| Page 1201 | National Parks Traveler

In 16 years of discussing the issue of mountain biking with mountain bikers and others, I have never heard a single good reason to allow bikes in natural areas. Every mountain biker is capable of walking. The prohibition of bikes and other mechanical forms of transportation is a very humane way of keeping the human footprint small, while still allowing everyone access to Wilderness.

Aug 30th - 17:29pm | y_p_w

Kurt Repanshek: I believes exceptions for helicopter use in wilderness for just this thing have been granted, no? And let's not forget that exceptions are granted to ferry crews and tools into wilderness for work details. Emergency use of motorized vehicles or aircraft is written right into the Wilderness Act.

Aug 30th - 17:17pm | Zebulon

It is the same Ted Stroll in both cases, and he was right in both cases. The 2.7% argument is a nice way of deflecting the obvious: 50M acres in the lower 48 is a huge amount of land off limits to bicycles, and a number that is continually growing and taking away more and more trails away from us.

Aug 30th - 16:35pm | MikeD

I was told that when there was a big storm that went through the BWCAW years ago, they had to have Congress pass legislation to grant a one-time exception to the Wilderness rules so they could go in there to clean it up, it was that bad.

Aug 30th - 15:56pm | Kurt Repanshek

I believes exceptions for helicopter use in wilderness for just this thing have been granted, no?

Aug 30th - 15:44pm | haunted hiker

A Yosemite ranger told me a story about a wilderness mgmt training course he attended. A question was posed during the course: If a hiker is severely injured in a designated wilderness area is it appropriate for a helicopter to be used to save him? The dilemma posed was that the hiker might die if the helicopter wasn't used.

Aug 30th - 14:53pm | Anonymous

Isn't the Wilderness Act a "Living Document?" I mean, if it's good enough for what used to be "the Constitution" ........

Aug 30th - 13:51pm | Mike Vandeman

Ted Stroll is not honest enough to admit that he is a mountain biker promoting mountain biking (he euphemistically called it "trail cycling"). Nor the fact that mountain bikers are capable of walking, just like everyone else -- just too lazy to DO it.

Aug 30th - 11:57am | Cornell

In his posting, Jim Davis argues for mountain biking.

Aug 30th - 11:17am | destroyerman

dont go.its wilderness,lets keep it the way it is..no place for a bicycle.lots of other places to bike.

Aug 30th - 10:52am | Jim Davis

Really, again? Kurt out hammering the mountain bikers for trying to gain access to the "Hallowed" ground. It's dirt Kurt and the wagon trains rolled over it long ago. No one is asking for a Taco Bell to be given access to sell veggie burrito's.

Aug 30th - 10:40am | tahoma

It's not just the Forest Service that seems opposed to Wilderness signage, for example: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2007/jul/23/mr-outdoors-seabury-blair-jr-p...

Aug 30th - 09:45am | MikeD

I would tend to agree with Kurt on the issue regarding bikes, but I do think Stroll raises an interesting question regarding signage. I recently read a book called Lost in the Wild by Cary Griffith. It tells two survival stories both in the Boundary Waters Area (the other one takes place partly across the border in Canada).

Weather Conditions Continuing To Hamper Search Efforts For Missing Katmai National Park Plane

Aug 30th - 19:52pm | Anonymous

Thanks for the updates. My brother in law is chief ranger at Katmai. This has been a very difficult time for him and I know he is doing all he can in this search.

Aug 29th - 16:21pm | Anonymous

Thank you for your informative updates. It is much appreciatied. Two of my nephews were aboard this plane. Knowing the wisdom, strength and survival skills that they have, we are still keeping the faith that they are making it through this and bring Mason and Marco along with them. Much gratitude, CSW

Aug 29th - 15:42pm | Anonymous

Thank you very much for the update. Even though the rescue status has not changed, I am comforted knowing that the searchers are working hard and that the media is continuing to keep the public informed. I am keeping my hopes high with the thought of seeing my friend again.

RV Accident in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Injures 6

Aug 30th - 19:27pm | Caroleblanc

We were slightly inconvenienced by the accident, but truly glad no one had died. We are curious as to how the 13 year old boy is doing? We've been praying for him.

