| Page 1207 | National Parks Traveler

Since March I have called every month just for them to tell me its not going to be ready till next month. Its august now and Im just really excited to do this... So when is it going to open.. Please dont say next month lol I would like a more honest answer or a "Im not sure yet" answer. Thank you!! From really excited chic that really wants to do this. :)

On Occasion, Glacier National Park Crews Use Explosives To Open Hiking Trails

Aug 17th - 07:48am | tahoma

The use of explosives in National Park wilderness is actually widespread, if not exactly common. Blasting snow is a relatively minor occurrence in my experience as a certified NPS blaster for many years, including parks that are even snowier than Glacier. To me, the unusual aspect of this story is the use of explosives mainly to support a concessionaire.

Aug 16th - 17:25pm | Tony Bynum

Great write up Kurt! It seems to me like it's a necessary evil. . . I guess that's the benefit of it being a park and not a wilderness area. . . I know Jacks in support of wilderness in the park, I wonder if any of the blasting areas fall within the wilderness study areas? If so, the Park MUST manage those areas as if they were wilderness . . .

Fans of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Being Asked to Contribute Ideas to Lakeshore's Future

Aug 17th - 06:51am | Anonymous

Central Beach at the Dunes would be a great spot for a clothing optional beach. We would definitely enjoy the beach even more if we could swim and sun bathe nude.

Glacier National Park Enjoys Bullish July

Aug 16th - 21:26pm | Anonymous

my husband and i are from maine and we went thru glacier park in june we camped 2 nights in many glacier campground which rocked by the way!

Aug 16th - 20:39pm | Connie Hopkins

My personal recommendation would be Ptarmigan Tunnel, Iceberg Lake, Grinnell Glacier or the Garden Wall Loop (up to Granite Park Chalet and down). These are worth the energy expended! You'll need to double-check that the trails aren't closed due to bear activity on all of these hikes.

Aug 16th - 19:31pm | Kurt Repanshek

Countless, just countless. Crowd pleasers, and as such likely to draw crowds, are both the hike to the Hidden Lake Overlook and to Avalanche Lake. Both both are spectacular, and if you hike to the far end of Avalanche Lake you'll leave most folks behind. I'm sure others can recommend other highly worthy additions.

Aug 16th - 18:34pm | Milind

I'll be heading to Glacier National Park in Montana in late August, and will have two days there. Are there any particular hiking trails or other spots that I should be sure not to miss while I'm there? Thanks!

Aug 16th - 14:54pm | Connie Hopkins

Hey Dave Crowl, My Hub and I enjoyed GPL as well as Many Glacier Hotel this trip. GPL has gorgeous grounds and Many Glacier has a magnificent setting right on the Swiftcurrent Lake. We did Prince of Wales back in 2005 and the setting is truly beautiful! We've not been back but can at least say we experienced it.

Aug 16th - 09:16am | Dave Crowl

My family of 4 also enjoyed a July visit to Glacier and Waterton. I felt the construction did take away from the white knuckle experience of Going to the Sun Road which I had told my wife and kids about. The traffic was bumper to bumper and single lane. We moved very slowly. We did enjoy many hikes even though there was lots of people.We stayed at Glacier Park Lodge and Prince of Wales.

Aug 16th - 08:38am | Lee Dalton

Isn't this all Ken Burns' fault?

Aug 16th - 06:44am | corv78

I'm also very happy that my girlfriend and I added 2 people to both Glacier Park's and the Boat Company's statistics. Interestingly, 1983 was preceded by a recession, just as 2010 was preceded by a recession.

Aug 16th - 06:13am | Connie Hopkins

Glacier is my favorite Park that I've been too and I am pleased to say that my Husband and I were 2 of those July visitors. My husband took me on my first overnight back country hike in the 2 Medicine area so I am part of that 7% increase as well. Glacier is a majestic Park, a hiker's paradise!

Fall From Tokopah Falls Kills Visitor to Sequoia National Park

Aug 16th - 17:53pm | Angela Caprioli

Joel, the first half of your comment was insensitive and insulting to the family and friends who will never see this kind, loving and angelic child again. This page was created following an article on the boy's death, not on hiking in Sequoia; your comments show a lack of context and respect.

Who Are Those Masked Men At Colorado National Monument?

