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I hope the Congress can get its act together and pass an Omnibus Bill incorporating an array of these bills you cite, Kurt. It would be such a relief if we saw an end to the efforts of some Members of Congress to destroy the ability of Congress to act when needed. Time to be patriots and protect the most important places in America.

Nov 14th - 07:27am | Anonymous

Why not just make the entire U.S. a National Park and be done with it....

Whitebark Pine Trees in Crater Lake National Park Under Attack From Blister Rust, Pine Beetles

Nov 15th - 08:52am | pkrnger

Kurt, thanks for featuring this important article on the threats to the whitebark pine at Crater Lake National Park. Thanks also go to Dr. Michael Murray, park research biologist, for writing about this important research.

Nov 12th - 14:56pm | Anonymous

Michael Murray is achieving great progress at Crater Lake N.P.caring for our ancient witebark pines at prime lake view points.

Nov 12th - 03:11am | MRC

Many sites where whitebark pine resides are too climatically harsh for other tree species. They are too climatically harsh now, but as the advance of the beetles show, this is changing. Unfortunately the beetles are more mobile than trees. So it will take about 200 years to reach a new equilibrium of beetles and new adopted tree species. We just have to wait for that.

The Winner of the 2010 National Historic Landmark Photo Contest May Surprise You

Nov 14th - 17:04pm | Jane S

What a breathtaking photograph. Interesting too, that sky of periwinkle blue.

National Park Service Establishing Protocols For Dealing With White-Nose Syndrome in Bat Populations

Nov 14th - 14:19pm | real caver

All bats I know have wings and they are able to fly several tens of km per night. Only way how to prevent the spreading of WNS by bats themselves is to cut them wings. Seriously. To make booboo onto tourists is really for nothing.

Fatal Fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park

Nov 14th - 10:56am | y_p_w

Anonymous: Why do people continue to compare an activity like this to walking on a sidewalk or driving? 99.9% of all people who stumble and fall on a sidewalk will get up and walk away with a bruised body part and possibly a bruised ego. 100% of people who stumble and fall off Angel's Landing will die GUARANTEED.

Nov 14th - 00:18am | Anonymous

1) "I just returned from hiking Angels Landing yesterday 8-24-10. What an amazing experience." Good job from anonymous poster for breaking it down in detail. 2)"A stumble can kill you on a sidewalk, a subway platform, or a bathtub, does that mean we should "rope up" to take a shower?"

New Ranger-Guided Kayak Tours at De Soto National Memorial

Nov 14th - 08:27am | Jay

Question: If I bring my own kayak, where exactly in the park can I launch to easily access the cove? How far from the parking area will I have to carry/drag my kayak? Tks...Jay.

Bighorn Sheep Study Being Proposed For Sequoia, Kings Canyon National Parks

Nov 14th - 08:26am | Larry Thorngren

No more radio collars in National Parks. I come to see wild animals when I visit, not farm animals with collars. These endless studies need to stop. This is a poor way to treat park animals.

Grizzly Bear Shot and Killed By Hikers In Denali National Park and Preserve

Nov 14th - 07:57am | Anonymous

There was no way for the people to know if it was a bluff charge or for real, unless maybe they waited for it to mall them to death. I'm sick of tree huggers placing the lives of bears above humans. Bears don't own land, we do. Where do we draw the line between human and animal land that we can not set foot on?

Lead-Tainted Carcasses and Gut Piles Pose Hazards for Endangered Condors

Nov 13th - 17:11pm | Anonymous

It's like the lead weights in fishing. I don't use lead weights anymore even though it is not illegal to use them. However, most people I know use the lead weights and it is hard to find the non-lead. Both for hunting and fishing the lead should be taken out of the equation.

The Abandoned Keane Wonder Mine at Death Valley National Park is Too Dangerous to Visit

Nov 13th - 09:53am | Lee Dalton

Probably not the nanny state that's responsible. Rather it's those folks without an ounce of common sense who enter places ready to collapse, feed bears and get munched, hike a desert without water, drive as if they were at Indy, or any of a thousand other nonsensical stunts and then sue when they get hurt.

