The edge of cloudshadow on Horsetail Falls.

Cloudshadow on Horsetail Falls. February 25th, 2010.

National Park Service will be holding a public scoping meeting on March 31st, 2010 to collect input regarding the closed structures within the rockfall zone at Curry Village.

In early October of 2008 two rockfalls within 24 hours above the old Ledge Trail and below Glacier Point released several metric tons of rock resulting in the destruction of or damage to several cabins without baths (aka WOBs) in Curry Village. There were three minor injuries. As a result, an entire section of tent cabins, bath cabins and cabin WOBs were shut down by NPS. A temporary fence was put in place, units were emptied of furniture and some usable fixtures were taken out, such as heaters. It’s been almost a year and a half since the closure as I write this.

I was present in the valley when both rockfalls occurred, and have worked in Curry Village as a rooms inspector since January of 2009. I’ve had several opportunities to view the damage first hand in the closed area, and have marked the gradual decay of the structures. I’ve also had to educate climbers and boulderers that they can no longer access climbing areas behind the bath cabins, that it is now closed, and that NPS does levy fines for people in the closed area.

I’ve seen evidence of squatters using the cabins on occasion, and I can say for a fact that they are infested with mice.

The bath cabins were build of some local materials, and not well constructed. They were meant to be a quick means of generating income for the Curry Family, in addition to the tent cabins. While quaint and historic, they were not built to last, and signs of decay can be seen in the cabins still in use away from the rockfall zone. Pine logs were used in a rustic post and beam manner, with the original bark left on. Foundation walls were built using local river rocks, held together with mortar. They are built on a variety of slopes, and some foundations are beginning to crumble, leaving gaping holes into the crawl space beneath the floors.

For the last year they have been without electricity in many cases, and heavy snows have done damage to the roofs directly and by falling trees too laden with snow to stand upright. Mildew and mold have taken over, and in some cases is so odorous that it is unpleasant at best to enter them.

The cabins without baths are newer, and some may be salvageable. But time is working against us, because they too are vulnerable to the elements, to animal infestation, and to squatters.

A large number of tent cabins in the rockfall zone have been removed. An entire section of employee housing has been removed, as well, leaving only the showerhouse/kitchen standing. Several restrooms have been closed, too, including the newly constructed Nob Hill Shower House. Finally, several historic homes of the Curry and Tressider families are now empty. Mother Curry’s Bungalow is still in use as management housing.

I’ve put together a slide show of images I took today of the closed section. Please note that I do not have authorization to enter the rockfall zone outside of working hours, and so I have no pictures of the worst of the damage. All images were taken from the open parts of Curry Village.

I’ve seen the worst damage; one set of WOBs was utterly smashed by a huge boulder. I was able to enter the building (before safety measures for employees was put in place in early January of 2009) and to see the damage first hand. I will never forget picking up a child’s backpack, wet and moldy, and seeing a Yosemite Institute journal in it.

In closing, I think that architectural experts should survey the buildings to determine which ones can be moved, and which should be demolished. Then NPS should make all haste to move the salvageable structures to Wawona.

Horsetail was wonderful tonight, and even a bit of fogging on my polarizer didn’t really hurt the shot.

Lovely, sunny and warm today. Let’s hope it holds out until sunset! About to head out to stake my spot for the show. Wish me luck!

Yes, yes, I know, my blog is turning into “All Horsetail Falls, All the Time!” Another non-iconic shot, with a sepia treatment. Enjoy!

Not your standard shot of Horsetail Falls. Cold and rainy, and the Little Red Tent was put up wet.

Last night was a bust for Horsetail Falls. I held out hope, though pitching the Little Red Tent before the rain started. Good thing I did, it poured buckets. Today is Ansel Adams birthday! I thought I’d try my hand at some split toning; I’m not sure of the results, but I think I’ll try more in the future.

Lovely light once again on Horsetail Falls tonight.