Aug 16th - 16:07pm | Rutland

Stone Masons Rock! Kudos to the team doing that restoration work under extermely difficult conditions. I do hope those insect hoods work well without getting in the way. I'd like to find a full body suit that covers head to toe with netting. Keep safe guys!

UNESCO Report on Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Calls for Additional Protections

Aug 16th - 12:08pm | Mike Waite

This is a really great story. I hope the folks at NPS and Parks Canada are reading this.

Glacier National Park Officials Want To Stablize Heavens Peak Lookout

Aug 16th - 07:04am | corv78

The increased activity with the old lookout will probably encourage more hikers to visit the area. It's time to re-establish a good trail. I would love to hike to the lookout as I've never done so, but it would be safer with a trail.

Aug 15th - 21:33pm | Don Stolte

I have been keeping track of the ongoings of the Heaven's Peak Lookout project; hoping that something different than their original approach would be undertaken. I have been lucky enough to have hiked to the Lookout on a number of occasions. During the 70's I hiked on the old trail but the last time I was at the Lookout in the early 2000's the trail was almost impossible lto find.

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

Aug 15th - 21:58pm | Anonymous

I have worked in a National Park and wish the dog people who somehow feel their dogs are their babies would get a life. Anyone who will not go to a park if Fido can't go doesn't really want to see the park and its' beauty. They just want everyone to see their baby ( Fido ). I wonder why Jack Hanna didn't take a dog with him on his Glacier Park hike.

Aug 15th - 15:12pm | Sharlene

I know I am late to this topic but I have to say on my recent visit to Devil's Postpile I was appalled by how much horse poop was everywhere. Dogs are allowed on these trails as well and I didn't see any dog poop anywhere, just lots of horse poop. Why are horse owners not held responsible for the large amounts of waste their animals leave behind?

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

Aug 15th - 17:49pm | Anonymous

Wow!! I can't imagine the rescue in Bridal Veil & the fire damage to Tecoya housing!! I know that Tecoya housing is undergoing rennovation too. Is DNC staffing Engine 7 at full time now?

National Park Road Trip 2010: Return to the Beginning

Aug 15th - 17:10pm | MRC

Thank you for the entertaining and informative stories from your trip. I enjoyed them tremendously and envy you for the experience. Keep on traveling and I hope to read about your future trips here. Thanks again.

Aug 15th - 07:50am | Connie Hopkins

I grew up in the inner city of St Louis and I remember the ARCH being built! All of our family gradually started moving into St Charles in the 1980's and I LOVE historic Main Street! I had been planning a trip home for this past June and was going to play "tourist"; going back up in the ARCH, Old Cathedral, etc.

Aug 13th - 19:47pm | PM

I have really enjoyed reading about your adventures. I hope you document another trip like you did this one. I've always wanted to do a trip like this but usually when the weather is nice I am busy at work so I can't. Thanks again.

Odds and Ends from Around the National Park System: Interior's Transparency Woes, Plowing Hurricane Ridge, and More

Aug 15th - 16:17pm | tahoma

The National Park Service has a long way to go to even approach 'transparency'. A couple winters ago, I requested copies of the annual budget and staff organization chart from Mt. Rainier. E-mail, phone calls and a letter brought no response for over six months, at which point I contacted the FOIA office in D.C.

Popular Junior Ranger Program is Expanding to Add "Let's Move Outside" Activities

Aug 15th - 12:00pm | y_p_w

I have an older relative (old enough to have a senior pass) who got his "Junior Ranger" badge at one NP. Eligibility depends on the park, and some have no age restrictions.

Aug 14th - 23:11pm | Anonymous

When we are able to get the Junior Ranger booklet in advance ie printing it from the internet or asking for it to be mailed, then yes, the busy work activities are great for doing in the car. Unfortunately not all the parks will allow you to get the booklets in advance (ie Saguaro said absolutely no way would they send us the booklet in advance).

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

Aug 15th - 10:50am | jessstryker

It sure will be nice to finally have nice facilities at Flamingo again! It has been a long process, but understandable that the need is to allow all the diverse groups input into the process. Now hopefully things can proceed more quickly.

Aug 13th - 19:58pm | tomp

I suspect that at least the hotel and cottages and probably the marina building as well will be paid for by a concessionaire, who will then have a long-term lease.

