Outdoors Archives

Oct- 2021 -

22 October

Officials Reveal Cause of Death for Family who Mysteriously Died Hiking in the Sierra

Investigators and the public were shocked by the death of an entire family during a hike in the Sierra National…

22 October

Here’s Why Fall Might Be the Best Season for Fishing in Northern California

Photo: Chip O’Brien When October finally arrives in NorCal, chances are you will find me fishing somewhere. It may only…

21 October

Trinity River Adult Chinook Quota Close To Being Met

Based upon California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) projections of the recreational fall-run Chinook salmon catch on the Trinity…

20 October

Can You Hunt in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area? The Answer Might Surprise You.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is a beautiful outdoor destination outside Redding that provides visitors with year-round waterfall hikes, on-water activities…

20 October

How NorCal’s Outdoor Opportunities Stack Up Against Yellowstone National Park

Photo by Steven Cordes I gotta admit, I’m torn on this one. I’ve recently returned from a fishing trip to Yellowstone…

19 October

WATCH: Lake Tahoe’s Kokanee Salmon Suffering Heavy Losses Due to Low Water Levels

One of the most delightful fall activities in the Tahoe region is watching the Kokanee salmon return to Taylor Creek…

18 October

All the Opening Dates for Ski Resorts in Northern California for the 2021-22 Season

Photo by Aaron Feen Winter has officially arrived in the mountains of Northern California, and ski resorts are prepping by…

18 October

Historic Train Tunnel Now Fully Exposed on Shasta Lake

The abysmal water levels throughout Northern California currently sit at their lowest for 2021, with incoming storms bringing the prospect…

17 October

Lake Tahoe Has Officially Dropped Below its Natural Rim

This is what Lake Tahoe looks like full. See the IG post below to see what it looks like now.…

17 October

Spectacular Alien Sunrise Lenticular Cloud Appears Over Mount Shasta

This morning saw another beautiful lenticular cloud over Mount Shasta. This one, with the sunrise beaming under the cloud like…

11 October

Why Does Whiskeytown Lake Stay Full of Water Year-Round?

With Northern California’s lakes and rivers experiencing drastically low water levels from the historic drought, there’s one lake you can…

11 October

VIDEO: Insane Kayakers Fly Off the Giant Waterfalls of the American River’s Royal Gorge

On the North Fork American River sits a stretch of water so remote and dangerous, it’s rarely visited by anyone.…

10 October

Fish On! California to Issue 365-Day Fishing Licenses

Photo by Robson Hatsukami Morgan Under a new law authored by Assemblyman Jim Wood – Santa Rosa, California will issue 365-day…

6 October

Taylor Creek’s Annual Kokanee Salmon Run Halted by Drought

Photo: Jonathan Cook-Fisher One of the most delightful fall activities in the Tahoe region is watching the Kokanee salmon return…

3 October

Surfer Attacked by Shark Along the Sonoma Coast

A surfer was airlifted to the hospital at Salmon Creek Beach along the Sonoma Coast Sunday morning after being bitten…

Sep- 2021 -

30 September

Lassen Volcanic National Park Will Partially Reopen Following 2-Month Dixie Fire Closure

Portions of Lassen Volcanic National Park that are unaffected by the Dixie Fire will reopen on Monday, October 4. Lassen…

30 September

Popular Mount Shasta Lakes Added to the Castle Crags Wilderness

Photo by Y S The National Forest Service announced that it has acquired a popular hiking destination in the Mount Shasta…

30 September

It’s Official: Patrick’s Point State Park Will Change its Name to Honor Yurok Tribe

The California State Park and Recreation Commission voted for a name change of Patrick’s Point State Park to Sue-meg State…

30 September

Experience the Beautiful Fall Salmon Run on the Klamath River

Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou It’s fall in Northern California, which means the salmon who were once hatched in…

28 September

Fly Fisherman Lands Absolute MONSTER Striped Bass in Northern California

It’s not everyday you see fly fishermen attempting to catch striped bass in Northern California. But recently one fisherman was…

28 September

Cast Your Vote for the 2021 CalTrout Photo Contest

TITLE: “Truckee River Train” by Dominic Bruno CalTrout is once again hosting its annual photo contest, featuring fish, anglers or others…

28 September

No Reservations: Yosemite to End Pass Requirements Ahead of Fall Season

Yosemite National Park is known to be one of the most visited parks in the United States, with averages hovering…

28 September

See a Fall-Color Explosion in Chico, California

Chico, California is known to many as “The City of Trees.” As the legend goes, John Bidwell used to walk…

24 September

Fisherman Lands MASSIVE 43-Pound Chinook Salmon on the Sacramento River

The Chinook salmon season is red hot on the Sacramento River right now, with multiple fishing guides recording large returns.…

23 September

Mount Diablo State Park Turns 100-Years-Old

Press release from California State Parks: This year Mount Diablo State Park turns 100. To mark the occasion, California State…

21 September

Dogs Aren’t Allowed on Most Point Reyes Beaches. Here’s Why.

