| Page 1566 | National Parks Traveler

Congratulations! The new interface looks great, and I'm eagerly anticipating the results of your collaboration. Both NP Traveler and Park Remark have proven their worth many times over, and this new vision should be even more valuable for those of us who love the parks. Ranger Bob Home Page: http://www.bobmackreth.com

Jun 27th - 06:19am | jsmacdonald

Congratulations. It's great to see the two of you partner. I'm about to launch RSS feeds for the sections of the Yellowstone Newspaper (actually, they're already up, but I haven't published them yet as I see if there are any kinks). That can hardly cover the full range of stuff for all the parks, but it does a pretty good job for Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

Selling Scions by the Seashore

Jun 28th - 12:28pm | Anonymous

Be concerned. Golden Gate NRA is the park that other NPS superintendents, looking for income-generating ideas, hold up as THE paragon of private-public partnerships. And those superintendents that do watch Golden Gate, do not have their park's best interests in mind.

Jun 28th - 10:25am | jr_ranger

ARGH! Who approved this? I don't like imports to begin with, but imports being sold in a national park is like two stabs in the back..... :( I should write someone a letter.

Jun 28th - 09:50am | Matt

Public lands are frequently used for commercial activities but they are generally limited to those that contribute to management objectives for an area. I don't work for NPS and am not up to date on their commercial activity permit policy and process, but I'm having a tough time figuring out how lining Scions up and down Alcatraz Island furthers management objectives.

The Political Blotter

Jun 28th - 00:38am | VIC

I am not against snow mobiles or them having races, as long as they pass some kind of mechanical inspection, it bothers me when I see any mechanical driven vehicle burning or leaking oil. All should be required to have a valid inspection sticker, a nominal fee should be charged. The inspection should cover all mechanical and safety items, good for only 6 months.

Jun 27th - 15:45pm | Beamis

The days of government management should be drawing to a close. The continuing faith that is placed in this oversized and self-perpetuating bureaucracy with its legendary mismanagment is truly astounding! Can any of you out there name even ONE efficient federal government agency? One that is free of self-promotion, careerism and image mongering? Yeah, that's what I figured.

Paying to Enjoy The Parks

Jun 27th - 23:46pm | Sally

Joseph: Jus' to let ya know, TAXES were originally set up by our founders to be paid towards one thing and one thing ONLY...DEFENSE of this great nation. So don't complain.... Granma

Jun 27th - 13:03pm | Anonymous

You, sir, are an illiterate

Jun 26th - 17:27pm | Joseph Hamelin

I think if have all that money to give away, and is are tax dollers. For WARs that are needless. We should NOT PAY one penny. to use parks that was payed for with tax dollers !!!!

Jun 26th - 13:04pm | Scott Silver

That Chattahoocchee article was important. So was the one I posted the day before from SW Oregon on the Wild Wilderness blog --- and so is the discussion folks were having about Kachess Lake Campground in WA state. The three are all related and together they point to the future.

Hawaii Volcanoes Displaying its Geologic Might

Jun 27th - 21:11pm | Claire Walter

I'm in Hawaii right now, and tho' I'm not on the Big Island, this is major news all over the state. When someone mentions something like, say, the Agora Fire, some Hawaiian always points out that it will be contained and extinguished w/ the intervention of humans. Kilauea will be fiery until the eruption stops naturally.

Grizzly Attacks Man in Grand Teton

Jun 27th - 16:23pm | jr_ranger

Sally - how do you know the bear wasn't there first? Oh, wait, you don't. Excuse the rhetorical question.

Jun 26th - 13:02pm | Snowbird

Mustang Sally (aka acid tongue momma) my tribe always considers and recognizes the bear as a sacred animal regardless who was here first...what difference does it make to you...you seem so anti nature! Why!!

Jun 26th - 13:02pm | Sally

Birdie: How do you know the bear was "here first?" Was the bear older than the guy attacked??

Jun 26th - 13:01pm | windymesa

1.) In the Teton case.. responsibility lies with the NPS. It is entirely thier fault as was the 2 - 1967 Glacier deaths (well documented in the “Night of the Grizzlies, by Jack Olsen”. Jackson Lake Lodge is not a wilderness area where man should know that he is in harms way, and using his wilderness savy.

