| Page 1166 | National Parks Traveler

It occurred to me that as we mention the career accomplishements of Mr. Martin as he retires, perhaps we should mention that it follows closely on the heels of another retirement at Grand Canyon. Casey Murph spent twenty years on mules on the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails. To date he has the most trail time on muleback within the Grand Canyon of anyone living.

Dec 11th - 06:30am | Rich Granberg

Here's the link, Kurt. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=188057931399

Dec 10th - 20:54pm | Rich Granberg

When I hear comments NPS employees on this issue and I hear them say there has been a culture change, it is THEIR culture that has changed. The great majority of Americans that contribute to this country respect the things that are grounded in history and REAL experiences. Click on the link below and you'll see such a man.

Dec 10th - 20:35pm | anonymous

You know I keep hearing Superintendent Martin was here five years. I am pretty sure it was just three. Three years is the period to qualify at the top of the pay scale(Grand Canyon) that they use to determine retirement income. You sure have created a lot of good will. Never did hear how the Mule Ride went with Ted Turner and your wife to Pipe Creek to catch another raft trip.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agrees Wolverines Need ESA Protection, But They'll Have to Wait

Dec 14th - 17:29pm | Ranger

Please clarify that this decision applies to wolverines in the contiguous 48 states, not in Alaska, and that there are wolverine populations further to the north, not just in the areas listed in paragraph 4. Also, thanks for providing a link to the press release.

Dec 14th - 17:26pm | Critter supporter

You want to see how hard it would be to remove all the people on the John Muir Trail in the Sierras? The way it is now Wolverines can't live there. An analogy:

Dec 14th - 16:54pm | Nem

That is so wrong. They know the wolverines are in danger, why the hell can't they take action now??

Dec 14th - 15:17pm | Joan M

No wildlife should have to wait to be protected/saved or helped. They deserve more than the illegals get in this country. When are the people that run this country going to wake up and smell the trees.

Dec 14th - 12:27pm | Critter supporter

Just wondering if there might be something to investigate why Wolverines have disappeared from the Sierra Nevadas that might conflict with the idea that climate change is the culprit.

Dec 14th - 10:32am | rdm24

It's ridiculous the way the FWS is able to simply ignore its mandate to evaluate these candidate species. But I suppose that's because Congress refuses to provide funding to make that possible.

Dec 14th - 08:01am | anonymous

Interesting that they see climate change as their biggest threat. A long known but not much spoken of threat to the Wolverine's existence in the Sierras is the human traffic that they just can't accept. So many inconvenient truths out there. :):)

Big Cypress National Preserve Gains 29,000 Acres From State of Florida

Dec 14th - 12:48pm | Matt Schwartz

Actually, this deal was supposed to happen last September. The State of Florida delayed the decision until they were sure that state lands would not later become designated federal wilderness. The National Park Service's decision (released the day before Thanksgiving) to open up the Big Cypress Addition Lands to 130 miles of off-road vehicle trails seems to have satisfied their concerns.

Dec 13th - 12:26pm | Jon Merryman

I've seen the Big Cypress Preserve portions that are open to ORV, hunting, etc. It's a wasteland of mud and giant tire tracks. That was in the mid 80s though, so hopefully it's begun to recover from that. Can't help wondering if this former state land will actually be less protected now that it's in "national preserve" status, which we all know means "use" and "abuse" - not preserve.

Bryce Canyon National Park's Star Festival Right Around the Corner

Dec 14th - 10:28am | pkrnger

Jeremy, What impacts other than increased coal truck traffic and dust are anticipated? Is it possible that extensive flood lights will be used to support night-time excavation, ruining Bryce Canyon's pristine night skies?

Dec 13th - 20:38pm | Jeremy

This festival could be in jeopardy... the State of Utah has just approved a coal strip mine for 10 miles south of the park! The mine will be kicking up a ton of dust into the atmosphere, as will the 300 coal trucks a day leaving the mine.

America's Great Outdoor Initiative Visits Asheville, North Carolina

Dec 14th - 10:01am | Anonymous

Kristy, I understand what you are saying, but what this issue comes down to is that you can't "limit access" because these national parks and public lands don't just belong to people that live in rural areas but to all Americans. City dwellers have just as much a right to experience our public lands as you do. In order to truly appreciate these lands, people must go there and explore them.

Interior Officials, Wyoming Officials Agree On $107 Million Deal For Roughly 1,400 Acres Inside Grand Teton National Park

Dec 14th - 09:19am | Jon Merryman

Anyone want 3.4 acres attached to C&O Canal National Historical Park? You can literally spit into the canal from the property line. Great views of the Potomac River and West Virginia. Far left flank of the Confederate forces at Antietam. Let me know if you're interested, NPS...!

The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring

Dec 14th - 02:53am | Jessica321

Humboldt University in Arcata had a pic showing the top of this redwood I think. And there were a lot of other photos too including spruce and douglas firs. Not sure if any pics were from the grove of titans like lost monarch because no names were added. But the albums were really neat to look through.

Piping Plover Production Up At Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Dec 13th - 22:45pm | Anonymous

The PROPER name for the "UNIT" is Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. The recreational area component of the name is important, sorry. The NPS only chooses to use the allowed short name.

Is It Quixotic To Work Towards Restoration of the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park?

Dec 13th - 20:15pm | Zebulon

Based on what I read above, I'd be inclined to leave HH alone. $20B to restore a damn, build a new gas fire powered plant does not sound too appealling, especially if the net result is mostly cosmetic.

Dec 13th - 11:43am | Peter J

For y_p_w: Water treatment.

Dec 11th - 19:38pm | y_p_w

For Jim O, there is no lack of water storage capacity along the Tuolumne River. The total capacity of the current Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is less than the current excess capacity in Lake Don Pedro downstream. Lake Don Pedro has never been anywhere close to being full.

