| Page 1427 | National Parks Traveler

Kurt, I believe you've come to the same place I have with this issue. By & large this debate is almost irrelevant as it would appear from the comments left over the last 6 months by those in favor of concealed carry in the parks, that these people will and do carry their concealed & loaded weapons into the National Parks regardless of what the law actually is.

Feb 21st - 10:21am | Kurt Repanshek

Well, I can forget about a caption contest. I don't think anyone can surpass the genius of RAH.

Feb 21st - 10:20am | RAH

" The right to arm Bears! "

NPCA, PEER Voice Concerns Over Proposed Mountain Bike Rule Change In National Parks

Feb 21st - 18:36pm | Anonymous

@ Zebulon- One more thing- If you take a look at the stats (take yer pick - typically generated from user surveys) you'll see that in heavily used public lands, hiking is the #1 activity.

Feb 21st - 18:30pm | Anonymous

@ Zebulon- I would bet that the NPS managed lands are such a minuscule percentage of the overall public lands that I don't think you lose out by not being able to mountain bike in National Parks.

Feb 21st - 18:25pm | HightechParks

The Wilderness is closed to bikes not for any kind of logical reason, but simply because the ultra enviros managed to get the administration to close it. There is no inherent reason why bikes can't be used in wilderness other than the Sierra Club hates biking. Simple as that.

Feb 21st - 16:10pm | Anonymous

Keep Wilderness and National parks backcountry trails for animals ie. human; horses; and of course wild animals!!!

Feb 21st - 15:24pm | Bob Janiskee

The NPS knows what it is doing at Muir Woods, Zebulon. Experience shows that if you let visitors wander around off-trail, they walk round and round and round those big redwoods. The result is dead trees. All of that tromping compacts the soil around the tree roots, eliminates vital air pockets in the upper root zone, and severely inhibits the downward movement of moisture.

Feb 21st - 15:00pm | Zebulon

Feb 21st - 14:53pm | Random Walker

Enough? Well lets take Washington state, in fact lets narrow it down to the Wenatchee National Forest alone. Here they will find 2,500 miles of trail to play on with their toy.

Feb 21st - 12:27pm | HightechParks

Maybe living in the west, where public lands that are open to hundreds of miles of rideable trails are open to all is gives me skewed viewpoint... but aren't there enough places where people can mountain bike?

Feb 21st - 10:03am | RAH

I was active in the push to get Wilderness Areas in the early 1970's and considered myself a conservationist and enviromentalist. But since then the extreme positions of the enviromentalist have left me behind. So I still consider myself a conservationist but not an enviromenatlist.

Feb 21st - 09:52am | Bob Janiskee

All of this is terribly confusing, Kurt. Just when I got used to being called a "bunny-loving tree-hugger" or an "unresconstructed hippy-dippy ecofreak," now I have to know whether I am an "environmental wacko," an "econazi," or perhaps just a plain old "enviro."

Feb 21st - 09:40am | Kurt Repanshek

"Birth right to pedal in wilderness," Zebulon? And "ecotrailnazis"? "Enviros", RAH? Equestrians are "ignorant of what they do," Losdog? "Most hikers and equestrians simply dislike mountain bikers," Scott G?

Feb 21st - 09:16am | RAH

I am an equestrian and I have to agree that the damage that horses do to trails is severe. The hooves just tear up trails. Though I do clear brush. I have ridden for years on private land and the only trails that are created are by esquestrians. Some hunters use the trails in the fall but no one else because most people do not know they exist.

Feb 21st - 04:17am | Losdog

We have the same problem here with the equestrians. We have done over 3000 hours of trail maintenance since 2000. Most of it is to clear brush, because we live in Florida where everything grows so fast, but also to repair the extensive damage caused by the equestrians. And like every where else, they don't pitch in to help maintain the trails they destroy on a weekly basis.

Feb 20th - 23:55pm | Scott G.

Interesting. Those who argue against mountain biking due to "trail damage" should be fighting tooth-and-nail to get horses off of the trail. In my neck of the woods, the horses leave the trail looking like it's been carpet bombed after they ride through. Our mountain bike club has to work continuously to undo the damage they cause to prevent serious erosion problems.