The stunning beaches of Point Reyes National Seashore make for a great place to enjoy the Northern California coast. It…

20 September

Brand-New Elevated Boardwalk Opens at Grove of Titans in Jedediah Smith Redwoods

Redwood National and State Parks completed the first mile of the Mill Creek Trail, including an elevated walkway into the…

20 September

How to Hike Like a Local in California’s Far North

Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou Photo by Stephen Leonardi If you ask any local in Siskiyou County, there’s no better…

19 September

State of California Acquiring 27,000-Acre Outdoor Utopia Along the Great Redwood Trail

The Lone Pine Ranch, a 27,000-acre property straddling Trinity and Mendocino counties, is a vast property of redwood forests, grassy…

19 September

South Fork Eel River Goes Dry for the First Time Ever

Press release from the Eel River Recovery Project: The current record two-year drought is causing record low Eel River flows,…

19 September

GIANT 40-Pound Chinook Salmon Caught on the Sacramento River

Ryan Tripp is at it again! Some local guides have referred to him as the “Michael Jordan of Fishing” in…

19 September

First Snow of the Season on Mt. Shasta Brings Hope that Wildfire Season is Nearing its End

A weekend storm brought rain and snow to Northern California, with the North Coast experiencing its typical rainy day and…

17 September

Salmon-Viewing Kayak Tours on the Feather River Have SOLD OUT

UPDATE: All tours have been sold out! Photo: Explore Butte County With the Chinook salmon once again returning to the…

16 September

Jet Ski Criminals: Men Arrested on Lake Berryessa with 3 Ounces of Heroin and a Loaded AR-15 Rifle

The Napa County Sheriff’s Office experienced a unique arrest on Wednesday, with two men brought in for warrants and possession…

16 September

Most National Forests Have Reopened in Northern California. Here’s Where You Can and Can’t Go.

For more than two weeks, national forests throughout California were closed due to fire concerns. Today, most of those forests…

13 September

Much of the Lava Beds National Monument Remains Closed Due to Encroaching Antelope Fire

Another outdoor destination in Northern California has closed with the Antelope Fire escaping containment lines and moving into the western…

11 September

California Officials Wants to Change the Name of Patrick’s Point State Park

Press release from the California State Parks: California State Parks is seeking public feedback on a proposal to change the name of Patrick’s Point State Park in…

11 September

This Striking Graphic Shows How Most of the Feather River Watershed Has Burned Over the Past Year

Areas of Butte, Plumas and Lassen counties have been devastated by wildfires in 2020 and 2021. The North Complex Fire…

2 September

What’s Open for Labor Day Weekend in Northern California?

Harbors on Shasta Lake will remain open, with shoreline access prohibited When the National Forest Service announced the closure of…

1 September

All State Parks in the Tahoe Basin Are Closed Due to the Caldor Fire

Emerald Bay through a haze of smoke With the Caldor Fire sending 37,000 Tahoe residents into evacuations and dangerous smoke…

1 September

Drone Footage Shows a Little Creek Where Lake Oroville Once Stood

The extreme drought in Northern California has been highlighted by the already historic wildfire season experienced throughout the region. While…

Aug- 2021 -

30 August

On the Brink of Labor Day Weekend, Forest Service Closes All National Forests in California

It was a bold move when the National Forest Service announced it would close nine national forests in Northern California…

30 August

These Shasta-Trinity Lake Businesses Will Stay Open During Labor Day Weekend

Photo by Bruce Warrington A sweeping closure was announced for nine Northern California national forests through the first week of September…

26 August

Low Water Levels Allow Kayakers to Paddle Through a Historic Train Tunnel on Shasta Lake

California’s historic drought brings plenty of negative impacts on the region, including water shortage and an already historic wildfire season.…

26 August

Video Shows Firefighters Riding Up Kirkwood Chairlift to Fight the Caldor Fire

Residents of the Lake Tahoe Basin are on edge as the Caldor Fire continues its dangerous approach to some of…

20 August

9 National Forests in Northern California Set to Close Due to Extreme Fire Conditions

With wildfires burning over a million acres in Northern California this season, and upcoming extreme fire weather approaching, the National…

19 August

The Grand Canyon of NorCal? Drone Footage Shows Lake Oroville Nearly Empty

The drought continues to have an enormous impact on Northern California. One of the more obvious impacts is the states…

19 August

Woman Attacked by Bear While Camping at Lake Tahoe

Photo by Patrick A 25-year-old woman was camping on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe over the weekend when she was…

16 August

When Will Feather Falls Reopen After Being Blazed By Wildfire?

