Browns Canyon National Monument in Colorado has been certified as an International Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International. The monument now joins the growing list of International Dark Sky Places known for undertaking dark-sky conservation and education efforts through management of all exterior lighting and promoting best practices to visitors and nearby communities through interpretive programming. Browns Canyon National Monument now becomes Colorado’s 18th certified International Dark Sky Place, and its 12th International Dark Sky Park.
“Browns Canyon National Monument is a haven for dark skies in central Colorado, a region that continues to push for stronger protections of the precious natural resource of the night sky,” said DarkSky International Program Associate Michael Rymer. “Browns Canyon’s example will no doubt be a substantial one in influencing communities surrounding the national monument and beyond to practice responsible outdoor lighting to better impact the night-time environment of the site. Furthermore, the staff’s ingenuity in bringing the monument’s lighting into full compliance is something worthy of praise and promotion.”
Browns Canyon has many outstanding characteristics, including a scenic river corridor, impressive wilderness areas and numerous recreational opportunities. It is an area rich in history and is highly valued by Indigenous and First Nations people for its deep cultural significance. It was designated as a national monument on Feb. 19, 2015, by President Barack Obama. Currently, the land is jointly managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. River-based recreation is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife through the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area.
Browns Canyon National Monument encompasses a section of the Arkansas River and includes nearly 22,000 acres of pristine public lands. Just a short drive from major urban centers, the monument is located in Chaffee County—an area known for spectacular daytime recreational opportunities. As a Dark Sky Park, its special night sky viewing opportunities are now recognized.
The effort to seek DarkSky certification was organized by a local advocacy group, Friends of Browns Canyon. The group hosted night sky events, including fundraisers, concerts and photography outings. They also conducted the light meter readings and hired a contractor to assist them in developing the application.
Since the location is naturally suited for night sky viewing, the work required to meet standards for DarkSky certification was minimal. “Because we have a lot of camping in the area, we had to retrofit some of our lighting near Browns Canyon National Monument to make sure we met certification standards,” said Tom Waters, Park Manager for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. “With a bit of ingenuity from our staff, and some exceptional coordination with our local and federal partners, we have been able to provide this exciting opportunity to our community and visitors.”
The Bureau of Land Management and Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area are training staff to deliver night sky programming and to educate visitors on the expanded recreation options being offered in the area.
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Two hikers perish in two separate incidents on Flatirons
On Monday, December 16th, at approximately 9:00 pm, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office responded to the report of an overdue hiker in the area of the Second Flatiron just outside of Boulder, Colorado. It was reported by friends of the 42-year old hiker after he failed to return home around dark the previous evening. Friends of the hiker searched the area and found the man deceased on a rock ledge on the Second Flatiron. It's believed that he fell.
The Boulder County Sheriff's Office, Boulder Parks and Open Space Rangers, Rocky Mountain Rescue group, American Medical response ambulance, Boulder Emergency Squad, and the Boulder County Coroner's office responded and recovered the remains of the decedent.
On Tuesday, December 17th, a 27-year-old male went missing while “scrambling” near the Third Flatiron. His sister reported him as an overdue hiker the following day after he failing to return home. Boulder County Sheriff’s Office personnel discovered his vehicle near the Gregory Canyon trailhead, which initiated a search operation. Utilizing drones from Boulder Emergency Squad, search teams located the man’s body in a remote area near the Third Flatiron. The recovery effort, requiring technical expertise from the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, took approximately 8.5 hours to complete.
The identity of both victims is being withheld at this time, pending positive identification, and notification to the next of kin by the Boulder County Coroner's Office.
The Boulder County Sheriff's Office, Boulder Parks and Open Space Rangers, Rocky Mountain Rescue group, American Medical response ambulance, Boulder Emergency Squad, and the Boulder County Coroner's office responded and recovered the remains of the decedent.
On Tuesday, December 17th, a 27-year-old male went missing while “scrambling” near the Third Flatiron. His sister reported him as an overdue hiker the following day after he failing to return home. Boulder County Sheriff’s Office personnel discovered his vehicle near the Gregory Canyon trailhead, which initiated a search operation. Utilizing drones from Boulder Emergency Squad, search teams located the man’s body in a remote area near the Third Flatiron. The recovery effort, requiring technical expertise from the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, took approximately 8.5 hours to complete.
The identity of both victims is being withheld at this time, pending positive identification, and notification to the next of kin by the Boulder County Coroner's Office.
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Hiking books make great last-minute gifts!
Christmas is just a week away! Still trying to figure out what to give to your hiking friends and relatives? Why not give the gift of a hikers dream bucket list? Our books (see below) provide all the information hikers will need to discover new hiking adventures throughout Glacier, Grand Teton, and across the entire Rocky Mountain Range.
