| Page 1483 | National Parks Traveler

Such lists, of course, are entirely subjective. That said, there are some glaring omissions, such as Yellowstone's Old Faithful Inn, if you like rustic atmosphere, or Lake Hotel, if you prefer elegance. Either, in my book, surpass Many Glacier, which, though in a spectacular setting, needs some serious restoration work and renovations. The rooms are small and cramped, the furnishings shabby.

Aug 14th - 08:23am | Rangertoo

I agree that including Canadian parks is cheating. And no lodges from Yellowstone? As for Cavallo Point: I know this is an adapted use of Fort Baker buildings, but why was it allowed? The concessions laws say that the NPS should not have concession operations where the service or merchandise can reasonably be secured outside the park. There is no shortage of hotel rooms in San Francisco.

Aug 14th - 08:21am | Donna Hull

I'm from the USA and oddly enough, the only two lodges on the list that I've stayed in are the Canadian ones. Although both were great experiences, Banff Springs Hotel is in town and doesn't really feel like it's in a national park. Jasper Lake Lodge is one of my favorites. High on my "to do next" list are Many Glacier Hotel, Crater Lake Lodge and Paradise Inn.

Aug 14th - 05:27am | Anonymous

To be fair to the writer, it's in the "US and Canada" travel section. Looks to me like whoever wrote the headline didn't read the whole thing.

How To Buy National Park-Related Gifts Without Leaving Home

Aug 14th - 06:24am | Karen

I emailed Inner Peace Designs to see when they will be finished with their new National Park Ornaments. They expect them to be online and in stores for sale but the end of September erley October. I already own several pieces they sell. What beautiful work they produce! I've been to Sedona, AZ where they make ornaments of all the red rocks. I haven't seen anyone match their quaity.

Collapse of "Wall Arch" Proves Gravity Does Work at Arches National Park

Aug 13th - 20:11pm | MW

I was at Landscape Arch on Monday around 1:00 pm. I can confirm that it was bloody hot. My other family members made us turn back rather than continuing the final 1/4 mile to Wall arch. I'm sorry now that I didn't push them around the next bend of the trail. We also had some rain that evening where we were, near 4 corners.

Aug 12th - 18:57pm | Anonymous

Why can't we just shoot them? Guns are legal in National parks.

Aug 12th - 17:32pm | Curecanti lover

I am so glad that the Black Canyon and therefore the Curecanti Recreation Area made your list of places to visit!(coming all the way from Australia). I have a great digital photo of my brother under The Wall Arch from a few years back. What a beautiful hike. I am glad Arches is protected land as there are so many incredible places nearby that are up of 'the oil shale grab'.

Aug 12th - 17:22pm | HillerMyLife

As I recall there are signs and postings notifying visitors to not walk on any of the arches. Unfortunately many park visitors ignore these postings or just don't care. Most of the offenders aren't even American(from my experience) and in places where there are fines, its not steep enough.

Federal Judge Refuses to Let County Cut Highways in Roadless Section of Death Valley National Park

Aug 13th - 19:11pm | Ted Clayton

Kurt, You said of Inyo Co.'s action:

Director Bomar: Let Science, Not Politics, Decide the Yellowstone Snowmobile Issue

Aug 13th - 18:26pm | Anonymous

Anonynous do you have any idea how much exercise you can get on a snowmobile. You have obviously never been on one and therefore have no idea what it's like, and furthermore snowmobiles are a way to get out and experience nature and if you knew anything about it at all you would realize that that is why alot of people snowmobile and that you can see alot more on a snowmobile than walking.

Star Party Scheduled for June 21-28 at Grand Canyon National Park

Aug 13th - 17:04pm | pkrnger

More than likely they were two bright meteors occurring 1/2 hour apart that were part of the show of the spectacular August 11 and 12th Perseid meteor shower.

Aug 13th - 00:32am | Anonymous

Last night, while star gazing in the Grand Canyon- North Rim, facing the north eastern sky at approxinately between 9:30-10:30pm... we saw a very large shootign star which appeared to have a tail. The star appeared twice in the same place about 1/2 an hour later. Could this have been a comet?

