A Cowboy Song About Mineral King

Does anyone know Tom Russell? He wrote a song called "Rayburn Crane" about Mineral King and uploaded it to YouTube. You can take a listen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFVzGSOAjNo

SQF Complex Fire Update from NPS

 FYI, and gratitude for the wonderful firefighters who kept our community safe!

Sharon

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Fox, Dave P <Dave_Fox@nps.gov>
Date: Mon, Oct 26, 2020 at 9:14 AM
Subject: Updates

Friends,

While temperatures are much lower this current weather system is bringing higher winds and lower relative humidity leading to a red flag fire warning through tomorrow. The voluntary evacuation is still in place for the Mineral King Valley, but I anticipate that after this weather system passes through and the containment lines are tested, that will be evaluated for the potential to return the area to no warning. This is not going to change anything from the park's standpoint for reopening as Wednesday was the planned date for the seasonal closure.

We will be looking at the greater closure of wilderness later this week as well once this system departs. I am not making any predictions at this point, just letting you know that we have not just closed up and walked away. The Rattlesnake and Castle Fires are still somewhat active in the Lower Kern. 

I'm in a (virtual) class all week, so I may not be immediately available for calls or email. Next week I'm going to be on leave and won't be available. 

Thanks, 

Dave Fox

Sequoia District Ranger

"Disney's failed attempt to build a massive ski resort in the California wilderness"

At the link below is an interesting article published yesterday (October 22, 2020) by sfgate.com regarding the Disney Company's unsuccessful attempt at building a massive ski resort in the Mineral King Valley.

https://www.sfgate.com/disneyland/article/mineral-king-ski-resort-disney-failed-project-15662462.php

What wasn't mentioned was the massive avalanche during the winter of 1968-69 that killed one of two Disney employees sent to survey snow levels.  You can read a first-hand account by the survivor of that avalanche published by Quest magazine on our web site, specifically here:

https://www.mineralking.net/file/e24e5460-466b-11e9-b7f5-b902fa499f58 

Remains of the Crowley Resort after the avalanche during the winter of 1968-69.

Fire Update

From William Martin, EMK:

Adam Bree from the Bree Cabin just came down the hill. He conversed with fire crews. The fire is at a critical juncture. The fire has passed Evelyn Lake and Homer's Nose. I think there are at least 3 hot shot crews in and headed to Hockett to prevent Eastern movement in that area.

However, they felt they would be unlikely to prevent the fire from moving down Cahoon Canyon towards Horse Creek and the East Fork. It would come up the other side in the Atwell area and move east and north from there. In part because Silver City is on private land they will have more flexibility to use equipment to establish that area as their new fire line.

When I was up there Friday there were maybe 5 trucks and 15 fire personnel. Adam estimates over 25 trucks and over 100 personnel today.

There is considerable large truck traffic going up and down the road so, if you haven't already closed your cabin, you should not attempt to go up until after the fire is under control.

I'll be surprised if the road is not completely closed in the few days.

William Martin

Update on Woodstove Fires

From: Fox, Dave P <Dave_Fox@nps.gov>
Date: Tue, Oct 13, 2020 at 10:13 AM
Subject: Woodstove fires
 
Friends,
 
Over the weekend, the superintendent signed a variance to the ban on woodstove fires above 6,000 feet with the following restrictions:
·         The wood stove is rated for the cabin and has been inspected by the Authority Having Jurisdiction,
·         The cabin is presently occupied (no unattended fires),
·         The cabin occupant has provided defensible space around the cabin, 
·         A fire extinguisher readily available,
·         Low temperatures drop below 50 degrees Farenheit, AND
·         No ashes are disposed of outside while Stage 3 Fire Restrictions remain in effect. 
 
Thanks,
 
Dave Fox
Sequoia District Ranger

Mineral King Gate Locks

 From an East Mineral King cabin owner:

"Update on MK road gate locks. We went up to close our cabin yesterday, Friday. The locks on both gates were open and unable to be secured. While we were up closing the locks were replaced. On our way down the Conifer gate worked well. The gate below Lookout Point is cumbersome at best. We had to lift the canyon side of the gate in order for the bolt to fit into the locking position.

"Important note: the new locks are different in that the lock will not close unless the correct code is held in place, and the lock must be held closed while the code numbers are changed. This is a change from the previous locks.

"There's still lots of smoke, so not a good place to be with even mild respiratory issues. Hopefully the air will improve this weekend."

Report From Silver City, 10/9/2020

"Two individuals came down yesterday. They talked to three different Park people. They have about twenty trucks, more or less, surveying the area. Individuals from MK also stated that they felt SC and MK are in no danger after also talking to the Park personnel. The Park also stated that they had no plans to close the road. The fire is on the Hockett plateau and if the helicopters can get in tomorrow, they will thoroughly try to stop the movement of the fire.

"People at the [Silver City] resort are starting to do the final close. So we all hope for containment soon."