I Like Mike - DEVA Super Reynolds in 6th Year

[DeathValleyDazed]

I've had the pleasure of a few interactions with the current superintendent of DEVA, Mike Reynolds. First was at the reopening of the Keane Wonder Mine where I shook his hand and chatted for a moment. Another more recent, about two years ago was literally running into him and some other NPS staff jogging around the Furnace Creek Golf Course early on a summer morning. 

Two years ago a few emails were exchanged after Mike summited Blue Mountain and he found my contact information inside the peak register box I placed there a few months prior. He and Ranger Tom had summited on different days. Until I read this article pasted below, I had no idea of his many accomplishments. He seems capable of dealing with the stresses and pressures of increased DEVA visitations. I'm part of the problem being one who fell in love with the place after my first visit and now visits as much as possible and plans on continuing until I croak out. LOL 

I hope Mike remains for a few more years at least as I have no clue now NPS handles changes among the park supers. 


https://desertreport.org/an-interview-wi...-reynolds/

[shane]

Thanks for the link Dazed, that was a good read. I was on a hike with Mike a few years ago and yea that guy can really fly. Super nice guy too.

[Bluegreen kayak]

Thanks too for the link; it was an interesting article. I'm glad my favorite national park has a director who seems perfect for it. Even if he always makes me think of a young Martin Landau.

[MojaveGeek]

Nice. The increase in visitation over the years is real. And any policy has ripple effects. I am just back from two weeks in Yosemite. They have a reservation system and quotas this year. I got all my passes the day they opened the process in May, but I also saw people turned away at the entrance stations without them. And, likely as a result, I saw so many more people at out-of-park trailheads and dispersed camping facilities, really amazing. One walk in (1/2 mile) campground with 6 or so parking places had 12 cars parked on the side of the road in addition to the parking places full. I'd never seen more than 1 car there, in perhaps a dozen drives by over the years.