Enjoy a First Day Hike at Colorado State Parks on Jan. 1

On Jan. 1, 2024, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) invites you to participate in a First Day Hike at a Colorado state park.

First Day Hikes offers a chance to start 2024 off on the right foot by exercising in nature. Each participating state park provides a unique opportunity to enjoy self-guided hikes, scavenger hunts or guided hikes.

About First Day Hikes:

Hikes are free, but park visitors must possess a valid state park pass (this includes a Keep Colorado Wild Pass purchased through the DMV during a vehicle registration). Hikes will vary in skill level and length depending on location and weather conditions. Participating parks may require a reservation before the hike; check the park’s webpage for details. For a list of the first day hikes being offered, please click here.



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

Pear Lake

A bluebird day at Pear Lake in the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park:

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

Colorado Parks and Wildlife successfully releases gray wolves on Colorado’s Western Slope

Yesterday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) experts released five gray wolves onto public land in Grand County in a historic effort to create a permanent, self-sustaining wolf population and fulfill voter approval to re-establish gray wolves in Colorado.

The gray wolves were captured in Oregon where CPW veterinarians and biologists evaluated them to determine if they were fit for relocation to Colorado. Criteria for release included the age, sex, health and body condition of each animal.

Each gray wolf was weighed and measured. Staff collected genetic material – tissue and blood samples – before fitting each with a GPS satellite collar for tracking upon release by CPW staff. Then, the wolves were given vaccines and were placed in crates and flown to Colorado for release back into the wild.

Meet Colorado’s new wolves:

2302-OR: Juvenile female, black color, 68 lbs., Five Points Pack
2303-OR: Juvenile male, gray color, 76 lbs. Five Points Pack
2304-OR: Juvenile female, gray color, 76 lbs., Noregaard Pack
2305-OR: Juvenile male, black color, 93 lbs., Noregaard Pack
2307-OR: Adult male, gray color, 108 lbs., Wenaha Pack

Note: All wolves captured, collared and released in Colorado will use the same naming convention: The first two numbers (23) will indicate the year the animal was captured. The second set of numbers informs biologists of the wolf’s gender (males will have odd numbers, females will have even) and the order in which it was collared. *The “OR” suffix indicates the wolves came from Oregon.

CPW will repeat the process until at least 10 - 15 wolves have been reintroduced in Colorado by mid-March 2024. As outlined in the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan, CPW hopes to release 30 to 50 wolves over the next 3 - 5 years using wolves captured from nearby northern Rockies states from several different packs by trapping and darting them in the winter.

This project marks another milestone in the long CPW tradition of species recovery in Colorado. These include the black-footed ferret, one of North America's rarest mammals, the 1999 effort to reintroduce the lynx, the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, the greenback cutthroat trout, and many more.



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

USDA Forest Service acquires strategic property providing public access to Mount Democrat

The long-standing logistical challenges stemming from limited access through private land to one of Colorado’s most majestic “Fourteeners”– a peak that rises above 14,000 feet has been resolved. In partnership with The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit conservation organization, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service acquired nearly 300 acres leading to Mount Democrat in Colorado’s Mosquito Range.

The Conservation Fund stepped in earlier this year to buy the property from Earth Energy Resources LLC, represented by John Reiber, and worked with the Forest Service to convey the property into public ownership and management by the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands.

The purchase adds to the majestic beauty of the South Park Ranger District based in Fairplay, Colorado. Along with eliminating liability concerns, it will expand outdoor recreational opportunities considerably. Encompassing the headwaters for the South Platte and Arkansas Rivers, the Kite Lake Trailhead, key trail segments, and the entire Mount Democrat summit, the acquisition is part of the popular DeCaLiBron hiking loop. The loop includes Mount Cameron, Mount Lincoln and Mount Bross, and provides outdoor enthusiasts a unique opportunity to hike several “Fourteener” peaks in one day.

