Beginning, May 27, Rocky Mountain National Park will increase the one-day vehicle pass from $25 to $30. The fee increase is necessary for Rocky Mountain National Park to improve and maintain high-quality visitor services. While basic park operations are funded by direct appropriations from Congress, the recreation use fees collected by the park are used to support new projects and the ongoing maintenance of park facilities that directly enhance the visitor experience.
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of a few national parks that has a one-day vehicle entrance pass. This day pass was implemented in October 2015. All other park entrance fees including the RMNP seven-day pass ($35 per week), RMNP annual pass ($70 per year) and any of the interagency America the Beautiful passes will remain the same.
Winter campground fees will increase from $20 to $30 per night beginning on October 12, 2022. Summer campground fees will increase from $30 to $35 per night beginning the summer of 2023. In addition, group site campground fees will raise $10 for each tier in group size to $50/$60/$70. Increased campground fees will address cost increases related to trash removal, vault toilet and custodial servicing, general site maintenance and snowplow operations in the winter. The Longs Peak Campground, open summers for tents only, will remain $30 per night because there are no flushable toilets and campers need to bring their own drinkable water.
In the fall of 2021, Rocky Mountain National Park staff solicited public input on the proposed fee increases. During the public comment period, the park received 264 formal comments that were related to the park’s proposed fee changes. Most commenters expressed support for the proposed changes to the one-day vehicle entrance pass and front-country campground overnight fees, often highlighting the importance of funding for park maintenance, operation, and resource protection. Commenters who opposed fee increases often cited socioeconomic concerns and affordability for all visitors.
Park staff are committed to keeping Rocky Mountain National Park affordable and providing all visitors with the best possible experience. This fee increase is still an incredible value when considering other comparable family and recreational experiences. These campground fee increases are based on comparable fees for similar services in nearby campgrounds. In addition, 80 percent of those funds stay right here in Rocky to benefit visitors.
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) is the legislation under which the park currently collects entrance and amenity fees. This law allows parks to retain 80 percent of the fees collected for use on projects that directly benefit visitors. The remaining 20 percent is distributed throughout the National Park System.
Some of the projects funded through the collection of entrance station and campground fees at Rocky Mountain National Park include:
* Hazard Tree Mitigation: The park is among many areas along the Rocky Mountains where trees have been dying from a beetle epidemic. Recreation fee monies have funded extensive mitigation of hazard trees in or near developed areas and other popular park facilities, such as campgrounds, parking lots, road corridors, housing areas and visitor centers.
* Hiking Trail Repairs and Improvements: Many hiking trail repair projects have been funded by recreation fee monies, such as repairing washed out sections of trail, the installation of bridges, and the installation of vault toilets at heavily used trailheads.
* Wilderness Campsites Improvements: Rocky Mountain National Parks wilderness campsites are used by thousands of backcountry campers each year. Recreation fee monies help fund the maintenance of these cherished campsites.
* Bear Management: Park entrance and campground fees help keep bears wild at Rocky Mountain National Park. Thanks in part to fee dollars collected over the past 20 years, 100% of the park’s garbage cans, recycling bins, and dumpsters are now bear-resistant. The park has also gone from zero food storage lockers to 352. Your recreation fees also help support visitor education programs focused on black bears.
* Restoration of Historic Rock Walls along Trail Ridge Road: The historic rock walls along Trail Ridge Road provide for visitor safety and a visually pleasant drive. Originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, recreation fee program funding allows for damaged sections of these rock walls to be restored by Rocky Mountain National Park staff who specialize in rock work.
In 2020, 3.3 million park visitors spent an estimated $224 million in local gateway regions while visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, despite the global Covid pandemic, historic wildfires, and the park’s first piloted timed entry permit reservation system. These expenditures supported a total of 3,190 jobs, $121 million in labor income, $208 million in value added, and $342 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Rocky Mountain National Park. 2021 visitor spending data, tied to visitation of 4.4 million park visitors, will be available later this year.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Arkansas Headwaters to celebrate Public Lands Day on May 21 by sponsoring river cleanup from Leadville to Cañon City
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) and the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA) are hosting the 31st Annual Clean Up Green Up in conjunction with Colorado Public Lands Day on Saturday, May 21.
Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on May 21, upwards of 200 volunteers will work along the banks of the Arkansas River, from Leadville to Cañon City and beyond, cleaning up trash and debris from the river corridor in preparation for a busy summer boating and angling season. The work coincides with the start of spring snowmelt and run-off.
Volunteers are invited to register online and check-in from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the AHRA Visitor Center, 307 W. Sackett Ave. in Salida, or at the Buena Vista Public Works shop, 755 Gregg Dr. in Buena Vista, to get supplies and a lunch voucher for the post-clean up volunteer picnic.
