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Contract Issued For "Missing Link" on Foothills Parkway in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jan 19th - 11:56am | rjohnson

Don, we asked your question of Great Smoky Mountains National Park public affairs officer Molly Schroer and she said "both the Walland and Wears sections of Foothills Parkway are closed to all visitor use as they are still under construction. Under the current construction contract we expect the completion to be sometime in 2015." Hope this helps. Randy Johnson/ NPT Travel Editor

Jan 19th - 09:32am | Don H

Help.  Does anyone down there know if either section (Walland, Wears) is open to bike/hiking at this point? Have really enjoyed riding the "closed" sections in the past and just hoping to be able to do this...one more time... this coming May (2012). Any updates are really appreciated! D

Mystery Photo 42: Nice Profile!

Jan 19th - 11:46am | Bob Janiskee

Not Scotty's Castle in Death Valley, Barbara.

Jan 19th - 11:41am | Barbara L

Scottys Castle in Death Valley.

Jan 19th - 09:23am | Bob Janiskee

Sorry, Randy, but Mystery Photo 42 was not taken in Petroglyph National Monument.

Jan 19th - 09:17am | Randy Gardner

Is it in Petroglyph National Monument in ABQ?

Jan 19th - 09:04am | Bob Janiskee

Sorry, Dick G., but we can recognize a fishing expedition when we see one.  We are looking for the answer, not your thought processes. :o)

Jan 19th - 08:54am | Dick G.

 I see a road runner with a sun over it?? Must be in the southwest?? Best i can do__ sorry

Jan 19th - 08:00am | Bob Janiskee

Ken Unger was the first reader to ID mystery photo 42. 'Way to go, Ken.

Jan 19th - 07:46am | Ken Unger

Sculpture in front of Joshua Tree Visitor Center in Joshua Tree NP

Weather Hampering Search For Missing Parties At Mount Rainier National Park

Jan 19th - 08:27am | ecbuck

The search and rescue teams aren't on the park payroll.  It makes sense that those that put themselves at risk should be the ones that underwrite the cost of search and rescue.  Either they buy "insurance" with their entry fee or independently (for $2.50 you get S&R insurance in CO) or you pay the full SR cost if you require the service. 

Jan 19th - 08:22am | Lee Dalton

The idea of backcountry insurance is probably one to consider.  It likely wouldn't be expensive.  And while many search and rescue organizations are volunteer, it still requires money to equip and supply them.  NPS personnel make up many of the searchers, but it's not infrequent to need help from outside groups when the search requires it.

Jan 19th - 05:53am | Volpee

Aren't search and rescue teams supposed to search and rescue?   If the entrance to the park was free and the search and rescue teams were not on the payroll but were volunteers wouldn't that be a different situation?

Jan 18th - 23:40pm | Anonymous

All backcountry permits should be sold with an Insurance Fee so the general taxpayer not seeking extreme outdoor adventures does not have to pay for those eager to risk life&limb.

Jan 18th - 19:38pm | Lee Dalton

I'll bet that very few Americans are aware of the fact that in many of our larger national parks, crisis is a normal -- almost every day -- event. How can we help get the word out to the public?  If we could, respect for rangers and environment might go up. But then again, there are a lot of shows on TV tonight that are more entertaining.  (a bit of sarcasm)

Traveler's View: A Time To Pause In the Parks

Jan 18th - 22:58pm | George Durkee

I'd note that the NPS also has a professional law enforcement division in the form of the US Park Police. If I may kindly point out, the NPS DOES have a professional law enforcement division. They're called park rangers and Ranger Anderson was an exemplary representative of that profession. George

Reader Participation Day: Did The Stimulus Work Conquer All the Infrastructure Needs of Your Favorite Park?

Jan 18th - 22:17pm | Steve Nelson

I believe that Going-to-the-Sun Road received some ARRA money. But all the parks need some serious dough. We won't see it until attitudes change.