“We are excited about this land acquisition, and honored to add Mount Democrat to the Colorado Fourteeners that we manage on behalf of the American public,” said Regional Forester Frank Beum. “This opportunity would never have been possible without support from The Conservation Fund and numerous partners, and we cannot express enough appreciation to them for securing this property.” “Protecting one of America’s tallest mountains and its headwaters for all to enjoy is an honor of a lifetime for us,” said Kelly Ingebritson, Colorado project manager at The Conservation Fund. “We are thrilled to celebrate this achievement – which was made possible by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund – alongside the Forest Service, Colorado’s congressional delegation and our community partners.”



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

Three Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Hikers

With Christmas only a few days away I have a sneaky feeling that there are quite a few of you who haven't finished your shopping just yet. Some of you may even be at a lost for ideas! Well, if you're looking for some last minute stocking stuffer ideas for any hikers in your life, you may want to consider one of these books (or all three!) that were written by yours truly!

What hiker doesn't want to know more about their favorite outdoor activity?!?!

Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World chronicles the rich history of hiking: its roots in alpinism and mountaineering, the societal trends that fostered its growth, some of the early hikers from the 18th and 19th centuries, the first trails built specifically for hiking, the formation of the first hiking clubs, as well as what the early hikers wore, and what some of the key inventions and innovations were that led to our modern array of gear and apparel. Ramble On also examines how hiking was able to germinate and grow as a result of Romanticism and Transcendentalism, the Industrial Revolution, the labor movement, the rise of automobiles, environmentalism, club culture, and even art. The book is available in both paperback and eBook editions.

Exploring Glacier National Park is the mobile version of HikinginGlacier.com, the most comprehensive website on the internet for hiking trail information in Glacier National Park. This book was published to provide hikers with convenient access to the information contained on our website while in the park, or on the trail, where internet access is most likely unavailable. Additionally, the format of this book will provide a much better experience for smartphone users.

Exploring Glacier National Park covers 68 hikes. Like the website, the book includes driving directions to each trailhead, detailed trail descriptions, key features along the route, difficulty ratings, photographs, maps and elevation profiles. Whether you're looking for an easy stroll in the park, or an epic hike deep into Glacier's backcountry, this book provides all the tools you'll need to make your hiking trip as enjoyable as possible. The book is available on Amazon as an eBook.

Exploring Grand Teton National Park is the mobile version of TetonHikingTrails.com, the most comprehensive website on the internet for hiking trail information in Grand Teton National Park. This book was published to provide hikers with convenient access to the information contained on our website while in the park, or on the trail. The book covers 44 hikes; including 41 hikes within the park, as well as 3 hikes in the Teton Pass area, located just south of the park boundary. Like the website, the book includes driving directions to each trailhead, detailed trail descriptions, key features along the route, difficulty ratings, photographs, maps and elevation profiles. Whether you're looking for an easy stroll in the park, or an epic hike deep into Grand Teton's backcountry, this book provides all the tools you'll need to make your hiking trip as enjoyable as possible. The book is available on Amazon as an eBook.

As always, thank you very much!



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

CPW to use low-flying helicopters to assess deer, elk and bighorn sheep in southeast Colorado

Beginning Dec. 15, Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists will assess deer and bighorn sheep populations on the southeastern plains of Colorado, east of Interstate 25, by conducting low-altitude helicopter flights.

The CPW staff will conduct similar flights west of I-25, doing surveys and capture work in South Park, the Upper Arkansas Valley, the Pikes Peak Region, the Sangre de Cristo mountains, the Wet Mountain Valley and over Fishers Peak State Park in Trinidad.

“The helicopters will spend a brief amount of time in a specific area to count and categorize individual herds and then move on, searching for more deer, elk or bighorn sheep,” said Julie Stiver, senior wildlife biologist for CPW’s Southeast Region, based in Colorado Springs.

“Each year, CPW biologists inventory thousands of animals statewide to develop a picture of the productivity and composition of big game in Colorado. The data is critical to our work of forming population models, management strategies and to set future hunting license numbers.”

Disturbances by the flights typically only last a few minutes in any one area.

The southeastern plains flight plan calls for helicopters to start flying in the South Republican River drainage from Flagler to the Kansas state line. The helicopter will then be in Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties followed by tours of Kiowa, Prowers and Baca counties.

From there, the helicopter surveys will fly along the Arkansas River from the Kansas state line to Pueblo and southwest along the Purgatoire River.

On the flights west of I-25, biologists intend to survey and classify deer, elk and bighorn sheep.

Capture work will occur in the Upper Arkansas Valley from Cañon City to Leadville. CPW staff will be trying to catch 60 mule deer fawns to fit them with radio-collars so that biologists can study their survival rates. This work is for a 25-year project that started in 1999 to collect data and monitor survival in the deer herd. v More capture work is planned in South Park and the Upper Arkansas Valley where CPW biologists hope to catch 65 cow elk and 60 calf elk. Each will be fitted with a radio collar so biologists can study their survival rates and movement patterns.

CPW biologists hope to conclude their herd assessment and capture operation flights by late January.

For more information on CPW’s wildlife population objectives, visit: cpw.state.co.us/ThingsToDo/pages/HerdManagementPlans.aspx

For information about the policies CPW uses to guide its decisions to collar animals for movement studies, visit: cpw.state.co.us/conservation/Pages/CON-Transport-Corridors.aspx



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

New U.S. Federal funding boosts wildlife crossings in the West

Last week the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced $110 million in grants for 19 wildlife crossing projects in 17 states, including four Indian Tribes. The funding is made possible by a new program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and can support projects that construct wildlife crossings over and below busy roads, add fencing, acquire tracking and mapping tools, and more. Overall, BIL makes a total of $350 million available over five years under the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program.

Each year, it is estimated that there are more than one million wildlife vehicle collisions in the U.S. Wildlife-vehicle collisions involving large animals result in injuries to drivers and their passengers, representing approximately 200 human fatalities and 26,000 injuries to drivers and their passengers each year. These collisions also cost the public more than $10 billion annually. This includes economic costs caused by wildlife crashes, such as loss of income, medical costs, property damage, and more.

“We are pleased to announce the first round of grants under the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program to projects that will significantly reduce the number of collisions between motorists and wildlife,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “These roadway safety investments will ensure that motorists and wildlife get to their destinations safely and are a win-win for safety and the environment.”

Project selections in this round of grants include:

* The Wyoming Department of Transportation will receive $24.4 million to build an overpass, several underpasses, and high-barrier wildlife fencing along 30 miles of US 189 in southwest Wyoming, a rural highway corridor with a high number of wildlife-vehicle collisions.

* The Colorado Department of Transportation will receive $22 million to build a dedicated overpass on I-25 between Denver and Colorado Springs, the state’s two most populous cities. Once completed, the Greenland Wildlife Overpass will be one of the largest overpass structures in North America, spanning six lanes of interstate highway. It will help reduce vehicle collisions with elk and mule deer along I-25 and connect vital habitats on both sides of the highway from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains.

* The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will receive $424,242 to complete a feasibility study for installing wildlife crossings across 68 miles on I-90 between Missoula and Garrison, Montana. By identifying key wildlife migration corridors, the study will help MDT determine the need, type, and feasibility of constructing one or more wildlife crossings that will effectively accommodate both wildlife and motorists, and ultimately reduce the number of WVCs.

* The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will receive $8.6 million to construct a wildlife overpass spanning US Highway 93 within the Ninepipe National Wildlife Management Area in Montana, an area with high rates of WVCs. The proposed project will help reduce WVCs and improve habitat connectivity for grizzly bears which will reduce crash-related mortality and improve outcomes for grizzly bears.

The Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program supports the Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS), which sets a goal of achieving zero roadway deaths and serious injuries through a Safe System Approach to prevent crashes from happening in the first place. Projects funded by this program reduce wildlife crashes, which will reduce the associated economic impact (such as loss of income, medical costs, property damage, and decline in productivity and quality of life) while simultaneously improving habitat connectivity to sustain the environment and improve the overall safety of the traveling public.

The full list of project selections can be found here.



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

Ptarmigan Lake and Tunnel

Here's the view of Ptarmigan Lake in Glacier National Park:

Here's the view of Ptarmigan Lake from Ptarmigan Tunnel:

Finally, the tunnel itself:

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

Three national scenic trails designated as units of the National Park System

Three national scenic trails have become the country’s newest national parks, raising the total number of existing parks from 425 to 428. The Ice Age, New England, and North Country national scenic trails, all previously established by Congress and administered by the National Park Service as part of the National Trails System, are now also recognized as units of the National Park System.    

