| Page 1095 | National Parks Traveler

Mr. Rich S: "I see where this is going. If you can dismiss a credible scientific theory for the sake of a political agenda, I have nothing more to say to you." That political agenda works both ways so I like to think I'm in that middle ground that is suspect of this hugely pop culture atmosphere. There's an element out there that profits greatly by selective alarmist information.

Jun 28th - 15:14pm | Rich S.

That's not what the current understanding is among the scientific community. Natural, non-anthropogenic causes have been taken into account and cannot adequately explain the current observations. If you would like to offer an alternative scientific explanation, the burden of proof lies with you. (Hint: Rush Limbaugh is not a good source of scientific information).

Jun 28th - 12:54pm | ecbuck

Rich - There is climate change occuring ALL the time and has been for millions of years.

Jun 28th - 10:59am | Reality Check :)

Of course there's climate change going on but many in the sciences have a tough road to hoe after the temptations of personal gain/agendas have encroached into selflessly true science. I welcome a change in the character of the dialogue. On consensus, there was at one time "consensus" that the World was flat :).

Jun 28th - 10:11am | Rich S.

I'll just refer you to the National Academies of Science, NOAA, the IPCC, and the various scientific academies of numerous countries for the latest consensus regarding climate change that is thought to be occuring at this time.

Jun 28th - 08:43am | ecbuck

Rich - Why? It has survived the last several million years of climate change.

Jun 27th - 16:05pm | Rich S.

It is sad. But, it will survive the fire and recover. However, the region may not survive the next 50 years of climate change.

Jun 27th - 10:59am | Nicole Kofoed

Grew up in Los Alamos, NM and enjoyed many, many hikes in Bandelier. It's one of the most unique, beautiful park that I have ever been to. I am so saddened to hear that Frijoles Canyon has been scarred by the fire.

Mammoth Cave National Park Offers Rewards For Crime Stoppers

Jun 28th - 16:41pm | Cheap Mattress

Great article re: The National Park guys.

Politics Raise A Potential Roadblock to Creation Of A "Maine Woods National Park and Preserve"

Jun 28th - 16:18pm | Ryan

Guess the title of the article was accurate

Jun 28th - 15:07pm | y_p_w

I certainly enjoy my NPS area for their extensive recreational opportunities and for preserving our lands for the benefits of future generations. However, I'm not under the impression that to this day there aren't pressures made on private landowners when a new NPS unit is created or an existing one is expanded or changed in some way.

Jun 28th - 14:12pm | Reality Experim...

Dear Mr. Kellett,What we have here is probably the classic Liberal/Conservative discussion with some "reality" either embraced or denied. Counter to Krugman (Lets spend more) is Kudlow if you want to check. The thing with Liberalism is that when everyone sees it for what the ultimate results are , people reject it.

Jun 28th - 14:02pm | Michael Kellett

Dear Mr. Anonymous, I stand by my previous comments, and those of my RESTORE: The North Woods colleague, Jym St. Pierre. Maybe you need to pay a little more attention to current events, instead of endlessly repeating imagined outrages from 25 years ago. The Cold War is over and the world has moved on.

Jun 28th - 13:19pm | Michael Kellett

Dear Reality Experimentor, I never said that we don't have a deficit problem. I said we don't have "an immediate, looming crisis." The article you linked to does not refute my assertion. It points to a long-term problem, which I agree we need to fix.

Jun 27th - 17:28pm | Reality Experim...

In response to Mr. Kellett's denial/deception that we have a problem: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/23183a78-a0c6-11e0-b14e-00144feabdc0.html#axzz...

Jun 26th - 15:10pm | An Individual

Follow the history of the Kolb Bros. and very recent history of the Verkamp family's business at Grand Canyon that go back over 100 years that were more a part of the cultural history of the Canyon as the National Park Service itself. They were both forced out eventually by NPS but the buildings remain by act of Congress defeating NPS plans to completely demolish and remove Kolb Studio.

Segways in the National Parks: Do We Really Need Them?

Jun 28th - 16:05pm | Anonymous

I'm planning a Yosemite trip with my family. My parents are getting up there in age and my mom has gout. For her, walking long distances really does hurt. A lot. Imagine wanting to exercise, but feeling pins and needles on your knees every time you step down. It's not necessarily fat and lazy people who will use these devices.

