So you ran into a Park Ranger?? Do tell.....

[1azarus]

I ran into three rangers in the SNP a few weeks ago, and I'm not at all proud of my behavior... Here's what happened: I called the Park 2 times to confirm that I could leave a borrowed car at the south entrance gate. When my son's girlfriend offered to let me use her car for my trip, I assured her I would be leaving it in a safe location, so I didn't want to leave her car at any of the lots outside the park toward waynesboro -- there have been reports of vandalism, and a car with out of state plates is probably a bit more of a target. I knew it could be an issue to leave the car at the entrance gate where I knew there was limited room, so I was very specific when I called the Park for advice -- and was told I could leave my car at the Gate. Also, I had arranged for a shuttle from the south entrance gate. So... I entered the park at the swift run gate (that is what it is called, i think...) and signed in, told them I was going to leave the car at the south entrance gate. Then, after some hiking, I walked up to the south entrance gate and said hello. I am a fairly friendly guy -- the Ranger was ok, and wanted to see my pass, which I showed him. When I told him I already had my car in the park, and that I was going to get it and bring it to the south entrance gate he first wanted to see proof that I had paid for vehicle entry... and I told him I had the receipt in the car, and that I would show it to him when I brought the car down. He then told me I couldn't leave it at the Gate. Period. I asked about leaving my car in the employee lot, which had plenty of room, and he said no... It seems I should not have been told I could leave my car at the gate. What annoyed me was that I was told that I could, and the Ranger wouldn't help make the situation work. So far, that would be a small minus score for the rangers -- they gave me bad info and then weren't flexible enough to fix it. But, hey, that's ok -- flexibility isn't in their job description. What I am embarrassed about is that I really argued with them. I shouldn't have -- all the right attitude stuff about making it easier for hikers who come after you is a good thing. So, I left in a huff, and shuttled down to Buena Vista. I had a couple of days to talk to myself about that experience, and vowed to apologize to the Rangers when I returned. Then, I got carried away and ended up with a 29 mile day and finished just before dark instead of the next morning -- to find the entrance gate empty... so I didn't get to apologize.

[WIAPilot]

Lazarus: The Ranger in question may have had HIS information wrong. The least he could do would be to call the same info line and ask them if this was the information they were giving out. I don't think you were in the wrong at all. Rangers are paid quite well for a dream job in most cases. A lot of them abuse their authority. (Of course this coulld be said of most professions... )

[fiddlehead]

I've had a few ranger encounters.
Probably more good ones than bad ones.
The worst was once when hiking the CDT in Yellowstone and they made us travel the road for a few miles because of a Griz with cubs.
Ranger sees us (from his car) and slams on the brakes to ask us what we are doing. We told him the story and that we were thru-hiking the CDT.
He had never heard of it. But left us alone when he saw a car cross the divider line. He pulled him over, called for backup and 3 cars came to give this poor driver some cr#p. He was a wanna-be cop kind of screw up that gives those guys a bad name.

On the good side, a different year, same park, a ranger informed me of a secret hot creek in which we could get an excellent bath (legal as it was a flowing creek) It was perfect. Turned out he had thru-hiked the AT a few years before.

Another time, one was trying to give us a hard time in Sequoia NP about a cache we made for a speed hike but you could tell he really was OK and just doing his duty.
We ended up sharing some stories, and left on good terms. Then there was the woman ranger in the "Bob" who raises mules in her off-season. Anyone ever meet her? I met her on two different hikes up there.

Like I said: more good than bad. But the bad can be very bad.

[Lyte-w8-hyker]

In september of 08 I was doing aloop in the smokies with a buddy. We where hiking ont the little river or goshen prong trail (can't remember) near campsite 21. THere was on old bridge that seemed to be part of a railroad/old road. We went down to fill our water. I saw a salamander and was taking a picture of it. All of a sudden I heard a womens voice say "stay away from the animals your too close!" I looked up and saw a female ranger, she said again "your too close to the bear!" Sure enough I looked over my left shoulder and there was a bear no more than 20 yards down the creak heading near me! My buddy freaked and ran up back to the bridge, I was petrified an slowly backed away. So i'd say it was a good encounter she saved my butt!

[Lyte-w8-hyker]

darnit, wrong link

[RED-DOG]

I ran into a couple rangers in the S.N.P in mid april and one in the Smokies they were all real cool people. But you got to expect to run into them from time to time especially on the A.T since it does run through National parks and they do have the right to search you especially after the stonewall Murder.

[Monkeywrench]

Other than front-country rangers seen around the Waysides and such in SNP, I saw only two rangers during my entire 6-month thru-hike. I saw one hiking the trail in Vermont, and another at one of the Huts in the Whites. I chatted with each for a few minutes and both were friendly and pleasant.

[Saprogenic]

I don't think NJ has a single decent human being wearing a ranger's uniform. I've run into quite a few over the years, and none of them had a decent bone in their body.