Volunteers can pre-select their desired clean-up location online, or they will be assigned a location in the Arkansas River drainage between Granite and Cañon City.
Bagged trash can be dropped off from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Vandaveer Ranch on the southeast edge of Salida or Buena Vista Public Works. Bagged trash can also be left behind the entrance signs at any AHRA-managed site. Trash dumpsters are provided by Waste Management. American Rivers is providing the trash bags for volunteers.
Volunteer picnics will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at both Vandaveer Ranch and Buena Vista Public Works. Prizes will be awarded for Largest Piece of Trash and other categories. The City of Salida is also holding the Annual Touch-A-Truck event at Vandaveer Ranch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Clean Up Green Up is in partnership with AHRA, GARNA, Bureau of Land Management, city of Salida, town of Buena Vista, Salida Parks Open Space & Trails (SPOT) and Trout Unlimited.
For more information, contact AHRA at 719-539-7289 or GARNA at 719-539-5106 or by email at landvolunteers@garna.org.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on May 21, upwards of 200 volunteers will work along the banks of the Arkansas River, from Leadville to Cañon City and beyond, cleaning up trash and debris from the river corridor in preparation for a busy summer boating and angling season. The work coincides with the start of spring snowmelt and run-off.
Volunteers are invited to register online and check-in from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the AHRA Visitor Center, 307 W. Sackett Ave. in Salida, or at the Buena Vista Public Works shop, 755 Gregg Dr. in Buena Vista, to get supplies and a lunch voucher for the post-clean up volunteer picnic.
Volunteers can pre-select their desired clean-up location online, or they will be assigned a location in the Arkansas River drainage between Granite and Cañon City.
Bagged trash can be dropped off from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Vandaveer Ranch on the southeast edge of Salida or Buena Vista Public Works. Bagged trash can also be left behind the entrance signs at any AHRA-managed site. Trash dumpsters are provided by Waste Management. American Rivers is providing the trash bags for volunteers.
Volunteer picnics will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at both Vandaveer Ranch and Buena Vista Public Works. Prizes will be awarded for Largest Piece of Trash and other categories. The City of Salida is also holding the Annual Touch-A-Truck event at Vandaveer Ranch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Clean Up Green Up is in partnership with AHRA, GARNA, Bureau of Land Management, city of Salida, town of Buena Vista, Salida Parks Open Space & Trails (SPOT) and Trout Unlimited.
For more information, contact AHRA at 719-539-7289 or GARNA at 719-539-5106 or by email at landvolunteers@garna.org.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Monday, April 18, 2022
Bears are becoming active; do your part to reduce conflicts in 2022
With spring upon us, Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds citizens and visitors that bears are emerging from hibernation and beginning their search for food.
CPW has already received reports of bear activity in 14 Colorado counties this year. Wildlife officials are urging residents to secure any and all attractants. Bears should NOT be eating from trash receptacles, bird feeders or other human-provided food sources around homes or businesses.
“Every time a bear gets a treat, a bird feeder, a hummingbird feeder, or trash, it teaches the bear that people mean food,” said Mark Lamb, CPW’s Area Wildlife Manager for Area 1 that covers Park, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties along with the western half of Jefferson County. “People who think that it’s one time, no big deal, are totally wrong. It is a big deal when you compound that ‘one time’ with how many ‘one timers’ they get from your neighbors, too. It adds up.”
The first bears emerging from their winter dens typically are males (boars) followed by females (sows) that did not give birth to cubs over winter. The last bears to emerge from winter dens are the females who gave birth to this year’s cubs, usually in late April.
Early season natural food sources for bears include grasses, aspen buds and other vegetative matter that is beginning to sprout. Those gentle food sources, which are the first crops available to them, help a bear’s digestive system and metabolism adjust back to normal after not consuming anything for months.
“Their bodies are needing to adjust to the fact that they haven’t consumed anything for sometimes six months,” said Mark Vieira, Carnivore and Furbearer Program Manager for CPW. “So there is this phase that is referred to sometimes as walking hibernation, where they are out on the landscape moving slowly and eating what tends to be more vegetative material that starts to pass through their system to get their bodies ready for early summer food sources. That is when they will move back into the typical omnivore diet that we see bears eating the rest of the year.”
Over 90 percent of a bear’s natural diet is grasses, berries, fruits, nuts and plants - native crops all dependent on moisture. Wildlife officials monitor weather patterns in the spring and summer to help determine what natural forage will be available in the summer and fall.
In years with good moisture and natural food sources are abundant, bear conflicts and interactions are down.
Though most human-bear interactions occur in the late summer and fall months, a late frost or prolonged dry weather could lead to localized natural food failures and a rise in conflicts. A lack of natural food availability pushes black bears to be more persistent in their search for human-food sources. Being bear aware not only protects your home and property, but it can save a bear’s life.
