Join us to celebrate spring with a morning in the Merced River Canyon, admiring the blooming flowers and the ecosystems that contain them. Bring your nature journal (or a piece of paper and something to write with) to sharpen your attention, flex your curiosity, and deepen your appreciation for this season in the natural world.
When/Where:
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 9 am – ~1 pm
Location: Meet at El Portal Market on Highway 140 (10913 CA-140, El Portal, CA 95318)
The El Portal Market is right off Highway 140 by the gas station, easy to find, and, importantly for coordination, has cell reception. This will not be true for the other places that we will be going to for the day, so be aware and plan ahead!
From El Portal Market, we will carpool downcanyon to the trailhead at Incline, which has limited parking close to the trailhead. Experienced nature journalers will be free to explore at their own pace, while those new to nature journaling or who would like a little more guidance are welcome to hang back for a brief introduction or some additional guidance before we set out. (Let me know if you want to meet us at the trailhead instead of at the El Portal Market.)
At 12:30 pm, we will regroup at McClendon’s Beach Day-Use Area for a potluck picnic lunch. McClendon’s is roughly a half-mile back up the road that we came in on.
Are you interested in car-pooling/or catching a ride from Yosemite Valley or somewhere else nearby? Let me know, and I’ll see if I can help coordinate.
What to Expect:
Conditions
Average April temperatures are centered on ‘ideal’ in Yosemite Valley. It tends to be warmer in El Portal and sunny, and April rains are rare, so we can hope for great weather.
However, Ma Nature has been known to throw a mean curve ball or two in her time, so when it comes to conditions, be sure to keep your eyes on the ball. Take a look at the weather forecast for El Portal, where we will be meeting. NPS also provides a list of local forecasts, which vary tremendously by location/elevation. This can help you get a good picture of what to expect. If it is raining, we will cancel.
What to Bring
Picnic dish or snack to share. Please let me know if you have any dietary restrictions. I am aware of some people whose diets are gluten-free and dairy-free, and we have a few vegetarians and vegans among us. While not every dish needs to accommodate every person, it would be nice to have a nice selection available for our post-journaling gathering.
If you can, please also bring a reusable plate/bowl and personal utensils to help us reduce waste.
Something to write with and on. I’ll try to have some extras in case someone forgets, but a bit of printer paper and a pen or pencil work fine too!
Clothing layers and sun protection. In April, days can start cool (40 F/ 4.5 C) and then warm to a sun-drenched splendor. Again, you’ll want to check a weather forecast as the date approaches, but multiple layers are always wise in the mountains.
Personal Items. We will be out and about all morning and into the afternoon. Be sure to have a small pack with your personal essentials on hand. This would include things like water, personal snacks, minor first aid supplies, and anything else you might need for a morning outdoors.
Bathroom kit. There are no restrooms along the trail, so you may also wish to bring supplies to avail yourselves of the local bushes. (Watch out for poison oak!) If you bring toilet paper, you will also want to bring some plastic bags so you can carry your used paper out with you. (There is a restroom near the picnic area.)
Your Curiosity and Wonder.
Be Aware:
Like any outdoor area – like any area – being aware of your surroundings is important for your safety. A few things to pay particular attention to in this area include:
- Poison Oak – is a beautiful plant to admire from a distance. Be careful not to touch it. We will see a lot of it along the trail.
- Ticks – unfortunately. Yes. Insect repellent, wearing long sleeved shirts and tucking your pants into your socks are all excellent deterrents. Wearing light colored clothing will also make them easier to spot if they do get on you. (Be sure to check for ticks afterward as well.)
- The Merced River – will be running fast and cold in April. Practice good water safety and be aware of downstream hazards if you are close to the river.
- Rattlesnakes – watch where you step.
- The trail we will be on follows a historic railroad bed, so it’s relatively flat and easy to walk. However, a little less than 3/4 of a mile up the trail, a small rockslide has created a small but steep hill. There is a well-beaten trail across the slide but please take care, especially when returning down the steep section. Some people may prefer not to cross, or may wish to crab walk/butt scooch down the loose dirt.
I (Theresa) will carry a small personal first aid kit and have more supplies in the car, so please reach out if you are experiencing any kind of trouble or concerns. Please also know that I do not have a current WFR or any medical certification. This is a gathering, not a guided trip, so please take responsibility, be careful, and watch out for yourselves and those around you.
More Resources
Here are a few resources that you might be interested in for our trip: (Let me know if you have any other favorites to recommend, and I’ll include them here.)
- How to Draw Flowers/Plants – If you’re looking for a quick tutorial or refresher on sketching plants and flowers I highly recommend this series of tutorials from John Muir Laws. His enthusiasm as well as his artistic skill make watching his videos fun and educational.
- Yosemite Wildflowers app – This is the one I use most often. It does cost money, but once downloaded, it works to help ID flowers without reception/wifi, which will be critical at this location. Also, since this focuses on flowers inside the park, we may see a few lower-elevation species that are not included.
- The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada – Paper is a wonderful technology. This guide includes not only many wildflowers we are likely to find but also provides insights and information on a wide range of exciting non-wildflower things we may encounter as well.
- Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Labs – As an aspiring birder, this is another app that I often open while out exploring.