We’ll start our watery centennial celebration June 18-21 with a float through the legendary Gates of Lodore on the Green River through Dinosaur National Monument with Holiday River Expeditions. This trip will feature noted national park historian Dr. Alfred Runte, who will look back on the Park Service’s first century and peer into its next. CLICK HERE for more details on the Gates of Lodore trip June 18-21, 2016
On July 22, we’ll be at Grand Teton National Park for a three-day sea kayak trip on Jackson Lake with O.A.R.S. We’ll camp on Grassy Island, find time to fish for trout or hike up Moran Creek, and wrap up with a half-day float down the Snake River. CLICK HERE for more details on the Grand Teton trip July 22-24, 2016
We’ll conclude the centennial excursions with a return to Cataract Canyon in Canyonlands National Park. This trip, September 26-October 1, with Holiday River Expeditions will feature Kevin Poe, the original ‘Dark Ranger,’ who will help us track the constellations overhead after the sun goes down. CLICK HERE for more details on the Cataract Canyon trip Sept 26-Oct 1, 2016
Inside
Essential Park Guide / Spring 2016
3
Coastal Toehold By George Oxford Miller Nearly 500 years after conquistador Juan Cabrillo came ashore near presentday San Diego, a national monument offers a history lesson and nature sanctuary.
6
Exploring Tortugas A 70-mile cruise out of Key West, Florida, opens a window into the past, and a plunge into a snorkeler’s and diver’s paradise.
9
Off The Beaten Path By Kurt Repanshek Nonstop media attention is packing the national parks, but there are ways to avoid many of the crowds this centennial year.
14
16
High Sierra Spring A “normal” winter has blessed the High Sierra with a deep snowpack, which will nourish Yosemite National Park throughout the spring. Exploring The System By NPT Staff From Hawaii to Texas and Georgia to Washington, D.C., here are four road trips for your consideration.
20 Rocky Mountain Escape Climbing and hiking, birding and fishing are just some of the ways to find yourself in Rocky Mountain National Park this spring.
3
6
16
23
23 A Home on Your Hitch
By Rene Agredano With home on your hitch, exploring Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks is as comfortable as the scenery is amazing.
28 Drink Up Don’t go thirsty in the national parks this year: Fill your bottle, drink, refill, repeat.
30 Park Friends Trail improvements, introducing urban youth to the outdoors, restoring the past, and hunting park history are keeping these national park friends groups busy.
Editor: Kurt Repanshek Art Director: Courtney Cooper Special Projects Editor: Patrick Cone Contributors: Rene Agredano George Oxford Miller Rebecca Latson Published by
Essential Park Guides are published by National Park Advocates, LLC, to showcase how best to enjoy and explore the National Park System. National Park Advocates, LLC, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah, 84098. © 2016 Essential Park Guide, Spring 2016. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.
NationalParksTraveler.com
1
•••• from the editor
Time To Spring Into The National Parks With the countdown to the National Park Service’s centennial this August down to fewer than 180 days, anticipation is building, reservations are filling, and crowds are filing into the National Park System.
W
ith 2015 marking the second year in a row of record national park visitation, with more than 307 million visitors exploring the park system, this year almost certainly will stretch that run to three years.
his article that opens on page 3 why Cabrillo National Monument just outside San Diego, California, is a great stop for both history buffs and those seeking a reprieve from the city’s pavement and congestion for a heady dose of nature.
While it’s great to see more and more people turning to the parks for enjoyment, relaxation, and recreation, not everyone enjoys milling crowds in the parks. With those folks in mind, we’ve put together some strategies, beginning on page 9, you can turn to for avoiding, to a certain extent, crowding on your national park vacation.
If you tow your home behind your rig, Rene Agredano provides some insights to RVing in two California jewels of the National Park System: Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park. Her story starts on page 23.
Lassen Volcanic National Park? Cape Lookout National Seashore? Kings Canyon National Park? Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area? All great choices. And there are many more options, too, to enjoy the parks this year without the crowds.
And in our ongoing series of suggestions for road trips in the parks, we look at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, a few Texas jewels, some Georgia destinations, and some great stops in and around the District of Columbia. Spring is a wonderful season in the National Park System, one rich in possibilities and spectacular destinations. Experience it.
George Oxford Miller explains in
on the cover With high snowpack in the Sierra this winter, the Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park should put on quite a show through spring and deep into summer. Photo by Patrick Cone.
2
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
~ Kurt Repanshek
GET SOCIAL Connect with National Parks Traveler on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Share how you experience our national parks by posting your favorite vacation story or sharing a photo. Join in the conversation and keep up-to-date on park news around the country.
NationalParksTraveler @ParksTraveler @National_Parks_Traveler
In The Wake of Conquistadors
Cabrillo National Monument
Written and Photographed by George Oxford Miller
The view eastward from Point Loma, at just 422 feet above the Pacific, encompasses San Diego Bay, the city skyline, and the low silhouette of the Laguna Mountains against a brilliant sky. To the west, the surf pounds rocky cliffs and the steely-blue ocean stretches to the horizon. In 1542, Spanish conquistador Juan Cabrillo, the first “tourist,” gazed across the scenic landscape from this same viewpoint. Today as many locals as tourists flock to the dramatic vista atop the rugged peninsula now preserved as the 144-acre Cabrillo National Monument. Distant airplanes angle across the sky toward the bayside airport, boats cut lazy Vs through the water, and gulls, pelicans, and other seabirds zoom overhead like expressway traffic. If any single scene captures San Diego, this is it.
B
ut Point Loma is more than a gee-wiz view. It’s a park for all seasons, with bird and whale watching, a rugged coastline with tidal pools teaming with marine life, hiking trails, and history and military museums. The peninsula, with a lighthouse and Naval and Coast Guard stations, has been an important landmark for navigation and protection of the bay since San Diego became California’s first city in 1769. After soaking in the expansive view, along with the selfie-taking crowds at the larger-than-life statue of Juan Cabrillo, we follow the sidewalk to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, one of eight built in the 1850s along the western coastline.
Above: The monument to Juan Cabrillo, who landed on the point in 1542, sits on a viewpoint overlooking San Diego bay and skyline. NationalParksTraveler.com
3
Above: The “sensitive” coastal sage scrub habitat covers the peninsula at Point Loma with chaparral shrubs, agaves, and other succulents. Inset: At 422 feet above the Pacific, Point Loma is an ideal spot to watch the annual gray whale migration December through March. Opposite page: The surf pounds the cliffs at high tide and exposes tide pools teaming with life at low tide.
