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  • Frogs bounce back // Winter's here // Snake antivenom is $$$

Frogs bounce back // Winter's here // Snake antivenom is $$$

OutdoorSoCal Newsletter Nov 15, 2024

In today’s newsletter,

  • Serious snow expected in the Sierras

  • Ski resorts beginning to open

  • Frogs making a comeback in Yosemite

  • Avoid rattlesnake bites unless you are rich

News

Atmospheric river storm dumps snow on Sierra Nevada Mountains

The first major winter storm of the season is dumping snow on California’s mountains, with 15-30 inches expected by the weekend. No doubt Mammoth Mountain and other ski areas in the Sierras that have recently opened for the winter are jumping for joy

Some SoCal ski areas open for winter season Nov 22

The winter season also is kicking off down here in SoCal, with Snow Summit and Mountain High announcing they will open this Friday, November 22. Bear Mountain and Snow Valley are TBD on opening dates. Mount Baldy is open for tubing, but not for skiing and snowboarding yet. More info here on ski areas in and around SoCal.

King Tides hit California, with more to come

Earlier this month, the California Coast experienced King Tides, periods when the tide reaches extreme highs and lows on the same day. The next King Tides will be Dec 13 - 15.

The California Coastal Commission has launched a citizen science project to take photos of coastal areas during high tide levels during King Tides. The goal is to use the photographic documentation to study how future sea level rise will impact the state’s coastline.

King Tides are a great time to go tidepooling - during the low tide - and I plan to head out with my family to check out some of San Diego’s tide pools.

Yosemite frogs jump back from fungus attack

Scientists were hopping mad when a fungus nearly devastated a species of Yosemite frogs. So, they reintroduced fungus-resistant individuals to the park and the frog population appears to be rebounding.

Rattlesnake bite costs San Diego family a quarter of a million dollars

After a San Diego toddler was bitten by a rattlesnake in his family’s backyard, he needed over $200,000-worth of antivenom to save his life and had hospital bills over over a quarter of a million dollars. Dang, that’s expensssssssive.

Dude rights a fat tire bike across Iceland - in winter

Is it better to ride a fat tire bike across Iceland in winter or watch a video of a guy doing it from a comfy chair in my sunny California backyard? 😎Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Dirty Thirty MTB Race - Lakeside

Dirty Thirty, a 30-mile mountain bike race (and other distances) coming up on December 1, is hosted by Quick-n-Dirty at Sycamore Canyon Gooden Ranch in Lakeside, California.

Other Upcoming Events

E-Dirty Cross MTB Race - MTB
Dec 1 - Lakeside, California

Dirty 30 MTB Race - MTB
Dec 1 - Lakeside, California

Corva Truckhaven Challenge - Off-Roading
Jan 24 - Anza Borrego Desert State Park, California

Arc’teryx Backcountry Academy - Mountaineering
March 7-9, 2025 – Mammoth

Elevation Mammoth - Ski and Snowboard
March 12, 2025 - Mammoth Mountain, California

Overland Expo SoCal - Overlanding/Off-Roading
March 15-16, 2025 - Costa Mesa, California

Sage Brush Safari - MTB
March 30, 2025 - San Diego County, California

Archipelago Ride - MTB
May 3, 2025 - San Diego, California

If you know of an outdoors-related event in or around SoCal that you’d like to share with other subscribers, email me at [email protected].

Guides

Off-Highway Vehicle Areas in Southern California

It’s still a work in progress, but I’ve been putting together a list of the many OHV areas in Southern California. Most of these areas are managed by BLM, although some fall under state management.

Trona Pinnacles

The Trona Pinnacles are a stunning and unique geological formation located in the California Desert.

Amboy Crater

Amboy Crater is a striking geological feature located in California’s Mojave Desert, celebrated for its perfect volcanic symmetry and unique desert terrain.

Cucamonga Peak Trail

Cucamonga Peak Trail is a challenging 11-mile hike (round trip) in the Angeles National Forest with an elevation gain of about 3,500 feet.