May 2026
Plans are already underway for our 2026 community events, and we look forward to another great year together. The first event of the year on Memorial Day weekend is the Giant Sequoia Wire & Beer Festival on Saturday May 23rd. And, the Camp Nelson Volunteer Fire Department Pancake Breakfast is on Sunday May 24th. We also invite you to stay involved with community events by attending the monthly JMNC Board meetings and the monthly Communities of the Giant Sequoias Board meetings. Also, the annual Community Picnic will be on June 13, noon to 3:00. Please plan to attend at the Conservancy Yard.
A Barium mine was established in the 1920’s on the east side of the Linder meadow and Nelson Creek. (Barium is a chemical element that is processed to be used in the making of vacuum tubes; used in early-day transmit/receive/broadcast radios) The mine was above Grandview Drive, behind the current CN Chapel. The ore was loaded onto ore carts that traveled under the road and downhill on a trestle to Nelson Drive. The mine operated only a few years and was abandoned.
During World War II a group of miners serving in the US Navy mined for quartz crystals at a claim southeast of Camp Nelson at the 6,000 foot level above the McIntyre Tract. They brought loads of raw quartz crystal (used in radios) by mule to the Tule River between McIntyre Creek and Belknap Creek where the mined crystal were washed and separated from the ore. This mining operation was a short endeavor and was little recognized in any historical documents. There is also a mention of people digging crystals out of the banks along Belknap Creek.
The Meadow Trail begins at the gate by Nelson Drive and Smith Drive. Go inside the gate and follow the signs around the meadow for a half mile stroll. There is a bench at the high side of the trail for your comfort. If you bring your dogs to the meadow, please clean-up their mess and do not let dogs chase the deer. Thank you.
As members of the conservancy, our common interests include the Meadow, Conservancy Yard, buildings and the RV Park. It takes the dedication of volunteers who serve willingly to insure that we preserve and maintain these areas for the enjoyment and use of the community and visitors. Thank you to everyone that continuously serves. If you are interested in helping, contact any JMNC Board Member. We work closely with Communities of the Giant Sequoias, Volunteer Fire Department, Camp Nelson Women’s Club, Camp Nelson Chapel and the local businesses to promote all the communities in the Upper Tule area. The annual Conservancy Cleanup day will be in the morning of Saturday May 2. Lunch will be served. We appreciate community members willingness to help do some chores around the Meadow and Conservancy Yard.
The John M. Nelson Conservancy is a California 501-C3 Public Benefit Corporation and your donation is deductible on Federal and State income tax returns; ID #68-0066225. It is hoped that you feel we are an organization worthy of your support. You may make a donation on our website (johnmnelsonconservancy.org) or mail your donation to: 801 Highway 190, Box 110, Springville CA, 93265. Should you have any questions, please contact any Board Member listed on the website contact page.
The Camp Nelson RV Park is open. If you have friends or relatives that enjoy RVing/camping, invite them to make their reservations for the upcoming months. Call 559.542.2471 for information. Also, visit “Camp Nelson RV Park, CA” on Facebook.
We invite you to check the current weather conditions in real time by using the Weather Underground app on your smart phone or go to www.wunderground.com on your computer. Our station’s designation is “KCACAMPN10”.
Visit our website to volunteer, make a donation, read the monthly Conservancy Article, buy a memorial brick, or purchase a copy of “The Tule River Middle Fork and its People” written by Malcolm Sillars. Read about the Tule River communities on the middle fork and see for yourself the history of this wonderful mountain home for many people. Here is an excerpt from Chapter Nine of the book for your enjoyment:
Chapter Nine; Kramer’s Sheep Meadow, Quaking Aspen, and Pete’s Ponderosa.
“In 1951 Harry and Florence Verheul, who had a ranch north of Hanford, bought the store beginning twenty-seven years during which “Harry’s Store” would be a very popular gathering place. The Verheuls came to the store in the spring and remained there until the end of hunting season in the fall. It became an established stopping place for foot and horse packers going into the backcountry. Later, before motorized vehicles were prohibited by the creation of the Golden Trout Wilderness in 1984, it was a stopping place for many, some on motorcycles or “Tote Goats” ( a small motorized bike) on their way up or down Highway 190 or in and out of the backcountry.” Page 128.
For more current information and events, you can follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jmnconservancy
We invite you to attend our monthly Board meetings on the second Saturday of each month at 8:00AM in the Conservancy building; 388 Smith Drive, Camp Nelson.
The next meeting is May 9, 2026.
Check-out the web page at;
www.johnmnelsonconservancy.org
Mailing Address is; 801 Hwy 190, Box 110, Springville, CA 93265
Respectfully Submitted, May 2026.
Dan McFadzean, Director; JMNC. Email; mcfadzeand@yahoo.com; phone.661.978.4679
Please remember that the annual JMNC cleanup day is May 2 at 8AM. Thank you.
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