| Page 1539 | National Parks Traveler

A great shot. I'm not an English teacher, but the correct name is Vernal Fall - not Falls. If water cascades on its journey down it's called FALLS - as in Yosemite Falls. If the water essentially goes straight down its FALL....singular. April, May and early June are typically gushers at the falls in Yosemite. This year the snowack was only 25% of normal, so the flow was way down.

Glen Canyon NRA Officials Thinking Of Digging For Water

Nov 14th - 19:23pm | RainyRoads

The subject of Glen Canyon and Lake Powell is one that draws a very emotional response from a variety of people. If Glen Canyon was exposed all the way to the level of the Colorado River, I would love it. Now that Lake Powell has been filled, I love it far more.

Nov 14th - 13:11pm | Ted A

The only reason I can think of why anybody would oppose deepening the "CRC", is someone who has never been to Lake Powell. Someone who has never traveled up-lake through the "Maytag Straits" on a busy day in the summer. Someone who has never been hurt or injured (or heard stories about the same) up-lake and waiting that extra emergency response time for medical assistance.

Nov 14th - 11:18am | RainyRoads

I fail to see why anyone would be against this project. It's a win for "Environmentalists" in fuel savings and reduction of exhaust emissions. It's a win for boaters and fishermen. It's a win for the NPS and the over all safety of those using the area in greatly improved response time to emergency and potentially life-threatening situations. What's not to like?

Nov 12th - 12:50pm | Lover of Lake Powell

Haunted Hiker said: Devil's advocacy aside, the NPS seems to have much more urgent problems than to spend precious funds "planning to plan" in order to open a channel up to boaters."

Nov 12th - 08:56am | Lone Hiker

Hey HH- Glad I could be of service. But let's say it was more of a heavy simmer than a rolling boil. I'll try harder next time.

Nov 12th - 08:09am | Pete K.

Science, history or RA management alternative issues may make for interesting conversation but dance around the issue of shoving accumulated silt out of a previously excavated channel. Which is all we are really talking about here. There are no sandstone cliffs involved. Only a salt cedar infested silt flat. Take another look at the photo at the page-head.

Nov 12th - 01:17am | Merryland

Kurt, an interview with the management at Chickasaw would be a good perspective to have here regarding the Rec Area vs. Park Service issue, and whether these areas really belong under NPS. They seem to have perennial problems with rowdiness, litter, boozefests, weapons, and the like, and I'd wager that it's a common thread among other Nat'l Rec Areas too.

Nov 11th - 21:19pm | haunted hiker

Whoa there Lone Hiker, I sure didn't mean to send you into Diabetic Ketoacidosis! But I sure love to get a man's blood boiling. Read carefully, I said science has a "history" of being "flawed." My point being that it doesn't provide all the answers and many of its conclusions become obsolete. I would never write off science, but I wouldn't but all my eggs in its basket either.

Nov 11th - 09:40am | Mondo

There are arguments on both sides of this fence...but one thing cannot be ignored by either side. The proposed Castle Rock Cut would SAVE LIVES!! That is one point that cannot be argued or ignored in all of this. Lives are lost each year by boaters having to navigate the "Narrows" at Lake Powell. Opening the cut would alleviate this problem.

Nov 11th - 09:16am | Forrest G Sharp

I agree with RRR's comments concerning safety, and economics ( saving money, time, and lives). There are more people using Lake Powell, on a yearly basis than all the wilderness areas of the whole west combined! I wish they would build more dam's up and down the Colorado River, not only for the recreational value, but for power generation that is clean and renewable.

Nov 11th - 01:38am | RRR

Moving some dirt and rocks around the bottom of the lake is not such a big deal. Doing so will save it's total cost probably in the first year. When the drought ends, (which it can in a single year), it's all covered with water anyway. Safety is also a major concern and such is a major concern for the NRA managers, the NPS.

Nov 8th - 12:45pm | Lone Hiker

science and research are also institutions which have a history of being "antiquated, fundamentally flawed, and needs constant revision Are you just attempting to throw off my blood sugar Haunted Hiker?

Haunted House at Antietam National Battlefield?

Nov 14th - 13:46pm | Erin

Glad to see you liked my story.

The Yellowstone Precedent

Nov 14th - 10:48am | Anonymous

Kurt,

Nov 14th - 08:01am | repanshek

Anon, You're correct that this dilemma did not arrive overnight. But I wonder what you mean when you say, "at least this current administration is doing something"?

