YOSEMITEVOLUME FORTY-TWO, NUMBER 2

NewAssociationChiefAs we reported in a recent letterto the membership, David O . Kar-raker has taken over his positionsof Chief Park Interpreter and Dir-ector of the Yosemite Natural Hs-tory Association.Dave arrived in Yosemite onejump ahead of the summer visi-tors . Thus, was obliged to adjustto this environment (he had beenin Washington, D .C.), get his fam-ily settled, become aquaintedwith his National Park Service col-leagues and, with the other hand,direct the widespread visitor in-terpretive programs. To accomp-lish one or two of these would bea fair job; to do them all is, hesays, exciting, to say the least.

His interpretive province reachesbetween Tuolumne and the Mari-posa Grove, some twenty-fivecrow flight miles . There were some150 interpretive programs goingon weekly within the park and 95interpretive people presentingthem.

Having served as Chief Interpre-ter in three other parks, he hasbeen involved with cooperatingassociations (which is what theYNHA is) for some time, so is fam-ilar with association aims and acti-vities.

Asked about his concept of theinterpretive needs in this park in1972 and how he intends to fillthem, Karraker said:

First of all, I am very impressedby the dynamic work of the Yose-mite Natural History Association.Over the years it has provided anamazing array of services and pro-grams. It has been most import-ant in furthering the exciting in-

(con( inued on page five)

SEPTEMBER, 1972

Among a number of naturalist programs for children was "YosemiteAdventurers" designed for the four to seven year old visitor . Here,Mary Ruble invites inspection of a tiny alder seed pod.

Burns, Beetles and Sequoia ConesEnough is known about the close Ron Stecker, the entomologistrelationships between plants and with the team, virtually lived inanimals to frighten almost anyone the crown of a Giant Sequoia inconcerned with environmental Sequoia National Park in the Red-quality, especially when one con- wood Mountain Grove for almostsiders all that we must not yet five summers . From his perch, heknow, as we forge ahead chang- studied the insect populationsing planet earth .

and other aspects of sequoia ecol-

Another intricate yet vital inter

ogy previously unaccessible to

relationship was recently discov- science.ered in the Giant Sequoia by the One of the most interesting ques-Richard J . Hartesveldt research tions which he answered was:team from San Jose State College. Why do Giant Sequoia cones turn(Dick was once a ranger-naturalist brown and shrink enough to dropin Yosemite's Mariposa Grove .)

(continued on page two)

(continued from page one)

Burns, Beetlesand Sequoia Cones

their seeds? Most conifer conesdrop their seeds and fall to theground on a regular schedule . TheGiant Sequoia pollinates its conesin late winter . The seeds matureand are viable at the end of thesecond growing season, but thecones remain on the tree, tightlyclosed, continuing to grow for aslong as twenty-two years . Steckerfound that usually by about thefifth year, most cones become in-fected by the larvae of a Ceram-bycid beetle, Phymatodes nitidus.As the larvae feeds, it eventuallycuts enough vascular tubes to killthe cone and release the seeds.Under ideal conditions only aboutone seed in a billion grows into amature tree . Today, with the elim-ination of forest fires in the se-quoia groves, conditions are farfrom ideal.

The soft, friable, ash-coveredmineral soil which is exposed aftera fire is nature's perfect seed bed,so a Sequoia seed which becomesburied there has a good chancefor growth. Hartesveldt has re-corded an unusually large numberof Sequoia seeds falling shortlyafter experimental fires . The heatgenerated by the fire was enoughto trigger the opening of thebeetle infected cones at preciselythe time the bed was at its best.P . nitidus has been associated withthe Giant Sequoia since the Oligo-cene, 35,000 years ago, while allall other members of the genusfeed on broad-leaf trees . Theevolution of the Giant Sequoiaand this beetle has been closelyassociated . Now, the Giant Se-quoia seems to rely almost com-pletely on the beetle for the conesto open at the right time andguarantee reproductive success.

Interdependency— interaction —evolution . The survival of thethings we cherish depends uponour understanding of these com-plexities of nature.

