The Top 6 Reasons to Visit Glacier National Park

I know this may sound a little over-the-top, but every person living in this country should visit Glacier National Park at least once in their lifetime. It will forever change them. John Muir once said of Glacier:

"Give a month at least to this precious reserve. The time will not be taken from the sum of your life. Instead of shortening, it will indefinitely lengthen it and make you truly immortal. Nevermore will time seem short or long, and cares will never again fall heavily on you, but gently and kindly as gifts from heaven."

I know I can’t, but I'm pretty sure there aren’t too many others that can quite sum-up the Glacier experience better than Muir did. Here are just a few of the reasons on why I think Glacier is so special:

Unparalleled Beauty
In my humble opinion, Glacier National Park is by far the most beautiful park I’ve ever been to. This includes almost every major national park in the lower 48. As a disclaimer, I should note that I haven’t had a chance to explore the interior of Alaska….yet. Having said that, my love affair with this park began immediately the first time I laid eyes on it. To be precise, it was during the drive from Browning along Highway 2 as we approached the East Glacier/Two Medicine area. My love and awe for the park has grown after every hike and after each subsequent visit. At every turn on any road or trail is one spectacular scene after another. In fact, there are no bad or boring hikes. Photographers could spend a lifetime here taking photos of scenes that normally show up in Backpacker Magazine or National Geographic. One of the most famous photo locations in the entire National Park System is at a spot known as Wild Goose Island Overlook. You may recognize the scene in the photo below:

Glaciers
Most people assume that Glacier received its name as a result of the 25 glaciers that are located throughout the park. However, the park was actually given its name due to the rugged mountains that were carved by massive glaciers during the ice ages. Fortunately, a few of the glaciers can be reached by trail. Some of the most popular hikes for enjoying front row views of these glaciers include Iceberg Lake and Grinnell Glacier.

The Highline Trail
The Highline Trail from Logan Pass is widely recognized as one of the best hikes in the park, if not the entire National Park System. At every step and every turn hikers will enjoy absolutely spectacular scenery as they follow along the Continental Divide. The exceptionally beautiful views, the excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife, and the wildflowers all combine to make this a hike you'll remember the rest of your life. If you can make it past the narrow ledge section near the trailhead you’ll have the option of traveling to Haystack Pass, Granite Park Chalet, or making the one-way hike which continues all the way to “The Loop”. You'll also have the option of taking the steep spur trail up to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road
The famous Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only road to cross Glacier National Park from east to west. The epic route transports visitors through some of the most spectacular scenery the park has to offer. This engineering marvel spans more than 50 miles across the park's interior, takes passengers over the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, and treats visitors to some of the grandest sights in the Rocky Mountains. Along its course the road passes glacial lakes and cedar forests in the lower valleys, and windswept alpine meadows and sweeping mountain vistas atop the 6646-foot pass.

Several scenic viewpoints and pullouts along the way provide motorists with ample opportunities to stop for extended views and photographs. Once at Logan Pass be sure to visit Hidden Lake Overlook, a relatively easy hike that takes hikers across the Continental Divide just above the Logan Pass Visitor Center.

Some drivers (and passengers) might be a little intimidated by the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Portions of it hug the mountainside as it traverses over steep drop-offs and steers through tight curves. If this gives you any pause, you may want to consider letting the drivers of the iconic Red "jammer" Buses take you across the mountains.

Wildlife
Outside of Yellowstone, Glacier National Park is arguably the best park for spotting and viewing wildlife. Although wildlife are frequently spotted along the road, a venture into the wilderness is likely to bring better results. Trails such as Iceberg Lake, Ptarmigan Tunnel, Grinnell Glacier and Swiftcurrent Pass are excellent choices if you wish to possibly see a grizzly or black bear. Bullhead Lake, the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail, Dawson Pass and Cobalt Lake are all great choices for spotting moose. For bighorn sheep, check out Grinnell Glacier, Dawson Pass or the Highline Trail. For the best opportunities to possibly spot a mountain goat, check out Hidden Lake Overlook, the Highline Trail or Piegan Pass.

Backcountry Chalets
2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the Sperry and Granite Park Chalets. Both backcountry chalets were built in 1914 during a period when the Great Northern Railway was promoting Glacier National Park under the "See America First" campaign. Today the two backcountry chalets offer hikers the opportunity to trek to an overnight backcountry destination without being bogged down with a bunch of camping gear.

Perched at an elevation of more than 6500 feet, the Sperry Chalet sits high atop a rock ledge that offers visitors commanding views of majestic mountain peaks, waterfalls, as well as Lake McDonald in the valley far below. The Granite Park Chalet rests just below Swiftcurrent Pass, along the edge of a sub-alpine meadow that offers commanding views of Heavens Peak and the McDonald Valley. Day hikers and overnight guests commonly reach this chalet by one of three trails: the Highline Trail, the Granite Park Trail or the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail out of Many Glacier.