Starting with proper bear aware practices in the spring may help prevent bears from discovering your home or neighborhood as a food source that it will return to throughout the year.
For more information about Living with Bears in Colorado, visit https://cpw.state.co.us/bears.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
CPW has already received reports of bear activity in 14 Colorado counties this year. Wildlife officials are urging residents to secure any and all attractants. Bears should NOT be eating from trash receptacles, bird feeders or other human-provided food sources around homes or businesses.
The first bears emerging from their winter dens typically are males (boars) followed by females (sows) that did not give birth to cubs over winter. The last bears to emerge from winter dens are the females who gave birth to this year’s cubs, usually in late April.
Early season natural food sources for bears include grasses, aspen buds and other vegetative matter that is beginning to sprout. Those gentle food sources, which are the first crops available to them, help a bear’s digestive system and metabolism adjust back to normal after not consuming anything for months.
“Their bodies are needing to adjust to the fact that they haven’t consumed anything for sometimes six months,” said Mark Vieira, Carnivore and Furbearer Program Manager for CPW. “So there is this phase that is referred to sometimes as walking hibernation, where they are out on the landscape moving slowly and eating what tends to be more vegetative material that starts to pass through their system to get their bodies ready for early summer food sources. That is when they will move back into the typical omnivore diet that we see bears eating the rest of the year.”
Over 90 percent of a bear’s natural diet is grasses, berries, fruits, nuts and plants - native crops all dependent on moisture. Wildlife officials monitor weather patterns in the spring and summer to help determine what natural forage will be available in the summer and fall.
In years with good moisture and natural food sources are abundant, bear conflicts and interactions are down.
Though most human-bear interactions occur in the late summer and fall months, a late frost or prolonged dry weather could lead to localized natural food failures and a rise in conflicts. A lack of natural food availability pushes black bears to be more persistent in their search for human-food sources. Being bear aware not only protects your home and property, but it can save a bear’s life.
Starting with proper bear aware practices in the spring may help prevent bears from discovering your home or neighborhood as a food source that it will return to throughout the year.
For more information about Living with Bears in Colorado, visit https://cpw.state.co.us/bears.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Information Provided to Locate Skull and Antler from Popular Elk Known as Kahuna
On April 9, 2022, Rocky Mountain National Park Rangers were notified of an elk skull with only one attached antler matching the one missing from the carcass of the popular large bull elk, referred to as Kahuna. During the investigation, it was learned that the skull had been relocated after being cut from the carcass. At this time, no further information will be provided regarding the ongoing investigation.
Rocky Mountain National Park Rangers want to thank the media, social media platforms as well as members of the local community in helping discover the whereabouts of this skull and antler.
In March, park visitors and area photographers highlighted on social media the passing of a popular large bull elk in Rocky Mountain National Park, referred to as Kahuna, Bruno or Big Thirds. He was a majestic elk with distinct large antlers and was widely photographed during his lifetime. Numerous images were also shared of Kahuna’s carcass. It is believed that Kahuna died of natural causes, as there were reports he was injured during last year’s mating season and was very underweight in February. Likely sometime between March 20 and March 22, someone cut and illegally removed the skull and remaining antler from the carcass. It is believed his other antler had been shed before his death.
Park rangers urge anyone with information on this illegal incident, including information on the remaining shed antler, to call 1-888-653-0009 or please visit NPS Anonymous Tip Information. This link will provide several ways to report what you know anonymously. If you have information that could help investigators, please contact us. You do not have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know.
Rocky Mountain National Park’s wildlife is a resource for all to enjoy and protect. Collection of antlers or removing wildlife or their parts is illegal within Rocky Mountain National Park. People can receive criminal charges and be mandated to appear in federal court. Please help the park protect wildlife by reporting any suspicious activity.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
In March, park visitors and area photographers highlighted on social media the passing of a popular large bull elk in Rocky Mountain National Park, referred to as Kahuna, Bruno or Big Thirds. He was a majestic elk with distinct large antlers and was widely photographed during his lifetime. Numerous images were also shared of Kahuna’s carcass. It is believed that Kahuna died of natural causes, as there were reports he was injured during last year’s mating season and was very underweight in February. Likely sometime between March 20 and March 22, someone cut and illegally removed the skull and remaining antler from the carcass. It is believed his other antler had been shed before his death.
Park rangers urge anyone with information on this illegal incident, including information on the remaining shed antler, to call 1-888-653-0009 or please visit NPS Anonymous Tip Information. This link will provide several ways to report what you know anonymously. If you have information that could help investigators, please contact us. You do not have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know.
