Category Archives: National Parks

National Parks

Yosemite Spyglass for Oculus Rift & iPad

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

xRez Studio has put up an AMAZING app for the iPad and Oculus Rift “Yosemite Spyglass.”

From their website:

We love Yosemite and have found a few new ways to experience it in gigapixel on the iPad and Oculus Rift!

The Oculus Rift version of Yosemite Spyglass is available for the Mac and PC.  The Yosemite Spyglass for the iPad is available in the Apple App Store. Yosemite Spyglass is a free download for either platform!

Yosemite Spyglass Tech Demo is a collaboration between Art + Science Labs and xRez Studio  and powered by GigaEngine, a spherical gigapixel viewer for the Oculus and iOS. If you would like to add gigapixel viewing to your App email info@gigaengine.com

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National Forests, National Parks

Record of Decision available for Mariposa Grove Plan

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The National Park Service (NPS) at Yosemite National Park is pleased to announce that the Record of Decision for the Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Final Environmental Impact Statement (Mariposa Grove Final EIS) was approved by the Regional Director on December 10, 2013. The Record of Decision (ROD) formally selects Alternative 2, South Entrance Hub for implementation. Alternative 2 was identified as the park’s Preferred Alternative in the October 2013 Mariposa Grove Final EIS. The Selected Action in the Record of Decision is substantially the same as described for Alternative 2 in the Final EIS.

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National Forests, National Parks

USFS plans to eliminate Day/Year Adventure Pass fees from some National Forest Areas

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yep, that means that you can visit some forest areas free of the $5 daily or $30 yearly Adventure Pass fees!  Hikers and off-roaders rejoice!

Or that may be just what they’re expecting us to do.

I will always look a gift horse in the mouth – especially if that gift horse is coming from a governmental agency.  The plan is called the “Federal Lands Recration Enhancement Act” – or REA.  When you walk around it and kick the tires, it seems like a good idea.  But when you look under the hood, there’s some hinky.  There’s ALWAYS some hinky.  Here’s a portion of what the REA says in their summary:

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National Parks

A Snow-filled Setting Served as Stunning Background for the Trek to the Tree Ceremony at Kings Canyon National Park

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, CA – With a snow-filled setting as a stunning background, a total of 213 people participated in the Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree ceremony at Kings Canyon National Park on Sunday, December 8, 2013, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. The event, which was sponsored by the Sanger District Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the National Park Service, included the Jubilation Singers, Sanger High School Choir, and a non-denominational holiday message. During the ceremony, Acting Superintendent Colleen Bathe spoke about the General Grant Tree’s role as a national shrine in memory of the men and women of the Armed Forces who have served, fought, and died to keep America free. A memorial wreath was placed at the base of the General Grant Tree during the ceremony.

To plan for a future visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, visit www.nps.gov/seki or call 559-565-3341.

National Parks

Cabrillo National Monument celebrates 100 years

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Dominic Garcia of CBS8 News, San Diego is reporting that the Cabrillo National Monument is finally celebrating it’s 100th Anniversary this weekend. From the article:

The 100th anniversary celebration of the Cabrillo National Monument that was postponed in October by the federal government shutdown will take place this weekend.

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