WELCOME TO THE NATURE CORPS

Yosemite Information Packet

Table of Contents

Welcome to Yosemite………………………………………………… Page 2

Directions to Yellow Pines & White Wolf Campgrounds………………. Page 3

Map of Yosemite …………………………………………………….. Page 4

Expedition Information…………………………………………….. Page 5

What to Bring ………………………………………………………. Page 6

Nature Corps Info ………………………………………………….. Page 7

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If you have questions regarding the application process or need additional information, email us at [email protected] or contact the Nature Corps at (805)434-0299. Thank you for your participation.

Yosemite Programs The Nature Corps 3600 Ridge Road Templeton, CA 93465-9460

1/24/19 1 W E L C O M E T O Y OSEMITE

Dear Participant,

Thank you for taking part in the Nature Corps’ volunteer outing to be held in . We appreciate your desire to preserve this beautiful park and look forward to sharing a unique and rewarding experience with you.

The following information will help you prepare for the outing. To answer questions you may have, please feel free to give us a call at (800) 774-PARK or email us at [email protected].

What You Need To Know About Your Trip to Yosemite: Since we are in the High Sierra, you must be prepared for cold and rainy conditions. Nothing will ruin your trip more easily than if your gear gets wet and if you can’t get warm at night. Make sure that you bring along a tarp or plastic drop cloth to cover your tent and a compact rain poncho if it rains. These items are relatively inexpensive and are well worth the investment.

It will most likely be warm and sunny during the day and cool in the evening. Be sure to bring along plenty of sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat to cover your ears and face. Since it will be cool in the evenings, bring along sweatshirts, a jacket and wool cap or hat. Depending on your sleeping bag’s rating, bring an extra blanket.

Once in the park, the road to Yosemite is windy and will take approximately 45 minutes to get through. Some people riding with you may feel more comfortable taking motion sickness pills prior to ascending the mountain. Gas is not readily available in the park. We recommend you fill up in Groveland on Hwy 120 or Oakhurst on Hwy 41 before coming up the mountain.

Insurance & Medical Care: We strongly encourage you to obtain private travel and accident insurance for the duration of the expedition. Emergency transport, medical or hospitalization costs resulting from illness or accident on the way to and from the national parks and during the expedition are the responsibility of the person receiving such care and/or their children, parents/guardians & immediate family.

Expedition Conditions: During the expedition you are under the direction of the National Park Service staff and Nature Corps Expedition Leaders. You will be asked to share in both the fieldwork and “camp” responsibilities. Your safety is very important to us. It is critical that volunteers cooperate with the Expedition Leaders and Park Service personnel. Working in the field inevitably involves unforeseen situations. Flexibility and cooperation are essential.

1/24/19 2 DIRECTIONS TO VOLUNTEER BASE CAMPS IN YOSEMITE

To Yellow Pines Campground: From San Francisco/Richmond/San Ramon: Visit Google Maps at: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/San+Francisco,+CA/Sentinel+Beach+Picnic+Area,+Yosemite+National+Park,+Wawona,+CA+95389/@37.4610 943,-120.7637723,8z/am=t/data=!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x80859a6d00690021:0x4a501367 (See directions below to Yellow Pine/Sentinel base camp.) From Fresno Yosemite International Airport: Visit Google Maps at: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Fresno+Yosemite+International+Airport,+5175+E+Clinton+Way,+Fresno,+CA+93727/Sentinel+Beach+Picnic +Area,+Yosemite+National+Park,+Wawona,+CA+95389/@37.3266494,- 119.9281168,9z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x80945c1fe8a2ab03:0x6fd4faa840e5ce (See directions below to Yellow Pine/Sentinel base camp.) From Bakersfield: Visit Google Maps at: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bakersfield,+CA/Sentinel+Beach+Picnic+Area,+Yosemite+National+Park,+Wawona,+CA+95389/@36.790855,- 119.7484309,8z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ea6bc8b994cb0d:0x59 (See directions below to Yellow Pine/Sentinel base camp.) From Los Angeles: Visit Google Maps at: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Los+Angeles+International+Airport,+1+World+Way,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90045/Sentinel+Beach+Picnic+Area, +Yosemite+National+Park,+Wawona,+CA+95389/@36.2962319,- 118.9131693,7z/am=t/data=!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2b0d213b24fb5:0x77a87b57698badf1!2m2!1d- 118.40853!2d33.941589!1m5!1m1!1s0x8096edf78898a4d1:0xedc406c6364689f4!2m2!1d-119.605697!2d37.734595!2m1!6e4!3e0 (See directions below to Yellow Pine/Sentinel base camp.)

