#mesa verde national park visitor guide

[wanderlustphotosblog]

Plan Your Adventure: A Complete Mesa Verde National Park Guide

A thousand years ago, the Four Corners region was home to the Ancestoral Puebloans. Here, they built elaborate and beautiful dwellings into the cliffsides. In my Mesa Verde National Park guide, I show you how to plan a trip to this amazing place.

[rabbitcruiser]

Mesa Verde National Park (No. 20)

The entrance to Mesa Verde National Park is on U.S. Route 160, approximately 9 miles (14 km) east of the community of Cortez and 7 miles (11 km) west of Mancos, Colorado. The park covers 52,485 acres (21,240 ha) It contains 4,372 documented sites, including more than 600 cliff dwellings. It is the largest archaeological preserve in the US. It protects some of the most important and best-preserved archaeological sites in the country. The park initiated the Archaeological Site Conservation Program in 1995. It analyses data pertaining to how sites are constructed and utilized.

The Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center is located just off of Highway 160 and is before the park entrance booths. The Visitor and Research Center opened in December 2012. Chapin Mesa (the most popular area) is 20 miles (32 km) beyond the visitor center. Mesa Verde National Park is an area of federal exclusive jurisdiction. Because of this all law enforcement, emergency medical service, and wildland/structural fire duties are conducted by federal National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers. The Mesa Verde National Park Post Office has the ZIP code 81330. Access to park facilities vary by season. Three of the cliff dwellings on Chapin Mesa are open to the public. The Chapin Mesa Museum is open all year. Spruce Tree House is also open all year, weather permitting. Balcony House, Long House and Cliff Palace require tour tickets for ranger-guided tours. Many other dwellings are visible from the road but not open to tourists. The park offers hiking trails, a campground, and, during peak season, facilities for food, fuel, and lodging; these are unavailable in the winter.

The park's early administrative buildings, located on Chapin Mesa, form an architecturally significant complex of buildings. Built in the 1920s, the Mesa Verde administrative complex was one of the first examples of the Park Service using culturally appropriate design in the development of park facilities. The area was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1987.

Source: Wikipedia

[545554bb]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: 3 books mining Colorado school of mines mining in the United States & geology bk.

[nationalparkposters]

Re-discovering America, the Park-to-Park Highway Series – Part 1 of 4

Re-discovering America, the Park-to-Park Highway Series – Part 1 of 4: For National Park enthusiasts and adventurers who have a penchant for history, this is an especially gripping tale. During the time of WWI, when most of America's roads and highways were still unpaved, a group of 12 people undertook the journey of a lifetime. A 5,000 mile, 76-day loop which can aptly be described as “a lariat lassoing the scenic wonders of the west”. These scenic wonders were the 13 national parks that were currently in existence at that time. National park officials and automobile enthusiasts were invited to participate in this epic journey. In August of 1920, a group of 12 men and their companions set out to help promote these parks by participating in the “Park to Park” journey. It was the brainchild of Steven Mathers, the first director of the National Park Service in 1916. He visited these parks and realized that in order for folks to come out and enjoy the parks, a road infrastructure needed to be put in place – something that had not yet come to fruition at that time. It was an ambitious undertaking with the overarching goal for people to be encouraged to experience the beauty, wonder and grandeur of the national parks. The theme was “See America First.” Beginning in Denver on August 26th, the trip would take the group through Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Glacier, Mount Rainier, Crater Lake, Lassen Volcanic, Yosemite, General Grant, Sequoia, Zion, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Petrified Forest and back to Denver. Anton Westgard was the group's field guide. He also happened to be AAA's Field Representative. Quite the character, he was known as “the pathfinder” of the trip. He had formidable navigational skills and took over the daunting task of deciding which roads to take throughout the trip. Said Stephen T. Mathers, “The main objective is to present to the people of the country a panorama of our principal national parks. Set side by side, for their study and comparison. Each park will be highly individual. The whole will be a revelation.” Rocky Mountain National Park The first stop on their journey was Estes Park, Colorado, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. The road from Estes Park up the mountain was scenic but treacherous, with many switchbacks, and many cars of the day could not handle the conditions. Despite this, due to the easy proximity of the park to Denver, this national park saw many more visitors than the other parks of its time. Rocky Mountain National Park quickly became the poster child of the sole purpose of the Park-to-Park tour: where good roads and accessibility were available, the tourists would come.  After a night at Estes Park, the caravan set out again, bound for Yellowstone. Keeping to a rigorous schedule, the members of the tour were already given a complete itinerary and knew exactly where they would be staying. Their message was clear: with good roads come good tourism, and a shining beacon to exploring all America's nature had to offer. The members of the tour group sang this message loud and proud all along the way to local officials throughout their journey. Some of the roads were treacherous, some were good. Thankfully, the next leg of the tour was relatively painless, as Yellowstone Highway was finished just three months earlier, complete with road signs. Click here to see the Rocky Mountain National Park Poster. With the Good Roads Movement, and Mathers' campaign to get decent roads to the national parks, the idea of a national roads system began in the 1920s and the national government did indeed improve roads to the park. Up until now, most roads were dirt. And when it rained, those roads turned into absolute mud baths; often impassable. Something had to change. Yellowstone National Park On the 3rd of September, the caravan took Yellowstone Road to Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming), where the group stayed at the Lake Hotel. Here their schedule allowed them to spend 4 days exploring the park's natural wonders. Back in 1920, when a car approached the park entrance, an inspection took place that was more about how well the car was equipped than about what you were going to see in Yellowstone. If you didn't have the correct gear and know-how about how to repair your car in case of a breakdown, you were simply not allowed inside the park. Established in 1872, the park was one of the first created at the federal level as a National Park. The group experienced the geothermal oddities of Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and many other features of the park's caldera. Great American bison roamed free throughout, as well as mule deer, elk, pronghorn sheep, bears, and wolves. But the main reason the park was created was due to the amazing geysers, which was an oddity of these lands. Click here to see the Yellowstone National Park Poster. On Sept. 7th, they left Mammoth Springs Hotel and crossed into Montana. Glacier National Park awaited them 400 miles and 4.5 days later. They traveled the Yellowstone-Glacier Beeline Highway. Glacier National Park Founded in 1910, Glacier National Park came into being as the 10th national park. Because the Great Northern Railroad still had the upper hand on transportation inside the park, there were not yet any real roads to speak of, so the group's vehicles had to be sent on to Belton while they visited the park in white tour buses. Mountains, lakes, and 60 glaciers were their scenery – glaciers that cut into mountains and created the lakes we see today. Because the roads were still being worked on, they hoped that their message of good road building would eventually come to fruition here so that more people could have access to this park. Click here to see the Glacier National Park Poster. Reaching the west side of Glacier NP and the town of Belton on Sept. 14th, the caravan moved on further west to rough roads ahead. That begins the tale in the next part in this series. Stay tuned for: Re-discovering America, the Park-to-Park Highway Series – Part 2 MEET ROB DECKER, CREATOR OF NATIONAL PARK POSTERS Photographer and graphic artist Rob Decker studied photography with Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park during the summer of 1979 when he was just 19. It was an experience solidified his love of photography and our National Parks. Now he is on a journey to photograph and create iconic WPA-style posters of all our major national parks as we celebrate the next 100 years of the National Park Service. "I feel it's important to protect America's special places, and to connect people with nature. And it's up to all of us to pitch in. Perhaps more importantly, we need to inspire the next generation of park stewards. I'm trying to make a difference by giving back to the amazing organizations that support our National Parks. I donate 10% of annual profits, so when you buy one of these original works, you're helping these trusts, conservancies and associations, too." Click here tot meet the artist, Rob Decker. https://national-park-posters.com/blogs/national-park-posters/park-to-park-highway-series-part-1?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=Sendible&utm_campaign=RSS

[tlatollotl]

On the site of a former auto-repair shop here, broken stone walls mark the site of a 900-year-old village that may yield new insights into an ancient desert culture.