4
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
The path winds through head-high coastal sage scrub chaparral. With only 15 percent of the once dominant vegetation remaining due to urban growth, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists it as “sensitive habitat.” The shrubby lemonade berry and black sage grow alongside buckwheats, agaves, and dudleya in the rare Mediterranean ecotype. The unusual climate with warm, wet winters and hot, dry summers exists in only five other places on the planet. Sitting on the highpoint of the headland, the gleaming white lighthouse operated from 1855 to 1891. The oil lamp
with a Fresnel lens could be seen for up to 30 miles away, but was often obscured by fog. A new communication and light station was built at the base of the bluff, was put into service in 1891, and remains an active Coast Guard facility. The view from Whale Overlook, 100 yards south of the lighthouse, encompasses the peninsula’s western coastline. From December through March, gray whales pass just offshore on their way from Alaska to their nursery grounds in lagoons in Mexico. The stroll back to the visitor center passes a small military museum that describes
the bunkers and gun emplacements that protected the bay during WWII. The peninsula is still home of Point Loma Naval Base and the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery with its rows of white headstones flowing across the rolling hills. For me, the highpoint of the national monument is actually the lowest point. Rugged cliffs line the coast along the shoreline. The pounding surf continually crashes into the eroded bluffs, carving grottos and caves. At low tide, shallow pools in the intertidal flats harbor an array of anemones, crabs, mollusks, urchins, and other colorful marine animals and
plants. The best seasons to explore the pools are fall and winter when the minus tides at full and new moons occur during daylight hours. Walking the shoreline trail at high tide, I’m awed by the power of the relentless surf. The rolling waves explode against boulders then retreat, leaving a trail of frothy foam evaporating on the sand. Yet in the chaos, a sublime order rules as endless rows of offshore swells roll inland to surrender their might against the rocky shore. The national monument is open for day use only from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. year-round except Dec. 25 and Jan 1.
Travel writer George Oxford Miller wrote the best-selling app Guide to the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, and Williams.
NationalParksTraveler.com
5
SPONSORED CONTENT
Visiting with Yankee Freedom III
Ready for crystal-clear water, white sandy beaches, and vibrantly colored tropical fish? How about a dose of history, complete with prison cells, an historic fort, and stories from one of our most iconic writers? Maybe you’d like to snorkel a coral reef or see hundreds of species of birds all in one place. Well, then, it’s probably time for a day trip out to Dry Tortugas National Park on the Yankee Freedom III.
J
ust 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, these seven small islands constitute what may be one of our least visited parks in the East, with fewer than 80,000 visitors per year. Named Las Tortugas (for the abundant tortoises) by Ponce de Leon in 1513, the chain of islands is now known as the Dry Tortugas due to the total lack of fresh water. However, at historic Fort Jefferson on Garden Key you’ll see a rainwater catchment system and cisterns dating back to the 1850s. Construction began on this six-sided, three-level fort in 1846. It was designed to hold 1,500 men and more than 400 cannon; however, there was never a shot fired here in anger. The fort’s brick walls are up to 11 feet thick with a surrounding moat as well. During the Civil War the fort acted as a Union prison and at one time housed the
During your visit to Dry Tortugas, you can join a guided tour of Fort Jefferson or tour it yourself. Afterwards, walk the beaches or head into the water for some snorkeling / Yankee Freedom III
6
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
Left: It took an estimated 16 million bricks to build Fort Jefferson, the largest all-masonry fort in the country / Yankee Freedom III
Right: The Yankee Freedom III covers the 70 miles from Key West to Dry Tortugas in about two hours / Yankee Freedom III
infamous Dr. Samuel Mudd, convicted as a co-conspirator of Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Board the Yankee Freedom III in the morning for a day-trip to the fort. This catamaran is complete with fresh-water showers, bathrooms, air-conditioning, and the trip includes a breakfast and lunch buffet. You’ll be using the boat as your base as you take a tour of the fort, walk the sandy beaches, bird watch, or snorkel the clear waters (snorkeling gear and park admission are included with your ticket). The coral reefs and near-pristine sea grass beds are prime habitats for marine life and snorkelers. While there are sharks in the water, no one has ever had a confrontation with one! Fort Jefferson, known as the Guardian of the Gulf, is the prime attraction on the Dry Tortugas. You can sign up for a guided tour or explore by yourself. The adventurous can camp on Garden Key, but you’ll need to bring your own water and no campfires or gas stoves are allowed: only charcoal, or Sterno stoves. A night under the stars, on a true desert island, will give you plenty of time to reflect on times past and present. And don’t worry about the mosquitoes; with no water, there aren’t any. But leave the seashells on the beach; it is a national park after all. Birders can observe some of the 300 species that migrate through the islands along the main flyway between Cuba and Central America. In fact, in May of 1832 John Jay Audubon spent some time on these islands, watching and painting the nesting birds, such as the Sooty Tern, Brown Booby, and the Brown Noddy. There also are brown pelicans, Black-bellied Plovers, and Magnificent Frigatebirds, with their 85-inch wingspans. Field Guide author Roger Tory Peterson described the Sooty Tern colony on Bush Key, writing that, “The number one ornithological spectacle on the continent. While there are only seven nesting species out here, it’s a must-see for bird fans.” And, since the Yankee Freedom III runs out of Key West, Ernest Hemingway stories
Head into the inviting waters surrounding Dry Tortugas and you’ll find colorful reefs and fish / Yankee Freedom III
abound, and his trips to the Dry Tortugas are legendary. He and his Mob (writers, painters, fishermen, and saloon keepers) boated, fished, and drank their way to the islands and were even stranded by weather for a week on their last trip. Fortunately, they’d socked away enough canned food, coffee, and gin to survive and at the end they were fishing for their suppers. To learn more about the local color and history visit the Dry Tortugas National Park and the historic Key West Bight Museum in town, where you’ll see a model of Fort Jefferson. There’s even a special Kids Exploration Station.
Private boaters and seaplanes also access the national park, but the least expensive and most practical way to visit is aboard the Yankee Freedom III. 2016 tickets are $175 for an adult, $165 for seniors, college students and military, and $125 for children age 4 to 16. Probably the best time to visit Key West is November through Christmas, before the winter crowds arrive. You’ll return to port with memories of dolphins and turtles, prisons and reefs, birds and sandy beaches, and, perhaps, with a bit of the swagger that only Papa Hemingway could truly claim. NationalParksTraveler.com
7
Escape Strategically Plan Your National Park
This Year
By Kurt Repanshek
J
udging from last year’s head count in the National Park System—a record 307.2 million—you can pretty much be assured that many parks will be even more crowded this summer as the National Park Service Centennial is celebrated. Crowds already are turning out in some parks. In Utah, Zion National Park, which saw a 14.4 percent increase in visitation in 2015, to 3.64 million, seems poised to break that mark this year. In mid-February there were days when the park closed off private vehicle access to Zion Canyon Scenic Drive because there were no more “legal” parking spots. You can expect similar crowds this summer in such iconic parks as Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. So what are some possible ways to avoid the biggest crowds? Obvious strategies include:
v Plan your adventures to visit the most
popular parks or the most popular part of parks during non-peak times. v Head to a less-crowded area of the park, something that could still be difficult this year. v Schedule your visit to the most popular parks for 2017 or even 2018 and visit less well-known parks in 2016. Beyond those options, there are many “sleeper park” alternatives that will surprise you with their beauty and recreational or cultural offerings.
It might look like Yellowstone, but this thermal area—Bumpass Hell—is in Lassen Volcanic National Park in California / Kurt Repanshek
Let’s take a look at a few possibilities: Arches National Park, Utah This small park—76,518 acres—packs an incredible number of stone arches and windows into the landscape. And that’s why it attracts so many visitors: a record 1.4 million last year, or a nearly 9 percent increase over 2014. So many visitors tried to get in during the Memorial Day Weekend last year that the Utah Highway Patrol temporarily closed the park’s entrance as traffic was backing up onto U.S. 191.