Feb 20th - 23:42pm | Zebulon

Why don't people just say it? We (hikers, equestrians, whatever) don't want to share the trails funded by the taxpaying public and would like to keep the trails to ourselves. Instead, they make up all kind of illogical arguments to support their claim. It's rather pathetic. I'm a mountain biker, proud of it and hate hiking (but certainly don't hate hikers).

Feb 20th - 23:05pm | Love to Hike

I have been following this rule change proposed by the Bush administration closely. I am an avid hiker that has had some bad experiences with mountain bikers. All rules state bikers are to YIELD to hikers and both to yield to horses. I am deaf and have had harrowing experiences with speeding bikers going side by side that I am unable to hear coming up behind me.

Feb 20th - 15:00pm | Mark E

To set the record straight, IMBA is well aware that the US Forest Service, not the NPS, manages forests and grasslands. IMBA never issued an alert with the claim that mountain bikers are "salivating" about access to 130,000 miles of trails in national parks. We count about 12,000 miles of trails in the NPS system.

Feb 20th - 13:23pm | uncletwodogs

There are always a few in any group who choose to abuse or misuse trails. Mountain Bikers tend to groom the trails more, not repair them, because it helps prevent abuse by other users, even Hikers. If Equestrians, Hikers and Bikers will follow basic Leave No Trace rules, then the trails require minimal repair and the impact is minor.

Feb 20th - 13:13pm | Mark E

Jeff Ruch, PEER's executive director, added that, "This mountain bike rule is a classic example of special interest influence over management of our national parks. There is no shortage of other venues for mountain bikes that would justify opening up the last, best places within our national parks."

Feb 20th - 12:12pm | HightechParks

Jim, If mountain bikes don't impact as much as hikers, why do mountain bikers invest large amounts of time and energy into trail repair? Also, keep in mind that most trails in parks are designed for walking beasts. Thus they have waterbars and other trail structures that are inconsistent with the needs and expectation of bikers.

Feb 20th - 07:53am | Jim Davis

I think the opportunity for everyone exists on public lands. Mountain biking is not dangerous impact to the NPS or any other backcountry pursuit. Mountainn bikers invest large amounts of time and energy into trail construction and repair. Why are limiting the backcountry experience to a handful of hikers?

The Confederate Victory at Brices Cross Roads Did Little to Help the Confederate Cause

Feb 21st - 17:49pm | GlenW

Wow, I never heard of this battle, but I am from Maryland, so we tend to focus more locally. Thanks for the post script. Very interesting; incredible, really.

Secretary Salazar Calls for Review Of Gun Rules in National Parks

Feb 21st - 16:18pm | MRC

I'm not sure, if I get your intention right. Do you expect us to provide eye witness accounts of bluff charging to assure you that the NPS does not simply makes this animal behavior up in their:

Feb 21st - 09:55am | RAH

I read hear about "bluff charges" personally I think any animal that chooses to charge a human is dangerous and does not show the proper fear and respect that a human should engender. I have read multiple stories about people hurt and killed by bears and the increasing number of black bear attacks.

Feb 19th - 16:35pm | Frank N

Anon #1..way up on top: You so well illustrate one of my main points in arguing against guns in parks. May I quote you: "To the chagrin of those who flap their arms in panic at the thought, I don't know one person that visited a park WITHOUT a concealed firearm.

Feb 19th - 10:26am | GingerL

@MRC....I beg your pardon! You really think that peole who have a CCW license are "people who are afraid of their own shadow", blah, blah, blah.

Feb 19th - 05:59am | MRC

@RAH: We had that before: Many animals are well known for "bluff charges". That is particularly true for black bears and grizzlies. When they charge an intruder in their comfort zone, they intend to scare you away, not kill. Actual attacks in the National Park System happen a few a year, bluff charges every day.

New Solar Power System Puts This Park in the Forefront of Alternative Energy Use

Feb 21st - 06:53am | Marcelo

I´ve been working as biologist in natural areas for 10 years in Brazil, and always thinking in similar initiatives in our country whom is blessed of sun during the year. I would like to known about agencies that sponsor similar projects in South America, especially to conservation areas. Thanks!