With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see Glacier National Park. In addition to the hikes listed above, the park offers a variety of other outstanding hikes. If you do plan to visit Glacier this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings as well as other things to do to help with all your vacation planning.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Bear Spray Used on a Black Bear Caught on Camera

The SABRE Bear Spray company recently published this video on their Youtube Channel. It shows an interesting encounter between a black bear and wildland firefighter and nature photographer, Curtis Matishwyn. The bear is clearly acting aggressively - but was it acting aggressively to cause harm to Matishwyn, or was it simply being curious? Should Matishwyn held his ground instead of retreating in this circumstance?

For more information on what to do if you encounter a bear while hiking, please click here.





Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

The National Park Service announces entrance fee-free days for 2023

The National Park Service will have five entrance fee-free days in 2023 that provide free admittance to all national parks for everyone. On these significant days of commemoration or celebration, and throughout the year, the National Park Service is committed to increasing access to national parks and promoting the advantages of outdoor recreation for public benefit and enjoyment. The free entrance dates for 2023 are: 

January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 

April 22 – First Day of National Park Week 

August 4 – Great American Outdoors Day 

September 23 – National Public Lands Day 

November 11 – Veterans Day 

Detailed information about what there is to see and do at each park is available on NPS.gov or the NPS app. It is important for people to know before they go what is open and available, especially if interested in overnight accommodations.

Most national parks are always free to enter. Only about 100 of the 400+ national parks have an entrance fee. For parks with an entrance fee, the cost ranges from $5 to $35 and the money remains in the National Park Service, with 80-100% staying in the park where collected. The funds are used to enhance the visitor experience by providing programs and services, habitat restoration, and infrastructure maintenance and repair. 

The fee waiver for the fee-free days applies only to National Park Service entrance fees and does not cover amenity or user fees for camping, boat launches, transportation, special tours, or other activities.

The annual $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass allows unlimited access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks, for the passholder and companions accompanying them. There are also free or discounted passes available for currently serving members of the U.S. military and their dependents, military veterans, Gold Star Families, fourth grade students, disabled citizens, and senior citizens.

Other federal land management agencies offering their own fee-free days in 2023 are the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  



Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
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CPW seeks Colorado Recreational Trails Committee Representative from Congressional District 6

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is requesting applications for an opening on the Colorado Recreational Trails Committee. The committee advises the Parks and Wildlife Commission and CPW on matters pertaining to trails, their use, extent, location, and funding. Members of the committee review, score, and rank grant applications to formulate funding recommendations for State Trail grant programs.

The 11 committee members are volunteers: one from each of Colorado's eight congressional districts, two at-large representatives, and one GOCO representative. They serve four-year terms (unless filling the remainder of an unexpired term) and may be reappointed to a second, four-year term.

The following representative positions based on Colorado's congressional districts are open: Congressional District 6 (Aurora / South Denver)

In keeping with Federal Recreational Trails Program requirements and the commission’s Recreational Trails Committee Policy, the committee shall include in its membership representation a broad spectrum of trail users. Committee members should be proponents of all trail recreation activities with unbiased judgment toward both motorized and non-motorized uses. Committee members will be chosen based on the candidate's qualifications, overall skills, outdoor recreational interests, and leadership qualities.

CPW seeks to maintain a balance between non-motorized and motorized representation on the State Trails Committee. The preferred candidates will have a varied trails background with experience and knowledge to represent a wide variety of trail interests with the goal of working cooperatively for trails and greenways throughout the state.

The position is open until filled. Initial application reviews will begin on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

How to Apply:

* To be considered, applicants must reside in Congressional District 6. (congressional district map).

* Download and complete the 2022 Committee Application.

* Submit a resume with your application to trails@state.co.us with the words “Recreational Trails Committee Application” and the congressional district number where you reside in the subject line.

* Applications should be received by January 17 at 5 p.m. to be considered in the initial review.

Please contact Fletcher Jacobs at fletcher.jacobs@state.co.us if you have any questions.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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Rocky Mountain National Park continues pilot timed entry permit reservations from May 26 through October 22

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) will implement another pilot temporary timed entry permit reservation system beginning on May 26, 2023. Previous use of the reservation system has eased congestion impacts and improved the visitor experience in the park.

The reservation permit system is similar to that used in 2022, with two types of reservations available. One permit will be for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the entire corridor, as well as access to the rest of the park. This reservation period will be from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The second permit will be for the “rest of the park,” excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. This “rest of park” reservation period will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability, with no set time for departure.  The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 recreation.gov processing fee.    

