Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A bimonthly publication of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter of the Sierra Club — July/Aug. 2007
HAYES ASK FOR HELP: RED ROCK CANYON STATE PARK REDUX
Ever since the California Desert Protection Act passed in 1994, land transferred from BLM to the State Park has
been under review. There have been repeated attempts to create a land management plan for this addition to the
Park, the last one in 2003.
We’re talking gorgeous country, including Last Chance Canyon with its rough road running (illegally) through
the stream itself. There are many other resources in the addition too—unexcavated Native American sites, the
unique Red Rock Canyon Tar Plant, beautiful places to hike, raptors to protect and, as some users see it, lovely
places to despoil with OHVs.
We sigh at the thought of probably two more years of planning, but this time there is to be a new management
plan for the whole Park. Public meetings will probably begin this fall. If you could help with a letter or possibly
even attending one of the public meetings, please let us know so we can notify you at the proper time. Our address
is Stan and Jeanie Haye, 230 Larkspur St., Ridgecrest, CA 93555. E mail is adit@ridgenet.net.
There’s a lot of beautiful country at stake. Please get involved with this issue. Droves of OHV users will.
Volunteers Recognized! *Kern-Kaweah Chapter 2007 Award Winners: Ann Gallon, Susan
Miller-Ruth Allen Award; Ara Marderosian, The Cup; MA Lockhart, Long Trail Award.
*Unexpected Needs Met: the folks who sprang up to meet the challenge of stuffing the 1600 copies of
the May-June issue of the Roadrunner with the Tejon Park brochure.
*Looking better: Thanks to Buena Vista members who help monthly with highway cleanup.
2 THE ROADRUNNER
strenuous hike, one enjoyed by many. Call Dale, 661.242.0432 for more information to determine if you
are fit for this expedition and to register for the hike.
August 25th. (Sat) This is the first time our group has hiked the Lockwood Creek. We will begin the
hike at the base of Frazier Mountain and follow the creek to its juncture with the Piru Creek. Usually by
this time of year the Piru is dry above this point. On past hikes down the Lockwood, we have seen fresh
bear tracks, rattlesnakes, and a reminder that we are near civilization, an abandoned refrigator. This is an
easy hike with a couple hundred feet elevation change, approximately 8 miles in length. For the first
mile there are multiple crossings of the creek, so be prepared for wet feet. Call Dale, 661.242.1076 to
register for trip.
Kaweah Group More info? Call Pam, 559.784.4643 or Diane, 559.781.8897.
Look forward to good things happening this fall. Watch for details in the next issue of Roadrunner.
Mineral King Group. More info? Call Chair Kim Loeb, 559.798.1764. Please visit mineralking.
sierraclub.org for more info on group events and activities.
July 11 (Wed) – 6:00 PM – Dinner Social at El Rosal Mexican Restaurant, Kmart Shopping Center on
Noble Ave, Visalia. Please RSVP to Bev at 559.732.3785 or garciamachine@comcast.net by noon the
day of the social.
July 14 (Sat) – Outing – Giant Forest Hike. We will hike among the sequoia trees in the Giant Forest.
Hike will be 4–6 miles and relatively easy for a Sierra hike. We will meet at the Taco Bell at Mary’s
Vineyard at 8:30 AM. Call Allen at 559.739.8087 for more info.
July 24 (Tue) 5:30 PM – ExCom Meeting at Something Fresh Restaurant, 505 S Chinowth St, Visalia.
All members are welcome. Please RSVP to Bev at 559.732.3785 or garciamachine@comcast.net.
August 8 (Wed) – 6:00 PM – Social. Thai Basil Restaurant, in Mary’s Vineyard 1423 E Noble Ave,
Visalia. RSVP to Bev at 559.732.3785 or garciamachine@comcast.net by noon the day of the event.
August 11 (Sat) – Mineral King Group Retreat. Group leaders will meet to review Group goals and
develop new ones. Interested members should attend the July 24th ExCom meeting. Please call
559.739.8527 for more information.
