Masks now required in National Parks

[gyuill]

Just saw a news article that said masks are now required in all National Parks.

Graham.

[Donna D.]

Yeah, I read it earlier on CNN: "Face masks are now required in US national parks when visitors can't maintain physical distance and in all National Park Service buildings to help protect against the spread of coronavirus."

[EdColorado]

Actually, masks are required on all federal property.

From the White House.

“Accordingly, to protect the Federal workforce and individuals interacting with the Federal workforce, and to ensure the continuity of Government services and activities, on-duty or on-site Federal employees, on-site Federal contractors, and other individuals in Federal buildings and on Federal lands should all wear masks, maintain physical distance, and adhere to other public health measures, as provided in CDC guidelines. “


https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-...-mask-wearing/

[Perry Butler]

Sounds fine to me, and about time. This country needs to get serious about Covid so we can get it over with.

We just left Big Bend NP, and will be heading to Chiricahua NM, Cochise Stronghold, Organ Pipe NM, and some Utah parks in the next couple of months. We have no problems with masks when needed.

Enjoy,

Perry

[oldwave]

As a retired NPS employee, I was mortified that this wasn’t the policy last year. Talk about risk factors, people from all over the country and maybe the world mixing in Visitor Centers etc. Glad to see it.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by EdColorado

Actually, masks are required on all federal property.

Originally Posted by Perryb67

Sounds fine to me, and about time. This country needs to get serious about Covid so we can get it over with.

Originally Posted by oldwave

As a retired NPS employee, I was mortified that this wasn’t the policy last year. Talk about risk factors, people from all over the country and maybe the world mixing in Visitor Centers etc. Glad to see it.

Joining those sentiments with a big affirmative "Amen"

[davidmurphy02]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

Sounds fine to me, and about time. This country needs to get serious about Covid so we can get it over with.

We just left Big Bend NP, and will be heading to Chiricahua NM, Cochise Stronghold, Organ Pipe NM, and some Utah parks in the next couple of months.

Perry, how did you like camping in Chisos Basin - did you have good weather?

[EdColorado]

Originally Posted by Centex

Joining those sentiments with a big affirmative "Amen"

If you’re planning camping trips this summer to US Forest Service, Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, US Fish and Wildlife or military bases, be sure to pack a mask.

[diannelgraham]

I’m spending the winter in Arizona in state, national and regional parks. I wear a mask always when I’m out of my own campsite whether I’m close to people or not. To me it just makes sense to be overly cautious, why would you want to take any unnecessary chances.

[Centex]

Originally Posted by EdColorado

If you’re planning camping trips this summer to US Forest Service, Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, US Fish and Wildlife or military bases, be sure to pack a mask.

Anyone who isn't packing masks whenever they leave their house is missing the point, IMO.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

Perry, how did you like camping in Chisos Basin - did you have good weather?

Hi David!

We had perfect weather during our four nights in Chisos, 60's and 70's daytime and never froze at night. Hiking was great. We then spent the next seven days in Cottonwood with highs in the 70's and 80's. Hiking was perfect. We hiked 34 miles while in Big Bend, in addition to riding our e-bike/trikes 48 miles one day from Cottonwood to the main junction and back.

In other words, we had a perfect time in Big Bend! We love it there.

We also spent four nights at Davis Mountain State Park. We only had two hikes for a total of 6 miles, but rode our bike/trike up to McDonald Observatory and then to Fort Davis for 28 miles of riding. Another perfect time. The bike ride to the observatory is a fantastic ride with beautiful scenery. One of our best rides in the US, of which there are many.

We did have 22 F one night at Davis Mountain that froze, but not split, our water hose. Water from our tank/pump worked just fine though. Thank goodness for the insulated underbelly!

We're currently camping at Cracker Barrel in Las Cruces, NM, and will be visiting a laundromat here in the morning before heading to Chiricahua National Monument for five days of hiking, and day for biking.

On the 15th we get our first Covid-19 shot at Cardinal Stadium at 2:36 am, in Glendale, AZ.

Life is good!

Perry

[RangerMan]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

Sounds fine to me, and about time. This country needs to get serious about Covid so we can get it over with.

We just left Big Bend NP, and will be heading to Chiricahua NM, Cochise Stronghold, Organ Pipe NM, and some Utah parks in the next couple of months. We have no problems with masks when needed.

Enjoy,

Perry

Where is the Cochise Stronghold exactly? I can remember seeing it on a map once but can't remember where it is. I looked at what should be an obvious place. 'Cochise county' but no luck.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by RangerMan

Where is the Cochise Stronghold exactly? I can remember seeing it on a map once but can't remember where it is. I looked at what should be an obvious place. 'Cochise county' but no luck.

Cochise Stronghold is about 5 miles west of Sunsites, Arizona.

Enjoy,

Perry