kern ranger station 1993 - high sierra hikers

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KERN RANGER STATION Year-End Report 1993 Summary I was on duty at the Kern Ranger Station from June 17 to October 13. I was flown into the station this year. The high country was snow covered, but the Kern Canyon was snow free with very high water in the Kern river and tributaries. Due t o heavy snowpack, wet meadows and the "wet year1' Meadow opening dates, I did not have my stock brought in until the end of June. During the season, I patrolled 888 miles of trail. (598 miles were patrolled on stock and 290 miles on foot. I contacted 1,023 visitors this season. (130 Day Hikers, 557 Backpackers, 102 Day Riders and 234 Stock Users with 530 head of stock, 12 llamas and 10 burros. ) Most of the local passes were snow covered until mid July. Most spring visitors came in from the south, Sequoia National Forest, or the east from Cottonwood Pass and Inyo National Forest. The creek crossings in the Kern area were difficult and/or hazardous until late July. Most of the group trips seemed t o wait until August and low water before venturing into the backcountry. Au~ust was the busiest month with groups coming over Franklin Pass and down the High Sierra trail headed towards the Hot Spring or Mount Whitney. There was an increase in stock Itday useH, especially in the spring when our Meadows were not open. The meadow opening dates and the opening post- ponements (Upper and Lower Funston meadows.and Coyote meadows) were known to most stock users who came into the area. This information getting to the users is very important and I was glad to find that it was being given out. (3/4 of the permits I see are from Forest Service Offices) These dates seemed to be accepted by the stock users and many planned day rides into the area while camping nearby on Forest Service land. I n Gen- eral th overnight stock use and grazing within the Kern area was low. Some favorite stock areas showed little or no use. (2111 Camp, Cow Camps, Middle Rattlesnake etc.) A total of 55 Firerings were worked in the Kern area this year. There were 20 obliterated. Lo Lyness (Little Five) and I met at Forester Lake in late August to clean pits and rehabilitate sites. . Adding rocks to fire pits and burning foil and leaving trash in the pits is still a problem, Some food and trash was left in the Ifbear boxesI1 occasion all^, but Junction Meadow was the worst with about 20 lbs, of trash and discarded food. This may have been from a stock trip last fall. A lot of trash gets thrown down the pit toilet at the Uot Spring camps, though the pit toilet at Upper Funston meadow remains almost trash free. This mas be because the toilet is farther away from the camx, sites at Upper Funston. I saw 12 rattlesnakes this summer and visitors reported seeing another 9. I also saw 3 kingsnakes and mans racers.

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Page 1: KERN RANGER STATION 1993 - High Sierra Hikers

KERN RANGER STATION Year-End Repor t

1993

Summary

I w a s on du ty a t t h e Kern Ranger S t a t i o n from J u n e 17 t o October 13. I was flown i n t o t h e s t a t i o n t h i s yea r . The h igh coun t ry was snow covered, bu t t h e Kern Canyon was snow f r e e w i t h ve ry h igh water i n t h e Kern r i v e r and t r i b u t a r i e s . Due t o heavy snowpack, w e t meadows and t h e "wet year1' Meadow open ing d a t e s , I d i d n o t have my s t o c k brought i n u n t i l t h e end o f June.

During t h e season , I p a t r o l l e d 888 m i l e s o f t r a i l . (598 m i l e s were p a t r o l l e d on s t o c k and 290 m i l e s on foo t . I c o n t a c t e d 1 ,023 v i s i t o r s t h i s season. (130 Day Hikers , 557 Backpackers, 102 Day R i d e r s and 234 S tock U s e r s w i t h 530 head o f s t o c k , 1 2 llamas and 1 0 bur ros . )

Most o f t h e l o c a l p a s s e s were snow covered u n t i l mid J u l y . Most s p r i n g v i s i t o r s came i n from t h e sou th , Sequo i a N a t i o n a l F o r e s t , o r t h e e a s t from Cottonwood P a s s and Inyo N a t i o n a l F o r e s t . The c r e e k c r o s s i n g s i n t h e Kern a r e a were d i f f i c u l t and/or haza rdous u n t i l l a t e Ju ly . Most o f t h e g roup t r i p s seemed t o w a i t u n t i l August and low water b e f o r e v e n t u r i n g i n t o t h e backcountry. A u ~ u s t was t h e b u s i e s t month w i t h g r o u p s coming o v e r F r a n k l i n P a s s and down t h e High S i e r r a t r a i l headed towards t h e Hot S p r i n g o r Mount Whitney. There was an i n c r e a s e i n s t o c k Itday u s e H , e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e s p r i n g when o u r Meadows were n o t open. The meadow open ing d a t e s and t h e open ing pos t - ponements (Upper and Lower Funston meadows.and Coyote meadows) were known t o most s t o c k u s e r s who came i n t o t h e a r e a . T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n g e t t i n g t o t h e u s e r s i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t and I was g l a d t o f i n d t h a t i t w a s b e i n g g iven ou t . (3/4 o f t h e p e r m i t s I s e e a r e from F o r e s t S e r v i c e O f f i c e s ) These d a t e s seemed t o be accep t ed by t h e s t o c k u s e r s and many planned day r i d e s i n t o t h e a r e a whi le camping nea rby on F o r e s t S e r v i c e l and . I n Gen- e r a l t h o v e r n i g h t s t o c k u s e and g r a z i n g w i t h i n t h e Kern a r e a was low. Some f a v o r i t e s t o c k a r e a s showed l i t t l e o r no use . (2111 Camp, Cow Camps, Middle R a t t l e s n a k e e t c . )

