CALIFORNIA PARKS and MUSEUMS

Big River State Park Mendocino's Largest Public Parkland

North Coast California vacation land is about to change forever. For those interested in undiscovered, unlimited recreational access, there is soon to be a new state park to explore. Officially dedicated at the end of September, the final donations were received for the $26.7 million needed to purchase the Big River watershed, immediately adjacent to the village of Mendocino. Big River will soon become California's newest state park.

The Big River Estuary on the Mendocino Coast has become known as Big River State Park, sponsored by the Mendocino Land Trust Company who has acquired the property from Hawthorne Timber Company and then transfer title to the state park system.

The longest undeveloped estuary in California, the Big River watershed consists of miles of Big River and its tributaries, more than 100 miles of connected trails, 60,000 acres of connected wildlife corridors, and 1500 acres of wetlands and critical habitat for endangered species. Among the parcel's highlights is the spectacular inland Laguna Marsh, dubbed the "Tuolumne Meadows of the North Coast." In addition to the natural beauty and wildlife along the river, old logging roads will allow mountain bikers to reach several adjacent state parks and the Jackson State Forest. In late summer, the best blackberries in the world can be found on this road.

The 7,400 acre project is considered one of the top four conservation efforts nationwide by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which awarded $1 million toward the purchase. A fund-raising campaign has garnered from state and federal grants and private donations from groups and individuals across the country, bringing the total raised to complete the purchase. This effort of devotion and persistence has allowed the Mendocino Land Trust spearhead to reach its final mark. Considering the value of protecting primitive sites, there is a possibly of hundreds of unrecorded sites as well as native Pomo history at ancient sites that have significant, untapped cultural and archaeological resources.

The early Pomo Indian Village of Buldam is located on the estuary, upstream from the Mendocino Headlands. The estuary supports a full population of resting and feeding birds along the Pacific Flyway, with no lagoons to lock in the constant flow of fresh water. 88 bird species can be sighted, with up to ten nesting pairs of Osprey and extensive spotted owl and Marbled murrelet habitats. Winding as far as 101 miles upstream on the protected shoreline, Big River watershed provides a diversity of habitat that includes: mud flats, salt marshes, coastal scrub, freshwater marshes, a riparian and pygmy forest with bishop, pine, grand fir, redwood and coastal conifers.

Further upstream are as many as 220 NOREGON species of vascular plants, 15 of which are on the Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species List. In this river, Coho salmon and Steelhead bass arrive to the spawning gravels as the seasonal flows head them to the origins of their birth. Wetland marshes and sub-watersheds include the Laguna Marsh and Little North Fork, home to a variety of migratory birds and waterfowl, including wood ducks. While fishing for juvenile salmonids, other species such as Great Blue Heron and Mergansers will most likely increase their use of the habitat.

Within the deepest areas of the wetland habitat, live terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals such as the California redlegged and Foothill yellow-legged frog and the Pacific Giant and southern Torrent salamander.

As California's longest protected estuary and the least impacted by dams, flood control or other human events, the Big River State Park links together the green belts of several state parks; linking Van Damme and Mendocino Headlands State Parks, while touching Russian Gulch to the south. An important connection occurs with the Mendocino Woodlands, a longstanding historic campground and conference venue. Woodlands Executive Director, Don Taylor, is directly affected by Big River State Park and explains: It increases the surrounding acreage and protection for what has been widely noticed for its appeal and recognition - The California North Coast!

According to Taylor, Mendocino Woodlands will benefit directly from more preservation in the deep layers of the forest, as the Woodlands campground has traditionally hosted guests as early as the 1880's. The new State Park is now part of the existing heritage and a place to enjoy the diverse natural environment of the area. We welcome preservation that not only will be beneficial to the ecology of the area, but would provide opportunities for thousands of people, both visitors and locals, to use the Big River beach, old logging paths and the river itself," said Taylor.

Jackson Demonstration State Forest alone is comprised of 50,200 acres. Preserving the Big River will create the largest piece of public land in Mendocino with its adjacent parks of more than 74,000 acres. This area will remain natural, without the additions of commercial fishing enterprises, campgrounds, trailer parks, restaurants and industrial uses that are present on the Noyo and Albion Rivers. Further benefits offer canoeing and kayaking inside an entire 8.3 miles of a navigable estuarine area. In a listing with the National Park Service on California's wild rivers, Big River is in the top ten for, Outstanding, Remarkable Values.

Adding to the protection of the woodlands, all visitors will be granted by this project access to the beach, to the river, and to miles of connected public trails. With over 1,000,000 visitors to the Mendocino Coast each year during the year 2000, and over 90 million visitors to the California State Parks system each year, the North Coast visitor will find a new refuge for hiking, fishing, picnicking, bird watching, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking with unspoiled beauty in a major California vacation destination.

Yosemite National Park

is a favorite national treasure. A budding ecologist and theorist on how the valley was formed, John Muir noted: “Approximately sixty million years ago, during the early Cenozoic era of geologic time, the Sierra Nevada was a warm, wet lowland. During the following fifty-seven million years, the terrain was up warped to approximately its present height, which is great enough for glaciers to form and maintain themselves, except during warm periods.”

High above the valley, the Tenaya glacier could do no more than grind off the surfaces, leaving today's visible wear. At the bottom of the canyon the glacier found rock fractured into closely spaced joints and sliced through it like a ditch-digging machine carrying away debris in its underbelly. Muir's findings about the ecology of glaciers was shared with many of the greatest scientists of his time, who together noted evidence throughout the country all the way to New York's Central Park.

