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Give Us A National Park, But Please, Not Its Regulations

Mar 3rd - 12:37pm | Mark Bohrer

You’re right, Drakesbad Guest Ranch was a private inholding at Lassen Volcanic National Park. The original owner deeded it to the National Park Service in 1958, and NPS decided to maintain it as a ranch for visitors.

Mar 3rd - 12:29pm | Mark Bohrer

Richard: Canyonlands National Park permits your bicycle on primitive trails to places like the Maze District, which rarely see people compared to the Grand Canyon or the rest of Canyonlands. That's about as close as you can get to riding your bike in wilderness - and it's pretty close Just carry plenty of water.

Mar 3rd - 09:32am | Matt Stubbs

"If a drop of oil leaks out of a gasket or main seal while on the beach - that's going straight into the sand. It frankly is a more direct impact than a drop of oil getting soaked by asphalt. I'm just saying that every activity has impacts."

Mar 3rd - 08:32am | Ryan

y p w, I do believe that wheelchairs capable of going "off road" (e.g. bigger tires) are an exception to the mechanized rule.

Mar 2nd - 18:15pm | y_p_w

Don't legal precedents allow for disabled access in the wilderness as an exception to "mechanical transport"? I've heard that off-road wheelchairs are allowed in Congressionally designated wilderness.

Mar 2nd - 17:32pm | Ryan

if limiting access protects the resource, then so be it. And I have done my research, many, many, times over. As for bikes not being allowed and flyrods being allowed...a flyrod is not a mechanized means of transportation, which is explicitly stated in the legislation as not being allowed in wilderness.

Mar 2nd - 17:23pm | Jenn

"The National Park Service is the only Federal agency tasked with maintaining cultural and natural resources in an unimpaired state. BLM, US Forest Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service all promote shared use of the resources they protect."

Mar 2nd - 17:23pm | Ron Saunders

I would like to invite some of the preceeding folks who made reference to CAHA, the 'footprint' vehicles leave on the beach and trash itself, to join the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association in it's next Operation Beach Respect and highway cleaning scheduled for April 16th. For details, you can go to the NCBBA website.

Mar 2nd - 17:14pm | matt stubbs

My conversations turn to CAHA because I think of the arguements used for removing ORV's from the beach, not building a bridge, etc... used by persons in the recent past.

Mar 2nd - 16:55pm | Richard Smith

Wilderness rules are the worst. I am discriminated upon because I cannot physically hike more than a few miles. My bicycle does not harm the trail any more than hiking, or llamas, or horses, but I can't take it into a wilderness because it is mechanical. No more mechanical that a fly rod, but you can take them there.

Mar 2nd - 15:46pm | Robb Reinhart

With all due respect, is Mr. Stubbs really trying to compare the impact on a beach caused by vehicles to that of foot traffic? This type of irrational arguement is obviously intended to confuse the issue, not honestly address what the mission of National Parks should be.

Mar 2nd - 15:11pm | Kurt Repanshek

Matt, you have to keep in mind that the Park Service does quite a few environmental studies before it builds roads, bridges, or trails into an area. They don't simply go in and lay them down where they might make the most logistical sense from an engineering point of view.

Mar 2nd - 15:02pm | Ryan

Why does every conversation on this site always come down to CAHA? Weird.

Mar 2nd - 14:37pm | Matt Stubbs

As I stated these things you pick and choose to list and more are bad for the environment, but no worse than building roads that have many times been accused of transporting vehicles and much larger qty's than beaches and allow all of the above mentioned bad things to gather and then be washed off during a rain storm at larger qty's.

Mar 2nd - 13:31pm | y_p_w

Matt Stubbs: Say what you wish but do not tell me my way of accessing the park (which leaves no marks) is worse than building permanent access roads, docks, boardwalks etc...

Mar 2nd - 11:59am | Matt Stubbs

Kvoth makes a very good point when stating that the park service picks and chooses what they want to protect and how.

Mar 2nd - 11:05am | kvoth

Life can be simple when you pick and choose your history and your regulations. Yellowstone National Park is a perfect example of the changing way we have interpreted the organic act. Enjoyment came first, well ahead of preservation. There were bear-feeding demonstrations with grandstands set up at the dump so that people could come and watch.