The ruins are what remains of two “great houses” — apartment buildings, essentially — that formed a northern outpost of a civilization based at Chaco Canyon, about 100 miles away in northwestern New Mexico.

Archaeologists from the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, in nearby Cortez, have just begun the first systematic excavation of this site in an effort to learn how its residents lived in the early 1100s, and how they related to the wider Chaco culture.

In particular, the Northern Chaco Outliers Project aims to determine when the village was occupied, how many people lived there, and whether they did so during an extended drought of 1130-1180, which may have accelerated a northward movement of people from Chaco.

The project is the first in many years to systematically excavate any of about 250 great houses that were built in the region known as Four Corners, said John Kantner, an archaeologist at the University of North Florida.

“We have so little understanding of the role of great houses and the relationship between others and Chaco Canyon itself,” said Dr. Kantner, who excavated Blue J, another Chaco-related site in New Mexico.

The project here has the potential to “fill in the gaps about the outlying great houses,” he said.

Susan Ryan, director of archaeology at the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, leads the Haynie Site project. Credit Nick Cote for The New York Times

Three full-time archaeologists and volunteers began work in mid-May and will spend at least the next three years sifting through the ruins, named the Haynie Site after its former owners, Ralph and Claudia Haynie, who bought the five-acre property in the early 1980s.

The team is working from site descriptions and maps of the ruins that were made by Claudia Haynie as she did her own excavations in pursuit of artifacts.

Large parts of the ruins were excavated with heavy machinery, and portions of both great houses were demolished, disturbing to at least half the site, said Susan Ryan, the Crow Center’s director of archaeology, who is leading the project.

The artifacts obtained by the Haynies cannot be recovered because they were sold, she said. But archaeologists can use the couple’s records to infer what the site looked like before it was disturbed.

“She was recording, in a pretty scientific way, where her objects were coming out of the great houses,” Dr. Ryan said of Claudia Haynie. “She had a great respect for the people who used to live there, she has a respect for the buildings themselves.”

“Somebody really did care about the site even though the actions went against what archaeologists would say is appropriate,” she added. Today, local representatives from descendant communities visit the site twice a year and help guide the research.

Diagrams drawn by Ms. Haynie show floor plans for both of the great houses, which had two or perhaps three stories and measured roughly 75 feet by 55 feet. One of the drawings includes about 30 rectangular rooms, based on remaining masonry or inferred walls where none physically survived.

Dr. Ryan holding a fragment of pottery collected at the Haynie Site. Credit Nick Cote for The New York Times

The diagrams also include five kivas, circular spaces that in bigger settlements were used for religious purposes. At the Haynie site, they apparently were used for everyday activities like sleeping, cooking or making tools.

Despite their practical nature, each of the Haynie kivas also contains a “sipapu,” a Hopi term for a ritual hole with a ladder used to symbolize a connection between the world and the spiritual realm, Dr. Ryan said.

“On a ladder, you are symbolically moving in and out of worlds that are vertical,” she said. “You are constantly being reminded of where you have come from, your identity and origin stories. It’s just a beautiful thing.”

On a tour of the site, Dr. Ryan pointed out a line of mortar in which alternating layers of clay and calcium carbonate made a stronger fill and insulated the surrounding rooms.

“Those are basket loads of fill that someone has dropped in there, probably in the early 1100s,” Dr. Ryan said of spaces between the stones. “That’s so exciting, because now you can see how big a basket was and how much dirt was in there.”

Estimates of the age of the Haynie structures comes from tree-ring dating. One of the roof timbers dates has been dated to 1111, when the center of the Chaco civilization was moving northward into what is now southwestern Colorado.

Archaeologists link the Haynie site to Chaco Canyon by noting shared architectural features, like subfloor ventilation systems, tall ceilings and flat-sawed timbers.

Like many ruins in the Four Corners region, the Haynie site remains on private land now owned by Haynie Ranch LLC, a company dedicated to preserving the site and investigating its history.

Surrounded by farmland, the site is closed to the public unless visitors receive permission from the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center. (By contrast, ancient cliff dwellings at nearby Mesa Verde National Park draw thousands of visitors.)

But the Crow Canyon team has been denied access to some of the ruins sitting on another parcel of private land, marked off by a barbed-wire fence that runs through the site.

Portions of the Haynie site, such as floors and hearths, will be covered over with earth, or “backfilled,” after the current project is completed, to protect the ruins from further exposure to the elements.

“Once it’s been open for that long, all of this wood has collapsed, all of the plaster has popped off the wall, and joints of all the architecture are coming loose because the mortar has run,” Dr. Ryan said. “Leaving things open is not where you want to be at for preservation.”

“It sounds crazy to the public, but backfilling is the most important way to preserve archaeological sites,” she said. “To have this backfilled would be the best protection you could have for a site.”

Covering the ruins would also help protect them from the “pothunters” who have removed artifacts from “pretty much every site” in the Southwest, said Dr. Kantner.

Even if the ruins were on public land, it would not be feasible to stabilize them in a way that makes them accessible to the public, he added. But the information gleaned from them can be shared through websites and museums.

“It’s still possible to tell their stories from what’s left,” he said.

[abuasadmunna]

Historical places to visit in the US

There are 10 best historic place in us:

Independence Hall Philadelphia.

Mesa Verde National Park.

Gettysburg Battlefield.

Historic Jamestowne.

Martin Luther King Jr National Site.

Alcatraz Island.

Bunker Hill Monument.

Statue of Liberty.

Lincoln Memorial.

Ellis Island.    

Independence Hall Philadelphia.

Independence is the building where we both live. The Declaration of Independence and thus our Constitution were debated and adopted. It is now the centerpiece of the Independence National Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The building was completed in 1753 due to the Pennsylvania State House and the service. Because the province of Pennsylvania and the capital of the Commonwealth moved to Lancaster in 1799.

It became the main forum of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1783. And the status of the Constitutional Convention in the summer of 1787.

A conference held at Independence Hall in 1915. Former United States President William Howard has marked the official announcement of the formation of the League for Peace, chaired by Taft.

Which leads to the League of Nations and ultimately to the United Nations. The building may be a component of Independence National or Historic Park and is listed as a World History.

How much does it cost to get into Independence Hall?  

Admission to Independence Hall is absolutely free for the public and each visitor receives a 30-minute guided tour from a National Park Service Ranger.

Do you need tickets to see Independence Hall?

Most sites and programs are free. Admission to most park sites is free. Timely entry tickets are required to enter the individual halls between March and December, but there is no charge if these tickets are available at the Independence Visitor Center on the morning of your visit.

Mesa Verde National Park.

