Category Archives: California

National Parks

Pinnacles National Park entry fee increases August 1st

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

On August 1, 2014 the 7 day entrance pass for Pinnacles National Park will increase to $10 for passenger vehicles and motorcycles; bicycle and pedestrian entry will increase to $5.00.The Pinnacles Annual Pass will also increase on August 1 to $20.00. This is the first fee increase at the park since the 1990s.

Park managers are planning to utilize the fee revenue generated by this increase to provide better customer service in several ways: increased shuttle bus service within the park during busy weekends, improved shuttle bus stops, and improved trip planning information.

Purchase prices for Golden Age and America the Beautiful passes will remain the same.The free Golden Access and America the Beautiful Annual Pass for Active Duty Military personnel will continue to be offered.

You can find out more about Pinnacles National Park HERE.

State Parks

Nothing says opulence and Hearst Castle quite like a porta potty

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Hearst Castle Visitor Center to Close Public Restrooms in July for Water Conservation

Chemical toilets with hand sanitizer stations will be made available

According to a press release from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, starting on Monday July 7, 2014, the Hearst Castle Visitor Center will begin implementing water conservation measures to reduce water usage and comply with Governor Brown’s Executive Order to redouble drought actions across the State. All day-use restrooms will be closed and chemical toilets (or porta-potties) with exterior hand sanitizer stations will be placed at the Visitor Center. Thirty standard chemical restrooms plus eight Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible chemical restrooms will be available to accommodate all visitors. At least six hand sanitizer stations will also be available.

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State Parks

Free tickets for the Palm Springs Aerial tram!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Okay, you knew there’d be a catch.  But it’s a good catch!

The California State Parks Foundation sponsors the Park Champions Program, which – from their website – “…holds volunteer work days in state parks across California. This program was created in response to the unprecedented budget cuts that California State Parks face right now. In partnership with California State Parks, Park Champions provide consistent, sustainable volunteer support in the areas of park maintenance and beautification.

Park Champions projects improve the quality, safety and preservation of our state parks. Projects in the past year have included trail repair, invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, the rehabilitation of an historic orchard, fence construction, bridge construction, and re-painting park structures. If you enjoy volunteering outdoors, want to work with a fun group of people, and you want to make a difference in our state parks, then become a Park Champion and join us for the next work day happening near you!”

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National Forests

Mount Whitney on this day in history – July 3rd

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

In July of 1864, a California State Geological Survey led by William H. Brewer, indcluding Charles F. Hoffmann, James T. Gardiner, and Clarence King, named the culminating peak of the Sierras “Mount Whitney.”  Named forJosiah Whitney, who was the State Geologist of California and benefactor of the survey.

With an elevation of 14,505 feet Mount Whitney is the highest summit in the contiguous United States, and is the boundary between Inyo and Tulare counties.

On this day, July 3rd, 1926, Sequoia National Park was expanded to include Kern Canyon and the West slope of Mount Whitney.  The summit is the southern terminus of the John Muir Trail, while the eastern slope is in the Inyo National Forest in Inyo County.

National Parks, News

Happy 150th Anniversary, Yosemite!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Under a towering canopy of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the National Park Service, Yosemite Conservancy and public officials today celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the Yosemite Grant Act, the legislation signed by President Abraham Lincoln to preserve Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove, by breaking ground on a landmark project to protect the ancient sequoia trees and the extraordinary experience they make possible.

“On the 150th Anniversary of the Yosemite Grant Act, we stand in awe among these giant trees that are thousands of years old and are reminded about the importance of protecting our natural resources so that future generations can experience what John Muir called ‘nature’s forest masterpiece,’” said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis at public ceremonies attended by thousands.

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