| Page 970 | National Parks Traveler

If nothing else the recent posts regarding mountain biking have made it clear the main issue is opening up wilderness single track trails to mountain biking. IMBA and others have often said that is not their goal and that may be their official position. But the reality is their desire to see mountain bikes on all trails on all public lands.

Jun 1st - 20:07pm | Travis Penner

Not saying we should have MT bikes on all wilderness trails, but how are they more destructive than a team of horses? Horses leave way more behind that backpackers and MT bikers. MT bikers might widen corners and rut trails, but horses dig them deeper, kill tree roots, scar rocks, scat everywhere, kick up dust, ect. So if there are horses, why not bikes?

Third Pipeline Break In A Week Halts Cross-Canyon Travel In Grand Canyon National Park

Jun 2nd - 12:26pm | SW1

Certainly an unfortunate event. Trail closure necessary due to all issues other than the obvious. Just want to say thank you to all the Rangers who assisted during this time. Good Luck and God Speed

Parks Beyond Borders: Inspiring Interpretation in the Alps' Biggest National Park; Austria’s Hohe Tauern

Jun 2nd - 08:14am | Jim Burnett

Sounds like an outstanding experience. Makes me want to dig out my passport and pack my bag!

Grizzly Bear Shot and Killed By Hikers In Denali National Park and Preserve

Jun 2nd - 00:25am | John Sas.

The short-sightedness of the pro-force camp is overwhelming. Don't you see, people, where your arguments lead? In 20 years from now, there will be no grizzly bear left in Denali, because of some "adventurous" hikers seeking cheap thrills in bear country. Somebody who is attacked is entitled to defend himself, even using deadly force.

Keeping Things Quiet In The National Parks

Jun 1st - 21:49pm | Anonymous

YPW- you are wrong. All highway motorcycles enterred into US commerce, including every HD model, and HD Police bikes, are all low-noise-emission regulated vehicles, producing about the same sound energy under full power at 50 ft, that a well running dishwasher makes from two rooms away.

Yellowstone National Park: No Cellphone Towers in Campgrounds or Recommended Wilderness, Limits on Wi-Fi

Jun 1st - 17:06pm | Anonymous

This is backwards. So what am I to do if I get lost in the "wilderness". I guess that $200 cell phone won't get me rescued. They call that historic, I guess? I call it stupid and dangerous.

Exploring The Parks: Pipe Spring National Monument

Jun 1st - 16:58pm | Tom

We visited Pipe Spring a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it immensely. The author is correct that it receives very few visitors and that is exactly what was so nice about the place. That, and the very dedicated, informed and friendly staff. Pipe Spring is a true oasis in the desert. It is well worth a couple of hours visitation.

Unseasonably Warm Weather Bringing Synchronized Fireflies Out Ahead Of Schedule At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jun 1st - 15:22pm | Carl Porter

Early warm weather isn't all that's bad. The full moon is on June 4 - the very worst time to expect these bugs to do their thing. I've found even lightning on the horizon is enough to spoil their dance.

Guest Column: IMBA Is A "Strong Partner" For The National Park Service

Jun 1st - 14:39pm | imtnbke

Deep-seated suspicion of and hostility to fun and play runs through the no-bicycles-in-parks comments here. One gentleman asserts that he has "won more than my fair share of mountain bike races" but proceeds to speak in the classic HOHA manner, i.e., that bicycles are all about domination and conquest and "see[ing] nothing but my front tire and the trail about a foot in front of it."

Jun 1st - 11:37am | Mark E

In reply to the anonymous poster who lived in Boulder, well that's my hometown today. I agree that you can draw some parallels to NPS bike access based on Boulder's trail management, but of course I reach a different conclusion.

Jun 1st - 11:01am | Zebulon

Hailsham, my opinion does not exclude other human powered recreationists from the National Parks.

Jun 1st - 06:25am | Hailsham

Zebulon, there is no "flaw with my reasoning." I offered my opinion, which I am entitled to as equally as you are entitled to yours. We are all already well aware of yours.

