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Peeking Inside The Rangers Club At Yosemite National Park

Jan 16th - 15:17pm | Lee Dalton

Oh, yes. Bertha Allen. I had forgotten her. And now I'm wondering how I could possibly have forgotten such a wonderful lady.

Jan 15th - 19:59pm | Keri

I lived in the Ranger Club my last month in Yosemite NP (September '09). I'm really not sure what was my favorite part...the big thick living room ceiling beams or the view of Sentinel Rock from the back terrace.

Jan 15th - 19:15pm | pkrnger

Vince, My sources tell me that Bertha Allen spent some hours adding spices and stirring the pot without knowing that a bear skull with an absessed jaw was inside. She was not pleased once she discovered the core contents of her simmering soup.

Jan 15th - 14:56pm | Vincent Goetz

I lived there (in the Ranger Club) in the early seventies. On my 21st birthday we had so many people on the deck that it separated from the building, very slowly. It was an awesome place to live back then. The communal kitchen was something to behold. You did not dare leave food out or it was eaten, and even the refrigerators had padlocks.

Jan 15th - 13:03pm | y_p_w

Just curious, but what does the Forest Service have to do with the article or any of the comments?

Jan 15th - 12:03pm | Anonymous

What a beautiful gem! It's just a shame that the forest service keeps covering everything up with brown paint! There is so much detail being covered up because people are lazy now days.....

Jan 14th - 22:45pm | Megaera

It must be like living in a museum. Cool in some ways, but -- can't the library even update its books? Those should be in a museum.

Jan 14th - 14:48pm | pkrnger

Steve, I would like to add my thanks for the excellent job you are doing by producing these video " Yosemite Nature Notes." They are truly outstanding examples of what the NPS can do in Yosemite and at other sites to effectively interpret park resources to a public located far beyond the park's borders.

Jan 14th - 11:49am | pkrnger

It's nice to see a photo of my former room (second floor, first window on the left of the three above the back porch). This video brings back fond memories of people and experiences during the two years I was privileged to work in Yosemite National Park and live in the Mather Ranger Club of Yosemite Valley.

Jan 14th - 11:22am | Kurt Repanshek

Steve, perhaps it's my own Germanic background that subconsciously makes me want to rename you. I know this isn't the first time, and, unfortunately, might not be the last. Perhaps it'd be better if you did indeed change the spelling;-) My apologies.

Jan 14th - 11:20am | Park Service Kid

What a tremendous facility for the Yosemite Rangers! Living anywhere else in the park, with the possible exception of the Ahwanee, would be a comedown. I visited Yosemite with my Dad several times and on my own, but never heard of the Rangers' Club. Wish I had had a chance to see it personally, but the video is a fine substitute.

Jan 14th - 11:12am | YosemiteSteve

Lawrence- The name on the letter is Herbert Baum, of the Franklin Life Insurance Co., in San Francisco, dated 1946 Kurt- I appreciate you posting and sharing, and also that you reach back to my German roots and spell my name more correctly than it actually is, but alas, I'm just a bum(gardner)

Jan 14th - 09:53am | Lee Dalton

I just realized as I watched the video that when I worked in YOSE, I was inside the Rangers Club only once or twice. What a privilege it would have been to have been able to live there. Steve Bumgardner, thank you for this tour! Every time I watch one of your videos of Yosemite, I'm reminded how little I know of a place where I once worked and lived and enjoyed.

Jan 14th - 09:42am | Lee Dalton

It's great to see that the Ranger Club is still there.

Trickle of Documents Highlights National Park Service's Mistakes In Hubbell Trading Post Investigation

Jan 16th - 14:41pm | Really Interested

You have it right, I believe, Mr. Bahti. Also the three principles involved are safely in a VERY comfortable retirement mode. There's another action these participants guided at the Canyon before there departure.

Jan 16th - 13:55pm | Mark Bahti

People can argue who handled what, who supervised who, who did or did not do what they should or should not have done in this very, very, very long investigation for which no charges were ever brought, for which no evidence was ever found that even appeared to substantiate claims made by the accusers...

Jan 15th - 06:11am | BJ Malone

Thank you for this article! It has been a very long road to redemption for my father, Bill Malone. After so many years of waiting…I think our family can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Jan 14th - 22:58pm | defellows

In reply to RangerToo, I lived in Chinle during the mid 70's, and at that time Hubbell was not the place it is today, which is why I was asking about the staff positions. Yes, I do know all about manhours, etc., and 24/7 scheduling. Thank you to both you and Bob for clarifying the situation.