National Geographic Visits Portugal's First, and Only, National Park

Jun 28th - 15:46pm | Hotel Castrum Villae

Thanks for the references to the National Park Peneda Gerês.It's a paradise to discover. Hotel Castrum Villae/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hotel-Castrum-Villae/94319351174

Reader Participation Day: Have Campground Or Lodging Reservations Gotten Too Hard to Obtain In Some National Parks?

Jun 28th - 14:43pm | Christina

We decided last week that we wanted to go to the Grand Canyon, North Rim. I went on line and booked a cabin there ($140 for two beds) and another one in Jacob's Lake ($120 for two beds) which is nearby. No problem getting either . . . I must have been luckier than I realized!

Do You Know This Grand Teton National Park Ranger?

Jun 28th - 12:30pm | Keeper

It would be good to include the numerous concession guides and others that love their jobs, their workplace :) and find that they actually like connecting to the people that come through their lives and share the moments of connection to these great place, am awesome payoff :).

Jun 28th - 12:03pm | Bryan A.

Thank you so much for the kind words.

Savor The Gifts That Are Grizzly Bear 399 & Clan in Grand Teton National Park

Jun 28th - 10:40am | Anonymous

I was just at Jackson Lake Lodge in the Tetons this past week and watched 399 with her cubs hunting elk from the back patio area. I was using binoculars of course, because the bears were about a mile or 2 away, but it was soooooooo cool. I hope the families of 399 and 610 continue to be successful, but I worry about the loud and obnoxious tourists getting too close.

Jun 28th - 08:15am | Smoky Zeidel

Beautiful. This makes me want to schedule a trip to the Tetons. I haven't been in years. Thanks you for your passionate words of support for one of the most magnificent creatures to walk our planet.

Can, And Should, The Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park Be Restored?

Jun 28th - 08:26am | Anonymous

I say it was a mistake that should be reversed.The money spent and wasted in Afganistan in 6 mos would be enough to pay for it.

Jun 27th - 22:12pm | justinh

David Zetland wrote: "nothing but an [environmental] grab of taxpayer money for their own special interest." Of course, one could replace the word "environmental" with any other group and make this same argument to oppose anything. I'd say restoring Hetch-Hetchy is worth doing.

Jun 27th - 14:51pm | rj in indy

Let's see "the majority of the money will come from the federal goverment". So its free. It dosen't cost anything. I think I know why our country is such bad financial shape.

Jun 27th - 13:50pm | David Zetland

Let's say that it only costs $4.7 billion to realize the dream. Now let's ask those 47,000 signatories to pledge $100,000 each towards THEIR dream. Any takers?

Jun 27th - 13:43pm | Derph

Just some things to note here. 1) The entire cost of the project has never been done, it's nice that everyone has their "angle" covered but there is no study that is complete in every aspect.

Jun 27th - 11:13am | tomp2

I'm in favor of draining Hetch-Hetchy and opening Tuolumne Valley as a more "natural" Yosemite Valley. My dream would be vehicle camping only at the mouth of the valley (west end), busses or trams of some sort as the only motor vehicles into the main valley, lots of tent camping in the valley, limited services (no lodges or hotels), and a valley floor with networks of hiking and mountain bikin

Jun 27th - 10:51am | Anonymous

Curious...I keep hearing them say that it could be drained without depriving San Francisco of any water. I have yet to hear HOW San Francisco would not be shorted any water. Many of these environmental goals are beautiful and wonderful, but fueled infinitely more by emotion and emotional assertions of fact without much logical basis in fact.

Jun 27th - 10:46am | Spreck Rosekrans

The storage behind the O'Shaughnessy Dam is minor compared to other storage on the Tuolumne River. During dry times, SF could divert from Cherry Lake or (after negotiation with Turlock and Modesto) its water bank in Don Pedro Reservoir (6 times the size of Hetchy). Very little water replacement is needed.

Jun 27th - 10:23am | Anonymous

The issue is not just about the Hetch Hetchy valley; it's about the entire watershed. Dams have huge impacts far downstream, and removing the dam may have huge beneficial impacts far outside the park.

Jun 27th - 10:07am | Reality Experim...

Why not do an experiment. When the flows into Hetch Hetchy fall after spring (now summer) runoff, cut the water off to San Francisco and actually see what the actual repercussions would be and whether those effected would be supportive. I know the concept is novel but it would provide real consequences for all to view. I'm sure the models are out there.

Jun 27th - 08:20am | Lee Dalton

If I remember correctly, Hetch-Hetchy has never been open to boating and other water recreation. If it were, there'd certainly be push-back to keep it.

