Ahwahnee_CLR_3.2011_Part_2_of_3.pdf

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March 2011Cultural L andscape Report

Figure 49. Natural Systems and Features

The Ahwahnee Cultural Landscape Report

Existing Conditions: Natural Systems and Features not to scale

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March 2011 Cultural L andscape Report

Spatial Organization (see Figure 50) Th e entire study area is enclosed by the cliff s to the north, the Merced river and thick band of woods to the south, and dense evergreen wooded areas to the east and west. However, this large study area is comprised of many smaller designed areas formed by buildings and structures, roads, vegetation, and other natural systems and features.

Ahwahnee Road (Photo 8) is long and linear, extending east to west, with linear bands of paths and trees fl anking it on either side. Th e tall trees and cliff s enclose the space, and create a tunnel-like character that marks the entrance to Th e Ahwahnee.

Th e parking area (Photo 9) is surrounded by woods and boulders and bounded by the hotel to the south and the talus slope to the north. It is screened from the hotel with mature evergreen trees, including a row of giant sequoias.

Th e area immediately surrounding the hotel building contains designed planted spaces such as the fl agpole garden (Photo 10), planted shrubs along the terrace edges, lawn areas, and the swimming pool (Photo 11). Th e “wedding lawn” is near the former golf course, south east of the hotel.

East of the hotel are the cottages in a more densely wooded area with an asymmetrical organization of trees, shrubs, and buildings (Photo 12). Th e cluster of cottages is nestled within the mature trees and shrubs in a way that creates a more closed, private landscape character than that near the larger hotel.

Th e meadow area is south of the hotel and has an open character with meadow grasses and scattered trees. Th is area is ringed by a thick planting of evergreen and deciduous trees such as pines and black oaks that provide a sense of enclosure (Photo 13).

Informal spatial zones include “private” spaces such as the enclosed service yard, the valet parking and storage area, and the wooded dormitory and tent cabin area; and “public” spaces designed for use by visitors and lodgers that includes meadow and woodlands.

Photo 9. Screening trees in the parking area.

Photo 10. Flagpole garden.

Photo 11. Lawn and pool at east wing of Th e Ahwahnee. Photo 8. Dark, narrow entrance road.

Photo 12. Enclosed wooded space at cottages.

Photo 13. Open meadow surrounded by trees.

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Figure 50. Spatial Organization.

The Ahwahnee Cultural Landscape Report

Existing Conditions: Spatial Organization

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Land Use (see Figure 51) Th e primary land use in the study area is lodging, and this use has provided the basis for the design of the hotel and the cluster of cottages. Commercial uses of the property include the sweet shop, bar, dining hall, and gift shop.

Other secondary land uses include recreation; landscape features such as the bicycle trails, the bridle path, the swimming pool (Photo 14), and the tennis courts (Photo 15) support this use. Events take place in the landscape, particularly in the area now referred to as the Wedding Lawn. Th e dormitory and tent cabins (Photo 16) support the residential use of the study area. Service and storage are supported in the service yard of the hotel (Photo 17), a storage building near the cottages (Photo 18), and the storage and service area east of the cottages (Photo 19).

Photo 19. Storage east of the cottages. Conditions in this location have changed since this photograph was taken.

Photo 18. Storage building at the cottages. Conditions in this location have changed since this photograph was taken.

Photo 17. Service yard. Photo 14. Swimming pool.

Photo 15. Tennis courts.

Photo 16. Tent cabins.

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Figure 51. Land Use.

The Ahwahnee Cultural Landscape Report

Existing Conditions: Land Use

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Topography (see Figure 52) Th e topography of the entire Valley fl oor is relatively fl at—underlain as it is by 1,000-foot-deep sediments—and surrounded by enormous cliff s. Exceptions to this condition in Th e Ahwahnee study area include the steep banks of the Merced River, the curvilinear channel of Royal Arch Creek which has been reinforced over time with stone (Photo 20), the shallow depression of the second natural drainageway east of the cottages (Photo 21), and the constructed drainage channel north of the dormitory (Photo 22). Th e constructed drainage channel is a fairly steep ditch with earthen slopes stabilized with vegetation.

Th e major topographic modifi cations at Th e Ahwahnee include the raised plinth on which the hotel was constructed (Photo 23)—evident on its western side—and low earthen berms associated with the former golf course in the meadow (Photo 24). Th e topography of the western “plinth” has been modifi ed over time to support fi re access, and is more gently sloped with grass cover.

Other minor topographic modifi cations include minor grading along the south side of Ahwahnee Road, including the slightly lowered bicycle path.

Photo 20. Royal Arch creek channel.

Photo 21. Small intermittent drainageway.

Photo 22. Constructed drainage channel.

Photo 23. Earthen plinth on western side of Th e Ahwanee.

Photo 24. Earthen berms in meadow.

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Figure 52. Topography.

The Ahwahnee Cultural Landscape Report

Existing Conditions: Topography

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Vegetation (see Figure 53) Th e vegetation at Th e Ahwahnee evokes the hotel’s natural surroundings. Th e mature evergreens, black oaks, and smaller understory shrubs and herbaceous plants defi ne spaces within the grounds, screen views, and create garden spaces. Th e tall oaks, pines, fi rs, and sequoias dominate many sections of the landscape, and provide a thick ring of vegetation around the study area.

Th e entrance road is wooded primarily with tall evergreen trees and little understory (Photo 25), although there are some black oaks and shrubs intermingled with the pines and cedars. Mature pines and cedars grow throughout the talus slope north of Ahwahnee Road.

