including SOUTHERN SIERRA

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THE CONIFEROUS FORESTS & BIGTREES OF THE SIERRA NEVADA. by John Muir.
Although known for his contributions to the understanding of Yosemite Valley's geologic origin and for his conservation work, botany was always Muir's first love, and he produced wonderful writings on Sierra trees. These are both descriptive of the trees' features and appreciative of their beauty and place in nature. The magnificent bigtree, also known as sequoia or Sierra redwood, assumes an important part in this. Special, too, is the insert on "A Wind Storm in the Forests of the Yuba" in which Muir ventured out into the windy day, instead of "crouching deprecatingly beneath a roof", climbed into the upper branches of a tall douglas-fir, "to get my ear close to the aeolian music of its topmost needles", then swayed about in arcs of 20 to 30 degrees.  Period engravings are added to the text. 40 pages.
ISBN-10: 0-89646-027-4. ISBN-13: 978-0-89646-027-0. Covers bent. Order #: VIST0027 paper$19.00.

portrait of John Muir, conservationist, naturalist, writer, mountaineer

DISCOVERING SIERRA TREES. by Stephen P. Arno, illustrated by Jane Gyer.
Covers conifer and broad-leaved trees in area ranging from Sequoia National Forest in the south to the Toiyabe and Stanislaus National Forests in the north, and including Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks. Includes both conifers and broad-leaved trees--36 species. Describes age, size, characteristics, and reproduction. Reveals with an elevation profile how the trees are distributed according to altitude. Artist Geyer presents her scratchboard illustrations to portray foliage and cones plus portraits of full trees. 89 pages, paper cover.
ISBN: 978-0939666-04-9. Out of print. Order #: YOCO1850 paper$19.50. See below for framable prints of trees from this book.

DISCOVERING SIERRA TREES--prints. by artist Jane Gyer.
A portfolio of 8 reproductions of Jane Gyer's black-and-white illustrations from the book Discovering Sierra Trees. 9 x12 inches, proportioned to framing. Cover print is of giant sequoia. Published by Yosemite Natural History Association.
ISBN: None. No date. Order #: YOCO1339 prints$47.50.

 

GENTLE WILDERNESS: the Sierra Nevada. Brower.
Sierra Club publication of color photographs by Richard Kauffman and text by John Muir. 1967 edition.
ISBN: 0-89009-960-X. Order #: MISC5689 cloth w/dust jacket$30.00.

 

 

THE GIANT SEQUOIA. by H. T. Harvey, H. S. Shellhammer, R. E. Stecker, & R. J. Harrtesveldt.
History of sequoia lumbering, public reservation of sequoia lands, botanical history and relationships, orig of name, life history from birth to death, distribution of groves (mainly in the southern Sierra Nevada but scattered stands north nearly to Lake Tahoe) and factors influencing their occurrence, ecology of immense trees, human impact, and fire considerations. Drawings, maps, 21 color photos, 80 pages, index.
ISBN: None. 1981. Order #: SEQU1271 paper$6.95.

 

GRANT GROVE: Kings Canyon National Park (CA). by National Park Service.
Large topographic trail map to giant sequoia grove in this national park, with guide to 7 trails detailing hiking times (1/2 to 3 hours), distances, elevation gains, difficulty levels, and trail characteristics. Large trees and other features seen along the trails are presented as well as route-finding directions. Hiking tips are also given. Map is 18" x 21", scale is 1 inch = 5 miles, contour interval 80 feet.
ISBN: None. 1993. Order #: SEQU6777 map$3.95.

