I observed people cross over railings, step off boardwalks and approach wildlife dangerously close.

Perhaps the worst of these incidents was a man from a tour group who left a boardwalk at the Norris Geyser Basin to take an up-close picture of a hot pool. He walked about 50 feet from the trail, took a picture, then crouched down by the pool and dipped his finger into the water to test its temperature (as if the steam and bubbles weren't enough.)

I am personally disgusted in the behavior of people recently at national parks and preserves across the country.

It is this kind of behavior that forces beautiful areas to be shut down so other people cannot enjoy them, all because one person had to ignore the warning signs posted every 10 feet.

Mike Mason

Salt Lake City