National Parks - Current Status

[Sunny Sra]

Yep, that’s the good thing.

“Once parking is full, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive will be closed and open intermittently as parking spaces become available, most likely between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,” park officials posted on the Zion website.

By 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the canyon absorbed as many cars as there are parking spaces and officials closed it to vehicle access. Visitors could wait until parking became available to enter, officials posted on Twitter, or they could hike the Pa’rus or Watchman trails from the closed visitor center.

Other options include driving the 12.5 miles to the park's quiet east entrance and hike to East Rim destinations from there, or drive up the Kolob Terrace Road from Virgin to reach the Grapevine, Hop Valley and other remote trailheads.

 

[JimFox]

Here are some updates, in fact the National Parks are not closing but actually encouraging people to go visit them and enjoy some fresh air while keeping Social Distance.

“Parks are trying to keep up with ever-changing rules and recommendations from government officials who are urging people to avoid gathering in large groups but allowing them to get outside for fresh air and exercise as long as they keep their distance from others. The National Park Service says it's adhering to the latest guidelines from the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vowing to keep outdoor spaces open while giving park superintendents the power to close or modify operations.

Interior Secretary David Bernhardt on Wednesday temporarily waived National Park Service entrance fees to make it easier for people to get outdoors and “implement some social distancing."

“Getting out into the wilderness is perfect for what we call the ‘shack nasties’ — being cooped up inside your home,” said Trish Jacob, an employee of a backcountry guiding company near Rocky Mountain National Park.”

Source: https://apple.news/ARISDx4qTQryBP0gaFP2Mjg

 

[JimFox]

“Once parking is full, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive will be closed and open intermittently as parking spaces become available, most likely between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,” park officials posted on the Zion website.

By 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the canyon absorbed as many cars as there are parking spaces and officials closed it to vehicle access. Visitors could wait until parking became available to enter, officials posted on Twitter, or they could hike the Pa’rus or Watchman trails from the closed visitor center.

Other options include driving the 12.5 miles to the park's quiet east entrance and hike to East Rim destinations from there, or drive up the Kolob Terrace Road from Virgin to reach the Grapevine, Hop Valley and other remote trailheads.

it’s still a good thing. I hated the shuttle. It’s a huge reason why I don’t go to Zion except rarely.

 

[rfkiii]

I wonder if photographers will observe social distancing at spots like Canyon Junction Bridge while shooting the Watchman, Schwabacher's Landing, Mesa Arch, et al.

 

[Carlo Didier]

I don’t really agree with you Sunny.

if your math was correct, on those cruise ships that had the virus, it would have been 100% of the people being infected, it wasn’t.

I totally believe in vaccines. I get my yearly flu shot. You are making this sound like it’s the Black Plague, it’s not. We have had years where the death rate from the flu is that exact same as this death rate.

Just looking at the way people interact with items in a grocery store, or when you get gas, you have to touch the same nozzle, you have to press the same button space to choose Debit or Credit. If the reasoning for shutting down parks is that people will catch it and die, I venture to say 1000% more people would catch it in a grocery store or in a Costco line.

I just got back from running at the beach, despite it being cold and gray, there were people there. Most were spread out, as is typical in an outdoor space. So all beaches should be closed too? Being in an area of fresh air is going to be a whole lot safer then in a contained building like a grocery store or drug store.

Jim, the big difference with the yearly flu is that for this virus 0% of the population have a base resitance. Everyone in contact with the virus gets infected. Fortunately, many don't develop strong symptoms, but they are still contagious. The strong measures taken are mainly to avoid having too many people ill at the same time (not enough beds in the hospitals, not enough doctors, nurses, etc, because a percentage of them also gets infected). It's meant to keep the maximum of infected people at any given time as low as possible, otherwise we'd be quickly in big trouble.

 

[JimFox]

I wonder if photographers will observe social distancing at spots like Canyon Junction Bridge while shooting the Watchman, Schwabacher's Landing, Mesa Arch, et al.

I would think so, because I know I would. I imagine the majority of people would.

