Friday, April 3, 2015

                 Current Information for Boyden and the Giant Sequoia National Monument!

Boyden Cavern is located in Giant Sequoia National Monument which is under the control of Sequoia National Forest. 

For specific information about Boyden Cavern, tickets and hours of operation please scroll down through the Blog to find our 2015 opening details.                                                                          
Image result for Giant Sequoia National Monument sign
Wild Flowers in the Monument
draperies
Boyden Cavern Drapery Room
     
Please be aware that Boyden Cavern is operated in partnership with the United States Forest Service under a special Use Permit. Official press releases generated by the US Government are sometimes disseminated by the Boyden Cavern management for the sole enjoyment and benefit to the public.

News Release

Contact: Denise Alonzo
559-539-2607
dalonzo@fs.fed.us
Date: April 3, 2015


Title: Forest Service logo - Description: Logo that reads:" Forest Service U S Department of Agriculture" all enclosed in a shield shape with a tree shape in the middle.

Come Visit the Hume Lake Ranger District

Dunlap, California, April 3, 2015 –Memorial Day weekend usually begins the busy summer recreation season in the Hume Lake Ranger District, Giant Sequoia National Monument.  Recreational opportunities on the District will likely be available earlier than normal, due to the dry conditions, so now is the time to start planning your visit.

All campgrounds are expected to be open by the holiday weekend.  In order to ensure a camping spot, advanced reservations are recommended through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) phone: 1-877-444-6777 or on the World Wide Web at www.recreation.gov.  The following family campgrounds have reservable sites: Princess, Hume Lake, Ten Mile, Stony Creek, Upper Stony Creek and Eshom.  The following group campgrounds are expected to be open and require reservations: Logger Flat, Aspen Hollow, Fir and Cove. 

Highway 180, leading into the Kings Canyon is expected to be open April 24.  Forest Roads leading to Delilah, Millwood, McKenzie, Dark Canyon, Big Meadow, and Eshom should be open by mid-May.  All Jennie Lakes and Monarch Wilderness Trailheads are expected to be open; however visitors should expect snow covered trails at the higher elevations in the backcountry.

A series of interpretive programs will be taking place at various campgrounds on the District each weekend from Memorial Day until Labor Day.  Please check at the campground kiosk for more information.

Forest officials are evaluating the need to charge a fee for camping at Big Meadow Campground and Horse Camp.  Historically, there has not been a fee charged for these campsites even though they offer the same amenities as those nearby that do charge fees.  “Due to heavy use and increased cost to maintain these sites, the District is considering having them managed by California Land Management,” stated District Ranger Teresa Benson. “This is the private concessionaire who currently manages the other fee campgrounds on the District.” 

With continued dry weather, campfire restrictions will be in effect early this summer.  Plan your trip accordingly by picking up a campfire permit, free of charge, at any Forest Service, CALFIRE, or Bureau of Land Management office or by visiting the Sequoia National Forest website and downloading a copy of the permit at www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia.  Off-highway vehicle use is restricted to roads within the Giant Sequoia National Monument.  Mountain-bike use is restricted to trails and roads. Trails where mountain-bike use is prohibited are signed.

The Hume Lake Ranger District office in Dunlap is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. This office will be closed on Monday May 25th.  For more information about the Hume Lake Ranger District, please call (559) 338-2251.