KaskadskyjKozak

be careful or you guys might run into KK.

I think if you asked folks in the Forest Service they would say that it will indeed take years and probably decades to repair the damage done from years of neglect. Take a look at the press releases coming from Wa Department of Ecology about crumbling forest roads and fisheries habitat. Consider how long it took to complete environmental review and complete planning and politics necessary to re-open the Mountain Loop Highway. Read a little about the backlog in roadway and trail projects. It is not just as simple as a "line item." I doubt this is on Obamalama's radar screen. My first point is you'll see little change from his admin, but you'll still blame W. My second point is you can improve a hell of a lot within just 4 years and don't need "decades". Sorry, but excuses don't cut it. As for Mtn. Loop yeah it took years to do - in the current environment and budget. The "politics" of that problem of course are more due to left-wing-nut greens than to W's budget cuts.

It'll take decades to change a budgetary line item? Bullshit.

Keep posting dude, and ignore the playa-haters!

When Obama's presidency ends the fee structure will still be there. I'll bet you a pitcher of beer on that.

Again you put words into my mouth. Pretty typical from you.

W saw into Putin's soul

who? i thought we were talking about Kevbone.

Are you saying the USFS is a "bloated" agency or was before the the "consolidation" you cite above? I never said it was bloated.

Outside of Washington I've seen bears in Glacier NP on the Iceberg Lake Trail. We drove into the park from the West, and did the touristy drive up the Going to the Sun Road. We didn't get to Many Glacier until late afternoon - set up camp and decided to quickly do the Iceberg Lake Trail. 20 minutes into the hike we saw a black bear about 100 meters off to the left and below. A couple hours later, on the way back there was a bear ON the trail. We made lots of noise and he/she wouldn't move off. He was hungry and grazing on plants. Eventually we got him off the trail - but only by about 15 feet. It was getting dusk, and not a good time to be "out" around black bears, so I got out the pepper spray and stood right in front of the bear while the family passed behind me, then followed them. I wanted to photograph the bear but my wife got really pissed "WTF are you doing?". Over the next week in the park we didn't see another bear.

He's in Mexico. Enjoy the respite.

In the Cascades: 1) Above the Cascade Pass trail, near the pass, where you traverse talus 2) On the road to Boulder Ridge Trail (Baker) - early season. We saw one bear, and soon afterwards a second. That's it.

Dude, STFU.

perhaps the expanding width of the trails is due to the expanding width of the hikers.

I think you're stretching it. Indeed!

I can confirm that while "trekking" my pole widens "trails".

Just how much would it actually cost to adequately fund the NFS? A few hundred million? A couple billion? I'm sure it's chump change compared to the other line items in the federal budget.

Bullshit. Haven't the visitors centers had a *separate* parking fee since they opened? You know, your NW forest pass doesn't cut it, and neither does a NPS annual pass even with a "golden eagle" sticker or whatever the add-on is called these days. You pay yet another fee. And hasn't this been the case since long before W was in office? Haven't there always been separate climbing permits for MSH - predating the current administration? As for the "you" in your statement about wanting less money going to the USFS - sorry, but *I* have never expressed any such preference. *I* want the NPS and USFS to be adequately funded to support normal operations of their facilities, including maintenance, repairs, etc. I expect upkeep of access and facilities. *I* don't expect some third party to take a slice of the permit cost and to be fleeced just to enjoy a hike up a friggin' snow slog. "Climbing" Mt saint helens is arguably less of an outing than hiking to Camp Muir, and I certainly don't get charged $22 a pop to do that (especially with my annual NPS card). Nice try with your tiresome pidgeon-holing.

if you do get into trouble, post a TR

While I'm not too jazzed about the idea of permit fees on public land, the Forest Service is the stepchild of public agencies right now, has had to consolidate beyond it's resource needs, and is being pushed hard by the Bushies to contract out portions of their work. So - the current administration is responsible for the cutbacks and the philosphy of having third party contractors. whether it's "Bush's fault" (damn that liberal mantra is tiresome) or not is irrelevant. the St. Helens fee structure (not just climbing but parking there) is bullshit and needs to be fixed.

for you the subject line of this thread is a tautology. it's redundant. is there an echo in here?

Feel this:

speaking of 27inch thighs... wouldn't that match you bug?

shot to the heart and you're to blame you give love, a bad name

and yet somehow your race produces such delicate ballerinas! curious... You mean the ones with 27 inch thighs? no, the ones who have this lady as prime minister: