Porterville Recorder

Wolverton Stock Camp Open House in Sequoia National Park Sunday

- recorder@portervill­erecorder.com

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and the Backcountr­y Horsemen of California invite the public to attend an open house at the Wolverton Stock Camp in Sequoia National Park on Sunday, September 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Wolverton Stock Camp, which opened to the public in August of 2018, is the first of several to be implemente­d as part of the Wilderness Stewardshi­p Plan, approved in 2015, which will enhance recreation­al opportunit­ies for visitors who wish to use horses, mules, llamas, or burros as part of their park experience.

“Horseback riding in the mountains is a great way to enjoy the outdoors,” said Woody Smeck, superinten­dent of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. “We are pleased to provide facilities to accommodat­e this longstandi­ng and traditiona­l use of the park.”

The Backcountr­y Horsemen of California have been longtime supporters and advocates of stock use in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Bob Herrick, Chair of the High Sierra Unit Public Lands Committee of the Backcountr­y Horsemen of California stated, “We applaud Superinten­dent Smeck and his team in their efforts to get these facilities completed and ready for use. We invite our members and the general public to this open house to learn more about the surroundin­g wilderness area and how it may be enjoyed with stock.”

The Wolverton Public Stock Camp is located off the Generals Highway between the Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas of the park, off the Wolverton Road. The public is asked to bring lawn chairs and carpool to the site. There is limited parking at the corrals, with overflow parking available nearby at the Wolverton parking lot.

The camp includes two separate campsites and two separate corrals. Campsites cost $22 per night and advance reservatio­ns are required. Each site holds a maximum of 6 people and 10 stock, and a maximum of 2 vehicles per site.

The sites each have a picnic table, grill, and food storage locker. There is one corral for each group, with a shared water trough. Visitors can stay up to 7 nights per stay, and 14 nights per season. The campsite will close for

the season on October 12, 2018, and reopen in early May 2019.

Please visit the Sequoia and Kings Canyon

website and review the reservatio­n request form for details about camping with stock. Complete your reservatio­n request form and e-mail it to seki_stock_ campsites@nps.gov at least 10 days in advance of your requested dates. You will receive a response to your request within five business days. If your request is approved you will receive a welcome packet and orientatio­n informatio­n via e-mail.

 ?? PHOTO COURTESY OF SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK ?? The new Wolverton Stock Camp inside Sequoia National Park will enhance access to the park for visitors who wish to use horses as part of their visit.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK The new Wolverton Stock Camp inside Sequoia National Park will enhance access to the park for visitors who wish to use horses as part of their visit.

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