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Centennial Projects: Do They All Prepare the National Parks for the Next 100 Years?

Sep 4th - 09:53am | Matt

Very nice read, Kurt, thanks.

Sep 4th - 09:30am | jersu

Beamis -

Sep 4th - 07:43am | jr_ranger

Makes me think of No Child Left Behind - good concept, terrible way to go about it.

Sep 3rd - 21:15pm | Anonymous

Beamis, no offense but was there anything that you liked or enjoyed about the NPS? Sounds to me you weren't one happy camper!

At Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, The Facilities Seem Almost as Old as the Fossils

Sep 4th - 07:42am | jr_ranger

Sounds like a project for the Centennial if I ever heard of one. But I suppose that FLFO doesn't have any friends with money....

When Nature Calls, It's Hard to Find a Restroom on the National Mall

Sep 4th - 06:21am | jsmacdonald

For locals, this can be a deterrent to visiting the Mall, though the biggest deterrent of people I know is a disdain for the crowds of tourists. There are so many other things to do in Washington as well; we've been there and done that.

Pot Farmers Tilling Ground in Yosemite

Sep 3rd - 20:57pm | Merryland

From the NPS website, 31 August: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (CA) Grower Arrested In Marijuana Plantation Raid

Black Bear Put Down in Grand Teton. How Many Visitors Ticketed For Providing Food?

Sep 3rd - 03:17am | Anonymous

Why couldn't the bear be relocated or placed in a refuge? The Smoky Mountains National Forest has a bear refuge for such bears...this "put down" was murder...just plain wrong, wrong, wrong. How can they do such a horrible thing when so many alternatives are available?

Sep 2nd - 10:42am | Lone Hiker

It would appear that, opinions to the contrary regarding Darwin's hypothesis, evolution is indeed strictly a physiological phenomenon. It also is evident that behavioral, or intellectual evolution is lagging well behind in the human species.

Sep 2nd - 09:33am | jsmacdonald

Brings back "fond "memories of fighting with people trying to feed marmots at the Sheepeater Cliffs and very aggressive chipmunks at Gibbon Falls. No one of the stupid tourists could figure out why the chipmunks were attacking them when they kept dangling out Doritos and other crap and would get mad at them. So, that set me off.

Sep 2nd - 00:59am | Merryland

Just back from a YELL/GRTE/DETO/BADL/JECA/MORU trip with my son. We had a black bear and cub attempting to raid the dumpster at the Canyon village campsite just a few days ago.. I couldn't help wondering how long before that bear (and cub) get euthanized or perhaps relocated. It's a shame.

Aug 31st - 15:31pm | Lone Hiker

It appears as though our four-legged friends just can't win. Hiker strays into backcountry, is accosted by mountain lion, lion is tracked and put down. Campers wittingly or otherwise subsidize bear's diet, bear is put down.

Aug 31st - 14:02pm | Tom Bremer

This "putting down" of a Teton bear is not an isolated incident, but has a long history that has seen a variety of attitudes over the decades. In fact, questioning the Park Service's enforcement of food storage regulations is a significant development in that history.

Should the NPS Be Given Mount St. Helens?

Sep 1st - 12:56pm | Anonymous

THANK YOU, Mr. Williams. I absolutely agree.

Sep 1st - 06:35am | Mrc

@Frank: "Leaving land to recover naturally ("preserving"?) needs no funding". This is quite simplified, because there is substantial research and documentation but let's say it were true. But a National Monument (even more a potential National Park) at MSH is about access to the recovering landscape and interpreting the processes to the interested public.

Aug 31st - 16:16pm | Glenn Scofield ...

MSH, because of its easy access to the public and science affords a unique ability to watch the natural processes of regeneration - a regeneration process which requires park status protection.

Aug 31st - 15:08pm | jr_ranger

I think it's a little harsh to say that Steamtown isn't 'nationally significant' because it and Golden Spike are the only 2 NPS units that I am aware of that preserve our nation's railroading history. Without railroads, the West wouldn't have been opened nearly was quickly. That being said, there are many NPS sites that are worthy of protection, but aren't nationally significant...

