| Page 1530 | National Parks Traveler

I have mixed feelings about many of the elements here. On one hand, after speaking with many locals in Estes park, I understand that the elk population is out of control, that they can be a nuisance, and even dangerous to the locals (calving in people's gardens and attacking the resident who is unaware of their presence).

Fishers Return to Olympic National Park

Jan 28th - 09:09am | Mike Barlow

I have spent a fair amount of time in WA and OR and have no idea what a fisher is. I looked them up in smithsonian guide to North American Mammals. The link is here: http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna/image_info.cfm?species_id=152

Using Controlled Burns To Manage Stones River National Battlefield

Jan 28th - 08:34am | Stuart Johnson,...

Although some of our Stones River staff members have fire management training, our park does not have the internal capacity to manage prescribed burns. Because of this, we work closely with the excellent fire management staff of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Should Anything Be Done With Angel's Landing?

Jan 28th - 08:33am | Bob Janiskee

Park visitors who want to protect their trail-climbing privileges at dangerous places like Angels Landing and Half Dome need to be very careful about the safety measures they demand. The climbing community knows all about the perils of asking for too much.

Jan 27th - 14:20pm | Jeff

I totally agree with Kath's comment. The only suggestion I would add to it is this: while making that last half mile of the climb, there are areas of large gaps between chains. Some of the gaps are in spots where the chains would certainly add to the stability and safety of the climber.

Everglades National Park Asked to Give Manatees Protection From Boaters

Jan 27th - 21:26pm | Kevin

The above mentioned figures were were compiled by USGS from many different agencies/groups. Upon further questioning their lead researcher admitted they can not be deemed as reliable. What can be deemed reliable is the USGS did a manatee study (their first in the ENP) over the past five years. This included sightings, GPS tracking, and carcass recovery.

Park History: Everglades National Park

Jan 27th - 10:58am | Anonymous

we need the CERP like it or not!!!!!

Why Did The Park Service Agree To Secret Meetings Over Yellowstone Snowmobiling?

Jan 27th - 10:06am | Anonymous

Kurt, you do say it like it is! Pure greed!! I wish I could write with such flair and poise..."the pen is mightier then the sword"!

Jan 27th - 09:48am | jsmacdonald

And, frankly, the town of Cody is not involved in the meetings, simply representatives claiming to speak on behalf of the town. In the case of Cody, a grassroots group called "Shut Out" of Yellowstone was propped up by the city to fight this (thus becoming less grassroots over time), but this is a private meeting between power brokers.

Jan 26th - 23:46pm | Merryland

Kurt, I was just gonna say what the article said in the last sentence, so rather than repeat it.... Well said!

Another Snake Story from Everglades National Park

Jan 26th - 23:42pm | Merryland

Snakes? Why'd it have to be snakes? Southern Florida is an ecological mess. There are so many people releasing non-native "things" into the 'glades, canals, swimming pools, and coastal waters. There are thousands of stories like this just waiting to be reported and while entertaining on one level, it's also a very sad statement on humans' unique ability to truly foul things up.

Considering a Hike up Half Dome?

Jan 25th - 11:17am | Kelly Britton

One could also make that the argument that if there were NO cables, the risk/thrill takers would still attempt the climb. Furthermore, the NPS is providing a safer alternative during the warm season.

Jan 21st - 17:15pm | Yosemite faithful

The argument that people might die on Half Dome so it shouldn't be so accessible is as illogical as saying that people might die in a car crash while driving Tioga Road so it shouldn't be open. Of course someone could die on Half Dome. Or on the highways. Or at Glacier Point. There is reasonable risk for great reward in Yosemite.

Paw Print Another Sign That Wolves Might Be Returning to Rocky Mountain National Park

Jan 25th - 07:57am | jsmacdonald

With today's expected change of the rules to allow more shooting of wolves and the plans of wolf management that have been approved for the states (especially those of Wyoming and Idaho), it will be interesting to see whether the expansion of a wolf here and there into Colorado (as well as into other states; for instance Oregon) happens before the wolf populations face decimation.

Jan 25th - 06:09am | mark

Bravo Terry,,,I feel exactly as you do.

Jan 23rd - 17:57pm | bryan

Very exciting. In addition to the "problem" of wolves naturally recolonizing an ecosystem of which they were- and should be- a vital component as a top carnivore, there will be great opportunity.

