Active NorCal

Active NorCal

Telling the Stories of Northern California
Outdoors

The Aurora Borealis Could Be Visible in Northern California this Month

This month, Northern California residents might just catch a rare glimpse of the elusive Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as…

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Tahoe

Rare Tahoe Ski Run for Advanced Skiers Opens for the First Time this Winter

Following an extraordinary snowfall, Palisades Tahoe has opened its most exclusive and difficult terrain, which is accessible by the Silverado…

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Wildlife

Millions of Curious-Looking Creatures Wash Ashore Northern California Beaches

Beaches in Northern California have become the unexpected resting places for millions of tiny blue sea creatures. These curious creatures,…

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News

Coast Guard Ship Spills 500 Gallons of Diesel Off the Northern California Coast

Last week, the waters off Mendocino County’s coast became the site of an unfortunate incident as a U.S. Coast Guard…

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News

Officials Move Forward with Removal of 750 Tons of Historic Debris in American River

Placer County is gearing up to tackle a decades-old issue — the remnants of a bridge that have cluttered the…

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Outdoors

Brand-New 72-Mile Trail Will Connect Truckee and Nevada City Through Tahoe National Forest

Photo: National Forest Service Adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts have a new reason to be excited as the U.S. Forest…

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Weather

‘Downed Trees and Power Outages are Likely’: Extreme Winds Expected in NorCal Today

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a High Wind Warning for the Sierra region above 4,000 feet, with a…

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Destinations

What is ‘The Senate’ in Sequoia National Park?

Nestled within the heart of California’s Sequoia National Park, a remarkable assembly unlike any other convenes. It’s not a gathering…

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Video

Drone Video Shows Herculean Effort to Remove Mounds of Snow in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe has recently faced the Herculean task of digging out from under the aftermath of a historic blizzard that…

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Destinations

Convict Lake Looks Incredible After Snowstorms Blanketed the Region with Snow

Following a series of storms that buried the Sierra with multiple feet of snow over the past two weeks, the…

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North Coast

WATCH: Climbers Measure the Massive Brotherhood Tree in the NorCal Redwoods

In a world where unity and resilience are much needed, the Brotherhood Tree stands as a living testament to these…

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News

How California is Fast-Tracking a $4.5 Billion Lake to Improve Water Storage

California Governor Gavin Newsom has expedited the approval process for the Sites Reservoir, a significant water storage project north of…

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Video

WATCH: Skiers Jump Over Chair Lift at Mammoth Mountain

When the spring season hits Mammoth Mountain, the world looks to the Eastern Sierra ski resort for some of the…

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News

Family Survives Plane Crash by Parachuting into Northern California Wilderness

Photo: Shelter Cove Fire Department A Santa Rosa family of three, including a 2-year-old child, miraculously escaped with only minor…

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News

Water Officials Continue Significant Lake Oroville Releases Amidst Wet Winter

Lake Oroville is making waves again as the Department of Water Resources (DWR) skillfully manages water releases to keep the…

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News

Timelapse Shows California’s Giant ‘Ghost Lake’ Completely Disappear

In a mesmerizing turn of events, Tulare Lake, known as California’s ghost lake, re-emerged last year only to fade away…

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Destinations

Yosemite’s ‘Peak Hour’ Reservations Are Now Available. Here’s How to Get One.

Yosemite National Park is changing the game for visitors this year with the introduction of a new pilot reservation system…

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News

After Successful Test Blast, Removal of Klamath River’s Copco #1 Dam Moving Forward

Photo: Swiftwater Films The Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) is set to make history with the removal of the Copco…

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Tahoe

Fact Check: Was This Viral Snow Wall Photo Taken in Lake Tahoe?