A t o t a l o f 55 F i r e r i n g s were worked i n t h e Kern area t h i s year . There were 20 o b l i t e r a t e d . Lo Lyness ( L i t t l e F i v e ) and I met a t F o r e s t e r Lake i n l a t e August t o c l e a n p i t s and r e h a b i l i t a t e s i t e s . . Adding r o c k s t o f i r e p i t s and bu rn ing f o i l and l e a v i n g t r a s h i n t h e p i t s i s s t i l l a problem, Some food and t r a s h w a s l e f t i n t h e I fbear boxesI1 occasion all^, bu t J u n c t i o n Meadow was t h e wor s t w i t h abou t 20 l b s , o f t r a s h and d i s c a r d e d food. T h i s may have been from a s t o c k t r i p l a s t f a l l . A l o t o f t r a s h g e t s thrown down t h e p i t t o i l e t a t t h e Uot S p r i n g camps, though t h e p i t t o i l e t a t Upper Funston meadow remains a lmos t t r a s h f r e e . T h i s mas be because t h e t o i l e t i s f a r t h e r away from t h e camx, s i t e s a t Upper Funston.

I saw 1 2 r a t t l e s n a k e s t h i s summer and v i s i t o r s r e p o r t e d s e e i n g a n o t h e r 9. I a l s o saw 3 k i n g s n a k e s and mans r a c e r s .

Page 2: KERN RANGER STATION 1993 - High Sierra Hikers

There were 2 medrjvacs bv NPS h e l i c o p t e r . 1 medevac by p r i v a t e h e l l c o a t e r ( p r i v a t e l a n d ) and 3 medi vac by commercial s t o c k . Minor f j r s t a i d f o r b l i s t e r s t n t h r e e v i s i t o r s - One s e a r c h t o l o c a t e an overdue h i k e r i n t h e u p p e r r a t t l e s n a k e a r e a . He had come down t o t h e Kern Canyon and T l o c a t e d him a t t h e Kern ~i v e r / ~ a t t l e snake J u n c t i on- A dng was bi t t e n bv a r a t t l e s n a k e on G n r e s t S e r v i c e 1 and. ( t h e owner was from a F - S - trai l c r e w ) The dog s u r v i v e d and a f t e r eye s u r g e r y i s now f i n e ,

U s e d 1 0 nnn- rechargeab le r a d i n b a t t e r i ss d u r i n g t h e s e a s o n - ( 2 were duds) T a l s o tri ed u s i n g a small sol a r c h a r a e r w i t h 2 r e c h a r g e a b l e b a t t e r i e s - Although t h e y were f i n e t o "Li s t e n " wi th , t h e y were i i n p r e d i c t a b l e and T c n u l d n l t roi int nn them t o have ennunh power t o send. but. i t he lped me s a v e on non-recharge- a b l e ones. T 1 d l i k e t o t r y i t a g a i n n a v t s e a s o n and work o u t t h e bugs-

Fi sh i n g w a s Door o r i mnossi b l e d.uri n g t h e smi n z wi t h a l l t h e h i g h w a t e r and f a s t c u r r e n t . T h i s l a s t e d t h r o u g h t o August u n t i l t h e r i v e r dropped a u i - t e a bi t - t h e n i t was I1fai ru t o average.. h u t n o t a s good as l a s t yea r . (Could t h i s be due t o t h e v a s t c l o u d s o f mnsaui t n s which were a t a n a l l t ime h i g h and 1 a s t e d t h r n u g h t o sen tamber? )

There were no low f 3 ~ i n g a i r c r a f t t o welcome m e i n t n t h e Kern Canvnn t h i s s p r i n z . cnmnared t n last. v e a r - T h e r e were a l n t l a t e r nn i n t h e summer. b u t manv were i m p n s s j b l e t n s e e t h r o u g h t h e t r e e s . . The new f l n w c h a r t i s v e r y h e l p f u l i n i d e n t i f y i n g m i l i tary d r c r a f t - T t would be nod t n have some i n f o r m a t i on nn he13 c o p t e r s f o r t h e s t a t i o n -

