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 .

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 !

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 ~ )

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 -

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

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 ,

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,

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

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

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

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

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