Monika Northcutt's Page

Photo from Alltrails.Description: Easy to moderate 4.6-mile out and back to Elizabeth Lake with a 900 ft. elevation gain. Add more mileage by hiking around the lake and walking in Tuolumne Meadows. Trail Head: ** Because Tuolumne Meadows Campground is closed we’ll park and hike from the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. This adds about a mile each way to the hike. Dinner: Groveland. A trailgate may be too chilly.No dogs on this one.Last hiked: It was included in the 9/13/14 Obata Lake hike.See More

Photo by Mark Longhurst.Description: Moderate 8.3 mile out and back to two lakes with an elevation change of 650 ft. Trail head: Crabtree parking lot at 7130 ft.Fee: none.Dinner: Trailgate at the trail head or Mia's.Bring the dogs.Last hiked: Never.See More

Photo: Steve's perfect Woodland StarTrail head: Morgan Territory Road Staging Area.Fee: None.Dogs welcome. Description: Moderate 7.8-mile loop using the Volvon, Blue Oak, Highland Ridge and Clyma Trails.Elevation: 2040 at the trail head. Lowest is 1100 ft. highest is 2300 ft. for a total change of 1200 ft.Flora possibilities: Woodland Star, Butter and Eggs, Buttercup, Woodland Shooting Star, Red Maid, Broadleaf Filaree, Royal Larkspur, Bluedick. Dinner: Casa Orozco in Livermore.Last Hiked: Mar…See More

Photo: Female #878, fledged in the Pinnacles, fall of 2017. Parents are #569 and #589, photographed doing it in Jan 2017. Description: Moderate 6.1-mile loop through Bear Gulch Cave and up High Peaks Trail, completing on Condor Gulch Trail.Trail Head:  Bear Gulch Day Use Parking Lot.Parking: Bear Gulch Day Use Parking lot and overflow parking behind the Visitor Center with shuttle service to the trail head.Land Status: National Park.Fee: $30.00/car entrance fee paid at the visitor's center, or…See More

Photo courtesy of Yosemite Hikes.Description: 3.6 mile loop, partial cross-country.Destination: Series of cascade falls on the Tuolumne River.Destination: Top of Pothole Dome for 360 degree views.Fee: $30 entrance fee or pass.No dogs on this one.It will be warm this weekend. We’ll take it easy but we can add walks in Tuolumne Meadows or at the Pass. Early Dinner: Whoa Nellie Deli. See More

Photo: Taken from the Upper Merced River Watershed Council website. Easy 7-mile out and back with minimal elevation change.Trail head: The site of Savage's Trading Post, 21 miles east of Mariposa on Hwy 140, just east of the 2006 landslide and detour.Parking: You're driving eastbound on Hwy 140. Cross the bridge over the South Fork of the Merced River and the parking lot is immediately on your left. We cross the highway to get to our trail head.  Fee: None. Dogs are welcome.Dinner: Trail Gate…See More