Jun 27th - 06:33am | Tom Mangan

The "restore" side needs to think carefully about what happens if they get what they want: right now with the reservoir it's still an objectively scenic place except for the low band of water stains near the lake level.

Jun 27th - 06:22am | Lawrence J. Caldwell

Has anything of this scale been done before? We've seen the catastrophic results of dambreaks. But what about a controlled drain - forever? What have the forces of time and water done to Hetch-Hetchy below? Will it resurrect looking as it did long ago? Or will it take time to recover? Certainly plant succession will take its course and over time nature will do her thing. But her face wil

Jun 27th - 04:44am | Anonymous

Is there a possibility that their could be damaging to any of the ecosystems that have been there for almost a century? I would love to see the beauty Hetch Hetchy has to offer and have also having a chance to visit. Could the damn also be considered a historical site? I'm just curious.

National Park Road Trip 2011: The Lodges of North Cascades National Park

Jun 28th - 08:12am | Danny

Great artical enjoyed a lot.

Civil War Flag, Dress Coat, and Sash To Go On Display at Gettysburg National Military Park

Jun 27th - 21:51pm | George Crinnion

This Saturday, July 2, 2011, Cornerstone Lodge # 711 and Cornerstone Masonic Historical Society will be conducting a Masonic grave side memorial service for Captain Isaac Nicoll. Captain Nicoll was a member of the 124th New York Infantry (2nd Brigade 1st Division 3rd Corps.) aka The Orange Blossoms, and The Newburg Masonic Lodge. He was killed in

Jun 26th - 20:49pm | DAVID ROMAN

I apologize. My comment/invitation should have been addressed to Ms. Mandia and Ms. Reily not Anonymus, Thank you.

Jun 26th - 20:23pm | DAVID ROMAN

Hello Ms. Mandia and Anonymous, This Saturday, July 02, 2011, the Cornerstone Masonic Historical Society and Lodge 711 will be conducting a Masonic grave side memorial service in honor of Captain Isaac Nicoll. We would be honored if you and/or any other family members of Captain Nicoll would join us to honor him.

Traveler's Checklist: Gettysburg National Military Park

Jun 27th - 12:03pm | Haraldur

Gettysburg military park is one of the places i want to visit when i go to the US

Jun 27th - 07:38am | JB

Licensed Battlefield Guides are available on a walk-up basis every day, but you need to get them early, as they are usually sold out by mid-day. If you get there right when the Visitor Center opens, there will usually be a dozen or so guides waiting to do walk-up tours. Also, if you do a battlefield tour early, you will miss the heat, and can enjoy the hot part of the day in the air-condition

Jun 27th - 05:41am | GeorgeS

I've just returned from a 5 day visit to Gettysburg. Both this year and last I took full advantage of the ranger-led walks and highly recommend them. Keep in mind when planning a visit that not all walks are offered daily.

Studies Show Bear Spray More Effective Than Guns Against Grizzlies

Jun 27th - 11:23am | Anonymous

Tom,

Deep Snow Delaying Opening of Sunrise Area at Mount Rainier National Park

Jun 26th - 22:12pm | NikFromNYC

Here I present A Global Warming Digest: Denial: http://bit.ly/m6xySt Oceans: http://oi53.tinypic.com/2i6os4y.jpg

Interior Secretary Extends Temporary Withdrawal of 1 Million Acres Near Grand Canyon National Park From Uranium Mining

Jun 26th - 17:36pm | Tanya L

They have got my vote for protecting the land. I used to take trips to the Grand Canyon every summer with parents when growing up and I just took my daughter there for the first time last year. The more of it they can preserve the happier I am. Tanya [url=http://realestatelicensedirect.com] [/url]

Is There A New Unit of The National Park System Coming To Your Neighborhood?

Jun 26th - 15:15pm | Anonymous

While a study is probably better than haphazard designations, Congress all too often ignores NPS recommendations. IIRC NPS considered it unnecessary or infeasible for River Raisin and Paterson Great Falls to be part of the national park system but Congress designated them anyway. On the flip side, the Harriet Tubman proposals, highly recommended for park status by NPS, are still in limbo. I

Yosemite National Park Officials Instituting Reservation Program Changes To Stop Campsite Scalping

Jun 26th - 12:40pm | y_p_w

Get real: Get real, this has been going on as long as the park has had a presence on the net. Has it ever struck you as simply egregious, that for so many years you have needed to poke around to find a date that has availability, when they could of simply told you what dates are available.

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