October 1977

YOSEMITE OCTOBER, 1977 VOLUME FORTY-SIX, NUMBER 3

Published for members of Yosemite Natural History Association THE MEETING : The Second Annual YNHA Members Meeting on Sept. 10 and ll seems to have been a success. We appreciate the complimentary letters we have received. The more memorable moments of Saturday afternoon, not necessarily in order of importance — were Dr. Bruce Kilgore's remarkable talk, the sun slanting across the Cathedral Range, and the tragic discovery that the wine had run out. The 150 members in attendance perched themselves on rocks, against tree trunks or sprawled out on the gravelly hillside to hear Dr. Kilgore's talk on "Why Manage Resources in National Parks." Dr. Kilgore is Associate Director of the Western Regional Office of the National Park Service, in charge of resources and planning. He covered fire management, maintaining wildlife balance (including bear management), endangered wildlife species, removal of hazardous trees, control of "exotic" introduced animals (such as burros and goats). The Resources Management Plan is a part of the overall General Management Plan for Yosemite (formerly called the "Master Plan"). Dr. Kilgore commented on the General Management Plan alternatives, which are : maintaining the status quo; conservation (most facilities to be relocated outside Valley); concession-oriented (more commercial facilities) and, last, a mixture of above. Dr. Kilgore's closing remark was, "The National Park Service is committed to restoring and maintaining the integrity of natural wilderness in the best possible way." YNHA Board Chairman, Dana Morgenson, who had been leading one of his renowned camera walks arrived and took charge of the meeting by introducing other board members present, namely Tom Shephard, Yosemite Superintendent Les Arnberger, Columbia Community College President Dr. Harvey Rhodes. Then he introduced the YNHA staff people including Len McKenzie, YNHA director, who described the association's various programs : membership, publications, member trips, seminars, etc. There were a number of observations put forth by members on diverse topics: Dr. Fred Harper of Los Angeles : "Sorry the bus transportation arrangements for the meeting didn't work out. Nine of us hired a motor home for the expedition. A good time was had by all." Several members: "Didn't sign up for the bus ride because (we) weren't certain (we) could attend meeting." Beverly Hawley: "Couldn't leave work so early on Friday; suggest committee be formed in (Los Angeles) area to work out carpools, etc. Why not organize regional committees?" Ardeth Huntington : "Excellent. I volunteer." Dr. Harper: "Ditto." Neil Tuthill: "Ditto." Andrew Lester: "Arrange for YNHA members in various areas to present environmental talks before school groups."