Aug 30th - 07:01am | Anonymous

My spouse and I were headed back home to Georgia that day. The accident happened less than 5 minutes before we came to it. We saw the tracks were something went off but didn't know it was a RV. We were lucky in that we got through before the traffic was stopped. On our way back down the mountain, about 20 something rescue vehicles were headed toward the scene.

Aug 29th - 21:20pm | Vicki Baulk

My son and I travelled from Canada to visit the Smokey Mountains, and were camping in the park the day of the accident. Our plans were completely turned upside down by the accident, but there were many other things to do in the park that day. We ended up visiting Cade's Cove, a trip we likely would not have taken place if the highway had not been closed.

Updated: Improving Weather Aids in Search for Missing Plane at Katmai National Park

Aug 30th - 18:52pm | Ben Jones

Neal is very capable of handling the extreme conditions that they might be facing, there was also a lot of supply on the plane. I know that if the plane went down survivable, then they are going to be found. I am grateful to all those concentrating their efforts to try and find these guys and look forward to their safe rescue.

Aug 30th - 18:31pm | Anonymous

It's all about money and who is on board! I wonder why Sen. Ted Stevens was flying on a plane not participating in the Medallion Foundation Program (said with extreme sarcasm)

Aug 30th - 16:32pm | Anonymous

Its frustrating to see this plane has not been found. The question is why it was not equipped with the new 406b ELT that is actively monitored and the old 121.5 ELT is no longer monitored unless there is a known aircraft missing. The new 406b ELT signal narrows a search area much smaller than the one they are now doing.

What Should Gettysburg National Military Park Do With Its Empty Cyclorama Building?

Aug 30th - 17:19pm | Kevin in Atlanta

Hold an auction for the building, with the caveat that the winning bidder will be obligated to move the building to another location by a date certain. If there is no preservation group or individual able and willing to take on the challenge/opportunity, then it should be torn down as planned.

Aug 29th - 14:48pm | Anonymous

The building should be torn down. It does not add to the surrounding land, but detracts from it. I disagree that just because a building is old that it should hold an historic significance. Sometimes things are just old and need to be disposed of.

Aug 29th - 14:12pm | Cornell

Let me get this right: demolition has been held up because the Cyclorama Building "is eligible for listing on the National Register". Under this rationale if a building has been around long enough, that should outweigh the reason for Gettysburg National Military Park.

Aug 29th - 12:33pm | Tim Zurek

Although the idea of preserving the building is a valid one and deserves some debate I feel that the core issue should be the restoration of the battlefield to its 1863 condition. Standing on the battlefield and being able to visualize those days in July of 1863 would be much more satisying with fewer obstructions.

Aug 29th - 12:20pm | DOCREP

“Renovate the building and install several hundred slot machines………… Give the new Casino some Competition” ;o)) How many dollars would it bring to NPS? Semper Fi Larry

It's Ambitious and Expensive: History-Making Effort to Restore Elwha River Takes a Big Step Forward

Aug 30th - 15:16pm | tahoma

It's unlikely the Elwha fishery will ever be fully restored to it's former glory. Besides the well-documented rise in ocean temperatures and acidity, Pacific salmon face numerous dire threats, not the least of which is overfishing by commerical boats. Just twenty miles from the mouth of the Elwha, the city of Victoria, B.C.

Search For Missing Plane in Katmai National Park and Preserve Has Covered 17,500 Miles

Aug 30th - 12:37pm | cheryl a. charles

august 30, 2010 we will pray for all the families and also for my brother District Ranger of Trego, Wisconsin Chuck Carlson. Chuck left this morning to comfort and give full support to the families.

Aug 30th - 12:28pm | cheryl a. charles

my prayers are for all the families up there and for my brother District Ranger Chuck Carlson from Trego, Wisconsin...he left this morning to go up there to be with the families and to comfort them.

