Interpretation meets exploration for Pinnacles National Monument
rangers
It was 9:30 a.m., and the wind was already warm. Today would be
hot, like most days at the park this time of year, but despite the
heat, visitors continued to hike. Michael Rupp is the one whose job
it is to make sure hikers are well prepared, well hydrated and well
aware of where they are going.
Interpretation meets exploration for Pinnacles National Monument rangers
It was 9:30 a.m., and the wind was already warm. Today would be hot, like most days at the park this time of year, but despite the heat, visitors continued to hike. Michael Rupp is the one whose job it is to make sure hikers are well prepared, well hydrated and well aware of where they are going.
With a backpack resting on his shoulders, the weight evenly dispersed so as to lessen the strain, the 5-foot 10-inch Rupp looked steady. With a pleasant smile and a friendly face, prepared with books, extra water, spare food and a flashlight, he headed off. Despite the temperature, he dutifully wears his ranger uniform, which consists of heavy, dark green pants and a solid gray button-down shirt with his name displayed on a golden nametag across the right side of his chest and a golden badge pinned on the left.
On a normal day at Pinnacles National Monument, he starts off by checking in at the Bear Gulch visitor center before making his trek up to the reservoir. A few e-mails, a check of the local forecast and a chat with the rangers and he is off to the trails. His daily journey takes him along the path, through the caves and up the narrow ravine just below the reservoir, which would be his workspace for the next few hours. Walking up the ravine left him inches from the wall and even closer to the rail. The sound of squeaking leather boots could be heard, bending to the rhythm of his walk. Rupp, a National Park employee, is on his way to the Reservoir.
A breadth of knowledge
“I’m suppose to know everything about the place,” he said, as he paused before going around a corner. “It’s a pretty daunting task.”
One of the 15 to 20 people employed at Pinnacles National Monument, Rupp spends much of his Saturday and Sunday at the reservoir. From 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Rupp talked with hikers about recommended trails to take, local wildlife and everything in between.
Many of the 165,000 annual visitors come from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Recently hikers from as far away as Asia, Europe and as close as Salinas were visiting the park. Rupp responds to all with the same kindness and dedication, offering them much needed advice or a friendly word.
Beyond safety and navigation concerns, Rupp’s responsibility is to inform visitors about the park’s history and act as a liaison between visitors and their responsibility to conserve the Pinnacles. It’s his job as an interpretation ranger to “tell the wonders of the park.”
“Interpretation facilitates connection between meaning of resources and interest of visitors,” he said. “It’s the science of the ooh’s, the oh’s and the ah’s.”
A message of conservation
After arriving at the reservoir, where a group of girl scouts were preparing for a bridge ceremony – a sort of graduation, Rupp gave an impromptu conservation talk at the request of the parents. He talked about the formation of the Pinnacles and the importance of preserving the park for future generations.
“What would happen if everyone [who visited] took a rock or a feather?” Rupp asked the group.
“There would be no more rocks or feathers,” replied 8-year-old Matty Hendricks.
That’s right, Rupp said.
After the talk, the families thanked him for his time and 8-year-old Emily Pedro approached him.
“If we come again, will we see you?” asked the girl, who stood barely taller than Rupp’s waist.
Yes, he said, but if not, another ranger would be around to help.
“I’ve found a better niche here,” Rupp said. “I do a little science, but I mainly work with the people.”
He shared some history about the reservoir. It was built in the 1930s in an attempt to have a recreational body of water, but because of a lack of water flow it never came to fruition.
When talking with hikers, he always starts off answering questions about safety and orientation but that progresses into in depth information about the park, Rupp said.
“People will care for what they care about,” Rupp said.
On that note, the top draws to Pinnacles are its caves and condors, Rupp said.
“We saw an increase in interest after our involvement in the condor reintroduction program,” he said.
The park became involved in 2003.
After answering every question asked of him from various tourists, Rupp took a brief moment to relax and enjoy the silence and scenery. The water was quiet, only disturbed by a light breeze and the occasional aquatic garter snake swimming along the rocks. He pulled out his iPod not for music, but to check the time. At 1:00 p.m., it was time to head back to the Visitor’s center.
An outdoor, indoor kind of job
A graduate of Humboldt University in 2002 with a degree in geology, Rupp has worked for the City of Santa Clara and the California State Park system for years. In 2005, he started working as a seasonal employee for Pinnacles National Monument. He lives with eight other park employees in communal housing on the park property. He accepted a full time position in June.
A typical week for Rupp includes office and administration duties Monday and Tuesday where he spends time in preparation for the parks centennial – which is January, 16, 2008. Wednesday and Thursday are his days off. Friday he spends time going from campsite to campsite, passing out maps and talking with campers.
He talks to campers about potential fire danger and the importance of proper food storage, citing the raccoon as a common unexpected dinner guest. Saturday and Sunday he takes part in the aforementioned “Ranger at the Reservoir” program and during the summer months holds afternoon talks on geology.
He plans to be doing this for a while and doesn’t see himself working as a ranger for any other organization than the National Park System.
“I don’t see myself wearing another uniform,” Rupp said. “The National Park System has so much history. I have it pretty good.”
