January 1953

YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES VOLUME XXXII • NUMBER 1 JANUARY 1953

Fir branches and snow —Ansel Adams

Unicorn and Echo Peaks, Tuolumne Meadows. By Ansel Adams from "Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada." Reproduction by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company. Cover Photo : Fir branches and snow, by Ansel Adams.

THE MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF

THE Yosemite NATURALIST division AND

THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION, INC.

John C. Preston, Superintendent D. E. McHenry, Park Naturalist D. H. Hubbard, Assoc. Park Naturalist N. B. Herkenham, Asst. Park Naturalist W. W. Bryant, Junior Park Naturalist

VOL. XXXII JANUARY 1953 NO. I SNOW SURVEYING

By Duane D. Jacobs, Assistant Chief Ranger Each January as the snows begin surveys anyway? The answer is sim- building up in depth in the high ple and direct. Water stored in the country, Yosemite rangers look to snows that fall over California's their skis and other winter gear and mountains is the lifeblood of the begin their speculation as to what State. Without it, there would be no they will find in snow depths and irrigation for valley crops, no water water content on the widely distrib- to spin the great wheels of hydro- uted snow-survey courses located in electric plants generating power to the park. run our factories and light our homes In the fall months just passed, they no, not even water to drink in have busied themselves preparing many of the large cities. Acreages the patrol cabins to be used on these for crops that require heavy irriga- survey trips. Ample supplies of fire- tion will be determined by forecasts, wood have been cut and stored, food based on these surveys, of how purchased and distributed, and the much water will be available. many last-minute preparations corn- Power companies and irrigation pleted to the point that when the people were early in recognizing the weary surveyors stumble into the need for knowing what to expect in cabins at night they must only see the way of run-off from mountain that the chimneys are free of snow snows, but they were mainly de- before setting match to the fires al- pendent upon occasional reports ready laid. from trappers and other moun- Four surveys are made each win- taineers with whom they came in ter beginning at the end of January contact. It was the interest and ex- and extending through April. Data periments of a Nevada college pro- gathered from each survey is fessor that changed the picture from promptly mailed to the California Di- guesswork to one of sound scientific vision of Water Resources in Sacra- forecasting of available water stored mento where similar reports are in the mountains and expected run- being received from the length and off. In 1905 Dr. James Edward Church breadth of the Sierra. founded and served as director and At this point one may well ask : meteorologist of the Mount Rose Ob- Why the excitement over a little servatory in Nevada, and it was snow in the mountains, or the lack of there that he became interested in it—who cares? What are these snow snow and water conservation and

began his experiments in measur- fractions of a foot, making it possible ing, weighing, and determining the to observe and readily record the density and water content of snow. snow depths. In the March 31, 1927, Here, then, is the man who truly fa- issue of Yosemite Nature Notes, Carl thered the snow surveys and today P. Russell, who was then park natu- is so recognized. From Dr. Church's ralist and who accompanied several experiments was born the accurate of these early surveys, wrote : * and widespread system of snow sur- "Park rangers observe and record veys which are carried on today the depth of snow in the high levels throughout most of the United States of Yosemite National Park for the and many foreign countries. He was purpose of foretelling roughly what adviser to the snow-survey pro- the summer condition of the famous grams of California and Nevada in waterfalls of the park are to be and their formative stages. to gain advance information on the Dr. Church is widely recognized approximate dates of the opening of as an international authority on high trails, roads and camping snow and ice. He wrote Snow Sur- spots.. cursory examinations of

the compactness of the snow make it veying: Its Problems and Their Present, possible to compare roughly its Phases which he presented at the pro- density with that of preceding ceedings of the Second Pan-American Scientific Congress, to which he was years." After more than a quarter of a delegate. He is the author of a century, some of these original Climate and Evaporation in Alpine and snow poles or stakes are still to be seen on the survey courses of to- Arctic Zones, The Human Side of Snow, day, the same sites being selected Saga of Mount Rose Observatory, Snow for the later, organized surveys. Perils and Avalanches, and many other articles pertaining to snow conserva About the time of the early snow tion, streamflow forecasting, and re surveys in Yosemite the Merced Irrigation District became actively in- lated subjects. Some of his latest terested in obtaining data on poten- achievements were the organization tial run-off from its watersheds which

of snow surveys for the Government for the most part headed in Yosemite of India in the Himalayas in 1946-47, National Park. Its officials entered honorary life member of the Inter- into a local agreement with Yosemite national Commission of Snow and authorities, furnishing money for Ice. construction of a cabin near Merced The first recorded snow surveys in Lake (now the Merced Lake Ranger Station) and funds for hiring an ad- the high country of Yosemite were ditional man or two to assist Yo- made in the mid-twenties. These semite rangers in obtaining these were not conducted on the sys- snow measurements. tematic basis of today, but in con- During the summer and fall of nection with patrol trips by park 1929, extensive preparations were rangers into the higher elevations. A made by California's division of system of fixed "snow poles" was Water Resources to put snow sur- set up at various strategic sites. veys on a coordinated basis through Placed upright in the ground, these out the Sierra. Snow courses were poles were 10 to 12 feet long, painted laid out and mapped, and agree- white and graduated in feet and ments made with irrigation districts, *"Why are Snow Surveys Made?" Yosemite Nature Notes 6(3) :18-19, March 31, 1927.