[toldnews-blog]

New Post has been published on https://toldnews.com/technology/parks-rush-to-clean-up-toppled-trees-trash-after-shutdown/

Parks rush to clean up toppled trees, trash after shutdown

National park visitors cut new trails in sensitive soil. They pried open gates while no one was watching. They found bathrooms locked, so they went outside. One off-roader even mowed down an iconic twisted-limbed Joshua tree in California.

During the 35-day government shutdown, some visitors to parks and other protected areas nationwide left behind messes and repairs that National Park Service officials are scrambling to clean up and repair as they brace for the possibility of another closure ahead of the busy Presidents Day weekend this month.

Conservationists warn that damage to sensitive lands could take decades to recover. Even before the shutdown, national parks faced an estimated $12 billion maintenance backlog that now has grown.

Many of the parks went unstaffed during the shutdown, while others had skeleton crews with local governments and nonprofits contributing money and volunteers.

National Park Service spokesman Mike Litterst in Washington, D.C., declined to provide a full accounting of the damage at more than 400 locations, saying it was isolated and most visitors took good care of the land.

But interviews with park officials and nonprofits that help keep parks running reveal a toll from people and winter storms when workers could not make fixes quickly.

President Donald Trump has said another shutdown could start Feb. 15 if he and Democratic leaders can’t agree on funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall, compounding pressure on the park service to catch up on repairs.

Hiring seasonal workers who typically start in the spring as rangers, fee collectors and hiking guides also has been delayed.

“We’re kind of ready to just have a bit more stability,” said Angie Richman, a spokeswoman at Arches National Park in Utah.

Arches visitors left human waste outside a restroom, stomped out five trails in a permit-only area that was shut down and damaged an entrance gate to allow vehicles to drive on snow-covered roads when the park was closed after a storm, Richman said.

In some places, less oversight meant animals moved in.

A colony of elephant seals took over a Northern California beach in Point Reyes National Seashore without workers to discourage the animals from congregating in the popular tourist area. Rangers and volunteers will lead small groups of visitors to the edge of a parking lot starting this weekend to safely see the seals and their pups.

At Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California, an off-road vehicle ran over one of the namesake trees and someone cut down a juniper tree, Superintendent David Smith said.

Several other Joshua trees were damaged, including one that was spray-painted, but the park has yet to determine the exact number, he said. Off-road vehicles also created extensive unauthorized trails, with wheel marks dug into the delicate desert soil nearly a foot deep in some spots, Smith said.

Employees at Death Valley National Park found human waste and toilet paper scattered in the desert and evidence people tried to kick in locked restroom doors, said David Blacker, executive director of the Death Valley Natural History Association.

A time-lapse video on Death Valley’s Facebook page showed how it took staffers two hours to clean a restroom overflowing with trash and splashed with waste. Crews also have to rake and replant vegetation to repair ruts from off-road vehicles, which delays work elsewhere in the 3.4 million-acre park.

“It became pretty depressing the kinds of things people will do when they are unsupervised,” Blacker said.

People in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park drove around locked gates and through meadows, spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said.

At Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddling the North Carolina-Tennessee line, visitors cut locks on some gates to closed roads and stole about $5,000 in maintenance tools, spokeswoman Dana Soehn said.

Officials at Zion National Park in Utah, Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado and Olympic National Park in Washington were fixing trails, roads and campgrounds damaged from winter storms. Mesa Verde wasn’t set to open until Monday, and some areas were still closed at Zion and Olympic.

Campgrounds, visitors centers and trails that seasonal workers help prepare could face delayed openings, and families planning spring break or summer vacations might think twice about visiting if they don’t think national parks are safe or fully staffed, said Phil Francis, chairman of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks.

“There are a lot of impacts that will be felt in the future that aren’t being felt or even talked about now,” he said.

Meanwhile, the prospect of another shutdown looms.

Grand Canyon National Park could miss out on its main centennial celebration Feb. 26 and other related events.

Elizabeth Jackson, a spokeswoman for Guadalupe Mountains National Park on the Texas-New Mexico border, noted the stress on workers.

“It’s a way of life if you’re a federal employee,” Jackson said. “Not to be glib, but it’s something we face every year.”

————

Fonseca reported from Flagstaff, Arizona. Associated Press writers Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington, D.C.; David Warren in Dallas; Matt Volz in Helena, Montana; and Dan Elliott in Denver and contributed to this story.

[skylinewriter]

Colorado river at Lee’s Ferry in Marble Canyon near the Grand Canyon northeast boundary.

In mid-October I took a few weeks off from the newspaper for a Southwest Adventure in Colorado and southern Utah. After a brief stop in Colorado Springs, I headed west along scenic byways to visit around a dozen National Parks and National Monuments. Mid-October was a bit past the prime leaf peeping season in Colorado and Utah. Many of the Aspen trees, particularly at higher elevations had lost their leaves, but the brilliant yellow leaves of the Cottonwoods along stream beds in picturesque mountain valleys made up for this.

A gnarled Pinion tree in the foreground and Black Canyon of the Gunnison in background.

My first camp site after leaving Colorado Springs was the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  I stopped at the park in part because it was a convenient one day journey from the Springs.  I arrived late, but had no problem finding a campsite.  The deep and narrow black granite canyons are very impressive. I also discovered that my attempts to photograph them did not do them justice.

The next day I hurried south through mountain passes between Ouray and Silverton to avoid a predicted snow storm and then west to Durango and Mesa Verde National Park.

I remember visiting Mesa Verde years ago.  Back then the park was crowded but with some restrictions, visitors could pretty much wander through the ruins at will. Now visitors are pretty much restricted to guided tours of the cliff dwellings by park rangers. In mid-October the  crowds were not a problem, but some tours were closed for the season and others sites were closed for repairs. It is too bad, but I understand the need to control access. Mesa Verde has long been a popular tourist destination, and without some restrictions, the park would be loved to death.

Mesa Verde National Park

From Mesa Verde I traveled west toward The Sleeping Ute – a cluster of peaks that together look like the profile of a sleeping Ute Indian.  The landmark is visible throughout the Four Corners region of southwestern Colorado, northwestern New Mexico, northeastern Arizona, and southwestern Utah.

While browsing over my map at breakfast, I noticed I was just a short distance from Hovenweep National Monument near the Colorado and Utah border. “Hovenweep” means “deserted valley” in Ute/Paiute. The unique tower and fortress structures as well as granaries, dams and residences at Hovenweep date from around the same time as Mesa Verde. According to a brochure, in the late 1200’s, Hovenweep  was home to  2,500 residents.  Due to drought conditions and other factors, by the end of the 13thCentury people began leaving the area.

The unique tower and fortress structures at Hovenweep National Monument date from the 1200’s.

An hour west of Hovenweep is the sprawling Bears Ears National Monument. The signature “Bears Ears” are twin buttes that rise above the surrounding elevation and are visible from as far away as Mesa Verde nearly 150 miles away.

The Bears Ears area is the ancestral home of the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni and Ute Tribe.  The Bears Ears Monument was established by President Obama on December 28, 2016.  The formation of the monument was the result of a cooperative land management agreement between the Tribes and federal agencies.

The Bears Ears National Monument region is named after the twin ear shaped buttes that dominate the landscape of landscape of a region of south-west Utah.

On December 4, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order to redraw Bears Ears National Monument. Under the executive order, the size of the monument could be cut in half.