Number of Wildfires Burning Across Western National Parks

Aug 15th - 01:01am | tahoma

There's a good photo of Olympic's Mt. Hopper fire visible from Seattle at: http://westseattleblog.com/2010/08/smoke-over-the-olympics-new-forest-fi...

Reader Participation Day: Acadia National Park, or Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Aug 14th - 20:11pm | Dave

I live 30 minutes from GSM. We visited Acadia two springs ago. Both have their advantages. My problem with GSM is the traffic mess. Hiking at both parks is tremendous. Watching sunrise from the mountaintop at Acadia will never be forgotten. My overall vote is Acadia.

Lodging in the Parks: Beware the St. Mary Lodge & Resort

Aug 14th - 19:35pm | Jim R.

Anon @2:36/14 Aug, If it is Mr. Noe replying in that post... you may want to skip pointing fingers at your employees when answering complaints by a bunch of customers. If you jump over to TripAdvisor.com (and do a search on resort in question), there are a slew of recent complaints about the St Mary Lodge and Resort.

Aug 14th - 15:36pm | Jim R.

Wow. My family and I have stayed at the resort a number of times over the past 10 years (the most recent Sep 2007). It sounds like the change of ownership has completely changed the quality of the place. My stays were pretty good (we stayed the newest addition; Great Bear Lodge?.. and the view and rooms were very nice).

Aug 14th - 12:51pm | Anonymous

I read all of these reviews and must say to Michelle "thank you for your comments, it is amazing that you do not mention that you tried to steal $200 before leaving....I guess we know where your morals are.

Where in the World is Paul Fugate?

Aug 14th - 18:58pm | Don Morris

I was involved in the search for Paul Fugate rather heavily, as both an NPS employee and an active member of SARA. Just a few comments:

Yellowstone National Park's New Old Faithful Visitor Center to Open August 25

Aug 14th - 16:50pm | Meg

Woo-hoo! About time! I wish I could be there, but my annual Yellowstone trip this year was way back in May [sigh].

Aug 14th - 06:40am | Connie Hopkins

SO wish we could be there! We were in Y-stone last month on part of our Glacier NP Centennial trip and we photographed the exterior! I am looking forward to visiting it since the Canyon VC turned out so wonderfully. I remember the old Old Faithful VC and it WAS cramped so this will be exciting !

A Piece Of History

Aug 14th - 13:38pm | sthdrum

Yes, why do you need to carry while in the Park? The fears that have been accepted by too many people over the past 9 years need to be purged. Remember: "We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" FDR

Mission

Aug 14th - 11:15am | DesignGreen

The Lorax March 23, Day 14 Indio, CA –Joshua Tree National Park – Los Angeles, CA

Yellowstone National Park Officials Working on Management Plan for Lake Area

Aug 14th - 10:11am | Anonymous

WOW, I wanted to work in yellowstone or crater lake, but after reading the endless bad comments about xanterra, I think I'm going to write my congressman.

How To Buy National Park-Related Gifts Without Leaving Home

Aug 14th - 08:05am | Alan E.

I recently revisted a website I went to to purchase National Park gifts That I first heard about from the National Parks Traveler website. Innerpeacedesigns.net They make and manufactures National park ornaments with great detail. They redesigned their website and have an American Flag and it says 100% manufactured in the USA. Thank God !

John Wessels Appointed Director of National Park Service's Intermountain Region

Aug 13th - 21:32pm | Anonymous

I keep reading about core operations, can someone tell me what it is, and what problems it caused?

Aug 13th - 18:02pm | Anonymous

Perhaps the first real evidence of what John Wessels will do as Regional Director will come as he fills the three Associate Regional Director positions that are now vacant - let's see who he surrounds himself with in the hall of heroes at the IMR.

Aug 13th - 17:55pm | Anonymous

So JLongstreet - just whhich NPS do you work for? Curious that there isn't a single Longstreet listed in our email directory?

Arrive Early to Find Parking At Logan Pass in Glacier National Park

Aug 13th - 17:51pm | Anonymous

I was in Glacier last fall and never drove anywhere that the shuttles went. I found them to be so easy to use, they are free, and the schedules were quite workable. Took only a minimum amount of extra planning to time hikes, etc. around the shuttle schedule. It was wonderful to just be able to enjoy the scenery while having someone else have to deal with the road.

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