Two weeks Park Ranger training at Bryce Canyon

Starting a new job at a new park is an exciting challenge that typically begins with two weeks of Park Ranger training, this time at Bryce Canyon National Park.  There is more than time allows for covering everything we need to know from paperwork to boots on the ground.  Oh yea, make those polishable leather boots.

First day of training is about meeting staff, explaining rules and signing paperwork.  This is the federal government.  Sometimes, more BS than being in Congress.  I had to slip out for two hours getting my 5th-wheel parked.  After an eight-hour day, I was too tired to unpack that night.

The next morning’s window view revealed a light dusting of snow.  It may be spring where you are but at 8000 feet Mother Nature hasn’t quite gotten the word.  Although the snow mostly melted by afternoon it was more than chilly with wind and sprinkles along the rim where model programs were demonstrated by seasoned Park Rangers about hoodoo geology and cultural history.

Luckily I didn’t have to move my big truckcamper as I rode into work with Ranger April, one of my RV neighbors.  Employee parking is limited behind the building that houses the visitor center and offices.  Once off the training schedule I will have to park in the overflow across the street if it’s not full.  Or behind the Lodge for rim access or to catch a nearby shuttle.  Or even possibly just out of the park to catch a shuttle.  I’m still figuring that out.

The next morning looked like back to winter with 4-6 inches of that white stuff.

After a morning inside we drove to the end of the scenic road and heard more about geology with a focus on the geologic Grand Staircase, and fire ecology at the Rainbow Point overlook.  The Bristlecone trail was, and still is, closed due to deep snow so we couldn’t get to the furthest south view over the staircase.  Yet we could see burned trees from last year’s Riggs Spring and Lonely fires.

The fourth day of training started late and went into the night.  Time to learn telescope setup.  The very dark sky at Bryce Canyon is shared by Rangers at least three nights a week from 10-11:30, weather permitting, in the employee parking lot behind the darkened visitor center building.  Two to five scopes in various sizes are setup for guests to view planets, stars, clusters, galaxies, or whatever can be found.  I am a newbie to this and although I’ve assisted with star parties have never owned or operated a telescope.  My first focus will be on Mizar and Alcor, the double stars in the handle of the easily found Big Dipper.  Thank goodness this will be a multiple Ranger set up as I can’t lift the scopes.

Our Friday included plant identification along the rim where the highest visitation seems to occur.  Lots of Ponderosa Pine trees along with Rocky Mountain and Utah Juniper which are difficult to distinguish from each other.  Mixed below the canopy are clusters of Manzanita and low growing Dwarf Common Juniper.  No flowers yet in this area between Sunrise and Sunset Points.  Vegetation is sparse on the rim side of the paved trail with heavily compacted soil from millions of feet.

The supervisor also modeled a 75-minute rim walk program focusing on natural and cultural history.  I’m thinking to start this walk along the rim by asking guests’ reaction to the unusual landscape and then talking about the changing relations people have with the land.  This would include the native’s use and story, early Mormon settlers, and development to tourism at the Lodge.

By the weekend my brain was on overload and I hadn’t even outlined a program idea yet.  I took care of business like getting a PO box at Ruby’s Inn and starting to unpack the house.

Monday morning began with the sunrise view over the corral and tree covered ridgeline from my back windows.  After learning how to check and record the morning weather info from the station behind the building the day was spent indoors listening to various speakers.  Out of the two campgrounds inside the park it is likely only one will be open at time for the summer due to much needed repairs.  Currently North campground is open on first-come first-served with three out of four loops available at this published time.  It will then close, maybe July, when Sunset campground is ready to open.  Current prices are $20/night tent and $30/night RV with no hookups—I wouldn’t show up with a 40 footer—half off with Senior or Access Pass but not America the Beautiful Pass.

