| Page 1462 | National Parks Traveler

While I do not support allowing bikes into the backcountry, I do think the current regulations are a little too strict. The current regulations prohibit bicycles on anything other than roads unless a special regulation is written as described in the story. In the middle are multi-use trails built specifically for bicycles and pedestrians. These are usually 8 feet wide and hard-surfaced.

Survey Predicts Change in National Park Gun Regulations Will Lead to Wildlife Shootings, Management Problems

Oct 17th - 09:18am | Rick Smith

Just to set the record straight, like Jim, I was a protection ranger and carried a weapon for at least half my career. I don't think our points of view are irrelevant. Beamis' claim that most NPS employees have a liberal bias is laughable. During my 31 years in the NPS, I met far more conservatives than I did liberals. Rick Smith

Oct 17th - 08:55am | Anonymous

Re: "it's not that people are trying to change the Second Amendment; it's that people are ignoring it. What about the right to keep and bear arms "shall not be infringed" is unclear? "

Oct 17th - 04:36am | Texas-Fight

It's interesting to finally see a comment from a retired LEO Ranger. I hope my side views your comments accordingly. I will point out that regardless of when you served, if you served in the Parks, you would not have dealt directly with concealed carry licensees since carry has not been allowed in parks since the modern advent of licensing.

Oct 17th - 03:22am | Texas-Fight

I would suggest talking to Law Enforcement Rangers. Better yet, talk to a National Forest Service Law Enforcement official. National Forests already have concealed carry, and have had no problems with licensees.

Oct 16th - 22:27pm | Kirby Adams

Who's trying to change the Constitution or the Second Amendment? Are we talking about the amendment that states: "The right of the people to keep and bear arms, including carrying them anywhere they please with total disregard for others' opinions, shall not be infringed..." ?

Oct 16th - 22:26pm | d-2

We have reached the point in America where expertise is referred to as "bias."

Oct 16th - 20:51pm | JimB

In response to the request by a previous poster, here are some comments from a member of CNPSR who performed full law enforcement duties for 29 of my 30 years in the NPS. I worked in 8 parks including several with very active law enforcement programs: Lake Mead, Grand Canyon, and Colonial NHP, plus one park (Glacier) where the question of bears and weapons often comes up.

Oct 16th - 19:59pm | Anonymous

No offense, Beamis, but that's a load of crap. The Constitution isn't some rigid document that stands still - we're allowed to use common sense laws, as the Supreme Court has said numerous times.

Oct 16th - 19:30pm | Kurt Repanshek

Beamis, Since Rick is a member of the coalition, and since you said, "What a CNPSR member has to say about this is utterly and completely irrelevant," I think it's pretty clear you implied that Rick's views were irrelevant.

Oct 16th - 18:45pm | Kurt Repanshek

Beamis, I'd say what coalition members have to say is highly relevant, more so than folks who visit parks once or twice or even a dozen times a year. And for someone like Rick, who spent more than three decades on the ground in the parks, I'd say his two cents is incredibly relevant.

Oct 16th - 18:26pm | Rick Smith

Wow--"What a civilian employee of the NPS has to say abouty this is utterly and completely irrelevant." Whose opinions other than those of NPS employees should we consider then? Texas-Fight's? People who have seen a gun in real life? Pro-gun miscreants? Rick Smith

Oct 16th - 17:51pm | Texas-Fight

Wonderful, the usual group of knee-jerk uninformed anti-gun miscreants have reared their heads to complain about the forthcoming rule change. Again, let's examine Texas CHL conviction rates vs. the general population to see just how bloodthirsty and trigger-happy license holders are: In 2006, there were 258,162 active CHLs, but only 140 total convictions.

Oct 16th - 13:26pm | Anonymous

Add Alaskan Gov. Palin to the equation here, regarding the National Parks, you'll see aerial game slaughter within the park boundaries. Again, guns within the National Parks is a dangerous precedent in policy making. Parks are for restive peace and serenity...not for gun touting fools!

Oct 16th - 13:14pm | Rangertoo

NEWS ITEM - October 10, 2008. No-return policy gets clerk killed

Oct 16th - 11:14am | Kurt Repanshek

Current policy allows you to transport guns through parks, but they have to be broken down and stored out of reach. There are, of course, exceptions in that some "national preserves" and seashores and lakeshores do allow hunting.

