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The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring

Feb 2nd - 10:28am | M. D. Vaden of ...

February 2, 2009 comment update ... Managed to find Hyperion in Juanuary - the world's tallest redwood. That's the redwood tree covered in the final chapter of the book. Got some decent photos. Coincidentally, the valley with this tallest redwood also had the most traces of bear activity I've seen so far.

Sharpshooters To Begin Reducing Elk Herds in Rocky Mountain National Park

Feb 2nd - 09:50am | wayne bundy

when we get the opertunity to hunt we go for the bigest and best. large rack , large and healthy excetera . this is best for us but worst for wildlife. we would never shoot a weeker target we harvest the best leaving the sick criopel and small to survive . the other apex preditors select the week and dieing as pray . we are not competing with them there nitch is diferant than ares .

Feb 1st - 23:00pm | Elk Angel Anonymous

The intent to create a capsulized eco system with imaginary boarders is not reality. Today in the lower 48 we have no chance of creating and sustaining a "Natural Environment" migration routes, patterns and elevation will not allow enough property to be set aside. Mainly because the adjacent property in most cases in already developed and we can't relocate a town of humans.

Feb 1st - 22:24pm | oldranger

Here in Utah at least, elk do indeed conflict with people. Especially on our highways. Driving I-80 east of Salt Lake is almost like driving the Dodge'em cars at Lagoon amusement park. Splattered elk carcasses and car carcasses litter the roadside. And despite a very active hunting population throughout the annual season, elk numbers continue to increase. Maybe ROMO isn't in this fix yet.

Feb 1st - 07:20am | RAH

I don't know about elk, but birth control on deer was a failure when tried. Turned out the males just stayed in rut and caused more damage. The explosion in deer has been costly to cars from the increase in deer hits by cars. Elk not being in high population centers are not a problem to cars and do need to have the numbers thinned.

Jan 30th - 08:30am | BarbB

I agree that Frank N has said it all very well. I think introduction of wolves, if even for a time (i.e. until they start to cause more issues outside the park than they solve within), would be a very natural and viable option. An option mentioned in the article that I shuddered to read regards using birth control. What kind of birth control would that be, exactly?

Jan 29th - 18:04pm | Anonymous

Frank N- Excellent comments and one could not say it better. Western parks went from being islands of civilization in a sea of wilderness to islands of wilderness in a sea of civilization. Regardless, I foresee future hindsight exposing this program as being yet another example of poor management decision making - leeches for a fever instead of medicine.

Jan 29th - 14:45pm | Frank N

The problem is that allowing a public hunt would establish a dangerous precedent. This "culling" is similar to what they used to do in Yellowstone back in the forties and fifties.

Jan 29th - 11:20am | Zebulon

Can't we auction the right to shoot the animals? The money could go to good use in other areas of the park.

"Inland Tsunami" at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area Wasn't the First of Its Kind

Feb 2nd - 02:56am | Ray Bane

Opps. Meant to write "feet" rather than "meters." Regardless, it was a whopper!

Feb 1st - 23:40pm | Ray Bane

Actually, the highest such wave on record occurred on July 9, 1958, in Lituya Bay on the shoreline of the Gulf of Alaska. Based on survivor reports and physical evidence, the wave swept up adjacent mountain slopes to a height of 1500 meters.

Feb 1st - 15:54pm | JimB

Thanks, Jim! The State of Washington has a lot to say about tsunamis in its Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan , which notes that "Seiches are water waves generated in enclosed or partly enclosed bodies of water such as reservoirs, lakes, bays and rivers by the passage of seismic waves (ground shaking) caused by earthquakes."

Feb 1st - 14:07pm | Jim Olson

I beleive the proper term is Seiche in an inland waterway. The physics are the same for tsunamis or a seiche. That is the energy(mass) of the generator and the configuration of the body of water. It is beleived the largest wave ever generated was a seiche occuring from a landslide in the Aleutian Islands. If my memory serves it was over 200 feet on the oppisite shore.

Feb 1st - 13:08pm | JimB

Interesting comments. The wave in the recent event was reported to be about 30 feet high, and since water was reported to have reached the foundations of several residences, I'd guess that height could be pretty easily determined.

Feb 1st - 12:06pm | Richard ROBINSON

65 FT wave..........I am sorry but that is just so hard to beleive.Where are the pics or vidio footage.I do beleive 16 -20ft wish i could of been there i would have surfed it lol...But any ways huge chuncks of ice fall into the ocean from the glaciars all the time and i dont think they are over 60 ft?A 16 ft wave could easly wash a small boat up onto shore 60ft and with that much land falling

Rangers Catch Snowmobilers Riding Illegally in Yellowstone National Park's Backcountry

Feb 1st - 20:11pm | Anonymous

I don't know what's worse...having people on NPT write extremist statements that paint people with broad brushes and display their obvious hate for others, or the fact that I actually wasted my time reading those people's attacks of each other.