Directions to Yellow Pines/Sentinel base camp: After merging onto Southside Drive in the Valley floor, go for about 3 miles until you see a sign on your left for Yellow Pines / Sentinel Beach Picnic Area. Turn left here and continue veering left. (Do not follow Google Map directions after turning left into this area as it will direct you to Sentinel Beach.) Our campsite are at the western-most extent of the Yellow Pines campground. Note: As you enter the campground off Southside Dr. ignore the sign: “Do Not Enter, Authorized Vehicles Only” and stay to the left.

To White Wolf Campground: From San Francisco/Richmond/San Ramon: Visit Google Maps at: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/San+Francisco,+CA/White+Wolf+Campground,+Tuolumne,+Yosemite,+CA+95389/@37.9663808,- 121.0331028,8z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x80859a6d00690021:0x4a501367f076adff!2m From Fresno Yosemite International Airport: Visit Google Maps at: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Fresno+Yosemite+International+Airport,+5175+E+Clinton+Way,+Fresno,+CA+93727/White+Wolf+Campgro und,+Tuolumne,+Yosemite,+CA+95389/@37.3944627,- 120.0483329,9z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x80945c1fe8a2ab03:0x6fd4faa840e5 From Bakersfield: Visit Google Maps at: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bakersfield,+CA/White+Wolf+Campground,+Tuolumne,+Yosemite,+CA+95389/@36.7909459,- 119.7484309,8z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x80ea6bc8b994cb0d:0x59360c0998fe74c8!2m2!1d- 119.0187125!2d35.3732921!1m5!1m1!1s0x8096e46109390c39:0xa223e66ee25f1d14!2m2!1d From Los Angeles/LAX: Visit Google Maps at: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Los+Angeles+International+Airport,+1+World+Way,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90045/White+Wolf+Campground,+ Tuolumne,+Yosemite,+CA+95389/@36.303125,-118.9131693,7z/am=t/data=!3m1!

Registration begins at 3:30pm. Dinner is served at 6:30 pm.

Important Phone #s: Park Service (209) 372-0200; Nature Corps (800) 774-PARK or (805)975-7300

Please note: that gas is available in El Portal, Wawona, Crane Flat and Tuolumne, but not in . We recommend you fill your tank in one of the gateway communities before entering the park. It will be much less expensive than buying gas in the park.

To help you get oriented, ask the Kiosk rangers for the free Yosemite maps and the Yosemite Guide when you enter the park.

1/24/19 3 Yellow Pine Volunteer Campground

To Lower To Nor th Upper Y osemite Fall Yosemite V alley V isitor Center Snow Cr eek T rail Yosemite U.S. k e Fall Court e r

Y Wilder ness Center W C

o s e YOSEMITE h Royal Arch Cascade

m c r i il t Yosemite Museum A e VILLAGE a r and Indian V illage l Washington Column T a Medical Ans e l Adams Gallery y ls C o l Clinic Mirr or Lake a r R ROY AL F Park (seasonal)

ite Headquarters Village Stor e ARCHES 4094 ft s em Columbia 1248 m Yo Rock Auto r epair The (for Camp 4 Ahwahnee Self-guiding only) Self-guiding trail trail Indian Canyon North Sentinel Cr eek Pines Bridge Day-use Lower Yosemite parking Pines Ten Creek Camp 4 Lodge Housekeeping aya Camp r Campgr ound e reservation v i Chapel Stoneman R Bridge Road open ONL Y to bicycles M and cars with wheelchair - er emblem placar ds c e LeConte Memorial d Lodge e iv r y D a w Curry V illage Upper e - e Pines id n Swinging Bridge s o Yosemite Valley h t r Day-use o N Moran Point Staircase Falls parking Sentinel Beach Union Point

Yellow Pine Trailhead il parking ra Vounteer T ) e ly Campground e il n v o i M r r e D r (summer only) u m o m 7214 ft e F u d (s 2199 m i y Natur e Center s a Grizzly Peak h w t - S at Happy Isles u e en To all other o n t (summer only) o in S e l 4035 ft points in park Emerald Sentinel Rock 1230 m and park exits Pool 7038 ft (summer only) 5044 ft

C 2145 m 1538 m re ek fo R iver ot tra il only l rai Mis t T

P I l M d a l e r e i c n l o o u r e il a t h a m y r t or nl Clark e s T Sentinel e tr il o a a J 0 0.1 0.5 Kilometer Sentinel Point o Glacier Point h o Dome C n n T Dome r o Trail Road r e h a e 0 0.1 0.5 Mile To o 8122 ft (closed November il P k

