Category Archives: National Parks

National Forests, National Parks

Yosemite – Invasion of the Drones

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yosemite has been invaded by drones.  Small, unmanned machines that fly through the air capturing some pretty epic footage of one of America’s great National Parks.  The National Park Service is none too keen on the GoPro shuttles, and has claimed that they’re illegal:

“…Yosemite National Park advises visitors that the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) are prohibited within park boundaries due to regulations outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Specifically, the use of drones within the park boundaries is illegal under all circumstances. Thirty Six CFR 2.17(a)(3) states, “delivering or retrieving a person or object by parachute, helicopter, or other airborne means, except in emergencies involving public safety or serious property loss, or pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit” is illegal. This applies to drones of all shapes and sizes…”

While I’m not a big fan of having my visit interrupted by a noisy little robot, I’m not so sure that HOW Yosemite is going about it is correct.  I blame the NPS – the same guys who shut Americans out of America’s National Parks last year – and their lack of legal experience.

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National Parks

April 19 – 20 – FREE entry into America’s National Parks!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

In honor of National Park Week (April 19-27), our national parks will be FEE FREE April 19-20!

From the National Park Service:

Looking for something fun and fantastic to do with family and friends? Head out to America’s national parks where millions of stars light up the dark night sky, deer and antelope (and a few other critters!) play on the wide open range, and history is an unbelievable experience, not a boring class lecture.

The National Park Service is proud to once again join with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, to present on April 19-27, 2014, National Park Week, a presidentially proclaimed celebration of our national heritage.

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National Parks

Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Again Roaming Great Western Divide In Sequoia, Kings Canyon National Parks

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The National Parks Traveller website is reporting that more than 500 Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep are once again in our northern California national parks including Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

From the article:

It took the help of a helicopter, but Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep are once again roaming the Great Western Divide that forms part of the border between Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks.

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National Parks

Smith River National Recreation Area Restoration & Travel Management Draft EIS is Available

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Smith River National Recreation Area (NRA) Restoration and Motorized Travel Management on the Gasquet RD has been released for public comment according to Six Rivers National Forest Supervisor Tyrone Kelley.  “We are looking forward to continuing our work with the public, local governments, and Native American Tribes to update the transportation system.”

The Forest will accept comments through June 10 by:

  • Mail at the Supervisor’s Office, 1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, CA 95501
  • Attn: Smith River NRA Restoration & Travel Mgmt Team
  • E-mail to comments-pacificsouthwest-six-rivers@fs.fed.us in either plain text (.txt, rich text (.rtf) or word (.doc)
  • Phone to the Gasquet District Ranger at 707-457-3131 or the Team Leader at 707-441-3661
  • In person, comments may be hand-delivered for the Restoration & Travel Management Team weekdays 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at the front desk of the Six Rivers National Forest, 1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka or at the Gasquet Ranger District office, 10600 Highway 199, Gasquet, CA.

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National Parks, News

Rockfall Closes Trail to Rancheria Falls in Yosemite National Park

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

A rockfall in the Hetch Hetchy area of Yosemite National Park has closed the trail to Rancheria Falls east of Wapama Falls.

According to the National Park Service, at approximately 1:30 p.m. on March 31, a large rockfall occurred from the cliff just east of Wapama Falls above the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. The trail was closed just east of the Wapama Creek footbridges for safety purposes.  Boulders are preventing access beyond Wapama Falls to park visitors.  No visitors were injured in the rockfall.

Roughly 16,000 tons of rock fell from approximately 500 feet above the base of the cliff. Rock debris hit the slope below the cliff, breaking into numerous boulders, crushing trees, and creating a small dust cloud. Fresh boulders completely covered the slope, and many boulders tumbled into the reservoir. Roughly 400 feet of the Rancheria Falls Trail was destroyed in the main impact area.

Hikers can still access Wapama Falls starting from O’Shaughnessy Dam. The trail to Rancheria Falls just after Wapama Falls will be closed until further notice.