Lake Tahoe is having a legendary winter, but not as legendary as this viral photo would have you think. Posts…

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News

Lost Skier Rescued by Helicopter at Palisades Tahoe

A daring rescue unfolded at Palisades Tahoe on February 23rd, showcasing the crucial role of modern technology in emergency situations.…

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News

‘Biblical’ Blizzard Brings Significant Improvement to California’s Drought Outlook

Photo: City of South Lake Tahoe The Sierra Nevada’s recent battering by a “biblical” blizzard, on the heels of a…

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Magazine

We’re Giving Away a 4-Person Whitewater Rafting Trip with H2O Adventures

We’re only a couple months away from rafting season in Northern California, so we decided to do a four-person rafting…

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Shasta Cascade

Shasta Lake Water Levels Have Dropped 8 Feet in the Past Week. Here’s Why.

Shasta Lake has witnessed an astonishing release of over 265 billion gallons of water within just a month, which has…

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Hikes

Watch Hikers Complete the Grueling Trek to the Top of Lassen Peak in the Winter

The hike to the top of Lassen Peak is popular for outdoor adventurers in the summer months. The maintained trail…

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Weather

Storm Totals: More Than 10 Feet of Snow Falls on Tahoe Ski Resorts

Palisades Tahoe received 8 feet of new snow during this weekend’s blizzard. Photo via Riley Bathurst/Palisades Tahoe The blizzard of…

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Tahoe

Video Shows Long Line of Semi Trucks Buried in Snow on Donner Summit

As the blizzard of the year slammed the Sierra with whiteout conditions over the weekend, a dangerous situation developed over…

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News

Another Snowstorm Set to Hit Northern California Mountains this Week

As mountain communities throughout Northern California continue to dig out of this weekend’s blizzard, yet another round of snowfall is…

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News

Yosemite National Park Welcomes Back Visitors After Temporary Closure

After a brief hiatus due to severe weather conditions, Yosemite National Park has once again opened its gates to the…

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Stories

Short Film Celebrates the World’s Highest Elevation Composting Toilet Atop Mount Shasta

Way to Go! from K-Rose Productions on Vimeo. With the many people visiting the high-elevation areas of Mount Shasta each…

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Wildlife

Massive Chinook Salmon Fry Die-Off Reported on the Klamath River

In a disheartening turn for salmon restoration efforts, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reported a significant loss…

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Weather

Motorists Stranded Overnight in Blizzard Conditions on Donner Summit

In a winter grip like no other, Interstate 80 (I-80) remains closed Saturday at both the Nevada state line and…

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Yosemite-Mammoth

Mammoth Island: Highway 395 Closed for 90 Miles with No Way In or Out of Mammoth Lakes

The “Mega Storm” peaked in the California Saturday morning and it’s making mountain travel throughout the state nearly impossible. One…

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Weather

Palisades Tahoe Hits by Record-Breaking 184 MPH Winds Amid Ferocious Storm

If you’re wondering why many Tahoe ski resorts were closed yesterday (and will likely be closed today), look no further…

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Lassen

13 Snowshoe Hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park

A snowshoer waves on a ranger-led snowshoe walk through the red fir forest. Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of…

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News

California Snowpack Shows Significant Improvement in Third Snow Survey of the Year

With a blizzard on the horizon in the Sierra, water officials in California needed to conduct their annual snowpack survey…

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Weather

Extreme Avalanche Danger Reported in the Sierra

Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center The backcountry in Northern California is currently facing a critical avalanche danger due to a lethal…

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Weather

Intense Snowfall, 100+ MPH Winds Shut Down 9 Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts

Photo: Palisades Tahoe As California grapples with its most formidable storm of the season, Lake Tahoe’s ski resorts have shuttered,…

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Weather

Yosemite National Park Shuts Down Amidst Sierra Blizzard Alert

Yosemite National Park is battening down the hatches and closing its doors until at least Sunday in anticipation of an…

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Stories

How Skiing Down Volcanoes Became a Time-Honored Tradition in Northern California

Volcanoes are the kind of geological formations that tend to inspire awe. Towering above everything else, they seem like a…

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News

These 9 NorCal Eateries Made Yelp’s Top 100 U.S. Restaurants of 2024

The highly-anticipated Top 100 restaurants in America list has been released by Yelp, and it includes nine locations in Northern…

