You are here

Home

All Recent Comments

Trails I've Hiked: Hidden Lake Overlook in Glacier National Park

Jul 29th - 18:44pm | Anonymous

I have hiked this trail twice in my lifetime and each time we have encountered the mountain goats grazing and have been able to throw a snowball or two as we cross patches of snow. I imagine myself lying in the grass looking out at the beautiful cirque with the crystal blue lake when I need to unwind. My kind of heaven!!

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

Jul 29th - 18:17pm | Anonymous

It was about 5 minutes....She passed right behind my husband and I. She was very polite and said excuse me....everyone had their eyes fixed on the boys that were jumping off the high rocks...that is why not a single person (my husband, myself and our two friends) out of about twenty people did not notice her under the water and the water is very deep in the middle cove.

Jul 29th - 16:48pm | lelandg

This is tragic accident and my condolances to her family. Drownings happen daily. Do we close all the lakes and rivers? Traffic accidents happen. Do we stop all driving? I have been to the area several times and it is an excellent place to swim and recreate while in the park for both visitors and park employees. No reason to suggest closing!

Jul 29th - 08:34am | V.C. Wald aka G...

Regarding the apparent 5-minute lack of attention, it seems unlikely anyone timed it on a watch, so I wouldn't necessarily put too much stock in that figure, though it may have seemed like forever. Also, it may not have been obvious that she was unable to swim or that she was at risk of drowning.

Jul 29th - 02:41am | Anonymous

Anyone know why it took five minutes for someone to go in after her?

Jul 29th - 00:24am | Anonymous

It was in the fire hole swimming area. We were there....it is very sad. Some of the members of her party said she could not swim. Not sure how true that is but that is what the one person said...very tragic.

Jul 28th - 21:15pm | yellowstone98

I wonder if this occurred at the Firehole Swim Area off Firehole Drive south of Madison Junction...a beautiful location but also a place where I was always surprised at the lack of fatalities considering the relative risks of the river features (and large amount of cliff jumping occurring.)

John Wessels Appointed Director of National Park Service's Intermountain Region

Jul 29th - 17:02pm | Anonymous

Are there no qualified career people who could do this job? This is a puzzling choice and not a good signal to career people.

Jul 29th - 16:02pm | Anonymous

While all we are left with is the "give him a chance" mentality, it is clear that Wessels has a bad track record.

Jul 29th - 15:08pm | PBrueck

I share Rick & Kurt's comments about giving John Wessels a chance to perform and represent the values of the NPS. Anyone who worked closely with Mike Snyder knows how difficult that could be and the bodies that were left behind attest to his management style.

Jul 29th - 11:59am | Rick Smith

As does Kurt, I believe that the new RD should be given the opportunity to make his own decisions. Only then will we be able to judge the quality of those decisions. I have friends who have very good instincts in the Intermountain Region who believe that John's appointment will be beneficial for the region.

Jul 29th - 11:55am | haunted hiker

"The National Park Service is a more dynamic animal, and administratively more sophisticated, than any one person." hmmm...Perhaps the inverse of Ben's statement is more accurate. Insert "static" and "provincial" for dynamic and sophisticated.

Jul 29th - 11:06am | Anonymous

Never has a decision been so eagerly awaited, and never has one been so bitterly disappointing. Mr. Wessels was a key part of the Intermountain Region’s business-motivated strategies - deeply involved with Core Ops, and a number of costly Business Management Planning efforts that were forced upon IMR parks and then abandoned.

Jul 28th - 20:52pm | Yellowstone98

Secretary Salazar is from Colorado. Mr. Wessels is from Colorado.

Jul 28th - 18:08pm | Teagan Tomlin

Hi Kurt- it was nice to run into you on the Avalanche Trail. I hope you had a wonderful hike to Avalanche Lake! - Teagan (Interp. Ranger)

National Park Road Trip 2010: The Barlow Road

Jul 29th - 15:27pm | Jae

This post is a great blend of historical "back story" and contemporary travel tips. Travelers looking for a cycling day that covers part of your route might want to check out this video on cycling the Oregon Trail / Barlow Road.

