Slim Pickings

The stores at Crane Flat and Tuolumne Meadows were sadly depleted of just about anything more that the bare essentials. It's understandable at Tuolumne Meadows, where the campground won't open for another three weeks. But the Crane Flat store was the same, and that campground has been open for months now.

It's sad to see what Aramark, the concessionaire for the park, seems to think of its responsibilities. The High Sierra Camps are closed. Wawona Hotel is closed indefinitely. The Ahwahnee, the crown jewel of lodging in the park, is in a sad state of disrepair.

It is as if Aramark got the contract, and then decided to do as little as possible in the park. They have already received not only many negative reviews from park visitors, but the National Park Service has also put them on notice. They don't seem to care.

And starting over with a new concessionaire would be both a legal and logistical morass. Which is probably exactly what Aramark is thinking.

Welcome to the new reality at our national parks. At least the trees are still as amazing as always. Aramark can't seem to find a way to mismanage those. Thes were on the granite dome behind Olmsted Point.