Jun 1st - 00:12am | Zebulon

Mark: well said. Hailsham, the flaw with your reasoning is that you believe that there is only one way to experience your surroundings. I'm not into contemplative meditation in the middle of the trail, but that does not mean that my enjoyment is not as pure as yours.

May 31st - 23:21pm | imtnbke

Mark Eller has made an excellent argument and gotten a good response in return. I fear that I may already have committed the sin of dragging the thread off-track with my prior post.

May 31st - 23:01pm | hikertom

I do a lot of hiking in the San Francisco Bay Area, where many of the trails are open to mountain bikes. I have never had a negative encounter with people on bicycles. If fact, they tend to go out of their way to be respectful of the rights of hikers, runners, and equestrians. My one gripe is that some of them ride on trails where it is clearly posted that they are not allowed.

May 31st - 20:52pm | Hailsham

Mark E and Kurt R, thank you for providing this relatively sane thread for expressing opinions in a professional manner. I have resisted posting until now because as we all know, you can't win an emotional argument with facts.

May 31st - 19:02pm | Kurt Repanshek

imtnbke, since the first horseless carriage arrived, pedestrians have been trying to get out of the way of machines;-) While I'm straddling the fence a bit myself, I thought I'd share the following items a quick Google turned up.

May 31st - 18:33pm | imtnbke

Um, how come shared use on trails works in every other country in the world except for (allegedly) the United States? Could it have something to do with America's unique Puritan tradition and the hostility to play and fun that are among its modern manifestations?

May 31st - 15:13pm | Anonymous

There are places within the national parks where mountain bikes are appropriate, but not many. Mountain bikes exist very well with hikers on the carriage paths at Acadia, or on dirt roads in other parks. They will never coexist well with hikers on narrow singletrack trails. There are a number of reasons:

Sky-High Ginseng Prices Boost Illegal Harvest in Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jun 1st - 11:15am | Anonymous

I dig yearly and see an abundance of ginseng in more than just cool places, I find it everywhere. Ginseng is a commodity just like all the forest lands that have big traces of natural gemstones,gas resivoirs,water, anything of value. It's not about depletion, its about a commidity an assett. I know of one mine that produced "gem" quality sapphires in world wars one and two!!!

What Do Bears And Wolves In Yellowstone National Park Do When No One's Watching?

Jun 1st - 09:22am | Anonymous

How do they communicate?

National Park Mystery Spot 43: The January Sky

Jun 1st - 05:22am | Bob Janiskee

Sorry, JeffB; your answer arrived way past the deadline.

May 31st - 19:26pm | Bob Janiskee

RangerLady and s have put it together. Well done. Anybody else?

May 31st - 18:41pm | Bob Janiskee

Good one.

May 31st - 17:59pm | Kurt Repanshek

You mean you've finished it!?!

May 31st - 17:51pm | Bob Janiskee

Um, that would be under the pergola, Kurt.

May 31st - 16:45pm | Kurt Repanshek

C'mon in, ed-123, but tread quietly. I think the quizmeister is napping out on the pergola.

May 31st - 16:37pm | Kurt Repanshek

Ken, it is indeed! Come on in, but see if Bergie found a dictionary (or park map) so you can double-check your spelling.

May 31st - 16:14pm | Kurt Repanshek

BrianD, get rid of the question mark and come on in! DakotaToni, take another swing at the pinata....

May 31st - 15:42pm | DakotaToni

Katmai.

May 31st - 14:50pm | Bob Janiskee

Congratulations and a hearty Winners Circle welcome to Rangertoo, who may use the front entrance, and to Bergie, who must use the servants entrance (check your spelling).

May 31st - 12:50pm | Bob Janiskee

Welcome to the Winners Circle, erpelding. Just follow the well beaten path to the front door.

May 31st - 12:20pm | Bob Janiskee

Good work, Celbert. Take your usual place in the Winners Circle, where you will find yourself in good company. Be kind to the newbies.

May 31st - 11:34am | Bob Janiskee

David Crowl has finally checked in to the Winners Circle. Where ya been, David? We were about to put out an APB.