Jan 18th - 08:09am | Anonymous

Yeah, feed the beast or just the part that deserves it.

Jan 18th - 08:00am | Anonymous

And there you go - Great Smoky Mountains got $64 million!  That is more than entire regions got!  The problem with the program was that there was no system to equitably distribute the money. Some parks got $50,000, but could have used 20 times that amount.  

Jan 18th - 07:51am | Lee Dalton

It certainly helped, but it will take many years and a lot more dollars to make up for so many years of pathetic neglect.

Jan 18th - 07:24am | Danny Bernstein

Great Smoky Mountains National Park received over $64 million as part of the ARRA. And they used it well. Most of it went to continue the Foothills Parkway. Some went to refurbish Roaring Fork Motor Trail. And the rest went to trail and restroom maintenance.

After Two Years, Packing Strap Removed From Neck of Elephant Seal At Point Reyes National Seashore

Jan 18th - 19:40pm | Barky

Gads, that's horrible! Nice save, though.

Jan 18th - 14:12pm | Anonymous

A good bit of litter in the oceans.  The Tsunami in Japan sent a world of it (cadavers also) in our direction.  

Jan 18th - 10:56am | Kurt Repanshek

Nice catch, Dottie. If only we had spell-check!

Jan 18th - 10:30am | Dottie

The trouble with spell check?  It allows "way" to pass as "weigh".

Jan 18th - 07:50am | Lee Dalton

How do they think the strap got around the seal's neck in the first place?

Congress Asked To Pass Legislation To Increase Size of Gettysburg National Military Park

Jan 18th - 19:39pm | Barky

That's a nice addition. It'll bring the park right into downtown, whereas right now it's all around it. The town is as much a part of the history as the battlefields.

After Three Days Lost in Mount Rainier National Park, 66-year-old Snowshoer Walks Out and Goes Home

Jan 18th - 10:23am | Kurt Repanshek

Indeed, a wonderful article. I'd follow Mr. Kim on a snowshoe trek any time!

Jan 18th - 10:16am | Anonymous

Also interesting this news article on Mr. Kim: http://www.king5.com/news/local/Its-still-better-than-golf-Mt-Rainier-su...

Jan 17th - 11:46am | Anonymous

Interestingly, two other snowshoers were also lost in the same area during the same period of time.  They had not been reported missing yet, but had spent two nights in snow caves shivering and surviving on what they had in their day packs.  They were located by searchers looking for Mr. Kim in the same drainage where Mr. Kim was later found.  The search for Mr.

Jan 17th - 09:50am | tahoma

After the Uberuaga scandal and the tragedy that took Margaret Anderson, it's refreshing to hear good news from Mount Rainier.  Three loud cheers for the staff and searchers!

List of Top 10 Endangered Rivers Includes Two That Flow Through The National Park System

Jan 18th - 03:22am | plummer vinson ...

The upper Delaware has been a constant fight between New York and several conservation/fishing groups. The New York DEC has limited drilling (only through special permit) for any area surrounding the NYC water supply. Below the dam, they have not imposed any special rules.

Government Denies Responsibility In Death of Man Gored By Mountain Goat at Olympic National Park

Jan 17th - 21:43pm | StaceyWittig

Do you have any photos of the goat? Would you post them? I'm interested to see what a 370 lb goat looks like.

Jan 16th - 18:07pm | Jamie

I agree w/ former NPS ecologist.  ...  I hope the judicial system does what's right and rejects this case (w/ prejudice as noted).  The comment was edited to remove gratutious comments.-- Ed.

Jan 16th - 15:10pm | Anonymous

As a former NPS Ecologist, I saw many trees with defects which in time will fall, perhaps on a hiker; also, large prairie elk bulls which were nervous during the rutting season when photographers approached them; therefore, Americans should sue the NPS because we, the NPS, knew, "were

Jan 16th - 14:03pm | Anonymous

If parks were to remove every animal that every caused the slightest amount of trouble

Jan 16th - 11:33am | Anonymous

Too bad the most dangerous animals in Parks are humans... remember people, this is their habitat. If you are an outdoors person, you know the risks associated with life in the outdoors, if you aren't an outdoors person, do not go beyond your comfort zone where you will put yourself and others at risk. This is nature, deal with out.