public utility companies, municipal- tained, from which an average is ities, national forests, national parks, computed to eliminate inaccuracies and other public agencies through- due to uneven terrain and drifts. This out California. Thus began the or- average then becomes the index of ganized California Cooperative Snow conditions in the surrounding coun- Surveys of today. In January 1930 try. The measurements are made the writer participated in the first with a hollow steel tube which is survey to be made in Lassen Vol- thrust downward into the snowpack canic National Park resulting from until it strikes the ground beneath. this program. When the tube is withdrawn it contains a sample or core of snow from So much for the background of the full depth of the pack. The loaded snow surveying; by now the reader tube is then weighed on specially undoubtedly wants to know how designed scales that convert the these measurements are taken. Each weight of the snow into water con- permanent survey site is established tent, expressed in inches. The density by selecting an area that is open, pro- of snow thus weighed may vary from tected from drifting winds, and repre- about 10% water content in the case sentative of a large section of sur- of newly fallen snow (i.e., only 1 rounding country. This site is known inch of water could be produced by as a snow course, and here the melting 10 inches of such snow) to measurements are taken at spaced as high as 57% water content, which intervals, usually 50 feet apart, along is considered the saturation point of straight lines crossing the snow. Fif- snow, the water then percolating teen to 20 measurements are ob- downward through the snow to the Ralph Anderson Snow surveyors at Dana Meadows, near Tioga Pass, weighing tube containing core of snow.

ground, as it does in the beginning than I, so no attempt will be made of the spring run-off. here to weave the human element At the end of each month, data into this article other than to sum up from these far-flung snow courses these few facts : In the 25 years or are mailed to Sacramento where the more that Yosemite rangers have division of Water Resources corn- been carrying on these surveys, they piles this information into a compre- have traveled over 35,000 man-miles hensive bulletin form entitled Water by skis and snowshoes in the rugged Conditions in California. These bulle- Yosemite region. Accidents, sudden tins, containing forecasts and gen- sickness, parties lost in violent eral information on water conditions storms? Yes, all these things have of the State, are mailed to coopera- happened and more. But always ing agencies, water-controlling these men have completed the mis- organizations, and the interested sions under their own power, for public. There are certain factors they are a stout-hearted and sturdy which tend to modify these forecasts group. When the chips are down of the run-off picture, so it follows they settle their packs more firmly, that so much snow doesn't nece- take stock of the situation and their sarily mean so much run-off in a resources, and carry on. With dark- given period. Most forecasts are ness upon them and travel danger- within 10% of being accurate, how- ous or no longer feasible, emergency ever, and are considered entirely camps are established in some satisfactory. Many are much closer. sheltered nook to rest for the next Much has been written about the day's struggle. This work is truly a drama, tragedy, pathos, and ro- fertile field for proving the old axiom mance of the Snowy Range and about separating the men from the those who live and travel in it. boys. It also separates the fancy These writers are far more prolific fans of the packed slopes from the Ralph Anderson Snow surveyors crossing Tenaya Lake on skis.

cross-country travelers. Honors to Plenty of water available last sum- the old-timers who pioneered snow mer—in fact, too much. Huge quan- surveying in Yosemite during the tities had to be released beforehand mid-twenties. They did it the hard from the storage reservoirs up and way, without the present-day know- down the foothills of the Sierra in how, modern equipment, waxes, etc. order to prevent disastrous floods What of the record snowfall of later in the spring when the run-off 1952? The final survey of the winter really started. How did the officials made last April confirmed an all- know there was going to be so much time record for snow depths and water later on? From the snow sur- water content in the high country veys we conducted last winter, of since these surveys were begun. course,

NATURE'S DARE-DEVILS

By Vaughn Critchlow, Ranger Naturalist A visitor to Glacier Point in the early morning or evening is often startled by the sound of a hurtling object rushing past his head. The swish of the object is quite similar to some of the sounds produced in this modern age of rockets and jets, or it can be compared to the swishing of an arrow through the air. An alert observer may be able to make out the form of a bird, plunging headlong through thousands of feet of space toward the valley floor below. What the observer is likely to see is a rather small bird, about twothirds the size of a robin, dark in color throughout except for the conspicuously white throat, midbreast, and flank patches—all identifying the bird as a white-throated swift