 

 

 

 

HORSES, HITCHES & ROCKY TRAILS: "the packer's bible". by Joe Back.
At times backpackers will ride into the wilderness, then hike out with a pack that continues to get lighter. Or one can be horse-packed into a base camp and picked up when it is time to leave. For such trips this book will give an understanding of both the opportunities and limits of using horses in the wilderness and assist your packer in giving you the best experience. For persons doing their own horse-packing this presentation gives insights for beginners and tips perhaps unknown to even those with experience. For rangers, outfitters, and so-called dudes to use for the trail. 52 drawings of gear and hitches and scenes, appendix of food and equipment list, 118 pages. A classic in its 18th printing since 1959. See sample pages, illustrations.
ISBN: 0-933472-6-4. 1959, 18th printing, by Johnson Publishing of  Boulder, Colorado. An uncirculated copy. Order #: JOHN1669 paper$49.50.

 KINGS CANYON COUNTRY. by Lew & Ginny Clark.
Information on early trips into this wilderness region including legends, Indian and white-man history, features of trailheads and their trails from both east and west with nature notes on the land and its flora and fauna. Colored topographic maps detail trails and some alternate routes not on other maps; there are also profiles of trails showing elevations and mileages. Distances are shown between junctions as well as some campsites, meadows, and ranger stations Although some information may have changed, much content provides detail on this region not easily found elsewhere. Photographs, drawings, maps, 80 pages, index.
ISBN: 0-931532-20-5. 1985. Order #: WETR5609 paper$5.95.

 

KINGS RIVER COUNTRY: Kings River National Park, John Muir Wilderness. by Lew and Ginny Clark.
Full-color topographic map of this central High Sierra region of California showing trails with mileages for segments between junctions and showing forested areas, unimproved or jeep roads, ranger stations, campgrounds, backcountry parking, and pack stations. Back of map gives history and geology and descriptions of loop trails from trailheads. Contour interval is 100 feet; scale about 1 inch = 2 miles. 22" wide x 17" high. Update pre-trip.
ISBN: None. 1983. Order #: WETR2141 map$4.95.

 

 

MINERAL KING GUIDE. Adler.
Story of alcove now part of Sequoia National park. Illustrated, 48 pages.
ISBN: 0-910856-05-2. Order #: LASI0785 paper$3.95.

 

MINERAL KING: Sequoia National Park. by National Park Service,
Hiking guide with topographic map of a park region of trails leading to several lakes and mountain passes. Mining history of area is presented for the period long before it became a national park and then the attempt to establish a ski area there, which became controversial and finally failed, with the region then being added to Sequoia National Park. 7 trails are described, with trail distances, hiking times, trailside features, and route-finding tips. Map is 18" x 21", scale of 3 1/2 inches per mile, contour interval 80 feet.
ISBN: None. 1995. Order # SEQU1162 map$3.95.

 

 

SEQUOIA-KINGS CANYON: the story behind the scenery (CA)--cloth. Tweed.
Giant redwoods, High Sierra, park history of California national park--the story of this special place written by a long-time naturalist of that area. . 89 color photos, 64 large-format pages.
ISBN: 0-916122-66-2. 1980. Order #: KCPU3247 cloth$14.95.

 

SIERRA BIG TREES. by John Muir.
In 1875 Muir made a tremendous exploration of the southern Sierra Nevada to survey the range of the giant sequoia. That trip may remain the most comprehensive single look at the tree yet, and this book tells his findings. It is an appreciative report of this tree, "very god of the woods". Muir describes the tree's range and its botanical characteristics, muses about the age it can attain, notes the effect of lightning strikes, and shares his several-days observation of a forest fire among them: "huge fire-mantled trunks on the hill slopes glowing like bars of hot iron." Foreword by former Yosemite Chief Park Naturalist William R. Jones. Period engravings. 80 pages.
ISBN-10: 0-89646-069-X. ISBN-13: 978-0-89646-069-0. Paper covers, some scuffing. /Order #: VIST0069 paper$25.00.