Norman MessingerWawona District Naturalist

2

The egg-shaped cone of the GiantSequoia will vary in length from2 to 3.5 ins . Each cone may con-tain between 100 and 300 seedswhich mature in their secondsummer.

Environmental Specialist John Krisko,11, at the start of his newly designedself-guiding nature trait. A printed leaf-let explains the stops among trees, in ameadow and along the river, each stopsignificant in the web of life.

and interdependence, continuityand change, and adaptation andevolution . Taken in order, theyrepresent a logical sequence oflearning : inventory, organization,action, extension of action intime, and modification and ad-justment.Yosemite's Environman is calledan "environmental educationspecialist" . He has been active,both inside Yosemite and in sur-rounding communities, bringingthe strand system to teacherworkships, to youth leaders, anddirectly to students . He also at-tempts to relate Yosemite to thespecial needs of varied groups ofall ages, physical capacities, andcultural backgrounds.He would like to visit your com-munity to learn your environ-mental needs and to offer you ex-panded natural awareness. He isonly one man facing a tidal waveof need, so he prefers to reach asmany citizens and students aspossible for each day's investmentof taxpayers' money . if you are in-terested, please write to JohnKrisko, Environmental EducationSpecialist, Yosemite NationalPark, Yosemite, California 95389;or phone, (209) 372-4461, exten-sion 61.

It's EnvironmanYou and I are an integral part ofthe "web of life" clinging to thesurface of Planet Earth . Environ-man symbolizes that reality . He isinseparably a part of the web andinterdependent with Earth's otherlife forms. He is placed in themiddle of the design, only by theartist.Man is different from his fellowcreatures in the extent of his abil-ity to change natural environ-ments. He frequently imposes hislaws on nature, instead of identi-fying and obeying natural lawsthat govern his existence as aninterdependent creature. "It'snot nice to fool Mother Nature ."Man's developments reduce na-ture's variety which supports hissurvival.Environman is the symbol of "en-vironmental education" in theNational Parks . The web is brokeninto five "strands" which offer anorderly approach to increasingman's awareness of his naturalrole in nature . Strands are ameans of guiding the teacher andstudents in encountering thecomplexity of the natural worldbeyond the classroom.The five strands are : variety andsimilarity, patterns, interrelation

The Day They Christened the Stage CoachIt was a pleasantly warm Wa- with Washburn II since he shapedwona-type day on July 23 . the iron for the wheel rims andThere were mothers, fathers, chit- shaved the first spokes . His coach,dren, a few grandparents, a dog red with black and yellow andor two wandering through the gold trim, sparkled in the barn.Pioneer Yosemite History Center .

The invited dignitaries, park of-Iry Duncan was pounding hot ficials, others involved with theiron on the anvil in his blacksmith

foothill's history and park visitorsshop making gate hooks, the can- were gathered under trees.dle-maker was pouring melted At high noon, Messinger beganwax (bayberry scented) into her the ceremonies, introducing thecrude molds, the quiltmakers Center's demonstration staff,were stitching squares together, and recalling bits of lore aboutthe potter was working moist, the early days and anecdotescool clay, the girls were knocking about the present.hot loaves of "pioneer" bread "And, now we can see the pro-from the pans, ignoring the heat duct of seven month's work, offrom the woodburning oven . Nolan Davis' work . . . WashburnNolan Davis was flicking imagin the second bring her out,ary specks of dust from the boys .""Washburn II," the reproductionof the coach the Washburns once Helpers manhandled the coachran between Wawona and the Big out into the sunlight.Trees and which he had built My, she was handsome!from the wheels up . Clay Maier hitched up the teamNorm Messinger, Wawona Natur- as Messinger introduced the fin-alist was in the wings, so to speak, vited guests, who climbed aboardpreparing himself for the day .

for the maiden trip . On this firstBut it was Nolan's day, he'd lived and memorable ride were Mrs.