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News

Shasta Dam Opens its Top Level Water Outflows for the First Time in 7 Years

In response to the Northern California skies unleashing torrents of rain, Shasta Dam has opened its top-level water outflows for…

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News

Two Kids Killed in Landslide While Camping Near Shasta Dam

In a heart-wrenching event on Thursday morning near Shasta Dam, the Shasta County community is mourning the loss of two…

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News

California Snowpack Has Doubled in Size After February Storms

After kicking off the year with a snowpack at a dismal 25% of average, California’s Sierra Nevada is now cloaked…

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Yosemite-Mammoth

The Firefall Has Made its Glorious Return to Yosemite National Park

The ‘Firefall’ of Yosemite National Park is back and better than ever as visitors flock to California’s most popular park…

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News

Here’s What you Can Expect from the Burney Falls Closure in 2024

California State Parks has announced the closure of the main trails to Burney Falls at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park…

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Shasta Cascade

Shasta Lake Rises 27 Feet with Heavy Precipitation Drenching Northern California

Shasta Lake is experiencing a significant rise in water levels, with an increase of nearly 27 feet at the Shasta…

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Shasta Cascade

Massive Avalanche Falls on Mount Shasta Creating 60-Foot Snow Walls

Photo: Mount Shasta Avalanche Center Mount Shasta witnessed a colossal natural event this President’s Day, as a massive D4 avalanche,…

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Magazine

Win a UTV Off-Road Fishing Adventure with Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters

It’s another incredible week here in Northern California, and that means another giveaway for subscribers to the Active NorCal Magazine!…

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Outdoors

Ice Fishing at Mount Shasta’s Castle Lake

You typically won’t hear the words “ice fishing” and “Northern California” muttered in the same breath, but there’s a destination…

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History

This 1952 News Reel Shows Passenger Train Buried in Tahoe’s Worst Blizzard in 50 Years

In January of 1952, the worst blizzard seen in 50 years slammed the Tahoe area, closing the pass over Donner…

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News

President’s Day Sale: Get $10 Off the Active NorCal Magazine

We’re spending this beautiful President’s Day inside, hiding from the downpour and crazy wind that’s currently slamming Northern California. That…

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Tahoe

Wildlife Experts Debunk Misinformation on Black Bears in Lake Tahoe

The Tahoe Interagency Bear Team (TIBT), a coalition of bear experts from state and local agencies, is stepping up to…

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News

WATCH: Giant Rockslide Falls on Highway 101 in Northern California

A substantial hillside collapse occurred along U.S. Highway 101 in Klamath, California, near the Oregon border, showcasing the intense impact…

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Lassen

Lassen Offering Ranger-Led Snowshoe Hike Under February’s Full Moon

Embrace the glow of February’s full moon, famously known as the Snow Moon, by joining a unique snowshoe hike on…

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Wildlife

CDFW Announces Virtual Salmon Information Meeting for 2024 Season Planning

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is gearing up to host its annual Salmon Information Meeting, a pivotal…

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Outdoors

This Tree in Sequoia National Park is the World’s Largest Living Organism by Volume

In the heart of California’s Sequoia National Park stands the General Sherman Tree, the largest living organism by volume on…

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Destinations

Burney Falls is Closing for Much of the 2024 Season

Burney Falls will be temporarily closed to the public starting April 2024, lasting through the summer season. California State Parks…

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News

Sasquatch Sunset: Star-Studded Movie Filmed in Northern California Looks Weird as Heck

If you haven’t learned by now, I have a healthy obsession with movies filmed in Northern California. At this point,…

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Tahoe

Rules of NorCal: Don’t Drive to Tahoe on Friday

When planning a trip to Lake Tahoe, traffic delays are almost guaranteed if traveling on either Interstate 80 or Highway…

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Wildlife

Wildlife Officials Discover Two New Wolf Packs in Northern California

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has recently unveiled the existence of two new wolf packs in Northern California,…

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Weather

Series of Storms Forecast to Bring Rain, Wind, and Up to 8 Feet of Snow in the NorCal Mountains

