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111th Congress Did Well When it Comes to National Park Wilderness, But It Could Have Done Better

Feb 1st - 13:30pm | Zebulon

Kurt, Multi use trails are the answer, no disagreement here.

Feb 1st - 12:00pm | Kurt Repanshek

Sorry, Zeb, must have gotten waylaid by this sentence from your comment: "Cyclists only want access to multi use trails" That said, I don't think you'll ever see "MTB ONLY trails." If mountain biking opportunities are expanded in the national parks, I'd wager that the trails would also be open to hikers and stock use.

Feb 1st - 11:54am | Zebulon

Guys, I did not make my point clearly. The comment I quoted implied that the NPS official was worried about "MTB trails", which I took to mean MTB dedicated trails, hence my comment about the park not having MTB ONLY trails. I understand that the NPS has quite a few (but definitely not enough) multi use trails.

Feb 1st - 11:31am | y_p_w

Point Reyes NS has several multi-use trails open to bicycles. There are even three backcountry campgrounds that could be accessed via bicycle. The trails open to bikes are in dotted red: http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/upload/map_park.pdf

Feb 1st - 11:16am | Kurt Repanshek

Oh, almost forgot. At New River Gorge National River they're seeking comments on a plan to develop two “stacked loop” single-track trail systems that would blend beginner, intermediate, and expert loops systems together.

Feb 1st - 11:12am | Kurt Repanshek

Zeb, there's multi-use biking/hiking trails in Mammoth Cave National Park, Whiskeytown NRA has some great single-track, one of ou

Jan 31st - 21:35pm | Zebulon

"At the same time, lacking official wilderness designations, these landscapes could still be eyed for communication towers or mountain bike trails, Park Service officials have noted."

Wolverine Sightings Growing in Rocky Mountain National Park

Feb 1st - 11:41am | Tim

I agree, this is a very muddy badger. The claws are too long and thick, the head a little too broad, and the ears a little off to fit a wolverine. I had to study it for a bit with the mud covering all the easy markings, but the claws are what really tipped me off. Wolverines have semi-retractable claws and are hooked like a cat's, not long and knife-like like a badger's.

Several Hundred Bison Hazed Into Capture Facility At Yellowstone National Park

Feb 1st - 10:46am | Ryan

AMEN!!!!! People think they are in control of cows, I would argue it the opposite with all we do for their "protection."

Feb 1st - 09:19am | C.C.

What is it about the "migratory instinct" that the people who developed the "interagency bison management plan" don't understand???? Why does the plan work against this instinct??? Common sense seems to be lacking.

Watching Climate Change Across the National Park System

Feb 1st - 10:08am | Michael Lanza

I expect criticisms for the carbon dioxide emissions caused by the travel incurred in writing this book, largely from deniers of climate change. They cynically try to discredit anyone warning of the consequences of our impacts on climate instead of trying to make an intelligent and honest argument against the science.

Jan 29th - 20:14pm | justinh

Bushyhead, You're wrong. See the National Academy of Sciences report on climate change, for one of many.

Jan 29th - 18:57pm | Chief Bushyhead

"Whichever answer you choose, climate change can be seen in changing storm patterns, more vigorous storms, droughts, and heat waves." Many of these claims lack solid scientific evidence outside IPCC publications. (The IPCC also used a non-peer reviewed study from the WWF that claimed Himalayan glaciers would be gone by 2035 which was later debunked.)

Keeping Track So They're Never Forgotten: National Park Service Workers Who Died on The Job

Feb 1st - 09:02am | Amy Lewis

I am commenting from Connecticut. Chris was my cousin. The shock of hearing of his passing was more than I can even express. He was a great man doing what he loved. I am so glad that he was able to live out his dream and enjoy all the beauty of our national parks! He will be greatly missed. R.I.P. Chris we love you.

Jan 31st - 16:25pm | Kurt Repanshek

The Traveler reviewed Mr. Blehm's book when it came out in 2006. It was a fine piece of journalism that opened a window not only into the life of backcountry rangers but the physical and emotional ordeals of search-and-rescue.

Jan 31st - 16:15pm | Connie Hopkins

One of the best books I read was by author Eric Blehm, "The Last Season" where he chronicled the disappearance of Ranger Randy Morgensen In SEKI. I think Rangers are very underrated for all they do!

