A partnership of the National Park Service and the United States Forest Service.

Field Notes

Sierra Nevada Snow Survey

  • Lincoln Else
  • jan 6, 2010

That water from your tap may have started as snow falling on a granite peak somewhere high in the Sierra Nevada. Ever wonder "how much" water is stored in that snow each year? Answering that question starts with a pair of backcountry skis and a heavy pack...

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Cross Cut: Clearing a Wilderness Trail

  • John Muir
  • dec 16, 2009

Ever wonder who cuts those logs that fall across the trail deep in the back country? Using a cross cut saw is a traditional (and challenging) skill mastered by many backcountry rangers throughout the Sierra.

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Vertical Wilderness

  • John Muir
  • nov 17, 2009

Join Yosemite's geologist as he teams up with the park's climbing ranger to climb El Capitan, one of the world's largest granite faces. Thousands of years ago a gigantic rock fall likely released from high on El Cap's face. Exactly where and when are among the many questions Greg Stock is curious to answer.

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Featured

Curious about the Sierra's Black Bears?

What's the difference between a black bear and a brown bear? Where can I rent a bear canister for my next backcountry trip? Get all your bear answers in our bear section.

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Wilderness in the News

jul 07

Calaveras Enterprise: Near the end of this article about the Mokelumne Wilderness you'll realize the internet is really just one big circle... but it's still worth checking out.

jul 01

Fresno Bee: Have you ever been to George Lake in the Kaiser Wilderness? I haven't... but I think I might have to go check it out after reading this portrait in the Fresno Bee.

jun 30

Visalia Times: It might feel like an oven in the central valley, but there's still snow in the high sierra. If you're planning a weekend backpack trip in Sequoia National Park take a look at this piece about spring conditions in the area.