Jan 22nd - 18:27pm | Terry

We are the ones who destroyed them in the first place and brought the problem on ourselves, we need to protect them and reintroduce them but the law needs to be enforced as well we have seen the problems that are happening all around us because of the lack of care we have given this planet.

Jan 22nd - 13:51pm | Anonymous

We reintroduced the wolves so it is our responsibility to manage them in balance with other points of view.

NPCA Asks Secretary Kempthorne Not To Change Gun Regs in National Parks

Jan 24th - 20:39pm | Frank N

"The text of the Second Amendment is, 'A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.'"

Jan 24th - 14:56pm | Fred Miller

Frank N. makes some good points here. I'm glad he's never felt endangered while hiking the backwoods. I hope I never do either. I hope I never need to start a survival fire, but I carry a magnesium fire-starter anyway. Does this mean that we need to outlaw fire-starters because they could be used for arson? C'mon. give me a break!

Jan 24th - 13:23pm | Anonymous

I'm not a member of the NRA, nor do I own a handgun, nor do I support the current administration. I am, however, a Constitutionalist and believe the job of every American is to defend the Constitution, not just part of it.

Jan 24th - 08:45am | Anonymous

Folks, it's the philosophy of fear that's deeply entrenched and portrayed by the NRA and the Bush & Cheney administration. Scare tactics with crime helps to sell guns! The NRA and gun nuts will exploit this to the fullest extent. The next visit to the National Parks they may ask you:"Where's your papers"? Carry a gun? God forbid!

Jan 23rd - 16:41pm | Frank N

......."this isn't about risk; it's about the Constitution." War Cry of the NRA

Jan 23rd - 13:14pm | Anonymous

"People who insist that they need to carry a loaded gun everywhere astonish me."

Jan 23rd - 12:34pm | Frank N

People who insist that they need to carry a loaded gun everywhere astonish me. How have I lived to be 62 years old and NEVER carried one? I have hiked and backpacked all over this great country. I have walked (at night) down the streets of LA, New York, Baltimore, Chicago, New Orleans and others.

Jan 18th - 22:20pm | scott white

Mr. Miller, While I actually agree with your criticism of the above statements, I find it strange that you should feel the need to be defended all the time. It seems inconsistent to me that someone who is the risk taking, self sufficient type of personality who would travel in the wilderness would feel so much at jeopardy.

Jan 18th - 15:40pm | Fred Miller

Once again we hear lots of good arguments about preventing poaching. We're missing the point here. How does this discussion keep me safe when I'm hiking in the wilderness? I only want to defend myself from a person who might try to steal my wallet or assault my wife. I'm a "good guy". I obey the laws, including hunting laws.

Super Volcano, The Ticking Time Bomb Beneath Yellowstone National Park

Jan 24th - 10:23am | Brodie Farquhar

Kurt: thanks for the heads-up on the new book. I wrote about the Super Volcano extensively for the Casper Star Tribune and struggled with how to convey the technical information from the scientists, to the lay reader. I'll have to see how Breining handles it.

Groups Fighting Road Building In Death Valley

Jan 24th - 09:49am | Anonymous

Members of the "kick the bucket club" would like to see some of the beauity and wilderness you seek to protect from all but those able to hike 10-20 miles with full pack. Ive driven these roads many years and resent that suddenely its time for change. Solitiude and peace are what is saught by visitors to these areas,that means access!!!!!!!!!!!!

Senators' Letter to Open National Parks to Concealed Weapons

Jan 23rd - 14:57pm | fred

That sounds paranoid.

Pot Farmers Tilling Ground in Yosemite

Jan 23rd - 14:32pm | gordman

Drugs are a serious problem and seeing these marijuana plantations makes me think about how serious the problem really is. Drug smugglers are really powerful, they keep pushing drugs down to the market and the result is mostly disastrous. How can we stop this? Drug rehab facility

Association of National Park Rangers Opposes Change in Park Gun Regulations

Jan 22nd - 20:46pm | Steve Sergeant

As a long-time professional in the "media biz" I can say that press accounts of backcountry violence are about exceptional, unusual, extraordinary events. In other words, they're weird, that's why they're news. Literally, the likelihood of these kinds of mishaps happening to any one of us is in the one-in-many-millions chance.