Other possibilities in the general vicinity include Natural Bridges National Monument 124 miles to the southwest, or soaking up some Native American history at Hovenweep National Monument 122 miles to the southeast. At any of these parks, keep in mind that summertime day temperatures can be high and flash floods are a possibility in some areas. Late September or October, after school starts, might give you more breathing room.
NationalParksTraveler.com
9
You might be able to flee Glacier’s crowds this summer with a visit to Running Eagle Falls in the Two Medicine area / NPS At Cape Lookout National Seashore along North Carolina’s coast, there are times when birds outnumber humans / Kurt Repanshek
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia/North Carolina With more than 15 million visitors in 2015, this unit continues to top the entire National Park System in terms of annual visits. Which can be nerve-rattling at times. Turn your eyes south to the Natchez Trace Parkway (5.8 million annual visitors) and you’ll find another gorgeous, landscape-hugging drive with only about one-third of the traffic that its northern neighbor has.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina This national seashore, which counted 2.3 million visitors in 2015, can fill up in the summer months with surfers, surf casters, beachcombers, and other folks looking to cool off in the Atlantic. A less-crowded alternative is to head just a bit south of Cape Hatteras to Cape Lookout National Seashore. Same Outer Banks of North Carolina, but much less developed and much quieter. It’s gorgeous, peaceful, and a little bit on the wild side thanks to the lack of infrastructure. Yet little more than 400,000 people visited last year. Lucky people!
Glacier National Park, Montana While Glacier’s 2015 visitation—2.34 million — was just slightly higher than 2014’s, the summer’s smoky forest fires that limited access at times no doubt were a factor. Expect greater visitation this 10
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
With better-known Grand Canyon NP to the north and Saguaro NP to the south, Petrified Forest National Park and its Painted Desert in Arizona draws few crowds / Kurt Repanshek
year if fires don’t intrude. Consider camping at Bowman Lake, or Kintla Lake, both on the western side of the park, or head to the Two Medicine Campground on the southeastern corner of the park. You could also add a side trip to the north across the border to Waterton Lakes—part of the Waterton-Glacier National Peace Park. If you have time you could also explore Canada’s Banff or Kootenay national parks.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee The Smokies are a summertime magnet for folks hoping to get some relief from the heat and humidity. But that relief often comes with crowds: 10.7 million visitors last year. What are other possibilities? You could head into the backcountry for a few days. Or travel to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area on the Kentucky/Tennessee border with its more than 125,000 backwoods acres. Get some river-running in, or check into the Charit Creek Lodge, which at roughly 200 years old is the oldest operating lodge in the National Park System. It also has cabins, tree tents and tent sites—but don’t wait too long to make reservations.
Left: Angel Falls is one aspect that draws paddlers to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area / NPS
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Roughly 5.5 hours south of Rocky rises Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, a destination with not only North America’s tallest sand dunes, but also some alpine lakes and even tundra. This is a park with more than one angle to explore. After sandboarding down some of the dunes a short walk from the visitor’s center at Medano Creek, head to the high country (high-clearance,
four-wheel drive vehicle required) to Medano Pass at 9,982 feet, park your rig, and hike to Medano Lake at 11,358 feet. The park also has some special options for better accessibility.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Yes, you should see Old Faithful at least once in your lifetime. But this year you might be sharing the view with many, many more visitors. You might want to consider day hikes or heading
Head to the roof of Great Sand Dunes National Park for a sublime alpine adventure / NPS NationalParksTraveler.com
11
There are countless places along the Natchez Trace Parkway to pull off and savor the scenery, such as at Rock Spring at Milepost 330.2 / NPS
into the backcountry (permit required for overnight stays) to escape the crowds. If that’s not an option, try to relax if you become stuck in a bison or bear jam or while waiting for your 9 p.m. dinner reservation. A less-crowded, and strikingly beautiful, option would be Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California. This gorgeous park draws few crowds —just 468,092 visitors last year—and has a thermal area, Bumpus Hell, which looks as if it was transplanted from Yellowstone’s Norris Geyser Basin.
Yosemite National Park, California Yosemite is spectacular…but it’s also crowded. If you’re itching for a fix of granite domes, deep canyons, glacially carved mountains, and alpine lakes without the crowds, consider traveling just a bit south to Kings Canyon National Park. This granitic beauty was enjoyed by fewer than 500,000 folks in 2015, vs. the 4.1 million that flocked to Yosemite.
Zion National Park, Utah While Zion is breathtaking, it’s even more so when you’re not elbow-to-elbow or waiting in long lines for the shuttle bus into Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Another possibility is to head to Capitol Reef National Park just a little more than three hours to the northeast, in central Utah. With nearly 100,000 more acres to explore, Capitol Reef is vastly underrated as 12
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
a destination…and had 2.7 million fewer visitors last year. The Fruita Campground is wonderful, there are canyons nearby to explore (though not as deep as Zion Canyon), and spectacular scenery awaits those who venture to Cathedral Valley. Here’s a glance at some other units of the National Park System that actually saw decreases in visitation last year and so might be wise destinations this year. v Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida, an incredibly rich preserve of flora and fauna, saw visitation decrease 80,566 last year. While summer probably isn’t the best time to visit, fall into winter can be wonderful. v Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Maryland, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia was down 267,907 in visitation last year. With its rich American history, the tow paths to walk, areas to canoe, and the Canal Quarters program that lets you spend a night or two in a lock-keeper’s house, this park is an overlooked gem. v In Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park visitation was down 43,574 last year to just under 800,000. While you can’t stay overnight in a lodge in the park, you can roam from the main overlooks into the backcountry for day hikes (overnight stays require a permit) to marvel at chunks of petrified wood, pictographs, and rugged badlands. Just make sure you
Find a campsite in the Fruita campground at Capitol Reef National when the orchards are in bloom this spring / Kurt Repanshek
can retrace your steps to your rig and don’t become a search-and-rescue candidate. v The Natchez Trace Parkway was down 60,662, which really is little more than a rounding error, as annual visitation was 5.8 million. Still, this scenic drive offers spurs to interesting sights that recount poignant moments in American history, such as Shiloh National Military Park (which was down 52,551); Vicksburg National Military Park (which was off 18,430); Tupelo National Battlefield, and; Natchez Trace National Historical Park. v Study the launching point of the American Revolution at Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts; visitation was off by almost 100,000 last year. Then head to the coast and Salem Maritime National Historic Site, where you can hear “stories of the sailors, Revolutionary War privateers, and merchants who brought the riches of the world to America.” v Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota was basically flat, visitation-wise, in 2015 compared to 2014. But with only 238,313 visitors, this is not a crowded park by any stretch of the imagination. And with its backcountry lakes and campsites, you will find solitude. With a small amount of careful planning, you can find your park in 2016. And you can find one without being overwhelmed by crowds.
SPONSORED CONTENT
Enjoy A
Bountiful Springtime In the High Sierra After years of drought, the Sierra is back on track. Snow-wise, that is. Winter 2015-16 has been particularly bountiful compared to recent winters, and by mid-February the Sierra snowpack was standing at 99 percent of normal, with more snow in the forecast.
