ridecamp@endurance.net: Yosemite Into The 21st Century

Yosemite Into The 21st Century

Myron & Sue Flagg (bzdgulch@ecis.com)
Sun, 28 Dec 1997 09:54:25 -0800

While this is not strictly related to endurance, it is related to distance
riding and of concern to those of us who camp with our horses. Sorry it's
so long. Please spread the word to your trail using friends.

Sue Flagg in California

>From: Nancy Dupont <htrails@earthlink.net>
>Subject: Press release for all newsletters
>
>Many of you requested an article suitable for your newsletters. Please feel
>free to cut or edit for space available. Names of those attending the
>meeting are still waiting approval.
>
>Yosemite, Into the 21st Century -
>Without horses
>
>We are entering the 21st century and we, as equestrians need to take a
>closer look and more involvement with the people who are in the process of
>adopting the Yosemite General Management Plan first approved in 1980 and now
>reaching a final decision. This plan has not included the use of horses in
>the Yosemite National Park.
>
>The public comment period for this plan will end on Friday, January 23,
>1998. (This has just been extended to February 1998 due to our many requests
>for additional time.) The park Superintendent, Stanley Albright said in a
>recent newsletter "We are seeking your input to assure that the final plan
>considers, to the greatest degree possible, the ideas, needs, and concerns
>of a broad range of people."
>
>George Cardinet and Nancy DuPont attended the last public workshop meeting
>on December 10th. On December 11, Jerry Mitchell, Chief of GMP
>Implementation met with George Cardinet, President of Heritage Trails that
>he would meet with a select group representing the equestrian interest at an
>agreed upon location and date. He also told George that he was not aware of
>much horse use or equestrian interest in the park. This is an opportunity,
>probably our last, to emphasize the importance of horse use in Yosemite
>National Park.
>
>We have suggested the meeting to be held on Friday, January 9th at 3 PM to 5
>PM including a catered dinner at 5 PM to allow additional discussion. The
>meeting will be held at the Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride Association
>Clubhouse in Clayton. We are arranging overnight accommodations for those
>traveling any distance.
>
>Included in the meeting will be: (Names to be provided)
>
>Facts you should know:
>
>Yosemite, an 1169 square mile park (about the size of Rhode Island)
>established in October 1, 1890, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in
>the middle of the state of California.
>Yosemite, 94.45% wilderness containing 840 miles of trails originally built
>by and for stock use.
>First discovered by Walker, on horseback.
>First explored by John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt on horseback
>Trails maintained by the U.S. Army on horseback.
>Patrolled on horseback both in the backcountry and in the Valley.
>
>We need all individuals and organizations interested in supporting the
>inclusion of horses in the General Management Plan to write the addresses
>below and ask that we include the following:
>
>1. Group campsites so that the arriving horses do not have to leave the same
>day.
>2. Staging areas for offloading and leaving rigs while you ride the trails.
>3. Access to wilderness trails from Valley floor.
>4. Trails and trail access for horses. (For instance, they have already
>closed the old Wawona trail, the only access for horses to the Pohono Trail.
>The Valley trails have been paved over for bicycles)
>5. Retain the commercial stables for people to enjoy. Including Curry,
>Wawona, Tuolumne. This is the only way that non-athletic people can "hike"
>to some of the more beautiful backcountry areas.
>6. Mounted Patrol. Increase and maintain Mounted Ranger units in the front
>country for patrolling and friendly assistance to the public. Right now
>there is only one mounted ranger in the Valley. Should be increased to eight.
>7. Encourage a Mounted Volunteer Assistance program.
>8. Encourage use of volunteers with pack animals in trail maintenance work.
>
>(Please use your own words to address these issues but emphasize the
>inclusion of horses in their new plan.)
>
>Stanley Albright, Park Superintendent
>Yosemite National Park
>P O Box 577
>Yosemite, CA 95389
>Mr. Albright's direct telephone line: (209) 372-0204; FAX (209) 372-0617
>Email: Stanleyalbright@nps.gov or yos_vip@nps.gov
>Jerry M Mitchell, Chief, GMP Implementation Yosemite National Park. Office
>of the Superintendent (same address as above) Phone 209-372-0645 FAX:
>209-372-0456. Email: Jerry_Mitchell@nps.gov Jerry and Superintendent
>Albright are in the same office and in close communication.
>
>We, (Including: George Cardinet, Nancy DuPont, Geoffrey Carter, Bill Lane,
>Marty Brookman Kat Ryan, Billie Patrick, Don Rumsey, Johnny King) attended
>one or more of the public review workshops on November 20, December 4 and
>December 10.
>Quotes from the Plan:
>Recreation
>Page 40 of the Yosemite Valley Implementation Plan
>(Excerpts)
>"There would no longer be auto touring in Yosemite Valley, but guided tours
>and shuttle bus riding would be expanded.
>There would be more designated hiking and biking trails in a system that
>would be made more understandable and usable by the visiting public.
>Bicycle racks would be provided throughout the valley."
>(Editor note: There is no inclusion of horses, staging areas, and campsites.)
>"The use of private cars for transportation to recreation sites or
>trailheads would no longer be possible."
>
>"Although fewer campsites would be available, campers would be able to
>choose among three different types of camping: RV, auto/tent, and walk-in
>tent. In the East End of the valley the first tier of campgrounds would be
>available to all three types of campers."
>
>Note: This is where Curry Stables are located and the stables will be torn
>down.)
>The Stable area and apple orchard (established in 1859) will be replaced
>with this three-tiered campground. Just think of how confused the bears,
