JEFF HENTZ (LEFT) PRESENTS KEN PULVINO WITH A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION. GAZETTE PHOTOS BY DAN TUCKER The air of satisfaction was as present as the tone of symbolism at last Saturday's dedication of and eight-mile section of State Highway 132 as the "John Muir Highway."

The events that marked the dedication were a culmination of a two-county effort to rename the highway after Muir, the famous Scottish born American naturalist. Northern Mariposa County resident Ken Pulvino gave life to the notion in October of 2009 when he approached the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors with the concept.

Since then, it has been the combined endeavor of officials in both Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties, always at the urging of Pulvino, who was described during the dedication ceremony as the effort's "chief evangelist" by master of ceremonies, Jeff Hentz, executive director of the Yosemite/Mariposa County Tourism Bureau.

A VINTAGE PHOTO OF THE FAMOUS NATURALIST JOHN MUIR. Following opening remarks by Hentz, a parade of keynote speakers marched to the podium in the sun-baked Coulterville Park. Muir look-alike, Lee Stetson, who resides in Midpines and has made a career of portraying the renowned naturalist, provided a performance depicting Muir himself marking the dedication. He was followed by Scott Gediman, representing the National Park Service (NPS) in Yosemite. Gediman, the director of Media Relations for the NPS, told the audience that the most asked questions he receives on a consistent basis surround Muir's activities and travels.

Bay Area residents, Peter and Donna Thomas, followed Muir's route on foot in 2006 and published a book about their journey. They provided an account of their excursion, highlighting the key points along their trail.

The most distinct keynote speaker was Bill Hanna, none other than Muir's great grandson. Hanna reminisced about his famous family member's deeds and accomplishments, and wrote in the dedication program, "It is an honor and fitting tribute to my great grandfather. The route continues to be filled with the picturesque beauty he first saw nearly 100 years ago."

BILL HANNA, JOHN MUIR’S GREAT GRANDSON. Hentz presented a certificate of recognition to Pulvino for being the driving force behind the effort, and a representative of State Senator Tom Berryhill presented certificates of recognition to Hentz, and Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Peter Schimmelfinnig.

Shortly after noon the dedication ended with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the intersection of J132 and State Highway 49 performed by Mariposa County Supervisor Lyle Turpin, Tuolumne County Supervisor John Gray, and Hanna. A motorcade of vintage automobiles then snaked their way up Greeley Hill Road to the highway's link with State Highway 120, the northernmost entrance to Yosemite National Park. A second ribbon cutting was held at 2 p.m. at the Big Creek Meadow Ranch near Highway 120, followed by other festivities.

Co-chairs of the event were Mariposa County resident and past chamber president Maryann Huff, and Tuolumne County resident Ann Schafer.

Muir, who died in 1914, was a conservationist, naturalist and author. His notes, essays and books have been read by millions all over the world, especially those depicting his travels in California's Sierra Nevada. Muir's activism is credited with saving Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Park, as well as other wilderness regions. The Sierra Club, which he founded, is considered by many to be the most influential conservation organization in the nation. He most notable accounts of exploring the path now named after him appear in his book, "My First Summer in the Sierra," penned in 1911. Muir's second trek into Yosemite through this region took place in 1869.

One purpose of the highway's renaming is to spark newly-defined "geo-tourism," offering Yosemite visitors an alternative entrance or exit route.

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