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Historic Ship Brings Unwelcome Stowaways to Isle Royale National Park

Sep 7th - 15:12pm | Anonymous

Note: the Niagara can not be blamed for introducing zebra mussels to Mott Island at Isle Royale. According to NPS publications, including the 2010 issue of the Isle Royale Greenstone, the zebra mussels were found at Mott Island in September 2009 - almost one year before the Niagara visited the island.

Watch For Hunters Passing Through National Parks This Fall

Sep 7th - 15:03pm | mose

I find it odd how so many people are appalled at the sight of a hunter with whatever animal it is that he has taken in the back of his truck.

Sep 4th - 17:18pm | justinh

The euphemism of "food" obviously doesn't change the image.

Sep 3rd - 21:13pm | Anonymous

Maybe they should have phrased it hunters toting there food through the park

Sep 3rd - 19:39pm | DD-393

Nothing says "Mother Nature" like a bloody corpse on the hood of a pickup truck.

Iconic Climbers To Attend Rainier Mountain Festival Near Mount Rainier National Park

Sep 7th - 14:01pm | Anonymous

The last paragraph is a bit misleading, it says Ashford is located just outside the Paradise entrance. Paradise can be reached via the Steven's Canyon Entrance (East side) or the Nisqually Entrance (West Side). Ashford is just outside of the Nisqually Entrance.

Fall Spectacular: Elk Once Again Bugle In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Sep 7th - 13:13pm | Danny Bernstein

Great question. This kind of question keeps me on my toes. Basically, the park got as close as they could get to the extinct species. Here's what the Elk management plan http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=382&projectID=28732&docu... says:

Sep 7th - 09:29am | Kurt Repanshek

Anonymous,

Sep 6th - 22:04pm | Anonymous

Since the elk that formerly inhabited the Smokey Mountains were the Eastern Elk, a now extinct subspecies, aren't the newly "reintroduced" elk exotic to the park? The Kentucky Elk are Rocky Mountain Elk as I assume the Canadian elk are also. In either case there is no genetic relationship to the original elk found in the park. How was that reconciled with NPS policy?

Fall Spectacular: The Season of Love For Wildlife In Yellowstone

Sep 7th - 11:09am | Michelle Hansen

Gives new meaning to Mammoth "Hot" Springs!

Sep 7th - 10:20am | ateeq ahmad

I loved the article heading...voyueristic falvor and all! Thanks! BigHorn have such amazing adaptations that head on collisions don't break their necks or skulls!

Teaching Students In the Underground Maze of Mammoth Cave National Park

Sep 7th - 09:22am | Jimi Whitten

This is just fantastic - I hope others follow suit!

Update: Hurricane Earl Remains on Track to Impact the Outer Banks Parks

Sep 7th - 09:22am | matt Stubbs

SS1. First of all it is not MY SIDE VERSUS YOURS. I simply stated a fact on that the LAWYERS only pick the low hanging fruit to partner up and file a suit.

Sep 7th - 08:28am | Dan W

Hey SS1, Every heard about the 78 plan? You know, the one that was approved by everybody in 1978. It was sent up through the chain of command to Washington DC, only to get lost by the NPS. NPS has used the 78 plan's rules for guide lines for closures, speed limits, and protection for the animals for over 30 plus years.

Sep 7th - 05:07am | SS1

Matt And how much did your side walk away with the first time the Judge ruled in your favor over critical habitat? Do you expect Holland and Knight (DC law firm hired by CAPA) to work for ORV access on your behalf for free? Are there any CHNS policies that concern resource protection that you support?

Sep 6th - 21:15pm | Matt Stubbs

Hey SS1 did you forget that the suit filed was finding fault in the NPS? They also walked away with 100,000 in the lawyer pockets. I believe you need more research before making comments. If access to the National parks means special interest then yes we are....

Sep 6th - 05:51am | SS1

It is not about lawyers making money but rather a few individuals who usurped a National Park under the pretence of “recreation” so they can continue their business of catering to a special interest group of visitors (ORV users). Regulations that regulate vehicle use in this National Park are overdue and have been inadequate for a long time.

Sep 4th - 09:05am | Jack

How appropriate that on the day that the Hurricane is striking our beautiful Recreation Area... the Islanders are launching their response to the Environmental (lawyers) Focus Groups. The only ones that gain in this whole deal are the lawyer, after they sue the US Gov... and win on pseudo-science... unproven studies and a pool of SPIN MONEY...