Mar 1st - 16:37pm | y_p_w

My understanding is that Drakesbad Guest Ranch is no longer an inholding but owned by NPS and operated by a contractor. I've read that the the public facilities at Death Valley are private inholdings and aren't subject to NPS regulations.

Mar 1st - 10:05am | Anonymous

This thread is full of fine examples of the thought processes of a certain segment of the human population which sees no difference between an individual person on foot and that person (or more than one) on a motorized conveyance. As if the speed, weight, noise and emissions of those motorized conveyances are no different than those of a pedestrian.

Feb 28th - 20:24pm | Mark Bohrer

Marjorie: Sure, it's what those places are. Bicycle through any district of Canyonlands (especially the Maze) or hike GCNP or Arches and you'll definitely see it. I remember a formatiion you could see from the Maze overlook that reminded us of someone dangling a rubber chicken by the neck. Of course, nearby, you had the Nuts and Bolts.

Feb 28th - 20:10pm | Ron Saunders

Kurt, Bruce Bytnar and Mark Bohrer all added to my history lessons for this week and I bow to their knowledge and understanding. I find agreement with much of what they say. I would go as far as saying that I support what they say with one qualification.

Feb 28th - 19:24pm | Marjorie

"..giant Rorschach tests in stone of the Grand Canyon, Arches and Canyonlands". Very nice! Can I use that?

Cedar Breaks National Monument Officials Will Be Showing Off Their Yurt This Saturday

Mar 3rd - 08:16am | Bruce

VERY glad to read about the availability of "a warm stove." ;-)

Proposal to Reopen Boquillas Border Crossing At Big Bend National Park Open For Consideration

Mar 2nd - 20:29pm | Anonymous

This is a GREAT idea that's long overdue. Closure of this historic crossing post-9/11 did *nothing* to make the area any less attractive to the "bad guys" than it was/is already, since it's many hours from the nearest Mexican paved road. Worse, closure put a *terrible* hardship on the good people of Boquillas del Carmen, who are many hours from the nearest Mexican paved road.

Mar 2nd - 09:48am | Anonymous

I like the idea of the crossing being opened again. Whether I would go across or not is another issue. When my wife and I go to BIBE we think of what it would be like to be allowed to cross, and see what the village citizens are like, and take photographs, but I'm not sure we would now.

Yellowstone National Park Exploring Improvements to Bechler Region

Mar 2nd - 17:21pm | Big Guy

To the National Park Service, This is my public comment on the plan to upgrade the facilities at Bechler Ranger Station in Yellowstone Park’s southwest cascade corner. I am against it.

Climbing Community Differs With National Park Service Over Fixed Anchors In Wilderness

Mar 2nd - 16:10pm | Ron Saunders

I found the "Directors Order # 41" interesting in that I became overwhelmed midway through it and began to wonder how anything gets accomplished working in accordance with its provisions. I guess it is just over my head. I feel sure of one thing, that being, a lot of money has been and will be spent as a result of it. Hope that funding comes through.

"Lost" Petroglyphs Rediscovered at Virgin Islands National Park

Mar 2nd - 15:32pm | Susanna

It's too bad the park won't fund a Curator to look after those archives....without which, that image would have never seen the light of day.

Mar 1st - 19:42pm | korey

I've lived in the southwest most of my life. I have seen some rock writings that very few will see. I think this find is great. It will add to our knowledge of our past people.

Can Blackwater Falls Area of West Virginia Support A National Park?

Mar 2nd - 12:27pm | Michael Kellett

Hi justinh, You're welcome! Best, Michael

Mar 2nd - 10:11am | RangerLady

I say make it a park! I agree with Michael Kellett in that the area is not very well protected. There are many endemic species of plants and animals living in that are that receive no protection. There is a species of salamander that is declining because of the clear-cutting practices of the USFS.

Mar 2nd - 09:39am | justinh

Whenever I drive through West Virginia, I think, "Man, how can this state not have a national park?" A beautiful place. I hope this happens. Michael, thanks for the informative post--that was a great read.

Mar 1st - 16:28pm | Michael Kellett

Hi Tomp2,

Mar 1st - 09:41am | Luv Canaan

The previous articles were well written and interesting to read. I have just a couple of comments. I hope the land is acquired in Blackwater Canyon and the land is not logged. That would be a shame. As for the other areas mentioned, do they not already enjoy protection from destructive activities? They have been designated as State Parks, or nationally protected areas of some sort or another.