Th ere are several distinctive plantings in the parking area. Flanking the parking bays are a row of giant sequoia trees in the southern median (Photo 26). Th ere are lines of deciduous trees, such as black oak and dogwood, in the northern median. Around the refl ecting pond are more deciduous trees such as aspen (Photo 27), willow, bigleaf maple, and black oak as well as shrubs, such as spicebush, planted in an asymmetrical arrangement. Th ere are many herbaceous and wetland plants along the borders of the pond itself. Th e valet parking area contains mostly mature pines and cedars creating a dense woodland screen.

Th e vegetation immediately surrounding the hotel receives the most maintenance. Th ere are planted shrubs such as spicebush (Photo 28) directly adjacent to the hotel in narrow planting areas between the terraces and the main hotel building. Garden areas such as the pool landscape (Photo 29) and the fl ag pole clearing garden (Photo 30) contain more delicate herbaceous plants such as trillium and ferns.

Photo 26. Giant sequoias at the parking area.

Photo 27. Aspens near the refl ecting pond.

Photo 28. California allspice at the terrace.Photo 25. Pines and cedars along Ahwahnee Road.

Photo 29. Wildfl owers and ferns at the pool.

Photo 30. Wildfl ower plantings at the fl agpole clearing garden.

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Immediately beyond the concrete terraces is a clipped lawn (Photo 31), and meadow grasses with small clumps of blackberry (Photo 32).

Th e meadow south and west of the hotel is primarily vegetated in meadow grasses, herbaceous plants, and both planted trees and volunteer trees (Photo 33). A ring of evergreen trees including ponderosa pine and cedars lines the meadow to the west and south. Dense copses of pine saplings dominate the southern extent of the meadow area, although black oaks also grow throughout. Several other tree species appear in the meadow including apple, white fi r, white pine, and western dogwood.

Th e cottages area on the other side of Royal Arch Creek from the meadow is wooded (Photo 34) predominately with mature evergreen trees such as ponderosa pine; deciduous trees such as black oak, western dogwood, and bigleaf maple; and a thick understory of shrubs such as elderberry.

Many of the larger trees appear to pre-date the cottages, and it is unclear how many of the understory trees and shrubs were planted deliberately.

Th e vegetation in the vicinity of the cottages is quite thick and dense in some areas (Photo 35).

Other densely vegetated areas include the woods surrounding the dormitory and tent cabins which contain volunteer trees and shrubs (Photo 36), with small patches of meadow grass. Th e trees in this area are mostly cedars and pines, although a very large black oak towers over the dormitory on its southern side. Th e constructed drainage channel is heavily overgrown with vines.

Previous studies have documented the following vegetation within the study area:

Deciduous trees:

• Big-leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum)

• Western redbud (Cercis occidentalis)

• Pacifi c dogwood (Cornus nuttallii)

• Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)

• Black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa)

• California black oak (Quercus kelloggii)

• Red willow (Salix sp.)

• Apple (Malus sp.)

Photo 32. Taller grasses and blackberry.

Photo 33. Meadow ringed by pines and cedars.

Photo 34. Evergreen trees and understory shrubs at the cottages. Photo 31. Clipped lawn near the east terrace.

Photo 35. Th ick understory plantings at the cottages.

Photo 36. Evergreen trees and volunteer understory vines and shrubs.

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• *Large periwinkle (Vinca major)

• California wild grape (Vitis californica)

• *Perennial pea (Lathyrus latifolius)

• Meadow grasses and lawn grasses

• Ferns

*Noxious weeds with a high priority for removal

Evergreen Trees

• White fi r (Abies concolor)

• Incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)

• Knobcone pine (Pinus attenuata)

• Jeff ery pine (Pinus jeff eryi)

• Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)

• Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ssp. murrayana)

• Douglas fi r (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

• Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)

• California laurel (bay) (Umbellularia californica)

• Canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis)

Shrubs

• White alder (Alnus rhombifolia)

• Manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.)

• Spicebush (Calycanthus occidentalis)

• Elderberry (Sambucus cerulea)

• Juniper (Juniperus spp.)

• Western chokecherry (Prunus virginiana var. demissa)

• Sierra coff eeberry (Rhamnus rubra)

• Pacifi c rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum)

• Western azalea (Rhododendron occidentale)

• Sierra currant (Ribes nevadense)

• Western raspberry (Rubus leucodermis)

Herbaceous Plants

• Purple milkweed (Asclepias cordifolia)

• Scouringrush horsetail (Equisetum hyemale)

• Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)

• Cinquefoil (Potentilla sp.)

• Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinium var. pubescens)

• Northern goldenrod (Solidago multiradiata)

• Bleeding heart (Dicentra sp.)

• Trillium (Trillium angustipetalum)

• Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa)

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Figure 53. Vegetation.

The Ahwahnee Cultural Landscape Report

Existing Conditions: Vegetation

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Views and Vistas (see Figure 54) Scenic views and vistas of the incredible natural features that make up Yosemite Valley are available from many areas in Th e Ahwahnee study area. Th ese views link the enormous and awesome natural geologic formations of the Valley landscape to the designed landscape of Th e Ahwahnee. Th e placement and design of the hotel building establishes many of the study area’s important view points.

Particularly notable are the views of Royal Arches, Yosemite Falls and Half Dome, and towards Royal Arch Cascade and Glacier Point (especially the historic Fire Fall location). From the meadow are views north to the hotel. Many of these designed views have been compromised by the growth of vegetation over the years, despite the extreme height and distance of the cliff s and waterfalls.

