| Page 1194 | National Parks Traveler

What's going on here? You feel like you have the RIGHT to ride on an animal's back to see the floor of a canyon? do you feel good about making a poor animal carry you for 6 hours? if you are too lazy, then guess what, take photos from the rim. If you are handicapped, etc., then there are plenty of other ways to enjoy this and all other national parks.

Sep 21st - 16:19pm | Kayla

ditto, Bonnie.

Photography Program Hopes to Connect Teens With Outdoors At St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

Sep 22nd - 01:48am | teens programs

Thanks for sharing this informative post. This is one of the result oriented programs help troubled teens to learn life skills and at the same time to prove their unique vision. Hope this organization continues their valuable support to most of the troubled youth with specialized services.

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

Sep 21st - 23:42pm | d-2

Dear Catherine: this decrepit and poorly engineered building is by no means Richard Neutra's best work.

Sep 21st - 06:32am | Chris Brown

Can I, a s a foreigner, but committed Civil War enthusiast make a contribution? The value of the building is a matter for architectural historians. As a military historian I do not feel qualified to comment one way or the other. As a military historian I cannot see any argument for retaining the building on the current site.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement on ORV Use at Cape Hatteras National Seashore Released

Sep 21st - 23:41pm | Melissa114

Keep the beaches open!! Four-thousand permanent beach residents and thousands of visitors who love Hatteras Island....for 9 pairs of piping plovers? That's not a fair trade whatsoever. If the piping plovers aren't suited for the Wildlife Refuge already outlined for them (pea island) there is another wildlife refuge just adjacent to that call the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge.

What Sort of Access Do You Want to the Carbon River Area of Mount Rainier National Park?

Sep 21st - 23:08pm | Meg

The Carbon River area is about 45 minutes from my house, and one of my favorite places to go when I need to escape. I would love the road to be open all the way to Ipsut Creek again, but I know that's probably not possible (I've lived here for 17 years, and I think the road's been closed more often in that time due to flooding than it's been open).

Traveler's Checklist: Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Sep 21st - 10:24am | Anonymous

Thanks for this article!! Great timing. We are on our way to the Blue Ridge Parkway in October. Also will be visiting Shenandoah and Smoky Mountains. This will be our first time and can't wait!! Here's hoping we time it right for fall color!!

Sep 20th - 16:27pm | Wendell Rowell

Great article. Another couple along with my wife and I made this hike this past spring. The stream crossing numbered over 20 in total. Only a couple of bridges on the whole hike so be prepared to either get wet or be a really good jumper. We carried a lunch and ate in the cabin. Over five hours on the trail. Not for the inexperience day hiker.

Sep 20th - 12:37pm | RidinWind

Good write up. I have not seen that place- but usually I am on a Motorcycle when out on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Won't be long and the leaves will start touring - Great time to ride there!

Sep 20th - 08:50am | Brad

My wife and I were there last April for the first time and fell in love with it! We will definitely make the trip back to Doughton.

Creature Feature: The Common Raven is an Uncommonly Intelligent Bird

Sep 21st - 08:20am | Bob Janiskee

I am not familiar with the state and federal laws pertaining to situations like this, so the first thing I'd do is check that out. Some people would advise you to see if there's a local wildlife rescue facility that might accept an injured bird like that for medical treatment and rehab. Not me, though.

Sep 20th - 23:56pm | Anonymous

I found a raven with a badly broken wing. It has been broken for a long time, and the bird has had great weight loss. I made a high calorie mash and am giving it water. is there anything else I could do?

New Visitor Center and Museum at Chaco Culture National Historical Park Come With Challenges

Sep 21st - 05:56am | Eric Skopec

This bit of construction should not deter visitors. Chaco is a spectacular spot and the fact that it is a "small park" adds to the pleasure of visiting. I volunteered there for five months and directed tours for photographers. Even at the peak of the visitor season, we could find spots to photograph classic structures without other visitors stepping into our shots.

House Republicans Say Interior Secretary's Proposed Snake Ban Bad for Business

Sep 21st - 02:04am | Anonymous

Ball pythons rarely even grow to 5 feet in length so I am pretty sure it wont get to big to handle. Not to mention it is one of the most docile snakes you could own. Also once you spend some time around them you would notice, they do act like pets and they do have emotion. EVERYONE not all pythons get to be giants.

