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Three Canyoneers Survive Flash Flood in Zion National Park

Aug 7th - 11:43am | Judy

As Joe's mother.....I want to THANK THANK THANK the group who pulled him out of danger and also the rangers and the medical unit that transported him to the hospital so quickly. We thank God every day that Joe and his 2 friends are alive and healing. It was a terrifying reminder that we should not take life for granted. Big hugs to all of you that helped!

House Fails to Pass Massive Lands Bill That Would Have Aided National Park System

Aug 7th - 11:29am | Rene'

Curt I now live in WA. state but I'm curious if you are the son of my foster family from AZ. They took good care of me & taught me alot. James & Faith Buchholtz. Kevin,Sandra,Tammy,Curt & then Nancy.I'm just curious how you folks are,you were all part of my life for a good year.If this is you folks,take care,I miss you all. Rene' Hensley

By the Numbers: National Monuments

Aug 7th - 11:04am | Anonymous

@tomp Don't forget the "National Scenic Riverways", such as Ozark and St. Croix.

Aug 7th - 08:19am | Anonymous

I am on vacation and not accepting challenges. I will chip in President's Park, though, just to keep this thread going. Bob Janiskee

Aug 7th - 01:47am | MRC

@MM: Great find. Yes, President Lincoln and Soldiers' Home National Monument is situated in Washington D.C. And I could not find it, because it is not a unit of the NPS but administrated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for the Armed Forces Retirement Home. But it is a designated National Monument, so Bob's original listing of D.C. was correct and should be restored.

Aug 6th - 21:48pm | y_p_w

The only "Park" designation I recall is Anacostia Park in D.C. Doing a little research, there appear to be a total of 7 places designated "Park" as part of National Capital Parks - East. Are they really separate units though?

Aug 6th - 21:27pm | MM

Hi: Isn't President Lincoln's Cottage in Washington, D.C. a National Monument? M

Aug 6th - 19:26pm | tomp

Ha-- I had the data in front of me from another analysis I was running. I was wrong, "National Historic Site" is the most common unit designation in the NPS system. Just to ruin it for a future quiz:

Aug 6th - 19:10pm | tomp

Is "National Monument" the most common unit type or designation in the NPS system? I suspect that it is, but I'm too brain-dead on a Friday evening to look it up myself.

Aug 6th - 09:56am | Bob Janiskee

South Carolina's Congaree National Park is another example of a Congressionally-created national monument. Created by Congress in 1976, it started out as Congaree Swamp National Monument.

Aug 6th - 09:42am | Kurt Repanshek

MRC, good catch! Just goes to show that you shouldn't let the name get in the way of the facts!

Aug 6th - 09:04am | MRC

@Rangertoo, there are many more National Monuments that were created by congress, not by presidential proclamation. The two Alaskan National Monuments of the Forest Service come to my mind: While they were originally proclaimed by Jimmy Carter in 1978, they were reformed and redesignated by congress with ANILCA in 1980.

Aug 6th - 08:01am | Rangertoo

Not all national monuments are sites established under the Antiquities Act. For example, Homestead National Monument of America and Alibates Flint Quarries and Texas Panhandle Pueblo Culture National Monument (since renamed) are Congressionally created parks.

Aug 6th - 05:05am | MRC

I'm not familiar with a National Monument in DC and could not find one on the NPS website. Can you point me to the unit you refer to? If you are thinking of Washington Monument, that one is - despite the name - designated as a National Memorial, not a National Monument. [MRC is quite correct. The reference to Washington, DC was incorrect and has been deleted. BJ]

A Piece Of History

Aug 7th - 10:35am | Anonymous

Why do you need to carry in a Park?

Federal Judge Overturns Federal Government's Delisting of Gray Wolf From Endangered Species Act Protection

Aug 7th - 07:18am | Anonymous

Daryl L. Hunter, "Ever expanding wolf country"? Please. It's a fraction of what it once was.

Aug 7th - 06:09am | Daryl L. Hunter

First let me say that I am a wildlife photographer that gets no bigger thrill than photographing grizzlies and wolves. http://www.daryl-hunter.com/Wildlife/Yellowstone-Wolves/12435448_YhPVm#8...

Aug 6th - 15:50pm | Anonymous

this is actually a boon for wyoming, it will essentially force montana and idaho to quit knuckling under pressure from the environmentalists and force them to step back to the original issues of having wolves not under their control.