Vernal Fall, which sends the Merced River down into the Yosemite Valley, should be roaring this spring / Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders
14
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
H
ow will that affect spring in Yosemite National Park? Some great skiing and snowshoeing, the beginnings of a tremendous runoff season that will spawn immense rivers of frothing water falling into Yosemite Valley, a season of rebirth as the moisture brings vegetation to life and nourishes the park’s newborns. April and May in Yosemite are months of warming weather and vigorous growth. Temperatures in the valley and around Wawona are rising into the 60s, sunshine can be plentiful, and the park seems to be waking back up after the long winter. Visit Yosemite during this dynamic season and while out hiking you might come upon the colorful, and unusual, snow plant. Found only in Oregon, California, and Nevada, these bright red stalks push through the forest duff near conifers soon after the snow melts; a true harbinger of spring. You also might spot mule deer fawns, black bear cubs (from a good distance, hopefully), and, if you’re really lucky, some of the bobcats that roam the piney forests. While the winter’s heavy snowfall likely will prevent many of the park’s hiking trails outside of Yosemite Valley from being snow-free early in spring, there likely will still be some great skiing and snowshoeing along the Glacier Point Road and at Badger Pass. Start, and end, your day nestled into the pines at Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders Vacation Rentals and you can have the best of both spring seasons in the park. Conveniently located between Yosemite Valley and Badger Pass, these spacious, well-appointed homes enable you to mix and match your daily excursions. Feeling like getting a good workout in the park? Head up the Glacier Point Road with skis or snowshoes in hand. While the Badger Pass ski area typically closes in early April, this winter’s snowfall could push the season into mid-month. Even if the ski area is closed, the road itself often remains snow-covered into, if not through, April, as do the surrounding forests.
Backed by ever-present Half Dome, the Merced River flows placidly through the Yosemite Valley / Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders
Snow plants are proof that spring is under way / Patrick Cone
You can spend a more leisurely day by driving down into Yosemite Valley to view the waterfalls or hike up the Mist Trail. Park officials say the trail to the top of Vernal Fall usually opens sometime in April, “although it is possible to reach the top of Vernal Fall via the John Muir Trail and continue on to Nevada Fall.” Another hiking option would be to drive over to Wawona and hike out to Chilnualna Falls. A longer drive to the Hetch Hetchy area of the park can reward you with a hike to Wapama and Rancheria Falls. Wherever you go, returning to a vacation home at Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders provides you with a break from crowds, a spacious living room and deck to relax on before dinner, and bedrooms where you can fall asleep to breezes through the surrounding pine forest, not the noisy couple or family in the next room. Your morning coffee won’t be rushed by wait staff trying to free up another table, either. The money you save, and the hassles you avoid, by making your own meals, on your own schedule, can allow you to stretch your Yosemite vacation a day
or two. Previous guests have rated these rental properties so high that TripAdvisor inducted them into its hall of fame for ranking No. 1 five years in a row for specialty lodging in Yosemite. With over 80 properties to choose from, you can find a vacation retreat for a large family or group up to 16, or one for an intimate getaway for two. After so many warm, dry winters— last year’s snowpack was said to be the smallest in five centuries—the return to normal is a welcome sight. It’s one that should nudge you into considering a spring Yosemite vacation this year.
NationalParksTraveler.com
15
By Kurt Repanshek and Patrick Cone
16
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
Hawai’i - Land of Lava If you find yourself in our 50th state this spring, take a break from the beach and crowds and tourist haunts to learn a bit about how these islands formed and who the original people were. You can get a good glimpse of this by hopping an inter-island flight from Oahu to the Big Island—Hawaii—and experiencing its fascinating geology and anthropology. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a treasure of vents and caves, craters and lava tubes, and this year is celebrating its own centennial. It’s quick and easy to visit by car along the Crater Rim Road. Just past the park’s entrance station, take a few minutes at the Kīlauea Visitor Center to get oriented on the park and briefed on trails. And, since these two volcanoes (Mauna Loa and Kīlauea) are still active, you’ll get a few safety precautions due to the dangerous fumes from these giant, primordial cauldrons. Mauna Loa is the most massive mountain on the planet, measured from the ocean floor, at 56,000 feet! And unlike explosive volcanoes, these two typically spew rivers of molten lava and fiery fountains. Follow the Crater Rim to the Kīlauea Overlook, then on to Steaming Bluff and the Sulphur Banks. A stop at the Thurston Lava Tube will give you an idea of the force and capriciousness of molten lava. Then, take the less-than-a-mile hike to the Keanakāko`i Crater to revel in this landscape. You can also drive the scenic 19-mile Chain of Craters Road, from the beach to peak, and see where lava flows have destroyed the pavement at times. The dynamic landscape makes some great photographs as well.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park offers a steamy landscape that makes for great photos day or night / Rebecca Latson
After a day on the mountain, take the time to visit two of the national historic sites on the Big Island— Pu’ukoholā Heiau and Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau. At Pu’ukoholā Heiau (on the northwest coast) you’ll walk in the footsteps of a king, and see a submerged temple guarded by sharks. Across the island, Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau was a place of refuge for defeated warriors and civilians, protected by ancient Gods and the towering volcanoes of Hawai’i. ~ Patrick Cone
Centuries-old earth mounds are protected within Ocmulgee National Monument in Georgia / NPS
San Juan Capistrano is just one of the missions found within San Antonio Missions National Historical Park / NPS
Texas - History and Wildlife Texas is a diverse state, with arid plains, bustling cities, unique history, and quiet coastlines. Take a road tour and experience all of it this spring. Start in San Antonio at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, where the Apache raids during the 1700s threatened the early native settlements. Protection lay in the Spanish missions… in exchange for adopting a new religion and distant monarchy. Rent a bike and follow the 15-milelong River Walk to these four missions (Concepción, San José, San Juan, and Espada). Get an overview at the visitor’s center and Mission San José. You can easily spend half-a-day exploring this World Heritage Site. Then head 270 miles to the southwest to the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park. It was here on May 8, 1846, that Mexican and American troops fought the first battle of the Mexican War, which would eventually expand the reach of the United States to the Pacific Ocean. See where General Taylor and General Anastasio Torrejón faced off. A combination of devastating artillery fire pushed back the Mexican Army, which countered with cavalry charges. But at 18
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
nightfall, the Americans were victorious, with light losses compared to their foes. Today, the landscape looks much as it did 150 years ago with thorny mesquite trees and spiny cactus plants. From there, head less than three hours north towards Corpus Christi and Padre Island National Seashore. Separating the Laguna Madre from the Gulf of Mexico, this 70-mile lagoon was the site of Spanish shipwrecks of 1554. And it’s also home to all five sea turtle species, including the endangered Kemp’s ridley (which nests here). It’s a nature-lover’s paradise, teeming with life. The seashore is favorite spot for birders since it’s located along the Central Flyway, a major migration route stretching north and south. You’ll have a chance to spot more than 380 bird species - nearly half of North America’s species. There are tidal flats and grasslands, ponds and prairies, all filled with birds. You may spot the Black Skimmer, White-tailed hawks, or an Eastern Meadowlark here. Or, see nesting snow geese, dancing sandhill cranes (which winter here), and redhead ducks. Thirteen threatened and endangered bird species pass through Padre Island, including the Reddish egrets. ~ Patrick Cone
Hail Columbia Every year millions of people visit America’s emotional and political center, the District of Columbia. It’s here that the relics of liberty are housed, along with the center of government. A walking tour of the National Mall and Memorial Parks must be on your list when you’re visiting, and preferably when the legendary cherry trees are in blossom this spring.
