You are here

Home

All Recent Comments

Reader Participation Day Bonus Survey: Should Border Security Trump Wilderness, Endangered Species?

Apr 16th - 12:05pm | Rick Smith

Anon of 5/16--

Apr 16th - 09:27am | Rick B.

They trried a fence with those sorts of rules in Berlin. It eventually came down. What a wonder that such compassionate comments were left here anonymously, eh?

Apr 16th - 05:17am | Anonymous

I think we need a different kind of fence like that at overseas locations. 2 rows of chain link 10 feet apart topped with razor wired and the space between planted with land mines. In addition we need to allow a shoot to kill order for tresspassers carrying guns and drug packs. Kill a few and publicize the action and eventually they will get the hint to stay on their side.

Apr 15th - 18:52pm | Barky

With the uber-violence in Mexico (I believe there have been 23,000 folks murdered in just the last couple of years), this is no longer just an immigration, "ew, those unclean Mexicans" issue. This is now a serious and quite deadly situation. I do say the Roosevelt Easement is good enough still, but we can't simply dismiss concerns about our southern border anymore.

Apr 15th - 16:16pm | S Nicol

As for the first comment about a buffer zone that the Border Patrol can use, they have one. It is known as the Roosevelet easement (or reservation, depending on the reference), and it is a 60 foot wide strip along the border from the Pacific to El Paso set aside for border security. The Border Patrol has carte blanche there.

Apr 15th - 15:14pm | y_p_w

My understanding is that the Border Patrol does have horseback patrols and does use them in mountainous areas where motor vehicles may be ineffective and possibly destructive to the wilderness setting. They've also got helicopters, which are generally accepted in/over wilderness areas if there are emergency reasons, such as a search and rescue or law enforcement.

Apr 15th - 14:05pm | Anonymous

While it is essential to keep an eye on the nearly ENTIRE country of Mexico, that want's to come to the US, we must do it in ways that are less harmful to our wilderness. Like actually sending illegal's back and monitoring them. Like a tag in the ear or toe, Fish & Game do it...

Apr 15th - 11:33am | rdm24

This isn't an either-or situation. The problem is that we have anti-immigrant tyeps screaming for a border fence, which have a huge impact on wildlife, but don't do much to improve security. That border fence is an expensive and environmentally destructive monument to our national insecurity.

Apr 15th - 10:05am | George

The bill is just the latest salvo from a Utah congressman who simply doesn't like wilderness. The Border Patrol is already free to pursue suspects in wilderness areas along the border, using motor vehicles. A memorandum of understanding was adopted in 2006 between the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture and Homeland Security governing Border Patrol activities in wilderness areas.

Apr 15th - 09:09am | Will

The problem I see is that most Wilderness areas to my understanding have buffer zones. Or at least they should. If you take a small strip away it is kind of a pointless act I think. Regardless the last thing I want is an unimproved road traveling all the way along the Rio Grande on the US side in Big Bend NP.

Apr 15th - 08:16am | Anonymous

Rather than diluting the Wilderness designation, perhaps a better solution would be removing a narrow strip along the border from the Wilderness designation.

Plan To Visit Capitol Reef National Park During Harvesttime!

Apr 16th - 12:01pm | RangerLady

The apricots are blooming right now and they're beautiful! Things are running a little behind schedule due to the bad winter, but it does look like we'll have a good fruit year. As the time approches, you can call the park and go through the automated system to reach the fruit updates. We update them daily so you can plan when to come picking!

Apr 16th - 12:01pm | Rich Deline

Nice tidbit of information...makes one consider when to go to optimize the experience

National Park Service in Alaska Takes Steps To Counter State's Approach to Wildlife Management

Apr 16th - 09:03am | Anita Walsh

I am so glad the Parks are taking this stance, but I have to agree with crystalwolf ! If the numbers are low, why allow any taking at all ?

Is San Juan National Historic Site Haunted?

Apr 16th - 08:38am | Dave Mora

Don't forget San Geronimo, where you can see the dog of stone waiting for his master's return. Its at the end of Condado. Unfortunately it is small and in ruins.

