February 1949

NATURE

Arctic Three-toed Woodpeckers From Drawing by R. Bruce

'VOL. XXVIII FEBRUARY, 1949 NO.

THE MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE YOSEMITE NATURALIST DIVISION AND THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION, INC.

C. P. Russell, Superintendent D. E. McHenry, Park Naturalist H. C. Parker, Assoc. Park Naturalist R. N. McIntyre, Asst. Park Naturalist

VOL. XXVIII FEBRUARY, 1949 NO. 2 TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

By Carl P. Russell, Park Superintendent The original Yosemite Museum He encouraged others in his departwas established in 1921 by Ansel F. ment to do the same, and the rangHall, then park naturalist. It was ers ' activities were not limited to housed in the one-time Jorgenson natural history. Ranger Bill RayStudio, the building near the Sentinel entered the field of human nel Bridge which today is the resihistory in his work for the Yosemite dence of Assistant Chief Ranger Museum. His forays into the old gold Homer Robinson. I had my introduccamps west of the park yielded tion to it in 1922. I worked in it from truck loads of historic objects. Mrs. June, 1923 until May, 1926 at which C. W. (Enid) Michael, ranger-naturtime its exhibits, workroom, and ofalist and year-round resident, had fices were moved to the "new" Yoworked industriously for years in semite Museum. Even in 1923, Ansel collecting and preparing botanical Hall was optimistic about a "new" specimens and in recording her obmuseum. He had applied his proservations on Yosemite birds. Hers motional talents to the idea of a was a most substantial contribution more fitting museum program during to the earlier scientific work of the the several preceding years while Yosemite Museum, and she did imhe was ranger and park naturalist. portant ground work in preparing In keeping with his optimism, much for the ultimate headquarters estabof the work done in the Yosemite lishment. Dr. H. C. Bryant and M. B. Naturalist Department in 1923 and Nichols, pioneer nature guides, had 1924 was directed along lines which devoted their summers for a number would advance the anticipated largof years to the service of Yosemite er museum undertaking even though visitors. They were keenly aware that program was still entirely visionof the importance of improving their ary and air-built. central point of public contact. This Foremost among the local workers need was made known by them to who engaged in creative thinking any and all listeners who might be about the future of Yosemite interprein position to lend some help. Dr. Live work was Superintendent W. B. Bryant's influence was especially Lewis. He was a most ardent proponsignificant. Eventually, as head of ent of an adequate Yosemite Muthe educational branch, Director's seum. His enthusiasm was infecOffice, he played a leading role in tuous. Chief Ranger Forrest S. launching a Service-wide museum Townsley had applied himself in a program. very practical way in collecting and Outside of the National Park Servpreparing bird and mammal speciice there were other local workers mens over a period of several years. who accomplished a great deal in

