| Page 1167 | National Parks Traveler

Y_P_W, there's no general forum here because we lack the workforce to fight all the spam. A couple years ago we had a whole section of forums on various topics, and every morning we'd awake to dozens of spam filings. Requiring manual approval of comments doesn't solve the problem, it just transfers it to our in-boxes.

Dec 9th - 12:43pm | Lee Dalton

YP, a lot of the real fun of Traveler is the wide variety of comments from so many varied readers. It provides a lot of entertainment and a host of viewpoints that might be severely diminished if there was some kind of rule regarding posts. Sometimes the comments are vents, sometimes they are educational, sometimes they are humorous and sometimes downright solemnly serious.

Dec 9th - 12:00pm | y_p_w

Leslie Nielsen? I remember one of the Naked Gun movies featured a "Canadian restaurant" where the waiter was wearing a Mountie uniform and served "chocolate moose". Since this is an unrelated set of comments, that reminds me. I love the comments sections, which assorted readers use to vent. However - how come there's no general forum here?

Dec 9th - 11:49am | Bob Janiskee

Neat stuff, y_p_w. And since you've brought Canadian Mounties into the picture, you've given me an opening for one of my favorite little anecdotes. The recently-deceased actor/comedian Leslie Nielson (the "Airplane" and "Naked Gun" guy) was born in Saskatchewan and his father was a Mountie. OK; that's the trivia line; here's my story.

Dec 9th - 11:21am | y_p_w

Anonymous : For me, a Park Ranger in a flat hat symbolizes National Parks. Where else do you see that, except in a National Park? Well - it's been hinted already that the US Forest Service has also adopted the "campaign hat" in its dress uniform. It's still part of the drill instructor uniform in the US Armed Forces.

Dec 9th - 08:33am | Anonymous

For me, a Park Ranger in a flat hat symbolizes National Parks. Where else do you see that, except in a National Park?

Dec 9th - 01:33am | MRC

If it is any indication on how the interested public sees the NPS and the national parks, Wikipedia opens their List of National Parks of the United States with a poster of Old Faithful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_parks_of_the_United_States

Dec 8th - 18:51pm | Kurt Repanshek

Actually, Rich up high put in a link to an image of mules heading down from the South Rim.

Dec 8th - 18:14pm | Karl

Can't believe no one has put the image of the south rim of the grand canyon.

Dec 8th - 15:54pm | RangerLady

Thanks Lee...you made me laugh during a day of endless online trainings!

Dec 8th - 14:40pm | MikeD

Hat is a great answer, as is Old Faithful itself. Mt. Rushmore and Grand Canyon are iconic for sure, but I bet there are a lot of people out there who don't know that they are under the national park system. But I think Yellowstone is the iconic national park, and Old Faithful is the icon of that park.

Dec 8th - 12:20pm | y_p_w

Groups File Appeal To Block Coal Mine Near Bryce Canyon National Park

Dec 9th - 22:53pm | Marty Koch

We will not be happy until we have defiled every last vestige of nature! And get used to it, with pro business politicians gaining ground the degradation will accelerate. If we put effort into green energy we could certainly slow the march to the tipping point. But there is not as much sort term profit in that approach.

Dec 9th - 19:23pm | Bogator

I can't imagine a worse place to put a coal mine. This area is full of scenic byways. US 89, also know as the Mt Carmel Scenic Byway (http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2025/), is the major road joing Bryce Canyon NP, Zion NP, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and the Vermillion Cliffs as well as the Marble Canyon.

Dec 9th - 13:47pm | Kurt Repanshek

The mine is located near Alton, just off U.S. 89, a scenic byway that vacationers travel between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. One of the concerns is how upwards of 300 tandem coal trucks a day -- traveling 24 hours a day, six days a week -- would impact travel on that road.

Dec 9th - 13:37pm | Pittsburgh in t...

Is this strip mine located along the scenic byway or another major route to the park? The objections are not clear to me from this article.

Can Congress Pass Omnibus Land Bill Before Session Ends?

Dec 9th - 22:40pm | Sabattis

I too was surprised by what was not included in this Omnibus Bill - the Harriet Tubman Special Resource Study has been lying around for a while now with a favorable recommendation from the NPS, but still little signs of action on it - that one is probably the most-notable omission Also, I'm guessing that they thought the Castle Nugent designation was too controversial for this go-around, even

Dec 9th - 11:40am | Anonymous

What happened to the Harriet Tubman bill? Otherwise I'd be satisfied with this omnibus bill if it passed.

Dec 9th - 07:49am | Lee Dalton

We's all in BIG TRUBBLE!

Dec 9th - 07:15am | Danny Bernstein

And to that, may I add We need Congress to Authorize full and dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). See http://www.nps.gov/lwcf/

National Park Quiz 89: National Recreation Areas

Dec 9th - 21:38pm | Sabattis

I got an 8.5 out of 12 on this one...

Dec 9th - 12:08pm | Rangertoo

There is an irony in that while Delaware Water Gap NRA is not reservoir-focused, it was created when the proposed reservoir at that location was abandoned. Most of the park land was acquired by the Army Corps in order to allow for inundation.

Dec 8th - 17:28pm | George

Glen Canyon NRA is going to be less reservoir-focused as the years roll by and the reservoir shrinks. Its magnificent back country will become better known. Forty-seven percent of its acreage has been recommended for designation as wilderness. Someday it will be a great national park.

Dec 8th - 15:39pm | Lee Dalton

Green Jello is an acquired taste.

Dec 8th - 13:12pm | Bob Janiskee

Sorry, Lee; I don't like green jello.