Jan 14th - 15:09pm | Kurt Repanshek

The OIG investigation indicated that it was common practice, and accepted by former executives with WNPA, for Mr. Malone to use his government-owned home as an extension of the trading post. It also pointed out that in it he kept both personal property he gathered over the years, consignment items, and trading post items.

Jan 14th - 14:57pm | Anonymous

Malone's lawsuit can be viewed at http://peer.org/docs/nps/09_30_9_Malone_civil_complaint.pdf. Some of it seems self-incriminating to me. In his lawsuite, he admits to 6000 pieces of jewelry (WOW!) and HTP tags on some of the rugs.

Jan 14th - 09:48am | Rangertoo

I can answer Dottie’ question. A park operates 24/7, even if it is closed to the public. As Chief Ranger, I lived on the site and provided law enforcement protection for the extremely valuable trading post, the historic buildings, and the contents. Navajo police are a long way off, as was fire protection. I oversaw all interpretation programs, tours, and operations of the visitor center.

Grand Canyon National Park Officials Release Stock Use Plan, Including Mule Ride Quotas

Jan 16th - 13:51pm | y_p_w

I was only guessing. Apparently it was first in place for the 2006 season. http://www.grandcanyonnews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=718&Art...

Jan 16th - 12:56pm | Really Interested

Supposed to be in the high 60's at Phantom Ranch tomorrow. Far from the low single digits just two weeks ago. Ride or hike it should be equally nice...if you are prepared:)!

Jan 16th - 12:50pm | Really Interested

Park's pretty much empty of visitors during the yearly lull between New Years and the beginning of rolling spring breakers. Could be especially so this year with the economy not looking encouraging (understatement). The absence of the affordable day ride and the less than transformational Rim Ride also diminishes the inner Canyon ride numbers.

Jan 16th - 12:26pm | Marjorie

The lottery has been in effect more than two years, but I am too lazy to look it up. I think four or five? Anyhow, you want to see some name-calling and invective, get onto a chat room full of private boatpersons trying to get onto the Colorado. So I take back the 10 years, but I haven't been drawn in four.

Jan 16th - 10:57am | y_p_w

Marjorie: re: waiting list for river trips. You are correct: there is now a lottery system. But most folks still find themselves in the lottery for an average ten year wait.

Jan 16th - 08:32am | Marjorie

re: waiting list for river trips. You are correct: there is now a lottery system. But most folks still find themselves in the lottery for an average ten year wait.

Jan 16th - 06:07am | Really Interested

Biggest impact on the resource and funds are the 350 requests for aid and the 250 helicopter evacuations per year by, almost ALL, hikers. The most of the arguments reflect something quite different from the reality and the significance of the Grand Canyon Mule Rides while not mentioning at all the part that mules provide supporting those 20,000 hikers that hike to and stay at Phantom Ranch.

Jan 15th - 17:31pm | y_p_w

Marjorie: Waiting list to be drawn for a private river trip is about ten years. I thought that they switched to a weighted lottery system, where anyone previously on the waiting list was given an extra entry per year of being on the waiting list.

Jan 15th - 16:15pm | Marjorie

Only ten mules a day to Phantom? Try getting a backcountry permit for the Corridor during rim-to-rim season, or anywhere in the park during Spring Break or Thanksgiving. Waiting list to be drawn for a private river trip is about ten years. Fact is, the Canyon is a limited resource, and the Park Service is charged to protect and preserve.

National Park Mystery Spot 20 Revealed: No Trucks in This Convoy

Jan 16th - 13:17pm | y_p_w

I was in Miami during the wet season when Tropical Storm Ernesto went through town. It derailed my plans for a snorkeling trip in Biscayne NP, and although conditions were good for the glass bottom boat tour, only three people showed up. Apparently they needed at least 6 to break even on fuel costs.

The National Park Service Played a Vital Role in the Buffalo Soldiers Mapping Project

Jan 16th - 12:14pm | y_p_w

I was wondering why there weren't any California marks on the map when I knew there should be several. I figured out why further into the article.

Cavallo Point: New National Park Lodging in Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Jan 16th - 05:15am | Joyful squirrel

It must be very lovely there. I love nature. And it seems to be like a dream to spend a week in such a place as Golden Gate National Recreation Area. I've saw a video http://www.tubestime.com/watch/horse-riding-in-the-marin-headlands where is was said that one can ride a horse there. I adore riding a horse.

Pruning the Parks: Holy Cross National Monument (1933-1950)

Jan 15th - 17:16pm | John Tarter

Actually, by any measurement, George Washington was our greatest president. Unlike Lincoln and the rest, and Honest Abe would agree, Washington's reputation only grows the more you learn about him. He is iconic and deservedly so. Even King George III of England proclaimed him the "greatest man in the world."