Mrs. Graham Matthews : "Organize regional groups to promote new members." Len McKenzie described the association's concern over the limited number of members participating in the several 'members trips'. On the Pohono Trail trip 9 participated; on the Tuolumne two night trip only 5 went along; the two night Ostrander Lake trip went out with 15. Several members commented that the trips were worthwhile, but that weekend jaunts were all they would have time for. Dr. Lloyd Hennig suggested that perhaps if a fee were charged for the trips, the number of "no-shows" (15 total) would drop. Len McKenzie replied that YNHA would prefer to provide the hikes at no charge and will seek a way to increase their popularity among the members. Also covered by McKenzie was a recap of the member-get-a-member program. As a result of members' efforts enrollment increased by about 300 or 30%. There are now 59 student members, 585 individual members, 167 family, 41 sustaining, 83 Life, 3 Participating Life and 1 Corporate. Cornments were passed about the length of time it seems to take for mail to reach members from the YNHA office. It was explained that all member mailings go out under the 'bulk, non-profit' permit and sometimes is delayed along the way, though not in the Yosemite post office. A plea for 'change of address cards' was voiced by the membership secretary Maryann Olsen. The publication program, according to Director McKenzie, will include The Big Trees—Yosemite's Sequoia Groves by Dr. Tom Harvey, a 1977 edition of NATURE NOTES, a revision of Indians of Yosemite. Discovering Sierra Nevada Mammals published jointly with Sequoia Natural History Assocation, is about ready for the printer. Len McKenzie described the contents, etc. of the Muybridge Portfolio and stated that it was available at the meeting for member's inspection. Next McKenzie related that sales of YNHA publications for the year were satisfactory and that the profits either went to the continuation of publication programs, for NPS interpretive programs, or to sponsor educational programs in areas not covered by NPS. Mr. Lester inquired if increased sales were due to greater volume or to inflation; McKenzie reported that the inflation probably accounted for less than 5% of the increase, 'though this figure was hard to isolate accurately. Sales, whether up or down generally can be related to visitor count. The seminar program was discussed at length by Len McKenzie. Marilyn Borges asked if the YNHA classes, of all types, had an affect on the attendance of NPS interpretive programs. McKenzie said that the YNHA classes had no impact on NPS programs as they were aimed at a different audience. Several members commented on their pleasure at seeing Parsons Lodge again in use. It had been the Sierra Club's since its construction in 1915. The National Park Service took over the Soda Springs area in 1973; since 1976 the campground and the Lodge were closed. YNHA was given custody for the summer of 1977 and engaged Madeline Crippen and Marilyn Fry to tend it. In addition, Michael Ross, an excellent naturalist, was hired by YNHA to give day-long field classes in the natural sciences for Tuolumne visitors. These were offered at no charge. About 150 participated in Michael's programs during the summer. The presence of Mrs. Lee Verret was acknowledged by chairman McKenzie. Mr. and Mrs. Verret were the last Sierra Club caretakers at Parsons Lodge. Mr. Verret died this year and his friends established a Lee Verret Memorial Fund in his memory. The fund is to be handled by YNHA with Mrs. Verret's concurrence and the money will be used to defray the association's expenses at Parsons Lodge. In connection with Parsons Lodge, it was noted that Charlotte Millar, the Pragers, Kathryn Strachota, Edith Francis, and the Millers among others donated books and magazines for a library there. Other association matters were discussed : the proposed 'Cooperating Association Agreement' between NPS and all associations similar to YNHA; the nomination of two persons to fill the

vacancies which will exist on the association Board of Trustees; the Yosemite Field School Alumni meeting, led by Clare Lennox; and the selection of a site for the 1978 meeting. Dr. Hennig stated with vigor "You pick the time and place — we'll come." On which vote of confidence the meeting was adjourned. During the morning and afternoon, Phil Tierney with assorted assistants, had been in the Lodge preparing the evening meal. His feast was preceeded by the wine and cheese hour. We were well supplied with cheese but the wine ran short. We finally located the last of the Tuolumne Store's supply which arrived, better late than not-at-all. We apologize for our miscalculations. It's not that the members drank too much, we simply provided too little. The alpenglow on Lembert Dome was a lovely distraction from the inadequacies of the chef du vins. Following dinner, the members uncomplainingly squeezed themselves into the Lodge to watch Ardeth Huntington's lively slide show on a bicycle trip across Tioga Pass and Bob Roney's film on the Yosemite High Sierra. They were each excellent presentations. So the Second Annual Meeting became history. We enjoyed it and hope you did. (N.B. The above is a trimmed version of nine pages of careful notes of all the proceedings prepared by Jean Saulsbury. Any member wishing a copy of her minutes may have them. Please send one dollar to cover Xerox costs.) NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN : After we heard Dr. Kilgore's fine talk on the resources management plan, we inquired locally if copies were available. We learned from Dick Riegulhuth, Yosemite's Chief of Resources Management, that copies were available; he said that he had about 100. If you're interested, let us know; we'll mail you a copy. Riegulhuth pointed out that the publication was a summary of the formal plan. The document deals with the research, management and preservation or restoration of the natural resources of Yosemite National Park. As such, it was prepared independent of, but in harmony with, the General Management Plan. The latter document focuses primarily on the long-range use and development of the Park and will be available for public review this winter. OCCASIONALLY, we receive poetry from park visitors in whom Yosemite inspired a creative mood. This example came from Delia deVilliersMinnaar. Along with the poem, Ms. deVilliers-Minnaar wrote — "I was a visitor to Yosemite during July of this year. While I was there I wrote this piece of poetry, the park being a great inspiration... I am a South African and spent a year studying at Penn State University. The highlight of my year was Yosemite and Yellowstone Parks. Enclosed is the piece of writing — do with it as you wish."