Great Falls Tavern along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal shouldn’t be missed / Patrick Cone
Then it’s off to any, or all, of the 19 Smithsonian sites, including the Air and Space, American History, and Natural History museums. Don’t forget the American Art, Hirshhorn, and Portrait Gallery museums, either. Also don’t overlook the Jefferson, Roosevelt, World War Two, and Korean War memorials, or the emotional scene at the Vietnam War Memorial. Admission is free for this, the world’s largest collection of artifacts, artworks, and museums. Then, pack a picnic dinner and sit along the Reflecting Pool, take a trip up the Washington Monument, or sit on the western steps of the Lincoln Memorial as the sun sets over the Potomac River and the rest of a country dedicated to freedom and liberty. You can easily spend a week in this unique city, seeing the sights. For a side trip, head to Georgetown with its centuries-old buildings, shops, and restaurants, but take a break for history after dinner, and visit the Tidewater Lock nearby—Milepost 0 on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. For over 100 years this 184-mile waterway fed coal, farm products, and lumber from as far away as Pennsylvania to market along the Potomac. Grab your walking shoes and head along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park to a number of points of interest nearby, including the Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove (where you can rent a bike, canoe, or boat) and watch the broad Potomac glide by to your left. Fourteen miles upriver, don’t miss the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center (one of seven visitor centers) where you will see the narrow locks that allowed boats to head upstream, bypassing the tumbling waters of these majestic falls. The tavern, which opened for business in 1831, is a grand, three-story structure. You’ll see that over a century of use the ropes that pulled the long boats through the locks have even worn deep grooves in the red granite stone blocks. Finally, book a mule-drawn ride in a replica packet boat for a step-back in time, and reflect our nation’s history. ~ Patrick Cone
An overlay of a historic photo shows how the Andersonville POW camp looked during the Civil War / NPS
Presidents, Prisoners, And Paleo-Indians From peanuts to the presidency of the United States is not something many folks can put on their resume. In fact, Jimmy Carter is probably the only one who can. Former President Carter, who recently conquered cancer, still continues his humanitarian work at the age of 91. But back in 1953 he was deep in peanuts, having taken over his family’s peanut business in Plains, Georgia, following his father’s death. You can explore this aspect of his history, and his successful political climb to the presidency, with a stop at the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains. Designated in 1987, the site traces President Carter’s rise from a spot on the Sumter County School Board, to state representative, governor of Georgia, and finally, as the 39th President of the United States. Take a tour through the old Plains High School and the Plains Train Depot (which served as Carter’s campaign headquarters), then stroll the grounds of his boyhood home in nearby Archery, Georgia. They all help illuminate the life of this humble man. From this uplifting history, head 23 miles north to a much darker chapter of American history at Andersonville National Historic Site. You’ll see the largest prisoner-of-war camp operated by the Confederates during the U.S. Civil War. During the prison’s operation there were an estimated 45,000 Union
soldiers held here. Enduring squalid conditions, nearly 13,000 died. The prisoners had to build their own shelters from blankets and wooden poles, subsist on meager rations, and drink contaminated water that often led to dysentery. So horrid were the conditions, with so many deaths, that after the war the camp’s commandant, Capt. Henry Wirz, was tried, convicted, and hanged for presiding over Andersonville. A fictional account of the camp, Andersonville, was published in 1955 and won its author, MacKinlay Kantor, the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction the next year. A tour of the park’s visitor center describes some of the conditions the prisoners endured. Also, photographs by A.J. Riddle, a Confederate photographer who documented the camp’s conditions, line the center’s walls. Conclude your road trip with a stop at Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon just 61 miles farther north. This site preserves seven Indian mounds, or Earth Lodges. But the story told here goes beyond the mounds. Indeed, it traces 17,000 years of life at this site, established by Paleo-Indian hunters. Around 1,000 BCE these hunters turned into a more agrarian culture, with crops becoming a key part of their diets. The mounds, which began to appear around 1000-900 BCE, served multiple purposes, from burial mounds to council chambers. Experience, this, and other chapters in Georgia’s rich historical legacy. ~ Kurt Repanshek
NationalParksTraveler.com
19
SPONSORED CONTENT
Within National Parks is room—glorious room—room in which to find ourselves…
Enos Mills learned at a young age how beneficial the outdoors could be. The “father of Rocky Mountain National Park” was just 15 years old in 1885 when he made his first climb to the top of Longs Peak in what later would become the national park. “The trail compels you to know yourself and to be yourself, and puts you in harmony with the universe,” said Mills, who made roughly 300 treks to the top of Longs Peak. “It makes you glad to be living. It gives health, hope, and courage, and it extends that touch of nature, which tends to make you kind.” 20
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
W
hile an estimated 10,000 people a year try to summit the 14,259-foot peak, the 10-15 hour trek is not for everyone. But that’s OK, as there are plenty of other fun, challenging, and relaxing outdoor adventures to put on your to-do list when planning a trip to the national park.
Climbing and Mountaineering Rocky Mountain National Park has a well-earned reputation with climbers the world over. Longs Peak itself is one of the most-sought goals for climbers aiming to summit all of Colorado’s “14ers.” If you’re interested in bagging the summit, there are guides authorized by the National Park Service to help you check off that accomplishment. They’ll instruct you not only on the proper gear and how to use it, but also on techniques for moving safely upward toward the summit of your chosen destination. If you’ve already stood atop Longs Peak, or are not quite ready to attempt such a lofty endeavor, there are other climbing programs set against the park’s backdrop. You could sign up for a class on how to carefully navigate through avalanche-prone alpine landscapes, or one to teach you how to work your way up a cliff face.
Guides also offer a variety of courses for beginners and intermediates—where you can learn, or expand, your climbing skills. Or you might forgo extreme exposure and instead choose a mountaineering program in which the guides lead you through the rumpled and rolling backcountry of the park. You can sign up your own group for such instruction, or choose a private one-on-one lesson or climb.
Hiking, Birding and Angling A Rocky Mountain National Park vacation does not require placing yourself in precarious positions. With more than 350 miles of hiking trails, endless miles of streams, and forests and meadows rife with birds, you can fill your days with more leisurely mountain activities. Join one of the ranger-led treks or birding walks, or plan a guided trek to cover new ground, perfect your form, and improve your hiking pace. The seemingly endless miles of trails make it easy for you to explore the park’s interior. You might choose a relatively easy amble to Alberta Falls to view the frothy fury of spring runoff, follow the nature trail around Bear Lake, or explore the tundra setting along the roof of the park. And those are just three possibilities that span less than 5 miles combined. Birders likewise have countless opportunities for adding to their life lists during a park vacation. Rocky Mountain has a list of more than 280 species spotted in the park and surrounding area, including high-mountain species like the regale looking Stellar’s Jay and shimmering Broad-tailed Hummingbird, unusual Three-toed Woodpecker, and Rosy-Finches.