Feb 1st - 18:53pm | Mr. H

Don't think too hard Jim. It's not they were unaware, its when idiots post arbitrary idiotic laws, reasonable people tend to lose respect for the law. What's wrong with you people? I certainly would never advocate riding snowmachines around the herds, scaring them up and running them around. Most snowmachiners enjoy all types of outdoor activities including skiing, hiking, camping, etc.

Jan 29th - 11:18am | Zebulon

Ray, thanks for the information. In that case, I can certainly understand the need for strict enforcement.

Get Me to the Park on Time……..

Feb 1st - 14:59pm | Bob Janiskee

That's an interesting question, anon. To do step-on guide gigs, you need to know your stuff (loads of local and regional lore), be a "people person" (the more charismatic the better), and have good contacts. If you think you measure up, contact travel firms that offer bus tours in your area and inquire about opportunities.

Feb 1st - 13:34pm | Anonymous

How do you become a step-on?

Planning to Visit Apostle Islands National Lakeshore? Leave Your Gun At Home

Feb 1st - 06:44am | RAH

This is true for many areas as a few states do not have CCW. I believe that Wisconsin will have it soon. I believe that 48 states have CCW in one form or another. Some states are "shall issue" and some are "may issue". Most people only pay attention to federal laws about guns and have not realized the change in 10 years on state laws. That is where the most change occurs.

Secretary Salazar on Guns in Parks: He'll "Take A Look At It"

Feb 1st - 06:37am | rah

Nice to see Interior Secretary Salazar be a 2A supporter. I agree I am comfortable around guns and peole who use them and been shooting since I been a child and you don't see people freak out at a gun range with weapons openly carried, or over the shoulder and or at rest.

Group Seeks To Intevene In Court Case Concerning Armed Visitors in National Parks

Feb 1st - 06:23am | RAH

I find it curious that anti gun folk complain when other people exercise a civil right protected by the Constitution. They rarely complain about the exercise of other civil rights. But because this civil right is about the right to keep and bear(carry) arms they get all upset.

National Park Quiz 39: Winter

Jan 31st - 16:53pm | Bob Janiskee

You can keep your snow and cold, Bob. The summer heat down here in South Carolina may be disagreeable, but at least I don't have to shovel it. Here's an arcane fact for you. My Masters thesis, a tome that dealt with human biometeorology, investigated the way that weather systems and perceptions of heat and cold affect human comfort in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Jan 31st - 15:59pm | Bob Krumenaker

Bob,

Jan 29th - 11:11am | Bob Janiskee

Thanks for the feedback, Rob. I've left the item as is, and the answer remains the same (False). However, I've changed the accompanying explanation to indicate that some national parks do adjust admission fees seasonally, although most do not.

Pruning the Parks: Papago Saguaro National Monument (1914-1930)

Jan 31st - 13:46pm | Bob Janiskee

What?! You mean to say that I only missed one of the key political aspects of this tale? I think that's a new personal best. Wait 'til I tell Kurt. I'd like to read that out-of-print book you mentioned, since I've always been interested in Papago Park's post-1930 history. Thanks for helping to flesh out the story. Papago park is certainly an interesting place.

Jan 31st - 13:24pm | rscottjones

Glad you highlighted Papago Saguaro, which was designated as a sister park to Saguaro National Monument near Tucson (which later became Saguaro National Park). It's a clear case of how being named a National Monument does not necessarily engender protection - it's up to the public to help make sure the place is ensured protection.

Jan 31st - 10:21am | Anonymous

I have used and enjoyed Papago Park for 40 years and never realized it was once part of the National Park Service. As the article mentions, it now is home to the Phoenix Zoo and the Botanical Gardens, both excellent attractions and most definitely worth an Arizona visitor's time.

Having a Bad Day? Consider the Plight of Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

Jan 31st - 11:47am | Anonymous

In Southwest Kentucky and NW Tennessee, they are predicting it will take a month or more to restore power to everyone. I hope ABLI fares better!

This Park Nourishes Its Forest Service Roots

Jan 31st - 07:39am | JimB

Thanks very much for the correction, Steve! It's been quite a few years since I visited Walnut Canyon, and I obviously misread the information in the park newspaper that covers both Walnut Canyon and Sunset Crater. I'll correct the article and repost it.

Jan 30th - 23:30pm | Steve Nycz, Sea...