The Bears Ears area includes Natural Bridges National Monument, the towering red rock spires of the Valley of the Gods, and countless archeological and cultural sites of significance to Native American tribes.

Dispersed camping along Bears Ears road near Natural Bridges National Monument.

Natural Bridges National Monument is home to three natural bridges as well as Puebloan cliff dwellings. Natural bridges are created by the erosive action of moving water.

Valley of the Gods is a sandstone valley of buttes and towers much like Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park just 40 miles away. Valley of the Gods is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and there are no fees to drive the rough and  bumpy 17 mile drive.  As on most BLM land, there are no services  and dispersed camping  is permitted.

Near the Valley of the Gods and at the edge of the canyons overlooking the San Juan river, Goosenecks State Park gets its name from the sinuous goosenecks that tightly twist and turn as the river makes its way to Lake Powell.

North of the State Park the steep, gravel and sometimes single lane Moki Dugway climbs along the edge of sandstone cliffs to the top of Cedar Mesa and Muley Point Overlook.   The view from the Overlook is spectacular and second to none.

Muley Point overlook of San Juan river valley.

In addition to some beautiful photographs and some good stories, traveling in the southwest helped to renew my sense of time and perspective.  The rock formations are timeless.  Traces of  human history in the area date back 13,000 years.  Archeological sites, petroglyphs and pictographs – many of which are inaccessible and hidden – date back as much as 5,000 years.

Valley of the Gods, Utah.

The timeless beauty and the ecological and cultural significance of the area should give us pause. Literally a pause in any attempt to shrink it. The land is a priceless, historic, cultural and national resource that deserves to be preserved and protected for generations to come.

Couple making a selfie at Lower Calf Creek Falls, Escalante, Utah

Bright Angel Point, Grand Canyon North Rim, Arizona

Aspen trees at Grand Canyon National Park North Rim

Muley Point Overlook offers a breath taking view of the meandering San Juan River canyons and Monument Valley in the distance.

Mexican Hat Butte near Mexican Hat, Utah

Desert cactus with buttes and spires of Monument Valley in background.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park was a popular western film location for John Ford and John Wayne western films.

Artist Point, Monument Valley, Navajo Tribal Park, Utah

Monument Valley, Navajo Tribal Park, Utah

Woman poses on horse, Monument Valley, Navajo Tribal Park, Utah

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado.

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado.

      Southwest Adventure In mid-October I took a few weeks off from the newspaper for a Southwest Adventure in Colorado and southern Utah.

[americasgreatoutdoors]

For more than 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people called what is now Mesa Verde National Park home. Their dwellings -- elaborate stone communities -- blend into the sheltered alcoves of Colorado’s canyon walls. Today, visitors can explore these spectacular cliff dwellings with ranger-guided tours from late spring to early fall. Photo courtesy of Chris Wheeler.

[racingtoaredlight]

Closing Bell: On This Day: Tuesday, January 31st, 2017

If you enjoy our national park system get in your last few visits soon.

I can’t wait to find out why this press release from the National Parks Conservation Association is fake news. They are an advocacy group, after all. If you were unaware that our parks are currently being assessed a $0 value so they can be sold off to corporate interests then now is when you get to be aware that this is happening. Enjoy! I’m doing this as screenshots and ctrl+v just in case it all gets erased.

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WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) last night introduced H.J. Res. 46, which seeks to repeal updates to the National Park Service’s “9B” rules. The rules require detailed planning and set safety standards for oil and gas drilling inside the more than 40 national parks that have “split estate” ownership, where the federal government owns the surface but not the subsurface mineral rights.

The resolution is just the latest in a series of moves by federal lawmakers to weaken environmental protections for national parks under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). If these repeals are signed into law under the CRA, it will not only stop these protections, it will also prohibit agencies from issuing similar rules and protections in the future, unless directed by Congress.

The House is set to vote Friday to repeal rules to prevent the waste of methane gas from oil and gas facilities. CRA challenges were also introduced Monday in the House and Senate to repeal Bureau of Land Management “Planning 2.0” rules, which seek to guide an appropriate balance of energy development, conservation and recreation on public lands by better utilizing environmental science.  

Below is a statement by Nicholas Lund, Senior Manager of National Parks Conservation Association’s Conservation Programs:

“These challenges are direct attacks on America’s national parks. Each of these rules provides the commonsense protections for national parks that millions of Americans demand. If the Park Service’s drilling rules are repealed, national parks across the country would be subjected to poorly regulated oil and gas drilling, threatening parks’ air, water and wildlife. These attempts to weaken protections put our parks at risk. And by using the Congressional Review Act process, Congress is forever tying the hands of the agencies charged with protecting America’s favorite places. If Congress wants to protect national parks for future generations, it must reject these challenges.”

BACKGROUND

There are more than 40 national parks where the federal government does not own the mineral rights below the surface, including Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio, Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota and Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.

The 9B rules are updates to rules established in 1978 setting reasonable safeguards for national parks from private oil and gas development. The rules simply require an operator to produce a Plan of Operations before accessing their mineral rights, give the National Park Service (NPS) the authority to conduct safety enforcement and provide standard technical requirements for the safeguarding of national park air, water, and wildlife.

If Congress repeals these rules, drilling could occur in national parks with little more than bare-minimum state regulations. The Park Service will have essentially no authority over oil and gas development proposed inside national parks. Leaks and spills could go unpunished without NPS authority to enforce safety standards. Companies would be able to build roads through national parks to begin drilling, such as the 11-mile road through the heart of Big Cypress National Preserve built to reach an oil and gas lease. Drilling companies would not be required to inform parks or park visitors about when or how drilling operations would occur.

###

About National Parks Conservation Association

Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than one million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historic, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.

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[robngay]

