by Marv Dealy

     The Jordan Oak is a large Canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis) that was crowned as a champion—the biggest Canyon live oak in the nation—in 1966, when it was registered with the American Forestry Association.
     Priscilla Riefkoh-Guzman, Groveland Ranger District Archaeologist, was kind enough to lend me a copy of her file on the Jordan Oak, which included correspondence and newspaper clippings that go back to 1959.
     The Canyon live oak is found in the southwestern part of North America, particularly in the California coastal ranges. They are common in the hills west of Yosemite, and are often found growing near creeks and drainage swales. The flat leaves are a glossy dark green on the upper side with a goldish velvet underside, and have prominent spiny teeth, particularly on young twigs, which will stick your fingers if you’re not careful. 

By Rick Deutsch

    Many know of the famous people who helped make Yosemite the jewel of the National Parks. John Muir, Galen Clark, James Hutchings and Stephen Mather all rightfully deserve a place in its history. But do you know George G. Anderson? You won’t find him mentioned in the Valley Visitor Center or the park museum. No peaks or formations are named after him, and he is buried under an almost illegible granite stone in the Yosemite cemetery.
      Yet to many he is the Neil Armstrong of the park because he was the first man to reach the top of Half Dome. His story is one that needs elevation in Park lore, and I propose that we honor him by declaring October 12 “George Anderson Day.” Once you learn about him, I think you’ll agree.

By Rick Deutsch

The name Arthur Clarence Pillsbury (1870-1946) may not be familiar to most of us, but he is worth getting to know.  “AC,” as he was called, was a key player in the early

photographic recording of Yosemite.  “AC,” as he was called, was a key player in the early photographic recording of Yosemite. He was a Stanford University mechanical engineering graduate who invented many unique photo and film devices—many still in use today. Before telling of his Yosemite feats, let’s learn what a remarkable person he was.

by Yosemite Gazette Staff

“You mean we climbed all of that? This is awe-inspiring. We are higher than Half Dome!”

A number of companies and organizations offer guided tours at Yosemite National Park. One of those is Lasting Adventures. Since 1997 the organization has guided more than 2,250 young participants over nearly 4,000 miles in and around the Yosemite back country with a variety of hikes and experiences, including their well-known “Half Dome in Half a Day” hike.

by Joyce Griffith

Thirty years later the Mother Lode Roundup Parade is as much fun as it ever was, according to the U.S. flag

Janet and Joan rode in the Mother Lode Round-Up Parade years ago as little girls and decided to come back thirty years later to return and ride once again in their favorite parade.  Janet Heur shared her memories of long-ago days participating in the parade with today’s Yosemite Gazette readers.

Adapted by Adele O’Neill

Dana Gardens

On the lower slopes of Mount Dana, there is a permanent seep of water from the melting snows above. This moisture has created several acres of natural garden, one of the finest assemblages of mountain flowers around. It is worth a short hike just to see them.  Leave Tioga Pass on the Mount Dana Trail, which takes off in the direction of the mountain, right at the pass.

by Michael Gahagan

A visit to Yosemite just over 100 years ago by an early California artist will be the featured theme of an

exhibit “Yosemite and the California Trails of Joseph Jacinto ‘Jo’ Mora,” curated by the Central Sierra Arts Council.  Connor said, “Sonora, as one of the gateways of Yosemite—combined with the fact that we are currently exploring the idea of enhanced regional cultural tourism locally—creates the perfect climate for this exhibition.”  The exhibition, featuring a wide variety of Mora’s prolific artistic accomplishments provided by the Jo Mora Trust and area collectors, will focus on the multi-talented artist’s stay in Yosemite in the summer of 1904, which he recorded in a diary.

The Belgian Gold Miner leaves the mines for good, travels to Portland, and takes a wife...

 by Marc Fossum