Narrow your search by homing in on specific habitats: into the stands of Ponderosa pines in Upper Beaver Meadow to look for woodpeckers or flickers, onto the tundra through which Trail Ridge Road passes to spot the well-camouflaged Ptarmigan, or perhaps follow the trail to Cub Lake to look for Ring-necked ducks. Fishing is an age-old pastime. In the park’s waters you might seek trout— brown, brook, rainbow and even the elusive cutthroat. Be sure to pick up a copy of the park’s fishing regulations so you know which park waters are open to fishing and what the daily possession limits are. Most anglers practice catch-andrelease, and this is required in many areas of the park. In Estes Park, you’ll find a variety of instructors and classes to teach you the basics, or to take your skills to new levels, before heading out on your own
Education and Inspiration As much as Rocky Mountain National Park surrounds you with nature, it’s an incredible classroom as well. Look to the mountains to appreciate the geologic forces that pushed up the park, to see how glaciers sculpted the landscape, or to marvel at how tenacious some plant species can be in harsh environments. You can head out into the park yourself with a guidebook as your teacher, or enroll in any number of classes that are offered through organizations such as the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Throughout the year park rangers also offer programs that revolve around Rocky Mountain’s wildlife, wilderness, ecology, and even night skies. Check the park newspaper when you get to Rocky Mountain to find out which programs are scheduled during your stay. Those with an artistic flare will find inspiration around just about every tree, waterfall, or trail. Local masters instruct plein air painters spending hours capturing the scenery and returning in August to take part in the annual Plein Air Festival. Aspiring photographers can learn to capture the play of light illuminating the peaks at sunrise and sunset or go on a private wildlife photo safari. Whichever endeavor you choose to enjoy during your stay in Rocky Mountain National Park, odds are by the end of your visit you’ll agree with Enos Mills’ view of national parks. “Within National Parks is room—glorious room—room in which to find ourselves, in which to think and hope, to dream and plan, to rest and resolve,” he said.
Far left: Horseshoe Park brings young eyes into contact with nature / Shannon Hudson
Left: Birders have numerous species, including Mountain Blue Birds, to add to their life lists, while anglers have miles of stream to cast for trout / NPS and James Frank
NationalParksTraveler.com
21
By Rene Agredano
National parks are phenomenal vacation destinations and a great place to bring your home on wheels. But when you do, some challenges are inevitable. Navigating a park’s curvy interior roads can be tricky, and campsites are astonishingly narrow for modern RVs. In Southern California, two neighboring parks perfectly illustrate the range of accommodations for RVers: Death Valley and Joshua Tree. One is more RV-friendly than the other, but both offer an unforgettable camping experience. Joshua Tree National Park / Rene Agredano
NationalParksTraveler.com
23
24
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
RVing Below Sea Level in Death Valley
If a destination were judged by name alone, few of us would trek to Death Valley. But the 3.4-million-acre park’s dramatic geology and scenery make it irresistible. Where else can you have breakfast at 282 feet below sea level and end the day with a brilliant sunset hike at 9,000 feet? Death Valley National Park has all the hallmarks of a great RVing destination: v Extraordinary landscapes v 300 miles of well-maintained main roads v Spacious parking aprons in RV-friendly campgrounds v Food, fuel and other basics like dump stations v Dozens of day-trip options Two great campgrounds for RVers in Death Valley are found at Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek. Both are centrally located base camps for exploring the park.
Gold Canyon in Death Valley National Park / Patrick Cone
Stovepipe Wells
Death Valley dunes / Kurt Repanshek
Upper left: Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree National Park / Kurt Repanshek Lower left: RV park in Death Valley / Rene Agredano
The bare-bones Stovepipe Wells campground can’t compare to the majestic Panamint Mountains off to the west. But what Stovepipe Wells lacks in scenery it makes up for with accessibility and convenience. Stovepipe’s gravel campsites will fit virtually any size of RV. You can also choose between inexpensive NPS dry campsites or pricier full-hookups at the concession-run Stovepipe Wells RV Park. On hot days you’ll be especially grateful for optional guest access to the adjacent swimming pool and restaurant. If you’re driving an RV under 25 feet overall length, consider trekking to Wildrose Campground. About an hour south of Stovepipe on the scenic Emigrant Canyon Road, Wildrose is a free off-grid destination just for tenters and compact RVs. Nestled on the flanks of a craggy mountain that climbs 9,064 feet, the stream-side, remote spot is a first-come, first-served summertime gem. As a bonus, Wildrose even has potable water, vault toilets, and picnic tables. Wherever you camp in Stovepipe Wells prepare yourself for cell phone withdrawal. The only area with connectivity is 30 minutes away in Furnace Creek, which is why it’s an ideal next destination.
Furnace Creek Fun
Furnace Creek is Death Valley’s oasis. You’ll find camp headquarters, the Death Valley Visitor Center, various RV camping options, and many attractions accessible to most automobiles including Harmony Borax Works, Artist’s Drive, Dante’s View, and Badwater Basin. When you branch out from your Furnace Creek campsite to explore more of the park, you’ll find that many scenic drives are best done with a passenger vehicle. The narrow and curvy Artist’s Drive is strictly reserved for autos, and while Dante’s View is one of the most dramatic overlooks in the park, you don’t want to make the ascent with anything larger than a pickup truck. The good news is you can trek to Badwater Basin in your RV—tour buses do it all the time, and a parking area provides ample turnaround space. If you’re coming without a tow vehicle, don’t worry. Just book a rental at Farabee’s Jeep Rentals in Furnace Creek and you can go nearly anywhere in the park.
Borax Wagons in Death Valley National Park / Kurt Repanshek NationalParksTraveler.com
25
Furnace Creek has four RV-friendly campgrounds, all close to the Furnace Creek Ranch Resort. Confused about where to reserve a spot? Here’s how they differ: v Furnace Creek Ranch Resort Fiddlers’ Campground: This private campground is the costliest but in return offers convenient, resort-type amenities. v Furnace Creek Campground: RV-friendly NPS campground with pull-through sites, full hookups or dry camping and pretty desert scenery. v Sunset Campground: Bare bones dry camping in a large NPS gravel lot with the longest generator-use hours in the vicinity. v Texas Spring Campground: The best campground views in Furnace Creek make this a popular choice for small to mid-sized RVs but you can’t run your generator. All Death Valley campers are welcome to enjoy the Furnace Creek Ranch Resort’s convenience store, restaurant and Laundromat. You can even cool off in the
resort’s spring-fed swimming pool with a $5 day pass. Enjoy a few days of easy living in this green oasi, then get moving to your next destination, Joshua Tree National Park.