Nov 12th - 23:06pm | Anonymous

thats really too bad, I have ventured around old mine sites my whole life and am disappointed that the nanny state has taken away a great site from those who have enjoyed it in the past. greatest generation....earned it hippie baby boomers...think they deserve it generation x...get it while you still can

Updated: North Face Deal Could Generate Big Bucks for National Park Foundation, But Is It A Good Deal For You?

Nov 12th - 22:29pm | ron mackie

Interesting discussion. I have mixed feelings about corporate donations to parks. On the one hand philanthropy has played a major role in our National Parks beginning with its first director, Steve Mather. However, when too many strings get attached to the donation, contentious issues arise. The case of the Yosemite Falls restoration was one such discussion.

Nov 12th - 22:00pm | y_p_w

Chevron helped fund the renovation of the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail.

Nov 12th - 17:48pm | Anonymous

Just another step down the slippery slope of corporate involvement in the national parks. Since Congress won't adequately fund them (especially after these past elections) the Park Service, with NPF as the mechanism, will continue to have to sell out to big business to stick around.

One Dead, 16 Injured Following Lightning From Thunderstorm in Grand Teton National Park

Nov 12th - 21:11pm | Anonymous

Again thank you to all who helped my son get off the mountain. He had excellent care on the mountain and at St. John's. His burns have healed and we thank God he's alive to tell the story.

Report Counters GOP Arguments That Environmental Regs, Agencies Hampering Border Security

Nov 12th - 14:35pm | tomp

Anon--

Nov 11th - 17:19pm | Anonymous

How about some millions spent to figure out how to quiet the generators on the CBP towers. Quiet the generators in a desert you ask? Yes... the fear was it would disrupt the mating of the Pronghorn Antelope.

Some Good Safety Tips To Keep in Mind While Visiting National Parks This Winter

Nov 12th - 12:35pm | y_p_w

I've actually tried older versions of technical cotton fabrics. I remember Champion sold their "Duo Dry Cotton", which they developed with Cotton, Incorporated (the marketing/research group representing the US cotton industry). It was interesting in the summer when I preferred to stay cool without getting overly clammy. I wouldn't have recommended it in the winter though.

Nov 12th - 10:52am | Kurt Repanshek

It was not intended to be an all-inclusive list...and at the same time, the cotton industry has partnered with Polarmax to create a wicking cotton fabric

Nov 12th - 10:43am | y_p_w

They didn't mention avoiding cotton. I learned that the hard way. In general, wool, polyester, or polypropylene are preferred because they tend to dry faster and still insulate when wet. Wet cotton is probably worse than wearing nothing in cold weather because of its ability to transport heat away from the body.

Claw and Horn In Yellowstone

Nov 12th - 11:09am | Dave Crowl

I found the info you seek on who took the photo plus many more photos taken including his story of the event. http://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2010/11/amateur-pho...

Reader Participation Day: Does Hunting Season Move You Out of National Forests and Into National Parks?

Nov 12th - 10:12am | y_p_w

K: Our one escape is National Parks and forests and that is not an option in MI. If anyone knows of any public land that is closed to hunting, I would like to know. Isle Royale National Park. It may technically be in Michigan, but if you looked on a map you'd think it was part of Minnesota.

Nov 12th - 06:01am | Bob Janiskee

@ K: You said that: "...they allow hunting in national parks...." This needs some clarification. Although sport hunting is allowed in some of the National Park System's 393 units, it is banned in the vast majority. That includes all 58 of the National Park-designated units (such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon).

Nov 12th - 05:39am | Bob Janiskee

@ Dave O: According to newspaper reports, the South Dakota pheasant population was 8.65 million this year. (There have been years with lots more than that.) Sport hunting is tremendously popular in South Dakota, not least because it brings a lot of money into the state.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Plans To Burn Fields in Cades Cove This Week

Nov 11th - 21:35pm | Anonymous

Was in Cades Cove today. Outstanding photo opportunities of the firefighters. Amazing to see the work they do. God bless the firefighters!

Nov 11th - 03:58am | Anonymous

"you might want to postpone it, as park crews are planning to burn about 700 acres of fields in the cove." Now is the time to visit. No management activity better supports the Park Service mission than prescribed burning. When we went yesterday, they had employees out on the road who explained why they were burning. It was a great educational experience for the kids.