Jan 20th - 13:53pm | skunklove

i agree,people with the proper permits are a very small amount of the problem, illegal arms are....... this law seems to prevent me from visiting all our national forest and parks, this is another way to chip away at the 2nd amendment, how many shoot outs have you heard of in a national park....... i think the present laws are just fine....

Jan 18th - 10:10am | Anonymous

Schools are not federal property as are national parks. Citizens should be able to carry weapons in national parks, and those who use weapons cavalierly in national parks (for target practice or poaching) should be punished. But the Second Amendment, which seems to protect individual rights to carry arms, should not be ignored.

Jan 18th - 07:49am | Anonymous

Perhaps then, we should allow people to arm themselves in a school building...after all, you can have guns out on the road in front of the school and there have been rapists who turned out to be teachers, and doesn't the 2nd Amendment state that we can carry weapons?

A Winter Visit to Grand Canyon National Park's Phantom Ranch

Jan 22nd - 12:16pm | pkrnger

Hi Carol, It's great to see you contributing to the commentary on National Parks Traveler. To answer your question, yes I met several women on the trail who were in our age bracket. No one in the women's dorm at Phantom Ranch complained of snoring either. Owen Owen Hoffman Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Jan 22nd - 05:34am | Carol Bouville

Owen - Andre and I are very impressed with your accomplishment. I am not sure which was harder - the trek up and down or the stay at Phantom Ranch. It doesn't sound like many women do this circuit. Did you encounter any my age? Best wishes, Carol

Jan 21st - 10:34am | pkrnger

Yes, I used two hiking poles (that I purchased in Glacier National Park almost ten years ago). Both the Bright Angel and the South Kaibab trails show signs of recent trail mainentance, so they were not as rocky or eroded as I remembered from previous trips. I recall that in 1969 there used to be two parallel ruts and a central ridge in the South Kaibab trail. Those are now gone.

Jan 20th - 14:56pm | Anonymous

Did you use hiking poles? They are motivators on the uphills (plant them alternatively in front of you and walk up to and past them) and knee-savers on the downhills. They also are help on rough, rocky or eroded trails -- like both Bright Angel and South Kaibab, which have such steady mule train traffic.

Jan 19th - 08:05am | pkrnger

One of the really pleasant surprises of this trip was encountering NPS park interpreter Stewart Fritts while he was conducting a guided walk along the rim at the Grand Canyon Village. His walk focused on the historic architectual accomplishments of Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter. Mr.

Great Basin National Park's Air Could Be Compromised By Proposed Power Plant

Jan 22nd - 06:53am | Electrical Engineer

I see lots of NIMBY here. That stands for "Not In My Back Yard."

Entrance Fee Repeal Legislation Would Have Little Impact on National Parks

Jan 21st - 15:59pm | Suzi Dow

Sounds like the Park Service got another sweet deal on the back of our national forests. According to S-2438, National Parks can charge and everyone else can not.

Fall Into Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Kills California Woman

Jan 20th - 22:00pm | jsmacdonald

I scan all the news on Yellowstone daily, usually 2-3 times a day, and I haven't seen a bit of news about this since it happened. Almost anything is possible; people really can accidentally plunge to their deaths from that location, one could commit suicide, or one could commit homicide. No matter what, it's certainly tragic, and as far as has been reported, still a mystery.

Jan 20th - 00:07am | Anonymous

How come we can't know the name of the "panic ridden" man who was with her? Who is this person who wrote this last comment. Why does everyone know Charlotte's name but not his? Somebody knows something. How about starting with Van Susteren or pictures of her with friends from myspace.

Crater Lake, On Average, Is Deepest Lake in North America

Jan 19th - 07:46am | pkrnger

Just to provide an update about my ongoing research on the deepest lakes of the world: Crater Lake is the deepest, when compared on the basis of average depth among lakes whose basins are entirely above sea level. The average depths of Lakes Baikal and Tanganyika are deeper than Crater Lake; however, both have basins that extend below sea level.

Park History: Acadia National Park

Jan 18th - 18:38pm | Paul

I have been going to Acadia every June for the past 15 years. Some people think I would grow bored of it, but I enjoy it more and more with each year. I couldn't imagine NOT going.

Do Professional Hockey And Yosemite National Park Belong Together?

Jan 17th - 23:13pm | YoseMom

For those of you who actually care. The kids loved having the team up here to play. These are kids that make the choice of either going to a very small school (30 students Kinder.

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