The LE (Law Enforcement) staff went over radio operations and assigned radio call numbers.  We participated in rescue and medical emergency scenarios.  In addition emergency procedures were explained with instructions and reminders of constantly being aware of our surroundings.  A harsh reality was training in what to do in an active shooter situation.  A terrible thing to have to think about but we do work the government.

A little less intense and more job specific logistical stuff the following day.  An outline of what programs will be presented and in the order expected to be complete and ready.  Two 20-minute geology talks, one about hoodoos and the other Grand Staircase.  A Rim walk as mentioned above.  Presented in the historic Lodge auditorium, one 35-minute evening program with slides on topic of choice about Bryce Canyon.  And short informal ecology talks, possibly with props, along the Bristlecone Trail while roving.  Plus of course being able to answer 1000s of questions including, “where’s the bathroom?”  Also learned how to setup and operate the solar scope in between the day’s clouds.

Then after dinner, we met at the Lodge auditorium, which seats 140 people, and learned the AV setup which looks pretty simple if all works as expected.  Just set up a laptop to the system.  Then we stayed to watch Ranger Keith’s program about nocturnal animals, Things that go bump in the night.  I haven’t committed to a topic yet—maybe cultural history, geology, or wildlife—for this presentation so am open to suggestions.  Special new/old friends were met that night but more on that later.

The following morning again greeted with a light dusting of snow.  Yet with another day inside I didn’t get to see the contrasting white against the “Pink Cliffs” (that I see as orange).  A Forest Service employee spoke about our neighboring Red Canyon area and Dixie National Forest activities including hiking, camping, dog friendly, and OHV.  They are no longer printing the Dixie NF map so I’m on the hunt and haven’t had time to look online.

We met three of the four park’s resource management people.  All divisions are understaffed due to budget restrictions.  We learned about the many unique plant communities found in Bryce.  Which of course ties in with the wildlife and much talk about the threatened Utah Prairie Dogs.  One of several ‘prairie dog towns’ are located along the road to where I live.  Have to slow to a crawl to avoid them.

Attended the lunch buffet going away gathering for LE Mike on his way to Florida, and afterwards felt like taking a nap instead of reading more about Bryce Canyon.

Yet another day of training from LE about verbal judo, or how to influence change of behavior through communication and body language.  Also talked about service animals and the two legal questions we can ask a pet owner.  1) Is this a service animal?  2) What job/task has the animal been trained to perform?  Positive answers end the conversation.

Friday, the last official day of training, it snowed like crazy.  Inside, we learned how to fill out a backcountry permit and the rules.  Several designated campsites can be found mostly along the entire 22.9 mile under the rim trail.  Current closures can apply.  Backcountry permits are issued no more than 48 hours in advance or less, in person only, for up to six hikers or 15 in a group site.  No fires or camping among the hoodoos. Bear canisters are highly recommended.

In the afternoon we toured and learned about the historic Lodge.  Designed in the late 1920s by Gilbert Underwood, it is the only remaining original lodge to avoid fire out of those also built in Zion, Cedar Breaks, and the North Rim Grand Canyon.  We also toured one of the historic cabins and the High Plateau Institute building which is being set up as a nature center focused on activities for Junior Ranges and open to everybody.

Friday night I had a dinner date with Jim and Diana who I’ve known online for years following their exploRVistas blog.  I so enjoy meeting old friends for the first time, and every visit after as well.  We had to wait quite a while for a table at Bryce Canyon Pines but passed the time jabbering away like the long lost friends we are.  They earned a PhD badge from the Bryce Canyon Junior Ranger book and may do it again when revisiting with the new soon to be published easier version.

This was a thorough and packed two weeks of Park Ranger training.  Am I ready?  No.  But I did work the visitor center desk in uniform as a Park Ranger answering questions and providing orientation for almost four hours on Sunday.  So I’m working on programs and orienting myself to the park.  Still have almost two weeks until my first actual program beyond pointing to the stars.  Plus writing this post helped a lot.  Because I haven’t spent enough time on the rim many of these photos are from previous visits.