Oct 16th - 11:09am | Anonymous

What exactly IS the current policy on carrying firearms in our national parks? I have been an avid backpacker for several years now and am still not quite sure. I do own firearms and am a huge proponent of concealed carry - I agree with the statement "the more guns the better" - the bad guys have and always will have them, why not give the good guys a chance to protect themselves.

Oct 15th - 21:40pm | Random Walker

"Are you talking about boats killing manatees, boats killing people in national parks, cars killing people in national parks, cars killing panthers in national parks, cars killing wolves in national parks, cars killing grizzlies in national parks? Cars killing deer? Turkeys? Black bears? Red-tailed hawks? Owls? Elk? Moose? Raccoons? Coyotes? And so on?"

Oct 15th - 20:43pm | Random Walker

Add weapons and there will be problems. Shot up signs, windows, the occasional wounded and dead animal or human will be a fact. I completely reject waving a CCW/CWP in my face as proof that one is safe and sane. I have been around a bit ya see..

Oct 15th - 19:12pm | Anonymous

As a CCW Holder I have had training in the use of firearms and have had Background checks done by 4 States. I do not go to parks to shoot animals, I go to enjoy them. Any body thats thinks criminals are going to care what the law says, needs to be re-educated. I follow the law (all laws) that is why I was approved for a CCW permit. PLEASE WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!

Oct 15th - 15:16pm | bill

"too many peoiple these days do not have any common sense and do not take responsibilty for their actions" is exactly why i or any responcible person would want to carry a concealed firearm in a remote area or where help may be far away and unable to prevent an incident

Oct 15th - 14:52pm | Anonymous

People who would behave in the way you describe are poachers or some other type of criminal which is already prohibited from owning a firearm. Crminals already ignore prohibitions on firearms, and would prefer the rest of us unarmed. Concealed weapon permit holders have had training, been finger printed and have had backround checks.

Oct 15th - 09:06am | Betty H

I certainly agree with these true experts (in my opinion). Having a loaded gun handy will surely lead to problems. Too many people these days do not have any common sense and do not take responsibility for their actions. Guns in National Parks will lead to unnecessary wildlife deaths and unnecessary human conflicts.

Conservation Groups Sue to Cut Air Pollution Over Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Oct 17th - 09:18am | Smoky Mtn Hiker

In my view, the answer to this problem is a no brainer: nuclear power. It's 100% clean. It's renewable. It's safe to operate, and the transportation and storage of nuclear waste have been scientifically proven to be safe. Most of the power generated in France comes from nuclear power.

Oct 17th - 06:54am | Marylander

I, too, have photos documenting the demise of air quality over the Smokies. It really brings the point of just how bad it really is to an undeniable state. How sad....

"Talking" Buoys Deployed Along Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Oct 17th - 06:55am | Marylander

Too bad my sailboat is already out of the water in preparation for winter... I can't wait to find one of those talking buoys!

Visit Savannah’s Fort Pulaski National Monument and See Why Brick Masonry Forts Became Obsolete in April 1862

Oct 16th - 12:23pm | Anonymous

When visiting the fort this spring, visitors were walking by and standing near a"cement" aligator that lay motionless by the moat. That is until it moved its head causing people to jump back in a very entertaining manner.

Oct 16th - 11:59am | Bob M

Lets not forget the famous Pulaski Skyway here in Jersey! Not quite a national treasure though.

Oct 16th - 11:56am | dapster

Bob, Thanks for another informative article! You have spurred my interest in this site enough to add a visit to it to my vacation itinerary for next year. After seeing the truly decimated Fort Sumter site several times, it would be nice to see a more intact example of forts of that era. Thanks again for putting it out there for us to see.

New BLM Management Plans Could Have Major Impacts on Utah National Parks

Oct 16th - 10:57am | Kurt Repanshek

One of the problems with encouraging local protection is whether the local community's desires mesh with the values of the neighboring national parks.

Oct 16th - 10:45am | d-2

I would think the issue of how adjacent lands are managed can be based on a definition in the planning of what the resource-to-be-protected is.