Northern California is shifting from a serene Super Bowl weekend and sunny start to the week to a dynamic weather…

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Wildlife

California Wildlife Agencies Launch Aerial Surveys to Track Big Game Populations

The skies over California will be a bit busier in the coming months as the California Department of Fish and…

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Wildlife

Videos Show Massive Fish Kill Near the Removal of the Klamath River Dams

In late-January, the detonation of a tunnel at the base of the 101-year-old Copco 1 dam on the Klamath River…

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Events

3 Festivals to Celebrate the Whale Migrations of Northern California in 2024

As winter transitions into spring, the California coastline becomes a migratory highway for awe-inspiring gray whales, journeying from their calving…

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Yosemite-Mammoth

Everything You Need to Know About Seeing Yosemite’s ‘Firefall’ in 2024

Outdoor adventurers are setting their sights on Yosemite National Park this month for a chance to witness the awe-inspiring “Firefall”…

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Cannabis

Humboldt Cannabis Grower Settles for $750,000 in Environmental Violation Case

Humboldt County cannabis grower Joshua Sweet has agreed to a hefty $750,000 settlement with state officials for significant water rights…

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Outdoors

California Boosts Outdoor Recreation with $6.7 Million in Trail Grants

Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve could see 534 feet of new trail with recently announced grant program California is set…

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Shasta Cascade

Remembering the Historic Valentine Avalanche that Created a 30-Foot Wall of Snow on Mt. Shasta

On February 13, 2019, a giant avalanche slammed Mount Shasta, which has come to be known as the Valentine Avalanche.…

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News

Ex-Professor Admits to Setting Fires During California’s Devastating Dixie Fire

Gary Maynard, a 49-year-old former criminal justice professor, has pleaded guilty to federal arson charges after igniting multiple fires in…

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News

The Oldest Person in America Lives in Northern California – and She Turns 116 this Week

Edie Ceccareli seen here on her 114th birthday celebration with Assem. Jim Wood (D) in 2022. Photo: Assemblymember Jim Wood This…

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Video

Viral Video Shows Rock Climber Nearly Falling on 150-Foot Wall in Yosemite

Veteran rock climber Amity Warme’s ascent of the challenging Book of Hate route in Yosemite National Park has captured the…

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Weather

Severe Winds Could Reach 70 MPH in Northern California Today

Flickr/Michael Pujals Northern California is on high alert as the National Weather Service in Sacramento announces a “severe” high wind…

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Weather

Storm of the Year: The Sierra is About to Get SLAMMED with Up to 6 Feet of Snow

Carson Pass saw massive snow walls during the epic winter of 2023 Northern California is on the cusp of experiencing…

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Uncategorized

Missing Hiker Details a Terrifying Fight with Aggressive Bear on the Lost Coast Trail

Joseph Seiberling’s 27th birthday hike along the Lost Coast Trail offered more excitement than he bargained for when he found…

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Sacramento

Is Leonardo Dicaprio’s Secretive Movie Shoot Coming to Sacramento?

Hollywood’s glitz is descending upon Sacramento as Warner Bros. gears up to film its latest cinematic venture in the heart…

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Wildlife

Gavin Newsom Pledges to Revive Salmon Populations by Removing California Dams

California Governor Gavin Newsom toured California Trout’s restoration projects in Humboldt County on Monday. Photo: California Trout California Governor Gavin…

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Lassen

Lassen National Forest Offering Free Guided Snowshoe Tours in February

The Almanor Ranger District is inviting outdoor enthusiasts to explore the breathtaking beauty of Lassen National Forest on snowshoes. These…

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News

Water Releases Increase on Lake Oroville in Anticipation of Coming Storms

Lake Oroville water levels on January 30. Photo by California DWR In anticipation of impending winter storms in Northern California,…

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News

California’s Second Snow Survey of 2024 Reveals Snowpack at Meager 52% of Average

In the latest snow survey conducted by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) at Phillips Station, results reveal that…

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Tahoe

Brand-New Study Discovers Shocking Levels of Plastics in Lake Tahoe

A study has unveiled a high level of plastic waste in the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe, and it should…