Jun 19th - 15:49pm | Jim Macdonald

Just this week a motorcyclist died in Grand Teton. That's the only one this year, but that's one more motor vehicle death than bear death. If one looks at stories about it, there were still several more bear stories, even in the relatively modest Grand Teton case than in the death of the motorcyclist. We have no idea how many have been injured in motor vehicle accidents to date.

Jun 18th - 13:42pm | anony

Why are bear attacks in national parks (which happen infrequently) given more press than serious and fatal auto accidents (which happen more frequently)? Sensationalism? Is this blog fueling the hype?

Jun 18th - 13:41pm | matt

Do you really need a "well regulated militia" in the National Parks? Is your right to self-defense denied because you cannot carry a firearm? Is that really your only means of defense?

Jun 18th - 13:40pm | George Brauneis

Why is the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution trumped when we set foot in a National Park? Was this Teddy Roosevelt’s intention? Why is our right to self-defense denied?

Mission

Jun 27th - 08:51am | Brodie Farquhar

Very nice new look and the content remains solid. This is gonna be fun!

A Modern History Of Public Lands Mismanagement

Jun 26th - 13:03pm | Snowbird

I wonder if there was any secret vistor's from the NPS and American Recreation Coalition having one of those famous clandestine meeting with Mr. Cheney...of course, will never know since the secret service torn up Cheney's vistor's files. A typical operation with this administration.

Repairing Rainier: A Question of Values

Jun 26th - 12:49pm | anony

Sally, I feel sorry for your grandchildren who have to suffer your physical abuse. Take your verbal abuse elsewhere.

Jun 26th - 12:48pm | Anonymous

Sally, I get this feeling that you've never read "How to Win Friends and Influence People".... Kurt

Jun 26th - 12:46pm | jr_ranger

Two things:

Jun 25th - 01:38am | Sally

You tree-huggers are pathetic..."too much damage" maybe we oughta just put a FENCE around it and keep everybody out.... The storm did one helluva lot of DAMAGE too, including dumping a LOT of SILT in the river too...who ya gonna blame, God??

Should Anything Be Done With Angel's Landing?

Jun 25th - 01:36am | Phil

Sanitize NPS land holdings? You might as well just plow them under, dam the rivers, and open the ecosystem to whatever type of development, be it commercial or residential, whose shadows currently cast a blight on the majority of the nation.

Jun 21st - 03:25am | anony

Survival of the fittest. Hiking the trail is optional and there are plenty of warning signs. Until people stop hiking unprepared (I met one person on Angels landing who hiked it with 16 OUNCES of water in 110 degree heat), people will continue to be at risk. Nature can be dangerous, people (but not as dangerous as driving). Don't like it, stay home.

Jun 21st - 03:24am | Bobt

I'm having second thoughts about this hike, I have wanted to do for the past couple of years now. I belong to an online Zion group and read posts from people daily about Zion in general.

Jun 21st - 03:23am | Brian

When I climbed Angel's Landing I did so without touching the chains (much to my chagrin there were a couple places where the chain was right where I wanted a handhold). I wanted to take the climb on its own terms, and was extremely cautious--probably much more cautious than someone walking along holding the chains.

Jun 21st - 03:23am | Anja Leiendecker

When you look at the climb itself, you know where you are getting into. My opinion, be your better judge and know your own limitations in combination with the local conditions. No matter how well you might keep people from doing things. When you say something is not allowed and there are no guards, usually that is what people are going to do, just because it is not allowed.

Jun 19th - 15:50pm | kath

The park service can't station someone at the trail head to do 10 second physical fitness tests. It would leave the service really wide open to liability not only for falls but also for ADA violations. NPS Rangers aren't have no medical training to determine who is and who isn't fit enough to make the grade or to determine who is subject to dizziness or balance problems, etc. etc.

Woman Dies in Fall From Angel's Landing

Jun 25th - 01:34am | Sam Jackson

At the grand canyon, they have signs warning people about the dangers of not having enough water with strapping athletic people who got into trouble and had to be rescued; likewise I think it would be effective if the zion rangers would put up some pictures of good hikers who got into trouble on the trail and posted it up there. Tragedies could be prevented a little more, hopefully.