Traveler's Checklist: Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Dec 9th - 20:14pm | Sabattis

I was a bit surprised to see Jean Lafitte NHP & Preserve included in the list of National Parks in the "National Recreation Area urban model".

New Rules For Fires on Ocean Beach At Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Dec 9th - 14:42pm | Anonymous

Fires used to be allowed up and down the beach, and for as long as people wanted to be there. That worked for over a hundred years, but then the Park Service took over. I look forward to the day when the Park Service in their role as nanny, only allows one fire on the beach between the hour of 5 and 6 pm during the month of September. Fun!

When Fall Comes to Shenandoah National Park

Dec 9th - 14:30pm | Anonymous

i love shenandoah national park!!! visited several times, yet it never ceases to amaze me!!!!! awesome view

Fall In Shenandoah National Park

Dec 9th - 14:10pm | Anonymous

amazing love the pic

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Steve Martin Hanging Up His Hat

Dec 9th - 14:01pm | anonymous

Don't let the door hit you in the backside on the way out. Would have been better if you had more closely followed your buddy Snyder out that door. Signed, an employee with two unfortunate expereiences working under Martin's reign in thirteen years.

Dec 9th - 08:43am | Rich Granberg

The release of information under the FOIA under Martin has been either refused, delayed to a time that would make it noneffective or denied that a documented event even happened. I guess that's what one learns after 2 years in Washington, transparency.

Dec 8th - 20:09pm | Anonymous

to editor: "No rider fatalities" means no GUEST riders. And in 103 years only one employee death. The mule rides are the most SAFE way for everyone to see the canyon. Can't say the same for those mighty hikers, now, can we? How many hikers have been rescued and/or assisted by mules and the wranglers?

Dec 8th - 20:04pm | Anonymous

Stock use has been reduced by 75% below the rim ... at least the rides. Carrying all supplies in and out of Phantom for the hikers and 10 mule riders per day is still done by mule. Stock use on the S Rim used to be 40 riders to the bottom, and 10-20 (someone correct me) for day rides to Plateau Point.

Dec 8th - 19:24pm | Anonymous

So what are the particulars of his and his wife's golden parachute or is Mrs. Martin going to take over the Grand Canyon Superintendent's position?

Dec 8th - 17:08pm | d-2

I agree with the last 'Anonomous' comment about the quality and intelligence of Ms. Martin. She is bright and imaginative, energetic, and excellent to work with.

Dec 8th - 13:55pm | Anonymous

For the last five years, I have had the opportunity to work with both of the Martins in an official capacity. During that time, I found them both to be two of the most capable civil servants I've had the honor to work with. To say that Mrs. Martin is unqualified to serve in her present role is unfair and untrue.

Dec 8th - 13:29pm | Anonymous

I suppose his proudest accomplishment is the destruction of the mule rides. People who have been in the GC park for 20-30 years know all about Mr. Stevie, and his wife. Must be nice to be able to CREATE a position and put your spouse into it! His excuses for getting rid of the mules were pure B.S. Good riddance, I say.

A Handy List of Holiday Events Across the National Park System

Dec 9th - 13:50pm | Richard

You are cordially invited to attend the “Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree” ceremony, at the General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon National Park. Join the “Trek to the Tree” Ceremony at Kings Canyon National Park on December 12.

Study Says Half Dome Permit System In Yosemite National Park Apparently Does Not Enhance Overall Hiker Safety

Dec 9th - 13:30pm | Gary

Looks like permits will be necessary for every day in 2011. A daily limit of 400 will make for a safer and more enjoyable experience. They should continue to be free, and there should be 100/day available without an advance reservation. The permit process can weed out unprepared hikers by informing hikers of recomended equipment and physical readiness.

Dec 8th - 23:57pm | Rick Deutsch

Ray has seriously good points. Since 1919 when the cables were put up, only 2 people have fallen to their deaths when the cables are up for summer use. One in June 2007 can be attributed to fatigue and exhaustion. The other death was in June 2009 and was a direct result of weather.

Dec 8th - 21:12pm | Anonymous

The NPS is trying to preserve and manage Half Dome, as per the requirements set forth in their Organic Act, not trying to intrude on visitor experience. Yes, we as the public are the owners, but that does not mean that we are the managers. The general public, left to their own wills, are likely left unsafe and unwilling to preserve this amazing experience for future generations.

Dec 8th - 17:03pm | Ray Rippel

The safety issue is nonsense -- the overall record on the cables is far, far better than the record, for example, of the Merced River, which is by far the worst "killer" in the park (if you don't count automobiles). More people have died going over the various waterfalls.

Dec 8th - 12:24pm | y_p_w

I was predicting that average weekday traffic up the cables was going to be more than the average weekend traffic. It wasn't that hard to figure out - that those who would make this trip on short notice (or who couldn't secure a permit) would shift to the non-permit days. If they really want to do something, they''ll need permits for all days that the cables are up.

Now Might Be A Good Time to Plan that Winter Trip to Sequoia National Park

Dec 9th - 13:11pm | Anonymous

I live in Southern California and have heard stories about Sequoia in the winter. I hear it feels like a whole other world compared to a typical California winter which seems to have been accurately portrayed as evidenced by your photos. Look forward to checking out Wuksachi Lodge, hopefully this winter.

Trails I've Hiked: Queen's Garden-Navajo Loop At Bryce Canyon National Park

Dec 8th - 13:59pm | Garvin Preston

I'm sure it's lovely for the hale and hearty, and your photos are great, but for another p.o.v. see http://www.myhandicapparking.com/Bryce.html Ouch!

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