 

STARR'S GUIDE TO THE JOHN MUIR TRAIL AND THE HIGH SIERRA REGION. by Walter A. Starr, Jr.
Classic guide to this region of California, providing backcountry trail information from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney along the "grandfather of long-distance trails", the John Muir Trail. Includes lateral trails to connect from sites along the range that lead up the main trail that winds along the spine of the mountains. Detailed trail descriptions with point-to-point mileages along the way and with text that explains aspects of route finding and terrain features, as well as probable places to camp. Includes large fold-out map of the full 211.9 miles of the trail. Includes advice to travelers regarding clothing, equipment, weather, bears. and more. 224 small pages for easy carrying.
ISBN: 0-87156-172-7. 1974. Order #: RAHO1208 vinyl$14.00.

TIMBERLINE COUNTRY: the Sierra High Route. by Steve Roper.
Starts with a section on wilderness travel and the concept behind discovering and describing a route in the High Sierra of California that maximizes traversing country at timberline (treeline) and higher, as an alternative to this same region's John Muir Trail, laid out with different criteria. The High Route, however, is often also a cross-country route with no trail and so route-finding is an important skill in traveling it, and there is a bit more risk involved. "Early Exploration of the High Sierra" is a meaningful discussion of early pathfinders. The route is described in sections: "Kings Canyon to Dusy Basin", 'Dusy Basin to Lake Italy", "Lake Italy to Devil's Postpile", "Devil's Postpile to Tuolumne Meadows", "Tuolumne Meadows to Twin Lakes". A Sierra Club Tote book. Drawings, 288 little pages for carrying in the field, 24 pages of topographic maps, index.
ISBN: 0-87156-298-7. 1982. /Order #: RAHO1173 vinyl$45.00.

TO FIND THE BIGGEST TREE. by Wendell D. Flint.
Author's 40-year search to find the biggest of the bigtrees (giant sequoias). The giant sequoia is among the oldest and largest living organisms on Earth and this author's quest was to find the biggest of them all. The giant sequoia lives within distinct groves that are known, each one of which supports many immense specimens; the author locates and describes these. Also covered are the surveys of the trees that have been made and the process of measuring one of these giants so the records can be compared. Appendixes give measurements of known large individuals and list groves, with comments. Suggested readings, 116 pages.
ISBN: None. 1987. Order #: SEQU7267 paper$9.95.

 

 

TREES--OR TIMBER?: the story of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. by Douglas Hillman Strong.
Exploration of the region; discovery of giant sequoias; early land use by sheepherders, prospectors, loggers, promoters of railroad; high country explorations and surveys; preservation efforts that created the parks; park road and facility development and interpretation services. 21 historical photographs, 4 maps, 68 pages, index..
ISBN: None. 1980. Order #: SEQU1266 paper$4.95.

 

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THE HUMMINGBIRD OF THE CALIFORNIA WATERFALLS. by John Muir.
Reprinted from 1878. This has been called "the finest bird biography ever written". Muir's "waterfall hummingbird" is the water-ouzel, of course, now also called the dipper. Although Muir buffs and birders already know this, even they will enjoy reading or re-reading the story of this little bobber. Some might have seen this little bird, but without this article have not yet enjoyed the flier/swimmer fully. As Muir's portrayal shows, much of the bird's intrigue is its physical elusiveness while remaining visually accessible. Enjoy this little story and enjoy this little bird. Foreword by former Chief Park Naturalist, Yosemite National Park. Period illustrations. 24 pages. See sample pages, illustrations.
ISBN-10: 0-89646-019-3. ISBN-13: 978-0-89646-019-5. Order #: VIST0019 paper$3.95.