August 25 (Sat) – Outing – Park Ridge Trail Hike. We will start at Panorama Point in the Grant Grove
area and hike to the Park Ridge fire lookout. Lots of good views of the Middle and South Forks of the
Kings River and the Great Western Divide. This is a fairly easy 5-mile hike. We will meet at Taco Bell
at Mary’s Vineyard at 8:30 AM. Call Allen at 559.739.8087 for more info.
August 28 (Tue) 5:30 PM – ExCom Meeting at Something Fresh Restaurant, 505 S Chinowth St,
Visalia. All members are welcome. Please RSVP to Bev at 559.732.3785 or garciamachine@
comcast.net.
Owens Peak Group For further information call Dennis Burge, Chair 760.375.7967
Jim Nichols Hikes 760.375.8161 email: dennis93555@yahoo.com Ridgecrest, Maturango Museum
July 14 (Sat) N Fork, Big Pine Creek (Loop hike of the Big Pine Lakes, W of Big Pine, 11100 ft max
elevation, 3300 ft elevation gain, 12.5 mi RT) We will combine ambulatory reconnaissance with neo-
archaeology when we visit one of the most interesting lake and mountain regions in the Sierra. We will
loop hike the N Fork of Big Pine Creek to view the magnificent Palisades (an extended ridge having no
less than six 14000-ft peaks) and the cluster of 9 lakes at their foot. We will locate the site of the Upper
Glacier Lodge, a long disappeared lodge and steakhouse where some of us remember enjoying beer and
steak after a hard day’s climbing. But that was then and this is now— This will be a strenuous hike due
to distance and altitude gained. Meet Sat, July 14 at 7 AM at the Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. Note
the earlier than usual time. Call Dennis Burge at 760.375.7967 or Jim Nichols at 760.375.8161 for more
info.
4 THE ROADRUNNER
Aug 18 (Sat) The Fin (Rock Tower between Langley and Wooleyback on the SE ridge of Mt Langley,
12670 ft, 3020-ft elevation gain, 12.4 mi RT) This rock tower is located on the SE ridge of Mt Langley
and is climbed up a mostly sandy route from Muir Lake. The route up offers a spectacular view of the
Cottonwood Basin, all of the Cottonwood Lakes, and the S approaches to Mt Langley. This tough little
day hike is what we’ve been training for. Strenuous due to distance and elevation gained. Meet Sat, Aug
18 at 7 AM at the Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. Note the earlier than usual time. Call Dennis Burge at
760.375.7967 or Jim Nichols at 760.375.8161 for more info.
Some Other Special Sierra Club Events
Aug 4–5 (Sat–Sun) Bristlecone Pines and Open House at Barcroft Lab. First: hike the Ancient
Bristlecone Pine Forest on Sat–Sun, tour the University of California’s Barcroft Lab at 12,500’,
followed by an easy hike to Mt. Barcroft (13,040’). Contact Reserv/Ldr: Lygeia Gerard, P.O. Box
294726, Phelan, CA 92329, 760.868.0979. Co-ldr: Don Peterson, 760.375.8599 for more details.
Sponsored by CNRCC/Owens Peak Group.
Aug 8 (Wed) to Aug 14 (Tue) Week-Long Sierra Backpack to Dusy Basin Base Camp. Mules carry
folks into base camp. Day trips to surrounding areas. Trip size limited to 10 qualified participants.
Leaders: Gordon & Eva Nipp, 661.872.2432.
STATEWIDE SIERRA CLUB ACTIVITIES
July 7 (Sat) Mtg of Southern Half of the California Nevada Regional Conservation Committee.
Meets at Angeles Chapter of Sierra Club, 3435 Wilshire Blvd., # 320, LA. 10 AM to 3 PM. This
meeting is for conservationists from southern California to discuss latest conservation issues and take
positions to guide the work of our lobbyists in Sacramento.