supporting the museum project— ing which was put to use even beCharles W. Michael, Assistant Postfore a new museum building was master, and Herbert Senn "The assured. Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Goethe Bird Man" are notable examples. of Sacramento, to whom can be The Yosemite Park and Curry Co. traced the initial impetus in launchcontributed funds with which to pay ing the Nature Guide program in Yothe salary of a ranger-naturalist over semite, continued to spread the idea a period of years. There were many of parks interpretive work among other enthusiastic helpers in nearby Congressmen and Senators. The communities who lent their aid in California Fish and Game Commispreparing for an expansion of the sion maintained its very important Yosemite interpretive program. support by assigning its educational Without exception, these men and officer, Dr. H. C. Bryant, to continued women recognized the necessity of duty in Yosemite. The University of providing satisfactory offices and California also provided important workrooms for the naturalists. They help. Dr. Joseph Grinnell, Director of also visualized the good results the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology which could be obtained in nature on the Berkeley campus, had beteaching if an adequate library were come the authority on Yosemite animade available to staff and public mal life as a result of field investigaalike, and if study collections as well tions which he and his staff had conas popular exhibits were developed ducted in the park since 1914. His in a central Yosemite museum. Mr. books and unpublished data were G. E. ("Elmer") Reynolds, Editor of of utmost importance in planning the the "Stockton Record," promoted Yosemite Museum. Joseph Dixon and this idea week after week for several Donald McLean, participants in the years by featuring entire pages of Grinnell survey, became important Yosemite material in the "Out-Door Section" of his splendid and semite Museum. For a number of influential newspaper. Francis P. years Prof. E. O. Essig brought his Farquhar, then living in San Franentomology classes to Yosemite. Incisco, made available to Yosemite sect collections made by these workers his remarkable library of groups are still important among Californiana and persistently advothe exhibits and study collections. cated that library facilities be proBotanists and foresters from the Univided in the park. The Sierra Club versity also helped by collecting and under the presidency of Mr. Faridentifying plant materials in the quhar made cash donations with park. E. W. Gifford of the Museum of which the salary of a ranger-naturAnthropology, University of Calialist was paid. Dr. Barton W. fornia, cooperated with the park natEvermann and his staff at the Caliuralist in giving access to his large fornia Academy of Science, San collection of Miwok cultural mateFrancisco, also gave more than rials and in providing voluminous moral support to the Yosemite Muunpublished notes on his studies seum idea. In January and February which were used to advantage in 1924, the Yosemite park naturalist planning the Yosemite Indian exworked with Mr. Frank Tose, Chief hibits. Preparator at the Academy, and In the East, other friends of the natlearned from him the rudiments of uralists' programs were at work. certain exhibit preparation, a trainStephen T. Mather, Director of the

Crowded Condition in the Yosemite Museum. —Photo by Anderson National Park Service, had a lively seums, authorized a survey of park personal interest in nature teaching. museum needs. As a result of that Fortunately the Yosemite program survey and the subsequent recomwas very much in his mind as he mendations made by the Associashaped the grand plan for the Servtion and the National Park Service, ice, and the Yosemite Museum owes the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memuch to his well-placed letters and morial, just 25 years ago, made published articles. Mr. Mather perfunds available with which to consonally met the expenses of Dr. L. struct a Yosemite Museum. Some of H. Miller and Dr. H. C. Bryant when the particulars of that support from in 1921 they engaged in a lecture the American Association of Mutour throughout the east and middle seums and the Laura Spelman Rockewest for the purpose of engendering feller Memorial will be given in a interest in National Park Service future note on the history of the Yointerpretive work. In 1924 Dr. Frank semite Museum. R. Oastler of New York City collab There are many omissions in this orated with Ansel F. Hall, then chief recapitulation of events, but perhaps naturalist for the National Park Servit will suffice as a review of some of the cooperation which a quarter of a ice, in organizing a comprehensive century ago brought about the complan of educational activities and debination of interests so necessary to fined park museum objectives for the success of a park museum prothe entire Service. It was in 1924 also gram. In the light of events which that Mr. C. J. Hamlin, President of have transpired since 1924, it seems the American Association of Muto the writer that it was fortuitous

