I have managed to secure one of the Volunteer in the Park (VIP)
projects in Yosemite National Park for the first weekend of May
2006.
The VIP project involves management of residues of thermal
combustion events to a mobile federal transportation unit
(translation: shoveling and removing ash from the campfire rings in
one of the campgrounds in the Yosemite Valley to a Park flatbed
truck for off-site disposal). We also rake leaves and pine needles
away from the campfire rings as well. The work will take place on
the morning of Saturday, May 6th.
In exchange for this manual labor, we will have the exclusive
use of one of the group sites (At the moment: Group Site B - maybe
another if we draw a large crowd) at the Yellow Pines Group
Campground near the Sentinel Picnic Area.
The campground will be open to us beginning at noon on Friday, May
5th and we may stay through noon on Sunday, May 7th.
Along with the group camping site, participants will also get a
free park pass for the weekend of the Event.
Here are some particulars:
DIRECTIONS
TO YOSEMITE: There are basically three ways to get to the
Yosemite Valley:
Hwy 120 East from the north through Manteca,
Hwy 140 East from Modesto and then through Mariposa (my favorite!),
and
Hwy 41 North from Fresno and then through Oakhurst and some of the
high country of Yosemite.
Plan on taking the better part of a day for the drive from the
Bay Area, especially if you plan to cache along the way.
GATE PASS: The week before the Event, I will post the
Gate Pass at this cache page for those of you that will need it.
Just print it out and bring it with you. You shouldn't have any
problem getting through the Entrance Station, but if you do, just
tell them that you're attending a VIP (Volunteer in the Park)
Event. The VIP coordinator is Tammie R. Power if you need a contact
person.
THE SECRET CAMPSITE: To help find this "secret"
campground, after Highways 120, 140 and 41 all merge together in
Yosemite Valley, drive safely (pull over safely for "Look at that!"
Kodak moments) eastbound on the Southside Drive until you see a
large sign for "Cathedral Picnic Area" on your left (north). There
will also be a small sign for "Yellow Pines Sentinel Beach." Turn
left here and bear left as you go along the road to get to the
campgrounds. I have added a Waypoint for the turning point: N37
43.953 W119 36.216.
If you miss the turn, you will be treated to a long but very
scenic drive around the one-way loop in the Valley in order to
return to the turn off.
The coordinates at the top of the cache description is just a
rough guess for where we'll be camping.
THE CAMP SITE: The campground is pretty basic. There will
be a large water trailer for potable water. Pit toilets are nearby.
A number of picnic tables and some BBQ grills will also be right at
the campsites. And there are fire rings for campfires.
There are no utilities hookups for RVs or camp trailers.
ADMINISTRATION - RELEASE FORM: For those families with
children under the age of 18, there will be a release form to fill
out when we gather on Friday night/Saturday morning. I will try to
post a copy of that as well. I'll try to have additional copies to
hand out on Saturday, but if I miss someone just remind me.
ADMINISTRATION - FEEDBACK FORM: At the end of the workday
(Saturday), there will be a quick Evaluation Form to fill out. This
helps the Park justify the program to the boss's back at HQ, so
please fill it out and return it to me.
Please say lots of nice things so that we get invited back!
ADMINISTRATION - ROSTER: All participants will need to
sign a roster Saturday morning.
MAP: I will post a map of the Valley I received as well.
Print out the map if you need it, and make your way to Yellow
Pine.
THE WORK: The work part of this Event will take place on
Saturday, and may be for the entire day (with lunch break of
course). The work is advertised as beginning at 9 a.m. (which is
when the Park Ranger assigned to us will meet us at the campground)
and lasting to 3 p.m.
NOTE: Last October, we were assigned the Upper Pines Campground,
which is the largest campgrounds I believe, and our group was
finished by about 12:30 p.m. (but we also had a relatively large
group.)
From our campground we will drive to the campground assigned to
us to clean up, either Upper or Lower Pines, or North Pines.
Afterwards, we are on our own!
WORK CLOTHES: Plan on some dirty, dusty, ashey (is that a
word?) work, so dress appropriately. Work gloves and a dust mask
are highly recommended as well.