YOSEMITE DAY

'fy Yosemite morning was cool and crisp, sipped and slowly drank its freshness, Birds announced the coming of the day. 4 deer frolicked in the tall grass, As 1 approached, it daringly crossed the road — Almost a part of nature.... 1 sang. Leaving the road, I followed the sound of the cascading falls. Lower Yosemite greeted me — 1 let its freshness imbibe my youth, And laughed aloud. The sun rose to the granite rock And gently kissed the pinnacles, leaving traces in lilac hues.

My Yosemite noon was warm and languid The creek's coolness caressed my flesh Black-eyed Susan's bowed in the breeze. Passing Sunny Islands, (sic) I hiked, A breath-taking three thousand feet of glory. The whiplash trail carried me to the Majestic Nevada Falls. I stood, so small and realized my human frailty. Once more, I quenched my thirst from nature. At dusk, I descended, watching the sun Sink slowly behind peaks and pinnacles, Half Dome mountain — a silhouette of solidity I entered the dark, cool valley — Echoing with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, My spirit at one with nature. It was all my Yosemite Day — A day, only I saw. Only I experienced, Only my spirit soared with, A day meant for me. I thought.... "America, the beautiful" — "0 Beautiful, For spacious skies.... " And I knew, exactly what it meant. visual INTERPRETATION OF Yosemite. Your eyes adjust to the sunlight as you leave the Wawona Tunnel. Before you — as far as you can see — the view of Yosemite Valley that has inspired people to many levels of creativity. El Capitan is on the left, Bridalveil Fall on the right plus magnificent formations of granite that have made Yosemite famous. It's late spring, the falls are rushing, flowers blooming and all is green. Yet the people walking around you, the near-absence of sunlight, and vaulted ceilings remind you that you are not really at Inspiration Point, but standing in the visitor Center Auditorium looking at a series of remarkable wall hangings done in stitchery by Miriam McNitt. Yosemite has been painted and photographed, it has been written about and talked about in many different languages. Now — its wonder has been captured with needle and yarn in the form of two hangings. From the Inspiration Point panel you are taken to the top of Sentinel Dome and the Jeffrey Pine. Through Mrs. McNitt's skill you can almost feel the wind as it blows above Glacier Point. And without moving, you are drawn to the right, poised above the icy blue waters of Tenaya Lake. The combination of the blues and greys makes your body shiver as memories of the lake's cold waters come to mind. Each of these three panels represent the different Life Zones of Yosemite. Trees, flowers, and birds can be found in the panels, each with its own interpretation in stitchery. The second hanging is made up of six sections. The Food Gatherers and the Basket Makers provides a brief, visual history of the Indian settlment. When speaking about Yosemite, you must talk about the Indians and their lifestyle in the Sierra Nevada. Their food came from the land and they traveled to the high country to trade and socialize with other tribes. Their life was peaceful until the coming of white men. In the third section, winding down the narrow paths, you see James Savage and the Mariposa Battalion entering the Valley to seek revenge against the Indians for burning Savage's trading post. By the water, their burros stop to quench their thirst and rest from the weight of the heavy loads they carry. The fourth section of this hanging, the Adventurers, makes you stop and wonder how the people who came to Yosemite arrived in one piece over the mountain roads. How did the women manage to hike and climb in their long, restrictive skirts? How did the men manage to make it to the top of El Capitan or Half Dome without the sophisticated gear that climbers use today? Camping must have been quite an experience for those who were the nature lovers of long ago! All these people who saw the eagles, the bighorn sheep, the Big Trees, and other forms of wildlife learned about

