The Los Angeles Times has encapsulated the recent move by the National Park Service to put a halt on runs and cycling events through Death Valley. The Badwater Run organizer, Chris Costman, had recently talked to the Inyo Supervisors about asking Congress to reverse the decision. Supervisor Matt Kingsley pointed to the large number of visitors to Lone Pine for the event.
Other than about 20 miles between Bad water and State hwy 190. The Bad water 135 is run on the state hwy. Did the park check with Cal Trans. Or is this more of “We are the Feds and you are not” Also over 90% of Death Valley is in… Read more »
Desert Tortise-
The Angeles National Forest is not Park Service….it’s Forest Service. What you described is the result of 20 million people who all want to recreate in “their forest” but aren’t really sure how to do it without destroying it. It really is becoming an eyesore.
Whether the rangers are state of Federal, NPS or USFS, it is all the same. Oh, did I forget to mention the cans of spray paint brought up and graffiti left behind? Or the ancient native American drawings defaced? And how about huge fires due to careless campers? Yep, but… Read more »
This is also interesting and perhaps shows the suspension of endurance races in a different light.
http://runitfast.com/2013/12/23/the-real-reason-death-valley-national-park-has-suspended-all-endurance-races. Traffic congestion is the stated reason, but …….
Silly Sheeple, we are the Federal Government. It is our park not yours and we know what’s best.
Now move along.
While I don’t know any of the rangers in DVNP, I have shared breakfasts with NPS rangers in Angeles National Forest many many times. What they will tell you is the heartbreak they feel watching the beautiful land they are charged with caring for and showing to visitors torn up… Read more »
Albert Einstein: “A Foolish Faith In Authority Is The Worst Enemy Of The Truth”
It seems DVNP is just another one of the federal agencies with too much money, time and people, so they find busy work that, unfortunately, compromises the use of the park by the public. Although I have no plan to cycle or run across DV, I see no reason for… Read more »
I don’t claim to under stand the desire to compete in one of these events, but I’ll defend ones right to do so. DVNP, no one is asking you to babysit the people of the USA…if you won’t allow people to use their own land, then give it back. DVNP… Read more »
Just ANOTHER reason to see how it seems DVNPS seems to be making way too many negative decisions and seemingly acting as an all-mighty “authority”……spending lots of $$$ to restore and improve the Father Crowley look-out,while at the same time refusing to want to pay to have a vehicle removed… Read more »
Thank you for getting the link out for all to see.
This is a big deal for the tourism in Lone Pine. The race participants come from all over the world and most of them stay in Lone Pine for days before the race and after.