What would you think if the state of Washington cast its eyes on the volcanic furnace room of Mount Rainier National Park to help supply its energy? Or if Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho's lawmakers decided they should tap Yellowstone National Park's geothermal hot spot to generate power?

One of the busiest weeks of winter has brought heavy snows to Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state, but staffing woes have closed the sledding and snow play areas at Paradise, frustrating locals and businesses in the areas close to the Nisqually Entrance in the park's southwestern corner.

Flooding spawned by heavy rains forced the closure of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state on Tuesday, with high flows of Kautz Creek prompting the evacuation of park employees and guests at the National Park Inn at Longmire.

Floods. Windstorms that down trees. Wildfires. Millions of feet. Hiking trails take a pounding from all these things. And while the paths are the responsibility of the National Park Service, the agency often lacks money and staff to tackle all but the most pressing needs. That’s where national park friends groups come into play with their financial resources and, at times, volunteers.