to win a great Yosemite Adventure Vacation Prize Package!

Read More
Arts & Culture, California, Food, Forest, Hiking, Mountains, Museums, National Parks, YosemiteDawn Mariefossils to falls, fossils to falls road trip, fossils to falls contest, yosemite, yosemite adventure, yosemite adventure contest, yosemite adventure vacation, yosemite adventure vacation prize, yosemite vacation, yosemite prize, yosemite contest, yosemite vacation contest, win a yosemite vacation, how to win a vacation, how to win a yosemite vacation, visit yosemite, visit yosemite madera county, madera, madera county, what to do in madera county, things to do in madera county, places to go in madera county, fossils, fossil museum, chowchilla, fossil discovery center, road trip, road trip ideas, california road trip, central california road trip, central california, highway 41, highway 99, where to see fossils, central valley, sierra nevadas, sierra nevada mountains, sierra national forest, national forest, national park, national park road trip, yosemite national park, highway 41 road trip, madera county road trip, oakhurst, what to do in oakhurst, what to do in madera, what to do in yosemite, what to do in yosemite valley, discover yosemite tours, discover yosemite, yosemite tour, yosemite private tour, yosemite group tour, scavenger hunt, yosemite scavenger hunt, oakhurst visitor center, bass lake, coarsegold, coarsegold historic village, coarsegold historic museum, trading cards, collectable cards, yosemite cards, tunnel view, yosemite valley, sentinel dome, yosemite history, coarsegold history, oakhurst history, history, oakhurst dining, oakhurst hotels, best hotels in oakhurst, best hotels, best hotels near yosemite, best dining near yosemite, oakhurst things to do, oakhurst restaurants, oakhurst food, yosemite hotels, inelle hotel, inelle, yosemite axe throwing, family fun, family, family friendly, family friendly activity, yosemite family friendly, kid friendly, kid friendly activity, hiking, trails, way of the mono trail, bass lake hiking, ca road trip, ca road trip ideas, california, california road trip ideas, weekend trip, weekend trip ideas, road trip adventure, visit california, waterfalls, yosemite falls, yosemite waterfalls, lower yosemite falls, half dome, el capitan, itinerary, yosemite itinerary, road trip itinerary, multiday itinerary, weekend itinerary, north fork, mono indians, native american art, native american, coarsegold historical society, wild fig, wild fig kitchen, millers landing, millers landing resort, yosemite gourmet picnics, bass lake boat rentals, bass lake pontoon boat, madera wine trail, madera wine, visit madera, san joaquin valley, san joaquin winery, san joaquin wine co, winery, california wineries, wine tasting, best wine tasting, california wine tasting, central california wine tasting, madera wine tasting, best wines in california, yosemite gateway art center, yosemite artwork, artwork, art, yosemtie artwork, yosemite photography, travel guide, visitors guide, adventure travel, travel, travel yosemite, yosemitethisyear.com, yosemite.com, travelyosemite.com, marriott hotels, marriott, oakhurst art, yosemite gallery, mountain vacation, mountain road tripComment
Perfect Day at Bass Lake - Adventure, Fun & Food!

This week we're taking a day trip to Bass Lake in Madera County & the Sierra National Forest just south of Yosemite National Park. We're renting a pontoon boat from Millers Landing Resort and having a picnic on the water while looking for wildlife on the Bass Lake shores. Read this complete travel guide to learn about the best hiking trails around the lake, as well as the best places to eat.

Read More
Exploring McGurk Meadow & Cabin - Yosemite National Park

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the easy trail to the historic McGurk Cabin & McGurk Meadow in Yosemite National Park. This hike is easily found off Glacier Point Road and it takes hikers through a pine forest to a historic structure and lush meadows with wildflowers in the Summer. Wildlife is abundant in the Yosemite Wilderness, such as deer, coyotes, and black bears.

Read More
Kayaking on Tenaya Lake - Yosemite National Park

Can you kayak in Yosemite National Park? YES! Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide when planing your next kayaking adventure in Yosemite. Tenaya Lake and Merced River are my two best spots to kayak and raft in Yosemite, and today I'm sharing all the details for setting out on the still waters of Tenaya Lake, as well as discovering the ancient ghost trees still submerged under the surface.

Read More
Firefall Ranch Yosemite - NEW Luxury Hotel (Full Property Review)

What are the best hotels near Yosemite? Read this full property review of Firefall Ranch, a brand new luxury hotel near Yosemite National Park. This week I'm staying in a Two Bedroom Cottage while enjoying fine dining, family friendly activities, hiking, and relaxation at this premier resort, which also provides access to the award winning spa at the nearby Rush Creek Lodge. 5 star rating!

Read More
Yosemite Valley Camping Visitor’s Guide - North Pines Campground

Looking for the best campsites in Yosemite National Park? Yosemite Valley offers some of the best tent camping spots in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. North Pines Campground is situated along the Merced River just below Half Dome, Glacier Point & Royal Arches, and provides quick access to great hiking, including the Mist Trail, Mirror Lake & Valley Loop, as well as food options in Curry Village.

Read More
Perfect 2-Day Summer Itinerary for Yosemite National Park

What is the best 2-day itinerary for Yosemite National Park? Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the perfect weekend in Yosemite, optimizing your Summer road trip schedule, taking you to some of the best viewpoints and hiking trails in the park, offering you views of iconic landmarks like Half Dome, Yosemite Falls & El Capitan. Experience the best sunrise & sunset spots in Yosemite.

Read More
HORIZON by Yosemite • NEW Luxury Villa & Suites (Full Property Review)

What are the best hotels and vacation rentals near Yosemite National Park? Today I'm sharing a full property & hotel review of HORIZON by Yosemite, a luxury villa with 5 individual suites perfect for a mountain getaway or home base for Yosemite Valley. Located in Midpines near Mariposa & El Portal atop a hill, this boutique resort provides a tranquil kids free environment with panoramic views.

Read More