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Fall From Tokopah Falls Kills Visitor to Sequoia National Park

Jul 25th - 01:52am | Joel

The sad thing here is that a little common sense and a show of respect for things unknown would have totally prevented this accident. You can't blame the rangers, who are too few and too far between, to be right on the spot for every event. This is a huge park and there are probably 5 or 10 "stupid incidents" every day.

Blind Hiker Trevor Thomas Tackles Pacific Crest Trail One Step At A Time

Jul 25th - 01:35am | Steve Van Zandt

We just came back from a backpacking trip out of Highland Lakes near Ebbetts Pass. We were on a five day trip to train three goats to be pack goats and we met Trevor, his hiking name "Double Zero" and his compadre "Fire Marshal" at Noble Lake. They are the nicest guys you could meet. Thy were engaging to talk with and also interested in what we were doing.

Boy Scout on Backpacking Trip to Zion National Park Found Dead

Jul 25th - 01:26am | Anonymous

Heard about this while i was in the park I was on that trail the day after he was found. just goes to show that the buddy system is really needed

Jul 23rd - 22:53pm | Anonymously-Yours

Strange. I don't recall that as being a particularly strenuous or dangerous area to hike in.

Hazing of Yellowstone National Park Bison, A Controversial Rite of Spring

Jul 25th - 00:12am | Anonymous

I work for the BLM in Eastern Montana and it is a joke what is going on and how much money is spent to subsidize the cattle ranchers. I agree with everything you say lets stop what is essentially cooperate welfare and the slaughter of wildlife for a meager few. The land is for the people not for a select few. All kinds of wildlife suffers because of the these gun toten ranchers.

At Ninety Six National Historic Site, Management Strives to Serve Steak on a Mac & Cheese Budget

Jul 24th - 21:55pm | Anonymous

Um...but they did build a new theatre for $65,000. The Historian position was termintated. They were funded over $60,000 for the museum tech and the Chief Ranger is a naturalist. Most projects do not come from the budget, they come from other funds. All they have to do is ask for it and spend it on the project that was funded.

National Park Quiz 84: Ringer II

Jul 24th - 19:00pm | Bob Janiskee

Anon, you need to read that question more carefully. It refers to a National-Park designated unit of the National Park System. There are only 58 such units in the 392-unit system. The quiz also refers to the Lower 48. None of the NPS units you've listed is a National Park-designated unit, and some of your examples aren't in the Lower 48.

Jul 24th - 18:36pm | Anonymous

Actually lots of NPS units are administered by other parks, or by Superintendents of other parks.

Reader Participation Day: California, or Utah, For A National Park Trek?

Jul 24th - 18:29pm | Jude

Utah is next door; California--well, I've been there. There are too many people in California. I'll choose Utah.

Jul 23rd - 23:37pm | y_p_w

pkrnger:

Jul 23rd - 16:35pm | MRC

Think Redwood, think Lassen Volcanic, think Joshua Tree. None of these California parks are crowded. Yosemite Valley is, of course. But is Toulumne meadows crowded? Wawona? The Hetch Hetchy area? Kings Canyon is not crowded and Sequioa is certainly less flooded than Arches.

Jul 23rd - 15:47pm | pkrnger

California has one major factor that detracts from all other attributes, crowds and traffic. It's hard to escape them. Unfortunately, industrial tourism. which is rampant throughout California, has also come to southern Utah, in a big way.

One Dead, 16 Injured Following Lightning From Thunderstorm in Grand Teton National Park

Jul 24th - 15:37pm | Jim Burnett

The logistics and skill required to pull off this rescue in the time available - and under those conditions - are hard for most of us to appreciate, but this was the real deal. Congratulations to everyone who had a part, and sympathies to the friends and family of the one who didn't survive the ordeal.

Bison That Charged Yellowstone National Park Visitors Was Provoked

Jul 24th - 14:26pm | y_p_w

http://www.nps.gov/yell/photosmultimedia/safetyvideos.htm

Jul 24th - 12:18pm | melrob

My stars, how can people be so stupid. I saw the stick that someone threw at the buffalo. What did they think would happen. The buffalo was provoked in that video, they normally do not attack unless they are provoked in any way shape or form.

Jul 23rd - 19:08pm | yellowstone fan

They were way too close but that stick or what ever it was came from the animals head either from the ground or the tree he was by. They broke the rules on distance but the stick wasn't "thrown" by anyone but the animal!

