Pythian Youth Camp

Starting Tuesday, Nov. 13 on the Kern River Ranger District- Free Christmas tree permits to fourth-grade students and General public Christmas tree permits avai...lable for $10! One permit permitted per household/customer. Kern River Ranger Station: 760-376-3781 11380 Kernville Rd, Kernville Monday Friday* 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A limit of EKIP (30), and the general public (170) Christmas tree permits are available starting Tuesday, Nov. 13. Precut trees are not available at the Kern River Ranger District office. Call 760-376-3781 for more information!

Made our last trip of the year to the Pythian Youth Camp. Our goal was to inspect the four new roofs we recently had installed and cover a few roofs that still need to be replaced. As usual, we can only make the repairs that we can afford. Being a true non-profit with 100% of all funds raised going towards running the camp and sponsoring children, repairs have to be prioritized. In a normal year, we have issues such as roofs, tree's and plumbing to contend with. This year we were hit with a doozy, our two ten-thousand gallon potable water tanks developed a leak and were deemed unusable because the protective coating has deteriorated over the years. Both tanks will need to be replaced, (at a cost of 60 to 80k) before we can host another child. Come on Lotto!!!

Thank you Orange County Vintage Chevrolet Club of America for your continued sponsorship of the Pythian Youth Camp. We couldn’t send kids to camp without your help!

When you visit Grant Grove, it's clear which tree is the Grant Tree - there are signs! But, do you know how to spot other smaller sequoias...maybe the ones that... aren't huge yet? Here are sequoia sprouts and seedlings in North Grove, "spire-tops" around Hitchcock Meadow, and the Grant Tree with its "broccoli-top". As they mature, the spire-tops lose their lower branches, start growing wider, and start rounding out at the top. See if you can spot the different stages of growth the next time you're here! (Photo credits: S. Lindquist, T. Caprio, M. Elgart)

Camp is a place to discover.

One reward of a hike to Timber Gap is a view of Mineral King Valley below and the iconic v-shaped Farewell Gap in the distance, where the trail leads out of Seq...uoia National Park to the national forest. Other fall rewards of hiking in Mineral King include aspen and cottonwood leaves shifting from green to golden in October, and mixed-species flocks of birds foraging for insects and seeds as they prepare to migrate south or downslope for the winter. When visiting higher elevations in the fall, always be prepared for cold temperatures and early season storms. See more

On September 22, 2018, join us for National Public Lands Day We will hike out to the Peppermint Waterfall for some trash pick up followed by a hike to the Natur...al Slides for some fun as we close out our 2018 volunteer season. We will me at 9:30am in the parking lot of the Kernville Chamber of Commerce and carpool to our destination. Meet location: 11447 Kernville Rd, Kernville, CA 93238. This will be 4-5 hour day so bring a backpack, water and pack a lunch or snack. We will hike a total of 2 miles so dress accordingly. ( bathing suits recommended if you plan on experiencing the natural slides) To join us, register http://www.kernriverconservancy.org/take-action/ This September, celebrate something we all share: our public lands! See more

Your HELP IS NEEDED to make Giant Forest beautiful again. Join us for National Public Lands Day. For more information: https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/event-details.htm

Camp, a place think out loud.

Roaring River Falls in Cedar Grove is just a short walk from the road and features a powerful "chute" waterfall. Observant visitors sometimes ask about the tra...il on the other side of the river, but the rock wall they see was actually the original "road" to Kanawyer's Camp at Road's End. As you can see, it wasn't a road for cars. After the current highway was put in and the old route was washed out a few too many times, it was abandoned. Photo Credits: L. Selig & NPS Photo (historic photo)

Sure miss looking up and seeing this every night.

The wilderness of Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks offers one of the best places in California to glimpse wild black bears. In order to keep bears wild we ...must store food properly and make sure they don’t become too accustomed to people. Hazing is especially important in late summer because bears are looking for easy calories from people to prepare for winter hibernation. If you encounter a bear in camps or developed areas, even if they are just doing "bear things", make sure your food is correctly stored, then make yourself big, speak loudly in a low tone of voice and don’t back down unless you feel endangered. Throw small objects like pine cones, pebbles, or sticks at the bear to reinforce the message there’s nothing for you here. The bears will thank you in the long run, we promise. See more

There's something about turning 102 that just makes you feel...lovely! The National Park Service turns 102 today and we want to thank you for making these year...s so special. Thank you also for helping us protect these special and wild places! What do you treasure most about National Parks? #FindYourPark Photo Credit: Ali Kim, Rae Lakes Loop