National Parks Traveler

Yosemite National Park long has had a history of problems between visitors and the park's black bears, but those appear to be a thing of the past. Since 1998, officials note, bear incidents that have generated personal property damage have dropped by 95 percent.

One of the most iconic hikes in the National Park System, one that also potentially is one of the deadliest, has claimed another victim. Heavy rains that have been pounding southern Utah for days swelled the Virgin River that flows through the Narrows at Zion National Park well above flood stage and claimed the life of a 34-year-old man.

A public opinion poll of key Western states has produced somewhat contradictory results when it comes to federal lands in those states. While strong numbers voiced positive views of agencies such as the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, strong numbers held their state governments in higher esteem than the federal government. Overall, though, a slight majority opposes proposals to turn those federal lands over to the states.

Late September and early October, they say, are the best times to while your day away hoping to hook into one of the brown trout that call Shoshone Lake in Yellowstone National Park home. And one of the best ways to reach the lake for some fishing is via the Lewis RIver Channel Trail.