[rocketsocks]

I don't think NJ has a single decent human being wearing a ranger's uniform. I've run into quite a few over the years, and none of them had a decent bone in their body.

Gotta disagree with ya there on that one,but only on principal,cause you didn't support your statement with a reference.

[hikerboy57]

I don't think NJ has a single decent human being wearing a ranger's uniform. I've run into quite a few over the years, and none of them had a decent bone in their body.

can you elaborate? people dont choose the NPS for a career because theyre in it for the money.

[Feral Bill]

I've worked for NPS at several parks in maintainance, and have known a bunch of their people well. Lets note that there are many sorts of "rangers". NPS, local/state park, USFS, fish and game, probably others. Within each (or at least NPS) there are different jobs, such as naturalists, backcountry rangers, visitor center staff, and more. There's not much to be gained thinking of them as all the same. And the pay, as hikerboy suggests, is low, and jobs often seasonal. Some bad apples, sure, but mostly decent folks trying to do their job.

[FarmerChef]

I've only done about 600 miles of the trail itself but spend lots of time in Harper's Ferry since it's close to my home. Though I've never, ever seen a ranger in the backcountry I've seen plenty at gates, in the visitor's center, on trail talks and more. I have to say that not once have I had a bad experience.

The most recent was at Harper's Ferry. My family, my aunt and uncle and two of my cousins were all planning to hike the section from Snicker's Gap up to HF over 3 days (they are veeeerry slow, hyoh). So my wifey and I drove over to drop off a car on Friday night knowing how crazy the parking lots can be on a holiday weekend (Memorial Day in this case). We pulled into the day use lot at the 340 bridge and went up to the guard shack at the vistor's center just to double check we could leave it there.

Well the VC was closed and the guard shack was empty but when we got there we saw a ranger in a marked vehicle. So we hurriedly scooted over and hopped out to explain our situation. The ranger kindly informed us that we needed to move our car up to the VC parking lot and then went back to his vehicle to get the form and give it to us. As we drove down to pick up our car and move it, we filled out the form and drove back up. He was still there and graciously took our form and wished our trip well even though it was well after regular visitor hours.

On another occasion, I brought my Tiger Cub den up for a clean up walk on the AT and we stopped at the VC. As you know, Tigers (1st grade boys) can be a bit rambunctious, but the rangers were polite and sweet and helped make that trip exciting and memorable for the boys.

[fredmugs]

One encounter in SNP and my registration tag was clearly visible and the ranger thanked me for it. I can't recall any other encounters.

[coach lou]

I always try to shoot the breeze with the rangers. it is really interesting to hear where they are from, how they got this paticular assignment, what assignments they have had.

[fins1838]

This one to time at bandcamp I saw tim Tebow kiss the clarinet player!

[fins1838]

Cause they're all Sapranos!

[RockyRoo]

LOVED the two rangers I met in the Smokies. Mind you, I did have a broken wrist and they were sent to help. Great guys, really professional, medical knowledge was great etc. Can't sing their praises more! Gave my hubby and I a lift to the hospital to save ambo fee.

[Mishigami Manitou]

I haven't seen any rangers on the AT, just plenty of ridge runners. I did have a good experience with one out in the Cascades a couple of years ago - although I thought the first introduction started bad.

My son and I had to re-route on a different loop as one of the river crossings we hoped to go over was much too high. I would have been okay, but my son was only 15 at the time, and small, so rather than subject him to any danger, we picked a different route. We were about two days into the new route when we came across a ranger. He asked to check our backcountry pass, and after discovering we had changed our route, he told us with a rather arrogant attitude that we should have notified the ranger station of our changes (even though we were over a day in when we changed them). He made some calls on his radio and gave us a new set of campsites to use. He just seemed a bit of a jerk with it all. When we got to the first campsite he picked for us, we found it in a swamp and full of mosquitoes (another much nicer campsite was only a couple of miles up the trail). This made us not like him even more.

Well, three nights later, we were awakened by someone in our camp (a little frightening when you are so far out in the middle of nowhere by yourselves). We poked our heads out of the tent, and when our eyes adjusted to his flashlight, we saw that it was the same ranger. It was about three in the morning. He told us that a forest fire was coming, and we needed to break camp immediately. He led us out on another route (and even helped me limp the last few miles when I twisted my knee climbing over a fallen tree). Turns out, he was a pretty nice guy after all, and we still keep in touch to this day (he fixed a ticket for me a couple of years later when I got cited for parking at a trailhead without paying the fee).

Most of the rangers I've met over the years are all right. Some can be a little bloated - mostly those who want to move on to being real cops down the road.

[Wise Old Owl]

Still my best and favorite thread.. got to love it... keep it coming....and Sapro (above ) lets try to keep it positive....

[SunnyWalker]

I've run into them over the years. These people have a hard job, give a lot in serve they are not paid for. I have always had positive experiences with them. They always have lots of info, know whats happening in the area, are friendly, and give great service to the park. I don't think they are paid enough. I sure do appreciate them.