August 26 and 27th (Sun–Mon). Lobby Day in Sacramento. Sierra Club’s nearly 200,000 members are
the source of our political power. Each summer as the Legislature is deciding the fate of critical bills, we
bring several dozen members to Sacramento to help us pass our prioritiy bills. We particularly
encourage attendees from districts seen as “swing votes” so that the targeted legislators hear from
constituents. Sunday, training. Monday, Lobbying. More info? lobbyday@sierraclubcalifornia.org or
call 916.557.1100 ext. 107. Contact Annie Pham.
Sept 7 and 8th. Full meeting of the CNRCC at San Luis Obispo. Discussions and decisions made by
representatives of all California Chapters as to positions to be supported on introduced bills in the
California legislature. Great area to visit also. Call Lori Ives 909.621.7148.
PLANS AND MEMORIES OF SEQUOIA MONUMENT FALL OUTINGS.
October 5–7th 2007 (Fri–Sun) Sierra Club’s Sequoia Task Force invites you to this Fall Outing in the
magnificent Giant Sequoia National Monument. You can arrive any time after 2 PM, Friday. Wonderful
hikes. Opportunity to talk with the activists who worked to protect these forests and groves for a quarter
of a century. Hug a Sequoia that may well have been a seedling when Cleopatra was crossing the Nile. If
enough of us make the trip, we just might be able to stretch all our arms around one single tree.
Complete details about this popular annual outing are available by emailing Carla at <cac@ocsnet.net>
or call 559.781.8445. Be sure to leave your name and contact information. RESERVATIONS ARE
REQUIRED BY SEPTEMBER 25th.
Carla Cloer’s report on the annual Sequoia National Monument Outing of 2006, held last fall, will give
you a preview for what to look forward to at this fall’s outing.
Folks from all over California enjoyed one of the best Sequoia National Monument Outings yet. People
started arriving at Quaking Aspen on Friday afternoon, and by nine o’clock tents dotted the landscape
and voices of friends meeting for the first time filled the crisp night air.
On Saturday morning, 25 people ages 8 to 70 hiked from our campground down the Nelson Trail
through golden quaking aspen trees and clear mountain breezes. We wound through the Wheel Meadow
THE ROADRUNNER 5
and Belknap Groves on what is now the only remaining gentle natural trail in Sequoia National Monu-
ment.
We stopped at the sequoia stand called the Five Sisters in memory of Dan Utt, the founder of the Tule
River Conservancy, then broke for lunch in a delightful clearing along the south fork of the middle fork
of the Tule River. Later, we made our wishes at the Wishbone Tree and crossed Boulder Creek to
waiting shuttle cars.
In the afternoon we climbed Dome Rock to see the glaciated Kern Canyon, the ever-changing site of the
McNally Fire, and glimpses of distant peaks in Sequoia Park. Our last stop was the Trail of 100 Giants
with its recently cleared slopes, countless stumps, and denuded stream reminding us that even in this
showcase for Forest Service sequoia management we were not going to find sensitive treatment.
Happy hour led to our potluck dinner and an amazing variety of foods. A few more folks joined us and
as the temperature dropped we gathered closer to the fire and toasted new friends and a few marsh-
mallows.
On Sunday morning we hiked the newly reconstructed Freeman Creek trail. Participants called it a dusty
logging road and questioned where all that loose dirt was going when the rains came. We walked two
and three abreast, noting that the trail was banked so that bicyclists wouldn’t have to slow on the curves.
All agreed that no historic trail should have such bulldozed treatment—ever. After spending time in a
unique group of sequoias, we left to pack for home.
This outing was gratifying because of the genuine concern of the participants. They understood how
many times we have celebrated victories that supposedly saved this wondrous place, and how each
victory has been followed by yet more threats.
Agreements are ignored and proclamations are perverted; our recent court victory is now threatened by
Congressman Nuñes’s attempt to circumvent the ruling in a Congress blinded by corporations. As Muir
noted, this is indeed an eternal battle.