Interpretation Of Civil War's Impact Deepens at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park

Apr 16th - 05:08am | JeffSmith

Thanks CWB, but I remain convinced that the NPS could have found a family in the state in which the battlefield is situated.

Condor Chick is First to Hatch at Pinnacles National Monument in Over a Century

Apr 15th - 21:55pm | y_p_w

Well I guess I mentioned something about this earlier, so I'll repeat my previous comment. 317 and 318 looks like a nice couple, don't they. Well at least as far as condors go.

Apr 15th - 18:54pm | Barky

Wow, amazing!! This is such a great story of fulfilling the NPS' total mission. Pinnacles was really set aside to preserve a fascinating volcanic remnant, but they also found another purpose for it. It's a great example of showing that everything (even volcanoes and condors) are connected.

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

Apr 15th - 19:51pm | Anonymous

What I remember was how clear and how many the stars at night were as I reached the top. The unique quite at night is something to listen for, and keeps me coming.

America The Beautiful Federal Lands Pass: How's The Revenue Flow?

Apr 15th - 17:41pm | Anonymous

Over 60 milliondollers. Standard procedure. We aren't intelegent enough to catch it. Its those babby boomers. They must pay!

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

Apr 15th - 17:24pm | Anonymous

I hope this bill passes and is the start of a full ban of exotic imports and captive breeding. I volunteer at a humane society that deals mainly with unwanted reptiles. If any of you saw the condition that some of these reptiles come in it would make you sick. People breed these animals because its easy and because they think they can make money.

By the Numbers: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Apr 15th - 16:53pm | justinh

Rangertoo, Thanks for the link. This developer's non-sequitur response to the issue is a bit baffling: "I'm a private property advocate and a capitalist, for which I would never apologize."

Apr 15th - 16:48pm | Bob Janiskee

Thanks for the headsup, Rangertoo. I suspect that many Traveler readers will be surprised to learn that it is apparently perfectly legal to build a 25,000 square-foot mansion on the highest, most visible tract of land in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Apr 15th - 13:56pm | Rangertoo

Check out this story http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/15/developer-tom-chapman-pla_n_538...

Sections of Pacific Crest Trail Poached by Mountain Bikers; Could Problems Arise in National Parks?

Apr 15th - 15:50pm | Anonymous

That was NOT a silly comment at all. The PCT is bone dry just about whenever it is snow free. With the exception of a week or two after snowmelt and perhaps on the late fall the trail is mostly bare, dry, and perfect for cycling. Lets not even BEGIN to pretend that horses do not damage the trail. I am not an equestrian, but I have seen much evidence of trails damaged by horses.

Listen to the Interview: National Park Service Appoints Gerard Baker Assistant Director of American Indian Relations

Apr 15th - 14:54pm | Anonymous

While this is a good move, it should be noted that the NPS has had a Native American liasion position in the Director's office for many years. This is a new title, but the assignment is the same. We should not discount the work done by previous American Indian NPS employees who held that post.

Apr 14th - 18:46pm | Barky

This is a great add to the NPS. There aren't too many sites in the NPS that don't have some tie to the original inhabitants of this land. The NPS needs to foster that relationship as it appears they have done with this appointment. I only hope he isn't neutered by the general tendency of government to be ineffective at all it does.

Reader Participation Survey: Which National Park Has the Best Wildflower Blooms?

Apr 15th - 14:28pm | Anonymous

Cedar Breaks National Monument is an often overlooked site but it is an absolute treasure. We visited in the summer of 2009 during their wildflower festival. I've posted some pictures on the flickr site of some of our favorite flowers we saw during our visit.

Apr 15th - 13:50pm | Rangertoo

Indiana Dunes NP has 26 native species of orchids. Spring is the best time to see most of them. That is far more native orchids than Hawaii or the Virgin Islands. Yes, the Midwest has natural wonders, too!

Apr 14th - 21:51pm | Meg

Mt. Rainier, definitely. I prefer Sunrise to Paradise, but that's just because of the alpine phlox which there isn't much of at Paradise and is all over the place at Sunrise. It's probably my alltime favorite wildflower. Olympic is wonderful, too. Hurricane Ridge's flowers are spectacular.