Boulder to Death Valley-Feb 24-26, 2017

We woke early to bid Abby good bye. Anders drove her to the bus station and we began to gather weather reports. It looked like Colorado was going to get cold and snow for at least two days so the route 70 looked intrepid. The southern route Route 40 through northern New Mexico and Arizona looked cold but dry. By 10:30 the sun appeared and we headed out on our trek. We skirted west of Denver by cruising through Golden and onto Colorado Springs on Interstate 25. Instead of searching out the evangelical institutions of higher learning, we chose to visit the Air Force Academy. We were turned away from the "southern gate" - what did they know? We were allowed through at the northern gate some five miles away. The road led to the visitor center and gift store while passing by the football stadium and a B52 bomber model. A 12 minute video extolled the value of the leadership curriculum. Afterwards we passed on the chapel visit and headed out. We had seen the students at the toll houses and none of the academic campus. Onward to Pueblo. We thought it had a nice ring to it, perhaps a nice southwestern scene. We got off the interstate and wandered towards the "River Walk". We parked at city hall and climbed out in a blustery 20 degree wind. We found the "river" in the next block. Apparently in the warmer months they deflect part of the Arkansas River to a concrete sluice in the downtown, but not so in the winter. We did see a tourist boat and a "gondola" sitting on cinder blocks in the cement trench. A pass through of the historic center did not improve our opinion. ......onward. We decided to make tracks as we turned westward on route 20. Several hours later we arrived at a comfort inn in Las Vegas (New Mexico). We had a decent dinner at the local dinner spot and crashed. Saturday We got an early start 8:15! Gay had to make a choice between revisiting Santa Fe or Albuquerque haunts from our previous trips. She choose Santa Fe. We spent two hours at the "Farmers' Market" by the train yard. There was little new stuff but it was still a kick. We did side step into Gallup which a road sign claimed was "the most patriotic small town un the US". WWWS- What would Wiscasset say? We found no compelling reason as we bumped through town though we did not stop to interview anyone. Rob's chosen stop of the day was Pecos Pueblo National Monument. It turned out to be a gem. We visited the small visitor center and toured some of the ruins. Before the Spanish arrived Pecos Pueblo was a sedentary community of 2000 in two four story structures. They traded with both the plains tribe to the north and the Mexican tribes of the south. Within a 100 years of the Spanish arrival and an ensuing Pueblo revolt, the remaining 27 members migrated to a northern pueblo. Sunday We enjoyed another Quality Inn breakfast - included in the $70 fee- and headed west on interstate 40. The first stop was Walnut Canyon National Monument. It featured numerous cliff dwellings visible from the visitor center. It was like a miniature Mesa Verde. Unfortunately, since it is so close to Flagstaff, it was plundered early and often before the Antiquities Act of 1908 gave it some protection. We shopped at Flagstaff to fill the larder and headed to Kingman where the turquoise mines closed a few years ago. Gay had high hopes but they were dashed when the one interesting store was closed on Sundays. The guide in the tourist area had no knowledge about recently closed turquoise mines. So sad. Westward with all the trucks! By late after noon we crossed into Nevada and found the Big Bend of the Colorado River State Park. It is south of a multi casino town of Laughlin. Although Vegas is 90 minutes to the north, all the major Vegas casinos have another one here. The park had privacy and had some openings. In the summer it is 120 degrees here but we enjoyed it being 62. We put water into the trek, had a two pot dinner, and crawled into our camp bunk for the first time since last October.

[nationalparkposters]

Best Things To Do in Mesa Verde National Park

Best Things To Do in Mesa Verde National Park: Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from 600 to 1300 CE. Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States. My name is Rob Decker and I'm a photographer and graphic artist with a single great passion for America's National Parks! I've been to 51 of our 62 National Parks — and Mesa Verde is a unique park, given its historical and archeological significance. I have explored most areas of the park — so I'm ready to help! So if this is your first time to the park, or your returning after many years, here are some of the best things to do in Mesa Verde National Park! Self-Guided Tours Spruce Tree House - Best-Preserved Cliff Dwelling You can observe Spruce Tree House from viewpoints near the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. Rangers are available at the overlook to answer questions and share information. Mesa Top Loop Road - Auto Tour - 700 Years of Mesa Verde History A 6-mile driving tour with short, paved trails. Twelve easily-accessible sites, including surface dwellings and cliff dwelling overlooks. Highlights include Square Tower House, Sun Point Overlook, and views of Cliff Palace from Sun Point and Sun Temple stops. Far View Sites Complex - Five Mesa Top Villages & Far View Reservoir Far View House plus four other villages and a dry reservoir on a level 3/4-mile (1.2 km) unpaved trail. Four miles north of the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum. Step House - Pithouse, Petroglyphs and Cliff Dwelling   A 100 foot descent and ascent on a winding path. Total walking distance is about one mile (1.6 km) round-trip. Allow 45 minutes to one hour. Trail begins near the Wetherill Mesa Kiosk. Badger House Trail - Trail to Four Mesa Top Sites The 2.25 mile round-trip trail through Badger House Community surface sites begins at Wetherill Mesa Kiosk. Your walk through this area is a journey through 600 years of prehistory. Combination gravel and paved trail. Cliff Dwelling Guided Tours Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House can only be visited by taking a ranger-guided tour which are very popular. A tour of Long House, on Wetherill Mesa, can be taken on the same day as a Cliff Palace or Balcony House tour. Tours can be strenuous. There are no height or age restrictions for tours, but children must be capable of walking the extent of the trails, climbing ladders, and negotiating steps independently. All infants must be carried in backpacks while on tours and adults carrying children in backpacks must be able to maintain mobility and balance. Tour tickets for Balcony House, Cliff Palace, and Long House must be purchased in person. Tour tickets sell out quickly, but can be purchased up to two days in advance. Cliff Palace - Mesa Verde's Largest Cliff Dwelling This one-hour, ranger-guided tour involves climbing five, 8-10 foot ladders, on a 100 foot vertical climb. Total walking distance is about 1/4-mile, round-trip. The tour begins at Cliff Palace Overlook, an 23-mile, one-hour drive from the Visitor and Research Center. Cliff Palace Twilight Tours Enjoy an intimate, leisurely encounter with Mesa Verde's largest cliff dwelling. Dramatic sun lighting will appeal to both amateur and professional photographers as well as those seeking a deeper connection with this extraordinary archeological treasure. Balcony House - Adventurous Cliff Dwelling Tour This one-hour, ranger-guided tour involves climbing a 32-foot ladder, crawling through a 12-foot long tunnel, and climbing up a 60-foot open rock face with two 10-foot ladders to exit the site. The tour begins at the Balcony House parking area, a 25-mile, 1-1/4 hour drive from the Visitor Center. Long House - Mesa Verde's Most In-Depth Tour   Starting at the Wetherill Mesa information kiosk, this two-hour ranger-guided tour involves hiking at least 2.25 miles round-trip, and climbing two 15-foot ladders within the site. The hike has an elevation gain of about 130 feet. The tour ends at the Long House trailhead, giving you the choice of returning to the kiosk or exploring more of Wetherill Mesa on your own. Allow about 2.5 hours (total) for tour and return to kiosk. Half-Day Guided Bus Tours Mid-April to mid-October Mesa Verde National Park concessioner, Aramark Leisure, conducts guided bus tours that offer modern views of the Ancestral Pueblo people. Tours include the 700 Years and Far View Explorer Tours. Tickets may be purchased at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center, Far View Lodge and Terrace, and Morefield Campground. Balcony House Sunrise Tour Rise before dawn, and experience the magic of Balcony House at sunrise! For centuries, Pueblo farmers have been observing the sky and the change of seasons. Take the Sunrise Tour of Balcony House at summer solstice or fall equinox and join in the long tradition of skywatching in Mesa Verde. On this 90-minute tour, you will climb a 32-foot ladder, crawl through and 18-inch wide and 12-foot long tunnel, and climb up a 60-foot open cliff face with stone steps and two 10-foot ladders to exit. Cliff Palace Early Bird Tour Looking for an early morning adventure? This daily, early bird tour offers the benefits of a smaller group size, cooler temperatures, and the ability to reserve a tour of Cliff Palace in advance with online reservations! On this 60-minute tour, you will descend uneven stone steps and climb four ladders, with an elevation change of 100 feet. Total walking distance is 1/4 mile. Evening Programs Morefield Campground Evening Program In 1907, archeologist Jesse Fewkes began the first evening campfire talks in the history of the National Park Service at Mesa Verde. That tradition continues today. Enjoy a free, 45-60 minute presentation each evening by rangers at the Morefield Amphitheater (weather permitting). The amphitheater is located at the end of the road in Morefield Campground. Bring a flashlight. Program is free and offered each evening. Bird Watching Mesa Verde National Park is home to several distinct habitats. The types of species which you will encounter depends on the habitat present. If you are an avid birder, make sure to purchase a copy of the brochure, "Checklist of the Birds." This will help you locate where species are found in the park. The listing of birds in this page will get you started as a bird watcher in Mesa Verde. Take the Petroglyph Point or Spruce Canyon Trail and look for warblers, flycatchers, woodpeckers, jays, hawks, chickadees, titmice, and other species. The Knife Edge Trail also has good birding. If you are lucky, you may see a peregrine falcon or a golden eagle soar from its nest out across the Montezuma Valley. During the summer months, you can walk the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail near Balcony House, or the short trail to the Park Point lookout. The Park Point area is a good place to see hawks, towhees, grouse and eagles, in addition to the many species listed above. In the fall, you may want to take the Knife Edge Trail early in the morning to catch migrating warblers and hummingbirds feeding on the Indian Paint Brush. During winter months, be on the lookout for chickadees, nuthatches, an occasional brown creeper, canyon wrens, woodpeckers, flickers, and jays during your Spruce Tree House tour. Turkey vultures usually arrive in late March and leave in early October, so the large black birds you see will likely be common ravens or the vivid black-billed magpie. Photography Picture Taking Tips Some cliff dwellings are open only from late spring through early fall. During the off-season, photos may be taken from the overlooks above the cliff dwellings, weather permitting. Most of the cliff dwellings are best photographed in mid-to-late afternoon. If you have an adjustable lens we suggest you close your lens down at least 1/2 stop from what the photo meter indicates (spot meters excepted). For example, in black and white photography the front walls of Cliff Palace will give your meter a false light reading. We suggest you bracket your settings on Cliff Palace exposures.  Best Times to Photograph by Season June to September - 3:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. October to November - 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. December to March - 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. April to May - 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. During mid and late fall and early and mid spring the sun is lower in the southern sky and more light strikes the cliff dwellings. Winter light is generally less bright. On overcast days the soft light allows for photos to be taken that will show good details and subtle colors. During the winter months there is less vegetation obstructing views from the overlooks after the scrub oak has lost its leaves for the season. Stargazing While not offered as a guided activity, Mesa Verde National Park provides wonderful opportunities for stargazing. Since there are no large cities in the Four Corners region, there is very little artificial light to detract from the stars in the night sky. Most nights the skies are clear and full of stars. On a clear night, you can see the Milky Way. The locations recommended for stargazing in the park are listed below: Far View Lodge The only lodging available in the park from mid-April to mid-October. Each room has a balcony where guests can see for miles. For visitor safety, this area is well-lit. You may want to seek out a darker place, if this obstructs your view of the stars. Morefield Campground The only place to camp in the park from mid-May to mid-October. Located in the Morefield Valley, this is an especially place good for looking at stars since there is little artificial light. Join a ranger at the Morefield Amphitheater for the nightly (Memorial Day through Labor Day) campfire program. Bring a flashlight for the walk back to your campsite. Montezuma or Mancos Overlooks These are really the best areas in the park for stargazing. If you are staying outside of the park or want to get away from artificial lights, both of these overlooks along the Main Park Road provide views of the twinkling lights of the valley towns and the stars above. Unfortunately, these areas are not available for overnight camping. Click here to see the Mesa Verde National Park poster. Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who had the rare privilege of studying under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was just 19 years old. Now, Rob is on a journey to explore and photograph all of America's National Parks. He's creating WPA-style posters to help people celebrate their own national park adventures — as well as encourage others to get out and explore! https://national-park-posters.com/blogs/national-park-posters/best-things-to-do-in-mesa-verde-national-park