May 31st - 11:01am | Bob Janiskee

You're right, tomp2. Congratulations.

May 31st - 10:32am | Bob Janiskee

BTexan and Yellowstone Ed have nailed it too. Good job.

NPCA Worried That House Legislation Would Open National Park System To Hunting

May 31st - 19:33pm | Anonymous

Overall, this is a poorly drafted piece of legislation that promises nothing but legal headaches if enacted. The other titles in the bill deserve examination, particularly Title VI, which requires the approval of state legislatures and governors before the a national monument can be established under the Antiquities Act.

May 31st - 10:39am | imtnbke

Zebulon, is you owt there ta-day? How's about ah picks ya up at your trailer and youse and me heads over ta Independence Hall in mah jacked-up pickup. We'll throw a couple ov our thrillcraft in the back, park on the laun, unlode 'em, and ride 'em threw the front door ov Independence Hall and have us a good ol' paintball fight while riding aroun' an' scatterin' people.

Guest Column: Has The National Park Service Found Itself Straddling The Fence On Mountain Biking?

May 31st - 18:21pm | imtnbke

Thanks, Rick B., for the link to the Alaska moose attacks on mountain bikers. I was in a dowhill mountain bike race in Anchorage circa 1995 whose course descended from Glen Alps to essentially sea level. As I reached a checkpoint halfway down the course marshal asked me if I'd seen a cow and calf.

May 31st - 18:16pm | imtnbke

Based on that level of experience, I defer to you, Roger! That's most interesting. I don't know if you know this, but all you have to do is post something that contains the words "gun" and "bear spray" and this site tends to light up like a Christmas tree. (See Bob Pahre's comment above.) But perhaps because we're talking about a different topic, that won't happen this time.

May 31st - 13:14pm | Roger Siglin

When I arrived in Alaska as Superintendent of Gates of the Arctic NP,I found most people scared of bears and carrying guns, big ones on their hips and shoulders.Although used to hiking without a gun in Yellowstone I thought they might know something I didn't. So I started carrying a 12 guage pump shotgun with a pistol grip and the shortest legal barrel.

Your Guide To The National Parks: The Complete Guide To All 58 National Parks

May 31st - 13:46pm | Bob Pahre

The names matter for some (many?) units: rename Dinosaur National Monument as Yampa-Green National Park and watch the crowds come. Ditto for Oregon Caves, Craters of the Moon, and many others. Even some well-known places would be viewed differently with a different title: imagine Apostle Islands, Indiana Dunes, Cape Hatteras, Santa Monica Mountains or Padre Island national parks.

Denali National Park Marking National Trails Day With New Hiking Trail

May 31st - 12:12pm | Kurt Repanshek

Sonya et al, most national parks prohibit taking dogs on trails. Pet owners should check with a ranger before they head down the trail, otherwise they might encounter a fine.

May 31st - 12:03pm | Sonya

Such a beautiful place! And what a great idea to get the community involved in the construction. That will make them really feel like they are a part of something grand and amazing. For those taking their pooches out on the trails, here are some tips for a happy and safe hike or walk. Happy National Trails Day!

Bluffs Lodge Along The Blue Ridge Parkway Shuttered For 2011

May 31st - 11:39am | Anonymous

We also road the Parkway all the way from the Virginia side on Memorial day and never saw any construction on the rock walls ! and there was no sign of re-opening either :(

May 31st - 11:34am | Anonymous

There was no sign of RE-opening when i was there on Memorial Day :( and yes i am a "human' visitor (as per your CAPTCHA below, duuuuuuh.

Shenandoah National Park Ranger Roy Sullivan Set the World Record for Being Hit by Lightning

May 31st - 11:15am | Bob Janiskee

Margaret, I'm glad that you and your son weren't injured. That was a close call! That said, nothing you've said contradicts the article.

May 31st - 10:26am | Chip

Truly fascinating. For those who don't know, Shenandoah National Park is a ridgeline park--very narrow strip of land that runs along the crest and flanks of the Blue Ridge Mountains at relatively high elevations. The Park receives more than its fair share of lightning strikes.

INN Member

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