I s e e m o s t l y F o r e s t S e r v i c e p e r m i t s i n my a r e a . T h i s v e a r most n f them had no d e s t i n a t i o n s w r i t . ten down o r even l o c a t i o n numbers. They o n l v had e n t r v and e x i t ~ o i n t s . which were gen- e r a l l y F o r e s t Servrj c e l o c a t i o n s - Thi s made i t v e r v d i f f i cu1 t t o know i f t h e s e u s e r s s h o u l d be w i t h i n t h e P a r k o r n o t . T ma in lv went bv t h e i r knowledse o f t h e a r e a and t h e honor system. T spoke t o Bi 11 Dj esman.. F - S - . and h e s a i d t h e v were t r y j ng a new sys tem t o speed up t h e w r i t i n g o f nermi ts. They a r e n o t usling F o r e s t S e r v i c e l o c a t i o n s , o t h e r t h a n e n t r y and eu j t p o i n t s . h u t any e n t r y i n t o NPS s h o u l d be w r i t t e n i n . T h i s i s a ~ n a r e n t 1 . y n o t a l w a y s b e i n g done by t h e v a r i o u s o f f i c e s . He s a i d t o g e t t h e o f f i c e code number, i n t h e l o w e r r i g h t hand c o r n e r . s o h e ' l l know which o f f i c e t o c o n t a c t about. t h e problem. Most o f t h e s e p e o ~ l e a r e n o t ~ e t t i n g any NPS r u l e s and i n f o r m a t i o n e i t h e r . which c o u l d l e a d t o problems,

T found a l o s t p r i v a t e mule and k e p t f o r 2 d a y s u n t i l i t was t a k e n o u t by Golden T r o u t Pack S t a t i o n .

The F o r g o t t e n r e ~ e a t e r w a s on t h e b l i n k a few t i m e s t h i s s e a s n n . I t kep t l i f e i n t e r e s t i ng. . . . .is i t my l o c a t i o n , my b a t t e r y o r radio. . . . - . the r e p e a t e r . . . . i s d i s n a t c h n o t p i c k i n n un hackcoun t rv 2 ton: gh t???? Tlucki l l y i t was soon f i g u r e d o u t and r e p a i r e d . sn we cnu ld a l l i t g u e s s i n g and t h e n T a e n e r a l l v knew j t must be my b a t t e r v o r l o c a t j o n !

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RESOURCE The beave r dam a t U p ~ e r Funs ton meadow once a g a i n d i v e r t e d wa te r o u t nf t h e Kern ri v e r and t h rough t h e m a j n s t o c k camp and t h r o u a h t h e meadow. I broke UD p a r t o f t h e Dam i n e a r l y J u l y and was a b l e t o s t o p t h e f low i n t o t h e meadow. The meadow was n o t a b l e t o open on t h e J u l y 1 da t e . i t opened on J u l v 25- T obse rved one beaver swimming i n t h e ~ o n d - Si x more t r e e s were f a l l e n by beaver - The d a m was n o t r e p a i r e d bv t h e beaver. but. t h e r e i s s t i l l l a r g e l o g s t h a t w i l l p rnbah ly d i v e r t wa te r n e x t vear .

The beave r dam m e t r o m l i s. n o r t h o f t h e u t q e r d r i f t f e n c e o f Lower Funstnn meadow i s still a c t i v e and ve ry e x t e n s i v e . The t ra i l i n t h i s a r e a was b o a n i e r t h a n l a s t y e a r - T r e l e a s e d soma wate r ( 1 5 l o c a t i o n s ) and t h e trail dr7ied o u t - T t dropped t h e l e v e l abou t 1 f n o t - T h i s was i n e a r l v J u l y and by mid -Ai~ms t a l l t h e b r a k e s had been r e m i r e d and t h e t r a i l was boggy aga in . T've n e v e r obse rved a beaver i n t h i s a r e a . b u t t b r e a r e a l n t of t r n u t i n t h e nonds- The re a r e a1 so a 1 o t o f newly g i r d l e d t r e e s a l o n g t h e r i v e r .

NPS Kern Canvon Beaver su rvey was conducted i n mid-Seotember bv C i ndv S c h u l t z and 13ri an Mckean.

Due t o h igh w a t e r and a n a t u r a l 1 OR jam on t h e Kern r i v e r - Lower Funston meadow was f looded t h i s sp r i ng . Water- 3 i n c h e s t o 3 f e e t was f lowing a c r o s s t h e e n t i r e meadow- It opened on J u l y 25 i n s t e a d o f J u l y 1.

Due t o snowmelt and s t a n d i n g water. t h e meadows i n Coyote Can- yon were a l s o opened l a t e r t h a n schedu led- The lower meadow was opened on August 1 5 and t h e unpe r . iunct ion meadow on Sept- ember 1.

The meadows i n R a t t l e s n a k e canynn opened on s chedu l e . b u t had low t o moderate use. Most lv due t o F r a n k l i n P a s s b e i n g i m ~ a s s a b l e t o s t o c k , due t o snow. u n t i l t h e end o f J u l y - A l l t h e meadows looked good t h i s v e a r w i th t h e e x t r a w a t e r and l ower use . The Large p a s t u r e a t t h e Kern s t a t i o n n e v e r needed i r r i ~ a t i o n wa t e r t h i s s ea son - I k e p t wa t e r t o t h e smal l pas- a l l summer.

Meadow moni t o r i n g : (September 7 t h rough September 20) I conducted r e s i d u a l h iomass mon i to r i ng on R meadows i n t h e Kern Canvon and E r i c Morey moni tored t h e 3 meadows i n R a t t l e - snake Canvon.