A Sad Sign of the Times: NPS Promotes Body Armor Options To Rangers

Aug 13th - 16:33pm | Anonymous

The Rangers want to go to the party too! I mean, why shouldn't they have armor, APC's and automatic weapons? The police and law enforcement groups have gotten out of control in this country feeding us all crap "we are being outgunned by the criminals!" they say. Oh yeah? Has ANYONE seen any credible increase in the criminals using, carrying and killing with automatic weapons?

Commission Formed To Explore Future of National Parks

Aug 13th - 15:57pm | Ted Clayton

[size=12][color=#80a040]National Rifle Association to Formulate National Parks Future[/color][/size] [color=red]*[/color] [color=red]*[/color][size=9]Not true. This comment is satire![/size]

Aug 13th - 15:43pm | JimB

Earlier in this discussion, Rick Smith made some excellent points. I would hope they come to the attention of this commission.

Aug 12th - 20:19pm | Larry Marquardt

Jim, You make some excellent points, and I am willing to concede most of them. I wasn't intending to advocate a Platonic or neo-Platonic Ideal.

Aug 12th - 15:38pm | jsmacdonald

Larry,

Aug 12th - 14:55pm | Larry Marquardt

I thought the parks were to be preserved in their original condition, not conserved or used up wisely? I make a categorical distinction between the found world and the made world. Places like Yosemite and Rocky Mtn. Nat'l. Park are part of the found world. Places like Gettysburg are what they are because of human created history, and thus part of the made world.

Aug 12th - 13:14pm | jsmacdonald

All good questions, but my point is one of process. Can an answer to these or any questions be as substantive as they need to be without recognizing the fundamental disconnect between those who are considered experts in parks issues, between those of us who are not considered experts but take the issues seriously, and everyone else?

Aug 12th - 12:46pm | Rick Smith

I have a little different take on the Commission than Jim does, primarily because I hope that it can address some questions that I have in mind about the future of the National Park Service. The questions below were part of a paper I wrote for the Coalition of NPS Retirees.

Aug 12th - 10:32am | jsmacdonald

I'm so tired of these commissions. Someone appoints a range of experts, they get together, and they write a report. However, those who are using the commission for their own purposes make sure that the report will be used for setting the agenda and moving the levers of power based on the desires of the people setting up the commission.

National Park Service Revenues Down $1.3 Million On Transition to America The Beautiful Pass

Aug 13th - 15:46pm | Anonymous

I'll keep my money in my wallet. $80 is not reasonable. Since I was only a parks user, a 60% increase in fees to me is too much. I will take my chances, pay fees at the parks when I go, and probably plan fewer visits.

Yellowstone National Park Bison Unhappy With Photo Shoot Tosses Pennsylvania Boy

Aug 13th - 15:36pm | JimB

Back on the original topic:

Aug 13th - 10:44am | AnonymousKaal

I hear that the diesease is actually coming from the ELK and that info is from a park employee. He said it has to do with the almighty green in that the Elk bring in too much money during hunting season so they wont slaughter the elk. Said its very policital. So because of the almighty green is the Bison that suffer. Supposidly park service knows of this and is going along with it.

The Essential Olympic

Aug 13th - 14:24pm | Ted Clayton

Although the beauty of the Olympic National Park and surrounding Olympic Peninsula is most gloriously showcased during the sunny days of late summer and fall (the region has a fairly reliable annual drought (and with a bit of luck, 'Indian Summer') during this period), the true character & soul of the country isn't to be found in drenching sunshine.

Sierra Club Caught Standing Atop Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park

Aug 13th - 13:19pm | bob moore

I have photographed many arches in the Moab area, including those in and around Canyonlands and Arches. Respecting the integrity of these magnificent monoliths is paramount. I encourage any and all not to climb, but there are circumstances and the rights of others that also must be respected.

Aug 12th - 19:34pm | hobblefoot

Donna, I couldn't disagree with you more. If messing up the scene is your intention, humans are exactly what you need. I'm kidding of course, but realistically, if you didn't already know where this arch was, you sure wouldn't be able to identify it from the photo.

Aug 12th - 17:27pm | SaltSage236

I agree we should keep as many signs as possible out of wilderness areas, but in national parks, especially at the head of the very short trail to Mesa Arch, signs in appropriate places are absolutely warranted. Ya gotta inform the masses in high-traffic areas somehow.

Aug 12th - 12:12pm | Random Walker

It has been a while since I have spent time in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, though my recollection is that there is a lot of information (in all the guides and pamphlets) and the Rangers even told me to stay off Mesa and the other arches.