Jul 23rd - 14:57pm | Anonymous

Reminds me of when I was walking alone on the shoreline of Yellowstone Lake and decided to climb the bank and go back to the lodge. There was a small herd of bison. Thanks to the park's warnings about not getting close, I was able to duck back down without getting a stir out of them. Wild animals should always be considered wild.

Jul 23rd - 13:15pm | Betty H

Yellowstone and many of our other National Parks are beautiful, wild places. People who do not understand or appreciate WILDLIFE and who do not follow the rules, should be fined accordingly !

Jul 23rd - 11:10am | Matt Kracht

If they make any money on this video- it should go directly to the national parks or wildlife fund! They should not be making a single penny off of this!

Jul 23rd - 11:09am | Matt Kracht

Are they seriously going to get away with throwing a stick at a protected animal? They make it sound like they were innocent in the video interview! There should be consequences for this type of behavior, beyond what the bison has already inflicted upon their stupidity!

Jul 23rd - 07:35am | Anonymous

Yellowstone is the most beautiful and fascinating place I have ever been in my life. There is so much wildlife around, it is wonderful to be one with mother nature there. However, WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL. There is a reason it is called WILD life. They are wild. They live on instinct. One of their instincts is to protect themself and their young.

Jul 22nd - 21:52pm | Cheryl Henry

Some people just don't get it! Yellowstone is a wonderful place to see large dangerous animals in the wild, but is NOT a petting zoo! You need to respect them and their space. In June, we witnessed a young grizzly about 5 miles from Mammoth approximately 25 to 30 feet from the side of the road grazing in the new grass.

Jul 22nd - 21:26pm | Steve Nelson

I'll state the obvious. When I go to a national park, safety is priority one, and proper care around all species of animals is part of that. Amazing. And what is it about Yellowstone visitors? I went to Glacier NP last year and everyone was so well mannered that contributed to my decision to go back next month.

Jul 22nd - 20:06pm | y_p_w

It's bad enough that this jerk likely threw the piece of wood at the bison. However - even with that, entering the area was monumentally stupid. This was a geyser basin, and there was a possibility that walking in this area (which has obvious signs of silca precipitates from geothermal springs/geysers) could mean walking over a thin crust over scalding hot water.

Jul 22nd - 20:06pm | Anonymous

This is the second such incident with a bison this summer season. People, unfortunately, think Yellowstone is like Disneyland. They don't respect nature and the wild critters. This is what happens when you test the limits of wildlife. A bison does not understand that you just want a great photo for your family album.

Jul 22nd - 19:53pm | Kelly V.

Right on! I couldn't have said it any better than that!

Jul 22nd - 18:46pm | Anonymous

i once saw a group of about 25 to 30 people completely encicrle a bull moose to take pictures some folks were only 20 feet away?? luckily a ranger showed up and stopped that party. the moose was NOT happy

Jul 22nd - 18:03pm | Anonymous

They should make people take IQ tests to gain access to a National Park. This would reduce over crowding by about 75% and protect the wild life.

Jul 22nd - 17:44pm | Anonymous

We call people who do this "tourons," which is a combination of tourist and moron. People who visit parks do things they would never do at home, like stop in the middle of the road and jump out to take pictures. At least this isn't like feeding bears, where we end of with dead bears because of visitors disobeying park rules.

Jul 22nd - 17:03pm | Yves hache

When I look at the video I can see something like a piece of wood hit the Bison on the back (at the 27 second) when he start to jump and then charge.

Jul 22nd - 16:59pm | Lori

If you can't respect nature and wild animals don't go to places like Yellowstone-- you'll ruin it for the rest of us.

Popular Wall Street Trail Reopens At Bryce Canyon National Park

Jul 24th - 09:57am | Anonymous

I'm glad it's re-opened, we were able to hike this trail in August 2007 when it was re-opened, a don't miss portion of the park!

Battle Against Mountain Pine Beetles Launched at Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Jul 24th - 00:41am | Tom

Surely an infestation of beetles should be considered a natural phenomenon. Even if it has been agravated by global warming, isn't it still 'natural'? If man is changing the environment, then by all means allow nature to adapt to that change. Isn't that natural? I wish that we and our governments would work harder to stop global warming, but we're just not.