[wikitopx]

Travelers come here to enjoy the famous red rocks.

Hundreds of hiking trails and Jeep tours will lead you to some fantastic vistas, while a trip to Red Rock State Park will fully immerse you in crimson. But there is more to Sedona than to geology; Enjoy the history of the town by visiting the Palatki Heritage. And for a glimpse of the area's New Age culture, stop in at one of the many crystal-toting shops or art galleries at the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village (many of these stores also provide maps for notorious whirlwinds).

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1. Hiking Trails

The area boasts more than 100 different trails, each offering its own unique experience. Most lead into the red rocks, giving brave explorers valuable photos of postcards. Visitors are fascinated with the many Sedona trails, but the most popular one is the Cathedral Rock Trail, which starts about 4 miles south of the "Y" intersection.

Although this is not the easiest trip, this road offers a great view of one of Sedona's most notable red rock formations. Recent visitors said the effort is definitely worth the point. For a less strenuous journey that still promises Cathedral Rock, try Airport Mesa Loop, an easy route near Sedona Airport.

Other common hiking trails include Bell Rock Road, Devil's Bridge, Boynton Gorge, and Palatki Ruins, home to a number of ancient Native American relics and cave paintings.

2. Jeep Tours

If your feet need a break from all hiking, but you don't have the stunning views of Sedona yet, book a jeep tour. A popular activity for Sedona visitors, these tours are usually led by a guide and vary by theme or activity level.

For example, the Ancient Ruins Tour offered by Pink Jeep Tours is very popular for history lovers because it visits a Honanki Heritage site, among other highlights. Meanwhile, the Soldiers Pass Trail offered by Red Rock Western Jeep Tours is a hit with those looking for a break from the crowds as it traverses a trail rarely used by other commercial groups.

If you want to get behind the wheel yourself, some companies, such as Barlow Adventures, allow you to rent a jeep and explore the surrounding red rocks independently (with some driving tips and maps). The trail is provided before driving).

3. The Vortexes

Sedona visitors often hear about tornadoes - energy vortices coming directly from the earth that can be felt by those present. These tornadoes are represented by unique rock formations thought to generate energy.

Although all Sedona is thought to be a whirlwind, there are four main cyclones in the city, each emitting its own energy. The vortices are classified as "feminine" (energy entering the earth) or "masculine" (energy leaving the earth).

The Airport Vortex, along Route 89A just west of the intersection of routes 89A and 179 (the "Y") is said to produce masculine energy, strengthening one's self-confidence and motivation.

Meanwhile, Rock Rock Cathedral near Red Rock State Park promotes feminine aspects such as kindness, patience, and compassion. Boynton Canyon Vortex, northwest of the "Y" along Dry Creek Road, offers a balance between masculine and feminine energy.

And Bell Rock Vortex, south of "Y" along Route 179, offers a combination of all three: masculine, feminine and balanced. Many recent visitors cannot speak enough about the beauty of Bell Rock, but there are also many smaller, more subtle whirlpools found throughout the area.

4. Red Rock Scenic Byway

The 7.5-mile-long Red Rock View Road, starting after you exit the road off Interstate 17, has a lot to see and do. In fact, it's often referred to as a "museum without walls." Highlights include sightseeing, hiking, biking and even golfing.

There are also two tornadoes to check out, Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock in the Village of Oak Creek (also known as the Big Park). The village also includes restaurants, galleries, and other shops to visit. Coconino National Forest is another popular stop, with many stunning views.

You can stop by the Red Rock District Visitor Center to select a map and get advice on trails and other activities in the area. Recent byway visitors gush about how beautiful the scenery is and can't recommend it enough.

Others warn that you may get distracted by the gorgeous scenery, so plan to make use of the many lookout points to safely admire the byway.