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Video

WATCH: Holes Blasted in 100-Year-Old Klamath River Dams During Removal Project

The detonation of a tunnel at the base of the 101-year-old Copco 1 dam on the Klamath River sent water…

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Stories

The Mystery Behind Rattlesnake Dick’s Lost Treasure in the Trinity Mountains

Richard Barter AKA “Rattlesnake Dick” Richard Barter lived a life of crime in the Gold Rush era of the 1800s…

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Weather

Pineapple Express Storm Could Bring 4 Feet of Snow, Flooding to Northern California this Week

Northern California is gearing up for a deluge as the Pineapple Express, an atmospheric river originating near Hawaii, takes aim…

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Shasta Cascade

The Lemurian Candidate: New Hollywood Film Set on the Slopes of Mount Shasta

Northern California has always been a popular filming location for some of Hollywood’s best films, but a new movie set…

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News

Lake Oroville Surges to 131 Percent of Historical Average After Recent Storms

Lake Oroville is currently at an elevation of 838 feet, with a storage capacity of approximately 2.65 million acre-feet, according…

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North Coast

Secretive Leonardo Dicaprio Movie Begins Filming in Northern California

Speculation is growing as film production seems to be underway in Northern California for an upcoming movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio,…

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Cannabis

Humboldt Cannabis Farmer Ordered to Pay $1.75 Million for Environmental Violations

A Humboldt County Superior Court judge has approved a settlement requiring a cannabis cultivator to pay a fine of $1.75…

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Shasta Cascade

Shasta Lake Water Levels Surge with New Precipitation

With rain falling on Northern California in recent weeks, the state’s largest reservoir is seeing a surge in water levels.…

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News

Woman Stuck on Heavenly Mountain Gondola Overnight

In a concerning incident at the Heavenly Mountain Resort, snowboarder Monica Laso endured a harrowing 15-hour ordeal, trapped overnight in…

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Wildlife

Watch California’s Newest Wolf Pack Howling in the Wilderness

Wildlife officials in California were shocked when they discovered a brand-new wolf pack living in Tulare County in 2023. Just…

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Video

Video Shows Massive Explosion Clearing Large Boulders on a Roadway Near Auburn

In an operation resembling a Hollywood blockbuster, work crews in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills resorted to explosives to remove a…

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Wildlife

Coyote Seen Hunting Gray Fox in Yosemite National Park

In a surprising wildlife encounter, park rangers in Yosemite Valley recently witnessed a coyote carrying a gray fox in its…

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Video

See What it Looks Like to Get Rescued Under an Avalanche by a Tahoe Ski Patrol Dog

We all know that dogs are a man’s best friend. Well, now dogs can be a skier’s best friend, and…

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Shasta Cascade

Mount Shasta Hit by Series of Powerful Avalanches

The backcountry slopes of Mount Shasta saw a series of big avalanches over the past few days after heavy storm…

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Outdoors

Hikers Rescued Amidst Dense Fog at Phantom Falls

Butte County Search and Rescue embarked on a mission amidst a blanket of dense fog on Sunday night to rescue…

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News

Another Bear Encounter Caught-on-Camera on the Slopes of Heavenly Mountain

A Northern California family experienced the thrill of a lifetime when they spotted a black bear on the slopes of…

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Shasta Cascade

Win a $300 Gift Card to The Fifth Season in Mount Shasta

Another beautiful week in Northern California and another giveaway for subscribers to the Active NorCal Magazine! This time, we’re giving…

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Wildlife

Mountain Lion Stalks Hikers on Trail in Northern California

A Northern California hiker and his mother faced a harrowing moment recently when they were stalked by a mountain lion…

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Outdoors

Group Cited for Illegal Activities on a Protected Northern California Beach

In a concerning start to the New Year, a group of individuals has come under fire for their illegal activities…

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Destinations

National Parks Are Free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Here’s Where to Go in Northern California.

Get ready for an outdoor adventure on Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Northern California’s parks are calling, and the National…

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