Right now my entire collection of eBooks are half off at Amazon – just $4.95 each! They'll soon be returning to full price....
**********************************************************************************
From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:
[This book is also available in paperback]
**********************************************************************************
Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout this vast park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Exploring Glacier National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Glacier:
**********************************************************************************
Rising more than 7000 feet above Jackson Hole, the majestic mountains of Grand Teton National Park provide one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. With more than 240 miles of trails meandering throughout this park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Exploring Grand Teton National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Grand Teton:
**********************************************************************************
Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk in the woods for pleasure?
Ramble On explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world:
[This book is also available in paperback]
As always, thank you very much!
Right now my entire collection of eBooks are half off at Amazon – just $4.95 each! They'll soon be returning to full price....
**********************************************************************************
From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:
[This book is also available in paperback]
**********************************************************************************
Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout this vast park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Exploring Glacier National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Glacier:
**********************************************************************************
Rising more than 7000 feet above Jackson Hole, the majestic mountains of Grand Teton National Park provide one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. With more than 240 miles of trails meandering throughout this park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Exploring Grand Teton National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Grand Teton:
**********************************************************************************
Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk in the woods for pleasure?
Ramble On explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world:
[This book is also available in paperback]
As always, thank you very much!
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Five Great Reasons to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park
Encompassing more than 265,000 acres, and with more than sixty peaks topping out above 12,000 feet, Rocky Mountain National Park is home to some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. From wooded forests to alpine tundra, these majestic mountains provide habitat to more than 60 species of mammals, while more than 280 species of birds visit or reside within the park. With more than 350 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, Rocky Mountain is also widely recognized as a hiker’s paradise. Here are five great reasons why you should visit Rocky Mountain:
The Continental Divide
One of the best things about Rocky Mountain National Park is its accessibility to the high country. No other park in the country allows visitors to gain lofty elevations so easily. Roughly one-third of the park is above tree-line, and more than 60 peaks top out above 12,000 feet, including 14,259-foot Longs Peak, the highest peak in the park. In addition to trails like the Flattop Mountain Trail or the route to Mt. Ida, visitors can drive over the Continental Divide along the highest continuous paved road in North America. With a maximum elevation of 12,183 feet, and more than eight miles traveling above 11,000 feet, Trail Ridge Road connects Estes Park with Grand Lake. The road also provides access to several outstanding tundra hikes, such as the Ute Trail, the Tundra Communities Trail and the Alpine Ridge Trail. Each of these are categorized as easy or moderate hikes, but don't forget to acclimate first!
Wildflowers
Wet springs can bring exceptional wildflower seasons to Rocky Mountain National Park. Even during normal years the park explodes with a variety of wildflowers. Some of the varieties visitors might enjoy include Alpine Clover, Rock Primrose, Western Wallflower, Sky Pilot and Alpine Sunflowers in the tundra areas of the park, as well as Mountain Iris, Lupine, Mariposa-lily and Colorado Columbines in the lower elevations. Some of best wildflower hikes include Big Meadows, Cascade Falls, Emerald Lake and the Lumpy Ridge Loop, among many others.
Longs Peak
At 14,259 feet, Longs Peak is the highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. The iconic sentinel is seen from almost anywhere in the park, as well as from many locations around northern Colorado. It’s also one of most popular “fourteeners” for hikers and climbers to tackle in a state that boasts 53 peaks that rise above 14,000 feet. Although considered a mountaineering route, thousands of hikers attempt to summit the peak each summer using the famous Keyhole Route. Personally, I don’t want anything to do with the narrow ledges and steep cliffs along the upper portions of the route. I much prefer safer climbs such as Hallett Peak and the Chapin-Chiquita-Ypsilon Mountains to cure my big mountain summit fever.
Elk Rut
The annual elk rut is one of the premier attractions in Rocky Mountain National Park. Each fall elk descend from the high country to the lower elevation meadows during the annual breeding season. During the rut, bull elk compete with one another for the right to breed with herds of females. Mature bulls compete for cows by bugling, posturing, displaying their antlers and herding, while occasionally fighting off young challengers. The peak season for the rut generally lasts from mid-September to mid-October in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Fall Aspens
Just as the elk rut is kicking into high gear, another annual event that draws tourists to the park during the autumn are the brilliant fall colors of aspens. Each September the leaves of quacking aspens turn from green to orange and golden yellow throughout the park. Some of best hikes for viewing fall aspens include Bierstadt Lake, Alberta Falls, Cub Lake, Finch Lake, Adams Falls and Chasm Lake, among many others.
In addition to the hikes discussed above, Rocky Mountain National Park has many other outstanding hikes that take-in the best scenery the park has to offer. If you do plan to visit Rocky Mountain this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings and other things to do to help with all your vacation planning.