Upper left: The hot springs found on BLM lands near Tecopa, California, are an attractive sidetrip from Death Valley / Rene Agredano
More Epic Journeys at Joshua Tree National Park
Upper right: Skull Rock in Joshua Tree National Park / Kurt Repanshek
Just four hours from Death Valley and two hours from Los Angeles is the colossal 800,000-acre desert preserve known as Joshua Tree National Park. Situated at the confluence of the Mojave and Colorado desert ecosystems, Joshua Tree’s proximity to L.A. makes it a popular destination any time of year. If you drive a tiny RV, camper, or popup trailer you won’t have any problems squeezing into any of Joshua Tree’s eight picturesque campgrounds. Those of us with larger RVs (about 18’ and up) will have an easier time by sticking to any of the three most RV-friendly campgrounds in the park. Black Rock NPS Campground is the most accommodating for larger RVs, followed by Cottonwood and Indian Cove. If you’re a hiker, you’ll love the many panoramic trails originating in Black Rock
Soak Your Cares Away Death Valley and Joshua Tree are a hot spring lover’s dream. Near Death Valley’s northeast entrance you can soak your city cares away at Bailey Hot Springs RV Park. This funky little roadside attraction in Beatty has full hookups, Wi-Fi and unlimited soaking in private, gravel-bottom pools – all for just $20 a night. The world-famous soaking Mecca of Tecopa is an easy drive from Death Valley. With no cell coverage, gas stations or grocery stores, Tecopa is a quaint, rustic getaway. Hot springs enthusiasts from around the world come to soak in the area’s silky, salty mineral water reputed to have the best healing properties on the planet. Camp at Delights Hot Springs Resort or Peterson’s Tecopa Palms RV Park. Just sure to fill up your freshwater tank before arriving because Tecopa’s mineral rich water tastes terrible. 26
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
and Indian Cove campgrounds. After settling into your campsite, get ready to explore Joshua Tree’s varied and vibrant landscape. Start your journey on Park Boulevard, the main scenic drive that showcases some of the best attractions between the west and north entrance stations. Bring a picnic lunch and spend your afternoon enjoying the park’s moonscape geology and biological diversity. The nicely paved main road is easy for RVers to maneuver, and has pullouts interspersed along the way. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to veer too far off the main road—most RVs are too large for the tight turns and narrow roads leading to epic park destinations such as Keys View and the 18-mile-long Geology Motor Tour. They’re worth exploring though, so be sure to grab a rental car in Yucca Valley or Twentynine Palms. RV camping in America’s national parks isn’t always easy or convenient. If you want the predictable experience of asphalt camping in franchised campgrounds, perhaps camping inside the park isn’t for you. But if you don’t mind preparing for unexpected surprises, you’ll find that Death Valley and Joshua Tree make memorable vacations like nowhere else on the continent.
28
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
SPONSORED CONTENT
Fill, Drink, Refill, Repeat. Held in your hand, a disposable water bottle doesn’t carry much heft. But multiply the number of those bottles and they get pretty hefty pretty quickly. At Zion National Park in Utah, for example, disposing of water bottles tossed out in 2013 required the recycling of 12,000 pounds of plastic. And Zion is just one of the more than 400 units of the National Park System. Foldable bottles from Vapur are lightweight and easy to pack on your outdoor adventures / Vapur
L
ooking at it another way, Americans throw away enough garbage every day to fill 63,000 garbage trucks, which if lined up end to end for an entire year would stretch half way to the moon, the Park Service notes. Vapur is looking to change those numbers and help visitors to our National Parks avoid dehydration when they’re out gazing at Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, hiking the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, or viewing the various memorials on the National Mall. In Western and Southwestern parks, dehydration can strike particularly quickly under the bright sun in those arid landscapes. At Grand Canyon National Park, for instance, your body can lose more than 2 quarts of fluid per hour if you hike uphill in direct sunlight and during the hottest time of the day, according to park staff. And because the climate is so arid in the canyon, your sweat is quickly whisked away so you might not notice how much water your body is losing. Vapur is working in the National Parks to help you stay hydrated. The company’s water filling stations are appearing in more and more locations, making it easy for you to conveniently refill your re-usable water bottle before heading down the trail. With billions of bottles of water consumed globally every year and fewer than 20 percent recycled, the vast majority of single-use disposable bottles end up as plastic waste in landfills. The Vapur Hydration Program is making an impact and reducing this staggering statistic with over 2,000,000 single-use bottles already saved from landfills. Along with providing its filling stations, Vapur has developed a unique foldable re-usable water bottle. Made right here in the United States, these BPA-free, feather-weight bottles can be rolled up and easily
stowed when you’re traveling to your National Park destination. Once you’re ready to head out into the park, the bottles can be quickly and easily filled. The carabineer-like clip on the bottle top makes it easy to attach to your pack or belt. The bottles, made from 3-ply nylon-poleythelene layering that has anti-microbial inhibitors, also can be frozen. When you’re hiking down to Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon in summer from either North or South Rim, starting out with a frozen water bottle is not such a terrible idea. You also can purchase a filtration system for your
The Vapur MicroFilter easily inserts, and screws into, your Vapur bottle to provide a clean, filtered flow of water.
Vapur bottle. This lightweight “microfilter” uses a hollow fiber membrane technology. The filter can remove 99.9999 percent of waterborne bacteria, and 99.9 percent of protozoa, including Cryptosporidium and Giardia, according to the company. Numerous National Parks (and private concessionaires in the parks) that have already become participants in Vapur’s hydration program include Bryce Canyon, Glacier, Sequoia, Katmai, Shenandoah, Yellowstone, and Virgin Islands. When you get to one of these parks, check at the visitor’s center to find out where the refilling stations are located. The end goal of the hydration program, says Vapur co-founder Brent Reinke, is to reduce waste and keep park visitors hydrated. “When you have this initiative within the National Park System to at least minimize, if not eventually eliminate, the sale of single-use plastic water bottles, what a great fit with our Hydration Program. That’s partly how the Vapur Hydration Program came together,” he says.
NationalParksTraveler.com
29
Friends Of the parks Friends of Saguaro National Park works with the National Park Service to get Tucson youth into the park through their Urban Agenda program / FOSNP
The “Urban Agenda” At Saguaro National Park Split in half by Tucson, Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona is not a selfcontained park that is well defined by a boundary. But that metropolitan area offers the park a unique opportunity that not too many others enjoy: an urban area from which to lure tomorrow’s park stewards into Saguaro. In 2015 the National Park Service selected Tucson and Saguaro National Park as one of 10 cities and affiliated park units to serve as a pilot program for developing more collaborative and sustainable working relationships between national parks and urban communities. The NPS “Urban Agenda” highlights youth connections, outdoor recreation, historic preservation, economic vitality, health, and urban design, and sustainability—all to ensure that our national parks are relevant and accessible to all Americans, in an increasingly diverse society. As part of that Urban Agenda at Saguaro, Friends of Saguaro National Park is planning a local “citizen science” component of the National Park Service’s Centennial BioBlitz. The Park Service and National Geographic have partnered in hosting ten BioBlitzes in the decade leading up to this year’s NPS Centennial BioBlitz, which will be held May 20-21 and hosted at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. But hundreds of additional BioBlitzes and citizen science events also will be hosted at parks throughout the country. At Saguaro, the friends group will be helping the Park Service bring young biologists nine miles into the park’s Rincon Mountain District to
30
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
Manning Camp to document the great biodiversity along the way. They’ll utilize iNaturalist, a technology app that documents what species are found. The Manning Camp hike/trip will be tied to at least ten school-based bioblitz events that will have taken place in April throughout the Tucson area (the school bioblitzes need to take place in advance because most schools in Tucson are out by May 20). Also tied to the Centennial BioBlitz, Saguaro has been utilizing citizen scientists since last fall to conduct a Centennial Saguaro Survey. This brings high school students and adult groups into the park to help measure and map saguaros. Park staff has conducted annual surveys in “test plots” for the past 75+ years, but they are particularly interested this year in finding young saguaros, because the number of “new” saguaros surviving during the last 25 years has been low (perhaps related to the long drought and higher summer temperatures of the last two decades). You can help support these projects by donating to Friends of Saguaro National Park.