Jan 31st - 08:25am | Jim Ireland

Kurt,

National Park Mystery Plant 16 Revealed: It's a Good Looking Weed

Feb 1st - 04:33am | Bob Janiskee

Eric and Anon 11:44 got it right yesterday. Eric is on a roll.

Updated: Budgeting At Grand Canyon National Park Is Not Always As Simple As You Might Think

Jan 31st - 20:35pm | Gordon Smith

Wallapi Johny, Uncle Jim Owens, John Wayne and Red Williams. Let them all be in the sweet dreams of NPS, REgards Gordon Smith

Jan 31st - 11:44am | Gordon Smith

Jan Brewers office will take your call's on this matter- 602-542-4331,, in State 1-800-253-0883,, Utah Gary Herbert 1-801-538-1000 - 1-800-705-2464 God Bless Teddy Roosevelt. Regards Gordon Smith, Former Wrangler.

Jan 31st - 11:07am | Gordon Smith

Well my goodness, the NPS is watching this post :),, GOOD, Cause I'm making phone call's that go over there head.

Jan 31st - 08:22am | Anonymous

Lawyers are with the DOI Office of the Solicitor. They are government employees. The NPS does not pay any extra for lawyers assigned to NPS cases.

Jan 31st - 08:05am | Jess Goodwin

I am a former mule guide (1981,1982,1989) It's unbelievabable that so many have lost perspective on the importance of the mules, the history of the mules in the canyon, how much the hikers have to enjoy and benefit from due to those mules! They have been a part of the canyon since before it was a park!

Jan 31st - 03:57am | Steve Wolter

Case study for class?

Jan 30th - 22:55pm | Rich Granberg

Julie, there are 179 individual comments. You are welcome to copies of the comments. Just message me on Facebook and we can make arrangements. More daylight on this, the better. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=188057931399

Jan 30th - 19:57pm | Hank Blair

The Park Service would have a lot more money for the National Parks if they would quit spending money on lawyers to defend run amok employees. How much has been spent on lawyers in the Hubbell case of the Park Service versus Billy Malone? Lawyers do not make the Park Service better!

Jan 30th - 18:42pm | Julie Trevelyan

Kurt, nice angle seeing if river ops could help fund other areas. It led to a good observation by park officials that the monies are indeed muddied when it comes to national parks.

Jan 30th - 12:09pm | Gordon Smith,

Oh, by the way, if it were not for mule rides I wouldnt have my lovely wife and three little girls that Im blessed with, yes my wife was one of my riders, Regards Gordon Smith, Mule Wrangler.

Jan 30th - 11:55am | Gordon Smith,

Rock on Rich, You have a better way with words than I do,,, By the way, that one time visitor with white shoes could have just watched her step a little better so as to not stain those white Dolce-& Gabbana shoes :),,But if that same gal was ever able to experience graining the mules in the morn and listen to there whimpers and small talk between each other and the guides she would realize

Jan 30th - 10:46am | Rich Granberg

With all due respect to Maureen on this there are counter arguments that need to be presented.

Jan 30th - 10:24am | Gordon Smith,

I see allot of damage to trails done by rain water, Trail crews from NPS did not put correct water bars in place to prevent this erosion, And now its blamed on Mules ? These trails were developed for mule rides, not hikers, is anyone aware of how much trash is and has been picked up by wranglers that were discarded by hikers ?

National Park Mystery Spot 16: Shuck Your Clothes

Jan 31st - 15:23pm | Storm

"The small number of naturists at Gunnison pales in comparison to the thousands that can be found on Lighthouse Beach at Fire Island NS on a hot summer Saturday."

How Are Your Entrance Fees Spent Across the National Park System?

Jan 31st - 11:52am | Rich Granberg

Hey, Julie, the handicapped access into the Canyon just got reduced by 75% (really) to add to your visitor center issue. I suspect you know of which I am speaking, LOL! Rich

Jan 31st - 11:39am | Julie S

288 projects addressed accessibility compliance. $31,930,339

Litter of Mountain Lion Kittens Found At Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Jan 31st - 02:48am | Mountain lion facts

One of the interesting Mountain lion facts is that they can live in a wide range of habitat, from sea level to fourteen thousand feet or more. They are found in deserts, mountainous regions, rain forests and a number of other habitats

Men Who Allegedly Poached Deer In Yosemite National Park Were Cornered By Their Own Records Of the Hunts

Jan 30th - 23:01pm | Sierra Mark

I'm curious as hell. Which map of Yosemite shows it legal to hunt? These dudes knew exactly where they were hunting and how many laws they were breaking. With firearms now allowed in national parks, I hope the word gets out---------NO HUNTING or get busted.