Jan 15th - 17:07pm | John Tarter

As the son of a Park Service Landscape Architect (Blue Ridge Parkway) I at first was ready to disagree with this. But the concept of the states taking over the presidential sites preservation has a lot of merit. And the Park Service is definitely having issues maintaining the parks without the pork issues.

Snowcoach Traffic Up, Snowmobiles Down, As Yellowstone National Park's Winter Season Gets Under Way

Jan 15th - 16:38pm | SnowmobilerinNy

What is this snowcoach thing? Sounds interesting, how could it be more popular then a sled?

Creature Feature: The Common Raven is an Uncommonly Intelligent Bird

Jan 15th - 09:41am | Bob Janiskee

Wow, Anon, that's an interesting question. Unfortunately, I have no earthly idea whether ravens commonly eat that way.

Jan 15th - 09:37am | Anonymous

We notice a raven eating in our backyard very frequently......when he does he pack the food in his mouth/beak so full he then makes a choking noise will spit up then eat it again after that he will fly off...is this common practice of their eating habits?

Traveler's Checklist: Glacier Bay National Park

Jan 15th - 01:11am | Kimber

Don't forget about the small 12 passenger ships that offer hiking and kayaking as well as cruising. Think of your boat as the mothership from which to base your daily Naturalist led adventures. Check out the parks website for permitted operators. Immerse yourself in nature-explore, discover and learn in this most magnificent wilderness.

Group Calls For Boycott on Alaska After Game Officials Allow Wolf Trapping Near Denali National Park

Jan 14th - 20:34pm | Anonymous

Brought to you by the same folks who complain about mule pool on.the trails while those same mules carry their beer, steaks and Thanksgiving Turkeys to Phantom Ranch, the really clueless. Nothing personal but keep looking for the real answers.

Jan 14th - 18:43pm | Kurt Cheney

I sincerely hope you tell all your friends to also boycott ever coming to Alaska. Most of us are so tired of you know-nothing out of staters trying to manage our state for us ... You really dont do anything but make a menace out of yourselves and just get in our way. Worry about your own state and stay the hell out of ours!

Creature Feature: The American Marten

Jan 14th - 15:34pm | Anonymous

This animal is very rare and cute so it should be protected.....

Annual Count Shows Huge Decline In Yellowstone National Park Elk Herd, But How Accurate Is It?

Jan 14th - 14:22pm | wyowind

Don't understand the problem Dr. Smith has with predation being one of the primary causes in the decline of the northern elk herd. To blame it on "climate change" is an absolute joke. Must be a joke. Ha ha, very funny. Or maybe I have it skewed.... Is it possible that there areas in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana that ARE NOT, for whatever reason, subject to the whims of "climate change"???

Jan 14th - 14:17pm | Kurt Repanshek

Thirty-seven wolves killed 1,400 elk?

Jan 14th - 14:06pm | Toby Bridges

The problem is wolves...period. Well that, and pro-wolf biologists like Doug Smith who use smoke and mirrors to try hiding the truth. LOBO WATCH

Grant Will Help Blue Ridge Parkway Ranger Collect Oral Histories

Jan 14th - 12:00pm | Anonymous

What did they do with all the oral histories complied by Dr Ted Coyle of Western NC University? Have they been made available for public to hear/see/read, used in programs or exhibits, or just sit on a shelf somewhere?

Group Urges NPS Director Jarvis To Reject ORV Plan For Big Cypress National Preserve

Jan 14th - 11:12am | Matt Stubbs

I understand Ryan but some will insist that it NEVER happens. I was simply trying to oust the uniformed and people who are not willing to do a little research before speaking. Please reread the end of my last post and add if you are stupid.

Jan 14th - 10:28am | Ryan

Matt, the link you provided started out by saying that a man picked up a cub and was attacked...frankly, someone picks up my kid without asking I will attack as well.

Jan 14th - 09:01am | Matt Stubbs

P.S. to JP they are not wanting to add more trails they are simply trying to reduce the amount of trails. No one in their right mind as a NPS official or an environmentalist would suggest increasing access to National Parks that would be career suicide. "Nor has anyone in Florida ever been attacked by one." (excellent research!) Read the following for the real truth

National Park Service Sued Over Termination of Indian Trader at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

Jan 14th - 11:01am | Anonymous

"Transparency" is just a word with this bunch that always means just the opposite. You look at the character and motivations of the principles in this and other "accomplishments" are indicative of why this country is in decline. Arrogance and power...

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