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National Park Mystery Spot 28: A Natural Shape

Sep 7th - 23:58pm | RoadRanger

Has to be Delicate Arch at Arches National Park. Am I bringing up the rear again?

Sep 7th - 19:36pm | Kurt Repanshek

Oh, and Leanne just nailed it, too;-)

Sep 7th - 19:36pm | Kurt Repanshek

High is relative, y_p_w. Depends where you live. And your age and health can play roles, as well. As for the sibling, well, you'll just have to wait until tomorrow;-)

Sep 7th - 19:33pm | Leanne Edwards

Delicate Arch at Arches National Park

Sep 7th - 19:28pm | y_p_w

I won't pretend to have known the answer from scratch since I saw one answer before it was wiped. I've been there too. One of the most inspiring experiences in my life was seeing the sun set on this mystery spot. I don't know about high though. There is a bit of exposure on the way in, but it wasn't too bad. Most people could reasonably be expected to make the hike in.

Sep 7th - 18:55pm | Bob Janiskee

Rick Smith and Yellowstone Ed have nailed it too. Nice going.

Sep 7th - 18:38pm | Rick Smith

Delicate Arch in Arches?

Sep 7th - 18:04pm | Yellowstone Ed

Delicate Arch.

Sep 7th - 17:06pm | Bob Janiskee

Correct, ed-123.

Sep 7th - 16:57pm | ed-123

Delicate Arch?

Sep 7th - 15:12pm | Bob Janiskee

Anon 4:05 pm has nailed it too. Good work.

Sep 7th - 15:05pm | Anonymous

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park

Sep 7th - 14:53pm | Bob Janiskee

Yes, Blackfeet Dreamer, your answer does make sense. And it's correct, too.

Sep 7th - 14:49pm | Blackfeet Dreamer

Delicate Arch in Arches seems to make sense, no?

Sep 7th - 13:43pm | Bob Janiskee

Good work, RangerLady. Right on the money.

Sep 7th - 13:25pm | RangerLady

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Sorry I'm late....darn boss makes me work

Sep 7th - 12:09pm | Bob Janiskee

Tomp2 and Richard Smith have figured it out. That makes five. Aside to tomp2:  Your point is well taken. Maybe "climb" is a tad too strong for that trail. It did make me huff and puff, though, and I'm in pretty good shape for an Olde Pharte.

Sep 7th - 12:01pm | Richard Smith

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park

Sep 7th - 10:25am | tomp2

Clearly in Arches; I'd go with delicate arch because you use irony and delicate arch isn't as delicate as landscape arch is now, for instance.  And, you are old enough (like me) to think that trail's a climb.  My alternative guess would be the unpublicized arch NW of Fiery Furnace.

Sep 7th - 10:13am | Bob Janiskee

Well done, dave. That makes three who've nailed this one.

Sep 7th - 10:06am | dave

 Delicate Arch , Arches National Park

Sep 7th - 09:30am | Bob Janiskee

Congrats to Eric Nelson, who has honored steve2's point. Anybody else out there who's got this one figured out?   

Sep 7th - 09:26am | Eric Nelson

It sounds like Delicate Arch in Arches NP.

Sep 7th - 08:50am | Kurt Repanshek

Afraid it's not at Bryce Canyon nor at Joshua Tree, though both are good guesses!

Sep 7th - 08:44am | Anonymous in MN

My guess is Joshua Tree?

Sep 7th - 08:44am | Smoky Zeidel

How fun! But, I haven't a clue.

Sep 7th - 08:06am | Gary

Hoo-doos in Bryce Canyon

Sep 7th - 07:25am | Bob Janiskee

Sorry; it's not Longs Peak.

Sep 7th - 07:24am | Bob Janiskee

Congrats to steve2, who was the first to ID the mystery spot (8:21 a.m.).

Sep 7th - 07:24am | TsugaLover

Longs Peak Rocky Mountain National Park

Sep 7th - 07:21am | Bob Janiskee

Not Skull Arch.

The Million Club: National Parks That Had More Than A Million Visits in 2010

Sep 7th - 23:37pm | Anonymous

Does anyone know if there is a requirement regarding how many Law Enforcement Rangers are to be on duty at these parks with heavy visitation? On a recent trip to the Arizona Memorial, none were on duty.

Reader Participation Day: Do Grizzly Attacks Have You Leery of Hiking in Yellowstone National Park?