Celebrating Jenny Lake In Grand Teton National Park In addition to marking the National Park Service’s first 100 years, 2016 is proving to be an incredible year for Grand Teton National Park and the transformation that is underway at Jenny Lake. This popular spot has long been one of
Does Jenny Lake Inspire You? Inspiring Journeys will make the Jenny Lake area sustainable for the National Park Service’s next 100 years. With under $1 million left to raise and a $50,000 challenge grant underway, Grand Teton National Park Foundation needs your help to reach the fundraising goal by August 25, 2016. Learn about Inspiring Journeys at www.gtnpf.org or contact Grand Teton National Park Foundation at 307-732-0629.
America’s most beloved destinations. Soon it will also be known for its visitor-friendly trail system and sustainable construction, allowing Grand Teton to allocate fewer dollars and less manpower to keeping trails and the interpretive plaza in good condition for millions of visitors who explore this area. Inspiring Journeys, the campaign that funds the effort in celebration of the National Park Service Centennial, is a $17 million public-private partnership between Grand Teton National Park Foundation and Grand Teton National Park. With that funding, Grand Teton crews have been able to restore more than 50 percent of Jenny Lake’s damaged backcountry trail system, rebuild bridges, as well as walls, steps, and drainage structures using long-lasting, dry-stone masonry techniques. The rebuilt trails are designed to be durable, and crews have placed each stone thoughtfully in an effort to keep the rustic Civilian Conservation Corps aesthetic intact. Beautiful dry-stacked rock retaining walls and stone steps are now prominent features on much of the trail network, including the one-half mile route leading to Inspiration Point that was one of the most challenging segments to rehabilitate. While fundraising will end on the Park Service’s 100th birthday, this August 25, backcountry trail construction will continue in the Jenny Lake area throughout 2017, along with renovations and improvements to front-country visitor facilities. This comprehensive project will greatly enhance the visitor experience at this spectacular destination and better protect it for the enjoyment of future generations. Check with Grand Teton’s visitor centers for trail closures and reroutes once the busy summer season begins.
Remaking History at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park Moses H. Cone Memorial Park is one of the spectacular places on the Blue Ridge Parkway where history and recreation meet. The 3,500-acre park is crisscrossed by carriage trails, which are frequented by hikers and horseback riders alike, and features lakes, gardens, and orchards. The centerpiece of the landscape is Cone Manor, a spectacular 20-room Colonial Revival-style mansion built by textile magnate Moses H. Cone in 1901. Much of the decades of work and care put into the landscape and home by its former owner have faded over the years due to shortfalls in federal funding for maintenance. Recognizing that the future of the estate is at stake, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is kicking off a multi-year campaign to address the numerous needs at this popular destination in the nation’s most-visited national park unit. The effort received its first boost with the announcement that an initial project at the park has been named a 2016 Centennial Challenge initiative by the National Park Service. The Centennial Challenge program, created in honor of the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary in 2016, pairs funds allocated by Congress with commitments by private organizations and donors to help parks across the country improve visitor
These before and after shots clearly illustrate how the Inspiring Journeys program is improving trail conditions in Grand Teton National Park / After photo by Ryan Sheets
NationalParksTraveler.com
31
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is leading a campaign to raise more than $400,000 for critical improvements to Flat Top Manor, aka Cone Manor / Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
services and support outreach to new audiences. Many of the projects tackle deferred maintenance. This year, Congress provided $15 million for Centennial projects, which will be matched by almost $33 million from more than 90 park partners. It is the second year the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has risen to the challenge, having raised funds for five projects in 2015. The 2016 Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation fundraising effort starts with a goal of $412,000 to update the fire suppression system inside the manor, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The long-range work will be guided by the Developed Area Management Plan recently completed by the Parkway and a steering committee of local volunteers. The work will include additional repairs to the Manor, the Apple Barn, carriage trails, gardens, and more. “We are thrilled and honored to play a role in ensuring a bright future for this beloved estate,” said Carolyn Ward, CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. “Moses H. Cone Memorial Park tells an important story in the history of the High Country and North Carolina, and we are looking forward to partnering with the community to address the repairs this cherished site deserves.” For more info, visit brpfoundation.org.
Go On An Acadia Quest At Acadia National Park This Summer Touring national parks by itself is always enjoyable, but you seem to learn a little bit more about the park you’re visiting if you’re on a mission. And that’s where Acadia Quest, an experiential scavenger hunt, comes into play at Acadia National Park. Designed by Friends of Acadia in partnership with Acadia National Park, this program encourages park visitors to get out and explore the park’s amazing landscape. This year, to commemorate Acadia National Park’s centennial, the friends group has designed its annual Acadia Quest to celebrate the park’s first century and inspire its stewards for the next century. “It’s a centennial edition, so it’s exciting,” says Paige Steele, conservation projects manager for Friends of Acadia. “It
32
Essential Park Guide | Spring 2016
focuses on exploring the historic people, places, and events such as the Wabanaki peoples, sites of shipwrecks on Acadia’s shorelines, and the automobile wars which resulted in the park’s famous carriage roads. We also included a category about inspiring future stewardship of our beautiful public lands.” Here’s how it works: You form a team with your families, friends, relatives, or mentors. Teams must include one child under the age of 18 and one adult aged 18 years or older. Friends of Acadia provides each team with an Acadia Quest packet, which includes the Quest Card and a list of activities to complete out in the park. Complete and document your activities in Acadia National Park as indicated on the Quest Card to qualify for prizes. Acadia Quest challenges are designed to appeal to all ages and ability levels. A
Speed Quest is designed for visitors who are in Acadia for as little as two days. You will need an Acadia National Park Pass or the National Park Pass to participate in Acadia Quest. This year’s Acadia Centennial Quest begins in April during National Park Week and runs through early November. Check the friends group website in early April for details and registration information. While you’re out in the park completing the quest, you’ll be enjoying a century’s worth of preservation of this landscape under the National Park Service. Acadia’s Centennial is your chance to renew the passion and vision that is the founders’ legacy—to ensure that Acadia National Park is protected for generations to come. Consider helping Friends of Acadia continue its long tradition of supporting the National Park Service in protecting Acadia. Your gift to the non-profit organization goes to protect both the natural and cultural wonders of the park. With your annual membership-level donation of $35 or more, you will receive the Friends of Acadia Journal three times per year. With features about Acadia National Park’s history, resources, and programs, news about Friends of Acadia’s projects and activities, this publication keeps the national park alive for you all year.
Parting Shot
Though sand dunes are the iconic feature of Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, when snowmelt fills Medano Creek it becomes a great attraction to kids. Photo by NPS, Patrick Myers