Reservations to enter the park will be available through www.recreation.gov at 8 a.m. MDT on Monday, May 1. This round of reservations will be available to enter the park from May 26 through June 30. The next release will occur on June 1, for the month of July and any remaining days that have not been booked for June. On July 1, reservations will be available for the month of August and any remaining days that have not been booked for July. On August 1, reservations will be available for the month of September and any remaining days in August that have not been booked. On September 1, reservations will be available for October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked. 

Modifications from the 2022 pilot system to the 2023 pilot system include making 40 percent of all reservations available the day prior at 5 p.m. through recreation.gov. These are expected to run out quickly and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when possible.  Other modifications will include extending the pilot permit system through October 22 and reducing the time period and number of hours daily that a reservation is required for “rest of park.”  This reduced reservation period will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This system spreads use throughout the park and throughout the day to better use all parking/trailhead areas.  

The park is continuing to work on its long-range visitor use management plan including public meetings in December and a public engagement comment period from December 12 through February 1. To learn more go to Day Use Visitor Access Strategy, please click here.

RMNP is one of the busiest national parks with over 4.6 million visitors in 2019, representing a 44 percent increase in visitation in seven years. In 2021, under a pilot timed entry system, RMNP’s visitation was 4.4 million. Visitor crowding and congestion at the park have led to increased negative impacts to visitor and staff safety, resource protection, visitor experience and operational capacity.

The park has experimented and piloted various visitor use management strategies over the last six years, including managing vehicle access to first-come, first serve (2016-2019) in highly congested areas. These first-come, first-serve restrictions had some limited success initially, but over time began to lose effectiveness; the length of time they were necessary kept expanding and impacts were pushed elsewhere.  The park piloted park wide timed entry permit reservation systems (2020-2022) and will be piloting a similar system again in 2023 while the park works to complete its long-range visitor use management plan.  During all the pilots the park has collected extensive traffic, trail, and visitor movement data, and collected baseline data on social trails, bare ground areas, and human waste along highly visited trail corridors. Additionally, timed entry pilot related research was conducted on parking lot turnover rates at key trailheads. The park is learning from these various strategies since 2016, to help inform long-range day use visitor access strategies.  



Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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Rocky Mountain is hosting a virtual public meeting today regarding long-term day use visitor access planning

Rocky Mountain National Park posted this on their social media yesterday (for meeting today):

Rocky Mountain National Park is hosting a virtual public meeting tomorrow [TODAY], Thursday, December 15, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the park's long-term day use visitor access planning.

Advance registration is required. For all details and to sign up, visit our website. Unable to join us for the live meeting? This meeting will be recorded and a link will be posted on the park's webpage.

Park staff are eager to continue connecting with park visitors from near and far, to help identify ideas and strategies to assist the park prepare for long-term day use. We hope to hear from members of the public who have recently visited the park, as well as those who have told us they no longer visit Rocky Mountain National Park because of crowding and congestion.

Have ideas to share? Public comments on this project are open and will be accepted on Rocky Mountain National Park's Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ROMO_DUVAS through February 1, 2023.

Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
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Annual Christmas Bird Count at Great Sand Dunes to be Held December 23rd

Birders and nature enthusiasts in the San Luis Valley will join birders across the western hemisphere to participate in Audubon's longest-running wintertime tradition, the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC), held at Great Sand Dunes National Park on Friday, December 23 at 8:00 a.m. Birders of all skill levels are invited and encouraged to participate.

To participate in the bird count at Great Sand Dunes, interested individuals must register with the park and be signed up as park volunteers. Contact the visitor center at 719-378-6395 between 9a.m. and 4:30p.m. to register. Participants who are registered as park volunteers will receive an entrance fee waiver for the day of the bird count. Volunteers must arrive at the park by 7:45a.m. on December 23rd to complete volunteer paperwork, review safety guidelines and receive map of assigned area and instructions for returning count results. Those who are registered will receive specific instructions on which building in the park to meet at on December 23rd. For more information on the bird count, please direct inquiries, and questions to Dewane Mosher, Dewane_Mosher@nps.gov.

The longest running citizen science survey in the world, Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count takes place nationwide in late December each year. Tens of thousands of volunteers throughout North America brave winter weather to add a new layer to over a century of data.

The Christmas Bird Count began over a century ago when 27 conservationists in 25 localities changed the course of ornithological history. On Christmas Day in 1900, the small group posed an alternative to the “side hunt,” a Christmas day activity in which teams competed to see who could shoot the most birds and small mammals. Instead, it was proposed that they identify, count, and record all the birds they saw, founding what is now considered to be the world's most significant citizen-based conservation effort – and a more than century-old institution. The CBC is vital in monitoring the status of resident and migratory birds across the Western Hemisphere, and the data, which are 100% volunteer generated, have become a crucial part of the U.S. Government’s natural history monitoring database.

