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National Park Mystery Photo 21: Trying To Avoid the War Zone

Apr 7th - 10:39am | Kirby Adams

I cheated, Kurt. I was certain I'd seen this thing, so I google image searched "mosquito meter" right after I posted my Acadia guess. I also discovered in that search that this is apparently Version 2 of the Skeeter Meter.

Apr 7th - 09:15am | Kurt Repanshek

Well, I must say I'm a bit disappointed. I thought this skeeter meter would have kept folks guessing for hours, but Eric fired off the correct answer early this morning and we held off posting it to give others a chance at figuring it out. And John did just that as well. And apparently Kirby did, too.

Apr 7th - 09:02am | John

Is it Congaree National Park?

Apr 7th - 08:44am | Kurt Repanshek

Nope, not Denali.

Apr 7th - 08:20am | Anonymous

Denali?

Apr 7th - 07:45am | Kurt Repanshek

No, not Everglades and not Acadia, though in summer both would be great places for this sign. Perhaps there's a manufacturing niche to be filled.....

Apr 7th - 07:44am | Kirby Adams

Ha!....never mind. I just figured out where it is. Another park I've counted among my favorites. Didn't think of that one because I visited there before skeeter season started.

Apr 7th - 07:38am | Kirby Adams

That looks really familiar, so I'll go with Acadia. The mosquitoes there could engage in dogfights with small airplanes.

Apr 7th - 07:34am | [email protected]

Ernest Coe Visitor Center, Everglades National Park?

Apr 7th - 06:34am | Eric

Congaree National Park! Been there, lived to tell (barely). Not sure if Flamingo in Everglades was worse though.

National Park Service Finalizes "Benefits-Sharing Agreement" That Could Benefit Parks

Apr 7th - 10:30am | Anonymous

I'd be curious to find out what it cost to conduct the NEPA analysis of the agreement with Diversa. I bet it was many, many times the $20k that the agreement called for Diversa to pay the NPS annually.

Updated: Effort In Maine To Restrict Guns From National Park Units Falls Short of Goal

Apr 7th - 09:54am | justinh

Who's suggesting there is no crime in national parks?

Apr 7th - 09:42am | J. Schuller

No Crime in Nat Parks? Get your head out the the sand (/sarcasm) and read the numerous reports here: http://www.hkshooter.net/nps/crime.html I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop!

Apr 7th - 09:17am | justinh

Carl said: "But they oppose this new repeal not because they have rational argument, but simply because they don't like the idea of someone lawfully carrying a firearm there (or, possibly, anywhere else). I am sorry for their frustration, but in this country, we don't lobby to remove others' fundamental rights simply because we don't like those rights."

Apr 7th - 07:01am | Carl from Chicago

"Friends of Acadia ... seeking a complete ban on visitors carrying weapons in all national park units in Maine ..." A good thing they are seeking that ban, given the widespread mayhem that's ensued in National Parks across the country, since the prohibition on bearing arms there has been repealed. (/sarcasm)

Apr 7th - 06:03am | Volpe

There have been times when someone with a gun could have made a positive difference in a bad situation so a licensed carrier in the parks does not, in my mind, constitute a threat. Only time will tell if concealed carry is good or bad and there certainly has been more than enough said on both sides of the issue.

Fatal Fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park

Apr 7th - 09:39am | Anonymous

I hiked the first part of Angels landing yesterday but then turned back after the first, shorter peak. The crowds were just out of hand. Right next to us was a group of maybe 40 boy scouts with only a handful of adults supervising. I was also shocked to see some small children on the trail.

National Park Mystery Photo 20 Revealed: A Door Knob At Scotty's Castle In Death Valley National Park

Apr 7th - 09:37am | Kurt Repanshek

I've looked through the Internet and Death Valley's Fabulous Showplace, Scotty's Castle, by Dorothy Shally and William Bolton, and found lots of interesting detail about the construction, but scant little on the hardware....

Apr 7th - 09:34am | Former Scotty's...

Hmm ... I wonder if it is in the Historic Structures Report - I think I still have a copy somewhere ...

Apr 6th - 16:30pm | Present Scotty ...

I take an informal poll with the visitors and many think it is an armadillo?

