What is “rambling”?

There are many terms that have been used to describe the sport of hiking. Perhaps the first to describe the act of taking a leisurely walk in nature in the English language was “rambling”. The word originally meant to wander, or roam aimlessly, but eventually came to describe hiking. The expression was widely used in England throughout the 19th Century. It was also used in America, though much less frequently. While rambling is still used in the United Kingdom, it’s now looked upon by many as being an old fashion word. Walking, hillwalking, fellwalking and even hiking are more commonly used today. “Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World” explains how hiking was able to bloom, and eventually flourish throughout the world.

And with Father's Day just around the corner, Ramble On would make a perfect gift for your dear old dad! For more information on the rich history of hiking and to order your copy of the book, please click here.

As always, thank you very much!



Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Incident On Taylor Peak In Rocky Mountain National Park

On Sunday afternoon, May 21, park rangers were notified via a satellite communication device that a 37-year-old male climber from Fort Collins, Colorado, had been injured in an approximate 30-foot roped fall in a mixed route on Taylor Peak.

Northern Colorado Med Evac air ambulance assisted Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members with air reconnaissance to determine the man’s exact location. Because of the location and injuries of the climber, the park requested assistance from a Colorado National Guard helicopter from Buckley Air Force Base to extricate the man via a hoist operation, using a winch operated cable. Rocky Mountain Rescue assisted with the helicopter hoist operations. This occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. Sunday night. The man was flown to Upper Beaver Meadows and transferred to a ground ambulance to Estes Park Health.

No further information is available at this time.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Be prepared for snow, mud and slushy conditions in Rocky Mountain National Park

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

Going hiking?

Spring hiking in the mountains means be prepared for snow and muddy or slushy conditions on all trails over 9,000 ft.

Snow has mostly melted in low-elevation areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. Trails could be wet or muddy. When hiking to high elevation areas, be prepared for winter hiking conditions. Trails could be icy. Traction devices for the bottom of your boots and hiking poles are advised.

Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Trail Ridge Road is open for the season!

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

Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will open to vehicles Friday, May 26, at 6 a.m. for the season. Due to melting snow on the road and the potential for freezing temperatures visitors should be prepared for icy conditions. At this time, nightly closures will not be implemented.

Weather conditions may change rapidly at higher elevations; park visitors should be prepared to adjust travel plans accordingly at any time and are encouraged to call the park’s Trail Ridge Road recorded status phone line at (970) 586-1222.

Alpine Visitor Center will open on Saturday, May 27. Trail Ridge Store will have limited services this weekend.

Trail Ridge Road historically opens on Memorial Day weekend; last year the road opened on May 27. The earliest the road has opened was on May 7, 2002; the latest June 26, 1943. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, climbing to an elevation of 12,183 ft. It connects the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season last year on October 24.

Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Lady Moon Meadow Loop Trail Construction improves access

The Canyon Lakes District Ranger of the Roosevelt National Forest is partnering with Wildlands Restoration Volunteers to reconstruct the Lady Moon Meadow Loop Trail, located southeast of Red Feather Lakes.

The reconstructed loop will provide a unique opportunity as it will comply with trail accessibility guidelines providing greater opportunities for visitors. The loop will be approximately two miles long with compacted road base to accommodate wheelchair users and boardwalk structures to reduce negative impacts on wet meadow sections of the trail.

Wildlands Restoration Volunteers received matching funds from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife State Trails Grant to help make this project possible. Along with this support, additional construction assistance is also planned with the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers.

“It is wonderful to see so many of our partners come together to provide this improved recreation opportunity,” Canyon Lakes District Ranger Dennis Kuhnel said.

Work could begin as soon as June 15, 2023. During construction, impacts to visitors should be minimal. The parking lot will remain open, and hikers and horseback riders should not expect any closures. There may be small delays or travel difficulty during some phases of the work. The goal is to have much of the work completed by fall 2023 with some finishing touches taking place in 2024.



Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Man stabbed 15 times at the Barr Trail parking lot in Manitou Springs

On May 22nd, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Manitou Springs Police Department in responding to an emergency call which came into the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center, at approximately 7:39 pm.