(Aeronautes saxatalis). Sometimes the general dark coloration of the swifts makes them difficult to see against the shadows of the granite cliffs, but often their presence can be detected by shrill, piercing calls consisting of a series of twittering, descending notes. In flight these birds are often confused with the swallows, especially the violet-green swallows found in this same area, but close observation will disclose that the swifts have longer and more slender wings, giving them a resemblance to a crossbow in the air. The characteristics of White-throated Swift Violet-green Swallow Comparison of body outlines. the swifts' flight also set them apart from the swallows. Their travel through the air is marked by a twinkling appearance, producing the impression that one wing is being pushed down while the other is pulled up. Above all, it is the apparent recklessness of the flight of the swifts that makes them different from the swallows. Swallows fly fast but somewhat conservatively in comparison with the swifts, which are to be seen, from Glacier Point

or other high vantage points along These birds are almost never seen the valley rim, hurtling, swooping, except in flight. One group of them looping, and circling in amazingly was watched for approximately two erratic courses about the granite hours, circling around two Jeffrey walls in seeming disregard for their pines at Glacier Point. Occasionally safety or, sometimes, for that of the they would extend their flight out onlookers. over the valley, but would soon re- If the chance arises, it is quite in- turn to their course around the trees, teresting to examine a museum and were never seen to land. specimen of a white-throated swift. Authorities bear out this observa- It can immediately be seen that these tion and state that only rarely has a birds are not excellent flyers by ac- white-throated swift been seen to cident. Their whole physical struc- alight, and such landings are usual- ture is based on flight as the sole ly in the rocks along very high, means of travel; it is the essence of sheer cliffs. These birds build their their existence. Their body lines are nests in such places, where they are rounded and graceful and seem to afforded excellent protection because make use of modern principles of such sites are accessible only to streamlining. Especially interesting birds. are the feet, which are extremely Glacier Point has long been fa- small and poorly developed, indi- mous for the wonderful views of- cating that these birds are not at fered from its heights, but few people home on the ground, nor are their make their visit in expectation of feet used for food-getting. The diet of seeing the daring white - throated the swift consists of insects that are swifts in action. However, in order snatched from the air. Undoubtedly to get the most out of the trip to this it is the pursuit of these insects point, a visitor should make every through the air that accounts for the effort to observe these birds in flight, swift's many wild, thrilling ma- for they offer a thrilling performance neuvers. not often seen in Nature.

A LAYMAN LOOKS AT THE NATURALIST

By Mary R. Hunt, Field School, 1950 It was in Washington, D. C., that treat in store for you. It is magnif- I first began to realize the inherent icent. Rising above the narrow val- quality of naturalists. I was in an ley are sheer walls three thousand office in the Interior Department feet high. And as you look up at El building, speaking with Mr. John Capitan, or across the meadow and Doerr, chief naturalist of the National up the valley to Half Dome, you'll Park Service. come to know what John Merriam "Do you know Yosemite?" he called 'massive grandeur rising asked me. above the lyric beauty of the valley.' " "No," I said, "I've never been His gestures toward a there. In fact I know very few of our purple and I know parks." gold painting on the wall as he men- great national tioned El Capitan, and toward an- "Then, if you go, you have a great other breath-taking scene as he

thought of Half Dome, brought the an open meadow that makes one beauty of which he spoke close to stop to watch? We say it's beautiful. the surface. But he went on. Why is it beautiful? " He paused. "I "What is it about a waterfall that think I know a little. At least, I fascinates people? Why do they have a theory. You might call it a stand awe-struck watching the tor- philosophy of beauty, I suppose..." rent, or the slender cascade. What This is a naturalist, I thought, as is there about a deer leaping across well as an administrator. I liked this Yosemite Valley. By Ansel Adams from "Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada." Reproduction by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company.