Taft Point 2476 m to May)

Merced River

Yellow Pine Administrative Campground Group (schematic map only, not to scale) Site D

Potable water provided in water Group trailers; tank locations vary. Site C

Group Site #4 Site E Site #3 #1, Campost West vault H toilets Group #2, Camp Site F Host East vault Dumpsters toilets Site B

#5 Group gate To Sentinel Beach (usually Picnic Area Site A Site open)

Yellow Pine Sentinel Beach gate (closed at night, but unlocked) South Side Drive Year-round Route: Valley Yosemite Valley Shuttle Valley Visitor Center Upper Summer-only Routes: Yosemite Shuttle System El Capitan Fall Shuttle Express Lower Shuttle Yosemite Yosemite Fall Village Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System Medical Church Bowl il Clinic Picnic Area ra l T al E1 5 P2 F Campground e 4 it m 9 se Mirror Parking r Yo 3 Uppe 6 10 2 Lake Picnic Area seasonal The Ahwahnee Half Dome P1 11 1 8836 ft Restroom North 2693 m Camp 4 Yosemite E2 Housekeeping Pines 8 Lodge Lower 7 Chapel Camp Walk-In Pines Campground LeConte 18 Memorial 12 21 19 Lodge 17 13a 20 14 Swinging Campground Service to stops Bridge Recreation 13b Reservations 15, 16, 17, and 18 Rentals Curry 15 may stop after a Village Upper Sentinel Visitor Parking Pines major snowfall. Beach E5 Trailhead

il ra r Parking T te ile in w M n r i u d 16 o e Nature Center El Capitan F s lo c at Happy Isles Picnic Area G l a c i e r P o i n t E3 no shuttle service closed in winter Vernal 72I4 f t Fall 2I99 m

Mist Trail Cathedral rail p T h E4 Beach oo or M y L ses erce lle only d Ri Va ver Nevada To & Fall

Shuttles run daily every 10-20 minutes depending on the time of day. The Valley Visitor Shuttle operates from 7:00am - 10:00pm. The El Capitan and Express Shuttles operate from 9:00am - 6:00pm. Bridalveil All shuttles follow the same route, serving stops in numerical order. Service may be affected by construction projects. Check shuttle stops for more information. Fall d oa B R r a id on a w lv Wa e Stop # Location il C r 1 P1 Visitor Parking 8 Yosemite Lodge 16 Happy Isles e

e k To 2 10 Yosemite Village 11 Sentinel Bridge 17 MirrorIllilouette Lake Trailhead Fall 3 The Ahwahnee 12 LeConte / Housekeeping Camp 18 Stable

4 Degnan’s Deli 13a 21 Recreation Rentals 19 Pines Campgrounds

5 9 E1 P2 Valley Visitor Center 13b E3 El Capitan Picnic Area 6 Lower Yosemite Fall 14 20 Curry Village Parking E4 El Capitan Bridge 7 E2 Camp 4 15 Upper Pines Campground E5 Four Mile Trailhead Preparing for Your Trip

The following pages will help you to prepare for your volunteer expedition by providing a list of what will be provided by Nature Corps, a bulleted list of items to bring, packing suggestions, a map and information from the National Park Service regarding bears & how to avoid problems. We hope that they provide you with all that you need to make your Yosemite volunteer experience a great one. If you have any questions that are not answered in this packet, please feel free to contact us via email ([email protected]) or phone, (800) 774-PARK.

Nature Corps Provides:

Nature Corps meals: We provide food and beverages for your entire weekend including delicious dinners on Friday and Saturday nights, hearty breakfast both Saturday and Sunday mornings, tasty deli-style sack lunches on Saturday.

Campsite: A private campsite provides secluded tent sites, a restroom within walking distance and a place to store your food and personal items. There is also a fire pit and wood for evening campfires…don’t forget your folding chairs! Showers are located at Housekeeping Cabins, a short driving distance away from the Campground.

Bear Information For Yosemite National Park:

Food Storage Regulations (From the National Park Service) Proper food storage is not only essential to successful human-bear management, it is required legally (36 CFR 2.10(d)). Food includes food, trash, recyclables, toiletries, first aid kits, pet food, window cleaner, baby wipes, scented tissue, air freshener, soda cans, bottled beverages, canned food, coolers (full and empty), mosquito repellant, lipstick, tobacco products, and ANY RELATED ITEMS WITH A SCENT. When camping, baby seats should be taken out of the car and put outside.

Storage will be available for food and otherWhat scented You Need items. to Bring

Any car with food in it is fair game for a black bear. © NPS Photo.