As I departed the deserted campsite, Oregon juncos were scurrying through the bushes while the
campground chipmunk scavenged for tidbits. Rain began to fall, erasing the evidence we had ever been
there. Would that decades of damage from irresponsible management could be as easily remedied! I
pray that future managers find the wisdom to nurture these ancient forests so that unborn generations can
experience the same awe and renewal of spirit as we did—and that somehow we find the heart to keep
fighting.
them away. The New Hampshire Chapter also does this. I hope you will give bulbs to anyone you think
will begin to buy their own; your group might reimburse you.
CFBs contain a small amount of mercury, so used bulbs must be stored until a proper collection system
is available. Bulbs generally last several years. Some bulbs can not be used with dimmer switches or
outdoors, nor should they be used in enclosed places such as ice box and oven. I multiply the watts a
CFB uses by 3.5 to determine how many watts an incandescent bulb would take to give as much light as
the CFB gives; manufacturers are more optimistic.
I hope this summer provides you with opportunity to “get glad tidings” from our mountains and sea
shore. Thank you for reading, Art
Jean Fuller contact info: Bakersfield District Office, 4900 California Ave., Suite 100-B, Bakersfield, CA
93309. Phone: 661.395.2995. Fax: 661.395.3883. Assemblymember.Fuller@assembly.ca.gov
Midgebuzzings
ONE OF THE MOST beautiful day trips we can make from Bakersfield is to the Guadalupe Dunes
Preserve on California’s central coast. Last week Chris Geyer and I set out on Highway 166 through
Cuyama and into the surrounding hills for a pretty drive of about two and a half hours to Santa Maria. It
is not much farther to the little town of Guadalupe and from there to the entrance of the preserve. We
passed through a lovely riparian area before coming to the dunes. The road winds through those
mountains of sand to a parking lot where there are picnic tables. We walked along the beach, going past
signs that indicated nesting areas for plovers, and tried to imagine how these thousands of acres of
preserve came into being.
After a pleasant lunch we packed up and drove back to Guadalupe. On the main street are two restored
craftsman cottages, one the Dunes Center, and the other the executive office from which the preserve is
managed. The center was closed, but by good fortune we were invited into the office for a brief
interview with Bud Laurent, marine biologist and interim director. Even in that short time we learned a
great deal, certainly enough to motivate a return trip and a more comprehensive article on this great
nature preserve as soon as possible.
Bud recommended another part of the preserve, Oso Flaco Lake, for walking and viewing wildlife, and
we wasted no time getting there. It’s hard to exaggerate the beauty of that place. We approached the lake
by a walkway through a thick riparian forest of complex vegetation including cottonwoods, wax myrtle,
and arroyo willow. Sounds of the feeder creek and of singing of birds accompanied us all along the way.
There is a bridge over the lake and then a causeway that winds through the dunes much farther than we
had time to go. Waterfowl were abundant and swallows darted everywhere. Little black and white birds
which we thought were terns landed on the bridge railing ahead of us, then flew up when we ap-
proached, then landed ahead of us again and so on, repeating this over and over all the way across the
lake as if for sport. On the dunes we were surprised to see varieties of plants and flowers springing up
from the sand, an environment we thought would be hostile to such verdure. Only the lateness of the
afternoon convinced us to turn back.
What a thrilling environment! Chris and I will go back soon for an overnight that will provide much
more time for looking and learning. Driving homeward through the hills it occurred to me that nature
never disappoints, in the sense that it never breaks its own rules. Only we do that. A politician’s gov-
ernance does not reflect his promises; a voice for empathy and connection jeopardizes the welfare of a
friend through inattention; a priest and advocate for love and compassion is discovered to have been
selective in the practice of those virtues. But though these common failures may help describe the
human condition, they do not define it. There are luminous exceptions living among us, some of them
close enough to touch. Nevertheless, we cannot look for perfection even in them. For that, we must turn
to nature, and to the laws that govern it. Some would go farther, in the direction of cause. Certainly there
is no finer place to begin the search than the Guadalupe Dunes.