At the entrance to the hotel study area, views along Ahwahnee Road are mostly linear and narrow, restricted by the talus slope and tall evergreen trees. However, from the gate house are long views west to Yosemite Falls (Photo 37). Th ere are also views down the entrance road towards the east of cliff s in the background.

Despite the tall evergreen screening trees in the parking area, there are several views above the canopies of the trees to the surrounding cliff s. Th e view to Royal Arch Cascade is notable from the pond and parking areas. Yosemite Falls are barely visible from the pond.

In general, the views from Th e Ahwahnee hotel building itself are the most remarkable and numerous of all. Th is is due to the more open nature of the immediate surroundings on the south, east and west of the building; strategic clearings in vegetation; and the siting of the building’s windows, terraces, and sitting areas. Th ere are (what are now partially obscured) views northeast to Royal Arch Cascade (Photo 38), west to the Yosemite Falls (Photo 39), to Glacier Point, to the surrounding cliff s, and up the Valley to the east (Photo 40) towards Half Dome. Th e immediate views south from the hotel are panoramas of the meadow and surrounding trees.

Photo 39. View to Yosemite Falls from west wing of Th e Ahwahnee.Photo 37. View to Yosemite Falls from Ahwahnee Road.

Photo 40. View to Half Dome from Th e Ahwahnee.Photo 38. View to Royal Arch Cascade.

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Th ere are numerous views from the meadow to the hotel and Valley landscape, although the overgrowth of vegetation has partially obscured these views over time. Low, young pine trees and thick bands of mature evergreens eff ectively cut off many of the designed views from the study area. To the east are views through the woods to Ahwahnee Bridge, and from the southern portion of the meadow are long views to Royal Arches (Photo 41) and Yosemite Falls (Photo 42).

Th ere are views to the surrounding cliff s from several vantage points;

the upper portion of Half Dome is visible in the east (Photo 43).

Finally, the meadow aff ords the best views of Th e Ahwahnee (Photo

44) and its dramatic backdrop of granite cliff s and evergreens.

Th e views from the cottages are intermittent and season-dependent, due to the heavy vegetation. However, there are views to the Royal Arch Cascade (Photo 45), Ahwahnee Bridge (Photo 46), and the surrounding cliff s (Photo 47). From some places within the cottage area, there are views to Yosemite Falls as well.

Photo 43. View to Half Dome from the meadow.Photo 41. View to Royal Arches from the meadow.

Photo 44. View to Th e Ahwahnee from the meadow.Photo 42. View to Yosemite Falls from the meadow.

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Photo 47. View to cliff s from the cottages.Photo 45. View to Royal Arch Cascade from the cottages.

Photo 46. View to Ahwahnee Bridge from the cottages.

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Figure 54. Views and Vistas.

The Ahwahnee Cultural Landscape Report

Existing Conditions: Views and Vistas

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Photo 48. Stone gate house.

Photo 49. Bus stop shelter.

Photo 51. Refl ecting pond.

Photo 52. Porte cochere.

Buildings and Structures (see Figure 55) Th e central organizing element of the landscape is Th e Ahwahnee main hotel building, designed to recall the cliff face which is its backdrop. Other buildings within Th e Ahwahnee study area include the cottages and the dormitory, although these were sited to be obscured or unobtrusive from the main building. Additional structures within the study area include the gate house and gate post, stone culvert, bridges, the constructed water features, service buildings, and recreation facilities.

Th e western end of Ahwahnee Road is marked by the gate house (Photo 48) and gate post. Both of these structures are constructed from mortared rough cut stone and have traces of moss and lichen on them. Rustic in style and set against a large boulder, the gate house defi nes the entrance to Th e Ahwahnee study area. Th e gate post across the road matches the design of the gate house. Th e gate house is approximately 11-by-11 feet in size.

At the end of the entrance road, located in the parking area, is the bus stop shelter (Photo 49). Th e shelter—in a contemporary version of the rustic style— is constructed of wooden posts set in stone and concrete, with a peaked roof and wooden beam supports.

Other structures in the parking area include a small wooden bridge adjacent to the refl ecting pond (Bridge 5)(Photo 50). It is constructed of wood and does not have railings. Th e refl ecting pond itself (Photo

51) is an irregularly-shaped constructed water feature. Almost 100 feet across and lined in concrete, the refl ecting pond’s water source is located near Bridge 5, with an outfall on its western edge near the path crossing. Th e pond is edged with stones. Th ere is a substantial stone culvert over Royal Arch Creek at the valet parking area.

Th e dominant building in the study area is Th e Ahwahnee. Th e seven-story structure uses rustic elements on a massive scale. It incorporates both genuine natural building materials and materials that simulate natural materials such as concrete designed to resemble wood or stone. Th e porte cochère and entrance walkway incorporate peeled log columns and trusses which further defi ne the building’s design as rustic style (Photo 52).

Photo 50. Wood bridge at refl ecting pond.

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Th e hotel’s overall Y-shape in plan includes the lounge wing to the south, the registration wing to the northeast, and dining wing to the northwest. Th e wings are several stories high and are set back at each level, creating a stacked, mountainous form that refl ects the cliff s behind the hotel. Where the wings meet, the building is seven stories high. Balconies extend from each fl oor to provide views to the surrounding landscape.

Th e roofs are typically hipped, with a gable roof at the dining room.

Th ey are covered with slate and have copper fl ashing, gutters and downspouts that extend to the terrace at the ground level. Battered piers and pilasters along the exterior are granite masonry, and the dining room’s exterior walls are formed of log columns with large wood-framed windows. Stained concrete mimicking wood siding is used on the exterior walls, although exterior doors are generally wood and glass and the building’s large windows are framed in wood.