Feb 28th - 22:12pm | Jon Merryman

Tomp2, I've seen what National Forest versions of National Monuments can be like. Clear cutting like that done in Misty Fjords National Monument would be awful for any forest area you're trying to protect. But perhaps each non-NPS monument can have its own charter specific to that location.

Mineral Bottom Switchbacks Linking to White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park To Open March 29

Mar 2nd - 09:47am | Anonymous

Yay! Had to modify our trip as an out and back last fall. Not nearly as nice as the loop!

What Should Gettysburg National Military Park Do With Its Empty Cyclorama Building?

Mar 2nd - 01:15am | Anonymous

Looks like a big tuna can, put it in the recyclables and set it on the curb.

Hiking all the Trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Mar 1st - 19:42pm | Jennie Whited

I was pleased when I saw your write-up with my name spelled correctly. Your information about when I hiked the trails was incorrect. I started hiking in 1993 and finished my 1st map in 1995. I finished my 5th and last map in 2004 when I was 64. It was a wonderful journey but I started having knee problems and wanted to hike on the AT after I retired in 2005.

Mar 1st - 15:39pm | Owen Hoffman

I had the pleasure of working with Liz Etnier during much of my career at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. It is with great pride to learn that she's not only become a Great Smoky Mts. 900 miler, but has teamed with her son to publish a fine book about her adventures so that others may plan to hike, one, several, or all of the trails.

Mar 1st - 14:25pm | Liz Etnier

I enjoyed reading your commentary on becoming "hooked" on hiking all the trails in the Smokies. As a 900-miler, I appreciate the organization and angst it takes to schedule, cancel, reschedule, etc, a hike before actually getting to complete the hike. I appreciate, and thank you, for your listing my "Day Hiker's Guide" as a resource.

Mar 1st - 12:19pm | Holly Scott

It's great to read such a well-written and straightforward article that really emphasizes the connection between a goal and one's personal desire to tackle it. Thank you for being such a great steward of the resource, Danny. Your love for the Smokies comes through loud & clear!

Mar 1st - 08:33am | Holly Demuth

Danny talks the walk and walks the talk. If you’re in western North Carolina next week, come out and get the scoop from her and 4 other Smokies 900 milers about their favorite hikes in the Smokies. Wednesday, March 9, 7pm, REI Asheville http://www.rei.com/event/17760/session/21782

To Build, Or Not To Build, A New Bridge Over St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

Mar 1st - 16:18pm | Anonymous

So which committee(s) does Bachman's proposed legislation get referred after introduction? Who is on those committees?

Reader Participation Day: Are You Heading To A New Park This Year? Which One, And Why?

Mar 1st - 13:36pm | Heidi

While I've been to all the Utah parks growing up, we only just drove through on our way to somewhere else. So this year and for the next few years we will be visiting each of the Southern Utah parks. This year we are taking our family (kids 4 and 7) to Bryce Canyon to explore for a week. I'm already so excited and so are the kids.

Creature Feature: The Desert Tarantula Looks Big, Hairy, and Scary

Mar 1st - 13:06pm | Heidi

Thanks for the info here. I've had a hard time finding useful information on desert tarantulas. My uncle gave my 6 year old son a desert tarantula that he had found in his yard (in Ogden, UT). Since his wife didn't want the spider, we kept it, and have very much enjoyed having it in our home.

The National Park to Park Highway

Mar 1st - 11:17am | Kyle

My wife and I are thinking of driving this same route in a six-week road trip this fall. Has anyone else tried this? Would it be possible to link in all the newer national parks on the same trip?

Hall Of Fame Coming For Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Mar 1st - 10:19am | Kurt Repanshek

Our pleasure, Jim, our pleasure.

Mar 1st - 10:09am | Jim Foster

Thanks for the publicity for the AT Museum and Hall of Fame!! We appreciate it. Jim Foster, Chair, AT Hall of Fame Committee

Can We Afford The America's Great Outdoors Initiative?

Mar 1st - 07:22am | Sustainability:...

Before sustainability there was environmentalism and before environmentalism there was conservation, exemplified by America’s national park system, which began in 1872 with Yellowstone and ...

Mar 1st - 07:21am | Sustainability:...

Before sustainability there was environmentalism and before environmentalism there was conservation, exemplified by America’s national park system, which began in 1872 with Yellowstone and ...

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