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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Celebrating 40 Acre Land Donation from Vance Brand to Rocky Mountain National Park

Last week, former Astronaut Vance Brand, his family, Rocky Mountain National Park and Rocky Mountain Conservancy officials celebrated the donation of the Brand’s 40-acre parcel of land to Rocky Mountain National Park.

The family donated the land to the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, the nonprofit partner to Rocky in 2019. In January 2021, Congress authorized the inclusion of this 40-acre parcel of land into the boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park. This bipartisan bill was introduced in 2020, by Senator Michael Bennet, Representative Joe Neguse, and former Senator Cory Gardner. The property is located adjacent to the eastern boundary of the park, and will enable the park to provide additional protection for the park’s high-elevation ecosystem. This parcel is a scenic, natural buffer between private lands and three popular trails: Estes Cone, Storm Pass, and Eugenia Mine Trails.

Vance Brand was born and raised in Longmont and attended college at University of Colorado and UCLA. He went on to become a Marine Corps officer, an aviator, a test pilot, an aeronautical engineer and an astronaut. He served as a command module pilot during the first U.S.-Soviet joint spaceflight in 1975 and as commander of three Space Shuttle missions.

Brand said about the donation, “To me the park is a wonderful place that must be preserved – and where possible expanded. The numerous hiking, camping, and (non-technical) mountain climbing experiences that I had there in my youth led me to purchase land along Rocky Mountain National Park’s eastern boundary in 1967. Over time my family has developed an appreciation of the natural beauty of the land and have encouraged keeping it as it is. I’m thankful that there were early national park enthusiasts like Enos Mills and Teddy Roosevelt who had the foresight to encourage establishment of Rocky Mountain National Park and our entire national park system. The National Park Service does a terrific job of maintaining our national parks. In short, my family and I sincerely hope that this donation to the national park will keep the land in its natural state for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations of Americans.”



Jeff
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29th Annual National Public Lands Day Will Enlist Thousands of Volunteers to Restore Public Lands Across US

On Saturday, September 24, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), in collaboration with federal, state, and nonprofit partners, will present the 29th annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD) celebration—the largest single-day volunteer event for America’s public lands.

Over the last decade, more than one million volunteers have donated nearly 5 million hours of their time for public lands on National Public Lands Day, worth an estimated $133 million. Typical NPLD events include a mix of volunteer, education, health, and recreation activities taking place on public lands all over the country, from state and local parks to land managed by federal agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and USDA Forest Service.

The theme for this year’s NPLD celebration is “Giving Back Together,” in honor of the role America’s public lands play in bringing people together for recreation, socialization, and stewardship.

“During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, our country’s public lands acted as a safe haven for all Americans to gather with their friends and families,” said Meri-Margaret Deoudes, president and CEO of NEEF. “NPLD gives us an opportunity to return the favor. Along with our state and federal partners, we invite the public to join us in giving back to these spaces that have played such an important role in our lives.”

With over 500 nationwide volunteer events currently registered on NEEF’s website—and more being added each day—there will be no shortage of opportunities for the thousands of expected volunteers to roll up their sleeves and pitch in on improvement projects in their communities.

NPLD is also designated as a Fee-Free Day, granting free admission for visitors at all national parks, as well as sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, and other participating federal agencies.

“The National Park Service will host nearly 100 events on National Public Lands Day to encourage people to discover, visit and interact with their public lands,” said Shari Orr, National Park Service Volunteer Program Manager. “Our partnership with NEEF on this day of service helps us introduce people to national parks and the recreational, inspirational and educational benefits they provide.”

For more information, please click here.



Jeff
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Great Sand Dunes Announces Closures to Prepare for Visitor Center Remodel Project

Great Sand Dunes began a visitor center remodeling project in early August to renovate the public restrooms, the lobby, and interior exhibit space in preparation for new exhibits to be installed in early 2023. As the park prepares for the next phase of the project, the visitor center will have closures during the weeks of September 19 and September 26.

Starting Monday, September 19 to Wednesday, September 21, the visitor center parking lot, and visitor center will be closed. Visitors will not be able to access this area to allow the delivery and construction of the temporary trailer and for staff to prepare to move into the temporary trailer. The entrance station will provide park literature and the park passport stamp. Flush toilets and water fill-up stations are available at the dunes parking lot. Access to the Sand Sheet Loop interpretive trail can be accessed by hiking a ½ mile from the Mosca Creek Picnic Area. Normal operations will resume inside the visitor center on Thursday morning at 9am.

The following week from Monday, September 26 to Wednesday, September 28, the visitor center will be closed but the lobby and visitor center parking lot will be opened. This closure will allow park rangers and Western National Parks Association employees the ability to physically move items into the temporary space. The lobby will have the passport stamp and park literature. Visitors are also able to access the Sand Sheet Loop interpretive trail and portable toilets. The visitor center restrooms remain closed but flush toilets and water fill-up stations are available at the dunes parking lot. Parking will be limited to make room for the temporary trailer and visitors are asked to mind the speed limit when traveling through the parking lot.

Starting on Thursday, September 29, park rangers and Western National Parks Association employees anticipate operating out of the temporary trailer. The temporary visitor center hours are 9am-12pm and 1pm to 4:30pm. Visitors can purchase limited merchandise from the Western National Parks Association store, pick up park maps and visitor guides, stamp their passport book, or view a few temporary exhibits on display. The temporary visitor center will also provide a sneak peak of the upcoming exhibits that will be installed in 2023. The visitor center will open the newly remodeled restrooms in early October.