Loggias are located on either side of the Great Lounge, and are defi ned by large battered stone piers. Th e concrete terrace that surrounds the east, south, and west of the hotel is stamped in a fl agstone pattern, with little of the original stain remaining. Many sections of the stamped concrete terraces have been replaced since the original installation, and there are several stripes of new plain (unstamped) concrete where new downspouts and pipes have been added.

Th e porte cochère on the north of the building has a hipped roof supported by log columns, with massive corner columns of granite.

Th e entrance walkway that extends from the porte cochère also has wood and log construction.

Th e fi rst view of the main building is of the rustic porte cochère .

Th e wooden walkway at this covered structure leads visitors to the main entrance of the building. However, the massing and scale of the building are diffi cult to perceive from the northern entrance, and its grandeur is best observed from the south (Photo 53). Th e hotel’s site was selected for the dramatic backdrop of the granite cliff s and the adjacent meadow near the Merced River. Th e large windows on

Photo 53. Th e Ahwahnee.

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Photo 56. Wood fence at service yard.

Photo 57. Service yard.

Photo 58. Mechanical building.Photo 55. Concrete pool terrace and swimming pool.

Photo 54. Concrete terrace.

the fi rst fl oor provide views to the walls of the Valley. Th e concrete terraces surrounding the hotel’s east, south, and west sides are used as large, open sitting areas (Photo 54). Th ese terraces vary in width from 10 feet at the narrowest to over 30 feet wide on the western side of the hotel. Attached to the terrace on the east side of the hotel is an irregularly-shaped concrete pool deck (Photo 55) with a faceted scored pattern. Th e circular pool, approximately 42 feet in diameter, is located adjacent to the east wing of the hotel.

Th e few support buildings and structures in this area were located deliberately to be unobtrusive, either by siting or through screening with vegetation or a large fence (Photo 56). Th ese facilities include an employee break shelter set in the hotel service yard (Photo 57), and a wood-sided mechanical building, approximately 17-by-30 feet in size (Photo 58) on the western side of the hotel building.

Th e hotel’s service yard is located in the center of the hotel building and contains a concrete loading dock with a roof, large wood platforms with trash containers, and concrete paving. Th e service yard is separated from the hotel entrance by a large wood fence of log posts supported by concrete footings and horizontal wood boards painted tan. It stretches over 130 feet from the hotel entrance to the west.

Located to the south of the hotel are several bridges crossing Royal Arch Creek. Th ese include Bridge 1, north of the pool, made of unpainted wood with log railings (Photo 59); Bridge 2 south of the

Photo 59. Bridge 1.

I-58 AECOMExisting Conditions pool and leading to the cottages (Photo 60) with log railings painted a greyish-brown and two integrated wood benches; Bridge 3 south east of the cottages, with a wood deck and low wood curb (Photo 61);

and Bridge 4 near the creek’s confl uence with the Merced River with unpainted log railings buttressed with wood supports (Photo 62).

Th ese bridges are constructed with abutments of stone or concrete.

Th e design of the bridges, with their log construction, echoes the rustic style of the hotel, though no one bridge is exactly like another.

Th e wooded area and meadow south of the hotel includes several structures such as a small concrete pad, water pump and associated structures, and the tennis courts (Photo 63). Th e tennis courts, set within a grove of trees, are the most prominent constructed feature in the meadow area. Approximately 120-by-120 feet, the two doubles courts have a green fi nish course. Flagstone terraces abut the tennis courts on the east and west. Metal link fencing—with metal posts and fi nials—includes a pitched awning support over the stone terraces.

Photo 60. Bridge 2. Photo 63. Tennis courts.

Photo 61. Bridge 3.

Photo 62. Bridge 4.

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Across Royal Arch Creek from the hotel are eight single-story cottage buildings and one storage building. Th e cottages are sited east of the hotel sheltered in a wooded enclave. Th e apparently haphazard arrangement of the cottages may be a result of an attempt to maintain the privacy for each, as well as to situate the cottages within the existing grove of trees.

Th e cottage buildings are divided into 24 units, numbered 700-723.

Each cottage is a single-story wood framed structure on a concrete foundation. Th ey are all clad with wood board, and have gabled roofs with cedar shakes. Th e peak of each gable has a decorative wood grille. Units 700-707 are split into duplexes that are accessed by the southern path. Th ese four cottages are rectangular in shape with a small projection on the northern side; the entrances to the cottages are located on the short end of the rectangle. Th ey are approximately 17-by-48 feet in size. Units 708 and 709 are also part of a duplex located on the northern side of the loop. Th e duplex is similar in both size and shape the other duplexes. Units 710-714 are in one building, accessed from the northern path and the central path. Units 715- 719 are in the second fi ve-unit building, located on the east of the complex and accessed by all three paths. Th e fi ve-unit cottages are H-shaped in plan, and have one large terrace within one of the central open areas, and smaller terraces on the other sides of the cottages.

Th ey are approximately 50-by-70 feet in size. Units 720-723 are housed in a cottage to the north of the other seven cottages, adjacent to the storage building. Th is cottage is rectangular in shape with small notches on the northwest and southwest corners. It is approximately 50-by-70 feet in size. Th e cottages vary in design (Photos 64 and 65), some with horizontal wood siding, others with vertical wood siding.