Summering in Yellowstone National Park: The Logistics

Apr 7th - 09:01am | Kurt Repanshek

Don't misunderstand, anonymous, it's the I-80 corridor I've grown tired of. You're absolutely right about the fantastic fishing and gorgeous scenery in places such as the Snowy Range, the Wyoming Range, the Red Desert, and the southern reach of the Wind Rivers.

Apr 7th - 08:56am | Anonymous

I'm glad that you and so many more dislike the trip through south central Wyo. That leaves all the good fishing in that area to me and my rednick buddies. Wyo. has some fantastic fishing in areas that aren't beautiful to those who don't understand the majestic beauty of the plains and the Red desert country. Thanks again for staying on the paved roads and for leaving the plains to me.

Apr 7th - 07:31am | Kurt Repanshek

We'll try to get one up soon, Bonnie.....

Apr 6th - 19:59pm | Bonnie

Can you do the same kind of suggestions for Yosemite soon?

Apr 6th - 07:37am | Connie Hopkins

y_p_w On April 5th, 2010 Well - I may not have made it clear, but I was describing the trip my family made in 2006. We saw plenty of bear jams, although we only stopped once - near Tower Fall. Yes - we did find a legal parking spot. At Roosevelt we took in the Old West Cookout, which I'd highly recommend

Apr 5th - 21:30pm | stormy

We spent close to 3 weeks in the park in 2008 w/our trailer. Started at Mammoth for 4 days, then over Dunraven Pass to Fishing Bridge for 4 days, then on to Grant for 4 days, then to Madison for 4 days. At each stop we were able to really explore the area and sight-see to our heart's content plus had time for side-trips (Jackson & Teton, Cody, Livingston MT for a few).

Reader Participation Survey: How Much Local Control Should Be Exerted Over National Parks?

Apr 7th - 05:59am | islandpaddler

I think national park staff should get input from the communities that surround them and allow concessions that are in keeping with the spirit of the park. That said, I am totally against flyovers and other noisy activities because national parks should be places of nature and quiet.

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

Apr 7th - 05:16am | Tim Prosser

Re: Dick Lewis' comments (July 2009)

Can Hunting of Grizzly Bears in British Columbia Hurt Grizzly Populations in Glacier National Park?

Apr 6th - 20:37pm | Anonymous

It is mans nature to kill period.

Apr 6th - 15:10pm | Anonymous

Ericka-- May I ask what planet you reside upon?? Hunting is NOT allowed in Yellowstone!! Free pizza with a paw?? Where did you hear that from--PETA??Believe it or not hunters are one of the main champions of wildlife conservation in this country.Please try to get your facts straight as your wolfing down your soy burger. Thank You

Apr 6th - 10:38am | Ericka Shimkonis

Hunting the Wolves in Yellowstone, Idaho & Montana has devastated them. Whole packs are no more! Town people were advertising FREE Pizza with every for paw brought in! I will never buy Idaho potatoes, or visit Yellowstone Park ever! These idiots are crazy! People have screwed up Mother Nature & the Balance so bad that it will never recover!

What Do You Think About Sightseeing Tours Circling Mount Rainier National Park?

Apr 6th - 20:24pm | tahoma

Commercial sightseeing flights should be kept to a bare minimum or even none over a park as small as Mount Rainier. Aerial tourists from Pugetopolis could get excellent views along the west & north boundary on their way to & from St. Helens, for example.

Apr 6th - 18:32pm | y_p_w

Valerie: When hiking in the back country in Glacier, I find the helicopter flights very intrusive. I would think the same would hold true to Mt. Rainier. You want to hike to find solitude. Hiking miles into the back country only to be buzzed by a helicopter would truly be a shame.

Apr 6th - 18:04pm | Lonesome Traveler

Went to the Grand Canyon Skywalk on the Hualapai reservation shortly after it opened in '07. At any given time one could easily spot as many as seven helicopters flying nearby. I didn't find them annoying but with that much uncontrolled air traffic in a fairly restricted area, there's no way in h**l you could get me on one of those things.