Multiple callers reported an assault at the Barr Trail parking lot in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Upon arrival, the Manitou Springs Police Department found an adult male victim with over 15 stab wounds to his neck, arms, and head, now identified as 60 -year-old Eric Snay.

Mr. Snay received life saving measures on scene from the Manitou Springs Fire Department and was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery. He is expected to survive.

On the morning of May 23rd, Manitou Springs officers contacted Million Zimmerman, DOB 05/12/1999, while he was walking on the roadway near the 400 block of Ruxton Ave. Zimmerman fit the description witnesses gave from the scene and was apprehended on site.

Million Zimmerman is being charged with attempted first- degree murder. He is currently held on $1,000,000 bond.

This is an ongoing, active investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available. More info here:





Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Hiker Shuttle service resumes for RMNP

Hiker Shuttle service resumes for the summer season beginning this Friday, May 26!

The Hiker Shuttle provides riders transportation from the Estes Park Visitor Center to RMNP's Park & Ride Transit Hub during specific times of day, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m daily. After arriving at the Park & Ride Transit Hub, riders can transfer to the park's free Bear Lake or Moraine Park Shuttle Routes to access destinations along the Bear Lake Road Corridor.

Shuttle service is not available outside of the park's Bear Lake Road Corridor.

As part of the park's overall pilot timed entry system, Hiker Shuttle riders will need two things: a reservation for Hiker Shuttle Tickets and a valid park entrance pass. Reservations for Hiker Shuttle Tickets are available at www.recreation.gov. There is a $2 processing fee. One reservation is good for up to 4 Hiker Shuttle Tickets per party.

Reservations for Hiker Shuttle Tickets are currently available for the dates of May 26 through June 30. Additional tickets will be released on Recreation.gov beginning at 5 p.m. the night before a chosen arrival date. For example, if you want to reserve a spot on the Hiker Shuttle for May 27, additional Hiker Shuttle Tickets will be available on May 26 at 5 p.m.

Seating capacity is limited, please only reserve the number of Hiker Shuttle Tickets needed for your party.

For more information and a list of frequently asked questions, visit the park website at https://www.nps.gov/.../shuttle-buses-and-public-transit.htm



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Massive wildfires already bringing heavy smoke to Colorado

Almost 100 wildfires are currently burning across Western Canada, bringing heavy smoke an unhealthy air to Colorado. As of yesterday, nearly 2 million acres have already burned this season, while causing nearly 29,000 people having to be evacuated from their homes. One person was quoted on Yahoo News as saying that “This feels like a Canadian Armageddon, like a bad horror film.” Smoke from these fires has drifted as far south as Colorado, resulting in Denver being "among the worst air quality in the world" as of Friday. As a result, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment issued this alert on their website today:

Outside the Front Range/Denver Metro Area
Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke

Issued for the eastern plains of Colorado
Issued at 9:00 AM MDT, Sunday, May 21, 2023

Affected Area: Morgan, Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Washington, Yuma, Elbert, El Paso, Lincoln, Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Bent, Prowers, and Baca Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to, Fort Morgan, Sterling, Julesburg, Holyoke, Akron, Wray, Colorado Springs, Kiowa, Hugo, Burlington, Cheyenne Wells, Eads, Las Animas, Lamar, and Springfield.

Advisory in Effect: 9:00 AM MDT, Sunday, May 21, 2023 to 4:00 PM MDT, Sunday, May 21, 2023.

Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Outlook: Several large wildfires are burning in Canada, resulting in heavy smoke across several states including the eastern half of Colorado. Although gradual improvement is expected to continue across much of the advisory area, lingering health impacts will remain possible through at least Sunday afternoon due to the recent exposure to heavy smoke.

Conditions can change quickly as weather could stimulate active fires and the likelihood of new starts increases. You can keep track of air quality updates across Colorado here, or refer to the EPA's Fire and Smoke Map.



Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Harpers Corner Road in Dinosaur National Monument to Undergo $10.1 Million in Improvements

A $10.1 million construction project to improve the Harpers Corner Road within Dinosaur National Monument will begin on May 30. The project includes reconstruction and repaving of seven miles of roadway and adjacent parking areas from US Highway 40 to the Escalante Overlook, plus replacement of drainage structures and culverts.

Harpers Corner Road is a scenic 31-mile (one way) road that begins approximately two miles east of Dinosaur, Colorado. The road provides dramatic viewpoints of the monument’s canyon country and access to several hiking trails and the Echo Park Road which leads to the Echo Park Campground.

During construction, Sunrise Overlook, Plug Hat Butte Trails and Picnic Area, and the Escalante Overlook will be closed to all public access. Construction may occur up to seven days per week but will not occur on designated holidays. During the project, the speed limit on the road will be lowered from 45 mph to 25 mph in work zones. Flaggers will be present during work hours and visitors may experience delays of up to 30 minutes. The project is scheduled for completion by September 30, 2023.

Funding for the project was provided by Federal Highway Administration and the National Park Service. The project is part of a concerted effort, which includes the Great American Outdoors Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to address the extensive deferred maintenance and repair backlog in national parks. Burdick Materials, headquartered in Roosevelt, Utah, is the prime contractor for the project.

Access to the Quarry Visitor Center and the dinosaur fossils in the Quarry Exhibit Hall will not be affected by this project. For more information, call (435) 781-7700, visit www.nps.gov/dino



Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
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Great Sand Dunes Announces Closures to Prepare for Visitor Center Exhibit Installation

Great Sand Dunes began a visitor center remodeling project in early August 2022 to renovate the public restrooms, the lobby, and interior exhibit space in preparation for new exhibits to be installed in May 2023. As the park prepares for the next phase of the project, the installation of visitor center exhibits, the visitor center will be undergoing temporary closures and adjustments to park operations from Monday, May 22 to Sunday, May 28. The interior exhibit space will be open to visitors starting Monday, May 29 at 9am.

Installation of interior exhibits will begin on Monday, May 22 and continue over 5 to 6 days. On Monday, May 22, the visitor center restroom facilities, and water fill-up station will not be accessible to allow for contractors to unload the exhibits and prepare the space for installation. Portable restrooms will be available in the in the visitor center parking lot. Flush toilets and water fill-up stations are available at the Dunes Parking Lot. The visitor center restroom facilities are expected to reopen on Tuesday, May 23 from 9am until 4:30pm.

A temporary trailer has been set up in the parking lot where visitors can purchase limited merchandise from the Western National Parks Association (WNPA) store, pick up park maps and visitor guides, stamp their passport book from 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4:30pm while the interior exhibits are installed. The WNPA park store will continue to operate out of the temporary trailer on Monday, May 29 and will be closed on Tuesday, May 30 to move their inventory into the new park store in the newly renovated visitor center. The WNPA store closure will limit visitors’ ability to purchase merchandise, but they encourage visitors to visit their website, www.wnpa.org to make an online purchase during the closure The WNPA park store will re-open on Wednesday, June 1 at 9am in the newly renovated space, and the visitor center will be fully opened with the new exhibits in place.

Park staff ask visitors to be patient and understanding through this final phase of the renovation project. 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. The visitor center renovations and the planning and development of the interior exhibits are funded by recreation fee revenue collected at the entrance station and campground.

The park is excited to showcase the new exhibits which were a collaborative effort with multiple program areas at Great Sand Dunes, affiliated tribal members, Western National Parks Association, and project managers with the National Park Service Harpers Ferry Center.



Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Guided bird walks in Rocky Mountain

Have you been out hiking in Rocky and wondered what that bird was? Do you want to learn more about the many species of birds that call Rocky home? If so, you are invited to join a guided bird walk!

Guided bird walks will be offered on Wednesday, May 17 and May 24. Program participants will meet your bird walk guide at the Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead at 8 a.m. MDT. The turnoff for Upper Beaver Meadows Road is 2 miles west of the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.

Guided bird walks are free and open to participants of all ages. The program length is approximately 90 minutes. This program will travel up to 1.5 miles through an easy to moderate riparian zone.