that a Yosemite naturalist should 1926 and the Yosemite Museum has have been the one to make the first shared in this increased use. In 1948 drive for an adequate park museum. -585,900 people were served by the The original thinking of Ansel F. Yosemite Museum, a gain of some Hall did not die a-borning. His pro600% over 1925-26, yet the increased posals fell upon many waiting ears, use has not been accompanied by and the support which was forthcomincreased support. In 1925-26 the ing was hearty and adequate. In few year-around staff of naturalists and places within the National Park Sysmuseum employees consisted of five tern could there have been a better men and women; today it is still five combination of obvious public demen and women. The ranger-naturalmand and willing agents to give the ist and museum staff of seasonal "long pull, a strong pull, and a pull employees has grown from eight in all together." A striking demonstra1925-26 to fourteen in 1947-48, yet tion of an effective park interpretive this increase is far from equitable program was made possible by when the limitations of the prevailthese coordinated efforts and from ing 40-hour work week are considthe beginning a "central" museum, ered. Today three outpost stations, the Yosemite Museum, was the show one of which has a branch museum window for the demonstrations. As and another a budding museum exinterest in the Yosemite naturalists ' hibit, require two ranger-naturalists programs has spread, the demand each during the summer season, made upon the staff and the physical leaving but six ranger-naturalists to plant have increased mightily. It is serve the very great concentration not amiss to state here that the time of visitors in Yosemite Valley itself. has come for another united effort Of these, the time of one is devoted in behalf of the Yosemite Museum. entirely to the Yosemite School of The unit which in 1924-25 seemed Field Natural History. The insufficiample for all possible interpretive ency of this increase is further empurposes is now swamped by a phasized when it is understood that flood of users such as was never in 1947-48 more than 2,000,000 inimagined by park planners in 1924. terpretive contacts were made as A fair picture of this inundation may contrasted with the 143,500 instances be had upon consideration of the of service in 1925-26. To state this statistics which follow. circumstance in another way—the In the fiscal year beginning July 1, overall naturalist service extended 1924, and ending June 30, 1925, the to the public has increased more Yosemite naturalist organization than 1300% since 1925-26; the inserved 83,000 park visitors; 38,000 crease in the number of seasonal of these people visited the "Old ranger-naturalists and museum emMuseum." During the next fiscal ployees is but 46% while there has year July 1, 1925, through June 30, been no increase whatsoever in the 1926, the first full year of operation permanent staff since 1926. in the "New Yosemite Museum" the With the help of WPA, PWA, CCC, Naturalist Department served 143,- etc., the Yosemite exhibits have been 500 people; 82,000 of them visited the much improved over their 1925 conMuseum. dition but the capacity of the buildAs everyone knows, the popularing is unchanged. Present day ity of Yosemite National Park has incrowds can not be accommodated creased by leaps and bounds since properly within it. It is hardly rea-

sonable to expect another gift from sources of philanthropy are drying up.

ONE WINTER NIGHT

By Ralph H. Anderson, Administrative Assistant The night of February 4, 1948, will Some of us were out for dinner that long be remembered by many peoevening, but we gave only slight ple in Yosemite. Not that it was difconcern to the possibility of not getferent from hundreds of other winter ting home, knowing that the snownights, but this one marked the end plows would be out clearing the of a long dry period in which little roads to keep ahead of the storm. It or no snow fell to blanket the ski was a thrilling sight to see the snow slopes above the rim of the Valley pile up deeper and deeper. Oak or to build the desperately needed trees became ghost trees with every water reserves for agriculturalists twig swollen with a heavy coating in the San Joaquin Valley below. of wet snow. Power and telephone On the afternoon of February 3, a lines became thick white ropes, some telegram from the Weather Bureau as much as nine inches in diameter. advised the superintendent that a We went to bed, slept soundly, big storm was to be expected the foland arose next morning to find 17 lowing day. We kept our fingers inches of snow on the ground. We crossed! Sometimes such storms reached for the light switch, a little never materialize. Down went the apprehensive lest the power might barometer, darker and darker grew have gone off : It turned on! the sky. By dusk of the 4th the snow Realizing that most of us do not began to fall. fully appreciate the vast amount of —N.P.S. Photo by Ralph Anderson

planning and night work necessary to maintain the utilities in the park, it was interesting to look behind the scenes to see just what had happened the night before.