A b a t s t u d y was conducted i n mid-Aumst bv J e a n n i n e Koshear.

F i s h R Game d i d a f i s h s t u d y i n F a r l y Aunust.

R o c k s l i d e s t u d y by U n i v e r s i t v of Ar izona i n e a r l y Ju ly .

Wildwater samples (Soda s p r j ng, Hot s n r i n ~ and Cold s ~ r i n ~ )

Page 4: KERN RANGER STATION 1993 - High Sierra Hikers

One b e a r was r e p o r t e d bv a v i s i t o r i n Auaust. I t caused no probl em and l e f t t h e a r e a qui ckly. No b e a r probl ems were r e p o r t e d - I s a w b e a r t r a c k s on t h e t r a i l n e a r R a t t l e s n a k e J u n c t i o n i n Oc tober - They headed down canyon and were on t h e t r a i l f o r 1 m i l e , b u t I n e v e r a o t t o s e e t h e bea r .

A b a l d e a g l e was s i g h t e d s e v e r a l t i m e s f l y i n g up and down can- yon. A s f a r n o r t h as Big Arroyo Canvon and s o u t h t o t h e Kern Lakes i n F.S.

KERN TRAIL CREW: P r o - i e c t s and Assists The t r a i l crew were f lown i n t h i s y e a r and n e v e r based o u t o f t h e s t a t i o n , The crew d i d a l o t o f much needed work i n R a t t l e - snake ranvnn. i n c l u d i n g r o c k and 1 o a - w a t e r b a r s . checks. s t e n s and f i 11 . A bi R i mnrnvement- The heavy r a i n s to rm nn August 2Rth d a m a g e d some n f t h e work i n t h e l o w e r fftTumnsff s e c t i o n o f t ra i l and mnre w a t e r d i v e r s i o n wnrk i s needed. The u p p e r swi tch- backs and ium-ns were under snnw. so t h e v s t i l l need a t t e n t i o n . There i s snme blast in^ t h a t could be dnne t n t h e s l i c k rock s e c t i o n t n rouahen i t UD and make i t safer.

There i s a t e n f n o t sect.i on n f t r a i 1 n e a r C O W camn whi ch i s v e r v boggv; T t n e e d s a t t . e n t i o n A p i t t n i l e t was D U ~ i n a t F o r e s t e r Lake- The crew r e r n u t e d t h e t r a i l n e a r t h e F n r ~ s t e r Lake i u n c t i o n . The trai 1 now s t a v s on t h e n n r t h si d e o f t.he c reek . i n s t e a d n f c r o s s i nn o v e r and back- t h i s nnw k e e n s i t n u t n f t h e meadow and c r e e k G r e a t wnrk1 The t r a i l t o F o r e s t e r l a k e a n d T9itt,3e C l a i r e T.ake n e e d s t n he f f ~ h e e l e d f f and new m i 1 a g e s determi ned f o r a new si P" sj "re t h e iunct.i nn h a s mnved.

Covote t r a i l was nnened bv ,T_im H a r v e ~ ~ and m e - dnwned t r e e s and ~ r u n i n g - T t , w i l l need t h e s l u f f a r e a d u ~ nut. and w-i dened n e v t year. T t w i l l a l s o n ~ e d t h e r e g u l a r w a t e r b a r ma in tenance and rocki ng,

The K e r n Canvon f r a i l w a s i n p r e t t y m o d shane, T t had a l o t n f water r u n n i n g n v e r a n d down i t. t h i s sari ng- T c u t nut. 11. t r e e s a f t e r t h e crew moved n n r t h a n d d i d some p w n i n~ The bngpv a r e a n e a r t h e beaver me t rnpn l i s bv T.aure1 Creek n e e d s a n answer and s n l u t i on , The b r i dge a n p r o a c h e s (Kern Suspensi on R r i d ~ e - Bi a Arrnvn R r i d p e and Kern H n t S ~ r i n g R r i d g e ) rou1 d a l l lise snme fi 11 w r k - (VTP P r n i e c t s 2 ) A new D: t mav need t o be dug a t t h e IInt Snri ng C a m n s - T r p ~ l aped t h e t n i 1 e t seat t h i s y e a r - A t r ~ e f e l l on o n e nf t h e hi t r h r a i l s a t T ower Funs ton meadnw T t n e e d s t o be r e ~ a i r o d and t h e o t h e r rai 1 c n i ~ l d u s e new u p r i a h t s - ( T T T P n r n j e c t n r ? I We shou ld h a ~ r e a h i t c h r a i l at. t h e s ~ c n n d a r v ramn a t T.ower Funs ton meadow

J i m Harvev h e l ~ e d m e a t t h e K e r n S t a t i n n b e f o r e he was a b l e t o b r i n g t h e t r a i l crew s t o c k i n t o t h e backcnun t rv nn Aun- 1 H e h ~ l ned wi t h f i rewnod. museum c a t a l n g i n g . d i t c h l i n e s and c o v e r ~ d a t t h e s t a t i o n when T w a s nut. f o r t . r a in in r r - T h e l ~ ~ d move hi s st.nck t n Cnld S p r i n r camp- Then a t t h e end o f AUR- nst T he1 ~ e d take s t o c k n u t t n Minera l K i n a -