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

Jul 29th - 15:19pm | Anonymous

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grizzly_Man

Jul 28th - 21:10pm | Anonymous

As to the comment above: He wasn't killed in Yellowstone, he was killed NEAR Yellowstone in a National Forest, run by the US Forest Service, in which the gun laws of the state of Montana have always been and continue to be controlling.

Jul 28th - 20:09pm | Anonymous

Bet the mother of the gentleman killed [near] yellowstone last night by a bear, wishes he would have been armed!No matter how she felt about guns the day before.

North Dakota is Still on My Bucket List

Jul 29th - 15:18pm | Bob Janiskee

Thanks to all you North Dakotans and other Traveler readers who have encouraged me to ignore the Drinking Gourd Omen and visit North Dakota anyway. As the title of my article proclaims, the Roughrider State is still on my bucket list. If I can't get my buddy Colorado Jim to go with me, I'll go there alone, and to hell with the omens.

Jul 29th - 11:47am | ClizBiz

Hi Bob! Loved your post. I am so happy to hear that NoDak is on your list. TDNP will not disappoint - it is my favorite NP of all. More buffalo than people. Lots of prairie dogs too. I also had a face-off with a wild horse standing above me on a ledge. I'll never forget that intense feeling of connection.

Jul 29th - 06:23am | Bob Janiskee

Dimock, SD is a L-O-N-G way from Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Bogator.

Jul 28th - 22:01pm | Anonymous

I was in North Dakota last Labor Day weekend and really loved it. Flew into Bismarck and rented a car. Most of the rental car companies only allow 200 free miles per day with such a big state can get expensive. I was unable to find anyplace that was selling stamps while I was their.

Jul 28th - 17:05pm | Bogator

Well Bob, I don't know where you will be in SD, but the front door to the South unit of TRNP is only 250 miles from Rapid City . If possible, I would certainly go.

Jul 28th - 16:32pm | Bob Janiskee

I will be in South Dakota again this October, tizzy. Who knows, maybe this time I'll get up the gumption and strike out for North Dakota. Stranger things have happened.

Jul 28th - 13:39pm | tizzy

I think you misunderstood the omen. I think it was telling you to get yourself to North Dakota now. You never know when the door will close on the opportunity to go.

No Charges Forthcoming In Shooting of Grizzly In Denali National Park and Preserve

Jul 29th - 13:39pm | Anonymous

45 acp against grizzly? Not so good a choice but better than nothing I guess.

Jul 29th - 03:47am | Russell

Though it is a shame that the bear had to be killed, it certainly sounds like it was done for the right reasons. Good on the hikers for being able to defend themselves, and good on our legislators for being able to see past the hype and paranoia of carrying firearms in national parks.

Jul 29th - 02:45am | Anonymous

Ok Gary look at your state laws wherever you are and tell me the law chapter and section that allows you to use a firearm to kill another person in self defense.

Jul 28th - 23:05pm | Gary

Hmmm.....there is no law which allows the use of a firearm to defend your life... Are these park people people nuts! Should the hiker have allowed the bear to kill his companion? So you are allowed to carry a firearm but it's against the law to use it to protect your life! Amazing & stupid.

America's Great Outdoor Initiative Visits Asheville, North Carolina

Jul 29th - 13:22pm | H Petzold

Education and experience is the Key to getting more people outdoors while preserving what we have. Although it has been said and repeated many times before, it bears repeating until people get it. "In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand... understand only what we are taught." Baba Dioum

Thank A National Park Ranger on July 29

Jul 29th - 10:40am | Anonymous

As a volunteer at two urban parks, I'd also like to give a shout-out to the rangers who so ably manage the special challenges of working at our historical parks and monuments in city or suburban settings.

National Park Road Trip 2010: The Nez Perce

Jul 29th - 10:21am | HellsCanyon

It was wonderful to read about your time here in Clarkston, WA/Lewiston, ID at the North entrance to Hells Canyon! We sure hope that next time you can drop in to the Hells Canyon Visitor Bureau and say hello - we love to meet our visitors and find out how far everyone has traveled; plus, it lets us learn a bit about where they are from, as well.

Jul 28th - 13:32pm | tizzy

Love this. I visited much of this same route last year and found it completely fascinating. Particularly the Heart of the Monster.

Three Canyoneers Survive Flash Flood in Zion National Park

Jul 29th - 01:15am | John F.