Please go to the Audubon website for additional information, news, and history on the Christmas Bird Count: https://audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Author Page For “Ramble On" Is Now Live

Over the past week or so I've announced that I will be publishing a new book on the rich history of hiking. Today, I wanted to let you all know that the author page for that book, “Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World” is now live. The page provides some details on what the book is about, and why I decided to write this expanded, second edition. You can check it out by clicking here.

Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Avalanche Forecast for Rocky Mountain National Park is Considerable

Rocky Mountain National Park posted this on their social media yesterday:

The avalanche forecast for Rocky Mountain National Park is currently considerable.

Many of the park’s winter trails, including destinations in the Bear Lake and Hidden Valley areas, have significant avalanche terrain. Many avalanches are triggered by outdoor recreationists, including snowshoers, winter hikers, and backcountry skiers.

You can trigger dangerous avalanches on steep slopes with recently drifted snow. Avalanches can break from a distance and below. Give yourself a wide margin of safety. Slopes less than about 30 degrees offer safer options. Before heading out, visit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center's website and learn about the current avalanche forecast for your planned destination: https://avalanche.state.co.us/

Remember - safety is your responsibility. Know where you are going and the potential hazards in the area. Search and rescue can be delayed, especially in winter. For more information on how to be avalanche aware, visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/avalanche-awareness.htm.

Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites you to celebrate the new year by hiking at a Colorado state park

On January 1, 2023, Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites you to participate in a First Day Hike at a Colorado state park.

First Day Hikes offer a chance to start 2023 off on the right foot by exercising in nature. Each participating state park offers a unique opportunity to enjoy self-guided hikes, scavenger hunts or limited capacity guided hikes.

About First Day Hikes:

* Hikes are free but park visitors must possess a valid parks pass.

* Participating parks may require a reservation prior to the hike, check the park’s webpage for details.

* Hikes will vary in skill level and length depending on location and weather conditions.

* Bring snacks, water, extra clothing, and hiking shoes with good traction. If trails are icy or snowy consider bringing trekking poles, snowshoes or shoe spikes.

For a list of participating parks, visit the CPW Event Calendar,



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Cameron Peak Fire Closure Area Update

Some closures remain in the Cameron Peak Fire burn area due to safety hazards and recovery work, but progress continues to be made. Updates to the order include the opening of the Swamp Creek area road system, including FSR 171 and FSR 530. Old Flowers Road was also removed from the closure; however, this road is not open due to its regular seasonal closure.

These roads were removed from the closure thanks to the work of our recreation and fire staff, along with support from local four-wheel drive club volunteers. It is always best to check our road status page online for the latest as many roads seasonally close Dec. 1.

Although most of the Canyon Lakes Ranger District is open to non-motorized travel, the Roaring Creek Trail remains closed to all uses. These closures are in place for the safety of visitors, as well as natural resource protection.

It is important for visitors in the burn area to be aware of safety hazards within the burn scar, including but not limited to, falling trees, flood risks, stump holes and rock fall danger. Be sure to check local weather information. Your safety is your responsibility.

Many factors come into play when determining when an area can reopen and to what uses. Beyond the immediate risk of hazard trees, considerations need to be made for erosion control, road and trail stabilization issues, travel route interconnectivity, damaged infrastructure like bridges, and other recovery efforts. The Cameron Peak Fire burned more than 173,000 acres of National Forest System lands within its 208,913-acre scar.

To help people plan their visit, we recommend everyone checks our Know Before You Go page for helpful tips.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Revealing My Upcoming Book Cover

The other day I “revealed” the title of my upcoming book. Today I wanted to reveal the cover of “Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World”

Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

My New Book Has a Title!

So some of you may have noticed my lack of activity on social media over the last several months. Truth be told, I’ve been working on a super-secret project! However, today, I wanted to let you all know that I've been working on my new book for almost a year now, and right now I'm in the process of putting the finishing touches on it. In the meantime, I thought I would “reveal” the title of the book: “Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World”

More information will be coming in the next few days and weeks!

Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Opportunity for Continued Public Involvement in Long-Range Visitor Use Management Planning for Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) staff are seeking the public’s continued engagement and input on the park’s long-range Day Use Visitor Access Strategy. For 107 years, Rocky Mountain National Park has been a place of inspiration, reflection, wonder, history, and wilderness adventure. Park visitors across the United States and the world continue to come to Rocky Mountain National Park to discover a wide variety of experiences found only in this incredible place.