Young Woman Dies After Being Submerged in Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park

Aug 7th - 04:09am | LGS

I had a very scary experience there a few days later, on Saturday, July 31, 2010. In fact, that's why I found this site. Because of what happened to me, I was googling to see if any incidents have happened there.

Reader Participation Day: Should Pets Be Given More Leeway in National Parks?

Aug 6th - 23:29pm | Meg

I'm just reminded of the story in Lee Whittlesey's book Death in Yellowstone, where a fellow and his dog were at Fountain Paint Pots, the dog got loose, jumped in one of the hot pools, and his owner jumped in after him to rescue him. Both died from their burns. Please, at least, keep dogs out of the geyser basins. It's just not safe for them there.

Aug 6th - 17:26pm | Anonymous

As a Park Ranger who is faced with all too many folks who do not take the time to read, understand, and follow park regulations and then complain when you try to politely tell them that they are in violation and educate them about the law, I'd LOVE to see dogs/pets be banned for good from the parks.

Aug 6th - 14:57pm | pkrnger

Dear Park Superintendent, I agree with you totally. Thank you for sharing your experiences and perspectives.

Aug 6th - 11:46am | Anonymous

I am a NPS superintendent, and am also very active in a variety of dog-related avocational interests (tracking, agility, etc.). My dogs are my constant outdoor companions. A few years back, I entered into this very discussion with an associate regional director with science in their portfolio.

Aug 6th - 09:28am | ecbuck

You may be happy to leave your dog at home but your dog would much rather be with you in the park than locked up in some kennel.

Aug 5th - 23:25pm | y_p_w

Basel: National parks are wildlife sanctuaries and the policy of keeping dogs off trails is a sound one.

Aug 5th - 20:17pm | Basel

National parks are wildlife sanctuaries and the policy of keeping dogs off trails is a sound one.

Aug 5th - 20:05pm | Basel

My sentiments also.

Yearling Wolf Killed In Vehicle Collision in Grand Teton National Park

Aug 6th - 22:35pm | Reality22

Another benefit of wolves! It's to bad - this wolf is in the right place.... the park is a place where they belong not out on range eating cattle.... Its funny when you hear these people talk about non-lethal ways to get them to stop predidating once they start...............

Lodging in the Parks: Beware the St. Mary Lodge & Resort

Aug 6th - 19:50pm | cici

I think all these comments should be sent to Johnny Noe - does he understand the following that you have here on "National Parks Traveler".....word of mouth is EVERYTHING and it will definitely spread and business will be dwindling for sure. I certainly would not stay there on your word and will tell friends not to either.

Aug 6th - 13:36pm | michelle

I worked at st marys this year for 1 month, July and was shocked at the attitude of management, the owners in how their lack of CARE for the guest. They want your money, and with a 30 day non refundable policy, you are giving them that right to deny you a refund. Johnny Noe loves to call his lawyer, and will rip you off from any discount you should think you deserve.

NPCA Criticizes Utah Decision to Allow Strip Mine Near Bryce Canyon National Park

Aug 6th - 17:27pm | WickedLady

Guess I won't be going to Bryce after all.

Aug 6th - 15:21pm | Lee Dalton

It's just Utah's Environmental Ethic at work: Multiply, multiply and pillage the Earth.

Aug 6th - 09:14am | Anonymously-Yours

A COAL MINE!!!?? How last century is that? The big buzz word these days is GREEN TECH. and these bozo's give the go-ahead for a COAL MINE!!!??? Who have they got lined up to work in it, MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS? THEIR CHILDREN? I can see why the feds made all that land federal a century again - GOOD MOVE. Who knows what would be going there now if they didn't...

Wolverine Sightings Growing in Rocky Mountain National Park

Aug 6th - 15:46pm | Jeff Connor

Sorry, but this is not a wolverine. It is a very wet young badger. Keep looking though and you might get lucky like Mr. Rafitti. What he saw and photographed was indeed a wolverine.

Aug 6th - 15:20pm | RonT

That's a badger - a very muddy, 'just got done digging up some rodent' badger.............note the very long pigeon-toed claws - note the short legs.

Aug 6th - 11:18am | OnDaRoad

I saw what looked to be a wolverine while hiking in Lory State Park outside of Fort Collins last August. I reported it to the Ranger's. Their 'mammal expert' told me that I was mistaken because wolverine's had not been seen in Colorado since the 60's .. they suggested I saw a PIne Martin. I know what Pine Martins look like and this wasn't one. Glad to see the documentation!

