Unusual opportunities abound in Yosemite

Looking for something highly unusual and incredibly scenic to do over the holiday weekend?

Bet ice skating on Tenaya Lake in Yosemite National Park never even crossed your mind. But it should.

Taking advantage of both frigid temperatures and the fact that Tioga Pass Road is open later than usual due to the lack of snow, folks have been flocking to Tenaya Lake to go ice skating. And to prove it, they're posting pictures on Facebook and videos on YouTube.

"This is the first time that a lot of people can remember [Tioga Pass Road] still being open in December," said Jarrod Lyman of the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau. "The result is people getting a rare chance to take in the high country beauty during the winter."

Other Yosemite landmarks, including Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove, also are open. As is the ice skating rink at Curry Village.

Travelers should be aware that there are no services along Tioga Pass Road, and overnight parking is prohibited.

At Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the General's Highway between the parks is scheduled to remain open until Jan. 2. All snowshoe walks have been cancelled, but rangers are offering hikes around Grant Grove and Tokopah Falls and evening programs inside Wuksachi Lodge.

Conditions can change at any time, especially in winter. So don't venture into the high country without a vehicle emergency kit. For the latest Yosemite road conditions, call (209) 372-0200, then press 1 and 1 again. For Sequoia and Kings Canyon, call (559) 565-3341.

Events

Dream Run

When: Jan. 7

Where: Woodward Park

The 2012 Valley Runner of the Year Series kicks off with this annual 5-kilometer race that supports the charitable foundation Break the Barriers.

Register through Jan. 5 at Sierra Running Co. (9447 North Fort Washington Road #106, Fresno) and check back here next week for a complete list of all 2012 Series events.

News & notes

• Five birds of prey are the subjects of the U.S. Postal Stamp's latest series: northern goshawk, peregrine falcon, golden eagle, osprey and northern harrier. Each bird is depicted from the neck up in colorful portraits.
• The Fresno Ski Club will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a Jan. 21 banquet at Pardini's. It's a black-tie affair and costs $75 for nonmembers. Details: fresnoskiclub.com.
• Join the local Sierra Club chapter Sunday for an easy hike around Buckeye Flat in Sequoia National Park. Details: (559) 332-2419.