The Schulman Grove Visitor Center fire investigation seems to be moving ahead very slowly.  It appears authorities are taking their time to unravel what they see as a complex situation to make sure their conclusions are well founded.  http://www.ksrw.sierrawave.net/site/content/view/1290/48/

Meanwhile, John Thomas Christiana has been charged with more vandalism crimes.  He appears to be a complex person, one with a long history of loving the challenge of the outdoors.  But now it appears he has gone off his rocker.  http://www.ksrw.sierrawave.net/site/content/view/1289/48/

I almost hesitate to add this next link but here it is.  In a way it’s very sad.  http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=325551912

Especially when you compare it to this link.  http://7summits.com/forum/index.php?topic=950.0

Here’s a quick status of the tragic loss of the Schulman Grove Visitor Center in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, a beautiful section of the Inyo National Forest.

Beginning in late August a rash of vandalism started in the Eastern Sierra with the area around Big Pine being ‘ground zero.’  http://www.inyoregister.com/content/view/115766/27/

Thursday morning, September 4th, the Schulman Grove Visitor Center burned to the ground.  This was amidst a rash of vandalism events occurring at the same time in the area.  Arson is suspected.  http://www.inyoregister.com/content/view/115529/1/

On Saturday, Sept 6th John Thomas Christiana of San Francisco was arrested in Lone Pine in connection with the vandalism.  He had articles in his car that had been removed from a vandalized cabin.  http://www.ksrw.sierrawave.net/site/content/view/1274/48/

Christiana was arraigned in Inyo County Court on Tuesday, Sept 9th.  http://www.ksrw.sierrawave.net/site/content/view/1285/48/

Here’s the link to the latest article in the Inyo Register – http://www.inyoregister.com/content/view/116554/

Here’s what it looked like.  It was a truly beautiful structure.  http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2727239740033719756fZLuqQ

The visitor center will be rebuilt and efforts are underway to raise the expected $700,000 through private donations and matching funds.  More information will be posted on this blog regardging the fundraising as it becomes available.

Here are a few more posts…

http://www.summitpost.org/view_object.php?object_id=440245

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/news/2008/09/shulman.shtml

http://www.ksrw.sierrawave.net/site/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=1268

http://www.sierravisionsstock.com/sierravisions/bristlecone-pine-visitor-center-lost-to-fire/