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1993
1993 The Desert Creek Research Natural Area was established in 1993 by the Park Service because it represents an unlogged and ungrazed ponderosa and lodge pole pine forest with some antelope bitterbrush habitat. It is in the northeast corner of the Park. The study area covers nearly 2,000 acres.
Desert Creek is found in the northeast corner of the Park in the ponderosa pine-lodgepole pine zone. The site contains four distinct plant communities that grade from a bitterbrush grassland type found in the dry creek drainage to more typical ponderosa pine-lodgepole pine forested uplands. The RNA is bounded on the east by the National Park boundary, on the south by a line from the junction of two primitive roads to Sharp Peak and boundary pin #75/ on the west by the north-south primitive road, and on the north by a line from the road due east to the boundary pin # 72. Dr. Bill Hopkins, Area Ecologist for the U.S. Forest Service, first identified the site during an extensive survey of the bitterbrush grassland type.
April 22 1993 The Oregonian reports that the NPS has decided against any further development at Rim Village. This means that the new, year-round lodge will be built instead seven miles down at Mazama Village. The National Parks and Conservation Association said of the development plan, “You’ve got a few hundred people able to stay in luxury rooms in a hotel, but a few thousand people outside looking at the hotel, which isn’t exactly what a national park is set up for.”
April 29 1993 Katherine “Kit” Sue Nealon Leavitt, 92, widow of longtime Park Superintendent Ernest P. Leavitt, dies in Medford. Mrs. Leavitt’s family was early homesteaders in the Table Rock area of the Rogue Valley.
June 1993 Ancient caldera remains found near Elk Creek on the Rogue River. State geologists working for more than a year estimate the caldera to be more than 25 millions years old. Age and the Rogue River have eroded several thousand feet of the original mountain. (Central Valley Times)
July 25 1993 The MT reports that because so much remains to be learned about the Lake, the NPS has proposed continued monitoring of the Lake at a cost of $160,000 a year. Such studies will build on the data already assembled.
August 12 1993 Barbara Lucas, 30, of Scotland, is struck in the head by a 10 -inch rock while hiking up from the boat dock. She suffered severe laceration, and remained unconscious during the rescue. Park rangers raced up the Cleetwood Trail with the wheeled litter in 16 minutes. Ms. Lucas was taken to North Junction by ambulance and then transported to Rogue Valley Medical Center by helicopter.
August 13 1993 Barbara Lucas dies at Rogue Valley Medical Center from massive head injuries caused by a falling rock on the Cleetwood Trail.
September 3 1993 Mushroom gathering turns ugly. Armed pickers violate national park rules. “We are being overwhelmed. Rangers get a little concerned when people start coming to the park with guns and knives.” The rangers confiscated nearly 100 pounds of matsuiake mushrooms and several firearms. 13 mushroom pickers were cited on one day.
September 20 1993 The MT reports that Monday’s earthquake centered in the Klamath Basin and causing considerable damage in Klamath Falls, was felt in the Park, but rangers only found two rocks on Rim Drive.
October 9 1993 Park rangers issue six citations for illegal harvesting of matsutake mushrooms and one citation for carrying a loaded weapon in the park. Rangers confiscate 30 pounds of the plants and one handgun.
Fiscal Year 1993 ONPS Park Budget set at: $2.5 million
Season 1993 Visitation: 419,914 (Online says: 381,747)
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