Category Archives: National Parks

Interesting Places, National Parks

December Tradition: 88th Annual Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The 88th Annual Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree takes place Sunday, December 8th, 2013, at  2:30pm in Kings Canyon National Park.

This year’s activities include the Jubilation Singers, Sanger High School Choir, a non-denominational Christmas Message, and a War Memorial Ceremony all to be delivered at the base of the General Grant Tree.

Chartered buses will leave from the Sanger Chamber of Commerce office.

Bus Options include:

  • Trek Service Bus for approximately $30 with a 12:15pm departure
  • Lunch Bus with a 10:30am departure for approximately $50
  • Dinner Bus with a 12:15pm departure for approximately $50

Coffee and pastries available at the Chamber office prior to boarding.  Give the Sanger Chamber a call if you want to be added to the mailing list or to make a reservation. For more information call the Sanger Chamber at 559-875-4575

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Adventures, Day Hikes, Hiking - General, National Parks

YExplore to Offer Discounted and Complimentary Guided Hikes in Yosemite to Veterans November 9-10

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Leading Adventure Company in Yosemite National Park honors veterans by sharing outdoor adventures during holiday weekend.

To honor veterans of the United States Armed Forces, YExplore Yosemite Adventures will offer special incentives to active and retired military members and their families to enjoy guided hiking tours in Yosemite National Park on November 9th and 10th. “In the spirit of the national parks waiving entrance fees for veterans this weekend, we would like to offer special discounts for service members who plan to visit Yosemite,” announced YExplore Founder John P. DeGrazio.

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Hiking - General, National Parks

A Backpacker’s Guide to the Wildflowers of Yosemite

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Nathan Roberson recently wrote about the incredible number and diversity of wildflowers in Yosemite.  From the article:

Wildflower lovers rejoice when they visit Yosemite Park in eastern California. The 761,268-acre World Heritage Site is home to 1,450 plant species. In fact, Yosemite’s website notes that 25% of California’s native plants grow in the park, offering backpackers ample opportunity to view and photograph their favorite blooms.

Because Yosemite is so large and its terrain so varied, many different types of wildflowers grow in the park throughout much of the year. Here’s a list of some Yosemite’s better-known wildflowers and when and where you can find them…

You can read the rest of the very detailed article (including a whole lot of pictures!) HERE.

National Forests, National Parks

Isn’t it MORE expensive to add more armed goons to close down our National Parks?

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

FINALLY!  It seems that some have figured out that this is a question that needs to be addressed!  According to The Blaze:

The Obama administration is considering allowing some national parks to be maintained by states during the partial government shutdown, but is still withholding information from Congress and the public about the cost of closing so many open-air monuments and parks.

“It would appear logically that the cost of barriers and security could cost more than simply leaving open,” House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) told TheBlaze. “We’ve asked the National Park Service and unfortunately we haven’t gotten answers.”

The Natural Resources Committee and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a joint investigative hearing Wednesday on why 401 national parks and monuments were closed across the country during the shutdown.

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National Parks

Has the National Park Service Gone Completely Insane?

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

As an avid outdoor enthusiast, I have a great deal of respect and fond memories of my interactions with Park Rangers.

Those feelings, however, are eroding.  During the government shutdown, the National Park Service seems to have completely lost it’s little hive mind in various parts of the country:

  • Locking veterans out of the World War II Memorial, but allowing an illegal alien rally;
  • Using armed guards to detain tourists into their rooms at Yellowstone;
  • Refusing to allow the same tourists to stop at public restrooms as they were bussed out of the part;
  • Erecting barricades to keep people out of Mount Vernon – a privately owned and privately managed venue;
  • Removing handles from drinking fountains to stop people from drinking the valuable (and free) water;
  • Using many more resources to keep people OUT of parks than it takes to keep them open in the first place.

According to a widely-published quote from an Park Service Ranger, “We’ve been told to make life as difficult for people as we can. It’s disgusting.”

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