Date: June 23, 2009 www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 4th Open House and Barbecue at Buck Rock Lookout

SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST The Buck Rock Foundation is hosting its ninth annual Independence Day Celebration and Open House at Buck Rock Lookout in the Giant Sequoia National Monument. The event, which will take place on Saturday, July 4th from 10:00 to 4:00, will be held at the base of the lookout.

The barbecue will be fired up with hotdogs and barbecue beef sandwiches with all the fixings, along with drinks and other goodies, for a small donation. Booths featuring local history and wildlife, children’s activities, merchandise, and lookout memorabilia will be on display. Smokey Bear is scheduled to appear throughout the day while fire watchers will be on hand to explain the workings of this active and historic fire lookout.

On the drive into Buck Rock, visitors will have the opportunity to first stop at the Big Meadows day use area (1/4 mile off the General’s Highway) to get Forest information and directions to the event. At this location, visitors will also find " The Fire Place " , a mobile learning center. The trailer displays beautifully painted murals that illustrate the fire management program in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. There are a variety of exhibits and activities about fire history, ecology and management

Located in the Big Meadows area of the Sequoia National Forest in the cooler elevation of 8,500 feet, Buck Rock Lookout is a popular destination for people from all over the world. Perched 300 feet above the ground on a granite dome, visitors have grand views of the High Sierra Nevada Mountains featuring the Great Western Divide and surrounding beauty. Eagles, falcons and other magnificent birds of prey are often spotted soaring the skies around the lookout. After many years of being shuttered, Buck Rock reopened in 2000, and this annual celebration marks that event.

For more information contact the Buck Rock Foundation, 559-336-9319 or visit their website at www.buckrock.org.

From Visalia Take Highway 198 into Sequoia National Park. Stay on the Generals Highway to Big Meadows turn off (FS Road 14S11). Drive 3 miles to Horse Camp and turn left onto 13S04; follow the signs driving 2 ½ miles to the lookout.

From Fresno: Take Highway 180 into Kings Canyon National Park. Approximately one mile turn right onto the General’s Highway towards Sequoia National Park and drive about 8 miles to the Big Meadow turn off (FS Road 14S11). Turn left and drive 3 miles to Horse Camp; turn left onto FS Road 13S04 and drive 2 ½ miles to the lookout. Parking is available, about 300 yards from the lookout.

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