 

[JimFox]

Jim, the big difference with the yearly flu is that for this virus 0% of the population have a base resitance. Everyone in contact with the virus gets infected. Fortunately, many don't develop strong symptoms, but they are still contagious. The strong measures taken are mainly to avoid having too many people ill at the same time (not enough beds in the hospitals, not enough doctors, nurses, etc, because a percentage of them also gets infected). It's meant to keep the maximum of infected people at any given time as low as possible, otherwise we'd be quickly in big trouble.

I totally agree with precautions, I am taking them, I have anti-bacterial wipes I use to clean my hands after touching any foreign surfaces, I am keeping my social distance too. I only disagreed with closing National Parks. And I disagreed with the math about how many will die from this.

Everyone should take care to stay clean and healthy, and I hope everyone here does.

 

[MonikaC]

“Once parking is full, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive will be closed and open intermittently as parking spaces become available, most likely between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,” park officials posted on the Zion website.

By 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the canyon absorbed as many cars as there are parking spaces and officials closed it to vehicle access. Visitors could wait until parking became available to enter, officials posted on Twitter, or they could hike the Pa’rus or Watchman trails from the closed visitor center.

Other options include driving the 12.5 miles to the park's quiet east entrance and hike to East Rim destinations from there, or drive up the Kolob Terrace Road from Virgin to reach the Grapevine, Hop Valley and other remote trailheads.

I drove in today (Thursday) about noon, was able to go @ 35mph (the speed limit) & pull over & park wherever I felt like it. Even at the Temple of Sinawava! Very little traffic (yes, it was raining, but usually doesn't deter tourists) & really very mellow.

Rangers were out at Bryce, clearing the snow & at the entrance station. Again, very few people. Nice.

 

[Carlo Didier]

We had lots to do at the office in the last two weeks (I'm in IT) to get everything working for home office, but it looks like we did a good job ... Currently preparing subsidiaries in Brazil, US and India ...

Here's a statement from last light from our management:

 

[JimFox]

We had lots to do at the office in the last two weeks (I'm in IT) to get everything working for home office, but it looks like we did a good job ... Currently preparing subsidiaries in Brazil, US and India ...

Here's a statement from last light from our management:
View attachment 26364

Great job Carlo!

 

[Sunny Sra]

Update on the top

 

[AlanLichty]

Oregon State public lands will disallow overnight camping for the month of April:

Oregon Campground closures

 

[MonikaC]

NM State parks are all closed now, too.

 

[Jim Sanderson]

Death Valley is still open, but all facilities are closed except the gas stations. That’s a good place to “isolate”.

 

[JimFox]

Death Valley is still open, but all facilities are closed except the gas stations. That’s a good place to “isolate”.

I hope I can get out there later next week.

 

[JimFox]

Oregon State public lands will disallow overnight camping for the month of April:

Oregon Campground closures

How does overnight camping spread the virus? So much panic thinking.

 

[AlanLichty]

How does overnight camping spread the virus? So much panic thinking.

This is all about the park rangers and campground hosts who have to clean the restrooms and clean up trash according to the OR Parks officials.

 

[rfkiii]

I figured Zion and Yosemite would be among the first of the non-historical parks to close. These parks are almost too crowded to be pleasurable any more although I booked Yosemite in July to make up for our 2013 trip that was cancelled over to politics and to allow Lisa to see the park for the first time. Foiled again.

 

[Sunny Sra]

Rocky mountain is closed too

 

[ckcarr]

The following precautions are being taken due to the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19).

• As of Saturday, March 28, 2020, Arches National Park is closed to all public access until further notice. This is being done in response to guidance from Southeast Utah Public Health, San Juan Public Health, and Moab Regional Hospital.

The following precautions are being taken due to the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19).

• As of Saturday, March 28, 2020, Canyonlands National Park is closed to all public access until further notice. This is being done in response to guidance from Southeast Utah Public Health, San Juan Public Health, and Moab Regional Hospital.

All vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians are prohibited from entering any park areas, including the campground, trails, backcountry areas, and roads. Park rangers may issue citations to persons violating this closure under the authority of 36 CFR 1.5(f).