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R-S. D r i f t Fence R e n a i r & nastiire F e n c e s E r e c t e d 1 new si em a t ~ n t S p r i n g Took dnwn Willnw Meadnw Cut. o f f si En ( T t h i n k t h i s shnuld be r e n l a c e Remnved L r n l l s n f t e l enhone w i r e R~mnved n a i l s frnm t r e e s P u t a hack nn t h ~ R - S wnodboy( t o di s c o u r a e e n e s t i n g n f woodra t s ) N P W s c r e e n s on b n t h d o o r s Rehuil t nu tdoor s i n k s ~ i n ~ o r t s Rena i red 2 broken w a t e r l i n e s C l e a r e d n i n e needl PS f r n m R - S - r o o f & r e s e t 1 o o s ~ nai 1s R e s e t l n o s e St.nve n i ~ e a n c h n r s R e ~ a i r ~ d nub1 i c n a s t u r e g a t e a n d rai 1 s 1Jpdated b u l l e t i n b o a r d s C l e a r ~ d and r ~ a d i ed camn f o r t h e S n r a r s i s T r i p R e d a c e d t n i l e t seat . at. t h e H n t S n r i n a Worked t.he f l R a t . ' s Nestf1 o u t o f M i t c h ' s tai 1' (Maior a c c o m n l i s h m ~ n t ) Muswlrn c a t a l oai nn n f hi s t o r i c i t . e m s a t t h e Kern S t a t i on

PROJECTS FOR 1 9 9 4

New H i t c h r a i 1s a t T-ower Funs tnn Cont inue repa: rs t n d r i f t f e n r e s Maior r e p a i r t o boundarv/dri f t fence . Golden T r o u t Creek Wheel m i l e a ~ e f o r new F o r e s t e r / ~ i t t l e C l a i r e si gn

EMERGENCY OPERATTONS

- 7 Found an Emernenr-v message t h a t had been l e f t a t t h e Kern R.S- fin 6-10-sZ- . R e l a y e d t n Si erra T ) i stri c t -

7 - P r i v a t e Medevac. from B r n m s P r i v a t e Land - Relaved messaae f o r Tonv Brown t n mnve UD t h e d a t e n f ~ r i v a t e h e l i c o n t e r f l ri &it due t o si ck chi 1 d , Throuah Vnx.

8-1 Dog bi t t e n by a ra t t l e snake nn F - S - l a n d , b e l o n g i n g t o F-S- e m ~ l o v e e - Relaved i nformat i nn t h r o u g h Si e r r a I l i stri c t . first a i d and i nformat i on d e l i v e r e d a b o u t medj c i n e d e l i v e r v .

8-2 t o 8-3 Medevac. Upper Funs ton Meadow. Lucv VJhi s l e r - 57. s o r e and s w o l l e n k n e e s w i t h a h i s t o r y o f knee and back s u r g e r i e s w a s f lown o u t t o t h e east s i d e -

8-5 Medevac. Cnld S p r i n g Camp. a boyscou t f e l l o f f a l o g a t a c r e e k c r o s s i n g and i n j u r e d h i s w r i s t and was flown o u t t n V i sali a -

9-29 P o t e n t i a l Medevac. Snake C a r n ~ . a 1 6 v e a r o l d male f e l l on r o c k s w h i l e fl s h i m - He hi t h i s head. 1 e f t hi n and 1 ower l e f t back. Monitored o v e r n i g h t and he was a b l e t o rj de o u t w i t h h i s v o u w t h e n e x t day, (Packed by Golden T r o u t Pack S t a t i on)

7 S e a r c h , Overdue b a c k ~ a c k e r . D e l t o n Huaes. Was e x ~ e c t e d t o be i n Upper R a t t l e s n a k e . w a s found on t h e Kern R i v e r a t ~ a t t l e s n a k e i u n c t i o n - S o r e knee. R e c o n t a c t e d on 8-18. first

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6-21 Verba l Warni na. Man wanted t o br ine : hi s dog i n t o t h e backcoun t rv - He was d i s c o u r a g e d and camned on F-S.

6-28 Verbal VJarnina. s t n c k nrnilp wanted t n ~n t o c l o s e d meadow t n gra7.e- e ~ n l a i n e d t h e d a t e s and s e n t +.hem t o F.S

9-1 9 V e r b a l Warn: na. s t n c k a roup a t Lower Funstnn. camp 3 m-nrovements- e m 1 a i n e d r u l e s and t h e y d i s m a n t l e d t h e i r work

9-20 V e r b a l Warning, Llamas e n t e r < n a H n t Sr,ri ne: Meadow. e x ~ l a i n e d r u l e s and d j r e r t e d t.n a carnnsi te .