Nice little article, but just one necessary correction: the campground 'across from the visitor center' is actually located across from the Sunset Crater National Monument visitor center, some 25 miles from Walnut Canyon NM. Still, the partnership program with the Forest Service is still going strong and improving every year.

Paul Hoffman Still Defending His Proposed Changes to the National Park Service's Management Policies

Jan 30th - 21:15pm | Ray Bane

Thank you, Bill. It is officials like Hoffman who pose the greatest threat to the National Park System. It takes dedicated managers to stand up to the short sighted people, such as Hoffman, and refuse to compromise on the mission of the National Park Service as stated in the Organic Act.

Updated: Lake Clark National Park's Redoubt Volcano Begins To Awake, Eruption Thought to be Imminent

Jan 30th - 16:39pm | Barky

Wow, that is an amazing photo. Hope no one ends up trapped in the various cabins and lodges on the western shore of Cook Inlet. This time of year, there probably aren't many people there, but still ... ======================================

Jan 30th - 14:16pm | Jo

Anyone who doubts or downplays the forces of nature MUST BE BLIND.

Jan 30th - 11:37am | Chris

A great picture which shows the amazing force of nature. Let's just hope that no one gets injured, should Mount Redoubt really erupt.

What Interest Is a Civil War Battlefield in Virginia to Vermont?

Jan 30th - 11:01am | Anonymous

I find myself wondering what the response would be if Trader Joe's wanted to build in the same location. In these troubled economic times Wal-Mart is continuing with expansion (they also provide jobs and pay taxes). I worked at Wal-Mart during my college years and they were a good employer.

Jan 29th - 21:35pm | Daniel L. Brush

As a Vermonter, who's ancestors engaged in the Battle of the Wilderness, some who survived, some died, and of others which died months later in Cambridge VT, from lingering saber wounds, am willing to personally explain to those who are in authority in Orange County and in charge of this descision as to what exactly "Hallowed Ground" means.

Jan 29th - 18:56pm | Barky

A) Wal-Mart blows.

Jan 29th - 14:15pm | Anonymous

Just to clarify the other anonymous post, this development is in Orange County, not Spotsylvania as is referenced in the letter.

Jan 29th - 12:46pm | Anonymous

We live in a couminity a little North of this area on 600 acres that has destroyed almost all of the northern encampments in Falmouth, VA. We feal that the engagement was the beginning of the Overland War Campaign, the bloodiest campaign in American history and the turning point in the war in the Eastern Theatre.

Upon Further Review – How Not to Protect Yourself from a Bear

Jan 30th - 10:41am | JimB

RJ - Thanks for an excellent comment, including the useful perspective on the small number of actual grizzly bear attacks. Hope you'll be back in the park this summer!

Jan 30th - 10:33am | RJ Spaulding

Great article, Jim. I spent last summer working as a field technician in YNP, and I could not believe just how many visitors to the park lacked that "common sense." As part of my training, I was required to take a bear safety course provided by the NPS at the training center in Gardiner, MT.

How An Earlier Administration Bolstered The National Parks Through A National Program

Jan 30th - 00:38am | RoadRanger

William Tweed has provided us with a fond reminder of the monumental role FDR's New Deal played in the development of the NPS. I'll be looking forward to reading his new book.

Grand Teton National Park Rangers Spending Their Days Rescuing Skiers

Jan 29th - 18:23pm | Kurt Repanshek

Good question, Steve. You might find this post interesting, as it explores that question and provides your answer.

Jan 29th - 18:16pm | steve

why don't the Rangers charge for the service, finding idiots should not be at taxpayer expense. Idiots are idiots and should pay for their mistakes. The police charge for false alarms at houses, why not for out of bonds idiots?

How To Buy National Park-Related Gifts Without Leaving Home

Jan 29th - 17:58pm | Alan Esovski

A new pewter ornament of Thor's Hammer at Bryce Canyon National Park is now available online at Inner Peace Designs. I have been collecting National Park ornaments of all types for quite sometime. I dedicated my Christmas tree this year to our Nation's parks. I received so many positive comments from it, I think I will do it from now on!

On Interior Secretaries, National Park Stimulus Funds, And Oil Shale

Jan 29th - 13:40pm | Anonymous

Will the Department investigate cases where Fraud in the lease agreements on land that belongs to private citizens. This is in my case Forgary and illigal notarization is invold, a particular state and municpal government. ie,. County, city , State Taxation?

Jan 29th - 13:32pm | Bugsyshallfall

Anything is better than what came before him.

The World's Top Ten National Parks

Jan 29th - 12:35pm | Rick Smith

Mark-- You are right. Galapagos is a national park. Here's what I wrote about it for this contest: GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK, Ecuador

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