Aug 31st - 10:55am | repanshek

Lone Hiker makes some good points and raises some good questions that should be explored.

Aug 31st - 10:38am | Lone Hiker

True, the event on 1980 marked a unique and significant geological opportunity for ecological and geothermal studies "right in our own backyard". The results were catastrophic in terms of environmental impact, while at the same time invaluable in the seismic and geothermal data that were collected.

Aug 31st - 08:16am | Anonymous

Coldwater Ridge should remain open. We visited Mt. St. Helens in April and would not have been able to if it was not open then. This resource is very valuable for the general public and teachers such as myself.

Aug 30th - 23:09pm | Anonymous

oh, and often times the agencies close things to get visitors to call politicians to get them to start funding things adequately... it's an effective "shaming" tool for getting politicians attention.

Aug 30th - 23:08pm | Anonymous

"USFS simply isn't used to deal with keeping the balance between tourism and protection in a highly visible NM. " hold on a minute...

Aug 30th - 21:04pm | rscottjones

As I mentioned last time this came up, there is enormous pressure on the Forest Service for mining, forest and (intrusive) recreational use within the boundaries of the monument. Because the Forest Service's mission is not about protection of the resource, but best use of the resource, the Forest Service is prone to give in to these commercial interests.

Aug 30th - 14:35pm | Mrc

It seems like the USFS lacks the ability to mange a protected area with significant public interest. And given the other National Monuments administered by the USFS, they don't need this ability.

Aug 30th - 13:51pm | Glenn Scofield ...

And one more thing, the USFS does not operate three visitor centers in the monument. It used to, but one visitor center (Silver Lake) is now operated by the Washington State Parks and Recreation department and it isn't located in the monument, but several miles away near Interstate 5. Two are left and one is being closed.

Aug 30th - 13:33pm | Glenn Scofield ...

As I mentioned last time this came up, there is enormous pressure on the Forest Service for mining, forest and (intrusive) recreational use within the boundaries of the monument. Because the Forest Service's mission is not about protection of the resource, but best use of the resource, the Forest Service is prone to give in to these commercial interests. Mount St.

Aug 30th - 13:32pm | Random Walker

Are three visitor centers necessary?

10 Best Lodges in the National Parks

Aug 31st - 15:12pm | jr_ranger

Got to be Charit Creek Lodge in the heart of the Big South Fork. It's an old homstead that is now a walk/bike/horseback-in hostel at the confluence of Charit Creek and Station Camp Creek abot 2miles from the nearest trailheads. Head a mile from the lodge over in one direciton and you come to the Station Camp Crossing in one of the most remote parts of the Big South Fork Gorge.

Aug 30th - 17:09pm | huanted hiker

Jeremy, Great start of a thread. Here's my new favorite:

Aug 30th - 12:33pm | Glenn Scofield ...

I have to admit, I'm a real sucker for Roosevelt Lodge at Yellowstone and for White Wolf tent cabins in Yosemite. They are to me reminiscent of the old-fashioned park experience with a touch of civilization attached. I love waking in the mornings to the cool morning air, lighting up a fire in the wood stove... cup of coffee...

Aug 30th - 11:12am | Owen Hoffman

Has anyone thought about posting the room rates for the 10 best lodges? I Googled the rates for the Ahwahnee Hotel, and here's what I found: Ahwahnee $408 Ahwahnee Cottages $408 Jr. Suites $499 Suites $893 Tressider Suite w/Library Parlor $984 Additional Adult in same room $21/night Add. rollaway bed in same room $11/night

Aug 29th - 19:22pm | Lone Hiker

I'll be the first to admit that I have yet to visit, or will EVER visit the entire scope of facilities offered within the NPS. I also concede to the fact that all encompassing words and statements never live up to their billing.

Aug 29th - 18:54pm | repanshek

Oh, I wouldn't be so quick to say "no other lodge" in the park system can foster such camaraderie.

Aug 29th - 18:41pm | Lone Hiker

So much for focusing on content. But since the author raises a new question, my personal hands-down choice is Phantom Ranch. Location, location, LOCATION!!! There are no "casual tourists" to be had in the bottom of the abyss, which enhances the level of camaraderie amongst kindred spirits, akin to a true brotherhood of a "lodge".