Aug 6th - 09:44am | Brad

Check out the claws on this guy!

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

Aug 6th - 15:06pm | Anonymous

I've really enjoyed reading these arguments. I'm not going to comment on who is right but point out a flaw in all the arguments. Everyone seems to assume that all 9 rounds hit the bear and some people have gone on to write that maybe one or two hit the front and the rest hit the rear etc. etc. making them cowardly- where in the report did it say that all 9 rounds hit the bear?

What Not to Do with an Old Cannonball

Aug 6th - 13:50pm | Nicholas

OK i live in Canada in a area where they were expecting the American to attack because of its strategic location as being the capital of Canada (at the time) Kingston. i live a good distance from the fort that still stands today and i found a 6 pound iron spherical shell. it has no fuse and dosent look dangerous. I think it was used for practice becaus it was found in a field.

House Republicans Say Interior Secretary's Proposed Snake Ban Bad for Business

Aug 6th - 13:49pm | Lika Temares

I have lived in Collier County, Florida for over 20 years and have heard the stories of giant snakes in our wetlands. Speaking for most South Floridians, I believe that the importation of giant snakes from exotic places should be completely illegal. People get pythons and anacondas as pets, thinking they will stay the same size as they were when they bought them, WRONG.

Fatal Fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park

Aug 6th - 11:07am | y_p_w

dmack:

Aug 6th - 10:18am | dmack

I just returned from Zion and I am actually glad I did not read this page before going. My daughter and I climbed to the top of the Landing - and it was a fantastic experience. But there were moments during the climb when thoughts of "why" entered my head.

Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway

Aug 6th - 09:15am | Randy Johnson

Thanks Diana for suggesting that people buy my Parkway guides at the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation's online store. I actually link to that store from my Web site so folks can buy there with one click. In both books I pointedly suggest that people help the Parkway by supporting the Foundation or the other organization Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I appreciate Mr.

One More Bear Put Down in Yellowstone National Park

Aug 6th - 08:31am | april

That is not true. There were bear poles in every backcountry campsite we stayed at in yellowstone. You had to look for most because they were the required 100 feet from camping areas and most were very high up.

Aug 6th - 08:28am | april

I spent 10 days in Yellowstone in July. We were backcountry for most of the time. We encountered several bears including a large male griz when we hiked out of the park into the Gallatin Forest. We stayed out of his way and left the area with no incident. Every site had a bear pole that was over 20 feet high (challenging to get the rope over in some cases) and near the food area.

Aug 6th - 06:51am | Anonymous

I just got back from the second meadow of Slough Creek. We were supposed to stay in this site, and the ranger called us the week before to move us to another site. It was originally reported as a grizzly, which the rangers seriously questioned. No Bear Canister rule is in effect. I agree, however, that the bear bag hangs at the campsite are inadequate and way too close to the tentsites.

Studies Show Bear Spray More Effective Than Guns Against Grizzlies

Aug 5th - 22:16pm | Anonymous

It seems that you have a serious axe to grind. This isn't so much to do with the Second Amendment but more to do with what is going to protect you best from a bear attack. Why don't you bring bear spray to protect yourself from a bear and bring your gun to protect yourself from other people etc.

Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site Offers Window Into the 19th Century

Aug 5th - 21:26pm | preston

My fiance -- who readily admits she's "no nature girl" -- enjoyed our visit to this ranch in July of this year. We happened to arrive during a ranch days celebration, with wagon rides, tours and while the blacksmith was at work. The variety of sites the NPS offers us is one of its attractions.

National Park Road Trip 2010: The Corps of Discovery Returns to the Dakotas

Aug 5th - 19:01pm | HappyNorthDakotan

I am glad you enjoyed your trip to the Williston area. I live outside of Williston on Lake Sakakawea. I am a California native, but a North Dakotan by choice for 11 years. I cannot imagine living anywhere else. I hope you get a chance to come back during the Rendezvous. It is fantastic. Happy travels!

Oil Spill Doesn't Seem To Have Major Impact on Gulf Islands National Seashore's Nesting Shorebirds

Aug 5th - 17:48pm | tortoisewerx

do not beleive one can ever be overly critical when it comes to a disaster of this magnatude... just pointing out that an article of this tone sounds as if the BP responsibility and the effects are minimal, when in fact the truly critical damage has just begun to unfold... the NPS should be puuting the thumb screws to those &%$^$#!*...

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