6 S t n c k groun wi t h a Doa. came t o R - S - f n r ara7.i n a a r e a i n f n r m a t i o n . s ~ n t t n V.S.

9-15 Verbal Warnine:. Gn1 den T r o u t Pack S t a t i nn- t v i n a st.nck t o t r e e s - e m 1 a i n e d ru1 e s and t h e y s e t ur, a hi t c h l i n e e

10-4 Verbal Warni ng. 2 h a r k ~ a c k ~ r s werp e s m u r t e d t h r o u a h t h p c l o s e d Willow Meadow Tra i 1 bv t h e Fi r e Moni t o r s - T met them n e a r t h e Bot S ~ r i n g . Thev di d n o t know t.hei r ~ " o u t e went t h ~ o u a h a c l o s e d a r e a and i t was w r i t t e n up as t h e j - r r o u t e - Warned h u t t h e v d i d n o t g e t t h e i n f o when t h e y a o t t h e i r NPS o e r m i t -

10-9 V e r b a l Warni nn. two backpackers w i t h a dog were p lann i ne: on h i k i n a up Covote Tra i 1. e x o l a i ned r u l e s and t h e v p i c k e d a di f f e r e n t r o u t e on F,S-

V T STTnR ASSTSTS

6-22 Loaned t o o l s t o a f i sherman t o r e p a i r fi s h i n a p o l e -

6-28 Gave food t o hungry backpacker-

7-10 Minor first a i d f o r B l i s t e r s

6-27 Arranged phone c a l l f o r s t o c k p a r t y w i t h a lame h o r s e t o have Golden T r o u t Pack S t a t i o n t n b r i n g i n a n e x t r a h o r s e .

7-16 Confused French B a c k ~ a c k e r wanted t o a e t a p e r m i t from me a t t h e stati nn- h e l ~ e d p l a n a day h i k e r o u t e t h r o u a h t h e park so he could a e t t o Minera l Kina f o r a p e r m i t and c o n t i n u e h i s h i k e n o r t h ,

7-29 Loaned s h o e i n g t o o l s t o p r i v a t e s t o c k a r o u D ~

R-lh Tli rec ted p r i v a t e s t o c k p a r t y w i t h a dog t o a F-S- c a m ~ s i t e ,

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15-20 D i r e c t e d s t n c k p a r t y t n g r a z i n g arpas- N e w t n t h e area

8-2L Con fused backpacker had m i s s e d t h e F n r e s t e r Take i u n c t i o n and was 4 m i l e s dnwn R a t t l e s n a k e Canvon- T t u r n e d h i m around. p u t hi s backnack nn mv mule and r a d i n l d Ranner Lyness t o contac t . hi s p a r t y t.o e m 1 ai n hi s d e l a v - Dropped o f f hi s nack, hanny reuni on -

9-4 . Advised nav H i d e r s o u t o f Mineral King ( P r i v a t e ) n o t t n t r y Shntgun P a s s - Thev headed back from F r a n k l i n Pass .

9-1L Del i v e r e d messape t o Henrv Rrnwn- from n r i v a t e l a n d ahnu t hi s h e l i c n p t e r f l i g h t . r e l a v e d answer hack t o Fnu.

91-21 R a d i o l d Si e r ra D i s t r i c t w i t h i n f o r m a t i o n o f a p o t e n t ? a1 medica l problem o f a backpackers f r i e n d . Thev had s p l i t up a t Mnraine Lake,

9-24 Took a r e p o r t o f a l o s t . p r i v a t e - mule. Had l e f t t h e p r i v a t e l a n d . T found t h e mule t.he same dav and r a d i n ' d Si e r r a D i s t r i c t t o l e a v e a message a t Golden T r o u t Pack S t a t i o n and t h e owners home. Brought gear t o R.S- Took c a r e o f mule u n t i l 9-27 when Golden T r o u t Pack S t a t i n n l e d i t out .

ASST STANCE TO OTHRR AGRNCTES

6-17 t 1 - Mainta ined Angle r Survev box a t t h e Kern R.S- Gatre o u t forms d u r i n g t h e summer- Fi s h & Game Dept-

6-30 t o 7-5 Unj-v. o f A7,. R o c k s l i d e Studv. Due t o c o n t i n u e d c l o s u r e n f Lower Funston Mdw-. t h e y based o u t o f t h e Kern R.S. Helped them wi t h a r e a i n f n . m a D s . p h o t o s e t c -

8-10 t o 8-11 Lost. F i s h Samples i n C o o l e r a t F o r e s t e r Lake. F i s h and Game, Tlispatch a s k e d me t o d e l i v e r a message t o t h e o t h e r F i s h and Game crew b e i n g packed bv M i n e r a l King P a r k S t a t i o n , C l i n t Woods-packer- L e f t Upper Funst-on and d e l i v e r e d message t o t h e p a c k e r a t u p p e r R a t t l e s n a k e camp- Then d e l i v e r e d message t n F i s h and Game t h e n e x t morn in^ a t t h e i r camp 2 m i l e s up canyon-

8-22 E r e c t e d F.S. f f R l a s t i n g Warningff s i g n f o r t h e t r a i l crew working on t h e Golden T r o u t swi tchbacks . Tnvo F.S-.