Architectural details include projecting windows with molded trim below and rustic stone chimneys. Each cottage includes a small terrace at its door. Th ere are four diff erent surfacing materials used for the terraces; mortared fl agstone (Photo 66), poured aggregate-embedded concrete (Photo 67), dry-laid concrete pavers (Photo 68), and poured accessible broom-fi nished concrete fl ush with the pathway (Photo 69).

Photo 65. Cottage.

Photo 64. Cottage.

Photo 66. Flagstone cottage terrace.

Photo 67. Aggregate-embedded concrete cottage terrace.

Photo 68. Concrete paver cottage terrace.

Photo 69. Accessible broom-fi nished concrete cottage terrace.

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Just east of the cottages, on the other side of an intermittent drainageway, is a large, fragmented concrete foundation (Photo 70), approximately 165-by-45 feet, used for equipment storage.

Secluded within a wooded area on the opposite side of the study area is the wood-frame dormitory, a 160-by-35 foot, painted grey, rectangular shaped building constructed on a concrete block foundation with a peaked roof and a row of windows along each side (Photo 71). Th e dormitory has a narrow porch made of concrete with wood posts supporting a shed roof cover. Ramps with rails lead to the raised threshold at the door. A second covered wooden porch is located on the northwest of the building, and is accessed by a short fl ight of steps. Th e dormitory is sited parallel to the entry road, but is separated from it by a constructed drainage channel (Photo 72) clogged with vines.

North of the dormitory are three temporary tent cabins (Photo 73) made of white canvas, set on wood and concrete risers, and sited within a grove of tall evergreens. A wooden boardwalk and deck provide access to the tent cabins.

Th is cluster of dormitory and tents is largely hidden from the rest of the hotel study area. Th ree footbridges cross the constructed drainage channel that runs parallel to the long side of the dormitory, connecting to both the parking area and pedestrian pathways. Th e footbridges are wood with low log curbs.

Photo 70. Concrete pad at service/storage area.

Photo 72. Constructed drainage channel.

Photo 73. Tent cabins.

Photo 71. Dormitory.

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Figure 55. Buildings and Structures.

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Existing Conditions: Buildings and Structures

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Circulation (see Figure 56) Th e quarter-mile Ahwahnee Road (Photo 74) forms the entrance to Th e Ahwahnee study area. As visitors approach the hotel, they pass the open meadow on the south, and immediately enter the shady and narrow space of the entrance road corridor. Marked by the gate house and post, Ahwahnee Road is enclosed by tall mature evergreens on both sides and the talus slope on its north side.

Ahwahnee Road is a two-lane paved road, striped along the center, fl at and relatively straight, leading from the gate house to the parking areas. Th e road is uncurbed along most of its length, with plants and small boulders lining its edge. Th e entrance road fi rst passes a parking area—largely obscured by trees—and proceeds to an arrival circle (Photo 75). Th e road divides just north of the hotel, and traffi c turns right (counterclockwise) to enter the arrival circle—formed by the refl ecting pond and garden area—and the hotel’s porte cochère.

Th e road is curbed with granite at this point. Vehicles exit the porte cochère and may park or exit the parking area by the lane on the north of the traffi c circle to rejoin the entrance road and leave the hotel study area.

Th e road is fl anked by a bicycle path to the south (Photo 76) and a bridle path (a segment of the Valley Loop Trail) to the north (Photo 77). Th e approximately 5-feet-wide asphalt-paved bicycle path parallels the entrance road for just over 1000 feet, and connects Yosemite Village to the hotel. Th e bridle path, nearly 1500 feet long in the study area, is unpaved and meanders between trees and boulders at the base of the talus slope.

Th e parking for the hotel includes public parking areas (Photo 78), and one valet parking area (Photo 79). Th e larger parking area near the hotel has three bays of parking, which are screened by evergreen trees. Th ese bays are referred to in this report as the north, central, and south parking areas, and they are paved with asphalt and have painted stripes to delineate spaces. Additional parking spaces curve around the refl ecting pond and are nestled between trees and boulders. Another lot extends east of the refl ecting pond. Th e parking area contains approximately 130 spaces. Th e valet parking is accessible through a gate; this area is unpaved, with roughly defi ned parking

Photo 74. Ahwanhee Road entrance.

Photo 76. Bicycle path.

Photo 77. Bridle path.

Photo 75. Arrival circle. Photo 78. Central parking area.

Photo 79. Valet parking area.

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Photo 81. Paving at refl ecting pond.

spaces carved out amidst the trees in the woodland surrounding it.

Th e valet parking road curves south and east on the perimeter of the study area boundary to join with the service and storage area east of the cottages. As a result of a 2009 rock slide, 43 parking spaces—29 of which are paved—were closed. Th ese spaces are located along the talus slope in the northern section of the parking area.

Sidewalks (Photo 80) as well as paths and crosswalks traverse the parking area. Th e sidewalks are primarily concrete. Th e sidewalks are made accessible from the parking pavement by ramps. A wooden walkway stretches approximately 180 feet across the southern edge of the arrival circle and provides a connection between the parking area and the hotel entrance. Th e wooden walkway has areas fl ush with the asphalt paving surface along its otherwise low metal-edged curb.

Paths of varying materials circle the refl ecting pond. A mortared stone path, nearly 450 feet long and approximately 3 feet wide, encircles the pond on the outer edge of the surrounding garden (Photo 81) (although it is missing a section of paving). An inner loop path of concrete pavers connects with this fl agstone path to provide two rings of pedestrian circulation.

Th ere is an asphalt sidewalk (Photo 82) extending west of the parking area to the dormitory building, and an unpaved path that adjoins the dormitory on its north side. Other unpaved paths connect the tent cabins and bicycle trail to the parking area, and extend from the westernmost bridge north of the dormitory to the bicycle path to the north.