“In the summer of 2021, we invited you to join us in envisioning the future of Day Use Visitor Access at RMNP. Your feedback was instrumental in helping National Park Service (NPS) staff develop preliminary management strategies. We are now working to outline ideas for management strategies to help the NPS to both protect park resources and values while also providing for high-quality visitor experiences for today's visitors and for future generations,” said Park Superintendent, Darla Sidles.

Park staff are eager to continue engaging with stakeholders and connect with park visitors from near and far, to help identify ideas and strategies to assist the park prepare for long-term day use. We hope to hear from members of the public who have recently visited the park, as well as those who have told us they no longer visit Rocky Mountain National Park because of crowding and congestion. Park staff invite members of the public to submit their comments via the park’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ROMO_DUVAS beginning December 12, 2022, through February 1, 2023.

Rocky Mountain National Park has experienced a 44 percent increase in visitation since 2012. Rapid growth in day use visitation and changing use patterns in the park have degraded natural and cultural resources, diminished quality of the visitor experience, increased visitor and staff safety concerns, and created a heavy strain on the park’s facilities and ability to perform daily operations. The purpose of the Rocky Mountain National Park Day Use Visitor Access Strategy is to provide visitor access in a way that enhances the protection of the fundamental resources and values for which the park was created. The goal of the process is to identify strategies that will help protect park resources, offer varied opportunities for high quality visitor experiences, enhance visitor and staff safety, and coincide with the park's operational capacity.

The park is hosting a public open house on Tuesday, December 6, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Estes Park Museum in Estes Park, CO. This open house will provide an opportunity to drop in, meet with NPS staff, and learn more about the potential ideas and strategies to address long term day use at RMNP. There will not be any formal presentations scheduled during this time. Please feel free to drop in at any time.

The park is also hosting a virtual public meeting on Thursday, December 15, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The intent of the webinar is to provide opportunities for the public to learn more about the purpose of the project, key ideas, issues of concern, desired conditions for the park’s long-term day use visitor access, potential management strategies, ask questions of NPS staff and get information on how to provide formal written comments through the Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website. The webinar will open with a presentation, followed by a question and answer session.

To participate in the virtual meeting, please register at the following link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Teams Webinar. It is recommended to join the webinar via computer to have full use of the webinar tools that Teams provides.

Registration URL: https://forms.office.com/g/UiRnA5kZsb

Unable to attend the virtual meeting? A recording of the meeting will be posted on the park planning link below. The park will provide live captioning of the meetings. Park staff encourage public participation throughout the planning process. Public comments for this stage are invited beginning December 12, 2022, through February 1, 2023. Comments can be submitted online beginning December 12, by visiting https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ROMO_DUVAS click on ‘Open for Comment’ on the left side of page to submit a comment.

Comments may also be sent to the following mailing address:
Superintendent
Rocky Mountain National Park
1000 US Highway 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. Although you can ask in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee we will be able to do so.

There will be additional opportunities to comment formally on the project during the future NEPA process in 2023. If you have questions about the project or would like more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Fresh Air Friday: Free entry to all Colorado state parks

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the busy winter holiday season, so Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites people to spend time outdoors this Friday. On Nov. 25, CPW is pleased to offer free entry to all Colorado state parks on Fresh Air Friday.

This year marks the 8th annual Fresh Air Friday event that encourages people to take some time over Thanksgiving weekend to create new outdoor memories and live life outside. A Fresh Air Friday celebration can be as big or as small of an outdoor adventure as you choose. To begin planning your outdoor experience, visit the Colorado state park finder or use the free Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) mobile app to discover local parks, trail systems and open spaces.

Visitors should be aware that Friday, Nov. 25 is a state holiday and some park visitor centers may not be open or fully staffed. Enforcement personnel will be patrolling the parks but some visitor services may be limited.

Throughout the year, CPW offers family friendly activities, fun-filled adventures and opportunities to learn and try new things at all of our state parks. Visit the CPW Event Calendar to find a Fresh Air Friday activity near you. Please call the park visitor center ahead of your visit for hours, closures or other information.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is Looking for Winter Preventive Search and Rescue Volunteers

Rocky Mountain National Park posted this on their social media yesterday:

Looking to get outside this winter and give back to your parks? Rocky Mountain National Park is now accepting applications on Volunteer.gov for Winter Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) Volunteers.

Winter PSAR volunteers will participate in backcountry patrols, provide winter weather and avalanche information to visitors travelling into the backcountry, and assist the Search and Rescue team when necessary. Volunteers are required to serve a minimum of 30 hours/week to qualify for park housing.

Backcountry skiing or splitboarding experience and previous formal avalanche education is preferred. A gear and training stipend is available.

To learn more and to apply, visit www.volunteer.gov and search for "Rocky Mountain National Park!"