Nov 13th - 21:01pm | Anonymous

It looks more like an example of Al Gorism...The coalition of NPS Retirees were the guys who had power and control for the last 25 years and did nothing about the snowmobiles in Yellowstone. Now they want to blame the Bushies for taking too little action. At least the current administration is doing something.

Nov 12th - 12:40pm | Ed Wood

This is another example of this administration pandering to groups that oppose ecological restraint. It makes little difference what science say if it disagrees with the environmental terrorists of the Bush administration. Atypical example is "reducing fire hazards"by cutting older trees but leaving the undergrowth, which is where the fire propagates.

Park History: Arches National Park

Nov 13th - 00:56am | MRC

One should mention another highlight of Arches NP. Do the ranger let walk into the Fiery Furnace section. It is kind of a nursery for arches, here you can see them in the making. There is at least one tour every day and if you are hooked, you can return to the area on your own - but need a backcounty permit for that.

Park History: Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Nov 12th - 23:18pm | Dave O

My wife and I stopped at TRNP South Unit for an afternoon on our way out to Olympic this past summer. We were really entertained by all the prairie dogs along the road. And the bison nursing her calf in the middle of the road. We had to wait for them to move! And the color of some of the rocks remind us of Zion NP.

Nov 11th - 18:08pm | Merryland

Yeah, how many times can you say "I was just passin' through North Dakota when..."

Nov 11th - 09:33am | jr_ranger

Three cheers for TRNP! Like Merrylnd, I've olny been once, but I loved it! I've been trying to save money for another trip up there, but going from TN to ND isn't cheap..

Nov 10th - 06:31am | Merryland

Only been here once but it's still one of my favorite parks. Was moving the family from west coast to east and had the moving truck towing a trailer with the family vehicle on the back. I parked in the Cottonwood campground, pulled my bike off the top of our car, and spent the next day riding my bike throughout the park.

Plague Suspected In Death Of Grand Canyon National Park Employee

Nov 12th - 19:36pm | Lone Hiker

Seth- You're obviously very close to the situation that happened with Mr. York, and as such I hope you will accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of your comrade. I never professed any knowledge of Eric, but I too feel a loss whenever a member of our brotherhood passes, whether after a long and distinguished career or most prematurely, as it was in this case.

Nov 11th - 01:25am | seth miller

i hope all of you who feel so inclined to report on one of few truly decent people, take into account the fact that people who will actually miss him, may be reading all of your garbage........and not caring to see a picture of kurt repanshek(whoever that is) when they are trying to research what exactly happened to an extremely good man,

Nov 9th - 20:40pm | Lone Hiker

I saw this on an episode of the old Jack Klugman series, "Quincy, M.E.", except the infection was initiated by a nest of decaying squirrels in a Native American burial ground, and it was mostly the local Native construction workers building a hotel / casino that were affected. Who says TV doesn't imitate real life?

Museum of the National Park Service Will be Built in West Virginia

Nov 12th - 18:12pm | Anonymous

I'm astounded... speechless. Americans love their National Parks, of this there is no doubt. It is one of the only efforts our government makes that actually preserves the natural beauty and historical sites of this country, and actually touches the lives of regular Americans. But a museum???? to the NPS???? Are they NUTS??? What a horrible waste.

Park Service's Top Investigator Pleads Guilty To Theft

Nov 12th - 18:01pm | Rick

This is funny. This type of "crime" has gone on for many decades. My in-laws both worked with the BOI and I think my father-in-law built up a nice workshop with Gov't tools. I know he sure passed some my way. I can remember when the Fed budget wasn't passed during Clinton's term and they all had a paid 3 week vacation.

Mountain Bikers Encouraged to Seek Access to Rocky Mountain National Parks

Nov 11th - 20:45pm | zack

Mack P. Bray, You said, "I was not aware that any for-profit, trail building businesses existed." In response, though supported by IMBA and a host of other groups, the Texas Trail docs are 501(c)(4) non-profit. Talon Trails are a for-profit organization that constructs a variety of trails, including hiking-only, depending on their customers' desires.

Nov 9th - 17:19pm | Bart

Frank:

Nov 8th - 20:21pm | Bart

Frank: I'll bet we don't disagree that much, except maybe in certain details. Re closures of facilities/trails/areas, I'll resist citing specifics since I believe I'll risk losing my anonymity, which I find I'm thoroughly enjoying!

House Resources Considers Legislation To Increase National Park Properties

Nov 11th - 15:33pm | Bart

PS: Two books on workaholism: Work to Live: The Guide to Getting a Life, by Joe Robinson CrazyBusy, by Edward Hallowell

Nov 9th - 21:00pm | Merryland

No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.

