Category Archives: National Parks

National Parks, Wildfire

The Rim Fire – a new video on YouTube

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

A hat-tip to Bill Gabbert over at wildfirtoday.com who penned a post about a new video titled “the Rim Fire” that appears on YouTube today.  The video was posted by yosemitenationalpark, who put up the following description:

“The 2013 Rim Fire was the largest forest fire in California history, and the largest fire in Yosemite history. Burning 400 square miles, the speed and size of the fire was unprecedented. As these unnaturally large fires become more commonplace due to previous fire suppression and climate change, Yosemite National Park is seeing the benefits of carefully allowing smaller, controlled fires on the landscape.”

 

National Parks

Yosemite National Park Launches New Website to Commemorate 125th Anniversary

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

On October 1, 2015, Yosemite National Park will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the establishment of Yosemite National Park. On that date President Benjamin Harrison signed legislation which created the United States of America’s third National Park. With a stroke of a pen, over 1,500 square miles of pristine California land was preserved for future generations.

To celebrate this occasion, Yosemite National Park has launched a new website specifically geared to the 125th Anniversary.

From the National Park Service:

“The events in the gateway communities were a huge part of the success of the 150th anniversary of the Yosemite Grant,” stated Don Neubacher, Yosemite National Park Superintendent. “We are looking forward to working closely with our gateway communities again as we celebrate this significant historical milestone.”

The website offers a calendar of all anniversary events, projects, and commemorations that will take place throughout 2015. Additionally, visitors to the site will be provided opportunities to share their Yosemite stories;read a timeline of Yosemite’s rich history;learn how to host and/or organize an anniversary event or activity;and apply to use the anniversary logo on retail products.

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National Parks

Campgrounds Open at Joshua Tree National Park

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

All campgrounds at Joshua Tree National Park have reopened for the season. This includes Belle, Black Rock, Cottonwood, Hidden Valley, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, Ryan, Sheep Pass, and White Tank campgrounds.

Campsites at Indian Cove and Black Rock campgrounds may be reserved in advance online. To check availability and make a reservation, please visit www.recreation.gov. At all other campgrounds, sites are first-come, first-served.

Backcountry camping is also permitted in the park and requires campers to register at a backcountry board. Campsites must be at least one mile from a road and 500 feet from any trail. Campfires are not permitted in the backcountry.

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Activities, Adventures, National Parks

Lottery Now Open for Historic Ostrander Ski Hut in Yosemite’s Backcountry

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yosemite Conservancy is Accepting Online Reservation Lottery Forms Until November 19, 2014 for Experienced Skiers to Stay Overnight at Ostrander Ski Hut

Yosemite Conservancy announced today that it is accepting online reservation lottery forms for the 2014-2015 season at historic Ostrander Ski Hut, the cherished rustic stone cabin used by experienced cross-country skiers who make the strenuous 10-mile journey from Badger Pass Ski Area to Ostrander Lake in Yosemite National Park.

“Trekking to Ostrander Ski Hut offers an unforgettable winter adventure with an overnight stay at the historic cabin nestled on the edge of a glacier cirque, beside stunning Ostrander Lake,” said Mike Tollefson, president, Yosemite Conservancy. “It’s the perfect winter retreat to leave crowds behind and head into isolated backcountry with breathtaking views of Half Dome, the Clark Range and Mount Hoffmann.”

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National Forests, National Parks

Yosemite Proposed Entrance Fee and Campground Fee Increases

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The 50 percent fee increase, which would take effect Jan. 1, is part of a new Obama administration proposal to raise fees at 130 of America’s 401 national parks.  Why close the parks when it’s so much easier just to price them out of the reach of Americans who already support them through taxes?

30 Day Public Engagement Period Begins Today

Yosemite National Park is proposing to increase entrance fees into the park.  The single vehicle entrance fee would change from $20 to $30 for a seven day pass.  The park’s annual pass would increase from $40 to $60.  The current rate of $10 per individual or motorcycle would increase to $15 for an individual and $25 per motorcycle.  Interagency Passes, which are honored at all federally managed land units, are not affected by the proposed fee increase and will remain at $80 for the regular pass, $10 for the Senior Pass and free for the Access and Military passes.  The current park entrance fees have been in place since 1997, when a seven day pass was increased from $5 to $20 per vehicle.  According to the U.S. Bureau of labor and Statistics, $20 in 1997 is equivalent to $29.64 in 2014.  This fee change will allow Yosemite to maintain consistent revenue while adjusting accordingly for inflation.

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