Sep 21st - 01:50am | Anonymous

Though most people are not used to snakes there are a few things you should know, one they are not mindless aggressors, the only time they are aggressive is when they are scared ( self defense) and feeding. Naturally they dont eat much due to the fact that they are so large, they require one meal and they can go on that for several months and sometimes a year.

Wolf Killed Illegally Near Grand Teton National Park, $3,000 Reward Offered

Sep 20th - 17:20pm | tomp

Anonymous-- If you perceive every predator as a threat to your life, then please stay out of the wilderness, and stay out of non-wilderness wild lands. Nothing in Kurt's article nor this killing indicates that anyone's life was directly threatened by this wolf.

Sep 20th - 08:33am | Emily

Anon-- All animals be it a wild predator or just a chipmunk are beautiful and deserve a chance to live, they do not need to be killed. The natural balance of things will take care of it, people do not need to intervene. This comment was edited to remove a gratuitous remark. -- Ed.

What Do GOP Politicians Have Against Protecting National Park Landscapes?

Sep 20th - 17:19pm | tomp

I'll second what Kurt & George say about Grand Staircase Escalante having great value. I also question Gary's assertion that it's inaccessible to anyone, visitors included, for anything.

Sep 20th - 10:13am | George

I've visited the area of Grand Staircase-Escalante over a period of 30 years, and it's worth the effort. Its magnificent back country of canyons is being discovered by more visitors each year. A nonprofit group based in Kanab, the Grand Staircase-Escalante Partners, is building local support for the monument and its scientific, interpretive and educational programs.

Sep 19th - 18:31pm | Kurt Repanshek

Gary, are you thinking of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah? That basically took coal reserves out of play; I don't think there were any oil reserves.

Sep 19th - 17:01pm | Gary

We also musn't forget that former President Bill Clinton in his last days in office added millions of acres of western land to the Park Service (as I recall) that could have been tapped for oil. Therefore making the resources unavailable for use. Yosemite, my wife's and my favorite, Yellowstone, Zion, and many national lands deserve preservation for their beauty.

Sep 18th - 19:55pm | Anonymous

Why can't CONSERVE-atives and CONSERVE-ationists get along? The common interest is clear!

Another Record Month of Visitation At Yellowstone National Park

Sep 20th - 13:43pm | toothdoctor

Kurt, A couple of points: First off, I did not mean to imply that you asserted that last year was the "high-water mark for visitation". I only meant to use last year as comparison because it was not the the "high-water mark", and the raw data showed that, overall, this year's visitation is lagging behind. I apologize for the confusion.

Sep 20th - 09:22am | Kurt Repanshek

Toothdoctor, I think when NPS visitation is the topic, hyperbole isn't necessarily uncalled for. The Park Service long has been questioned about the accuracy of its head counts, many of which are no more than guesstimates, and loose ones at that.

Sep 19th - 23:34pm | toothdoctor

Kurt,

Odds and Ends From Visitor Surveys at National Parks: You'd Be Surprised At Some of the Answers

Sep 20th - 12:07pm | Edward Frank

Perhaps teh problem with the surveys is that they do not consider that the trails are facilities. Whe I think of facilities I think of buildings and perhaps parking lots first. I appreciate the trails and talks, but they do not fit immediately into the category of facilities.

Sep 19th - 19:06pm | pkrnger

D-2, you are correct. For well traveled tourists, the image of a country is highly influenced by the cleanliness of its public restrooms, more so than anything else. That having been said, I can only remember park restrooms, especially those in or near park visitor centers, being of very high quality.

Sep 19th - 18:59pm | Meg

The trick to dealing with the parking issues at Klondike in Seattle is to use the express bus from Tacoma [g]. Or any one of the other busses that run to Pioneer Square. It's much easier than trying to take a car down there. Even if you're from out of town, park at a park n ride and take the bus in. Really.

Sep 19th - 16:59pm | Anonymous

@ Rick B I had no trouble finding parking during my visit to Klondike. The main problem I had was the walking tour led by ranger Tim, he didn't seem to want to be there. He complained about his feet hurting from a long hike the day before. His tour was bad and irrelevant to the Klondike story.

Sep 19th - 16:03pm | d-2

There is no trivializing the visiting public's appreciation for clean and available restrooms. If it seems silly or ignoble. Taking all tourism into consideration, not only National Parks, the restroom is often the major issue. Clean and well-designed restrooms can have a decisive effect on the public's assessment of the professionalism of any site for visitors.

Sep 19th - 14:16pm | pkrnger

Kurt,

Sep 19th - 13:18pm | Rick B.

