National Parks Traveler

Nestled peacefully in Yosemite’s Tuolumne Meadows, at roughly 8,600 feet above sea-level, sits Parsons Memorial Lodge, a modest fieldstone structure built in 1915 to celebrate the life and good works of Edward Taylor Parsons. It’s surrounded by some of the most recognized topographical icons in the Sierra Nevada, such as Cathedral Peak, Unicorn Crest, Mountains Dana and Gibbs.

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By Jeff Pappas - June 23rd, 2009 4:17am

Ice Age Floods Trail Commemorates Floods of Unimaginable Ferocity

The Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, America’s first national geologic trail, was established to interconnect sites in four western states that interpret the geologic consequences of some of the biggest floods this planet has ever produced.

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By Bob Janiskee - June 23rd, 2009 4:01am

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National Park, New Jersey, Reached for the Gold Ring

National Park, New Jersey is not a national park, nor is it even associated with one. This little town on the Delaware River near Philadelphia got its interesting name because its founding fathers dreamed of bigger things.

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By Bob Janiskee - June 23rd, 2009 4:00am

Inspiring Service in the National Parks

If there ever was a model of the value of service in our national parks, it is Megan Cantrell. She first signed up with the Student Conservation Association during the summer of her junior year in high school. After those hot, grueling months fixing eroded trails in Yellowstone, she was hooked.

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By Andrea Keller Helsel - June 23rd, 2009 3:18am

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Despite Wet Weather, There Have Been Forest Fires in Grand Teton National Park

It's been rainy so much here in the Northern Rockies that the locals are about to start sprouting gills. Nevertheless, there have been four forest fires inside and outside of Grand Teton National Park, with two directly tied to human careless.

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By Kurt Repanshek - June 22nd, 2009 2:20pm

Replicas of Vintage Buses Returning to North Cascades National Park

They're big, they're red, and they're heading back to North Cascades National Park this summer.

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By Kurt Repanshek - June 22nd, 2009 4:00am

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Pronghorn Antelope Knocks Two Off Motorcycle in Grand Teton National Park

A Utah couple was knocked off their motorcycle in Grand Teton National Park when a pronghorn antelope slammed into it while trying to cross U.S. Highway 26/89/91.

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By Kurt Repanshek - June 22nd, 2009 3:12am

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New Southern Lake Michigan Water Trail Includes Indiana Dunes Shoreline

A kayaking expedition and landing site programs inaugurated the Southern Lake Michigan Water Trail on June 13-14. The new paddling route, which extends 40+ miles between Chicago and Michigan City, includes a 15-mile stretch of the waters and shoreline at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

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By Bob Janiskee - June 22nd, 2009 3:00am

Naked Hikers Let It All Hang Out On the Summer Solstice

The summer solstice arrived early this morning. Now we’ll experience the longest day, the shortest night, and perhaps a spate of naked hiking.

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By Bob Janiskee - June 21st, 2009 5:00am

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June 30 is Deadline for Comments on Death Valley Wilderness Stewardship Plan

If you’d like to comment on wilderness resource values and management alternatives in the largest named wilderness in the continental U.S., you’ve still got time, but you’d better hurry. The deadline for public input on the Death Valley Wilderness Stewardship Plan has been extended to June 30.