Author Archives: Shawn E. Bell

Yosemite National Park Launches New Website to Commemorate 125th Anniversary

On October 1, 2015, Yosemite National Park will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the establishment of Yosemite National Park. On that date President Benjamin Harrison signed legislation which created the United States of America’s third National Park. With a stroke of a pen, over 1,500 square miles of pristine California land was preserved for future generations.

To celebrate this occasion, Yosemite National Park has launched a new website specifically geared to the 125th Anniversary.

From the National Park Service:

“The events in the gateway communities were a huge part of the success of the 150th anniversary of the Yosemite Grant,” stated Don Neubacher, Yosemite National Park Superintendent. “We are looking forward to working closely with our gateway communities again as we celebrate this significant historical milestone.”

The website offers a calendar of all anniversary events, projects, and commemorations that will take place throughout 2015. Additionally, visitors to the site will be provided opportunities to share their Yosemite stories;read a timeline of Yosemite’s rich history;learn how to host and/or organize an anniversary event or activity;and apply to use the anniversary logo on retail products.

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Ghost Towns – Yosemite Nature Notes

California’s Gold Rush initially occurred in 1848 and lasted at a fevered pitch until 1855.  Gold and silver were still to be found after that period, and many prospectors tooled the Sierra Nevada looking for the ore that would change their lives.  Tioga Hill became home to these hearty men who lived and moved stone by hand in the 1880s.  Tioga Pass at the crest of the Sierra Nevada range saw men come in droves.  They brought machinery, livestock, and dreams. They built towns like Dana Village, Bennettvile and worked at places like the Golden Crown Mine.

From the video: “today’s popular Tioga Road was once a simple wagon road built to access the wealth of minerals that were never found.”

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Free Park Entry for Veterans on Veterans Day – November 11th

From the California State Parks Foundation:

As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day, we at CSPF want to thank all those who have served and who are currently serving our country.

We also want to spread the word that for the first time veterans and active duty military personnel are eligible for free day-use access to California’s state parks on Tuesday, November 11 for Veterans Day. Free day-use access will be provided at state parks currently operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation that are accessible with a vehicle day use pass.

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Campgrounds Open at Joshua Tree National Park

All campgrounds at Joshua Tree National Park have reopened for the season. This includes Belle, Black Rock, Cottonwood, Hidden Valley, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, Ryan, Sheep Pass, and White Tank campgrounds.

Campsites at Indian Cove and Black Rock campgrounds may be reserved in advance online. To check availability and make a reservation, please visit www.recreation.gov. At all other campgrounds, sites are first-come, first-served.

Backcountry camping is also permitted in the park and requires campers to register at a backcountry board. Campsites must be at least one mile from a road and 500 feet from any trail. Campfires are not permitted in the backcountry.

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CDFW Resumes Trout Planting in Kern and Tulare County Waterways

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has started planting catchable rainbow trout in Kern and Tulare County rivers and lakes last month after water temperatures cooled enough to ensure success.

The first fish from the Kern River Hatchery were put into the Kern River above Kernville and more fish will be planted from the hatchery as water temperatures continue to drop. Ming, River Walk, Truxton and other lakes around Bakersfield have also been stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout, with others to follow. Continue reading