5. Chapel of the Holy Cross

If you only have time for a cultural venue, the Chapel of the Cross will be it. This magnificent church was designed by Marguerite Brunswig Staude who was a student of architect Frank Lloyd Wright) in the 1950s, protrudes from the red cliff less than 4 miles south of " Y "Sedona's intersection.

The main stained glass window is held by a huge cross and overlooks the Verde Valley. While many visitors have recently been raving about breathtaking views, most say the site's peaceful atmosphere is the central reason to stop.

Reviewers also warned of limited parking and heavy midday crowds - plan a morning visit for a quieter experience. Others say that it makes a nice stop along the Red Rock Scenic Byway (the chapel is located at the northern end of the highway).

6. Red Rock State Park

Although Sedona is surrounded by towering red rock formations, many recent visitors recommend a trip to the official Red Rock State Park specifically to see Cathedral Rock – one of Arizona's most famous landmarks.

This 286-acre nature preserve – located about 10 miles southwest of the "Y" (the intersection of routes 89A and 179) along Oak Creek – boasts great views of Sedona's more famous formations.

The park offers a 5-mile trail network that is composed of interconnecting looped trails. The Eagle's Nest Loop leads to the highest point in the park with an elevation gain of 300 feet. Stop in at the visitor center to learn about the area's history, guided nature walks, and moonlit hikes.

Reviewers raved about the natural beauty of the park and many go as far as saying it is their favorite place in all of Sedona. The park is famous for people of all ages because hiking trails vary in difficulty and length; It even offers Junior Ranger for children aged 6 to 12 years old.

7. Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village

When you need to take a break on the trails, exchange those hiking shoes for something more appealing and head to the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village (pronounced Tel-AH-ki-PAH- ki).

Located at the intersection of 89A and 179 routes, this sizable outdoor shopping mall is designed in the style of a traditional Mexican village. The complex was built on a former sycamore forest and is specially cared for to maintain existing trees.

As a result, many structures of the village were built around theaters, paving the way for interesting architecture and forgiving shade. The stucco walls include a lot of art galleries. New Age stores sell modern art and glassware, and restaurants, while cobblestone streets and mosaic fountains bring a gourd. ancient atmosphere charm.

Many tourists recommend spending a few hours surfing the Tlaquepaque and checking out local handmade jewelry, food, music, and especially art. Though many felt the wares sold here were too high-priced, reviewers still suggested a visit for the restaurants and architecture.

8. Verde Valley Wine Trail

When it comes to the land of wine, Arizona often doesn't come to mind. But the Verde Valley near Sedona provides a dry climate and access to water where grapes need to thrive. If you are a vino fan, consider taking a day to follow the Verde Valley Wine Trail;

This self-guided tour takes you to some of the area's most famous wineries, including Alcantara Vineyard, Trang Springs Wine Cellar, Oak Creek Vineyard, and Javelina Leap Vineyard, as well as several rooms. taste. Most stops allow you to tour the grounds and sample locally made wine.

Recent followers have praised the vineyards for their beautiful atmosphere and varied choices. You can download a passport on the trail's website, which once you get it stamped, allows you to earn special offers and prizes.

9. Sedona Spas

It should come as no surprise that this city of spiritual healing has no shortage of spas. You'll find basic massages and salt scrubs, but many Sedona spas also add some local accents to their treatments.

For example, Mii Amo Spa at Enchantment Resort offers a special package infused with Sedona clay, along with Native American-inspired therapies. For a New Age experience, A Spa For You helps balance your chakra by introducing polarizing gemstones to its deep-tissue massages.

Sedona's recent travelers have also proposed Sedona's New Day Spa and Inner Journey because of the soothing atmosphere and various treatments. Customers claim to have left feeling nothing short of relaxed and rejuvenated.

Before deciding on your treatment, you should note that some resort spas only offer treatments for hotel guests, so it's a good idea to call ahead and check. Hours and prices vary depending on the facility and the desired treatment. For more information, visit the spa page of the Sedona Tourism Board website.

10. Palatki Heritage Site

For a glimpse of what life was like in the red rocks between A.D. 1150 and 1350, drive to the Palatki Heritage. These ancient cliff houses were once home to the Hopi tribe and are now one of the largest cave houses in the area.

The hieroglyphs that cover the walls of the site impress many visitors. Recent visitors also praised the information staff and enthusiasm. There are three hiking trails at Palatki Heritage Area - one that takes you directly to houses on Sinagua cliffs, one that leads you to a view of the housing and another to hieroglyphs.

Each of these roads is about 1/4 of a way in size and are all recommended by travelers.

More ideals for you: Top 10 things to do in Washington DC

From : https://wikitopx.com/travel/top-10-things-to-do-in-sedona-arizona-703222.html

[prosebacon63]

National Park Guides | Best National Parks for Kids

The protected lands of the National Parks are some of the most amazing destinations within the United States to view some spectacular pieces of nature. Many of these parks have fun family-friendly activities, making them great destinations for holidays and summer break. Not only are there some amazing sights, but they are also a great learning opportunity to see nature and much more. Here are some of the best national parks for kids.

01

Cape Hatteras National Seashore, NC

Located on North Carolina's Outer Banks, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is an amazing destination for recreating, relaxing and much more. The seashore has many beautiful beaches for the whole family to explore and enjoy. Visitors can spend vacation time searching for shells, birding, kayaking, hiking and more. The Outer Banks are also an excellent spot to go windsurfing, especially on Hatteras Island. In addition Cape Hatteras National Seashore also has three historic lighthouses and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open for visitors.

02

Glacier National Park, MT

Glacier National Park was the tenth national park created in the nation. The park offers visitors the opportunity to explore the amazing wilderness of Montana, through biking, hiking, camping, backpacking, boating and more. The best time of year to visit is the early summer, the region is snowy in the winter and hot in the summer. Children will love all of the open areas to explore, and can enjoy learning about wildlife, glaciers and much more.

03

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

One of the most amazing natural wonders, the Grand Canyon is a true must-see destination. The enormous canyon at its widest is 18 miles wide and at its deepest is a mile deep. During the summer months both the South and North Rim are open. The South Rim is busier, but the lodges and other sights along this side are worth the time to explore. The North Rim is much more rural, and offers some great backcountry options. The Desert View Drive is a great car tour option, the 26 miles of road travel between the Grand Canyon Village and the parks east entrance. The whole family can enjoy hiking, Mule trips, scenic drives, and for those that planned well in advance rafting trips on the Colorado River through the inspiring vistas of the Grand Canyon.

04

Grand Teton National Park, WY

Located in the stunning Teton Range, Grand Teton National Park is an amazing location to enjoy the pristine landscape and wildlife of Wyoming. The park is open year round and offers a wide range of recreational activities for the whole family as well as summer classes for children, and Junior Ranger programs. At Grand Teton National Park visitors can hike, bike, camp, fish, boat, raft down the Snake River, take a guided horseback ride and much more. During the winter visitors can enjoy skiing and snowshoeing. In addition for the most adventurous visitors, Grand Teton National Park has amazing backcountry camping and rock climbing.