unashamed love of natural sur- When I first saw the valley from roundings. the Wawona Tunnel entrance, I Even now, 2 1/2 years after my ex tried to imagine myself coming upon perience at the Yosemite Field the view as Bunnell, the naturalist, School, impressions and recollec had a century before. tions are pleasantly vivid. For me it One day during July of this memorable 1950 summer the Field was a source of insight into the ap- School group climbed Sentinel Dome. predations, attitudes, and responses It had been a busy day with many of naturalists themselves. There in Yosemite Valley, as a hybrid stops and we were scrambling hur- astronomer and college personnel riedly up the rounded granite sur face, headed for the famous Jeffrey counselor, I was not immediately pine. Within a hundred feet or so of identifiable with the naturalists who surrounded me. I eyed them all with the top, one of our members stopped delight, and with some awe, for in and sang out in delight for a discovthis setting I was a "layman." ery made by Carl Sharsmith, our ranger-naturalist guide. Carl is In the course of our program I chiefly a botanist. He knelt in front learned about earlier - generation of the tiny flower that was growing naturalists. Dr. Lafayette Bunnell in a weathered crack in the granite. was one of those. A hundred years "Lewisia," he said softly, "the first I've earlier Dr. Bunnell had been a mem- ever seen up here." Delicately he ber of the Mariposa Battalion, the examined the plant. Carefully he de- party of men who made the effective scribed its structural detail, avoiding discovery of Yosemite Valley while damage to it in any way. My atten- in pursuit of Indian marauders. Late tion was drawn almost equally to in that wintry afternoon the party the little knot of questioning botany had come to a spot not far from students, excited and enthused by Inspiration Point, above and behind this rare occurrence. "Real natural- the present tunnel on the Wawona ists," I thought. Road. Other members of the weary It seems to me now that there are band seemed unimpressed, but Bun- many ways to learn about natural nell was so moved by what he saw history and about naturalists. One that he retired from the group to is to read about them, and the learn- absorb the full beauty of the sight. ing can be good. For example, John The great U-shaped valley with its Muir's records of his observations waterfalls and its cliffs, its ever- are vivid and stimulating. A better greens and its snow-covered granite, way, I think, is to learn to see for inspired him to say later that if yourself and to increase your own Heaven had called him at that mo- sensitivities by traveling in the ment he could have died happily. company of a "naturalist"—who That evening at the campfire near might be defined as a lover of Na- the base of Bridalveil Fall the first ture—and who has all five senses camp to be made in Yosemite Valley alive to the stimuli around him. I by white men—it was Bunnell who found that extensive knowledge is interrupted the suggestions for names not an essential ingredient in the for the valley ("Paradise" was one make-up of a "naturalist. " An atti- favorite) to say he thought it should tude of inquiry, a reverence for ac- most appropriately be named for the curacy of detail in observation, and Indian tribe which dwelled there, a humility of spirit are common ingre- and so the name Yosemite was born. dients. Personally, I like naturalists.

1952 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT IN YOSEMITE VALLEY

By Walter J. and Erma Fitzpatrick The annual Christmas bird count 1; Cooper's hawk, 2; western red- taken in Yosemite Valley between tailed hawk, 3; golden eagle, 5; Mirror Lake, elevation 4,000 feet, and eastern sparrow hawk, 3; valley El Portal, elevation 2,000 feet, was quail, 8; plumed quail, 4; California conducted on December 27. Unlike pygmy owl, 2; Pacific horned owl, 1; the amazingly mild conditions pre- western belted kingfisher, 4; red- vailing for last year's count, the shafted flicker, 19; western pileated weather this time was featured by woodpecker, 5; California woodpeck- heavy rains during the morning, with er, 13; Williamson's sapsucker, 1; snow falling at the upper levels. Dur- Modoc woodpecker, 10; willow wood- ing the afternoon there was partial pecker, 1; Nuttall's woodpecker, 1; clearing with occasional gusts of black phoebe, 7; blue-fronted jay, 61; wind. It was during this latter period long-tailed jay, 30; short-tailed chick- that most of the actual counts were adee, 57; plain titmouse, 12; Cali- obtained. Temperatures were season- fornia bush-tit, 40; red-breasted nut- ally mild, ranging from 36° to 48°. hatch, 4; Sierra creeper, 31; pallid There was relatively little snow on wren-tit, 3; dipper, 13; western win- the ground, this lying chiefly at the ter wren, 1; San Joaquin Bewick 4,000-foot level in the shady portions wren, 1; dotted wren, 8; western of Yosemite Valley. The lower levels robin, 34; northern varied thrush, 3; were entirely open. Eleven partici- Alaska hermit thrush, 7; western pants, working in 5 parties, recorded bluebird, 32; mountain bluebird, 1; 56 species and approximately 1,570 western golden-crowned kinglet, 221; individuals, this being second only western ruby-crowned kinglet, 25; to the exceptional results achieved Hutton's vireo, 1; Audubon's warbler, in 1951. In that year 59 species and 3; Townsend's warbler, 1; English approximately 2,078 individuals sparrow, 24; red-winged blackbird, were tallied. The outstanding ob- 1; Brewer's blackbird, 5; California servations in 1952 were those of a purple finch, 100+; common house red-winged blackbird, five Brewer's finch, 100+; northern pine siskin, blackbirds, and one Townsend's 20; green-backed goldfinch, 2; Sacra- warbler in the relatively open and mento towhee, 78; Sacramento brown warm area near Government Center towhee, 178; western lark sparrow, in Yosemite Valley, all of these being 50+; slate-colored junco, 1; Thurber's December records for the valley. junco, 265; golden-crowned sparrow, The detailed count follows: Pied- 62; fox sparrow, 2; Modoc song billed grebe, 1; sharp-shinned hawk, sparrow, 2.