8-30 I n v o F.S- emplovee- Rob O l i n and son s t a v e d a t t h e R - S - o v e r n i g h t and u s e d t h e Admin , P a s t u r e -

9-7 Loaned t h e " d i r t 'boxesff t n t h e F.S. ( F o r Mwles-) T r a i l work,

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9-12 t n -J6 v - S - sponsored Sorarsri s c roup hased a t Lewi s Camp, u s e o f A 3 min. ~ a s t u r e .

9-18 Sei 7.mic C r e w . p i cked UP t h e i r food resuup1.v from +.he p r i l l a t e l and . They cked i t uu from t h e R-S-

6-24 Golden T r o u t Pack S t a t i o n - h e l p e d P a c k e r s Sonny Ward and Kennv #Tames ~ e t t h e i r pack s t r i n g s a c r o s s t h e b r i d g e and t o lo cat^ t h e camP on p r i v a t e l a n d .

7-1 Golden T r o u t Pack S t a t i o n . Loaned s h o e i n n t o o l s ,. . - 7-10 Golden T r o u t Pack S t a t i on- Loaned s h o e i n g t n o l s and h e l d h o r s e f o r shoe ing-

7-11 Same as above and l o a n e d a shoe. i t was r e p l a c e d l a t e r

7-12 Golden T r o u t Pack S t a t i o n . Re tu rned 17 head o f s t o c k t o F - S - camp whi ch were I f l o s t " and s t a n d i n g i n t h e S t a t i on Yard.

9-16 Golden T r o u t Pack S t a t i o n . s t n r e d B a r l e v a t R-S. f o r S o r a r s i s t r i ~ . h e l p e d pack s tock .

9-30 Golden T r o u t Pack S t a t i on. H e l ~ e d r e l o a d mule-

10-'5 Minera l King Pack S t a t i o n . Don B e d e l l and P a c k e r Dave a r r i v e d a f t e r d a r k o f f Coyote t r a i l . They s t a y e d a t t h e R-S. and a l l o w e d 1 n i g h t i n p a s t u r e .

FIRES

R-12 H e l i c o ~ t e r 552 s p o t t e d a smoke s o u t h o f t h e p a r k boundarv n e a r L e n g e t t Cr.gek. human caused , F - S - b rough t i n s l u r r y bombers and d i d h e l i c o p t e r drops . Smoke and Ash were f a l l i n g around t h e K e r n R.S- I wate red down t h e r o o f s . ( 4 5 a c r e s ) I advj-sed 2 b a c k p a c k e r s and 2 s t o c k u s e r s n o t t o t r v t o go th rough i t t h a t a f t e r n o o n . They w a i t e d u n t i l t h e n e x t morning t o head south .

8-30 F i r e , 1 m i l e s o u t h o f t h e p a r k boundary. NPS responded. I w r a ~ p e d up 2 x-cut saws f o r h e l i t a c k t o p i c k UP.

8-27 o r 28 Willow Meadow f i r e , L i ~ h t e n i n e c a u s ~ d PNF- Area l a t e r c l o s e d t o t r a v e l on 9-11-93. n ~ e n e d t o t r a v e l on 1 0 - 3 - 9 . 200 p l u s aces and 3 R t r e e s down a c r o s s t h e t r a i l a t 1 ast count .

T t w a s a n n t h e r great v e a r i n t h e Kern Canvon. Thanks f o r all t h e he1 P and S u ~ p o r t from Si erra D i stri c t -

Cindy J . Wnod

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Kern Ranger Stat ion Tool Shed Inventory '93

6 Gallons of Blazo 1 Gallon of Pa in t Thinner 3 / 4 Gall2ns of white P a i a t 1/3_ G a 1 I . m ~ of G r e y Pa in t 10 Gunny Sacks

1 Hornelite Super XL Chainsaw 1 Hornelite X L Chainsaw 2 Q u a r t s of B a r and Chain Oil NO B a r Tip G r e a s e --

@ (8 024 2 Cyc ls Oil (32:l) 2 Gallons of C hainsaw Mix

2 Tanks of P ropane (Did any go in on the Demob F l i g h t ? ) Wide Var ie ty .d Hand T >3ls, X-cut saw etc .

Wish L i s t i t ems f 5 r tile Spring of 1994:

2 New Chains with c o r r e c t s i z e F i l e s (Le roy has meaauremen:s)( 70 R 81 l i k s ) ( 7/32 1 G a l l m Regula r Gas 2 o r 3 Tanks of P r o p a n e 6 ( 3 / 4 1 1 ) Daytons o r Unions f ~ r watPr l ine repa i r 1 Needle Nose P l y e r s B a r T i p G r e a s e (Dispenser i s a t S t a t i ~ n ) 5 G a l h n s of Blazo 1 Gallon of Brown S e m i G los s Pa in t 1 Gallon of Russet Stain 1 T rowe l 1 new "Mountain Maytazl1 1 Brnom 2 Cleanser 1 whi te n u t 1 Duct T a w Tags and st< ck on Tags (a~nrnu- 2" y 6") Mans: 1 5 min allads o f . Kern ~ e a k ( 2 1 - Mineral Kina(2) - M t - Whi t ne .v ( l ) Gene ra to r s ( 2 ) f o r small Peak 1 Lantern, #22A7,991 f o r Model # 222B

