REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SEQUOIA AND GENERAL GRANT NATIONAL PARKS. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, SEQUOIA AND GENERAL GRANT NATIONAL PARKS, OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT, Three Rivers, Cal., August 10, 1915. SIR: I have the honor to submit annual report of the condition of affairs in and the management of the Sequoia and General Grant National Parks from October 1, 1914, to the present date: GENERAL STATEMENT. The Sequoia National Park, set aside by act of September 25, 1890 (26 Stat., 478), and act of October 1, 1890 (26 Stat., 650), is located in Tulare County, Cal. It has an area of 161,597 acres and ranges in altitude from 1,100 feet to 11,900 feet. The General Grant National Park, set aside by act of October 1, 1890 (26 Stat., 650), is located one-half in Tulare County and one-half in Fresno County, Cal. It has an area of 2,536 acres and ranges in altitude from 5,250 feet to 7,631 feet. The Sequoia National Park derives its name and much of its interest from the presence of many large groves of "big trees" (Sequoia washingtoniana), and the General Grant National Park was thus named by reason of the "General Grant tree," so widely known for its size and beauty. Both of these parks are situated on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada and contain some of the most rugged alpine scenery to be found on the continent. The magnificent forests within their borders are but one of their many striking features. There are innumerable forms and varieties of indescribable beauties contained in their rugged mountain tops, the cascades and falls, lakes, caves, and verdant meadows containing many wild flowers, ferns, and mosses. GENERAL CONDITIONS. The rainfall and snowfall during the winter of 1914-15 were somewhat above the normal, resulting in much damage to roads and trails. Repair and improvement work was commenced on roads, trails, and telephone lines on April 20 and completed by June 30. The parks were opened for accommodation of the public on June 1, at which time all concessionaires began active operations. There are hotels, stores, feed yards, post-offices, telephone stations, and photograph galleries in each of the parks, and regular transportation service operating between Lemon Cove railroad station and Camp Sierra in the Sequoia Park and between Sanger railroad station and General Grant Park. The distance from Lemon Cove to Camp Sierra is 40 miles and from Sanger to General Grant Park 46 miles. IMPROVEMENT WORK. The following improvement work has been accomplished in the Sequoia and General Grant National Parks since last report: SEQUOIA PARK. A 3,000-foot road as driveway around outer border and through the tourist camp at Camp Sierra has been built. A water-pipe system 1 miles in length, bringing water from Sherman Creek to Camp Sierra tourist camp, has been laid. The location survey and crosssectioning thereof of the Ranger-North Park Line Road between Wolverton Reservoir and the north boundary of the park, 9 miles in length, has been completed. Twenty-three miles of the Giant Forest Road were graded; six additional passing points for vehicles were constructed and new retaining walls put in; landslides and objectionable rocks were cleared from right of way. Fifty-three miles of the South Fork Trail and intersecting trails have been repaired and are in good condition. Thirty-three miles of the Giant Forest telephone line and 32 miles of the South Fork telephone lines have been repaired. GENERAL GRANT PARK. The main tourist camp ground, consisting of 35 acres, has been fenced with steel woven wire attached to cedar posts. Five miles of Stephens Grade-North Park Road were graded and brought to uniform grade. One and one-half miles telephone line has been repaired. GUARDING THE PARKS. The superintendent is assisted throughout the year by three permanent park rangers and during the summer months by eight additional park rangers in Sequoia Park and by one permanent park ranger in General Grant Park. Regular and constant patrols are made by these men in all parts of the reservations. Four of the above temporary park rangers were detailed to various road and trail entrances to the Sequoia Park, where watchfulness was constantly exercised over traffic, disposition of firearms, and the issuing of instructions to and the registration of park visitors. PARK VISITORS. Visitors in general are inclined to observe the park rules and regulations, but occasionally there are some exceptions. More persons visited the parks this season than during any previous year. Between March 1 and August 10 there were 5,002 visitors to Sequoia Park, of whom 2,203 remained for a period of three days or more and 2,799 for a shorter period. Sequoia National Park Transportation Co., automobile stage.. 76 5, 002 109 1,003 5 1, 660 1, 926 299 5, 002 Between April 1 and August 10 there were 7,022 visitors to General Grant Park, of whom 2,128 remained for a period of three days or more and 4,894 remained for shorter period. Travel to General Grant National Park by different entrances. The following permits to drive cattle across Sequoia Park on Mineral King Road to the national forest east of the park were granted: J. E. Barton, 100 head; John Hamilton, 105 head; Blick Bros., 100 head; Walter Braddock, 115 head; Alfred Hengst, 130 head; Guy Hopping, 115 head. HOTELS AND CAMPS. The Free camping privileges are permitted throughout the reservations at the various camping places, of which there are many. principal tourist camp for the Sequoia Park is maintained at Giant Forest, in the northern portion of the park, under concession from the department by Mr. Walter E. Kenney, who conducts a hotel and tent camp, at which place 409 persons received accommodations during the season. The tourist camp for the General Grant Park is centrally located. A hotel with tent accommodations is maintained at this camp by Mrs. Mattie Decker, at which place 998 persons received accommodations during the season. |