Critical Information regarding Sequoia National Forest in the Hume Lake District area and Kings Canyon National Park, eastern side known as Cedar Grove. The Park Service would like to shut down Scenic Hwy 180 through the National Forest and through the most scenic sections of Kings Canyon. There proposal is to delay opening the seasonal highway until May 4th, instead of the traditional "Last Friday in April". Then they want to close the Highway on October 29, a full two weeks early. There has been no reason for this communicated to us here at Boyden Cavern. It appears to be a random attempt to further restrict the public from our National Lands. Below is a letter written and emailed to Senator Tom Berryhill and Fresno County District 5 Supervisor Debbie Poochigian who represents that particular area of Fresno County. Feel free to call any the numbers listed in the letter and ask why? Why close down highways? Why close down a business (unemployment goes up...In this economy!!) Why restrict access to public lands which of course is paid for by tax payers!!! If the Park Service sites "Budget" let's remind them there has been a poor economy for several years now, maybe they should have made those budget cuts back then, however, apparently the Park Service felt that Cedar Grove in the lower Kings Canyon National Park region was not a budget issue then...So why is it NOW.


Stephen Fairchild, Owner

My name is Stephen Fairchild. I am owner of the concession at Boyden Cavern. I am writing to you today about a very urgent matter. I am requesting your swift intervention into a decision that will be made in the next couple of days that will shorten the seasonal public access to Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Forest and Boyden Cavern by 3 weeks this 2012 season.

Boyden Cavern is located on Highway 180, which is a State Scenic Highway. Boyden Cavern has a unique geographical distinction of being located on this highway sandwiched between two sections of Kings Canyon National Park. To the West is Grants Grove and to the East is Cedar Grove with Sequoia National Forest, Sequoia National Monument and Boyden Cavern located in the middle.

The National Parks Service is requesting that the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) delay the road opening for an extra week this spring and close it early on October 29^th rather than Mid-November. The reason for this has not been explained to me.

The concession to Boyden Cavern has been in my family for over 35 years and annual the opening of Highway 180 has consistently been scheduled for the last Friday in April and the closing a day or two after Veteran’s Day. Road conditions remain safe and clear and passable through the Thanksgiving Holiday so if anything, the season should be extended rather than shortened.

The proposed open date is May 4^th (rather than April 27^th).

The proposed close date is October 29^th (rather than November 15^th).

Historically, the summer season is an average of 23 weeks long. This proposed 3 week closure is a 13% reduction in public access to Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Forest and Boyden Cavern. This substantial decrease in operational days will cut revenue for the Cave and will result in a loss of wage earning opportunities for my employees, loss of sales tax revenue for the State of California and is a terrible disservice to public. School Districts have already made reservations with Boyden Cavern the first weekend in May. Who knows how many international travelers will come thousands of miles to see a “road closed” sign instead of the deepest canyon in the United States.

I believe that there are alternative solutions that would satisfy whatever motivation the Parks Service has for this request and will protect the public interests. There are several existing gates on Highway 180. My suggestions are:

1). Close only the gate at the boundary between Sequoia National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park where State Highway 180 ends.

2). Install a gate at the bridge just past Boyden Cavern and close only that gate, effectively closing the last 16 miles of Highway 180 and leaving the best portion of Sequoia National Forest available to the public which is geographically located in the Canyon.

2). b. Improve public access by leaving the road open to this new gate through the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Please make reference to California Streets and Highways Code Section 124 and code 942.5

I have been in contact with the following key players:

Caltrans: Eric Woods @ 559-734-1388

USFS Hume Lake District Ranger: John Exline @ 559-338-2251

USPS Kings Canyon National Park District Ranger: Ned Kelleher @ 559-565-4330

Thank you very much for your assistance in this urgent matter.

Sincerely

Stephen Fairchild, Owner

Boyden Cavern

Phone: 559-797-8533

Email: boydencavern@gmail.com

Update to road conditions in the Sequoia National Park area. Typically these updates are minor in nature and come from the US Park Service. More specific details about the road into Kings Canyon will be updated as those details come to us. Anyway here you go if traveling through Sequoia.

Fee Free Weekend in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 16, 2012, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks the entire weekend: Saturday, January 14 – Monday, January 16.

There may be very little snow in the Park and Forest right now...But the day temperatures are perfect and the trails are in good shape, go hike, have fun!

Remember that Boyden Cavern is still closed for the winter

Kings Canyon and Sequoia Highway Conditions Link

Hello all travelers to Kings Canyon (Sequoia National Monument), Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia Nation Park. The below link is supplied courtesy of the Park Service, the site will keep you updated regarding delays caused by snow, road work, construction, etc...

Have a wonderful trip through the Forest -

Click here for road conditions.

Current Road Status

Kings Canyon located in Sequoia National Forest, is currently closed at he Hume Lake turn off, the main canyon will remain closed until late April 2012.

Highway 180 is currently open up into Grant Grove village and the General Grant Tree. With the exception of closure from snow, the upper part of Highway 180 is open year round.

Boyden Cavern is closed for the remainder of the winter, we will open again in late April.

Experiencing Wilderness

So far most of the posts here have been from Michal Lisa, but now that our season is under way, we're going to try mixing things up & including contributions from the staff!  Here's one written on May 20, 2010:

Hey Y’all,

So this is my first season working with Boyden Cavern Adventure and Tours and I cannot even begin to explain how incredible my job is. Not only do I get to meet people from all over the world and share an incredible geological masterpiece with them, I also get to spend the entire summer in Kings Canyon National Park/Sequoia National Monument/Sequoia National Forest. The canyon is vibrant with life and I love every moment that I have to enjoy the peace and serenity of the wilderness. I cannot think of a single dull moment that I have had thus far. Whether I am on the job guiding visitors through our beautiful and awe inspiring cavern or just enjoying the evening on the back porch that is humbled by the towering mountains and cliffs that surround our staff housing, I am always enjoying myself. Something that folks forget about all too often is that the treasures of our world are not found in our society. Today I feel like people are too focused on the materialistic trends and values our mankind has developed. We are always trying to define our existence through social identity or monetary value. We do not always take the time to sit back and live our dreams that have been broken by this false sense of reality that has developed from the social corruption in our world. We have caught a disease that has turned us into beasts that live to satisfy our greed and egocentrism. Our natural world holds the cure to this. Places like the canyon provide the antidote to this infection. I wish everyone could come and experience places like Boyden Cavern; even a simple trip to come and visit the canyon for one day can bring peace and belonging into your life. The treasures of the world are found in the wilderness. Nature yearns to connect with our spirit and embrace us with the compassionate and soothing experience that we need. I encourage everyone to get out of the corrupted world you wake up to everyday and come and explore what the natural world has to offer. I promise you will not be disappointed. I would love to see all of y’all at Boyden Cavern this season. We will provide you with an experience you will never forget and we can provide you with information to help you best enjoy the canyon’s opportunities. Until then I will be living out my dream with Boyden Cavern Adventure and Tours in Sequoia National Forest/National Monument/Kings Canyon National Park.

Peace, Love, and God Bless,
Ethan Gray