Take an Audio Snapshot of the Parks

Jun 25th - 01:30am | Steve Sergeant

I'll probably get a chance to play with this Zoom H4 unit at the Nature Sounds Society's Annual Field Workshop here in Northern California. It'll be interesting to see how it performs against some gear with a more impressive price tag. I've never had good luck myself using recorders which have built-in microphones.

Yosemite Fee Hike Spiked

Jun 22nd - 02:21am | matt

It's amazing what can happen when people become engaged in the process. Well played, folks, well played.

Tragedy Stalks the National Parks

Jun 22nd - 02:19am | Snowbird

Mustang Sally: Go to Olmstead Point (over looking the Tenaya Canyon) in Yosemite and you will find a beautifully engraved plaque that expresses the words "in creations dawn", if you have a soul you will know exactly what I'm trying to say. Loosen baby and read some poetry...it's called sensitvity training...I think you need it!

Jun 21st - 03:27am | Sally

Snowybird: Whaaaaaat??? What kinda mumbo-jumbo is that??

Jun 21st - 03:27am | Snowbird

Anon: Your comments are reality in the face. Death that stalks in beautiful places like Yosemite is to find your soul in the creation of dawn.

Jun 21st - 03:26am | anony

People die. I'd rather fall off Half Dome than die of a coronary in my cubicle or in a twisted pile of tons of metal and plastic on an interstate highway. People die. Why the morbid fascination with death in national parks?

Jun 21st - 03:26am | kath

The eyewitness accounts of the man who fell to his death from the Half Dome cables (via the link) were truly chilling. A very tragic sight for his children to see. But as to what the NPS will (note I'm not saying should) do? That depends. If this man's family files a wrongful death lawsuit against the NPS and wins a substantial amount of money, the cables will be taken down permanently.

Three Dead in Grand Teton Rafting Accident

Jun 21st - 03:22am | JANIE PEPPER

WE WERE REAFTING IN DURANGO, COLORADO ON JUNE 2, 2007 ON THE ANIMAS RIVER WHEN OUR RAFT TURNED OVER IN THE RApids. EVERYONE WENT INTO THE RIVER, AND WE NEARLY DROWNED. I WAS TRAPPED UNDER THE OVERTURNED RAFT, AND MY HUSBAND WAS SWEPT DOEN THE RIVER. WE WERE ALL RESCUED, BUT IT WAS THE MOST FRIGHTENING MOMENT OF MY LIFE!! THE RAFTING COMPANY TOOK IT VERY LIGHTLY!!!!

A New Foundation Arises to Aid Lake Superior Parks

Jun 21st - 03:20am | Bob Krumenaker

Thanks, Kurt, for your generous coverage of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Sunday and Monday’s posts. I’m pleased to say that Sunday the grand reopening of the Raspberry Island Light, which you pictured, went exceptionally well despite Lake Superior’s best efforts to make things difficult!

Jun 18th - 13:44pm | Larry Epke

Their website needs help. There apparently is no way to contribute except through the mail. That's SO 20th Century!

Jun 18th - 13:43pm | Lawrence Haugen

Iam wondering what the differnce is between a "national park" and "national monumnet"?

St. Louis Man Dies in Fall From Angel's Landing

Jun 19th - 15:52pm | kingsley

my heart goes out to the family- Angels landing is to be the highlight of my own honeymoon vacation- though i am considering not climbing angels now- it seems a lot more dangerous than anticipated and though having experienced ridge scrambling in scotland and wales i am having second thoughts- k

Museum of the National Park Service

Jun 18th - 13:45pm | anony

"3. Give the public an "inside view" of all the diverse professions working in the parks to preserve the "best" examples of natural and cultural history. Such information could help attract applicants for jobs in the parks." What jobs?

Off The Well-Worn Path: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Jun 18th - 13:38pm | Bob Mackreth

I'll second the endorsement of Apostle Islands as an outstanding place to visit, but perhaps I'm biased: I spent 12 years at the park, retiring as Park Historian a couple of years ago.

USOC Feeling Overly Proprietary About "Olympic"

Jun 16th - 23:41pm | Tom O'Connell

In a word..."Screw the Olympics" They have become irrelevant and hypocritical...who cares about the olympics??? tom

Support Journalism about National Parks!

National Parks Traveler is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Donate Now!

The Essential RVing Guide

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.

National Parks Traveler

Search