Find Time To Escape To Big Bend National Park

Jan 17th - 15:59pm | Anonymous

Spent several days there this past Fall.  Enjoyed the hiking in the basin and being in the desert and also hiking along the river.  Would recommend vising the hot springs, as the water is 104 degrees and then you jump into the river for a great cooling effect.  Volunteers run the place and they are friendly and a great resource of the NPS.  Be prepared for some long drives if you stay in the lo

Summit On Future Of National Parks Coming To Washington Later This Month

Jan 17th - 13:38pm | Anonymous

Any inclusion of leaders for the "little people?" 

Jan 17th - 11:57am | Anonymous

Invited to attend the sessions January 24-26 are "leaders from conservation, philanthropy, recreation, tourism, education, health and economic development." Who are the recreation attendees? Do they include anyone from the recreational fishing community?

Jan 17th - 11:14am | Anonymous

Kind of related to Reb's comment but just thought I would add a concern for the recent decision to reduce by 75% the opportunity for the challenged, handicapped and everyone else really, to experience the Inner Grand Canyon by a Superintendent who obviously had his own agenda.

Jan 17th - 10:17am | Reb Gilliland

I requested an invitation on behalf of our association (United Mobile Access Preservation Association) and got no response. Does anyone know who to contact to get on the invite list?Muspro

Parks Canada Turns To Marketing Firm To Boost Visitation To Its Parks

Jan 17th - 09:43am | ILoveBears

I think getting some celebrities to do short spots about a National Park visit, (for Canada & US) wouldn't hurt.  I personally am not big on following endorsements because they come from a celebrity, but they might get people who aren't thinking about a NP visit, to consider it.  Might even get some celebrities to donate the time.

Birding in the Parks: Not Too Early To Plan To Attend Birding Festivals in the National Park System

Jan 17th - 08:19am | Kristian

I'm really curious to see many of these other birding events.  My first experience was in NW Ohio (which you mention) and I was really fascinated by all the warblers flying around.  My aunt later said that she felt like Snow White.  Here's a link to my experience, as I blog about festivals in Ohio - http://ohiofestivals.net/?p=47

Fort Caroline in Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve; the French are Coming

Jan 17th - 08:16am | Danny Bernstein

Thanks, Dick G., for your comment. I looked it up immediately. From my (very quick) study, I see that the "Black Legend" was a way for Northern European countries to demonize the Spanish conquerors. Britain, in particular, tried to say that their colonialism was kinder and gentler.

Jan 16th - 11:10am | Dick G.

Danny-- I would like to suggest you read about the "Black Legend"....

Mark Wenger Named Appalachian Trail Conservancy Executive Director

Jan 17th - 08:13am | Javier

We're glad to have Mark on board! 

Jan 17th - 05:22am | A.T. Board Member

Thanks for publicizing Mark Wenger's appintment as Executive Director of ATC. Dave Startzell's great accomplishments were protecting the A.T. footpath and leading ATC's reorganization as a Conservancy with broader goals. Mark Wenger will be able to build on that strong base to address the numerous, new challenges the trail faces, from suburban sprawl to climate change.  

Traveler's View: No Professional Bike Racing At Colorado National Monument

Jan 16th - 14:48pm | Heidi K. Addiso...

My family and I also had a horrible time visiting two Nat'l Parks. We planned a tour of Grand Teton & Yellowstone. Grand Teton was awful: an airport was cause for constant jet noise. No quiet meadow tours of bison calling and airy silence. Then, a road bike event was ongoing in Jackson.

Mount Rainier from Sunrise

Jan 16th - 09:57am | Cheoy Lee

The contrast between that ice-white blue and the bright greens is just stunning.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

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.