Binoculars are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear good footwear for walking and hiking. Bring water and snacks.

This guided program can be canceled at any time due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.



Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Forest Service burned nearly 25,000 slash piles in winter 2022-2023

Forest Service firefighters typically take advantage of snowy winter months to burn slash piles created from mechanized fuels reduction projects across the landscape to minimize the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Mother Nature supported that effort this year with ample snow to burn approximately 25,000 piles this winter across the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.

These piles equate to approximately 1,823 acres of treatment. This includes 535 acres on our Boulder Ranger District; 1,263 acres on our Canyon Lakes Ranger District; and 25 acres on our Sulphur Ranger District. Partners, like Colorado’s Department of Fire Prevention and Control and local fire organizations, played an important role in helping the Forest accomplish so many acres through additional funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“This year’s snow really helped our fire and fuels crews make a dent in the number of piles across the landscape.” Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland Fire Management Staff Officer Cody Peel said. “Removing these slash piles is an important step in managing the health and resiliency of our Forests.”

As we move into spring, broadcast prescribed burning is another tool in the forest management toolbox. The Forest recently burned the Forsythe II Prescribed Burn on the Boulder Ranger District and burning on the Magic Feather Prescribed Burn outside of Red Feather Lakes on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District could begin as soon as next week.

To stay updated on where and when forest health projects are occurring on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, join the email list. You can also see all prescribed burning projects on our interactive map.



Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

When will Trail Ridge Road open?

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

Spring opening operations continue on Trail Ridge Road. Rocky Mountain National Park's Roads Crews began plowing in April and are hard at work clearing snow drifts and plowing parking areas to get ready for summer visitors.

When will Trail Ridge Road open? It depends! The opening of the road is based on weather and conditions. Historically, the central portion of Trail Ridge Road opens on Memorial Day weekend.

Trail Ridge Road remains closed to vehicles at Many Parks Curve on the east side of the park and at the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park.

Pedestrians and bicycles are permitted to travel on Trail Ridge Road past vehicle closure points, however they must adhere to the posted orange "Road Closed to All Traffic" signs. Violators will cited.

Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Sprague Lake Trail and Parking Area in Rocky Mountain National Park will be Temporarily Closed on Thursday, May 18

The Sprague Lake Trail, Picnic and Parking Area will be closed to all users on Thursday, May 18. This closure will be in place for the safe staging of building materials and equipment that will be used to replace and repair a 210-foot-long section of the Sprague Lake Boardwalk.

Located along Bear Lake Road, Sprague Lake is a popular destination for many park visitors. There is a 0.7-mile loop trail around the lake, as well as an accessible backcountry campsite, picnic area, and vault toilets near the parking area. Sprague Lake offers spectacular scenic views of the lake itself and the Continental Divide. The Sprague Lake Boardwalk was first constructed in 2000 and is due for repairs.

During the Sprague Lake Boardwalk Replacement Project, the park’s trail crew, assisted by a Rocky Mountain Conservancy Conservation Corps trail crew, will replace failing wooden boards, as well as widen a section of the boardwalk. Crews will also repair the substructure by replacing with steel beams to extend the total life of the bridge. These improvements will improve accessibility for visitors who use wheelchairs and strollers. The project will also improve two scenic overlooks. Once complete, the new Sprague Lake Boardwalk will look very similar to the Lily Lake Boardwalk.

While the staging of equipment and building materials will happen on May 18, the majority of the boardwalk replacement work will take place beginning in August 2023. This will help minimize impacts to wetlands areas, as the water in the impacted area will be lower and the ground in the wetlands dryer. Once project work begins, there will be a full closure in place for a small portion of the Sprague Lake Trail. The majority of the Sprague Lake Trail will remain open to park visitors. This trail project is scheduled to be completed in late fall 2023.



Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

National Trails Day® Celebration to Improve Trails and Communities

People in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and beyond will come together on June 3, 2023, to celebrate American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day®, an annual event dedicated to promoting and advocating for the preservation and enjoyment of America’s vast network of trails.