You may also want to note:

All trails in Rocky Mountain National Park are snow covered and icy. When coming to the park, be prepared for winter conditions.

Traction devices for the bottom of your boots and hiking poles are strongly recommended. At higher elevations, the snow may be deep enough that snowshoes are advised.

Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

New lifetime pass available for Military Veterans and Gold Star Families to access public lands

This should've happened a long time ago:

The Whitehouse announced that starting on Veterans Day (Nov. 11), veterans of the U.S. Armed Services and Gold Star Families can obtain a free lifetime pass to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests.

“We have a sacred obligation to America’s veterans. This new lifetime pass is a small demonstration of our nation’s gratitude and support for those who have selflessly served in the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Secretary Deb Haaland, whose father served during the Vietnam War. “I’m proud the Department of the Interior can provide veterans and Gold Star Families opportunities for recreation, education and enjoyment from our country’s treasured lands.”

Each lifetime pass covers entrance fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle (or passholder and up to three adults at sites that charge per person) at national parks and national wildlife refuges, as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Veterans can present one of the four forms of acceptable ID (Department of Defense ID Card, Veteran Health ID (VHIC), Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on a state-issued US driver’s license or ID card) at participating federal recreation areas that normally charge an entrance fee. Gold Star Families obtain information, self-certify they qualify and download a voucher on NPS.gov.

The Alexander Lofgran Veterans in Parks Act, passed in December 2021, authorized free lifetime access to federal lands to veterans and Gold Star Families. The new lifetime pass for veterans and Gold Star Families is in addition to the free annual Military Pass, which has been available to active duty servicemembers and their families since Armed Forces Day, May 19, 2012.   

Federal recreational land management agencies offer additional lifetime passes, including a Senior Pass for US citizens or permanent residents over age 62 and an Access Pass for US citizens or permanent residents with a permanent disability. More information is available on NPS.gov.

The Interior Department and other federal land agencies also offer fee-free entrance days for everyone throughout the year to mark days of celebration and commemoration, including the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day.



Jeff
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Recruiting Cameron Pass Nordic Rangers for 2022/2023 Season

The Canyon Lakes Ranger District is looking for volunteers for the Cameron Pass Nordic Rangers program to ski or snowshoe patrol this winter in the busy Cameron Pass area, where 32 miles of trail can see over 300 skiers a day on a weekend. This popular area includes trails that border Highway 14 between Chambers Lake and Cameron Pass.

Volunteers must patrol a minimum of four days during the winter season as well as attend required training. An informational meeting is November 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the U.S. Forest Service Office, 2150 Centre Ave., Building E, Fort Collins, CO 80526 and will provide prospective Nordic Rangers a general introduction to the program and what Nordic Rangers do. The required training, by Zoom, is December 6, 6-8 p.m. and the required field training at Cameron Pass is December 10, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, email CameronPassNordic@gmail.com.

The Cameron Pass Nordic Ranger program began in 1992. Volunteers ski or snowshoe “with a purpose” helping the U.S. Forest Service by providing safety, trail, and low-impact backcountry use information to winter enthusiasts; by helping maintain the winter trails and trailheads for safety; and by gathering visitor use information to aid in trail system planning. Some of the Nordic Rangers work as a winter trail crew to help keep the trails cleared of downed trees and limbs, install signs, and shovel paths to the restrooms.

Many of the trails are in the Rawah and Neota Wilderness areas, where routes can be challenging. Backcountry winter recreation also includes risks inherent with winter conditions in the mountains, including extreme cold. These are some of the key reasons volunteers in the area are so valuable to its many users, especially those with little winter sports experience.



Jeff
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Rocky Mountain National Park Is Hiring!

Rocky Mountain National Park posted this on their social media today:

Looking for a fun and rewarding job? Work with us! Rocky is hiring for several positions that will begin spring and summer 2023. Positions that are currently open include:

- Park Guide
- Park Ranger - Interpretation
- Park Ranger - Protection
- Recreation Fee Clerk & Technician
- Fire Management Officer
- Visitor Services Assistant
- Information Technology Specialist

For more information on these jobs and to apply, please visit www.usajobs.gov and search for jobs located in Estes Park, Colorado or Grand Lake, Colorado.

Jeff
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Major Construction Project To Begin At The Fall River Entrance In Rocky Mountain National Park

Construction will begin the week of October 31, for a new and improved entrance station at the Fall River Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Fall River Entrance is one of two major entrance stations on the east side of the park and is located on U.S. Highway 34, just inside the park boundary.

During this major construction project, only one lane at Fall River Entrance will be operational to enter the park and one lane to exit. Park visitors are strongly encouraged to avoid the Fall River Entrance and use the Beaver Meadows Entrance. During this major project, park visitors should expect extended wait times at both major east side entrance stations. Weather and resources depending, the project should be completed by late June.