Yosemite from the writings and works of the father of conservation — John Muir. If he hadn't loved Yosemite so much, perhaps these early outdoor enthusiasts would have never come to Yosemite. The Homesteaders, the fifth section, came and developed Yosemite and left physical structures as evidence of their involvement in the park. Today, visitors can go through the covered bridge in Wawona and experience the yesterdays of Yosemite in the Pioneer History Center. People can attend religious services in the Chapel — one of the oldest standing buildings in the park. And the last panel contains symbols of the people and organizations who are concerned with providing information and services to the visitors. Through interpretive stitchery can be seen the Glacier Point Firefall and Old Camp Curry, the Sierra Club and Yosemite Institute logos, the National Park Service arrowhead and visitor Center, and last, but not least, the emblem of the Yosemite Natural History Association. The wall hangings are the result of many hours of work. The textured stitches and the choice of colors make the trees, flowers, birds, and plants appear three dimensional. No doubt there are hundreds of other things that could have been put into each section of the hanging — but those that have been included represent an excellent selection of characteristics that everyone associates.vith Yosemite. MEMORIALS — Mentioned earlier was the Lee Verret Memorial Fund. There are two others for which YNHA had been named custodian. One is the David Gambee Memorial. David worked for YNHA during the past summer. A week or so after he left the park, he was killed in an automobile. crash. His friends at UC San Diego have set up the fund for a scholarship and to help YNHA's various projects. The second is in the name of Susie Compton. The Compton family, YNHA members, were Yosemite enthusiasts. On Mrs. Compton's death, Mr. Compton's associates at San Francisco State University arranged the Susie Compton Memorial. Yosemite has an awesome hold on many of us. The contributors must feel this spell had fallen over Susie Compton. WITH THIS BULLETIN you received our new YNHA Publications Catalog which shows the extensive selection of titles the Assocation handles — books, maps, etc. interpreting Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada, as well as the general out-of-doors. We hope that you'll take time to peruse the list; perhaps you'll find some publications which will add to your knowledge and further enjoyment of the Park. Also, you'll be benefiting YNHA with your purchases. And don't bypass our "Christmas Special". Whether you're shopping for friends or family members (or even for yourself) we think there are excellent gift suggestions among the titles shown — natural history field guides, hiking and climbing guides and maps, and handsome "picture books". We're sure these will provide lasting enjoyment for the recipients. So, mail us your gift orders early — we'll do the rest. VIRGINIA BEST ADAMS, who has served on YNHA's Board of Trustees since 1947 resigned her position recently. Over the 30 years of her tenure she has contributed much to the vitality and growth of the organization. Mrs. Adams' roots are deep in Yosemite as she came here as a young child with her father, Harry C. Best, a well known landscape artist. Best opened a studio in the Valley which has been operated by the family through the years, though now is known as The Ansel Adams Gallery. Though she lives in Carmel, she has been a frequent visitor and faithful Board member.

SAILS WEST — Jean Saulsbury has served YNHA in the capacity of membership secretary and seminar coordinator for the past five years. She has done a fine job, creating much of the seminar planning and the membership program. Jack Saulsbury, her husband, had taken care of mailing the Yosemite GUIDE to the 400 subscribers; Jack has worked for no salary and over the years of his service we estimate he has mailed some 50,000 papers. A while back, they decided to do what most of us dream about at least once in our lives — sail a deep-water boat out into the Pacific. So, they are. They've bought a 40' sloop — MOONSHADOW — and when the time is right will set her bow on a compass heading of 230° and make sail for the Sandwich Islands. We wish them well. Jean's replacement is Maryann Olsen who has lived in the park about a year after working for the United Nations in New York and the National Park Service at Morristown & Edison National Historical Parks in N.J. and Gateway National Recreation Area in New York/New Jersey. Maryann is the wife of Ranger Steven Olsen, who has served in Yosemite for seven years. CHEERS! Ms. Yemoto's note, which accompanied her check, made our day and several that followed.

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