Aug 12th - 09:30am | SaltSage236

Mesa Arch is almost certainly the most accessible arch to walk across anywhere on the Colorado Plateau. It takes no effort at all, with the top of the arch only about 10 feet or so high, and, frankly, it isn't terribly intimidating.

Where Are the Best Sunrises in the National Park System?

Aug 13th - 12:54pm | SaltSage236

For me, it's a toss-up between Bryce Canyon and Mesa Arch at Canyonlands. Sunrise at Toroweap at Grand Canyon runs a close third.

Aug 12th - 23:58pm | Anonymous

Myrtle Point near the summit of Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Aug 12th - 20:14pm | Brad Hooks

Although Cadillac Mtn in Acadia is spectaular, I have to agree with you. My view of sunrise in the 'glades was from 1/2 a mile of shore on the west coast (i.e. the Ten Thousand Islands) It was absolutley one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen as the sun came over the mangroves reflecting of the water while it painted the clouds.

Rainbow Falls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Aug 13th - 11:24am | Ted Clayton

I like that this view of Rainbow Falls has only a sheeting rivulet going over the lip! The exposed strata & bedrock, and the alternation of durable & weak layers of rock is interesting. Are the formations visible in this photograph characteristic of the geology in the general region, and are they commonly on display?

Vets To Determine Whether Bear That Attacked Father and Son in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Had Rabies

Aug 13th - 10:36am | Anonymous

Usually I agree with the above comments. Humans ruin everything. But the bear also charged the rangers. So maybe this poor bear had something wrong that made it behave differently. Can't wait to hear what the necropsy comes back with.

Aug 12th - 17:29pm | Anonymous

why dont people learn to read and obey signs. instead they ignore them and ruin the park for others.

Aug 12th - 17:24pm | Anonymous

I agree People should learn to read signs most attacks are because people ignore the rules. Thats why are country in whole is in the shape we are in

Aug 12th - 13:49pm | Anonymous

It is always sad when wildlife is destroyed because we humans have not heeded advice regarding not feeding, leaving food at the creatures access or just using known precautions when entering the animals territory. Just as with ocean predators, we are encroaching on them: they are usually only defending what they may perceive as a threat.

Black Bear Attacks Child at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Aug 13th - 09:52am | janie in MN

I get really tired of reading posts that "defend" the animals more than "human life & safety". YES, I agree, all of us who enjoy observing wildlife need to be VERY careful ... especially in National & other Parks where the wildlife can become accustomed to people.

Aug 13th - 06:10am | Anonymous

I wonder how many of us know what strange behavior from a bear is. We don't hang out with them all day, and most of us are not reasearchers in that field. Killing the animal was excessive. Humans keep encroaching on their lands to build homes, ranches, cottages, we hunt, bike, hike and poach. How about we let them live their lives without disturbance from us.

Aug 12th - 19:00pm | JoAnn

I was in that part of the park last Wednesday on the 6th of Aug. We also encountered a small black bear that

Aug 12th - 14:43pm | Anonymous

why did they feel the need to kill this black bear? They people were in the bear's territory, he was just being protective. They are always so quick to kill wildlife instead of trapping and relocating. I feel they were wrong in what they did, because they are saying they are going to do a necropsy to see if this is the bear that attacked the boy?? Well how will they tell that?

Aug 12th - 11:22am | June

I agree with Bob. I live at the Foothills of the N. Ga. Mountains. While I've never came in close contact with a bear, we do have deer that visit our home. People that visit with nature need to understand it's not like walking around in the city. The animals are in their "home" territory. Stay alert of your surroundings, not only with your eyes, but with smell.

Sierra Club Regrets Use of Mesa Arch Photo

Aug 12th - 12:13pm | Ted Clayton

The recent collapse of "Wall Arch" appears to have primed us to notice Sierra Club's use of the Mesa Arch image.

Why You Should Not Store Food in Your Car at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Aug 12th - 10:52am | jobrien

Whoever left the car was a jackarse. One should know you do not leave uncovered food out; and secondly, you should not have left the window cracked to make it easier for the critters. That food should have been kept in proper storage containers to help keep the smell down and the windows should have been up.

Decisions on Controlling Elk in Theodore Roosevelt, Wind Cave National Parks Likely to Linger Into 2009

Aug 12th - 10:43am | Ted Clayton

Kurt,

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