The National Park Service turns 100 this week, and to celebrate its century of protecting American’s most treasured places, we asked you to share your memories and photos of the parks. Here’s a selection of your contributions. You can see all of them – and share your own – here.
Growing up in the parks
The centennial is an emotional time for Daisy Askey. Her father worked for the National Park Service and she recalls visiting a number of the country’s most beautiful spots while growing up. Today, she’s worried about what lies ahead for the parks.
I learned from an early age the importance of public lands and environmental stewardship, and I still struggle when I come across people who were raised so differently that something as simple but important as recycling and going hiking is seen as unimportant or ridiculed.
I live within minutes of Aztec Ruins national monument, and less than two hours’ drive from Mesa Verde national monument and Chaco Culture national historical park. These are some of my favorite places on earth. Oil and gas development in my area threatens these historic parks and natural areas.
I try to take my students on field trips to at least one park area every year and remind them that they and all people in the US own public lands. I’m worried this year that efforts to disband national parks and other public lands are intensifying. If the lovely land and history of this country weren’t protected, what would be left?
‘If you want to hike to Delicate Arch – do it at dawn’
Jeff Craddock was in Arches national park, Utah, in June 2015, where temperatures were about 45C during the day.
‘If you want to hike to Delicate Arch – do it at dawn’ was the advice we were given.
At 4am, I set off into the semi-darkness, completely on my own, surrounded by the sights and smells of the early morning desert. The trail was easy to follow at first, but then became more difficult as it crossed the slip rock. Small piles of stones marked the route. I arrived at the arch just as the sun began to rise. It was just amazing – the fragility of the arch, and its sheer beauty. An unforgettable experience.
Riding coast to coast
During a few weeks off work in fall 2014, GuardianWitness contributor Diebschlag rode his Harley Davidson from New York to Los Angeles.
I soon realized that I was subconsciously trying to hit as many national parks as possible – they’re just the most raw, awe-inspiring places, full of like-minded people enjoying the land. I hope they continue to get the protection they deserve.
From dawn to dusk
Jason Lewandowski submitted a number of beautiful shots capturing sunrises and sunsets in Colorado and Washington.
I am very fortunate to call Colorado home and live so close to an amazing national park. They’re all so unique and special in their own way! They really get you away from the hustle and bustle to decompress and get back with nature. We need to preserve this beauty and think of the generations long after us so they can enjoy them just as much as us.”
We woke up near the Sahale Glacier to a family of mountain goats making noise outside of our tent before sunrise. We were fortunate enough to enjoy our new friends in the comfort of our tent with a beautiful sunrise starting the day off right.
On to the next adventure …
At the end of a nine-mile hike up the Mist trail to the John Muir trail in Yosemite, Nabrahamy met Ingrid and Lorenza, a couple from Italy.
They wanted driving directions and tips to get to the Grand Canyon. This is a picture of our conversation over a map. In the end, they elected to visit Joshua Tree national park, saving the Grand Canyon for a return visit.
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