National Parks Traveler

Google Earth does have all the coordinates.  All one has to do is place the cursor over the campsite or trail junction or whatever you are looking for and PRESTO, there it is.

Why not just use Google Earth?Well first, I don't thing Google Earth has the coordinates for all the backcountry sites in RMNP.  If so, please provide the link. All required is a little effort on the part of people who want to use them.

Why not just use Google Earth?  I use it all the time to obtain GPS coordinates in all sorts of places.  I used it last fall for coordinates in Zion and found them to be almost right on.  The work has already been done.  All required is a little effort on the part of people who want to use them.  In the time spent to complain here, one could have had all sorts of waypoints for Zion and virtuall

How many GPS units are available to backcountry rangers to carry around on a daily basis?Unless those campsites are moving on a "daily basis" not many would be needed.  I would think in 1 year, a single unit could be walked down every trail past every campsite in the park. 

Obviously at least one of the answers to your questions is "no".  The next logical question is, why not. 

EC, I'm guessing the NPS doesn't have the staff or $$$ to go out and generate GPS coordinates for its trails.I find that hard to accept.  I am assuming the rangers hike the trails and visit the campsites on a frequent basis.  How much time/$$$ would it take to "mark" while on the way. I would think they would want that information for their own uses. 

That is a start Acadia but it doesn't cover the backcountry campsites.  Nor is it in a GPX file.

Off topic - but about the Parks.  Planning a trip on the CDT in RMNP this summer.    Trying to figure out an iternary through the backcountry sites.  I can't find anywhere where the site GPS coordinates are listed.   As I search, I see alot of commentary about GPS coords not being available for NPS locations.  Does the NPS have a policy of not making those available?

So much for quality control, eh, EC?Just added a line for ordering: www.hike734.com

Springtime in Acadia may still feel and look like winter this year, but the peregrine falcons are already nesting and closing down some of the cliff trails, and some coastal trails are finally snow-free.The rest of April is free entry to Acadia - you don't need to wait for National Park Week this week for that, as in other parks!

Oh ya, save the Grand Canyon (disputable) but welcome a Nuclear Iran and proliferation throughout the Middle East.  Johnny one notes are going to kill the whole nation. 

You're all missing the point. It's whether two wrongs make a right. If it isn't right to subsidize fossil fuels, how is it right to subsidize their "alternatives?" How about ending all subsidies period rather than arguing which are the "legitimate" subsidies?

If you don't believe in taxes then a tax break is not a subsidy I guess. Hopefully EC will respond to David Crowls comment.

From Wikipedia.

From Wikipedia. A simple search lists numerous examples besides these from many sources.Types of energy subsidies are:

Oil and coal are heavily subsidized, why not alternatives?Besides, why worry about a little radioactive material finding its way to the Grand Canyon.  Just think of the possibilities when the Canyon begins to glow in the dark.  I'm sure someone will be able to figure out a way to market that and reap some hefty profits from the glow.

If I had to choose I would go with the rafting trip through the Grand Canyon.  I can't imagine backpacking for months on the AT.  I'm sure it would be great, but I like the idea of the shorter trip on the river with the excitement of running the famous rapids.

I have hiked short sections of the AT and do not care for the second growth jungle of small trees. I am happiest in treeless country unless it is the high sierra with it's huge trees, open understory, and slick rock granite. I have not done a boat trip in the Grand Canyon but have walked from top to bottom on both sides of the river and much prefer it over the AT.

I agree, these are two very different experiences.  I did a ratfing trip through the Grand Canyon.  You get a real appreciation for the magnitude ofthe Grand Canyon from river level, and the opportunitues for exploring and seeing hard to reach places can't be beat. You pack  a lot of experiences in a 1 or 2 week period.