Search Being Scaled Back For Missing Plane Over Katmai National Park

Sep 7th - 02:19am | Anonymous

The employees had both a park radio and satellite phone at camp. They had a park radio, aircraft radio and a spot device on the plane. Sorry you are so blinded by your anti government feelings that you cannot see the sad truth here- none of that matters a hill of beans when your pilot chooses to share the inside of a cloud with a mountain.

Sep 6th - 13:46pm | Lee Dalton

Sorry, Greg, but you've been suckered by the radio hate mongers and email spammers.

Sep 5th - 20:57pm | Greg

My son is working at Brooks camp with these boys. He got a message to us that he was ok but these were his friends. This is so sad and we have many people praying for them from the lower 48. We purchased a SPOT ELT for my son. It was 150 + 150 for satellite hook up. We are not a rich family but this was important to us.

Sep 4th - 11:40am | Anonymous

Thanks for the updates!

Top 10 Most Visited National Parks

Sep 6th - 22:31pm | Joe Hayden

As someone who has spent a lot of time in our wonderful NP system, the most visited Parks are crowded if You stay in Your car. Get out and WALK, and You will find peace and quiet even in GSMNP. The best way to see Cades Cove is to park and walk the loop. It takes a while, 3 to 4 hours, if You stop and observe and take pictures, etc.

Sep 6th - 02:03am | Cruise Travel

I think Zion is a side trip from Las Vegas for some people. Something to do once you've lost all your money...

Fall, A Great Season in the National Parks, Also is Closing Season For Many Facilities

Sep 6th - 10:45am | Gaelyn

Grand Canyon's North Rim will shut down all food and lodging after the morning of Oct 16th. After that the visitor center and first come first serve campground will be open until the end of November, unless the snow flies first. Then closed until May 15, 2011.

Best Places To Work: National Park Service Is Improved, But Still Far From the Top

Sep 6th - 10:00am | tahoma

D-2

Sep 5th - 19:59pm | d-2

Dear tahoma: a few of your points: I am not a fan of reorganizations; for the effort they put into it, you could actually get something done.

Sep 4th - 13:29pm | Benjamin Lord

I've always been a person who respects the "real world", and the 360 degree view that encompasses. From my perspective, the National Park Service is at the top of the list for professionalism, esprit-de-corps, and serving the public. Senior NPS management, park superintendents, and middle management fully understand the nuance and complextity of the mission and workforce.

Sep 4th - 13:12pm | haunted hiker

I'm intrigued by this study comparing the traits of NPSers to the clergy. Does anyone have a lead on where I could get a hold of that document?

Sep 4th - 11:48am | tahoma

Rick- Perhaps I didn't make my point clear. It wasn't just "incompetent employees", it was incompetent and especially unethical middle and upper management. Even more disturbing actually, is that the long and expensive bureaucratic food-chain above them either didn't know or wanted to avoid the negative

Sep 3rd - 18:53pm | Rick Smith

d-2 is right, of course. It takes a village of competent employees to manage a park. Tahoma's characterization of imcompetent employees is not consistent with what I saw during my career in the NPS.

Sep 3rd - 13:14pm | d-2

Dear Tahoma: no government agency is ever fully funded. No american ideal is ever fully achieved. It is the job of every citizen and every government worker to fight for continual improvement.

Fishing, Boating, Surfing, Permits Available for Gateway National Recreation Area Beginning Feb. 1

Sep 6th - 09:57am | ksfkay

I was very disappointed to learn of this $50 fishing permit. That is too pricey. I already bought the new $10 marines license that's supposed to grant you access to all salt waters in America. Either the fishing is that good here or don't want anyone fishing here at this spot. Which is it?

Yosemite National Park To Install Large Solar Energy Complex At El Portal

Sep 5th - 20:30pm | jim hockley

the reflective glow of solar panels, especially near any water source like river or lake, will appear more like water than the real thing to birds, aquatic insects, and many other species. dragon, may, and damselflies will lay their eggs on solar panels which quickly fry the eggs. this is not acceptable no matter what the economic "savings".

Interior Secretary Plans Free Weekend Entry to National Parks to Boost Tourism

Sep 5th - 19:57pm | Anonymous

What are my taxes going for? I shouldn't have to pay to see nature,something God created to be enjoyed for FREE.Also upset for having to pay for parking by the pier at Pismo and Avila Beach...the ocean,soemthing I should be able to look at for FREE! These are hard times for everyone...I say no fees.

