Posted 2013-04-07 4:03 PM (#151151) Subject: National Park rides
Elite Veteran
Posts: 657 Location: Rayne, LA
A friend sent me the attached email that I thought may be of interest here------
This is a request for action. If you have ever ridden a mule in a National Park or would like to in the future, this should be of interest to you. Commercial outfitters offering rides in Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks are both being "re-evaluated", and most of the alternatives do not favor stock use. Since the difference in a commercial mule ride and a private mule ride is pretty slim, it is likely that all such use in all parks might be "re-evaluated" soon. Please take some time and submit comments on these plans to say that you want to have horse and mule riding available on your next visit to a National Park.
The plan for Yellowstone with link to a comment screen can be found here:
Posted 2013-04-08 7:19 AM (#151165 - in reply to #151151) Subject: RE: National Park rides
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
Mule man;I have sent my comments to the link along with my feelings about the opening of the forests, and the foothills to mechanized transport. As we all know, horses and mules do not make loud noises, nor impact the trails and meadows like a narrow moto, or mountain bike tire. Not to mention the historical use of pack animals and the transport of humans to access the recreation areas. While the use of forests and deserts by pack and riding animals can impact the areas temporarily by over grazing, or trampling of grass or plants, the impact is marginal, and the is very temporary. Thanks for bringing this link to our attention for comment. I am a serious trail rider, and avid camper, so much of this is where I use the parks on the Kern Plateau of California.
Posted 2013-04-08 8:29 AM (#151168 - in reply to #151151) Subject: RE: National Park rides
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
The above link is for Yosemite, But the same process is under way for Yellowstone. Although the public meetings for Yellowstone were all held in March. They are dealing with the numbers of commercial guide trips into national park.
It's important for horse owners to let the Forest Service and Park Service know that use the trails.
National Park rides