“The new status for the Ice Age, New England, and North Country national scenic trails will increase public awareness and use of these amazing pathways,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “Their combined 5,500-plus miles travel through parts of 10 states and hundreds of communities, from large cities to rural towns, providing countless close-to-home opportunities for people to easily access green space and enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation.”   

These long-distance corridors are lined with natural beauty and history, connecting people to lakes, waterfalls, beaches, mountains, old growth forests, and historic structures. The designation will not result in any immediate changes to the size or structure of the trails which already have access points, signage, operating budgets, superintendents, staff, and dedicated volunteers. Last year, thousands of volunteers contributed more than 150,000 hours to support trail preservation, maintenance and education projects.    

The trails join three other national scenic trails – the Appalachian, Natchez Trace, and Potomac Heritage – that are already units of the National Park System. This action aligns with Congressional, stakeholder, and partner desires for clear, consistent and equitable status for all six national scenic trails administered by the National Park Service. There are five additional national scenic trails administered by the U.S. Forest Service.    

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Wisconsin is nearly 1,200 miles long. It’s landscape of lakes, river valleys, gently rolling hills, and ridges are reminders that just 15,000 years ago, during the Ice Age, much of North America lay under a huge glacier.    

The New England National Scenic Trail in Connecticut and Massachusetts stretches 235 miles from the shores of Long Island Sound to scenic mountain summits. It offers panoramic vistas of New England’s natural and cultural landscape, including traprock ridges, historic village centers, farmlands, unfragmented forests, quiet streams, steep river valleys, and waterfalls.   

The North Country National Scenic Trail is expected to be a 4,600-mile continuous path when completed. Traversing sections of Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin, it showcases the varied landscapes of the Lake Superior Region, Adirondacks, Ohio River Valley, and North Dakota plains.    

The 428 units of the National Park System are commonly referred to as “parks” since there are more than 25 different name designations, including national park, national battlefield, national monument, national seashore, national historical site, and national scenic trail. Collectively, the parks cover over 85 million acres in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and US territories.  

If you wish to learn more about the National Trails System and how the thousands of miles of hiking trails came into existence over the last 200 years, please check out my new book; Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World.



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

National Park Service Announces Entrance Fee-Free Days for 2024

During this festive season of joy and giving, the National Park Service presents the entrance fee-free dates for 2024. On these days, and throughout the year, all are invited to experience the magic and wonder of national parks.

“National parks are places that awaken senses, inspire curiosity, encourage reflection, and foster joy,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said. “The entrance fee-free days expand opportunities for people to visit their national parks and experience the beauty and history of our country.”

The entrance fee-free days for 2024 are:

January 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
April 20 – First Day of National Park Week 
June 19 – Juneteenth
August 4 – Great American Outdoors Day
September 28 – National Public Lands Day
November 11 – Veterans Day

National parks are wallet-friendly options year-round. More than 300 of the country’s more than 400 national parks are free to enter every day. Also, with at least one national park in every state and most major metropolitan areas, they provide close-to-home choices for recreation and inspiration. Detailed information about things to do and see in each park is available on NPS.gov and the NPS app.

The cost to enter parks with entrance fees ranges from $10 to $35. The funds remain in the National Park Service and 80-100% stays in the park where collected. The revenue supports visitor services, including enhancing accessibility, restoring wildlife habitat, and providing ranger programs, and adding or upgrading restrooms, campgrounds, trails, and other facilities.

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 covers entry at more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks. There are also free or discounted passes available for current members of the U.S. military and their dependents, military veterans, Gold Star Families, fourth grade students, individuals with permanent disabilities, and senior citizens.

Other federal land management agencies offering their own fee-free days in 2024 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
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

Redrock Falls and Lake

Though Redrock Falls is a fairly popular destination in Glacier National Park...

The real star of this hike is actually Redrock Lake, especially during the early morning hours:

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