Aug 29th - 10:55am | Jeani

My sister is a Park Ranger at Katmai National Park. Here is the link to her blog. http://geo-travels.blogspot.com/

North Carolina Wildlife Officials Thinking of Reclassifying Status of Great Smoky Mountains National Park Elk

Aug 30th - 12:35pm | Ben

I have always recognized hunters a conservationist but they are often polarized in heated debates and controversies, especially about predators. As a hunter it is pleasing to here more civilized comments from hunters on the subjects. Elk should be confirmed stable and sustainable before hunting is considered. Predators were a key component when elk were here originally.

Updated: Alaska 'Gunners' Wipe Out Wolf Pack From Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve

Aug 30th - 08:42am | Anonymous

Alaskan wilderness should be expanded. NATIONAL parks belong to the nation.... This comment was edited. -- Ed.

Still No Sign of Missing Plane In Katmai National Park After Four Days of Searching

Aug 30th - 02:18am | Federico Bugno

i read various articles about Marco Alletto.

Reader Participation Day: Should Pets Be Given More Leeway in National Parks?

Aug 29th - 23:56pm | Anonymous

Like other folks with dogs, we tend to vacation and spend our $ in the national forrest areas. We would like to take our children to the NPs but the dog rules just don't make any sense and the science just doesn't support the rules about dogs. People, cars, atvs, snowmobiles, firearms and plastic/human waste are far more damaging than the presense of the family dog.

Aug 29th - 17:46pm | Anonymous

We have avoided the NPs because of the no dog rules, however we also want to take our two-legged children to the NPs. I have wondered why the nps doesn't require a "permit" to allow dogs on hiking trails. The park service could require proof of neutering and several immunizations before issuing the permit. I would be willing to pay a fee for that right.

Deterioriating Weather Conditions Affecting Search For Missing Plane at Katmai National Park and Preserve

Aug 29th - 23:04pm | Anonymous

any more news on this? Please

Aug 29th - 15:33pm | Anonymous

I just found this site http://alaskasearchupdate.com - "This website is dedicated to delivering the most current news and updates on the search for Mason McLeod, 26; Neal Spradlin, 28; Seth Spradlin, 20; and Marco Alletto (Pilot), 47 aboard a float plane that took off from Swikshak Bay, Alaska and never arrived at its destination.

Aug 29th - 11:04am | Brandon

Both Katmai NP and your site haven't updated missing plane news since Friday. Can you provide any new information? Many of us from all over are praying and desperate for any news. Thanks!

What Not to Do with an Old Cannonball

Aug 29th - 22:01pm | Jim Burnett

Trisha - The official advice from most experts in such situations is to just leave it where it is, and give your local fire or police department a call and ask them to have someone take a look at it. Better safe than sorry!

Aug 29th - 18:16pm | Trisha

My husband way before we met found we believe too be an 8" cannonball with a fuse. I have recently been searching this item to actually determine if we are right and what we can do with it. It is just sitting in the garage and I am getting pretty worried being that we have 4 children and all the stories I have been reading. Any suggestions?

Reader Participation Day: Help Plan Our Special Fall in the National Parks Series

Aug 29th - 10:06am | Ranger KT

Any of the Southern Utah parks, for sure. And I think I already saw a vote up there for Guadalupe Mountains NP, which I will second!

Blind Hiker Trevor Thomas Tackles Pacific Crest Trail One Step At A Time

Aug 29th - 09:46am | tahoma

He's crossed the Columbia River into Washington state; go Trevor! http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/blind_hiker_trevor_thom...

Updated: NPCA Names Dirk Kempthorne to Its Board of Trustees

Aug 29th - 08:49am | Lee Dalton

Hmmmm. Thanks, Sabattis, for some good wisdom that some of us (me, at least) might have overlooked. This certainly is a time in America when we need very much to reach out and seek dialogue with others -- especially those with whom we might disagree. Thank you for correcting the jaded thinking of this old man.

Old-Fashioned Fun on Labor Day Weekend at Homestead National Monument

Aug 29th - 08:45am | Lee Dalton

I had the privilege of visiting Homestead in summer 2009. I had planned to spend maybe half a day there at most. But it was such a fascinating place with a friendly staff and visitor center filled with such intriguing displays that I was simply hooked and wound up spending an entire day. If the great air show at Oshkosh hadn't been beckoning, I'd have spent even more time there.

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