The Center of it All, North Fork Added as Newest Stop on Fossils to Falls Road Trip

OAKHURST, CA (January 30, 2023) – The Welcoming Committee of Visit Yosemite | Madera County has been known to act like animals, that's because they are a wild cast of characters. This animated bunch has been welcoming visitors to Madera County since 2019, and their crew is growing! Meet Ranger, the California Mule Deer and mascot of North Fork, the geographic center of California and newest stop on the Fossils to Falls Road Trip Itinerary.

Ranger's trading card can be found at the Sierra Mono Museum and Cultural Center, one of the only Native-owned and operated museums and cultural centers in California. The Sierra Mono Museum and Cultural Center opened in November of 1971 and displays collections of tribal artifacts, including baskets, beadwork, taxidermy animals, various tools and weapons, historical photos and ceremonial items.  

Watch the Video!

The Yosemite Adventure Contest showcases must-sees of Madera County, Bass Lake, and Yosemite National Park. Find and collect trading cards of our Welcoming Committee members for chances to win monthly drawings and a Yosemite Adventure Vacation package grand prize!

Congratulations to the 2022 Yosemite Adventure Contest winner, the Lewis Family from Utah! The Lewis Family collected trading cards from each stop along the Fossils to Falls Road Trip and will return to the explore even more of the area for their Yosemite National Park Adventure Vacation soon.  

MR. MEAD is a saber-toothed cat that roamed the area 780,000 years ago from the Fossil Discovery Center of Madera County. Visit the Fossil Discovery Center in Chowchilla to pick up your Mr. Mead trading card.

HONEY is a honey bee that pollinates the fertile lands of Madera County and the Madera Wine Trail. Pick up Honey's trading card at wineries along the Madera Wine Trail.

NUGGET is an ebony tarantula that dwells in the hills of Coarsegold. Find Nugget's trading card at the shops of the Coarsegold Historic Village.

SIERRA is a local black bear that loves to shop, play and explore all there is to see and do in Oakhurst, the largest gateway town outside Yosemite. Stop by the Visitor Center in Oakhurst to pick up your Sierra trading card.

ART E. FOX is an endangered Sierra Nevada red fox. This colorful and sly fox's trading card is available at the Yosemite Gateway Art Center in Oakhurst.

BLake is Bass Lake's very own bald eagle who likes fishing, watching tourists, and soaring above the shores of the lake. Snag this card at The Pines Resort, The Forks Resort, and Miller's Landing Resort on Bass Lake.

RANGER is the mule deer that roams North Fork in search of acorns, tasty shoots, and shrubs to snack on. Visit the Sierra Mono Museum and Cultural Center to pick up Ranger’s trading card.

RICKY is the resident bandit, racoon at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. Ride the antique steam train around the mountain and pick up your Ricky trading card.

GALEN is a great horned owl that is the protector of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. After exploring the giants, snap a picture, then pick up Galen's trading card at this time at the Oakhurst Visitor Center until the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza opens this summer.  

SANDY the squirrel hangs out at Tunnel View and all-around Madera County, gathering nuts and chatting. You can pick up your Sandy trading card at the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley. If the gallery is not open during your time in the park, ask for your card at the Oakhurst Visitor Center or when you take a Yosemite tour with Crossroads Tours, Discover Yosemite Tours or Yosemite Photo Safari.

HOW TO PLAY

The Yosemite Adventure Contest showcases must-sees of Madera County, Bass Lake, and Yosemite National Park. Find and collect trading cards of our Welcoming Committee members  for chances to win monthly drawings and a Yosemite Adventure Vacation package grand prize!

The Yosemite Adventure Vacation Package Grand Prize includes:

• Two-night stay in the southern gateway to Yosemite - (Stay in a hotel, cabin or bed & breakfast that best fits your needs.)
• Gift cards for local dining and souvenirs.
• AND your choice of one adventure category:
  • Yosemite: All-day Yosemite tour for two from Discover Yosemite Tours.
  • Extreme Sierra: Half-day of rock climbing for two with Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides OR Jeep tour for up to four people with Sierra Nevada Motorsports Tours and Rentals.
  • Bass Lake: Four-hour patio boat rental on Bass Lake (for the whole family.)
  • Family Fun: Train Ride for two adults and two children on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad.
  • Wine Tasting: Free tasting at Southern Yosemite Wineries, two bottles of local wine, and Meet the Winemaker Experience.

To submit contest entries:

• Stop at the Oakhurst Visitor Center and fill out the entry form.
• Or…Text your name, address, phone number and email along with a photo of all your cards to Rhonda @ 559-658-0150.
• Or… Email your name, address, phone number and email along with a photo of all your cards to Rhonda@YosemiteThisYear.com.

Collect two or more trading cards for a chance to win the Yosemite Adventure Vacation. The more cards collected – the more chances to win!

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About Visit Yosemite | Madera County   

Formed in 1985, Visit Yosemite | Madera County's mission is to draw the millions of visitors of Yosemite National Park to the many businesses and attractions in its gateway. We invite visitors to take a journey from the Fossil Discovery Center to the Madera Wine Trail and onward into the High Sierra. Along the way, discover incredible dining, talented tradespersons, four seasons of water sports at Bass Lake, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad and mighty adventures right up to the massive Giant Sequoia trees. Madera County is the gateway to so much more.