*******************************************************************************
From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:
The Continental Divide
One of the best things about Rocky Mountain National Park is its accessibility to the high country. No other park in the country allows visitors to gain lofty elevations so easily. Roughly one-third of the park is above tree-line, and more than 60 peaks top out above 12,000 feet, including 14,259-foot Longs Peak, the highest peak in the park. In addition to trails like the Flattop Mountain Trail or the route to Mt. Ida, visitors can drive over the Continental Divide along the highest continuous paved road in North America. With a maximum elevation of 12,183 feet, and more than eight miles traveling above 11,000 feet, Trail Ridge Road connects Estes Park with Grand Lake. The road also provides access to several outstanding tundra hikes, such as the Ute Trail, the Tundra Communities Trail and the Alpine Ridge Trail. Each of these are categorized as easy or moderate hikes, but don't forget to acclimate first!
Wildflowers
Wet springs can bring exceptional wildflower seasons to Rocky Mountain National Park. Even during normal years the park explodes with a variety of wildflowers. Some of the varieties visitors might enjoy include Alpine Clover, Rock Primrose, Western Wallflower, Sky Pilot and Alpine Sunflowers in the tundra areas of the park, as well as Mountain Iris, Lupine, Mariposa-lily and Colorado Columbines in the lower elevations. Some of best wildflower hikes include Big Meadows, Cascade Falls, Emerald Lake and the Lumpy Ridge Loop, among many others.
Longs Peak
At 14,259 feet, Longs Peak is the highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. The iconic sentinel is seen from almost anywhere in the park, as well as from many locations around northern Colorado. It’s also one of most popular “fourteeners” for hikers and climbers to tackle in a state that boasts 53 peaks that rise above 14,000 feet. Although considered a mountaineering route, thousands of hikers attempt to summit the peak each summer using the famous Keyhole Route. Personally, I don’t want anything to do with the narrow ledges and steep cliffs along the upper portions of the route. I much prefer safer climbs such as Hallett Peak and the Chapin-Chiquita-Ypsilon Mountains to cure my big mountain summit fever.
Elk Rut
The annual elk rut is one of the premier attractions in Rocky Mountain National Park. Each fall elk descend from the high country to the lower elevation meadows during the annual breeding season. During the rut, bull elk compete with one another for the right to breed with herds of females. Mature bulls compete for cows by bugling, posturing, displaying their antlers and herding, while occasionally fighting off young challengers. The peak season for the rut generally lasts from mid-September to mid-October in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Fall Aspens
Just as the elk rut is kicking into high gear, another annual event that draws tourists to the park during the autumn are the brilliant fall colors of aspens. Each September the leaves of quacking aspens turn from green to orange and golden yellow throughout the park. Some of best hikes for viewing fall aspens include Bierstadt Lake, Alberta Falls, Cub Lake, Finch Lake, Adams Falls and Chasm Lake, among many others.
In addition to the hikes discussed above, Rocky Mountain National Park has many other outstanding hikes that take-in the best scenery the park has to offer. If you do plan to visit Rocky Mountain this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings and other things to do to help with all your vacation planning.
*******************************************************************************
From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:
Monday, December 9, 2024
NPS announces 2025 free entrance days
Are you ready to explore the breathtaking beauty of America's national parks? In 2025, the National Park Service (NPS) invites everyone, especially those who may not have considered a visit, to plan and prepare for their next national park trip early. Next year, the National Park Service will waive the entrance fee to national parks on six days —an opportunity to experience the wonders of nature, culture, and history without the cost of entry!
On designated days throughout the year, all visitors can enjoy free entrance to more than 400 national parks across the country. Whether you are a family looking for a weekend getaway, friends seeking a memorable outing, or even solo adventurers desiring to connect with nature, free entrance days make it easier for everyone to explore the parks.
The 2025 free entrance days are:
January 20 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
April 19 – First Day of National Park Week
June 19 – Juneteenth National Independence Day
August 4 – Great American Outdoors Act Signing Day
September 27 – National Public Lands Day
November 11 – Veterans Day
With over 400 national parks, monuments, and historic sites, there’s something for everyone. Visit NPS.gov/findapark to explore the park options nearest you.
On designated days throughout the year, all visitors can enjoy free entrance to more than 400 national parks across the country. Whether you are a family looking for a weekend getaway, friends seeking a memorable outing, or even solo adventurers desiring to connect with nature, free entrance days make it easier for everyone to explore the parks.
The 2025 free entrance days are:
January 20 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
April 19 – First Day of National Park Week
June 19 – Juneteenth National Independence Day
August 4 – Great American Outdoors Act Signing Day
September 27 – National Public Lands Day
November 11 – Veterans Day
With over 400 national parks, monuments, and historic sites, there’s something for everyone. Visit NPS.gov/findapark to explore the park options nearest you.
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