Rocky Mountain National Park’s wildlife is a resource for all to enjoy and protect. Collection of antlers or removing wildlife or their parts is illegal within Rocky Mountain National Park. People can receive criminal charges and be mandated to appear in federal court. Please help the park protect wildlife by reporting any suspicious activity.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
National Park Service Encourages Visitors to Be Alert for Rabbit Carcasses
The National Park Service is asking visitors to take caution and not to approach wildlife, especially wild rabbits. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV2) was recently detected in wild cottontail rabbits inside Dinosaur National Monument in Uintah County, Utah.
RHDV2 is a highly contagious and lethal viral disease among domestic and wild rabbits. The virus does not infect humans, but other causes of illness and mortality in rabbits can. The public is instructed to remain cautious and to follow the instructions below to protect themselves, pets, and rabbits in this area.
If You See a Sick or Dead Rabbit in Dinosaur National Monument:
* Do not touch or move dead rabbits.
* Notify monument staff if any dead rabbits are observed. Disposal of sick or dead rabbits requires special protective equipment that park staff are equipped to use.
* Provide the following information: Date observed; species if known (cottontail, jackrabbit, other), specific location; and a photo is helpful.
Protect Your Pets:
* Keep dogs on a leash (6 feet or less).
* Do not allow dogs to interact with sick or dead rabbits, or other wildlife.
Cause and Transmission
RHDV2 is a highly-contagious calicivirus of domestic rabbits, cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, and other hares. Other rabbit-like species may also be susceptible. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is considered a foreign animal disease, meaning the disease is not typically found in the United States and is a threat to domestic and wild animal health. This virus is not related to the coronavirus causing COVID-19 in humans. Currently, very little data is available to predict the impact of this disease in North American rabbit populations; however, preliminary information suggests that mortality could be high, with population impacts to rabbits and species that prey upon rabbits. This virus can be transmitted among rabbits through contact with an infected rabbit, with body fluids or feces from an infected rabbit, or with a contaminated environment. The virus is very hardy and can survive on clothing, plant material, or other items that may be accidentally moved from an infected area. Before visiting other wild areas, wash clothing and disinfect footwear.
Public Health Concerns
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is a serious disease of domestic rabbits. Rabbit owners should exercise extreme caution to avoid accidental exposure of rabbits to this disease. Domestic rabbits should not be housed outdoors in areas where contact with wild rabbits is possible. Contact your veterinarian for more information about this disease in domestic rabbits.
This disease does not affect people or domestic animals other than rabbits. However, multiple dead or sick rabbits can also be a sign of tularemia or plague, which are diseases that can cause serious illness in people. Do not handle sick or dead wildlife, and do not allow pets to contact or consume wildlife carcasses.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
RHDV2 is a highly contagious and lethal viral disease among domestic and wild rabbits. The virus does not infect humans, but other causes of illness and mortality in rabbits can. The public is instructed to remain cautious and to follow the instructions below to protect themselves, pets, and rabbits in this area.
If You See a Sick or Dead Rabbit in Dinosaur National Monument:
* Do not touch or move dead rabbits.
* Notify monument staff if any dead rabbits are observed. Disposal of sick or dead rabbits requires special protective equipment that park staff are equipped to use.
* Provide the following information: Date observed; species if known (cottontail, jackrabbit, other), specific location; and a photo is helpful.
Protect Your Pets:
* Keep dogs on a leash (6 feet or less).
* Do not allow dogs to interact with sick or dead rabbits, or other wildlife.
Cause and Transmission
RHDV2 is a highly-contagious calicivirus of domestic rabbits, cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, and other hares. Other rabbit-like species may also be susceptible. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is considered a foreign animal disease, meaning the disease is not typically found in the United States and is a threat to domestic and wild animal health. This virus is not related to the coronavirus causing COVID-19 in humans. Currently, very little data is available to predict the impact of this disease in North American rabbit populations; however, preliminary information suggests that mortality could be high, with population impacts to rabbits and species that prey upon rabbits. This virus can be transmitted among rabbits through contact with an infected rabbit, with body fluids or feces from an infected rabbit, or with a contaminated environment. The virus is very hardy and can survive on clothing, plant material, or other items that may be accidentally moved from an infected area. Before visiting other wild areas, wash clothing and disinfect footwear.
Public Health Concerns
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is a serious disease of domestic rabbits. Rabbit owners should exercise extreme caution to avoid accidental exposure of rabbits to this disease. Domestic rabbits should not be housed outdoors in areas where contact with wild rabbits is possible. Contact your veterinarian for more information about this disease in domestic rabbits.
This disease does not affect people or domestic animals other than rabbits. However, multiple dead or sick rabbits can also be a sign of tularemia or plague, which are diseases that can cause serious illness in people. Do not handle sick or dead wildlife, and do not allow pets to contact or consume wildlife carcasses.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
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