Apr 14th - 19:28pm | Jen

To Anon (4/14): Try the second week in July. I lived in northern Colorado for many years; Rocky being my home away from home! The slopes around Rainbow Curve (Trail Ridge Road) and the Flattop Mountain Trail provide some beautiful meadows of Columbines!

Apr 14th - 19:24pm | RLMiller

Last July I hiked above Mineral King in SEKI through so many intense blue lupines that I thought I was walking through the sky. The same flowers are dried up and gone by late April down in southern California. The shady streamside flowers were also gorgeous.

Apr 14th - 18:42pm | Barky

I managed to encounter wildflower blooms in Joshua Tree NP, and was amazed and astounded. It's the contrast between the harsh desert landscape and the fragile beauty of the flowers that blew my mind.

Apr 14th - 16:40pm | Rick B.

Being a Pacific Northwesterner, I have to go with the folks talking about Paradise.

Apr 14th - 15:52pm | Connie Hopkins

I have to say Glacier National Park. In 2005 the Beargrass was at their peak and our hike fromLogan Pass to0 the Granite Park Chalet was a smorgasbord of wildflowers! Absolutely breath-taking!

Apr 14th - 15:04pm | Kurt Repanshek

Some good choices. You can see some wildflower shots at the Traveler's flickr page. Here are just a couple of my favorites:

Apr 14th - 14:01pm | Anonymous

We want to head to Rocky Mountain sometime soon... when would you say is the best time to see the Columbines?

Apr 14th - 13:59pm | Alan S

If you have had a year of heavy rains such as an El Nino (this year!!) nothing beats Joshua Tree National Park. The desert comes alive like a fireworks display.

Apr 14th - 11:37am | Lawrence

Columbines in RMNP!

Apr 14th - 10:34am | Brad

For me, it has to be Great Smoky Mountains in April and May. The woods are literally carpeted with wildflowers.

Celebrate Wildlife Day at Grand Canyon National Park – May 2, 2009

Apr 15th - 12:34pm | Sirena Alderman

I think the Grand Canyon is the most beautiful place I have ever been. I plan on going back one day.

National Park Mystery Spot 10 Revealed: It’s the Jones House at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Apr 15th - 12:05pm | Bob Janiskee

Glad you enjoyed your visit to Tallgrass Prairie, Tom, and thanks for the tips on nearby attractions.

Apr 15th - 10:16am | Tom Stoa

Having just visited the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in February, I can attest that the mansion, barn and outbuildings are quite impressive. (Being from the upper midwest, I had never seen a barn built of stone before.) It is also worth noting that the Preserve has just re-introduced bison, from the genetically pure stock from Wind Cave National Park. More are expected.

Glacier Bay National Park Rangers Use Satellite Technology to Help Tangled Whales

Apr 15th - 12:05pm | Anonymous

Thirty-three have been released or partially released

Cactus Poachers at Saguaro National Park Receive Stiff Sentences

Apr 15th - 11:25am | Drifter

I am a Sonoran Desert Guide and have been for fifteen plus years around Phoenix/Scottsdale,Az. I was told years past that there was a $100,000 fine at one time plus a mandatory 10 years in federal prison w/no parole for damaging or stealing a Saguaro. If this was truly the case when did the judges get that soft? Thanks for your time--se ya on the trail--Drifter

Another Swarm of Earthquakes Noticed at Yellowstone National Park

Apr 14th - 21:09pm | Michael Bolden

As a geography teacher of Asia and and Africa, I have not focused very much on the United States. That all changed in 2007 when my wife, daughter, and I made our first Western trip.

National Park Mystery Spot 10: Three, Two, One

Apr 14th - 10:55am | Bob Janiskee

Yup, it's that big limestone mansion (the "Jones House") at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas Congrats to Terry, who was the first to figure it out. We've obviously got some other very sharp readers too. Good job, everybody. Check back with Traveler tomorrow for "the rest of the story."

Apr 14th - 10:28am | Chris

How about the Spring Hill Ranch house?

Apr 14th - 10:23am | Anonymous

Jones' Limestone Ranch House

Plague Kills Many Prairie Dogs and Black-Footed Ferrets in Grasslands Near Badlands National Park

Apr 14th - 10:42am | Anonymous

wat is actually killing them is the hunters

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.