Interpretive Photo SeminarsThe Y .N .H.A. will sponsor two the field trip work and discussionfive-day interpretive photograph- will center around ecologicalis seminars starting Mon ., Oct. 23 considerations, focusing on thethrough Fri ., Oct. 27 and Mon ., disparity between visual andOct . 30 through Fri ., Nov. 3 .

natural relationships.Howard Wearner, who will con- Each day will include two fieldduct the courses, has had ten trips, one early enough to captureyears experience photographing the morning mists and frost, thein the Yosemite in all seasons . He other in the late afternoon shad-knows the park intimately and is ows and colors, ending at dusk.a keen observer. Slide shows and discussions willThe purpose of the courses is to cover some approaches to theteach the serious photographic Yosemite scene.amateur, or the professional, to Pupils should be skilled amateurs,see and understand the variety of or professionals, familiar withYosemite's environment and to 35mm color photographic tech-record his observations on color niques . Technical instruction willfilm . This lime of year will find

be limited, but will include studyYosemite at the height of its fall

in such areas as pattern, motion,coloring and especially rewarding

backlighting, closeup and land-photographically .

scape photography.Classes will be held in the Valley Tuition for the five-day course isand weather permitting, in the $50.00 for members ; non-mem-Crane Flat and Tuolumne Mead- bers are welcome to join.ows areas . For further information, write usWhile photography will be the — Box 545, Yosemite Nationalmedium by which the natural Park, California 95389 — or callscene will be recorded, much of (209) 372-4532 .

William Sell, Jr ., widow of Will Sell Nolan Davis,who once drove a stage for the stage coachVashburns, Mrs. George Crooks, builder, sitsSell's sister, Cliff Harrington, Pres- tall in theident, Golden Chain Council, seat when theHester Stephan, a descendent of Washburn 11the pioneer Bruce family, Bill makes itsBrown, President, Mariposa His- maiden triptorical Society, Mrs . Gladys Mee, around thedaughter of Eddie Gordon, an- Pioneerother old time stage driver, Shir- Historyley Sargent, writer and historian, Center.Harry McKnight, President, SierraHistorical Sites Association, Bill

Whalen, Deputy Superintendent

3of Yosemite, Dave Karraker, ChiefPark Naturalist, and J . NolanDavis.When all were aboard, Clay re-leased the brakes, clucked histongue and away went WashburnII in a cloud of dust, down theroad past the Wagon Shop, to-ward Stella Lake which once sup-plied water in the summer, ice inthe winter, toward the mill wherelumber for Wawona building wassawed, toward the misty gone-bydays — days which are now beingrecreated so pleasantly in thePioneer Yosemite History Center.

Bulletin of the

Yosemite

Natural History Association

© December 1971

P .O . Box 545, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Director David KarrakerManaging Editor Henry BerreyProduction Manager Jack L . GyerTreasurer Roland G . Ele

Board of TrusteesDana Morgenson, Chairman

Virginia Adana

Sterling CramerJames W . Johnson

John Good

A non-profit, educational association dedicatedto the interpretation of the natural and humanhistory of Yosemite National Park, in coopera-tion with the National Park Service . Contribu-tions and donations are tax deductible .

4

The Noble EarthquakeOn March 26, 1872, an earthquake As winter caretaker, Muir was in grove that had been mowedcentered in the Owens Valley Black's Hotel, near the base of down and mashed like weeds ."spread death and damage and Sentinel Rock, when roused from His written observations wererocked much of the Sierra Nevada . sleep. He ran out "both glad and

both sensitive and scientific . HisToday's scientists estimate the frightened, shouting, 'A noble documentation of the "birth" of"lnyo Earthquake" to have been earthquake!' feeling I was going talus was eloquent and historical.equal or worse than the 1906 San to learn something. The shocks Later, he sauntered about andFrancisco upheaval, but there were so violent and varied, and observed mankind's reaction . Thewere no seismographs or Richter succeeded one another so closely, Indians were "terribly frightenedscales to measure its intensity .

one had to balance as if on the

. . . fearing the angry spirits of thedeck of a ship among the waves, rocks were trying to kill them . . ."

A dozen or so winter residents of and it seemed impossible the high and the whites were "meditatingYosemite Valley were jolted from cliffs should escape being shat- flight . . ."their beds at 2 :30 a .m. on that tered ."

