CALIFORNIA'S GOLD: HARD TO GET TO (TV)
Summary
One in this series of travel programs featuring host Huell Howser, who tours California, exploring the state's diversity. In this episode, which Howser calls his most difficult assignment yet, he travels to two hard-to-reach and little-known spots. First, he heads to the small town of Big Pine and meets up with Keith Osborne of the U.S. Forest Service, who takes him on a trip through the Inyo National Forest. They observe an impressive sequoia planted by Theodore Roosevelt in 1913, and then drive up into the high country, which is completely snowed in for eight months out of the year. Despite the thin air at 9,000-plus feet above sea level, they hike further up into the mountains and finally reach Schulman Grove, home to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, which features the oldest continuously-living things on Earth. Osborne explains that many of the trees there are over 3,000 years old and are dated through a non-harmful process, adding that they grow in alkaline soil once found on the ocean floor and have adapted over the centuries to the harsh growth conditions. The oldest, he notes, is 4,722 years old, while the much younger trees resemble traditional Christmas trees. Because of its unique nature, the area is protected by the government, and not even a pinecone is allowed to leave the grove.
Next, Howser heads north to Yosemite National Park and visits the Tuolumne Meadows, staying in a cabin tent overnight and then joining park guides Sheridan King and Jennifer Kopp on mules as they ride nine miles into the park over rocky and difficult terrain. King comments on the mules and their natural comfort in the park, and they eventually arrive at LeConte Falls, named for Berkeley professor Joseph LeConte, which feature a distinctive "waterwheel" spray because of the angle at which the water hits the rocks. Kopp notes the best places for fishing, and Howser talks to a nearby tourist couple, who agree that they are glad that the idyllic spot is secluded and hard to reach. King notes that the area has been unchanged and undeveloped for many decades, and Howser reflects that he is sorry to leave the picturesque spot. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: KCET-TV (Los Angeles, CA) / PBS
- DATE: November 30, 1992
- RUNNING TIME: 0:29:10
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:54318
- GENRE: Education/Information
- SUBJECT HEADING: Education/Information; California; Nature
- SERIES RUN: PBS KCET - TV series, 1991-2012
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Home Savings of America
- TV - Promos - "California's Gold" home video
CREDITS
- Huell Howser … Producer, Writer
- Phil Noyes … Associate Producer
- Huell Howser … Host
- Keith Osborne … Interviewee
- Sheridan King … Interviewee
- Jennifer Kopp … Interviewee
- Joseph LeConte
- Theodore Roosevelt