Originally designed for summer operations nearly 60 years ago, the facilities at the Fall River Entrance Station no longer meet the safety or operational needs of the park. When the entrance station was designed, the park had approximately one and a half million annual visitors. By 2019, annual visitation almost tripled, to over four and a half million annual visitors. Improvements are needed to improve visitor access and convenience, reduce traffic congestion, and provide a safe and efficient space for park employees.

A fast pass lane will be added, along with road widening which should improve visitor wait times and experience while entering through the Fall River Entrance. A new office and three kiosks, with proper ventilation, will be constructed. In addition, a new entrance sign will be installed which will include a small formal parking area.

An additional project will rehabilitate and replace components of the wastewater and water systems serving the Fall River Entrance and Bighorn Ranger Station. The on-site wastewater treatment system will be replaced, and other upgrades will occur. Many aspects of the water system will be replaced, and the water treatment building will be improved. A culvert crossing Fall River Road is severely deteriorated and does not meet 100-year flood standards, it will be upgraded and replaced during this project as well.

The Fall River Visitor Center will remain open with winter hours of 9 am to 4:30 p.m. seven days a week. For further information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.



Jeff
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Trail Ridge Road Closes To Through Travel For The 2022 Season

On Monday, October 24, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park officially closed for the season to through travel. Many popular driving destinations for this time of year including Bear Lake Road, Moraine Park, Horseshoe Park and the section of Trail Ridge Road along the Kawuneeche Valley, are all open.

Trail Ridge Road is not designed to be an all-season road, with 11 miles above 11,500 feet, few guard rails and no shoulders. Winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below- freezing temperatures occur above 10,000 feet. Trail Ridge Road is currently closed at Many Parks Curve on the east side and Colorado River Trailhead on the west side. Closure points on the road may fluctuate this fall, however the road is closed to through travel for the season.

Trail Ridge Road normally opens the last week in May, weather permitting. This year Trail Ridge Road opened on May 27.

Old Fall River Road closed for the season to vehicles on October 3. Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road will remain open to bicycles and leashed pets through November 30. Leashed pets and bicycles are only allowed on the road, not on side trails. On December 1, both of these roads will revert to "winter trail status" which means that bicycles and leashed pets are no longer permitted beyond the closed gates but pedestrians, snowshoers and skiers are.

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.



Jeff
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RockyMountainHikingTrails.com Adds 5 New Hikes to Website

RockyMountainHikingTrails.com continues to expand! Kathy and I spent several days hiking in the San Juan Mountains near Ouray a few weeks ago. We also stayed in Buena Vista a couple of nights, and were able to do a hike from Cottonwood Pass. As a result, we just added 5 new hikes to our website. Hopefully you'll find that this expansion will make your hike and trip planning a little easier as you explore Colorado's amazing backcountry outside of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Here's a quick rundown on what's been added to our site:

Sneffels Highline: The first two hikes on this list, both the Sneffels Highline and Bilk Basin Overlook, are among the best hikes I've ever done. Both offer exceptional views for extended periods. For example, the Sneffels Highline travels above the treeline for almost 4.5 miles. I highly recommend this hike during the fall when the aspens explode in brilliant shades of yellows.

Bilk Basin Overlook: This hike climbs to the base of the Lizard Head, the iconic peak that has been voted as one of Colorado's most dangerous and difficult climbs, according to the San Juan National Forest website. From the basin below the peak the trail ascends a low saddle where you'll enjoy spectacular views of 14,246-foot Mount Wilson, 13,913-foot Gladstone Peak and 14,017-foot Wilson Peak rising above Bilk Basin.

Horsethief Trail: Just outside of the town of Ouray is another outstanding hike that offers spectacular scenery. At just 6.5 miles in total roundtrip mileage, or even less if you have a 4WD, this hike offers some of the best bang for your buck.

Porphyry Basin: If you're comfortable walking off trail, and enjoy passing thru old mining country, this is a great choice if you're in the Red Mountain Pass area. The hike visits three lakes in the lower and upper Porphyry Basin, and includes many opportunities for exploring the expansive open terrain that surrounds them.

Cottonwood Pass South: This is a great hike if you're anywhere in the Buena Vista area. Big views are attained from the very first step. Although the total elevation gain is rather small, this is still a fairly strenuous hike for those that haven't acclimated properly. The hike begins from Cottonwood Pass, which means you'll be at 12,126 feet at the trailhead. The hike ends near the top of Wander Ridge, at 12,650 feet.

You can find several other hikes in the San Juan Mountains, and throughout Colorado, on our Other Colorado Hiking Trails page.