Reader Participation Day: How Many of the 392 National Park System Units Have You Visited?

Nov 11th - 19:25pm | Sabattis

If you've made it to 100 or more of the Units, you are eligible to receive a certificate recognizing your accomplishment if you become a Member of the National Park Travelers Club.... you can check our website at www.parkstamps.org for more details on that if you are interested!

Reader Participation Day: How Do You Build Diversity in the National Parks?

Nov 11th - 18:14pm | Sara

Jon Merryman,

Nov 11th - 13:06pm | Lee

This is not simply a national park problem. This issue is going to take the effort of local, state and federal agencies. I feel like, in order for minority groups find value in the National parks, they first need to find value in their local parks, and state parks. Maybe they already do... but I would guess that proportional to other user groups, their level of use is still low.

Nov 11th - 09:07am | Jon Merryman

Xanterra and other companies seem to be focused on the cheap international labor pool for park concessions. They should be required to hire disadvantaged AMERICAN CITIZEN youth as part of their concessions contract.

National Park Mystery Spot 18: Snowflakes, Clint Eastwood, and Superman

Nov 11th - 15:52pm | George Whorten

Only I would take an honest guess after the answer had been revealed. Nice one.

Nov 11th - 15:48pm | George Whorten

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery?

Nov 11th - 07:42am | Anonymous

Mount Rainier ?

Nov 10th - 23:04pm | Rick B.

Yeah - I had phrases like 'high plains drifter' and 'fortress of solitude' going through my mind, but I can't connect anything that makes sense.

National Park Mystery Spot 18 Revealed: It's the Korean War Veterans Memorial

Nov 11th - 15:50pm | Matt W

This is great! The snowflake clue really threw me in every wrong direction. Happy Veterans Day to all who have served and their familes.

Nov 11th - 10:19am | y_p_w

That "The Man with No Name" wore a poncho did occur to me, but it didn't sound like it would get anywhere. I'd also like to thank all our veterans for their service.

With National Parks As the Draw, Luxury Railroad Plans 2011 Debut

Nov 11th - 14:23pm | y_p_w

The project was put on hold. /2010/08/alas-luxury-train-tour-western-national-parks-wont-even-leave-station6365 http://www.vacationsbyrail.com/usa/american-railway-explorer/index.html

Nov 11th - 10:45am | Robert

How we would love to. However, even with both incomes combined and a realistic vacation savings makes the $900-$1,500 per day an absurd consideration. We've got as much chance of enjoying this rail vacation as we do buying 50 yard line seats at the Super Bowl. This rail excursion is just one more item added to the list of Things to Do for the rich only.

Report: Climate Changes Could Batter Acadia National Park Economically, Environmentally

Nov 11th - 14:04pm | justinh

Anonymous, I'm not sure this is a satire, unless it's intended for an audience with little to no scientific literacy.

Nov 11th - 12:06pm | Anonymous

Great satire on climate hysteria.

Too Many Deer Has Valley Forge National Historical Park Officials Turning To Sharpshooters

Nov 11th - 10:05am | Anonymous

I also agree that people like myself that eat only venison would be glad to take the numbers down. It would make sense to use bows,crossbows and shotgun only, with a max. kill of 5 deer......i know it would make a lot of people happy. i am retired and have paid to go on a deer hunt for the last 5 yrs, (out of state) because there are less deer in Pa. each yr.

Want to Escape the Cold? Winter is a Great Time to Visit These Desert and Coastal Parks

Nov 11th - 09:30am | Jim Burnett

Tomp – Thanks for the reminder that "warm" is relative when it comes to the weather, and places like Death Valley and even the Florida coast can sometimes be downright chilly during the winter.

Republicans On House Natural Resources Committee Planning Big Changes For Public Lands

Nov 11th - 08:19am | Lee Dalton

I just discovered this, got a huge kick out of it, and think this would be a very appropriate place to share it. It's the Conservative Republican version of the old hymn, AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL: Oh, beautiful, polluted skies For insecticided grain For strip mined mountain majesty Above thy asphalted plain. America, America

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