Oct 15th - 22:37pm | Sabattis

The issue of viewscapes is a very interesting one. Almost by definition, a "viewscape" involves how to handle lands that were *not* designated as National Park lands. For example, if you protect certain areas as National Park land to protect the "viewscape" from a given point - you've then instantly created new lands with additional threatened viewscapes based on the new boundaries.

Damage from Tropical Storm Hanna Created Expensive Repair Problems at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Oct 16th - 07:52am | Bob Janiskee

Yes, a closely guarded secret can be revealed at last. Sabattis is Bigfoot. Remember that you read it here first.

Oct 16th - 07:14am | Marty

Was Bigfoot seen recently at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park or did he just write the article? I was amused by the picture. :-)

Trails I've Hiked: Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

Oct 16th - 02:29am | MRC

I agree with Owen. While hiking Half Dome is a nice experience, the view from top can be disappointing, because you can't see Half Dome from it. It's the same with climbing any landmark. More often then not, the best sights are from top of number 2 or 3, because you see the iconic landmarks from there. Glacier and Washburn Point are great, as is Sentinel Dome.

Oct 15th - 22:36pm | Arthur E. Hish

I am 59 years old as of August and was a high school classmate of Rick Deutsch's in Arlington, VA back in the mid-sixties. Rick and I reconnected when I served on our 40th high school reunion committee. He wasn't able to attend our reunion in VA as he had a bunch of people he was hiking Half Dome with.

Oct 15th - 14:53pm | pkrnger

I've done this hike three times, once in 1962 with my older cousin when I was a 17-year old high school middle distance runner, once alone as a Yosemite park ranger-naturalist in 1970, and once with my 17 year-old son in 1993.

Oct 15th - 12:27pm | Rudy Stefancik, M.D.

I was 48 and in moderately good condition when I did Half Dome in early July. I started at 6:30 am and summited at 2:30 pm (practically by myself up there) and got back at 8:30 pm, about an hour after dark. I did have a flashlight and I did take my time going up. I would suggest leaving no later than 6:30 am and 5:30 am wouldn't be a bad idea.

Oct 15th - 12:13pm | MRC

@ Steve: Start at the trailhead around 6:30 a.m. Then you should be able to beat the crowds even if you take your time on the trail. If you are a slow hiker and think you need more than five hours one way, then start even earlier.

Oct 15th - 11:11am | Rick Deutsch

Kurt is a fast hker! 9+ hours is flying! Most folks will take about 10-12 hours to do the hike. First timers may take 13-14 hours. Hey, it's not a race - have fun! I usually stay about 45 mins at the summit but I start to get stiff and it's time to head back. I suggest doing a little stretching on top. there is no reason to hustle along - have fun and make stops at the Falls.

Oct 15th - 10:59am | Kurt Repanshek

Steve, For many folks this can be a 9+ hour hike, especially when you factor in time on top gazing around. I think I started at 8 a.m. and was back in the valley by 5 or 5:30 p.m. But, of course, it all depends on how fast of a hiker you and any others in your group are as well as if there's a line of folks working their way up the cables.

Oct 15th - 10:47am | Steve

This article says "early start of the day" - how early do you recommend we should start the hike?

Rock Falls Close Curry Village Lodgings in Yosemite National Park

Oct 16th - 02:02am | Yosemite Sue

I was very fortunate to be in the valley for both falls! They were awesome; both cracking and ripping free of the their rock wall cage, then crashing down to pulverize into a giant dust cloud. I was very close by for the first one and was able to experience first hand the amazing effects of the dust cloud. The second one I heard while in my tent at 6:57 a.m.

Wyoming Congressional Delegation Pushing Interior Secretary To Move on Yellowstone Snowmobile Plan

Oct 15th - 15:20pm | dapster

LH, Sorry, late getting back to the debate. Work gets in the way of fun once again!

First Ladies National Historic Site Struggles to Attract Visitors

Oct 15th - 10:45am | d-2

-- Congress almost never sets the specific fund level for the operations of a national park. There is no line-item for park operations.

Oct 15th - 10:43am | d-2

Dear Frank C: Regarding your point on "an NPS business model," if you look early on in this thread, Rangertoo makes the point that Rep Ralph Regula made this park happen. Therefore, this was NEVER a concept within an original national park service plan, much less business plan.

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