05

Mesa Verde National Park, CO

Mesa Verde National Park is a great spot enjoy some of Colorado's amazing archeological sites. This park celebrates the history of the Pueblo people in the southwestern United States. Visitors will find over 4000 archeological sites at Mesa Verde, including the 600 cliff dwellings. Some of the best cliff dwellings, including Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House, require the purchase of tickets for guided tours. These cliff dwellings and Pueblos present a great opportunity for the whole family to learn about the history of the region. In addition there are many Junior Ranger programs and guided tours and much more. Adults and children can enjoy hikes, which culminate in cliff dwelling overlooks.

06

Olympic National Park, WA

Olympic National Park is a great destination for families to explore the wild beauty of the Washington peninsula and coast. At this park visitors will find beautiful beaches, a rain forest, mountains and more. Children will love the wild coast line, with amazing beaches, and plenty of fascinating sea life and more. The whole family will love the many hiking trails, the wild beauty of the beaches throughout the park, the wildlife within the forest and mountains and the amazing Sol Duc Hot Springs.

07

Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park is a stunning introduction to the beautiful Rocky Mountains. During the summer months, when the weather is at its best, the Rocky Mountain National Park really allows visitors to Colorado to experience all of the nature and wildlife of the Rocky Mountains. The park has an amazing array of trails that take hikers into the backcountry of the Rocky Mountains, even trails that are great for the whole family. Children will love the Ranger-led programs, including guided horseback tours, and the After Dark program. Campers should be sure to look out for elk, bighorn sheep and many other species of wildlife.

08

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, CA

If you are looking for a wide range of California's amazing natural sights all in one area, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is a great destination. The Park varies from deep canyons to tall mountains. In fact within the park you will find the highest peak in the lower 48, Mount Whitney. The park also has some amazing specimens of the giant sequoias, be sure to stop and see the General Grant Tree in Grant Grove and the General Sherman Tree in Giant Forest. At Redwood Canyon you can visit the largest grove of sequoias in the world. Throughout the region there are excellent recreational activities for the whole family including hiking, camping, swimming, cave exploration and much more.

09

Yellowstone National Park, WY

Yellowstone National Park is the nation's first national park, and it has an amazing array of natural splendors great for exploration and discovery with the whole family. Visitors can start at one of the Visitor Centers to learn about the abundant wildlife of Yellowstone. Children will love keeping an eye out for elk, and bison while driving and hiking through the park. In addition, Yellowstone has some amazing natural features and thermal areas including Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin and the mud pots at Artist Paint Pots.

10

Yosemite National Park, CA

Located in central California, Yosemite National Park is an amazing destination for recreational enthusiasts, especially rock climbers, and families alike. Climbers travel from around the world to take on the challenges presented at Yosemite. For those visitors looking for different recreational activities or family oriented activities, Yosemite has many Junior Ranger programs covering a variety of natural sciences and other topics. In addition the park offers plenty of recreation, biking, hiking, backpacking and much more. The Yosemite Valley has a wide range of stunning sights, rock formations and waterfalls. Maybe you want to see the giant sequoias at Mariposa Grove. If you are looking for a less visited spot, Hetch Hetchy is a fabulous destination. Source: http://www.camping.com/travel/national-park-guides/2315-national-park-guides-best-national-parks-for-kids

[jillmckenzie1]

Our National Parks and the Government Shutdown

Rocky Mountain National Park

Begin Angry Outdoorsman.

I am mad, but not near as mad as I was when I originally wrote this post last Wednesday.  You see, it has been over three weeks since the government shutdown started on December 23rd.  During this time most of our National Parks have remained open. Also during this time basic services have been halted—things like collecting entrance fees, guiding tourists, plowing the roads, cleaning toilets, emptying trash bins, and restricting access to certain parts of the parks.  Seven people have reportedly died in the parks during this time, which is actually less than the average when the parks are open; but you have to realize there are not near as many people in the parks, and several of these deaths may have been prevented should the park have been open with staff on hand to assist.  The craziest part about this whole thing is that no one seems to know why the parks have kept their gates open.

Our National Parks and the Government Shutdown

Approximately 87% of National Park Service employees have been furloughed.  This has left a skeleton crew at each of the National Parks that have stayed open during the government shutdown.  Because the limited staff that are in the parks are there for emergency purposes only, many basic services have been halted, resulting in overflowing trash cans, filthy pit toilets that need to be pumped and cleaned and visitors generally disrespecting the park by leaving human waste out in the open when bathrooms are closed or leaving litter to blow around on the ground when a trash bin is full.  Currently, about two thirds of our National Parks remain open, either with large parts of the parks closed or very limited services in the areas that are open.

A Dangerous Situation

The lack of staff clearly sets the stage for the parks being dangerous to visitors, but that isn’t the only problem.  The overflowing sewage and waste in unacceptable places could pollute waterways for years to come. The trash and waste that isn’t being picked up and that is likely overflowing is an attractant to wildlife in the park, which can then become dependent upon human food.  This could lead to many problems between humans and wildlife once the parks reopen and ultimately lead to the deaths of much of that wildlife. Furthermore, the maintenance that is being neglected right now could lead to serious problems. Snow piling up on buildings and roads could lead to buildings collapsing and roads deteriorating. Precious artifacts are being looted and vandalized, and the cleanup and repair of all this mess after the shutdown will likely cost much more than the simple maintenance (or, better yet, simply closing the park altogether) would have.

But Why Are They Open?

That brings us back to the point: no one really knows why the parks are still open.  It seems the parks are remaining open right now due to a contingency plan put in place last January by the Department Of the Interior that states the parks should remain open in the event of a government shutdown operating with limited staff “essential to respond to emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property.” This contingency plan was available on the DOI’s website but is no longer there after the government shut down.  The question still remains…why? Many think the plan was put into place because of the backlash the Obama administration received for closing the parks in 2013. While I personally understand the logic behind this, I don’t think anyone planned on the damage and destruction we are currently seeing in the National Parks due to the government shutdown.

What About Our Local National Parks?

Colorado is home to three National Parks, and while I can not comment directly on the conditions at the Great Sand Dunes or at Mesa Verde, my friend Callum Steedman and I went to Rocky Mountain National park this past Wednesday the 8th armed with trash bags and a camera to see what was really going on there.  While all the front gates were open, the gates just inside the park were closed off to vehicles, most likely due to the lack of snow plowing on the roads past the signs. Pedestrians and bikes were allowed past the signs and there were people taking a hike up the road to see what they could see. We found the campgrounds just inside the park entrance to be all closed off and actually pretty clean.  We then headed to the Longs Peak Trailhead area and discovered several overflowing trash bins, which we emptied, and then onto the Lily Lake area where we again found overflowing trash bins and even human poop behind the locked bathrooms. While this is unacceptable, it is significantly better than what is occurring at many of the more popular National Parks, and especially those with warmer climates that make them more accessible.  The picture below shows the amount of trash we picked up while in Rocky Mountain National Park.

So What Now and What Can I Do?

For now, the parks are staying open.  Some are dipping into reserves to help provide services; some are relying on local support and volunteer groups to help do things like clean up trash and educate visitors on best practices while in the park.  If you are going to visit a National Park during the shutdown, please be ready to hike in, bring extra trash bags and pick up any trash you see, practice leave-no-trace, respect the land and buildings there, and if you see someone not acting correctly be sure to report them to local authorities.

Our National Parks are for everyone to enjoy nature but also for nature to have a safe place to call home.  Please respect your time inside their sanctuaries.

from Blog https://ondenver.com/our-national-parks-and-the-government-shutdown/