Dave- I am glad you are ok, after your ordeal. Do you have any idea of when I will get my shoes back? Your bro.

Jul 28th - 21:25pm | Greg

Dave, the three of you are blessed in a way most of us will never understand! Good to hear that you are doing well and I heard from Jason today that he was sent home! I don't know Joe but it sounds like he got the worst of it? How is he doing?

Jul 28th - 14:39pm | Dave F.

I am the third canyoneer that went over both water falls and had minor injuries. I want to thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers for Jason and Joe's speedy recovery. I visited Jason yesterday in the hospital and he was in good spirits and happy to be alive. I spoke to Joe the day before and he seems to be managing OK as well, albeit in a lot of pain.

Jul 28th - 14:25pm | Virignia

Hi Joey, We are the Jersey Shore wish you much love and hope for a 100% recovery Aunt Jacqueline, cousins Virginia, Patricia, Jerry, and Jacquie.

National Park Mystery Plant 10: Heaven for the Climate, Hell for Society

Jul 28th - 22:46pm | Anonymous

i guss we dont need bear spray any more.

Reader Participation Day: Visit Wyoming's National Parks, or Those in Washington State?

Jul 28th - 20:22pm | Kari

Yellowstone & Grand Teton bring me so much joy (I am leaving for a trip there in four days!); however, I very badly want to visit Washington State's national parks, especially Mount Rainer. Rule of thumb: the further West, the happier I am. I vote Washington State!

Jul 28th - 19:01pm | Morgan

I am on my way to Yellowstone on Saturday. I can't wait. Everyone's comments has added to the excitment. Thanks.

Jul 28th - 17:05pm | Random Walker

Easy, Yellowstone and Teton National Parks are superbly fine places to visit awhile. The Olympic, North Cascades and Rainier National Parks infuse a little something into the brain that makes me want more of them, all the time..

Jul 28th - 17:02pm | y_p_w

I've been to 4 of the 5 National Parks mentioned (North Cascades is rarely visited an wasn't in our plan).

Jul 28th - 16:47pm | Bogator

This is a difficult choice. I plan not to make the choice. I plan to see them all. Right now, my wife and I have visited Yellowstone and the Tetons. We spent six nights there, most in Yellowstone, the most we have spent in any one place. We found the area to be irresistable, Our problem is one of distance; we live in Florida.

Jul 28th - 14:26pm | Bob

How long do you have? Tetons are a knock-your-socks-off day trip. Yellowstone and Rainier are both good day trips. If I had three weeks for a single park, I'd spend it in Olympic because of its diversity.

Jul 28th - 13:00pm | Rick B.

We live in Seattle, and the magnificent parks mentioned in Washington State are ones we visit all of the time. All three are weekenders from here, and we're quite proud of them. We've enjoyed Yellowstone more than once, and will return there again.

Segway Tours Being Demoed -- At $55 Per Person -- At Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park

Jul 28th - 20:01pm | Susan

I recently took the Segway tour of Spotsylvania Battlefield. It was a superb tour and great fun to ride the Segways. A quick 5 minute lesson and you off riding. The tour was led by Frank O'Reilly, one of the NPS historians at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania and author of a several books on Fredericksburg.

Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site Adds A Nearly 43-Acre Farm To Its Landscape

Jul 28th - 17:12pm | d-2

I was just reading about the trial involving the notorious 'Clark Rockefeller' - and wanted to resurrect this old thread about Saint-Gaudens National Historic site. You might remember about the guy who just took the name of Rockefeller, but was not really one.

Hoh Rain Forest Visitors In Olympic National Park Cautioned Against Elk

Jul 28th - 17:09pm | Random Walker

Heck, half the fun of camping along the Hoh River is watching the tourists interact with the locals..

Francis Beidler’s Long-Ago Decision Saved the Forest that Became Congaree National Park

Jul 28th - 15:38pm | Tom Fetters

This version of the logging up stream from Ferguson is very interesting. However, the company seems to have built a bridge over the Santee River and logged in Clarendon County for a number of years. One article mentions a logging railroad from Ferguson down to "Cross" which was near the end of the Berkeley Railroad out of Moncks Corner and ran to Cross from the east.

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.