National Trails Day® brings together hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, paddlers, trail clubs, federal and local agencies, and a variety of organizations to advocate for, maintain, clean up, and celebrate trails and nature. By working together, this diverse coalition can ensure these outdoor spaces remain accessible, safe, and enjoyable for everyone today and for future generations.

People of all ages, abilities, and walks of life can celebrate National Trails Day® by participating in a local trail event, taking the National Trails Day® pledge to leave the trails and the outdoor community better than they found it, and sharing their trail experience by tagging #NationalTrailsDay and @AmericanHiking on social media.

Last year, more than 700 sites across the U.S. brought people together for various recreational and volunteer opportunities. More than 12,314 trail volunteers built and maintained more than 347 miles of trails as part of the festivities.

“National Trails Day® is a time to celebrate the outdoors and its positive impact on community-building and improving our physical and mental health, while also taking action to protect and preserve these awe-inspiring spaces,” said Heather Klein Olson, Acting Executive Director of American Hiking Society. “This annual event encourages everyone who sets out on a trail to enjoy the outdoors and inspires us to take responsibility for our collective impact on the environment and the outdoor community.”

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® is made possible by the generous support of Corporate Sponsors – AKHG™ by Duluth Trading Co., Athletic Brewing Co., REI Co-Op, Osprey Packs, Waterford Press, LOWA Boots, and Fjällräven. Federal Partners include the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Federal Highway Administration.



Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

More tourists filmed getting too close to bison in Yellowstone National Park

You've likely heard the statistic; that “9 out of 10 wildfires are started by humans”. In fact, it's likely you may have heard that hundreds of times! The very first "Smokey Bear" campaign cited this statistic on its first campaign poster in 1944. Despite the Forest Service having run this campaign for almost 80 years now, that stat has remained relatively constant. I've often wondered why there hasn't been any improvement. You would think that people would be more cognizant of their actions concerning fire, and therefore do the proper things to prevent wildfires. I concluded that it has to be a generational phenomenon. In other words, it's a lesson, or an awareness issue, that each generation has to learn as they come of age.

I guess the same could be said of tourists getting too close to wildlife, as seen in this recent video:





Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Missing Man Last Seen In Wild Basin Area of Rocky Mountain National Park

On Monday, May 1, park rangers were notified of a missing man in the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park. Kevin Sypher was last seen on Sunday afternoon, April 30, in the Sandbeach Lake parking area near the Wild Basin Entrance Station.

Mr. Sypher was first reported missing from Parker, Colorado on Thursday, April 27 by Parker Police. He was located on Saturday, April 29 in the Denver area and reunited with family. On Sunday, April 30, he was with a family member near the Wild Basin Entrance in Rocky Mountain National Park when he is reported to have willingly walked away from a vehicle he was traveling in.

On Monday, May 1, Rocky Mountain National Park was notified that Sypher was missing when a park ranger encountered a group of people searching for an individual. Park rangers started an investigation and began initial search efforts.

From the initial investigation on May 1, park rangers learned that a man matching Sypher’s description was seen by park staff the afternoon of Sunday, April 30, travelling on foot near Copeland Lake walking west on the Wild Basin Road. Due to this information, search efforts continued along the Wild Basin Road and river corridor and up the summer trailhead. On May 3, Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members were assisted by a dog team from Front Range Rescue Dogs and search efforts were concentrated around the summer trailhead and up to Copeland Falls. During search efforts, a park visitor who regularly hikes in this area mentioned seeing a man matching Kevin’s description near the Wild Basin summer Trailhead on Monday, May 1.

Kevin Sypher is 6’2” 180 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue baseball cap, blue jeans and cowboy boots.

Active search efforts have been suspended. Patrols will continue to occur in the search area, and further actions may be considered if there are any further clues or information provided. The incident is under investigation and no further information on the investigation will be released at this time. If you have information that could help investigators, if you may have seen Kevin Sypher, or if you were in the Wild Basin area since April 30, please contact us. You don't have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know. CALL or TEXT the National Park Service Investigative Services Bureau Tip Line 888-653-0009, ONLINE form go.nps.gov/SubmitATip or EMAIL nps_isb@nps.gov



Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Parks and Wildlife Commission Approves Historic Final Wolf Restoration and Management Plan

After more than two years of extensive statewide stakeholder meetings and outreach via a series of public hearings, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission on Wednesday gave final approval to the final Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan.