Apr 6th - 11:46am | Anonymous

In my heart I agree with the views already presented, however, I don't agree with the characterizations of those who avail themselves of air-tour opportunities. The person who introduced me to the wonder and beauty of our national parks had to limit her visits to wheelchair accessible parks and views.

National Park Service Renews Partnership With Mountain Bike Community

Apr 6th - 16:06pm | RangerLady

Mike, I do have to say that some of your comments can be applied towards hiking as well. If I don't look where I'm placing my feet and 'keeping control' then I happen to crash....and I do so quite often. That's why when I'm both biking or hiking I always stop every so often and just take a look around.

Apr 6th - 12:41pm | imtnbke

You're right, I should be reading it every hour. But who can tear himself away from the latest about Tiger Woods? :-) (Actually, I regard that as the ultimate nonstory.)

Apr 6th - 12:40pm | imtnbke

Substantively, and in reply to toothdoctor, this is essentially a cultural problem, not an environmental one.

Apr 6th - 12:33pm | Kurt Repanshek

C'mon, imtnbke, you should be reading the Traveler daily and not need any email notifications;-) We have noticed some issues with the email notification system, and hope to cure them soon.

Apr 6th - 12:29pm | imtnbke

This is off-topic, but I'd like to mention to Kurt that if it weren't for Google I would not have encountered this discussion. If Kurt's site wants to reach out to a wider audience, it should do what mtbr.com and New West do and enable people to be signaled by e-mail when they get a followup comment in a particular thread to which they posted.

Next Time You're In Washington, Stop By the Old Stone House

Apr 6th - 16:01pm | Rebecca Johnson

@Raoul Pop

Photo-shopped or Actual?

Apr 6th - 14:17pm | justinh

Kurt, Thanks! I think there are some issues of access regarding areas managed by the Nature Conservancy, but it's great to know that there are ample opportunites. Thanks again.

Apr 6th - 14:12pm | Kurt Repanshek

I'd have to say there are ample backpacking opportunities there, Justin. You can check out this page for what the park says upfront, http://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/hiking.htm, but if you're good at cross-country navigation I'd think the options are fairly endless.

Apr 6th - 14:07pm | justinh

I'm heading to GSDNP this summer and hope to explore the grasslands/wetlands. I guess there are some limited backpacking opportunities there. Any suggestions from anyone about how to access these areas, and what might be the best plan? (I'll check with a ranger when I get there, but was wondering if anyone had some advance information.) Justin

Apr 5th - 18:02pm | Chas S. Clifton

Yes, those are the Great Sand Dunes (like Connie Hopkins, I recognized them), and elk do wander down into the surrounding San Luis Valley.

Here's An Update On the Wildflower Bloom at Death Valley National Park

Apr 6th - 12:42pm | Anonymous

We visited Death Valley the last week of March. It's an amazing place! We saw some beautiful flowers. I've posted some pictures on the flickr site.

Apr 6th - 09:57am | Lee Dalton

Just back from several wonderful days in DEVA. The wildflowers were better than the weather. Winds up to about 70 or 80 on Monday afternoon and all night. Most tent campers gave up and just blew away. Photographing a wildflower is very difficult when the poor little thing is whipping madly in the wind. And from there back to northern Utah yesterday, it was one blizzard after another.

Snowmobile Numbers Decline, Snowcoach Traffic Up in Yellowstone National Park

Apr 6th - 10:55am | Anonymous

We had to take a snowcoach into Yellowstone because we couldn't get a snowmobile rental in West Yellowstone during the New Years. There is more demand but the current system stops some from visiting by snowmobile because the current quota system just doesn't get a person hooked up with a rental place that does have snowmobiles still available to get into the park.

Add Zion National Park to the List Of Parks With Road Construction Nightmares Planned

Apr 6th - 10:05am | Lee Dalton

Grit your teeth. Grin and bear it. It has to be done and it can't be done in summer. Hopefully, a lot can be accomplished at night. Cooler for construction workers, too. I hope they will continue using the red aggregate that has made Zion's roads blend so well with their surroundings. It would be pure sacrilege to swap that for plain old blacktop.

Reader Participation Day: Which National Park Are You Heading to This Year?

Apr 5th - 21:15pm | Anonymous

My husband and I will be visiting Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks this May!

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