Hope you find these helpful! Happy trails!


Jeff
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Timed Entry Permits No Longer Required to Enter Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain National Park posted this on their social media earlier today:

Beginning today, October 11, Timed Entry Permits are no longer required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park. A pilot Timed Entry Permit Reservation System has been in place during the busiest hours of the day and during the park's peak summer season to help reduce negative resource impacts, traffic congestion, and visitor crowding.

Visitors planning to come to Rocky Mountain National Park, especially on weekends, should be prepared for long lines and traffic congestion throughout the park. A valid park entrance pass is required to enter RMNP 24 hours a day/seven days a week.

Jeff
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Great Sand Dunes National Park Celebrates Land Acquisition

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and National Park Service (NPS) Director Chuck Sams today celebrated the transfer of approximately 9,362 acres of the Medano Ranch from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to Great Sand Dunes National Park. The acquisition was made possible through funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). This enhancement of the national park will allow for more holistic management as a connected landscape and provides long-term protection areas that contribute to the formation of the dune field. 

Great Sand Dunes National Park was established as a national monument in 1932 and redesignated as a national park and preserve in 2000 to protect the tallest dunes in North America for current and future generations. The dunes are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes and tundra. Last year, more than 603,000 visitors came to experience the singular dunes and starry skies,and learn about the cultural history. In 2021, park visitors spent an estimated $41.3 million in local gateway regions while visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, supporting more than 530 jobs.

“The lands being transferred to the Park contain important springs and wetlands that support a rich diversity of life,” said Great Sand Dunes National Park Superintendent Pamela Rice. “This acquisition marks an important step toward completing the plan for Great Sand Dunes National Park that was established in 2004.”

Currently, TNC operates a bison herd on the ranch property through a permit from NPS. This operation will continue for up to seven years following the current acquisition while TNC determines future plans for their conservation herd. TNC will continue to own and manage the 20,000-acre Zapata property that is adjacent to the national park.

This acquisition continues a long-standing partnership between NPS and TNC to expand Great Sand Dunes. TNC purchased the Medano-Zapata Ranch in 1999 and soon after developed the plan to transfer some of the acquired land for the creation of Great Sand Dunes National Park. In November 2000, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act passed, which more than quadrupled the size of Great Sand Dunes. Since that time, TNC has worked collaboratively with NPS to manage the inholdings with the hope that the additional parcels would eventually be transferred to the Park. Approximately 12,498 acres of the Medano Ranch lie within the boundaries of Great Sand Dunes National Park; TNC plans to transfer the remaining 3,192 acres in the future. 



Jeff
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Road Closures in Rocky Mountain National Park

Trail Ridge Road is temporarily closed at Rainbow Curve on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park and at the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park due to snow and ice accumulation on the road. With additional winter storms forecasted through tonight, this closure will remain in place.

Old Fall River Road is also temporarily closed. The road will be closed to all uses through Friday, October 7, for park staff to conduct road maintenance. Old Fall River Road will reopen temporarily to bicycles, leashed pets and walkers for Saturday October 8, through Monday, October 10.

Starting, Tuesday, October 11, Old Fall River Road will close again to all uses for continued road maintenance through Friday, October 14. On Saturday, October 15, the road will reopen to bicycles, leashed pets and walkers through November 30.

Leashed pets and bicycles are only allowed on the road, not on side trails.

On December 1, the road will revert to trail status and bicycles and leashed pets will not be allowed on the road.

For updated information please call the Trail Ridge Road recorded status line (970) 586-1222 and/or follow Rocky on twitter @RockyNPS.


Jeff
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Annual Elk Fest in Estes Park is This Weekend

To celebrate the annual elk rut and learn about the "wapiti," the Native American name for elk, the city of Estes Park will be hosting the annual Elk Fest this weekend, Oct. 1-2.

Elk Fest offers visitors a chance to safely view elk during the rutting season in the wild, as well as expand their knowledge of elk and its habitat.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will have a booth to promote the message of how to view wildlife responsibly, will have a kids craft table, general showcases on elk and hunting information from CPW’s hunter outreach program.

Held in Bond Park, located in downtown Estes Park, the free festival will offer:

• Bugling competitions
• Elk exhibits and seminars
• Elk-inspired arts and crafts
• Education areas
• The Rocky Mountain Raptor Program
• Native American music
• Dancing and storytelling
• Children's area with elk-themed activities
• Craft beer garden

Vendors will display artwork, handmade elk-ivory jewelry and will offer distinctive elk cuisine. Mountain men from around the country will gather at the Mountain Man Rendezvous to sell their wares and demonstrate their skills.

For a complete schedule of events, please click here.


Jeff
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