The plan was unanimously adopted through a two-step approval process that began at a CPW Commission meeting last month in Steamboat Springs.

The final approval clears the way for CPW biologists to introduce wolves in the Western Slope area and meet the voter-approved deadline of reintroduction by December 31, 2023.

After the Draft Wolf Restoration and Management Plan was released Dec. 9, CPW's extensive public outreach efforts through in-person and virtual meetings, as well as on its website engagecpw.org, produced about 4,000 comments online and via in-person testimony from 232 people at its five public meetings across Colorado in January and February.

Immediately following the approval of the final Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan, the Commission unanimously passed resolution 2023:01 – Regarding Reintroduction of Gray Wolves​.

The resolution reaffirms the Commission’s appreciation and support for the ongoing efforts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a partner with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to finalize the 10(j) rule as anticipated. The resolution also reaffirms the Commission “finds and determines that the successful implementation of Proposition 114, now codified as state statute 33-2-105.8, relies on the implementation of best management practices to resolve conflict with persons engaged in ranching and farming in this state.”

The plan was amended to require a count of 150 wolves for two successive years or 200 wolves at any time and will add a geographical distribution component through a finding that the species “is present in a significant portion of its range."

The public is invited to visit CPW’s Stay Informed page and sign up for the Wolf Reintroduction eNews to stay up to date with CPW’s Wolf Restoration efforts.



Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
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Rocky Mountain National Park to Move to Cashless Fee Collection Starting June 1

Beginning on June 1, Rocky Mountain National Park will transition to a fully cashless fee system and only accept mobile or electronic payments for entrance and permit fees. Visitors who are only able to pay with cash may purchase a prepaid pass from the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Nature Store at Beaver Meadows, Fall River, or Kawuneeche Visitor Centers.

Entrance fees are an important source of revenue used to improve the visitor experience in national parks, including road and facility repairs and maintenance, trail improvements, installation of accessible exhibits, visitor and resource protection services, and more. Move to a cashless system allows parks to be better stewards of visitor dollars by reducing the amount of time park staff spend managing cash, increasing the amount of fee revenue available to support critical projects and visitor services, and improving accountability and reducing risk.

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



Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
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USDA Announces $36M to Improve Roads, Trails & Water Quality

The United States Department of Agriculture is announcing investments of more than $36 million in nearly 100 projects to improve water quality, roads, trails, bridges and fish habitat on national forests and grasslands nationwide.

The funds are being delivered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service through their Legacy Roads and Trails Program, which supports 98 projects in fiscal year 2023. The program funds projects, along with other restoration and infrastructure work, to improve water quality and aquatic habitat while making transportation systems safer, more sustainable and durable.

In addition to improving roads and trails for communities, businesses, and visitors, the program creates jobs, including those in stream restoration, environmental design and heavy equipment operations.

The Legacy Roads and Trails Program supports projects like Little Gold Creek, recently completed on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in southwest Montana. This project replaced a narrow culvert on a Forest Service road with a larger, more flood resilient design that provides uninterrupted passage for fish and other aquatic species, including the endangered bull trout, which is being affected by the changing climate. This project and others like it improve infrastructure durability, protect water quality, and ensure public access by preventing roads from flooding and washing out. Replacing culverts also improves access and safety for visitors and surrounding communities.

The Forest Service is responsible for more than 160,000 miles of trails, 6,700 road bridges and 7,200 trail bridges, as well as 370,000 miles of roads in a variety of ecological settings and landscapes. Approximately 80 million people receive drinking water that originates on, or flows through, national forests and grasslands. The road and trail improvements announced today will improve ecological connectivity and watershed health while protecting infrastructure and ensuring national forests continue to provide drinking water to communities.

For a complete list of projects being funding in fiscal year 2023 visit the Legacy Roads and Trails | US Forest Service (fs.usda.gov).



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park