MOUNTAINEERING IN THE KINGS RIVER COUNTRY, 1864.  by Clarence King of the California Geological Survey.
This early ascent of Mount Tyndall at the head of King's River (the river is not related to our author) is now classic Western Americana literature. It is mountaineering drama to the extreme, written even when the foothills of the Sierra Nevada were remote enough, let alone peaks at the range crest, such as Tyndall. Clearly showing is the author's love of nature. This writing appeared in several forms before being gathered with others of King's articles in 1872 into Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada, a book still in print! In our little volume we include just material dealing with the Kings River country so that visitors to this region, much of it now in Kings Canyon National Park, can focus. King also conducted the U.S. Geological Exploration of the 40th Parallel, an unexplored line through America's interior, and was first director of the U. S. Geological Survey. He has a Sierran peak named for him. Illustrations are added from Picturesque California (1888) and The Yosemite Guidebook (1869). 48 pages. See sample pages, illustrations.
ISBN-10: 0-89646-042-8. ISBN-13: 978-0-89646-042-3. Order #: VIST0042 paper$3.95.

OH, RANGER! a book about the national parks. by Horace M. Albright and Frank J. Taylor.
This is the classic, 1928 edition. Here is a nostalgic look at America's early national parks and their ranger service by their director of that time. Author Albright was also a long-time superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. Originally published in 1928 by Stanford University Press, and available continuously ever since, this book relates humorous stories of bears and other wild animals, Indians, fishing, park "dudes and sagebrushers" (hotel guests and campers, respectively), the fledgling ranger service, and the antics of the American tourist early in the roaring '20s. This edition includes the late author's last foreword and a tribute from a former president and early Yellowstone ranger, Gerald Ford. To the pen-and-ink drawings from the original have been added 50 early park photographs. 160 pages. See sample pages, illustrations.
ISBN-10: 0-89646-068-1. ISBN-13: 978-0-89646-068-3. Order #: VIST0068 paper$7.95.
SAVE! Scuffed copies of Oh, Ranger! A Book about the National Parks are available at discount; for these go to Scuffed Specials.
Note that this classic edition of Oh, Ranger! A Book about the National Parks is reprinted from the original 1928 printing co-authored by National Park Service Director Horace Albright. A book with a similar title, Oh, Ranger! True Stories form Our National Parks, was issued in 2007 with a collection of more recent ranger stories. Another recent book of ranger stories is called Hey Ranger, with more than one volume.

A RIVAL OF THE YOSEMITE: the cañon of the South Fork of Kings River, California. by John Muir.
As they had at Yosemite, Muir and his editor launched a campaign to get Kings Canyon set aside as a national park (some wanted to call it John Muir National Park), advising the law-givers to "make haste before it is too late". This writing was to be the stimulus. The park was not established, however, until 1940, when it was called Kings Canyon National Park. Muir's text is primarily descriptive, but as usual he includes personal adventures, in this case including a close encounter with a grizzly bear. Arguments for establishing the park are included, such as blocking grazing, lumbering, and mining. Text was reviewed by former Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park Chief Park Naturalist and foreword is by former Yosemite Chief Park Naturalist William R. Jones. Period engravings, with map showing proposed park boundary, 24 pages. See sample pages, illustrations.
. ISBN-10: 0-89646-010-X. ISBN-13: 978-0-89646-010-2.  Order #: VIST0010 paper$3.95.

THE WILD SHEEP. by John Muir.
Here the early naturalist-writer glorifies the mountain sheep, or bighorn, of the Sierra Nevada. In Muir's time (1881 is the date of this writing), sheep were still to be seen on his High Sierra rambles. He notes the distribution of sheep and their various species as well as their physical characteristics, and he also describes their mountain home where they lived, "the happy wanderers, perhaps relishing the beauty as well as the taste of the lovely flora on which they feed." But as always his finest sections are where he describes the sheep themselves and how they move about on cliff walls, fine four-legged mountaineers. Today, park and wildlife agencies are reestablishing populations of wild sheep in the Sierra Nevada and elsewhere, and we may thank Muir in part for this, as his writing helped keep alive our appreciation for them. Reviewed by Chief Park Naturalists at Yosemite and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Period engravings. 32 pages. See sample pages, illustrations.
.ISBN-10: 0-89646-017-7. ISBN-13: 978-0-89646-017-1. Order #: VIST0017 paper$3.95.

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