Mount Rainier

World War II Sites in the National Park System

Did you watch all 15 hours of the Ken Burns mega-series "The War" which wrapped up last night on PBS? I did! Having watched the series, I have wondered, what are the World War II sites managed by the National Park Service? I've come up with this list, with some parks units that you might not expect.

Mount Rainier From Cowlitz Divide

Rainier's Wonderland Trail Ready for Hikers

Here's a sign things are getting back to normal at Mount Rainier: Repairs to the Wonderland Trail have made it possible for hikers to take to the 93-mile-long Wonderland Trail that wraps Rainier.

Repairing Rainier: A Question of Values

While park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga wants to rebuild a section of the road, the storm redesigned the Carbon River, in some places sculpting deep pools valuable to bull trout, a species protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Tragedy Stalks the National Parks

It's been a rough few days in the national parks. A three-day search in Mount Rainier has led to the discovery of the body of a missing hiker, while in Yosemite another hiker has died while trying to negotiate Half Dome.

Here's the Latest On Mount Rainier

Seven months after a torrential storm pummeled Mount Rainier National Park, life is getting a bit more back to normal in the park. But don't expect things to be entirely back to normal just yet, though.

Global Warming Changing the Face of Some Parks

Too little too late?

Audiocast #2 : NPCA Discusses Storm Damage and Listening Sessions

Last week I had a chance to sit down and have an interview with Sean Smith, the Northwest Regional Director of the National Parks and Conservation Association. Sean was a lot of fun to talk to, I found him to be very knowledgeable about many park issues. Today's conversation covers two big topics, the November storms which did many millions of dollars worth of damage to Northwest National Parks, and also covers the ongoing Park Service listening sessions.

Audiocast #1 : Washington State Plan to Abolish the FLREA

I'm excited to offer the first official audiocast today! If you recreate on federal lands, including the National Parks, there is a topic that your wallet is already familiar with: entrance fees. I had the opportunity to speak with Washington State Rep Maralyn Chase who has co-sponsored a House Memorial which asks that federal fees collected under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) be abolished in the State of Washington.

National Parks of the American West for Dummies

Well, I hate shameless self-promotions, but I did write this book and I think it does a pretty good job of giving you a lay of the land for the parks it covers. Let me know what you think.