Th e circulation systems directly around Th e Ahwahnee are primarily pedestrian, with the exception of an unpaved road (Photo 83) on the west side of the building that provides access to the meadow area, and vehicular connection to the service yard in the center of the hotel.

Photo 80. Concrete sidewalk near bus shelter.

Photo 82. Asphalt path to dormitory.

Photo 83. Unpaved fi re road.

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Th e primary pedestrian circulation features near the hotel are the wide, stamped concrete terraces that wrap around the west, south, and east side of the building. Th ese terraces are documented as part of the Buildings and Structures section earlier in this report.

Other circulation features include sidewalks, fl agstone paths, and unpaved paths. One path leaves the terraces from the eastern corner near the pool; this path is approximately 6 feet wide and paved with asphalt (Photo 84), and connects the hotel terrace to Bridge 2 and the cottages beyond. A fl agstone path almost 120 feet long and 3 feet wide, set in earth, connects the terrace south of the hotel to the meadow (Photo 85). A smaller fl agstone path, approximately 180 feet long and 4 feet wide, connects these two along the west bank of Royal Arch Creek. An unpaved path departs the terrace immediately south of the Solarium and leads to the tennis courts in the southwest of the meadow.

Th e meadow is crossed by pedestrian paths and a vehicle route used primarily for maintenance and emergency purposes. Th e pedestrian circulation features include unpaved paths (Photo 86), and fl agstone paving at the tennis courts. Th e paths traverse the meadow in a meandering and poorly-defi ned way, and were likely created by guests and visitors entering or exiting the site from the bicycle path to the south of the study area.

Th e cottages are accessible by means of pedestrian pathways, and vehicle traffi c (only for service and fi re access). Th e types of pedestrian paths in this area include asphalt paths approximately 4 feet in width (Photo 87) and unpaved paths. Th e paths provide a connection between the hotel and the cottages at the two bridges crossing Royal Arch Creek (Bridge 1 and Bridge 2). Th e path from Bridge 1 is unpaved, and meanders through the woods towards the service road north of the cottages, and also south to link with the asphalt path from Bridge 2. Th e main asphalt path provides access to the cottages; there are two main path branches that link to the individual cottages by means of smaller asphalt paths.

Photo 85. Flagstone path to meadow.

Photo 87. Asphalt paths at cottages.Photo 84. Asphalt path leading to cottages from hotel.

Photo 86. Unpaved paths in meadow.

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Th e larger asphalt path continues east from Bridge 2 and leads towards the service and storage area east of the cottages. As this path crosses a small culvert, its asphalt paving disappears and it is unpaved for the rest of its length. Th is unpaved path connects to the unpaved access roads (Photo 88) which circle the cottages to the south, and become the valet parking area (Photo 89) to the north and west.

A concrete foundation has been incorporated into this circulation system at the far east of the study area.

Photo 88. Unpaved service road.

Photo 89. Unpaved valet parking area.

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The Ahwahnee Cultural Landscape Report

Existing Conditions: Circulation

Figure 56. Circulation.

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Small-scale Features (see Figure 57) Small-scale features in Th e Ahwahnee study area include hundreds of features such as signs, curbs, fences, trash receptacles, lights, irrigation, storm water drains and drainage pipes. Th e majority of these are contemporary features made of metal, although some exhibit the rustic design style of the hotel.

Th e most prominent sign is the main hotel sign which is mounted to the roof of the gate house (Photo 90). Th e sign is painted metal with the distinctive arts and craft s lettering of the hotel’s name. Other signs include a large number of traffi c signs, NPS standard painted brown wooden or metal warning and wayfi nding signs (Photo 91), a tennis court sign, and a bus service sign. A metal wayside exhibit is located in the meadow (Photo 92).

Curbing and road markers include concrete half log curbs (Photo 93), small boulders (Photo 94), concrete curbs, painted concrete curbs to designate accessible parking spaces, and granite curbs (Photo 95).

Th ese are located along Ahwahnee Road and throughout the parking area.

Photo 91. Signs, trash receptacle, post and rope fence, and bollard light.

Photo 92. Wayside exhibit.

Photo 90. Gate house sign. Photo 93. Concrete half log curbs.

Photo 94. Small boulders.

Photo 95. Granite curbs.

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Fences include a post-and-rope fence style, made mainly of composite wood or wood (Photo 96) and used throughout the study area; a chain link fence at the tennis courts; and wood fence at the storage area near the cottages. Th ere is a metal gate to control access to the valet parking area, and a metal fence with concrete posts surrounding the pool area. Metal bollards are used in the parking area to designate pedestrian traffi c areas.

Irrigation- and drainage-related small-scale features include culverts, sprinkler heads, couplers, and elements associated with the pump used to divert water from the Merced River. Utilities such as fi re hydrants, storm water inlets, and manholes covers are also visible in the landscape.

Site furnishings include wood benches, tables, umbrellas, and chairs at the hotel terrace (Photo 97); pool-side furnishings; wood planters at the porte cochère (Photo 98) and the terraces; metal tables and chairs at the cottages; a painted wood bench at the tennis courts; and log benches. Trash receptacles such as bear-proof trash and storage bins and cigarette receptacles are found throughout the study area.

Lighting includes tree-mounted lights, and wood light posts (Photo

99) in the parking area, building mounted light fi xtures along the hotel terraces (Photo 100) and wood fence at the service yard, and bollard lights (Photo 101) in the cottages and meadow areas.

Photo 97. Wood site furnishings.