Sep 7th - 21:43pm | Connie Hopkins

I thought this was very interesting and very informative!!! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/casey-anderson/becoming-a-skunk_b_947342.html

Sep 7th - 20:18pm | Anonymous

 I wouldn't place too much faith in the idea that you are safer traveling in groups... what was it here just a month or two back, seven young men were attacked and badly mauled. And carrying a big gun might or might not stop one. Your best bet is, carry a gun and bear spray, and know how to use them.

Sep 7th - 18:34pm | Anonymous

We should protect all wildlife in national parks, among the only small fragmented refuges remaining for large mammals requiring much open space.  Visitors need to be instructed: Enter this Trail at your own Risk like you do each day you drive a vehicle knowing approximately 44,000 fellow citizens

Sep 7th - 16:28pm | Anonymous

My husband and I have hiked in Glacier and Denali. We have seen Grizzly bears at both places. Does the recent incident make less likely to hike....NO. I still it is more dangerous to drive to the airport than hike where Grizzlies live.

Sep 7th - 16:05pm | Nancy

No, I would not cancel a hike. BUT I go prepared with bear spray and hike in a group. I also remind myself before I go on what I should do if confronted. If we spot a bear, we avoid the bear and its surroundings. Be smart.

Sep 7th - 14:34pm | Anonymous

I am planning to go fishing on the Snake River in the Grand Teton National Park in about two weeks.  While I was there last fall I was been told there is a grizzly in the area.  I had bear spray, and watched the surrounding area carefully.  This year, after two people have been killed by bears, I plan to carry bear spray and a colt .45.

Sep 7th - 14:32pm | Dale Matson

Kurt,

Sep 7th - 14:27pm | Anonymous

  I think it's a shame that the shy grizzly is being forced to live in this modern, overcrowded, country. I feel that once again we are over managing and putting our own wants first. Grizzlies are not endangered on this continent. They are in the lower U.S. states and for good reason- too many people!

Sep 7th - 11:16am | Lawrence J. Caldwell

I spoke to a volunteer at the Clingman's Dome Visistor's Center when I spotted three big cans of bear spray for sale.  She was originally from out west in grizzly country.  Although the package stated effectiveness for grizzlies, she shook her head and said, "No way."

Sep 7th - 09:45am | AnonymousD

I'm with Danny and Ramblefeet on this one - prepare and be aware.

Sep 7th - 09:32am | Bob M

Bear Bells - Check Bear Spray - Check Air Horn - Check Cascade Corner here I come.....

Sep 7th - 09:13am | ramblefeet

I think that the fatalities this summer have made me more aware of how good the 'standard' advice is - hike in groups of three or more, make people sounds, eliminate enticing odors, etc... I like hiking quietly and enjoy hiking alone - I don't think I will be doing that anymore in grizzly country.  So, yes, I have done some reconsidering, though I don't think that is a bad thing.

Sep 7th - 08:03am | Connie Hopkins

My husband Dave and I were in Yellowstone just last month and we did our usual backcountry hiking; we were packing our bear spray, making noise and being generally "Bear Aware".  We had planned to hike Riddle Lake but it was closed due to the fatality in July so we adjusted our schedule.

National Park Travelers Club To Meet in Washington, D.C.

Sep 7th - 20:07pm | Anonymous

Join LinkedIn Group: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=4073540

Updated: Investigation Continues Into Yellowstone National Park Bear Mauling

Sep 7th - 18:07pm | Anonymous

WELL, there are some PRETTY LOUSY SUPERINTENDENTS ripping off the Taxpayer with high salaries, and endless Perks, who think they should be treated like Royals simply because their friends in high places made certain they were promoted.  There needs to be a serious study of superintendent performance in terms of quality

Many National Parks Get The Indian Story Wrong

Sep 7th - 13:30pm | richp39

I find this article overly critical.  Yes, there could be more history of the Native Americans at all of the parks mentioned. There could also be more history of the settlers, white, black and oriantal. Also more info on the flora and fauna, geology, ecology, etc, etc. There is only so much time, money and space for documenting and displaying the stories.

Sep 7th - 12:09pm | D. Styler

Just as a postscript,having just returned from visiting Guadeloupe NP, I can say I was greatly impressed by the knowledge of Native American culture, history, and present and past society displayed by the interpretative staff.

Sep 7th - 11:18am | Don Morris

I was surprised the author did not examine the interpretive work at Mesa Verde, Chaco, and other areas whose prime resource is Native American history.  Often there, one must start from a fairly low level - I once got the question "Were these built by Indians or people?" at Mesa Verde- with a start like that, you have a mountain to climb....

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