Updated: Dueling Judges Push Yellowstone National Park Snowmobile Limit Back to 720 Per Day

Feb 21st - 01:06am | Ray Bane

The economic crisis is taking a toll on recreational travel. Over the past couple of decades most people lived it up, including purchasing and using mechanical outdoors toys (snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, jet skis, 4-wheel drive monster trucks, etc.). The crash of the economy is reverberating throughout our country, including the recreational industry.

Feb 19th - 09:47am | jsmacdonald

At least this year, all of this arguing about limits has turned out to be irrelevant. Snowmobile traffic is significantly down this year (to date); visitation overall is lower, but a lot of the shortfall has been made up for by vehicular traffic in the North Entrance. See http://www.jhguide.com/article.php?art_id=4251 .

Great Basin National Park: It's More Than Simply A Cave

Feb 20th - 19:03pm | K. Malouff

I had the great privilege to serve as the 2008 season Artist-in-Residence at this magnificent park. The six weeks I lived and worked there will always remain a high point of my life and my career. K. Malouff celadonglass.com

Second Century Commission on National Parks Wants To Hear From You

Feb 19th - 21:02pm | Hank Blackmon

Our great natural resouce is being terribly neglected. From the Everglades, the Smokies, to Yellowstone & Yosemite. The infrasturcture is in poor condition and it seems to be a thorn in the side to congress they choose to ignore.

Feb 19th - 20:07pm | Anonymous

This sounds like an advertisement stating "These are the ways we think we can expand funding...please come and support our ideas!" The National Parks are what there are. I completely disagree with having 391 sites as it is. Rosie the Riveter, Maggie Walker and many other sites are not National Parks. To be a National Park...you have to be a park first.

"There I Grew Up" – This Park Offers Presidential History in a Unique Package

Feb 19th - 19:10pm | Laura, Lincoln ...

Hi Jim!

Feb 19th - 12:12pm | Spencer County ...

Thanks so much for highlighting Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Spencer County, Ind., on your site! We have wonderful series of special events planned this year including a new monument to Lincoln, a new play in his honor, speakers series, and more, here in Spencer County to celebrate the Lincoln Bicentennial! A complete list of events can be found at ThinkLincoln.org.

National Park Quiz 42: Rocks and Minerals

Feb 19th - 18:44pm | Barky

Yeah, 9 is right, you corrected it before I did the quiz. :-)

Bush Administration's Haste Could Doom New Gun Rules In National Parks

Feb 19th - 17:11pm | Fred Miller

Well said Sailorcurt. Thank you for posting in such a logical manner without the usual emotionally-charged rhetoric.

Feb 19th - 12:42pm | Anonymous

Why do Park Rangers carry weapons? Are they making our parks more unsafe? Are they a danger to wildlife? What is the environmental impact of the rangers carrying weapons? Has the E.P.A. completed an impact study on rangers being armed?

Bears with a Foot Fetish? Big Bend National Park Offers New Bear Safety Advice

Feb 19th - 13:52pm | JimB

Thomas - Thanks for the comment and the information about the Javelina - another good safety reminder about wildlife.

Feb 19th - 03:41am | Thomas L Price

It has been said that in bear country, in general, one can discourage bears from entering your campground by drinking a good amount of liquids and urinating in a large circle around the camp. Les Stroud, the real 'Survivorman' in my opinion, has mentioned that on his show in the past.

NPCA Applauds National Park System's Cut of Stimulus Package, But Says Much Remains to Do

Feb 19th - 06:27am | Sabattis

I've been thinking a little bit more about the incongruity of this statement, and I can't help but wonder what the reaction might have been if this underfunding had come out of a Republican Congress and Republican Administration?

Can You Find the Desert Five-Spot In Death Valley National Park?

Feb 19th - 05:28am | Bill R.

Thanks for reminding me of the flowers! Forget just how beautiful the deset is. Have camped in Panamint City and Panamint Valley just because I could. Last I heard you can't get to Panamint City without two winches (they burn out). Don't need a 4X4 to enjoy Death Valley or Panamint Valley. Lots of water and fuel. Good sense helps.

Interior Officials Release Rule Change to Allow National Park Visitors to Arm Themselves

Feb 19th - 04:29am | John

Guns don't kill people! People kill people. A gun is just another device used in protecting ones self or inflicting injury or death unto another person or living animal.

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