They were gathered in front ofmoonlit, tremor-hit night. Natur- A peak on the south wall of the

Hutchings' Hotel " shortly afterally, fear gripped them, but there Valley did not escape . By moon-

sunrise . . . when a low bluntwas one man who ignored the light, Muir saw it falling in a "stu-

muffled rumbling, like distantthrust of panic to dash outside to pendous rock storm . . . It seemed

thunder, was followed by anotherobserve, exult, and record the to me that if all the thunder I ever

series of shocks, which, though"noble earthquake!

heard were condensed into one

not nearly so severe as the first,This pioneer "seismologist" was roar it would not equal this rock

made the cliffs and domes trem-John Muir, 34, an earthquake roar at the birth of mountain

ble like jelly, and the big pinesamong men, who had been living talus . . ."

and oaks thrill and swish andin Yosemite since 1868 . His origi- Eagerly, Muir ran up the Valley

wave their branches with startlingnal theories on glacial action and to "see the new-born talus," to

effect ."preservation were beginning to climb over the huge, disrupted

Fear and solemnity stilled therock the nation in published granite rocks that "were slowly

men. Muir tried to cheer andarticles . His disregard for conven- settling into their places, chafing,

tease by exclaiming, "Come,tion, his "soiled, ragged and grating against one another,

cheer up ; smile a little and clapbutton-less" state made him ec- groaning and whispering . . ."

your hands, now that kind Mothercentric to Yosemiteites ; by dawn He noted the dust cloud, and the

Earth is trotting us on her knee toof March 26 they called him crazy . odor of crushed pines "from a amuse us and make us good ."

His "well-meant joke seemed ir-reverent and utterly failed, as ifonly prayerful terror could rightlybelong to the wild beauty-makingbusiness."Two of the men fled, others stay-ed and trembled . For two monthsafterwards, Muir observed after-shocks in a bucket of water, exult-ing and using the knowledge oftalus origin in his study of glaciers."Earthquakes," he said, "havemade me immensely rich ."

We are indebted to Miss ShirleySargent for this piece about"Muir 's earthquake . " Miss Sar-gent is well known as a Yosemitehistorian and chronicler of JohnMuir; she has done a number ofpieces for the Y.N.H.A.

This wall-sized relief map of theSierra has attracted many visitorsto the Association quarters .

Seminar EnrollmentEnrollment in the summer field seminars grew from 80 in 1971 to 251 in1972. This year, twelve classes in seven subjects were offered.

Enrollment by class:Alpine Botany and Ecology (2 classes)

56Wildlife and Ecology (2 classes)

36Subalpine Botany and Ecology (2 classes)

49Living Glaciers (2 classes)

44Geology of Rock and Ice (2 classes)

35Interpretive techniques (1 class)

19Laboratory for Teaching (1 class)

12251

Of the 251 enrolled, 115 or 45°/o took courses for university credit . TheAssociation sponsored 14 National Park Service interpretive people.

he Karraker family . . . Mary and Dave,ith youngsters Nancy, David and1ariane . This photo was made inVashington prior to the Karrakers'ove to Yosemite . The poodle was left

ehind.mtinued from page one)

NewAssociationChiefterpretive program of today.At Yosemite, we may be particu-larly proud of the magnificentvariety of interpretive functionsavailable to the visitor . Peoplemay choose between sketchingwalks, bird stalks, float trips,campfire programs, scientific dis-courses on geology and manyother exciting programs.Effectiveness requires a new em-phasis and a special kind of atten-tion so that true quality is uni-formly available.We are now involved in an in-depth evaluation of the variousprograms. We know we havesome winners . We also know thatto provide a brand of excellenceover the years, we must assure thereturn of a quality seasonal staffeach year . When we are reachingfor high quality, the existing50-60% turnover in staff in certainparts of the park is not accept-able . Added emphasis will beplaced on careful recruitmentand training . Also, we will providea good quality program for themany types of visitors coming tothe park . This will involve an ex-tension of our own efforts to pro-vide specialized interpretation forthe handicapped, the Spanishspeaking, scientists, hobbyists, the

5

Members of a Glacier Field Seminar and the one and only Dr . Carl Sharsmith,class instructor.

youth of today, little kids, historyenthusiasts and everyone.Great strides have been made inin environmental educationthrough the work of John Kriskoand the Yosemite Institute in thisvital area. During the wintermonths a variety of interpretiveski and snowshoe trips, sensorywinter explorations and art tripsare planned.The Yosemite Natural HistoryAssociation is a major force in the New directional signs in the Village Malleffectiveness of these interpretive point out the location of the Associationefforts . I am very pleased to be its office. Now that you can find us, come seenew director .

us!