Yosemite National Park is comprised of roughly 1,169 square miles, equaling 747,956 acres, nearly the size of Rhode Island. The park includes 250 miles of roads and 800 miles of hiking trails. Yosemite Valley, seven miles long and one mile wide, is the most visited section of the park. The valley offers tours, hiking trails, bicycle paths and rentals, nature walks, winter and spring sports, interpretive programs, fine dining and exceptional lodging.

Located on the beautiful Tuolumne River, near the park entrance on Highway 120 in Groveland, Yosemite Lakes RV Campground and Resort offers 320 acres and 24 hour security, with 254 full hook up RV sites, 140 tent sites and 54 overnight accommodations, ranging from cabins, park models, trailers, hostel rooms and the most popular -yurts! At Yosemite Lakes, there is no need to make reservations months in advance. Though reservations are recommended, travelers can usually find a spot at the last minute.

Entry to Yosemite via Highway 41 enters the park at its most southern extremity. Traveling through the town of Oakhurst to the park is convenient and offers many services for hungry travelers and those needing supplies or lodging. Gallery Row and several fine art galleries are found along Highway 41 where anyone may discover unique gifts and high quality art pieces. Visitors will not want to miss the opportunity to visit Mystical Fire in Oakhurst, an import shop. Featuring gift items from around the world, this unique store should not be missed. Discover an eclectic array of jewelry, clothing, candles, incense and interesting gifts for just about everyone. Its a favorite of the mountain community and is sure to become a favorite of yours too!

Sequoia National Monument and Kings Canyon National Parks

Sequoia National Park, the second oldest National Park in the country, is known for its deep canyons and high peaks with the Pacific Crest Trail winding its way through both parks.

John Muir explored and named this area “Giant Forest” in Sequoia National Park, where standing are 4 of the world's 5 largest trees. In the cathedrallike Giant Forest stands the 275- foot tall General Sherman giant sequoia tree, a Sequoiadendron giganteum. The trunk is nearly 103 feet in circumference at its base. The General Sherman Tree is the world's largest living thing.

Within the forest are nearly 40 miles of trails to explore, including two popular trails: the Hazelwood Nature Trail loop, an interpretive trek on giant sequoias; and the 2 mile Congress Trail loop, which leads to trees with names reflecting US history.

Adjacent to Sequoia National Park is Kings Canyon National Park, which includes most of the middle and south fork canyons of the Kings River and is bordered by the John Muir Wilderness Sequoia National Forest and Inyo National Forest. Kings Canyon reaches depths of 8,000 feet from river level up to Spanish Mountain's peak. Other canyons exceed 6,000 and 4,000 feet. Most of this park is true wilderness and suitable for backpacking and backcountry camping, featuring over 700 miles of trails. The grant Grove trails provide the easiest and most pleasant strolls through the giant sequoias at Kings Canyon, beginning near the campsites.

Both Generals Highway and Kings Canyon Highway thread through the canyons for motor tourism and spectacular views. Boyden Cavern is located between Grant Grove Village and Cedar Grove on Hwy 180 and offers 45-minute guided tours of crystalline stalactites and stalagmites. At Roads End, on Kings Canyon Highway, one can stand on a flat, glacial valley and stare up at canyon walls rising nearly a mile above the river's level.

Between the deep canyons and majestic high peaks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offer endless recreational opportunities!

John Muir Woods National Monument

Peaceful setting attracts many visitors throughout the year. Redwood Creek within the boundaries of Mount Tamalpais State Park, with a short trail system meandering alongside the stream, up to the ridgetops and into the monuments main Cathedral and Bohemian redwood groves. Accessible from Mill Valley are, open daily.

Mono Lake

A varied land on the east side of the Sierra, near Tioga Pass and Yosemite National Park, lies one of the oldest lakes in the Sierra, Mono Lake. Surrounded by volcanic craters long extinct, the lake shimmers with its highly alkaline content as the alpine light changes. Huge seagull populations migrate to the lake for breeding and nesting here in spring, 85% of California's total population, as well as 300 other bird species. Lake shrimp and brine flys make up the food chain, as the Paiute Indians knew well, calling their name for “fly” (mono).

Mono Lake has two major islands, Paoha and Negit, said to have appeared a mere 300 years past. Because of Los Angeles bound water diversions, and the added problems of natural ecology, the lake began to drain exposing the natural tufa formations that surround its edge. These are pillars of calcium carbonate (limestone) created naturally underwater when salty lake water combines with calcium rich fresh spring water bubbling up from below. The Visitor Center offers a short movie, bookstore and viewing center for natural science in the area. Lee Vining, the nearest town, has the Mono Lake Committee headquarters open to the public.

Northern Mariposa History Museum

In the Gold Rush town of Couldterville off Hwy 49 and J-120, stands an aged stone museum complex, the old Wells Fargo and McCarthy's Store buildings, through the roofless shell of an open-air “courtyard” with cascading vines and flowers. Whistling Billy hauled ore carts and mine diggings to the stamp mills nearby, now stands stoically outside.

Point Reyes Lighthouse

At the Point Reyes-Farrallon Islands National Marine Sanctuary and home to numerous wildlife species. Whale sightings from December through March. National Seashore has three visitor centers: the Bear Valley Visitor Center a the park's Bear Valley entrance, the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach, or the Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center.

Point Arena Lighthouse

A monument to the area's historical reliance on the sea. Built in 1908, replacing a former brick structure, this point on the coast has claimed many shipwrecks. The Coast Guard six story 380,000 candlepower lighthouse with adjacent museum and bed and breakfast at the site. This point is a well known whale watch area.