Dec 11th - 18:12pm | Jim O

Thanks to all those that came forward with their thoughtful comments. I for one was willing to volunteer my 10# sledge to the effort of restoration, but the thoughtful comments slowed me down a bit. The argument for increased carbon emissions was interesting. The argument did stop a bit early however. The Hetch Hetchy Basin if reforested would be a carbon filter.

Dec 11th - 17:42pm | Lee Dalton

YosemiteSteve certainly has a very good point.

Dec 11th - 12:02pm | YosemiteSteve

If you think of land conservation and protection within an emergency medicine metaphor, triage is an important concept. Where should we focus our limited human and financial resources? It's important to keep in mind that it's better to protect something that is undisturbed before focusing on restoration.

Dec 10th - 19:46pm | Erik Booth

Yes, I think it is quixotic to work towards restoration of the Hetch Hetchy Valley. I agree with some of the other comments and that is: the damage has already been done. Leave well enough alone and be happy with the National & State Parks and National & State Forests that have preserved the wonders of nature. Let's just not make the same mistake again in the future.

Some Like it Hot: An Interview With Yellowstone National Park's Geyser Guru, Mike Keller

Dec 13th - 17:38pm | Anonymous

Great article. Although, Excelsior HAS erupted since 1888. The last full, major eruption was in 1890 (maybe 1901) when it played as high as 300 feet. Less activity, some of it up to 75 feet high, was in 1946 and 1985. *Information from the book "The Geysers of Yellowstone" by T. Scott Bryan. Also, my husband (an awesome Xanterra tour guide for YNP). : )

Nine Injured By Lightning Strike At Old Faithful In Yellowstone National Park

Dec 13th - 15:08pm | Danielle M

My family and I were 6 of the 9 who were struck, and we were right by the man who needed cpr and further medical attention. It was a very scary experience. My family and i were taking a picture huddled under a tarp because it just started to hail. We were struck and when i opened my eyes, my family which i was holding, was then yards away from me laying off the board walk.

Dec 13th - 14:58pm | Danielle M

Of the 9 people struck 6 of my family including me! We were smiling for a picture and then boom! next thing you know we were on the ground yards apart. It was not cool then i can assure you that...but now looking back at it, its a cool story to tell.

Traveler's Gear Box: Hauling Your Gear Around

Dec 13th - 13:34pm | Joe Average

I posted some pics of our Brenderup and some other pics I have found around the web: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alittleofeverything/

Becoming Odyssa, Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail

Dec 13th - 08:09am | Danny Bernstein

Jennifer Davis is like a movie star in western North Carolina. She has the women's speed record for doing the A.T., as this review explains. She will try to beat the men's record this coming summer. There's absolutely no reason why she can't do it. She's over six feet tall, driven, organized and she has plenty of logistical support. Good luck, Jennifer.

Visiting Everglades National Park’s Royal Palm Area

Dec 12th - 16:48pm | Ron Damrill

Great video

Dec 10th - 21:26pm | PM

Always enjoy your trip reports. Keep them coming...

15 Years Into Yellowstone National Park's Wolf Recovery Program

Dec 12th - 12:06pm | Anonymous

Just saw the National Geographic's show on the "Black Wolve" story and it was unbelievably entertaining and insightful on the packs of Yellowstone. I love to watch wildlife true stories since it is hard to see them in person. Would love to see follow-up on the packs too. We are so lucky to have a National Park that is so beautiful and is kept "in check" with the wildlife. Thankk you!

Yellowstone National Park Relocates the 45th Parallel

Dec 11th - 15:54pm | Anonymous

If they can't get it right, why bother putting up signs at all? If they were to figure out all the state lines they would probably be off a lot more then they think they are just like the 4 corners, move the marker or don't have it there at all!

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

Dec 11th - 13:03pm | Tom Stoa

A couple winters ago my wife and I stayed at the Wuksachi Lodge and snowshoed the Giant Forest. Unlike summer when you can count on mobs of people, in winter you will likely have the giant Sequoias all to your self, once you get past the parking lot and out on the trails a little ways. A wonderful way to visit a magical place.

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

Dec 11th - 09:32am | Anonymous

330 trucks a day is 12.5 per hour or one every 12 minutes along a rather narrow, mostly two-lane highway with some very steep grades in places.

Group Calls For Boycott on Alaska After Game Officials Allow Wolf Trapping Near Denali National Park

Dec 11th - 01:40am | Tony Cox

Shoot the wolves and you have more moose. More moose means more wolves. Whats the problem? Or should I say problem solved!

Dec 11th - 01:34am | Tony Cox

I think governor Parnell is well aware that Alaska's game management practices are unique and not likely to be understood by the rest of the country. But the bottom line is: they work! And as long as they work they have a constitutional obligation to complete and fulfill Alaska's destiny for abundant wildlife. The fact is good wolf management increases their numbers, believe it or not.

By The Numbers: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Dec 10th - 22:18pm | Anonymous

Security is a concern at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. As CwB pointed out, there are several locations in southern Arizona where the Border Patrol stops traffic and seeks to find undocumented persons. Some Undocumented Aliens have passed through ORPI, and some have been arrested, just as every location along the U.S.-Mexican border.

El Malpais National Monument Closes Caves to Humans Over White-Nose Syndrome Concerns

Dec 10th - 20:42pm | Ranger Bill

Parks close caves so that the Government can be seen as doing something. It probably doesn't do much good, although logically bats stressed by human disturbance would be more susceptible to WNS. It's more about the political nature of all land management agencies. In a crisis they need to be seen as taking action. That's all these cave closures are, window dressing.

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