Aug 29th - 18:07pm | jersu

OK, new question: If you had the opportunity to spend the night in any lodge within the entire park system tonight, which one would you choose, and why?

Aug 29th - 11:32am | jr_ranger

The larger issue here is that concessionaires should be, in some people's view, returning more money back to the park from which they profit. Lodges run by XYZ company in parks are important, because there are better things for NPS to worry about than changing your sheets. However, XYZ company could (and should) be doing a better job of giving back to the park where it does business.

Interpretation on the Tallgrass Prairie

Aug 31st - 14:13pm | pkrnger

MJ, I did not know about the differences between flint and limestone before I took the guided bus tour last Saturday. This tour was conducted through a portion of the Flint Hills of Kansas (within which the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is situated).

Aug 30th - 17:49pm | MJ

What's the difference between flint and limestone?" he was asked. "I really don't know," was the answer. Everyone clap for Owen. He already knew the answer.

Aug 30th - 16:42pm | Ron Mastrogiuseppe

In reflecting upon Owen's experiences during his recent visit to Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, I am afraid that the NPS interpretive program might indeed be operating at the C grade level. Now had the interpreter lied, or fabricated information, I would have given them an F, not a C.

Aug 30th - 13:00pm | Glenn Scofield ...

I have to agree with Owen here. Not only has the quality of interpretation slipped, but the quantity of interpretation has seriously declined. Used to be a host of walks and evening programs and other programs to help one better understand the park and its history, geology, etc.

Aug 30th - 10:59am | Owen Hoffman

I would like to thank you for your thoughtful comments. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is indeed intriguing and worth the visit. I'd like it even more if there were bison grazing instead of cattle.

Aug 29th - 11:15am | Anonymous

geeez.... i bet that you, as a former interpreter, would know one of the best things to say when you don't know the answer is "i don't know." kudos to the ranger for his honesty rather than making something up like a lot of interpreters do. additionally, one of the jobs of an interpreter is to get people excited about something so they go on to learn more themselves.

Yosemite Falls All Dried Up

Aug 31st - 12:49pm | jersu

Thanks for the info everyone. I had known that it wasn't totally unusual for Yosemite Falls to run dry, but I didn't know that it happened every year. I appreciate all the extra detail you've provided.

Aug 30th - 13:11pm | Glenn Scofield ...

The watershed that feeds Yosemite Creek is very small compared to the massive watersheds for Bridalveil Creek (which feeds Bridalveil Fall) and the Merced River (which feeds Vernal & Nevada Falls). Yosemite Creek's watershed is based around the southern slopes of Mount Hoffman which isn't far from Yosemite Valley.

Aug 30th - 10:41am | Kath

Anon is right. Even after the record snowpack of the winter of 05/06, when the High Sierra Camps couldn't open until very late due to snow, Yosemite Falls was dry by Labor Day. And it was dry by late August the year before that. Nevada and Vernal Falls seem to run year round.

Aug 29th - 21:26pm | Anonymous

Any of you mountain climbers in need of a liquid rubberizing dip? Great for coating metal, plastic, rope ends Any ideas please pass them on to me. Sincerely, Mike Anderson

Aug 29th - 19:24pm | Anonymous

It dries up every year. Bridalveil usually doesn't though.

National Park Service to Charge for Clean Air?

Aug 29th - 18:21pm | jersu

Kelly, Great question. I contacted the Park Service for the answer. Here's what I heard back -

Back in the Saddle

Aug 29th - 12:28pm | Anonymous

i have visited the west 7 times since 1981, and a visit would be incomplete without a stay at Paradise, even if it rains during the whole stay. steve anderson, ex Wa resident(three years in Renton)

Judge Tosses Surprise Canyon Lawsuit

Aug 29th - 12:06pm | Duane

Earthjustice can kiss my butt, they are just a bunch of lawyer parasites--NOT environmentalists--who make their living by trying to deny use of public lands to the taxpayers who OWN them.

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