Photo via Explore Butte County In the summer of 2020, the North Complex Fire burned through Butte and Plumas counties…

12 August

Trinity Alps Wilderness Closed Until November 15 Due to River Complex Fire

Photo by Sanath Kumar Forest Service officials have announced the closure of the Trinity Alps Wilderness, including all trails and recreational…

10 August

Mt. Shasta Ski Park Closes Summer Operations Due to Fire Risk, Staffing Challenges

Mt. Shasta Ski Park’s summer operations were short lived, with increased fire risk and staffing challenges forcing the mountain to…

6 August

Whiskeytown NRA Advises Against Visiting the Park Due to Extremely Poor Air Quality

Smoky webcam view of the Lake With the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area surrounded by nearby fires, including the Monument and…

6 August

Siskiyou is Open! Here Are 7 Ways to Experience California’s Far North

Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou Photo by Stephen Leonardi Siskiyou County is open! Following a year of travel restrictions due…

5 August

Hikers Beware: Unsafe Tides Coming to the Lost Coast Trail

Backpackers planning a visit to the Lost Coast Trail within the King Range National Conservation Area may face unfavorable tidal…

5 August

Popular Lake Tahoe Destination Closed Due to Bubonic Plague

Photo by Meritt Thomas For the second year in a row, the Taylor Creek Visitor Center and Kiva Beach in South…

2 August

Visitor Drowns at Carr Powerhouse in Whiskeytown NRA

Below is a press release from the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area: We are saddened to report the drowning of a…

2 August

Popular McCloud Falls Campground Closed Due to Bear Activity

Officials in the Shasta Trinity National Forest have temporarily closed the popular campground near McCloud Falls due to an assertive…

Jul- 2021 -

30 July

Brand-New Art Installation Coming to the Sacramento River Trail

Artist rendition of the art installation, which will be placed by the Stress Ribbon Bridge on the Sacramento River Trail…

29 July

WATCH: Hikers Complete the Dangerous Ascent Up Half Dome Without the Cables

The thrilling hike to the top of Half Dome is a world-famous adventure that became so popular, you now need…

28 July

Here’s a Map of All the Harmful Algae Blooms in Northern California

One underreported impact of Northern California’s extreme drought is the heating and low flows of different waterways. With that stagnant…

25 July

Lassen Volcanic National Park Issues Closures Due to Dixie Fire

With the Dixie Fire growing into the Lassen National Forest and nearby Lake Almanor, the Lassen Volcanic National Park has…

25 July

Harmful Algae Blooms are Wreaking Havoc in Northern California Rivers

Photo by the Blue Lake Rancheria Environmental health officials are reminding community residents to be on the lookout for harmful…

21 July

Champion Ultramarathon Runner Found Dead in Yosemite National Park

The search for a lost ultramarathon runner in Yosemite National Park ended tragically on Tuesday, when search and rescue officials…

21 July

Body Identified as Missing Hiker at Point Reyes National Seashore

Photo by Sammie Chaffin Point Reyes National Seashore confirms that the body found Monday, July 19 was that of Mitra Rasti,…

19 July

Body of Lost Hiker Recovered in Point Reyes National Seashore

Below is a press release from Point Reyes National Seashore: Point Reyes National Seashore received a report of an overdue…

19 July

Remembering the Deadly 1996 Rockfall that Sent 90,000 Tons of Rock into Yosemite Valley

July 19, 2021 marked the 25th anniversary of the 1996 Happy Isles rockfall in Yosemite National Park. The deadly incident…

19 July

S**** Valley Alpine Meadows to Host Washoe Cultural Tours

SVAM is excited to announce a new on-mountain summer experience: the Washoe Cultural Tour, beginning Monday, July 12. Not only is…

19 July

This NorCal Campground is the Best in the State, According to Outside Magazine

We all know there are some pretty amazing campgrounds in Northern California. Whether you’re camping in one of the National…

19 July

The Tragic Story of a Bear Cub Hit by a Car in Yosemite

There are speed limits in National Parks and they aren’t just so you won’t miss those stunning views. Bears are…

12 July

VIDEO: Hiker Captures the Moment a Lightning Strike Starts a Wildfire in the Sierra

A hiker witnessed a rare scene when a bolt of lightning hit the Sierra, causing an immediate wildfire. He even…

12 July

Bear Beach? Sightings on the Rise at Crowded Lake Tahoe Destination

Pope Beach is a popular place for locals and tourists to take in the summer sun in South Lake Tahoe.…

6 July

9 Can’t-Miss Summer Adventures in Lake Tahoe

Photo by Clayton Cardinalli It’s summertime in Northern California, meaning the pristine outdoor destinations of the region are primed for an…

