Big Bend National Park will be building a hiking trail near Panther Junction where there long had been discussions to build a multi-use trail open to mountain biking, Superintendent Bob Krumenaker announced Wednesday.

Winter is one of photographer Rebecca Latson’s two favorite seasons of the year during which to visit a national park. There are fewer people, the vistas are much clearer due to fewer water molecules in the atmosphere, and the landscape looks so much different than it does during the warmer seasons of the year. So, this month’s photo column by Rebecca is about winter photography within the National Park System. Yes, she’s written about this before, but it’s always nice to have a little refresher course for those who regularly read the Traveler, and it’s a good introduction to winter imagery for those readers who are new to the Traveler.

For those allergic to snow, ice, and sub-freezing temperatures, there is an escape to national parks in the lower half of the United States, parks that offer sweeping panoramas, interesting wildlife, warm and even hot temperatures, and lots to do.

National Park Service units are not immune from ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night. In honor of Halloween, here’s a quiz and trivia piece that’s all about those ghosty ghoulies and their associated protected lands. You might learn a little something as your spine tingles and the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. BOO!!