Ranger Station

yj,

.. osemit@t ..,

I '1

6

Crayfish Sightings

Nature in ActionThe December issue of the Quar- in the last issue of the QUARTER- of nature's ways of thinning theterly Bulletin carried an account LY, Park Forester Lorne West de- forest and lessening the competi-of two young Yosemite residents scribed the infestation of the tion between each tree so thathaving sighted what appeared to

Douglas fir tussock moth in the those left would be healthier ."be a lobster in the Merced River,

white firs in the Mariposa Grove ."Well, the moths killed from 600in the Valley . On investigation by

Most of the trees attacked werea naturalist, the creature was no

white firs, a species living here in to 800 trees, but not as many as we

longer where he had been seen, competition with the Giant Se- wou l d have liked . It seems a nat-but several tube holes were found

quoia. Some of the primary find- ural control on the caterpillar hasin the mud bank just above the

ings are contained in this brief killed about 60% of the littlewater level . These are typical report prepared by West .

creatures."crayfish homes. "Hello, Ranger!" "Remember us? "Oh, that did happen? Last timeSince publication of the story, We came back to see what the we were here you said that a viruswe have received two commune- tussock moth has done to the fir specific to the tussock moth cater-cations about crayfish sightings :

trees herein the Mariposa Grove ." pillar, if present, would control orRalph H . Harder, M .D., wrote :

"If you don't mind, I'd like to walk reduce the caterpillar population"While not technically in the around with you and have another and its effect on the trees ."park, we spotted many crayfish

look myself . ""Yes, that's right. The virus dis-in Big Creek as it flows through „Camp Summerdale, immediately

Thank you, we'd like that. Have solves the skin cells of the cater-South of the South Entrance Sta- the moths killed any trees, as you pillars causing them to fall and

tion.” had hoped? You said this was one and stick to anything they land on.

Robert S. Hart of Canoga Park, the pools of the creek. Although Look at this example — note how

California wrote :

this had (and has been) our only gelatinous it appears."

"My family and I have been visit- such observance of crayfish in the "This tussock moth is interesting.ing Yosemite for the past twelve park rivers, we knew that they are Are there any other insects in thesummers, staying at Moore's Red- fairly common in California and Park which have a similar effectwoods (Wawona) . On this occa- were not aware of their apparent on other trees?"sion, we had gone on a fishing/ rarity within the park . However, "Sure

. In and around Tuolumneswimming outing to the above lo- all of us (5) saw it and there is nocation . It is our practice to often question about its identification .

Meadows, we have an insectuse swim masks in the rivers to Hope this will add some to your called the Lodgepole Pine needle-observe the fish, rocks, etc . My information." miner which has, in the past,wife made the discovery in one of Thank you, crayfish-watchers-Ed . created conditions where 80,000

acres of lodgepole trees havedied, creating a phenomenoncalled the 'Ghost Forest' ." "Ittakes three defoliations by theneedleminer to cause a tree todie, fewer defoliations merelyweaken it . Needleminer infesta-tions are cyclic and occur on theodd-numbered years ; anotherwill occur in '73, then in '75 . So,we can predict that trees attackedfor the first time this year coulddie in 1975 . "

"Maybe if you are back somedaywe can talk more about the nee-dleminer and the exotic disease,White Pine Blister Rust and why,in one instance, we let naturehave her way while in another wemay want to prevent nature from'doing her thing' ."

"Have a nice trip and we will seeyou soon . "

Lorne West

SUSTAINING ADVERTISERS

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