The snow fell lightly at first but the intensity increased rapidly until by 8:00 p.m. Fredrick Martischang, ranger at Badger Pass, telephoned the Chief Ranger's office that the depth of snow had reached approximately three inches. The ranger on duty in the Chief Ranger's office telephoned Wm. Stevenson, General Road Foreman, and informed him of the weather conditions at the moment and what was anticipated. Mr. Stevenson, in turn, immediately called E. C. Smith, Acting Park Engineer, and related the weather information to him and requested authority to place the snowplows in operation immediately. The intensity of the storm indicated that it would be unwise to delay action until midnight. With the go-ahead signal, Mr. Stevenson marshalled the meager forces at his command to commence snow removal operations. He called Charles Lash, road foreman for the Wawona district, and ordered a snowplow be placed on the Wawona Road between South Entrance and Chinquapin and, at the same time, to proceed towards the Wawona Tunnel with the other snowplow. Mr. Stevenson proceeded to the utility area, put chains on his pick-up, and endeavored to round up sufficient drivers and assistants from the road maintenance crew living in the Indian Village to start operations on the Valley Floor. He succeeded in securing Herb Ewing, Ernest Vancil and Paul Cramer, truck drivers, and Robert Barr, Norman James and John Telles, assistants or "swampers." By the time these drivers and swampers could be rounded up and report to work, the intensity of the storm had increased to proportions requiring all snowplows to be placed in operation.

During the beginning of the storm, residents and guests of the Valley became unduly alarmed. They feared that the road would soon become impassable, preventing their leaving the Valley or returning to their homes. It was necessary to calm these fears and give assurance that there was no cause for alarm.

About 10:00 p.m., Ranger Odin Johnson, at Arch Rock, saw flashing lights a short distance below his station. He promptly reported this unusual condition, and electricians Joe Jenkins and Walter Gann started down toward Arch Rock immediately to determine if it was trouble in the 70,000 volt transmission line. A short distance above Arch Rock, they found the All-Year Highway completely blocked by four oak trees which had become uprooted and slid into the road from the mountain side above. Not having the equipment to clear a pass through this tangle of tree trunks and limbs, Jenkins and Gann turned back. They stopped at the power house and reported the condition to E. C. Smith. Mr. Smith, by this time, had taken a position in the Administration Building where he would be readily accessible. Mr. Stevenson was located after several telephone calls and given the information regarding the blockaded road. Not having any more road maintenance men available, he requested authority to call out other personnel to assist in clearing the road. Mr. Bowman, Carpenter Foreman, was called and he and Mr. Stevenson drove to the scene to assist in the work.

In the meantime, after several dimmings of lights, the power failed at 11:15 p.m. Power failures, especially at night, and before a storm has reached any size, is a particular

source of anxiety due to overloaded transformers and system. We are always fearful that the failure is on our own system and of such extent that the park functions can be jeopardized. Mr. Smith called the power house at once to determine the cause of the failure. The night operator, Mr. Youd, replied that he was not certain what the trouble was. Before any conclusions were reached, Mr. Homer Crider, Chief Power House Operator, was on the line at his home. He indicated that he would go immediately to the power house and check the trouble.

Mr. Lash called in from the upper end of the Wawona Tunnel and reported the condition of the road in his area and gave the opinion that it would be necessary to exert all efforts to maintain a one-way road between Yosemite Valley and the South Entrance Ranger Station. Almost immediately after Mr. Lash reported on road conditions, Mr. Crider had arrived at the power house and called Mr. Smith to let him know that the trouble was not on the park system but on the Pacific Gas and Electric's line. In addition, the Yosemite power house was not generating sufficient electricity to supply the demands of the Valley and that before these demands could be furnished, many units in the Valley would have to be taken out of the circuit.

Failure of the power left the Lewis Memorial Hospital without lights or means of operating their heating system, as was the situation in the entire Valley. Fortunately, a short time before, the National Park Service had installed in the hospital a 10 KVA stand-by unit for just such emergencies. Shortly after 12:00 o'clock midnight, Mr. Smith contacted the hospital to see if they had succeeded in placing their stand-by unit in operation. He learned that everything was operating satisfactorily, and no discomfort was experienced in the hospital because of the storm. This relieved the Park Service of any immediate anxiety regarding the mechanical operation of the hospital.