FOOLS WITH TOOLS: The Park will supply the following:
some shovels, some rakes, and some plastic (5-gallon paint) ash
buckets.
HOWEVER, the work will go MUCH faster if we bring our own
additional tools to supplement what the Park supplies (that cuts
down on time standing around waiting for tools to free up if there
are more people than tools.) Last year I brought 2 shovels. This
year I will bring 3 shovels, some of our rakes, and maybe a metal
ash bucket as well.
If you bring metal buckets, choose a size that is 5 gallons at
the most, but smaller (3 gallons) would be better: the ashes are
surprisingly heavy! Metal pails are preferred: Plastic buckets
don't hold up well if you accidentally shovel up "hot" ashes.
WORK BREAKS: Bring water and some food for a break.
COMMON MEALS: Saturday evening we can either potluck it,
or let everyone fend for themselves. I'll probably bring something
to share for Saturday night and encourage everyone to bring a
simple side dish to share. There are BBQ's at the campsite so feel
free to bring something to grill. (I'll bring charcoal).
BEAR NECESSITIES: Yosemite has a bear problem!!! No doubt
about it!!! Bears can roam through the campsites and parking lots
anywhere in the Park looking for "human" food. All campsites in the
Valley are equipped with large metal boxes for food storage. You
will be warned at the entrance station that ALL food must go in
these metal boxes at all times, day and night!!!
There can be extremely negative consequences of not being Bear
Aware:
1) A bear may customize the doors, roof and or body of your car
in a manner that may displease you (and that may not be covered by
your insurance carrier!),
2) Park Management may take punitive actions against you,
including fines and citations,
BUT WORST OF ALL
3) If you give Geocachers a bad name, you'll be in REAL BIG
TROUBLE WITH THE ENTIRE GEOCACHER NATION, starting with ME
(Nickname: Burly Guard)!!! So don't screw up!!!
You have been warned!!!
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES: You'll be responsible for getting
yourself to Yosemite Valley and to the work site on Saturday, for
any and all of your camping necessities, and any and all of the
food and drink you wish to consume other than ashes.
You'll also be responsible to follow all of the campsite and
Park rules (especially the Bear bit!)
EXPECTATIONS: If you come for the camping, you are expected
to participate in the project work. No negotiations.
HYGIENE: After a morning of shoveling ash (and an
afternoon of caching), you may want to use the showers that are
available at Curry Village. Cost for the showers is a buck or two
and includes a towel and bar of soap.
SUPPLIES: There is a very well stocked store at Yosemite
Village in case you forget the marshmallows for smores or you need
more ice to cool off the brews. There is also a deli or two and a
few restaurants. There is even a Bank of America ATM. And firewood
is generally available to purchase as well.
SIGN UP: At this time, participation is technically limited
to 25 people, though I believe that we had more than that last
October.
WRAP UP: That's all I can think of for now. I will add
more later as I think of things to add.
Hope to see you there!
Your Bud,
50sumtin
UPDATE 4/30/6: I uploaded 2 images for you to print out:
1) - A map of Yosemite Valley that shows our campsite on the left
hand side.
2) - The Gate Pass that you must print out and bring with you for
free admission to the Park for the weekend.
5/3/6 UPDATE: Well, this CITO is now at the mercy of Mother
Nature. 
I was just informed by the Park this
morning that our May 6 volunteer project would be cancelled if the
Merced River rises and floods our campsite. At this time the camp
site is dry, but there are no other campsites available for us
should the volunteer site flood.
I'll try to get more information from the Park on their
predictions of the River rising and flooding our campsite.
Also, be advised that the entrance to Yosemite through Highway
140 is CLOSED due to rock slides. That leaves Highways 120 and 41
as the 2 entrances to the Park.
Right now I am leaning towards still going to Yosemite for the
weekend even if the river rises. I will call around for alternate
lodging and campsites and keep you posted. Unfortunately, the
closure of Highway 140 really limits alternatives.
Please feel free to call me at home: 831 429-5006.
Your bud,
Bud "50sumtin" Gawlik