Fall Color, Hikes, And Wildlife in The National Parks

Sep 5th - 19:12pm | Meg

Elk bugling is lovely -- unless the elk in question is directly under your window at three in the morning. Speaking from personal experience... I was at Mammoth in Yellowstone at the time.

This Third Time Was Anything But Charming – SPOT Misuse At Grand Canyon National Park

Sep 5th - 14:01pm | Christian

"tourons (a combination of tourist and morons)" Thanks for a new word! :) Don't throw them in jail-- they don't deserve the free* food, water, and shelter. Do fine them for Abuse of Emergency Services.

Badger Pass Icon Nic Fiore Passes; Taught Thousands to Ski At Yosemite National Park's Ski Area

Sep 5th - 10:53am | tori goux

I took ski lessons from Nick and his fellow instructors (Jacque Du Pont) up at Badger Pass in the 1960s-70s and what I learned from them gave me a good strong foundation in skiing. Nick and his ski school had a love and passion for the sport-it rubbed off on me and I have been a ski tech for over 40 years and also taught for the last 3 seasons.

New Email Notification System Installed on The Traveler

Sep 5th - 09:29am | DJ

Turning all Alaska property over to the state of ALaska would stupid! There are many people throughout the world that would oppose this. Just look at the Pebble Creek Mine issue! That will threaten what is probably the most important fishery in the world and that includes BEFORE recorded history. Simply put Joe Miller is WRONG!

Fatal Fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park

Sep 5th - 00:12am | David Trotta

A stumble can kill you on a sidewalk, a subway platform, or a bathtub, does that mean we should "rope up" to take a shower? I hiked this for the first time with my 14yr old Godson last month, and it was one of the coolest hikes I have ever done. Don't ruin it like so many other things have been ruined by over protecting everything. I think it is fine the way it is.

Body of Missing Climber Found in North Cascades National Park

Sep 4th - 22:24pm | tahoma

More info on the challenging recovery and personal details can be found at: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012809438_climber05m.html Sounds like quite a guy; rest in peace...

Sep 4th - 15:34pm | Anonymous

I knew John. He was a really good guy. He will be missed.

Sep 4th - 09:48am | Anonymous

Our deepest sympathies to all following this story, especially the Arum Family. What a loss..an environmental attorney, as well.

Sep 3rd - 23:22pm | tahoma

A sad ending to this SAR: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012805675_arum04.html

Here's a Yellowstone Bear Story: Grizzly Sow Has Quads!

Sep 4th - 21:58pm | Norm M

Really enjoyed seeing the videos, so neat to see 4 of them hope they make it to adult age, these are truly beautiful animals, we were just at yellowstone in august this year, it truly is a magiacl place.

"Fire and Water" – Two Incidents at Yosemite National Park Test the Park Staff

Sep 4th - 14:33pm | mdtogo

Our son is the boy who fell and was rescued, as reported in this article. He is recovering nicely, no doubt in part due to his rapid extrication and timely medical care. In fact this has been a life-changing experience for us, but our son has no recollection of the event itself (had skull fractures and a brain injury). If you have pictures or video, could you email us?

Angels Landing in Zion National Park Will be Closed For Repairs in mid-September

Sep 4th - 11:20am | RangerLady

I agree with adding the stone masonry to improve footing. When I went, I was wearing th eproper footwear and I still slipped on the fine sand covering the stones. I came very close to being the 3rd person to fall last summer. I can't imagine how people go up and down that trail with sandals when my hiking boots barely had traction.

Sep 4th - 08:57am | Lee Dalton

Good. And hopefully this work will enhance safety while not eliminating the sense of adventure which helps make the Angel's Landing hike so rewarding. Turning it into a sanitized, sterilized walk in the park path would destroy much of its appeal.

Poll Shows Maine Residents Support Creation of National Park, Sustainable Logging From the North Woods

Sep 3rd - 23:42pm | Bob M

That's right Kurt. Let's not forget that State Sen. Lowell Barron is a DEMOCRATE who would love to see the ban on ATV's lifted in the Little River Canyon Preserve. So remember, it isn't a left or right, conservative vs liberal or Republican against Democrate issue as to who respects the wilderness more.

Cost of Search for Missing Plane Over Katmai National Park and Preserve Approaching $1 Million

Sep 3rd - 13:36pm | Walter and Sabr...

We want to say "Thank you" to all the SAR teams, park employees, and anyone searching for these 4 precious men. We have known the Spradlin Family for over 16 years and know of their humbling appreciation for all your efforts, time, and money spent on finding these men alive, healthy, and of sound mind.

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