1/24/19 5 What You Need to Bring

Camping Gear Personal Hygene & First Aid

 Tent  Band Aids  Sleeping Bag (rated for  Pain Reliever freezing temperatures)  Motion Sickness pills  Extra Blanket or 2 if bag  Medications not rated as above  Razor  Air Mattress or Pad  Toothbrush &  2 Plastic Tarps (1 plastic drop Toothpaste cloth for tent in case of rain)  Comb & brush  Pillow  Soap  Alarm clock  Shampoo/Conditioner  Flashlight (fresh batteries)  Wash Cloth & Towels  Concert lawn chair Clothing Work Gear  Jacket  Work Clothing –  Windbreaker including long pants/jeans  Sweatshirt & Pants  Hiking/work boots  Wool cap & scarf  Work Gloves  Compact rain poncho  Wide brimmed hat to protect  Underwear & Long johns face & neck from sun  T-shirts  Large Canteen  Socks: thick and regular  Small Daypack or  Jeans fannypack for day hikes  Shorts  Moleskin (for blisters)  Light weight & wool  Sunglasses shirts  Sunscreen  Chapstick Other Items  Bug Repellant  Musical Instrument, binoculars, telescope  Camera (film if needed)  Book or other reading materials  Fishing gear & License

When packing, we suggest that you pack food and scented items separately so that you can store them indoors or another bear-safe area. Food stored in a hard top vehicle (rv) in the refrigerator is allowed. There are bear lockers available at the campground. 1/24/2019 6

…preserv ing the wonder

The Nature Corps is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to implement an ongoing campaign to involve Americans in the preservation of our National Parks. The Corps is:

1) Working with the National Park Service to design and spearhead critical conservation projects 2) Implementing a public education campaign to promote a stewardship ethic, and 3) Involving the public, especially America's youth, as stewards of our nation's natural treasures.

Since 1987, 5,000 volunteers have donated thousands of volunteer hours towards projects valued at over $7,500,000. Our volunteers are responsible for restoring and preserving some of our nation's most valued natural treasures. We have mobilized volunteers to Yosemite, Channel Islands, Hawaii Volcanoes, Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks. Our projects include:

 protecting the world renown General Sherman Yosemite, the largest living organism on earth  safeguarding rare, ancient and historical Yosemite groves, as well as Hawaiian rainforests  restoring the ecological balance of Yosemite's Merced River  revegetating fragile meadows in the High Sierra  rehabilitating historical structures and antiquated park service facilities

Without the help of our volunteers, these natural resources would continue to be threatened. For its accomplishments The Nature Corps has earned four “Take Pride in California” Awards, the American Express “Mark of Innovation”, the National Park Service “Partnership Achievement Award, and a Congressional “Take Pride” Award. This program is recognized by government leaders and educators.

“I want to congratulate you and recognize the outstanding work The Nature Corps has been carrying out for the last 20 years in the National Parks. The Nature Corps’ leadership on this important issue is an example for the rest of this nation to follow.” The Honorable Lois Capps, Congresswoman, House Committee on Natural Resources

"Your volunteers are wonderfully devoted to the preservation of Yosemite and it is a pleasure to work with them. They are always enthusiastic, energetic and very successful in accomplishing their goals. The Nature Corps’ mission, goals and achievements should be commended." Mike Tollefson, Superintendent, Yosemite National Park

"The Nature Corps has demonstrated enormous contributions that volunteers make in helping the Park Service. Their unique program for Americans from all walks of life has channeled their abilities and love for the outdoors into undertaking many important conservation projects." W. L. "Bill" Lane, Jr., Ambassador to Australia, Former Publisher of Sunset Magazine

1/24/2019 7 "Without the dedication of The Nature Corps irreversible damage would continue to occur around this National Treasure [General Sherman Tree, the largest living organism on earth]." J. Thomas Ritter, Superintendent, Yosemite National Park

Comments Made by Employee Volunteers:

"It has been a real pleasure to come out and volunteer on this project. Everyone should have the opportunity to volunteer out here. There are certain milestones in your life like getting married and having a child and then doing something really special like this." — Gary Gray

"It’s been a lot of hard work and sweat ... and very worthwhile. It’s been great working with the employees and getting to know them better. This means a lot to me, to be out here doing something for the next generation. I appreciate the opportunity to work with The Nature Corps and that Occidental has made it possible for me to come out here and be a part of this project. It’s been a time that has been very meaningful for my son and I." — Pat Heard

Thank you for taking the time to help preserve this beautiful Park.

Your support is most appreciated.

Photographs of Yosemite provided by Keith Walklet

1/24/19 8