Nov 9th - 17:07pm | Bart

Frank: Maybe Ranger Butt-Crack was merely trying to present an appropriate option for the placement of a pen? We've all heard the old cliche. Government workers are lazy, worthless, shiftless. Good thing they have brooms to lean on, or else they'd all be horizontal.

Nov 9th - 13:56pm | parkaholic

Since you brought up the uniform thingy, I have a way to improve image and work accomplishment. It's also an appropriate response in light of the Veteran's holiday.

Nov 9th - 10:14am | Lone Hiker

I didn't know that there were plumbers doubling as rangers. That explains alot. Too much information Frank!

Nov 8th - 20:46pm | Bart

Goodness me, I can't believe Beamis or Frank haven't chimed in on this one yet! But...on to the next Simple Proposal:

Park History: Badlands National Park

Nov 10th - 12:42pm | Linda O'Neal

We travel to Wymong as often as we can. Each time, we visit the Badlands and twice have camped there. In addition to running water and toilets, there are showers, a General Store and even a play area for the kids. The first time, we camped in a tent; subsequently, we "camped" in their Camping Cabins which can comfortably accomodate four adults.

Nov 10th - 09:50am | MRC

It might be worth mentioning, that some of the most impressive scenes of the 1990 movie "Dances with Wolves" were filmed in the park. Particularly the early scene of a stagecoach driving through the prairie and the indian village at the river bend.

Nov 10th - 06:36am | Mary Beth Allen

I had the experience of visiting this vast land filled with, what ilooked like giant sand castles. It was truly unbelievable. If one can think of the history that has past though this unforgiving land, it is remarkable. From the dinosaurs to the early homesteaders, to our native Indians, to present day vacationers. I was awe struck.

Volcanics Pushing Yellowstone National Park Higher

Nov 9th - 22:10pm | Merryland

The Canyon Village Education Center has a nice exhibit on those ash volumes to help kids (big kids too) comprehend the size of such an explosion and the aftermath of the ashfall. I remember my geology professor in back in the fall of 1980 gave us each a small vial of MtStH ash to keep. I can't imagine having a whole yard full of it several feet deep...

Nov 9th - 12:38pm | jsmacdonald

One thing I heard Bob Smith say when I just happened to be in Canyon (on my hiker/biker trip) when the new educational center opened was that it's not possible to discern when the next eruption, if there is one, will be. One thing people seem to say is that because the last two eruptions had a consistent interval that this will have a consistent interval.

Nov 9th - 10:11am | Lone Hiker

Even more amazing are the people who purchase the properties. I admit to a certain wonderment (and lack of good judgement) about folks who desire "homes on stilts", precariously perched on mountainsides, just for the view! I've witnessed the results of mudslides carrying half-million dollar homes (25 years ago) into canyons in the Huntington Beach area.

Nov 9th - 09:35am | Anonymous

Lone Hiker, in the Mammoth Lakes area (not far from Mt. Whitney) of California, the continuous seismic activity around this part of the country, where past volcanic activity was once quite prevalent, doesn't seem to bother the local residents...million dollar ski chalets, expensive townhouses and condo's.

Nov 9th - 08:19am | Lone Hiker

gargantuan eruptions there 2 million, 1.3 million and 642,000 years ago. These eruptions were 2,500, 280 and 1,000 times bigger, respectively, than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens

Ghost at Blevins Farmstead; Excerpt From 'Haunted Hikes'

Nov 9th - 10:58am | haunted hiker

jr ranger, my people are from that area. And I agree with you, Big South Fork is a gorgeous sleeper of a park that deserves much more than 15 minutes of fame. But then that leaves more room for us while visiting, doesn't it? I spoke with Howard during my research, and I want to hear more BSF stories. I'll be in touch!

Nov 9th - 07:40am | jr_ranger

Bravo for shining the spotlight on the Big South Fork! There are many interesting tales to be told from up on the Plateau - just take a look at the different names of rivers...No Business Creek, Troublesome Creek, Parched Corn Creek, Bandy Creek (shortened from "abandoned")....the list goes on.

Park History: How Volcanics Sculpted Parts of the National Park System

Nov 8th - 19:40pm | Anonymous

Don't forget Pinnacles National Monument, south of the San Francisco CA area. From the park's web page:

Trekking to Dick Proenneke's Cabin in Lake Clark National Park

Nov 8th - 12:58pm | Jen

I spent this past summer in Alaska. Although I never made it to Proenneke's cabin, I read his books and was SO inspired!

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