>deer and other critters will be when, instead of apples, they encounter
>RV's, tents and those delicious coolers to eat!
>
>"Wilderness hiking would continue to originate in the valley. Walking and
>day hiking would continue. Rock climbing and hang gliding would continue.
>(No mention here of horses on wilderness trails.)"
>
>Anyone who wants more information about saving the Yosemite Stables and
>commercial operation, call Kat Ryan at (650) 726-8119 or email:
>save.yosemitestable@mailexcite.com
>
>Text of George Cardinet presented at public Workshops:
>YOSEMITE VALLEY HORSE CAMP
>INTEGRITY OF NPS ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
>
>On behalf of myself, Heritage Trails, California State Horsemen's
>Association and the public interest.
>
>I wish to narrate my association with Yosemite National Park to illustrate a
>knowledgeable intimacy. Going back to 1925 when a friend and I were there
>trying to find a summer job. Returning in our Model T Ford, we backed up the
>Old Big Oak Flat Road due to shortage of gas and the old Ford's dependence
>on gravity feed of fuel (there being no fuel pumps in those days.)
>
>In 1926, working for a pack outfit, we packed 75 hikers from Pinecrest,
>Tuolumne County into Yosemite via Huckleberry, Jack Main Canyon, Return
>Creek, Glen Aulen and Tuolumne Meadows.
>
>Returning in 1932 to recuperate from a bout with pneumonia and again in 1934
>on my Honeymoon. In 1984 with our family, this time to celebrate our Golden
>Wedding. In between, another visit or two. One for friends from Washington,
>DC similarly for a coupe from New York.
>
>In 1950 and 1951 over a hundred of us rode in from Mt. Bullion with the
>Merced-Mariposa Stockmen's Annual week long Trail Ride which concluded on
>the Valley Floor. We were met by the Superintendent of the Park each time,
>and he officiated in the presentation of awards each year. This was the
>second oldest group ride in the Nation when they were forced to abandon.
>They were no longer able to operate as the Park Service progressively
>applied prohibitive restrictions and limitations.
>
>
>This was a loss of considerable consequence to the Horsemen of California
>who for over 40 years were guided band introduced to this common treasure by
>the Merced group. Equine custodians, who along with all horsemen, former
>Yosemite Superintendent Mike Finley said were destined to be eliminated from
>the Park. His statement confirms our own conclusion though much disavowed,
>Yosemite National Park is embarked on a program to eliminate the horse from
>his historic and traditional presence in the Park.
>
>In 1988, Acting on behalf of the horsemen, we made representations to the
>National Park Service to provide a horse camp in Yosemite Valley. It is de
>facto exclusion with a capitol E not to have a safe haven after trailering
>for the many hours as most of us must do to visit our Valley.
>
>Yes! Said the Superintendent but "give us a few years to work it out."
>
>That welcome promise was emblazoned on our Fall 1988 newsletter atop a
>magnificent picture of the Valley taken from Old Inspiration Point.
>
>We did take a "few years" so for our annual ten day exploratory Ride this
>year we came back to Yosemite (over the years we have guided and introduced
>people to unused and unknown trails visiting 19 Wilderness areas.)
>
>Back to Yosemite after "a few years" there was no place to camp in the
>valley, forcing us to make arrangements outside the Park at a motel with our
>horses and descending to the Valley the next morning with part of the party
>holding horses while the drivers moved trailers to Monroe Meadows where they
>were returned to their horses and the group started on the ride to their
>destination, Red's Meadows which they reached a week later.
>
>Over the past 20 years in our program of visitor dispersal and
>reorientation, we have returned to Yosemite 4 times but only once through
>the Valley points of entry including: Mather Ranger Station (now closed to
>horses), Donahue Pass, Virginia Pass, White Wolf (now closed to horses),
>Tamarack Flat (now closed to Horses), Snow Flat (now closed to
>Horses)Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Creek (now closed to Horses).
>
>Historic Preservation would be meaningless without significant provision for
>the horse. He is the vital element of Yosemite's culture.
>
>The Valley was discovered by the Walker Party of 1833 on horseback.
>
>The first descent into the valley was by the Mariposa Battalion in 1851 on
>horseback.
>The army patrolled the park on horseback and the service continues to do so.
>How can you interpret these elemental historic events without recourse to
>the horse.
>
>Yosemite's patron saints, John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt explored the
>Valley on horseback.
>
>The earliest visitations were by horseback.
>
>Valid "Living History and Interpretation are false and meaningless without
>the horse.
>
>National Park Service "planning" should keep abreast of "Administration"
>
>"Administration" says the use of horses. "in western National Parks,
>predates the Parks themselves. Other than the flat brim, nothing seems more
>symbolic of the National Park Service than a ranger on horseback."
>
>Yosemite's road patrol ranger, Kent Delbon put it like this: "In a patrol
>car, I am a cop. On a horse, I am a ranger and people seek me out, I'm
>magnetic.
>
>We will furnish addenda to this but we only received a copy of your plan
>yesterday afternoon. Our first knowledge was in our Contra Costa Times
>editorial page the other day when one columnists's headline caught my eye.
>It said: "YOSEMITE TAKEN OVER BY TOTALITARIANS!" or words to that effect.
>
>You would have no automobile problem if you had followed a course of
>unworkable, unrealistic discrimination and perverse treatment such as has
>been accorded the Horse.
>We have resources, we have dedication, we have love and knowledge. We pledge
>them all to help bring about a sublime and equitable resolution to
>Yosemite's future.
>Nancy DuPont, Executive Director
>
>
>

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