During the construction of the new Tioga Road, Gaylor Pit was created as a borrow pit and quarry for road material. Since the 1950s the pit and surrounding area was used by the NPS for various administrative uses. In 1984, the California Wilderness Act designated 95% of Yosemite National Park as wilderness. Once the wilderness boundary near Gaylor pit was validated, the entire Gaylor Pit area was decommissioned in 2003; ceasing such uses as storage, dumping, temporary native plant nursery, wood yard, staging, and shooting range.
The objective of this project is to remove the wooden backstop, the litter of bullets and casings, and all soil contaminated with lead from bullets and casings. After removal, the area will be restored to its wilderness appearance.