5 July

Fishing in the Hot Northern California Summer: An Angler’s Reflection

Just about wherever you live, there’s that one season. In northern climes when the mercury dips below freezing, most folks…

4 July

Health Advisory for Swimmers Lifted at Whiskeytown’s Whiskey Creek

The health advisory issued at Whiskeytown Lake’s Whiskey Creek swimming area has been lifted. The two-day advisory was caused by…

2 July

Chinook Salmon Fishing Season Opens on Portions of the Klamath and Trinity Rivers

Fishing regulations for the spring Chinook fishery in the Klamath River Basin remain in effect following the June meeting of…

2 July

Wildfires Rage On as Fourth of July Weekend Approaches in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest

With the impending Fourth of July weekend expected to bring heavy traffic to the outdoor destinations of Northern California, wildfire…

1 July

MONSTER King Salmon Caught Along the NorCal Coast

Photo: Salt Lady Sportfishing Salmon fishing season has started in Northern California and the first signs are being seen along…

1 July

High Levels of E. Coli Found at Popular Swimming Area on Whiskeytown Lake

Photo by Chandler Hecht To protect public health, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area monitors water quality regularly from May to September. Recent…

Jun- 2021 -

30 June

Fly Fishing Northern California’s Legendary Hat Creek

Brought to you by Visit Redding Hat Creek is an iconic fishing stream near Redding that stands as the most…

30 June

Forest Service Issues Closures on Mount Shasta Due to Lava Fire

The U.S. Forest Service has issued a list of closures on Mount Shasta due to the growing Lava Fire in…

29 June

7 Iconic Hikes to Put on Your Bucket List Near Redding, California

Brought to you by Visit Redding Photo by Sanath Kumar The many outdoor attractions surrounding Redding, California can give you plenty…

28 June

‘Mafia-Style’ Botanist Returns to NorCal to Hilariously Explore the Humboldt Redwoods

The funniest botanist around has returned to Northern California to explore the different plant life you can find in the…

28 June

VIDEO: Momma Bear and Cubs Take a Dip at a Crowded Lake Tahoe Beach

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jen Watkins (@goldcountrycandles) A momma bear and her three cubs were…

28 June

NPS Ordered to Federal Court to Explain Treatment of Tule Elk in Point Reyes

Photo by Y S The National Park Service has been ordered to federal court on Monday to explain their treatment of…

27 June

Collins Almanor Forest Closed to Public Use Due to Wildfire Risk

Collins has closed the 94,000-acre Collins Almanor Forest to public use due to ongoing wildfire threats in Northern California. The…

27 June

Great White Shark Attack Puts Swimmer in ‘Serious Condition’ at Bay Area Beach

A 35-year-old man swimming near Grey Whale Cove State Beach was hospitalized on Saturday after a great white shark bit…

25 June

Brand-New Wolf Pack Discovered in Northern California’s Plumas County

Lassen Pack The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that a new wolf pack has established itself in southern Plumas…

24 June

‘Extremely Rare’ Brown Trout Found in Sacramento River Fish Trap in Redding

At the Keswick Dam on the Sacramento River in Redding, wildlife officials at the Coleman National Fish Hatchery use a…

24 June

Tourism Officials Offer Advice for Snagging Yosemite National Park Reservations

California’s tourism sector is roaring back to life, and although the state is easing restrictions, Yosemite National Park has not announced changes…

24 June

Here’s Everything You Can Do at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park this Summer

Mt. Shasta Ski Park opens for its summer season this week, offering visitors a variety of outdoor activities under the…

24 June

The Sunflower Fields of NorCal are in a Spectacular Bloom Right Now

Photo by Albert Dera It’s summer in Northern California, bringing triple-digit heat, sunny days and the longing for the perfect swimming…

22 June

When Will the Trail to Brandy Creek Falls Reopen in Whiskeytown NRA?

Photo: National Park Service Following the devastating Carr Fire in Redding, California that burned 229,651 acres and destroyed 1,604 structures,…

22 June

Behind the Photo: Capturing Historic Structures at a Drought-Ridden Shasta Lake

With another drought causing low water levels in Northern California, we wanted to revisit a unique story of historic structures…

22 June

It’s Time to Get Muddy! Tough Mudder Returns to Northern California this Summer

With major events returning to Northern California in 2021, one is guaranteed to challenge every muscle in your body. And…

21 June

Hiking to the Top of Castle Crags on the Castle Dome Trail

Brought to you by Visit Redding Castle Crags seems to hide in plain sight. Though clearly visible from I-5, the…

18 June

Transfer Approved on Klamath River Dams, Paving Way for Removal

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the transfer of the license for the Lower Klamath Hydroelectric Project from PacifiCorp to the…

17 June