Entrance Fee Revenues Dipped Slightly in 2010 Across the National Park System From 2009 Levels

Jan 30th - 18:39pm | Anonymous

Sorry. Correction, I said: "Thankfully, Yosemite National Park had to rescind those plans. This means that the current condition of those so called "flooded" campgrounds reverts back to "flood damaged" and there is no "Plan" to justify the NPS's continued lack of repair to those campgrounds.

Jan 30th - 00:18am | Anonymous

Yosemite, I assume was NOT in that list, right. We recently read where Yosemite's spokesperson seemed overjoyed when speaking of visitation at the Park of 4,000,000 in 2010, close to record numbers.

Jan 29th - 16:13pm | Steve Nelson

Glacier NP had free admission when I was there in August, 2009. There seemed to be a slight uptick in visitors in the Many Glacier area, but it's hard to say if the free admission was the cause or the weekend with relatively good weather.

Capitol Reef National Park: Winter Solitude & Silence

Jan 30th - 18:01pm | Julie Trevelyan

The Waterpocket Fold is indeed stunning, Emilia. Amazing to both look down into from a high vantage point, and then get deep into and hike through. And yes, "cotton kills" as they say....which is why I recommend synthetic layers when hiking. Happy trails right back atcha!

Grand Canyon National Park Officials Want To Keep Mule Rides in the Canyon

Jan 30th - 17:50pm | Jess Goodwin

As a former mule wrangler (1981,1982,1989) along with having hiked the canyon initially in 1980 which led to my going to work as a mule guide I fell in love the the canyon for all the obvious reasons that attracks other BUT if you look back to the biginning of Grand Canyon history the mules have been there from the beginning and are a huge and main reason the canyon is so enjoyed by hikes and n

National Park Service Looking For Kids Interested in Becoming Junior Civil War Historians

Jan 30th - 16:09pm | Jim Lewis

The main reason this program only has nine participating parks is that it is a pilot project funded by a small grant from the NPS Southeast Regional Office. I had originally proposed the idea as a national program, but that was not to be at this time.

Grand Canyon National Park Officials Release Stock Use Plan, Including Mule Ride Quotas

Jan 30th - 15:09pm | Very Interested

Sabattis, there are answers to ALL the issues here but more to the point it's the outcome that one particular individual has framed the arguments. There is lots of evidence to support this.

Jan 30th - 15:00pm | y_p_w

JohnT:

Jan 30th - 13:51pm | Sabattis

“Our challenge with this plan was to balance that use with the protection of historic trails and to reduce the high cost of maintaining those trails.

State of Wyoming And One of Its Counties Again Seeking Permission To Sue Over Yellowstone National Park Snowmobile Limits

Jan 30th - 13:04pm | y_p_w

destroyerman:

Jan 30th - 07:32am | Anonymous

Just returned from a snowmobile tour in Yellostone. It was amazing. The machines are fairly quite and no more than 10 machines in a group are allowed,we travled about 180 miles and saw 2 or 3 groups, and 4 o r5 snow coachs. The only time we had a close encounter with wildlife was some bison on the road, the guide had us stop turnoff the machines, and let the Bison pass us by.

Jan 29th - 19:33pm | destroyerman

wyoming has plenty of places to snowmobile,they dont need yellowstone period. yellowstone is as one reader stated,yeloowstone is a place of peace,and quite. wy should be spending their money on getting jobs for their people and taking care of their own state. do you really think the bears,wolfves,elk,deer,etc. like to see or listen to these machines...////????

Jan 29th - 16:19pm | justinh

Anonymous wrote: "WHAT RIGHT DOES THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE OR ANY OTHER BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT HAVE TO RESTRICT FREE ENTERPRISE? " The U. S. Constitution

Abraham Lincoln's Overcoat Returns to Public Display at Ford's Theatre

Jan 30th - 10:07am | Anonymous

Maybe it's because I'm a museum professional myself--but I would have liked to know more about what the conservation issues with the coat actually are. It seems like a strange omission in the article. Sure, textiles are fragile; but you mention that a number of other equally fragile Lincoln textiles are out on display year-round. So why is the coat more problematic?

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