When the power failed, Miss Eunice Jones, telephone operator, called Mr. Hauck, Master Plumber, using her hand-cranking stand-by magneto. The electric pumps in the Yosemite Creek pump house were, of course, out of operation and it became Mr. Hauck's duty to start the gasoline stand-by units to prevent the overflow of sewage into Yosemite Creek. Mr. Hauck notified Mr. Jean Charron, Foreman Plumber, of the condition and made an agreement to meet at the plumbing shop in two hours, provided the power had not been restored. A few minutes before 3:00 a.m., Mr. Charron arrived at the plumbing shop, prepared to go to the Yosemite Creek pump house.

Power was restored at approximately 3:00 a.m. Not long thereafter, the electricians who had been below Arch Rock trying to ascertain the trouble, called Mr. Smith and told him that the power had been restored without any action on their part. As near as they could determine, there had been a short circuit somewhere along the P.G.&E. transmission line which automatically opened the switch at the Bear Valley substation.

The morning dawned on a snow-covered Yosemite. Lights were turned on in dozens of comfortable homes. Breakfasts were prepared. Youngsters went off to school. Men and women trudged through the snow to go to work, meeting excited visitors out with their cameras enjoying the thrill of a lifetime. Comparatively few people were aware of the weary night workers who kept the park utilities operating. These

workers had the satisfaction of a job well done, safeguarding the comfort and enjoyment of the visitors and residents alike.

A NEW RABBIT FOR YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

By Emil F. Ernst, Park Forester For a number of years, possibly rear end of the rabbit itself. With its ten, there have been recurrent rumors circulated among the personnel like the proverbial ostrich, that it was nel of the Blister Rust Control eradication entirely concealed and made no cation crews that rabbits were being move while the park forester apencountered during the eradication proached and gently picked it out operation on park lands. The park of the snow bank. forester himself has seen snowshoe The rabbit was taken to the Yorabbits at Tuolumne Meadows and semite Museum where it was definitely had observed their tracks elsewhere identified as a Mariposa in the park. Jack rabbits have been brush rabbit.* According to availreported on Trumbull Ridge in the able records at the Yosemite Muvicinity of the site of old Camp 15 seum, this is the first authenticated of the former Yosemite Lumber Company report of the presence of the brush pany. Before the War the park forester rabbit on Yosemite National Park er, while on the ridge above Chinlands. Ranger John Mullady at quapin Ranger Station, was told by South Entrance says there are sevone of the eradication men that he eral such rabbits near the station had just scared up a brush rabbit. and that they have been there for This man was a resident of the town several years. Since the capture of of Mariposa and said he knew a this specimen additional reports brush rabbit when he saw it. place similar rabbits in the Wawona Recently the park forester, while Meadows. on a routine inspection of field opThis specimen was captured on erations with Forester Maurice Thede the highway about three-fourths of in the Wawona-South Entrance area a mile north of South Entrance Stacaptured a light brush rabbit. This tion at an elevation of approximaterabbit had dived into a snow bank ly 5,000 feet above sea level and in built up by the snow plows and had Section 12, Township 5 South, Range apparently completely disappeared. 21 East, Mount Diablo Baseline and However, intrigued by the peculiar Meridian. Date of capture was Debrown hole in the snow bank into cember 14, 1948. which the rabbit had supposedly jumped, the party stopped their car Now that this Mariposa brush rabbit is known to be present on park for closer examination. Imagine their surprise in discovering that their brown "hole" was actually the rear end of the rabbit itself. Additional observations should be forthcoming and the full range in the park be determined. Copies of the August, 1946, numspare one of these, please send it to ber of Yosemite Nature Notes are Box 545, Yosemite National Park, badly needed for our files. If you can California. *Sylvilagus bachmani mariposae, Grinnell and Storer.

Digitized by Yosemite Online Library Dan Anderson