It isn't just Klondike visitors who have problems parking. EVERYone in downtown Seattle have problems parking.

Sep 19th - 12:58pm | Kurt Repanshek

Perhaps you're right, Lynn. My initial thought was that there are so many ranger-led programs that one could fill their entire Acadia visit bopping from one to another. Here's a glimpse at what they offered in August alone:

Sep 19th - 12:29pm | Lynn

Wow, I think it's pretty amazing that very close to 1 out of 5 visitors to Acadia National Park attend a ranger-led program. They certainly warrant that level of participation because they are very interesting. I've attended "Stars Over Sand Beach" and "Birds of Prey". I've met people on trails who stop and chat about what they've learned from ranger-led hikes.

Sep 19th - 10:10am | Gaelyn

Although it's rather sad, I've always said visitors will remember a dirty restroom before they'll remember a good Ranger talk. Why do they come anyway?

Caribbean Pirates Invade San Juan National Historic Site

Sep 20th - 06:41am | Joe Rivera

Baby, El Morro is going to come out in the next "Pirates of the Carribean picture in May 2011!!!

Updated: Fire in Rocky Mountain National Park Temporarily Blocks Trail Ridge Road

Sep 19th - 20:34pm | Anonymous

Scary! So many dead trees from that pine bark beetle. We're heading to Grand Lake in about 10 days. Our very favorite town in Colorado.

Flamingo Master Plan For Everglades National Park Proposes New Lodge, Cottages, Upgraded Marina

Sep 19th - 13:40pm | John

It's been too long! When's the finish date?

All Was Not Lost When Loggerhead Turtle Determined to Nest at Cape Hatteras National Seashore Was Run Over

Sep 18th - 17:13pm | dapster

SS1, With all due respect, Sir, it is painfully obvious that you are categorically against all ORV use on any beach, for any reason, and while I will defend your right to your opinion, I simply cannot agree with it.

By the Numbers: Point Reyes National Seashore

Sep 18th - 16:22pm | Bob Janiskee

You're right about the elephant seals, Mike. Between December and April, a breeding colony of elephant seals can be viewed from the Elephant Seal Overlook on the Elephant Seal Overlook Trail near the Chimney Rock parking lot.

Sep 18th - 15:47pm | Mike Painter

I don't have the numbers, but elephant seals have recolonized the Peninsula in the last 20 years, and there is now a breeding colony, with pups being born in the Winter.

Fatal Fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park

Sep 18th - 14:01pm | Lovetohike

I have hiked Angel's Landing many times. If you obey the signs that tell you not to go beyond a certain point that you should be just fine. Many people fall because they decide to go beyond the signs. What happened to this woman was a freak accident and my heart goes out to her family. When you go on the hike, bring lots of water, comfortable shoes, and obey all the signs.

In Case You Were Wondering, Yes, the National Park Service Is Having Technical Difficulties

Sep 18th - 11:50am | RDick

I agree - the websites were made standard a number of years ago. I personally think they are to standard or boring. Plus a number of the sites are not kept current - hours given for last year. Granted there is a lot of information provided but how creatively.

Doggone! Car with Canine Aboard Goes Over the Edge at Crater Lake National Park

Sep 18th - 11:48am | Anonymous

It's past time to close most of Rim Drive to autos. There's at least one other car in the lake, plus a helicopter. Fuel from the boats has spilled into the lake. There needs to be a campaign similar to Tahoe: "Keep Crater Lake Blue!"

Reader Participation Day: Where Was Your Worst Dining Experience in the National Parks?

Sep 18th - 09:46am | Anonymous

With 30 + years of experience eating in the parks, in general my expectations are pretty low when I dine inside the parks. My most troubling experience was 3 years ago in yellowstone where the manager continuously berated his staff in front of guests. The wait & kitchen staff (all of whom appeard quite young and from other contires) looked scared to death and miserable.

Should Canyon de Chelly Be Given to the Navajo Nation?

Sep 18th - 09:42am | Don Morris

Just to answer an earlier question about Hubbell Trading Post NM - the present unit is comprised of Lorenzo Hubbell's original homestead - a possibility back then. The trading post was the only private land holding for many miles around and is thus not under tribal jurisdiction then or now. I am not sure about Navajo NM.

Traveler's Checklist: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Sep 18th - 09:17am | Anonymous

We're heading to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in early October. Can anyone tell me a great place to view sunset?

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