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K e r n R a n g e r Stat ion Stock Supplies '93

4 Bags - Bar l ey 1 Bag Alfa l fa Pe l l e t s 2 Camp Sa l t 2 C l e a r E y e s 4 Wound -Kote (Blue Sp ray Lotion) 3 G a l l s a l v e 1 L a r g e Box of #5 Ci ty Head Nails P len ty sf F l y Wipe 2 OOTHShoes 13 OOPL shoes 16 OPL Shoes 3 1 P L Shoes 6 2 P L S h e s 2 new Rasps 1 Shoeing Kit and Chaps 3 Used Hal'ers 2 Used Cinches 1 Extra Saddle (r iding) 112 P in t Soap 1 Se t Bridge Boxes(Grea t Condition) Rivets a n d B u r r s , Repa i r Lea the r etc.

Wish L i s t I t ems f o r Spring of 1994:

1 50 Lb. Sa l t Block - MinerCi l 10 O P L Shoes 2 Carny Sa l t - White

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Kern Ranger Station - End of Season 1993 Food L i s t

The re i s Plenty of:

Gar l ic Powder Salt Peppe r Worces t e r sh i r e Sauce Tobasco On im Sal". Lawr y l s Seasaning Sal t Lemon P e p p e r Vanilla (8 oz. ) Baking Powder (20 oz) Baking Soda (1) Chili Powder Instant Ranch (5) Kool-Aide Packe ts Honey T r a i l Mix ( 3 lbs. ) Tang (1) Sugar (4 lb) Corn Meal (3 lbs. ) Instant T e a (1) Coffee (new, ? 121.) Coffee F i l t e r s (lg. & Sm. ) Cooking Oil (1/2 Gal. ) Syrup (112 Gal . ) Quaker Oats (2) F l o u r (3 lbs . ) Instant Pudding (9 ) Instant Boxed Breakfast c e r e a l Instant Potatoes Bisquick (4 lb.) Instant Milk(Way Too Much) Mac & Cheese (10) Brown Rice (1 box) Dry Beans, peas , l intles etc. Hot Choc. Mix FOIL ( lots) Top Ramin (15 to 20) Gravey Packe t s (23) Lipton "T rai ls ide" Noodle Dinners ( 3 0) Peana i But ter & Jel ly

Other I tems:

8 Toilet P a p e r 5 NPS P a p e r Towels 2 ro l l s P a p e r Towels 3 112 Boxes of Kitchen Matches 4 Sm. Boxes of Camp Matches 1 112 La rge bottles of Dish Soap Plenty s f Garbage Bags 113 Gallon of Liquid Launtlr y Soap Sm. & Bus. s i ze Regular E n v e l ~ p e s 2 Shampoo & 1 Conditioner 3 B a r s Dial Soap, 2 Lava & Misc. 1 Quar t Peppermint Snapps 50 Med. Ziplocks P len ty of Sandwhich Ziplocks 112 Box Largo Ziplocks 2 Bottles S a h d Dress ing 11 ( sm. - lcup ea. ) Rea l F r e s h Milk 1 Reg Rea l F r e s h Milk - Lo F a t 1 Box Shredded Wlleat- C c r z i l 1 Box Salt ines (Lg . ) 1 Stove Top Stuffing 2 Hot Sa lsa 1 Med. Sa lsa 1 Chili Sauce 1 B E 9 Sauce 10 Hot Chili 5 P o r k & Beans 2 Spagett i with Meatballs 6 Ref r ied Beans 1 MushroL)cn s 4 Evapora te ' i Milk 3 Whole Green Chilis 2 Lg. G r e e n chil i Enchilada Sauce 3 F r u i t Coctai l 5 Apple S a x e 1 P e a r s 2 Pineappls I Peaches 4 Corn 5 Green Beans

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Food Lis t Contin 193:

3 Toma to P a s t e 1 Whole T t ~ ~ n a t .>ss 4 Tomato Sauce 9 Tlsmato Soilp 5 Mus1irl.1 jrn Soup 4 Vegetable Beef Soup 4 L a r g e Spaget t i Sauce 7 Sparn 1 Sh r imp 1 C l a m s 2 Roast Beef 4 Sa l i sbury Steak 17 Tuna. ? Sliced 3 e e f 1 L a r s e Can Pumpkin

Insec t RepelL3nt Sun S c r sen S o l a r ~ ~ x n r , 7. Mink Oil Hand L'3iion Corn S t a ~ ::I

Ba3y Powde r & Ointment Which Haze l & z o t t o n Bal ls Asp i r i n Pep t a Bis tno l Ti lera F 1.1 Packe t s ( l 2 ) 18 Ex-Lax & 24 Anti Dia-rhea E bsorn S a l " ~ C i3 nd. rn Cam. n.-li 3 l:

Tecl 'Bags 100 'Turns

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