Uncertain Path: A Search for the Future of National Parks

by William C. Tweed, Jon Jarvis (Foreword by)

In this provocative walking meditation, writer and former park ranger William Tweed takes us to California's spectacular High Sierra to discover a new vision for our national parks as they approach their 100th anniversary. Tweed, who worked among the Sierra Nevada's big peaks and big trees for more than thirty years, has now hiked more than 200 miles along California's John Muir Trail in a personal search for answers: How do we address the climate change we are seeing even now-in melting glaciers in Glacier National Park, changing rainy seasons on Mt Rainer, and more fire in the West's iconic parks. Should we intervene where we can to preserve biodiversity? Should the parks merely become ecosystem museums that exhibit famous landscapes and species? Asking how we can make these magnificent parks relevant for the next generation, Tweed, through his journey, ultimately shows why we must do just that.

Genres: Nonfiction, Outdoors, Conservation, Travel, Nature, Wilderness

248 pages, ebook

First published August 11, 2010

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slightly academic book by someone who worked for the US National Park System for decades. After Tweed’s retirement he takes a month long hike through the Sierra Nevada mountains. This hike is used as the frame for the book in discussing how the national park’s underlying principles needs to change.

The key phrase used as the guiding principle since the agency was established in 1916 is that the parks will be preserved "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Tweed writes extensively about how there are several problems with this phrasing. The inability to change, the word even, unimpaired, is going to be nearly impossible with the effects of climate change. Already there are visible stressors to the forests from the warming climate and other pollution levels. The last chapter offers some solutions, even possible new wordings.

However, the bulk of the book is about Tweed’s hiking trip through the sierras. A friend joins him for several weeks. They encounter other park rangers and have discussions about how they are looking for a missing hiker or someone who was abusing the rules. It makes these vast parks seems smaller than they actually are. The hike also has a way of introducing some of the history of the park service. When he hikes up a peak the name naturally introduces the reason why that name adorns that mountain.

There are extensive sections about who uses the park. Stock users, those who use pack animals to get into the high country, have a long tradition but it can be damaging to the trails and the meadows. Contrasting with the backpackers whose motto is leave no trace behind. Tweed also comments on the change in backpackers, fewer of the younger generations find their entertainment in the Sierras. Some who do look at it as solely a challenge, who can hike the trail the fastest, or bag the most peaks. Then there’s those people that have traditionally not looked at the forest as a recreational avenue for them.

Perhaps the book’s purpose could be summed up by these words: “The parks will have to undergo a metamorphosis that provides them with both new management goals in tune with our contemporary scientific knowledge and a redefined societal role that attracts new generations of users. Nothing less will succeed.”

[Pete Gachot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just re-read this book. It plods along slowly, like a long High Sierra hike, but it succeeds on two levels. It's a thoughtful reflection on the problems facing the National Park Service - the contradiction between its mission to preserve and the global environmental crisis undermining that mission. Secondly, the book is a great vicarious trek through some of the most spectacular sections of the High Sierra. An earlier reviewer suggested skipping the first three parts describing the hike and read only the last part, focussing on the problems. In fact, the hiking and the reflections are pretty thoroughly intermingled, so you may as well read the whole book and enjoy the spectacular wilderness it covers.

[Gib · Rating 4 out of 5]

This essay is meditation on the condition and future of the national parks set in the context of William Tweed's month long backpacking trip in the Sierra in 2006. I just finished reading after it languished on my unread bookshelf for seven years, having bought it at a Yosemite National Park bookstore in 2015. I think his analysis holds up well since its publication and after our journey through COVID. Our plague led to a spike in interest in national parks, but it seems that TikTok and assorted adventure sports claim more of an audience than the backcountry ever will. Tweed's descriptions of the mountains revived my long dormant memories of trips in the Rockies and Sierra. For those who haven't visited such places, his book can be a sign that now is the best time to go.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone familiar with the Sierra Nevada national parks and their wilderness, skip the first three chapters (which narrate the author's long-distance hike along the JMT and High Sierra Trail). The fourth chapter, on the future of national parks and how their mission must be reformulated in light of climate change and human population expansion, is essential reading. It's thought-provoking, well researched and timely. Five stars for that final chapter alone; three stars for the lightweight backcountry narrative that precedes it.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written around 2010, the National Park Centennial effort seems to (in alignment with Instagram and once again marketing ?) have solved some of the author's concerns regarding fading interest in the National Park system... (though I must admit his deeper concerns about how the participation in the park occurs is likely still there). It was lovely to explore the mind of a career Park employee reflecting on the Park and his perspective as a historian is so informative. As a person who lives and works in a National Park gateway community I found his attachment to the origin commitments of the National Park informative on some decisions that seem baffling to witness. It also occurred to me that maybe it is ok that the federal government takes so long to make any changes as this aligns with nature's way. Overall, a thought-provoking read for someone interested in contemplating the Sierra's and National Park history and future.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful reflection of a man on the past, present, and future of the National Park Service. Written in the context of his observations as he completes a through hike, you can see his deep love, appreciation, and knowledge for the area and how it ties into the changing landscape the National Parks Service must reckon with. Some may find the books slow, but I found it to be perfectly meandering in the way a trail is.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched and insightful look at the National Park system and its history, philosophy, and future. As someone with very little hiking experience, I also enjoyed the vivid, travel-log type writing and reflection throughout the first 3/4ths of the book … maybe I need to go for a long hike myself

[jasper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend for anyone who cares about our National Parks and wilderness.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a very detailed, prettily written account of a man's journey through the trails of the Sierras. Overall, it was well-written with pretty, descriptive language. However, I found it hard to get into because very little happens within the book, and it is generally just the thoughts and opinions of one man as he travels the trails.

Not bad, but I definitely would not recommend unless you have a high level of interest in nature, hiking, or the national park service.

[Mike Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me build my career in Spring 2011.