Grand Teton National Park Rangers Investigating Death of College Student Who Fell From Middle Teton

Jul 23rd - 22:56pm | Anonymously-Yours

busy week for those rangers!

National Park Mystery Photo 25: No Carpenter Nearby

Jul 23rd - 21:50pm | Tara

Been there!

The Presidio's Historic Public Health Service Hospital has Been Recycled into Luxury Apartments

Jul 23rd - 20:14pm | Mike Painter

Removing the wings was also a solution to neighbors' concerns that the project would bring too much new traffic to the neighborhood. 15th Avenue is the only street providing access to the old hospital.

Jul 23rd - 13:42pm | MRC

The 1950s wings had an asbestos problem, that is probably another reason why they were demolished.

Jul 23rd - 11:45am | heff

This sure brings back fond memories. The SF USPHS Hospital was my first duty station as a pharmacist with the Public Health Service in 1961. It was a great assignment, super place to work with a full staff of wonderful professionals. When Pres. Reagan shut the hospitals down it was a sad day for many of us USPHS Officers.

Yellowstone National Park Officials Offer Six -- 6 -- Alternatives For Winter-Use Plan

Jul 23rd - 19:15pm | Martha Weaver

Open the roads up in the winter for vehicles. After all this is a national park.the scrooges

Jul 23rd - 09:47am | Kurt Repanshek

When they get around to the final EIS in draft form they'll point to their preference.

Jul 23rd - 09:18am | MikeD

What a neat use of technology. Will NPS be identifying their preferred alternative? I know they do that with management plans, but maybe not for smaller scope plans like this.

Mount Rainier National Park: Reaching Out to Camping Newbies

Jul 23rd - 11:12am | GoCamp2010

For a similar opportunity in Oregon, check out Oregon Parks and Recreation Department's 'Let's Go Camping' program, with a few openings remaining for 2010. http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/lgc_intro.shtml

Bluffs Lodge and the Best Coffee Shop in a National Park

Jul 23rd - 10:12am | Bob Bamberg

Three cheers for our two long-serving waitresses at Bluffs Coffee Shop. Katherine Joines and Ellen Smith have been offering their friendly service as long as anyone can remember. It wouldn't seem the same without them.

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

Jul 23rd - 08:11am | JT30

If the grizzly was shot in the front , then it was justified, if the grizzly was shot in the ass while running away then that person should be buried under the jail. [This comment was very heavily edited for gratuitous remarks.]

Jul 23rd - 01:38am | Anonymous

My belief is that the person that killed this bear is not a poacher, obviously they are not experienced as you are and if you have lived through multiple bluff charges than i also consider you not only experienced but also very lucky.

Jul 23rd - 01:14am | Mike C.

If you refering to the fellow who spent many monthe with the GRIZZLY and the decidec to take his

Jul 23rd - 00:49am | Mike C.

Way to much speculation at present. Once all the facts are in then we won't have to speculate, right? First and foremost....I glad the hikers survived and I'm sad the Grizzly had to die! But, if the hiker left his gun at home we might be reading "Two hikers killed by Grizzly" Don't think we would want to read the latter, but lets wait for all the information.

Reader Participation Day: Where Are the Best Waterfalls In the National Park System?

Jul 23rd - 08:01am | Barb G

The Waterfalls in the Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio are very nice, shady and accessible to just about anyone. Brandywine Falls has a boardwalk with ramps so anyone can enjoy the waterfall and for the able-bodied there is a very nice loop trail that goes down into the valley, crosses the stream and back along the other side. Also, any waterfall is beautiful when it freezes.

Reprise of Winter Briefly Closes Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park

Jul 23rd - 01:32am | Allen Ritter

Good call to close the road that night. I drove Trail Ridge Road that night. We left Hidden Valley at about 8pm on our way back to Granby and it started ok, but visibility due to fog/cloud cover made it an extremely tough drive. The construction stretch was at no more than 5mph and it wasn't snowing yet.

Trolley Tours Come To Crater Lake National Park

Jul 22nd - 19:34pm | Anonymous

Took the trolley , what a great time. The prices are $25 for adults and I think $22 seniors. There was a ranger from the park on the trolley to tell about the park, history and unique things of the park itself. We had a blast and did not have to drive, got to actually see the park. The trolley driver was great, I never had to worry about traffic or the roadway.

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