Staff will continue to monitor phones during these closures to provide updates to visitors and answer trip planning questions. These dates may change due to unforeseen circumstances but park rangers will continue to update visitors as soon as possible. Visitors are encouraged to check the park website, call the visitor center, or follow the park’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) for the most up to date information.

Great Sand Dunes asks visitors to be patient and understanding through this process. If phases are completed early or are delayed, the park will keep visitors updated on how to access facilities via the park website and social media channels. This project is made possible by visitor fee dollars.



Jeff
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Rocky Mountain Trail Crews to Re-build St. Vrain Bridge on the Wild Basin Trail Next Week

Beginning the week of September 19, Rocky Mountain National Park’s Trail Crews will be re-building the St. Vrain Bridge on the Wild Basin Trail. This work will improve visitor access and safety on the bridge. The bridge will be stripped down to the steel I-beams and rebuilt with new decking, posts, mid-rails and handrails.

The project is anticipated to take the entire week, through September 22.

Due to the nature of this project, visitors will not be able to cross the bridge during construction. Hikers will be able to access Calypso Cascade, Ouzel Falls and the rest of Wild Basin via the "Campground Trail." The detour trail will add an estimated one mile to most destinations.



Jeff
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Vehicle Crash Off Rim Rock Drive at Colorado National Monument

The staff at Colorado National Monument is saddened to report that a vehicle left Rim Rock Drive near the Coke Ovens Overlook on Monday night, September 12th. The 911 call came in at approximately 10:20pm. There were two individuals in the vehicle. The 28-year-old male was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital. The 28-year-old female was found deceased at the scene. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Colorado National Monument staff’s thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the vehicle occupants. The rangers are thankful for the valuable assistance from the Colorado State Patrol, Lower Valley Fire Department, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Mesa County Sheriff’s Technical Rescue Team, CareFlight and the Mesa County Coroner.



Jeff
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Spruce Lake Trail Reopens

The Spruce Lake Trail on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park reopened yesterday. Trail crews have been working to make repairs to damaged trail structures from the East Troublesome Fire in 2020, as well as delineating the trail.

Be aware of additional hazards when recreating in burn areas, including:

- Burned-out stump holes where the ground may be weak and unstable
- Unstable dead trees, especially in windy conditions
- Loose rocks, logs and rolling debris
- Flash flooding and significant debris flow possible in burn areas
- Dry, hot conditions with little forest canopy to provide shade

For more information, please click here.



Jeff
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Tour of the Moon Bicycle Tour to Travel through Colorado National Monument

On Saturday, September 10, 2022, the Tour of the Moon recreational bicycle ride will travel through Colorado National Monument. The touring cyclists will travel over Rim Rock Drive, entering the monument at the east entrance off of Monument Road near Grand Junction and exiting at the west entrance onto Highway 340 near Fruita. Cyclists will be limited to the west bound lane.

Colorado National Monument and all facilities will remain open to the public during the cycling event. In order to provide safety for the cyclists, the west bound lane of Rim Rock Drive from the east (Grand Junction) entrance to DS Road will be closed from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Throughout the morning the monument staff is recommending vehicle traffic enter the monument at the west (Fruita) entrance and travel in the opposite direction from the bicyclists.

Event organizers are anticipating the 2,000 cyclists will be riding in the monument from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monument staff are encouraging all other visitors to tour the park in the afternoon.

Safety Advisory: All vehicle traffic is asked to travel west to east on Rim Rock Drive to avoid congestion. Motorists and bicyclists are strongly advised to travel cautiously around curves and always obey the speed limit.

For additional information regarding the Tour of the Moon recreational bicycle ride, please visit http://www.tourofthemoon.com

The visitor center will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For additional information, please visit www.nps.gov/colm or call 970-858-2800



Jeff
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Section Of Trail Ridge Road In Rocky Mountain National Park Was Closed For Vehicle Extraction

At approximately 8:50 p.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2022, Rocky Mountain National Park received a call from a visitor traveling on Trail Ridge Road who saw a vehicle off road. A small SUV with one occupant had driven off Trail Ridge Road east of Gore Range Overlook, and the vehicle came to rest approximately 500-feet down the steep slope. While the occupant was being rescued, Trail Ridge Road was temporarily closed for two hours.

The occupant, a 54-year old man from Florida, walked up from the vehicle with assistance from park staff and the Estes Valley Fire Protection District and was transported out of the park by Estes Park Health ambulance.

Trail Ridge Road was temporarily closed again yesterday morning, September 2, for approximately 4 hours as park staff and Monarch Towing Company worked to extract the vehicle and all associated debris.

In addition to the park's Search and Rescue team and law enforcement staff, the park would like to thank partner agencies who provided key support on this incident, including the Estes Valley Fire Protection District and Estes Park Health.

This incident is under investigation. No further information is available.



Jeff
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Milner Pass parking area and trailhead to close for several weeks

The Milner Pass Parking Area and trailhead will be closed to all users beginning on Wednesday, September 7, for the construction of a new vault toilet facility. This project is anticipated to be completed by mid-October, as weather and conditions permit.

Located 4.3 miles west of Alpine Visitor Center along Trail Ridge Road near Poudre Lake, the Milner Pass Parking Area, as well as all access trails from this parking area, will be closed for visitor safety while this area is under construction. This will impact the Mt. Ida, Peak 12,150 and Forest Canyon Pass hikes.

All visitors planning to hike on the Ute Trail and other connector trails in the area should plan to access these trails from the Alpine Visitor Center.



Jeff
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