Photo 98. Planter box.

Photo 99. Light post at parking. Photo 96. Post-and-rope fencing.

Photo 100. Building mounted lights.

Photo 101. Bollard light.

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Dumpsters (Photo 102) are located near the hotel, and metal bicycle racks (Photo 103) are used throughout the grounds.

Th ere are tree planters near the hotel building, such as a wooden tree grate (Photo 104) and circular concrete planters near the dining room wing and in the service yard.

Th ere are many other individual small-scale features throughout the study area. At the tennis courts are nets on metal poles, a non-functioning water fountain (Photo 105), and a practice wall. Th ere are upright log posts (Photo 106) and rain chains at the cottages; picnic tables, and vending machines around the dormitory and tent cabins;

and the fl agpole (Photo 107) near the porte cochère.

Photo 103. Bicycle racks.

Photo 104. Wood tree grate.

Photo 105. Water fountain at tennis courts. Photo 102. Dumpster.

Photo 106. Upright log posts.

Photo 107. Flagpole.

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Figure 57. Small-scale Features.

The Ahwahnee Cultural Landscape Report

Existing Conditions: Small-scale Features

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A 16,956 square meter site complex, is located entirely around and under hotel building. Prior to the hotel construction, the complex of Kenneyville (1870s-1926) was constructed here, overlapping the prehistoric habitation site. Th ese sites appear to have been heavily impacted by the construction of the hotel and subsequent ground disturbing activities, and have diminished integrity in some places.

However, rockshelters and pounding rocks are present in this area.

A large boulder on the northern edge of the north parking area is a prominent bedrock mortar.

Prehistoric sites, representing a portion of the Indian village of Wis’-kah-lah, consist of a group of boulder milling features north of the parking area and several granite overhang rockshelters. Th ere were also subsurface artifact deposits discovered while trenching for utility lines in 1985-1986. Prehistoric material and midden were observed, including lithics dated to before A.D. 600, and A.D. 1600 to 1850. A portable milling slab and handstones, steatite beads, fragments of burned bone, and other artifacts were also recovered.

Historic materials were found scattered around the south, west, and north sides of the hotel building. Sections of three concrete foundations were found southwest of the hotel buried by six inches of soil. Other historic artifacts, likely associated with the Kenneyville stable operation, included ceramic and glass fragments, nails, and horseshoes.12 Remnant foundations from Kenneyville structures have been located within the study area as well.13

A site representing a portion of the village of Wis’-kah-lah is located on an open fl at east of Royal Arch Creek in the vicinity of the cottages. It was identifi ed in 1975 and monitored during utility line trenching in 1985-1986, with most artifacts removed for curation.

A large site consisting of granite boulders with mortar cups, and obsidian and other lithic materials and some groundstone along with historic period bottle glass and ceramic fragments was also found.

12 M. Baldrica, Draft Archeological Survey (1988), 37-38 13 Elena Nilsson, et al. Archeological Investigations of the Priority 3 Sites, Yosemite National Park, California (2009), 146-150 these infrastructure projects. Archeological monitoring at Th e Ahwahnee included trenching for three new underground water lines and nine fi re hydrants around the hotel, and a hydrant loop around Th e Ahwahnee cottages.9 Prehistoric artifacts were identifi ed and recovered dating from earlier than A.D. 600 to as late as the 1800s, and historic artifacts from the 1800s and early 1900s.

• Hull, Bevill and Kelly’s “Report of Selected Subsurface Archeological Investigations in Yosemite Valley, 1986-1991,” (1995) along with an additional study by Hull and Kelly in the same year, reaffi rmed and in some cases expanded, the boundaries of sites initially identifi ed the 1978 survey. Electronic site forms were completed by this project team to integrate Yosemite’s listed archeological sites into a statewide database.

• Nilsson, Bevill, and Button’s report “Archeological Investigation of the Priority 3 Sites, Yosemite National Park, California” (2009) evaluated 12 sites in Yosemite Valley to evaluate their data potential and to identify strategies for their management. Th e sites within Th e Ahwahnee study area previously determined to contribute to the Yosemite Valley Archeological District were confi rmed as contributing aft er the investigations associated with this study were completed.

Information about identifi ed archeological sites at Th e Ahwahnee is consolidated from these studies.10

Isolated archeological features have been identifi ed in Th e Ahwahnee study area. An isolated feature is a scatter, deposit, or non-portable feature (such as a pipeline) that does not contain a suffi cient amount of material to be called a site, and represents a restricted time span or single event.11 Isolates have been found while trenching for utilities south of the hotel.

9 M. Baldrica, Draft Archeological Survey (Yosemite National Park: U.S. Department of the Interior, 1988), 22-23.

10 Also see M. Baldrica, Draft Archeological Survey (1988), 64-105 for detailed list of artifacts found on Th e Ahwahnee grounds.

11 M. Baldrica, Draft Archeological Survey (1988), 57

Archeological Sites Th e Ahwahnee study area lies within the Yosemite Valley Archeological District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, which comprises 8,100 acres of Valley fl oor and numerous sites. Archeological investigations undertaken since then have revealed more than 100 additional archeological sites.

Archeological remains in Yosemite Valley consist of habitation sites, bedrock mortars primarily for pounding acorn, and also vegetal material and small mammals; midden deposits, containing artifacts and food byproducts; rock shelters; lithic scatters; building foundations; and pictographs. Some isolated burials have also been found.7

Archeological investigations at Th e Ahwahnee reveal that the site has been occupied almost continuously for over 8,000 years.8 Th e resources associated with the prehistoric occupation of the site include features such as a midden deposit and several bedrock milling stations. Th is site was the location of Wis’-kah-la, the village or summer camp used by Yosemite Indians. Th e historic occupation of the site—from the earliest European American settlement of the Valley through the end of World War II—includes the Lamon homestead, Royal Arch Farm and Harris Campground, Kenneyville, Th e Ahwahnee, and the U.S. Naval hospital use of the hotel buildings and study area. Archeological evidence of this continuous occupation reveals information important to history and prehistory.

Archeological investigations have included the following projects.

• A survey by Napton, Albee, and Greathouse (1975) initially inventoried sites on Th e Ahwahnee grounds as part of a wider inventory of the Valley.

• A major 1985-86 survey project, detailed by Baldrica in a 1988 report, consisted of monitoring ground-disturbing activities related to the installation of new underground water and electric lines in the Valley. Th e monitoring mitigated impacts of

7 Linda Wedel Greene, Historic Resource Study. Yosemite: Th e Park and its Resources (Yosemite National Park, CA: U.S. Department of the Interior, 1987), 29-30.

8 Elena Nilsson, et al. Archeological Investigations of the Priority 3 Sites, Yosemite National Park, California (Yosemite Research Center, 2009), iv.

I-72 AECOMExisting Conditions

Representative landscape features in good condition (Figure 58) Buildings and Structures Th e Ahwahnee Cottages Tent cabins Culvert over Royal Arch Creek at valet parking entrance Bridge 5 at refl ecting pond Bridge 1 New concrete and concrete paver terraces at the cottages Gate house and gate post Mechanical building Swimming pool Bus stop shelter

Small-scale Features Trash receptacles Site furnishings

Condition Assessment of Landscape Features Th is section includes a description of the physical condition of the existing landscape features and systems within the study area using established NPS standards in A Guide to Cultural Landscape Reports.

Th ere are four standards defi ning the conditions of cultural landscape features and systems:

• Good: indicates the cultural landscape shows no clear evidence of major negative disturbances and deterioration by natural and/ or human forces. Th e cultural landscape’s historical and natural values are as well preserved as can be expected under the given environmental conditions. No immediate corrective action is required to maintain its current condition.

• Fair: indicates the cultural landscape shows clear evidence of minor disturbances and deterioration by natural and/or human forces, and some degree of corrective action is needed within three to fi ve years to prevent further harm to its historical and/ or natural values. Th e cumulative eff ect of the deterioration of many of the signifi cant characteristics and features of the cultural landscape, if left to continue without the appropriate corrective action, will cause the landscape to degrade to a poor condition.

• Poor: indicates the cultural landscape shows clear evidence of major disturbance and rapid deterioration by natural and/or human forces. Immediate corrective action is required to protect and preserve the remaining historical and natural areas.

• Unknown: indicates that not enough information is available to make an evaluation.

Th e existing landscape features and systems have been assessed and assigned a rating according to these standards. A rationale has been given for each rating. Features that are assessed as being in good condition are not described in detail. A complete listing of inventoried features and their condition is located in Appendix A of this report.

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Figure 58. Representative landscape features in good condition

Tent cabins Bridge 5 at refl ecting pond Bus stop shelter

Culvert over Royal Arch Creek Accessible concrete terrace Mechanical building

Bridge 1 Gate house and gate post Swimming pool

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Representative landscape features in fair condition (Figure 59) Circulation Bicycle path: cracked and heaving from tree roots, edges deteriorating.

Stamped concrete terraces: some areas spalling.

Sidewalks: cracked and eroding edges.

Service access roads: washout and ponding.

Buildings and Structures Pool paving: paving is cracked.

Refl ecting pond: concrete lining is leaking, stones missing from edging.

Bridge 2: paint is peeling.

Bridge 2 bench: paint is peeling.

Stone paving at tennis courts: edge is chipping, mortar crumbling.

Storage building: siding not intact, awning out of alignment.

(Th is condition was corrected aft er the condition assessment was undertaken for the CLR).

Bridge 3: boards split, warped, loose.

Views and Vistas View to Ahwahnee from meadow: obscured by vegetation.

Views to Yosemite Falls from the refl ecting pond: obscured by encroaching vegetation, primarily tree growth.

View to Yosemite Falls from meadow; obscured by encroaching vegetation, primarily tree growth.

View to Ahwahnee Bridge from cottages; obscured by encroaching vegetation, primarily tree growth.

Vegetation Meadow lawn/grasses: sections overgrown with blackberry.

Lawn: bare spots, overgrown with blackberry.

Small-scale Features Granite block curbs: some eroded, or chipped, buried or out of alignment.

Concrete half-log curbs: some shift ed, out of alignment, partially covered with asphalt.

Post-and-rope fence: posts are heaving out of alignment.

Metal bollards: paint is chipping, bollards are out of alignment.

Sign post: wood is split and stained.

Upright log bench/post: logs split, cracked.

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Figure 59. Representative landscape features in fair condition

Ponding at valet parking area Loose wood siding and awning at storage building (corrected) Blackberry in meadow

Missing stones at refl ecting pond Peeling paint at Bridge 2 Granite curbing heaved out of alignment

Cracked mortar at tennis court paving Eroding concrete at stamped concrete terraces Concrete half logs partially buried

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Representative landscape features in poor condition (Figure 60) Buildings and Structures Bridge 4: railings are unstable, boards split, stone buttress is deteriorating.

Tennis courts: surface is chipped, spalling, fence overgrown with vines, fence bent.

Concrete pad at service/storage…