Annual Meadow Closures Begin on September 1 for Elk Rut Season in Rocky Mountain National Park

Beginning on Saturday, September 1, annual meadow closures will go into effect in Rocky Mountain National Park to prevent the disturbance and harassment of elk during their fall mating season. Meadow closures are also in place for safety and enjoyment of park visitors who are enjoying wildlife viewing during the elk rut season.

Meadow closures will be in place between the hours of 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. Areas that are closed include meadow areas in Horseshoe Park, Upper Beaver Meadows, Moraine Park, Harbison Meadow and Holzwarth Meadow. During the specified hours, these meadow areas will be closed to all travel on foot or via horseback off established roads and trails. Meadow closures will remain in effect through October 31, 2024.

Fishing locations along the Fall River, Thompson River, and Colorado River that are accessed by walking through closed meadow areas are closed to fishing between the hours of 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Wildlife viewing is one of the most popular activities that visitors enjoy each fall. Keep your distance and view wildlife with respect. When viewing elk keep back at least 75 feet (23 m). This is the length of two school buses. It is our responsibility to keep our distance. Don’t keep approaching wildlife until they react to you. As always, elk calling and the use of spotlights or vehicle headlights for spotting wildlife is prohibited within Rocky Mountain National Park.



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From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:

Missing Hiker near Lake Isabelle located, found deceased

On Monday, August 26, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the Boulder County Sheriff's Office Communications Center received a call regarding an overdue camper. The 36-year-old male was reportedly hiking and camping in the area of Lake Isabelle, in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, accessed from the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. The camper was due to return the morning of August 26th. When he did not check-in or show up, family members reported him missing.

The missing male’s vehicle was located in the parking lot at Brainard Lake, prompting Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services to initiate a search. Based on reports from the family as well as using information from the missing party’s Garmin GPS device, a search was conducted in the area with ground searchers, dog teams, and a helicopter. Search teams located a deceased male, believed to be the missing party near Shoshoni Peak at approximately 5:30 p.m. on August 26th.

Due to the remote location and technical terrain, it was unsafe to conduct the recovery operation that night. Rescue teams returned on August 27, 2024, to conduct the recovery. Rescuers from Rocky Mountain Rescue Group assisted by a helicopter from the Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control were able to recover the deceased male and transport him to investigators from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the Boulder County Coroner’s Office.

The Boulder County Coroner’s Office will determine the identification of the climber, as well as the cause and manner of death. At this time, the death does not appear to be suspicious in nature.

Agencies assisting with this rescue effort included: Boulder County Sheriff's Office, Boulder Emergency Squad, Colorado Search and Rescue Association, Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control, Front Range Rescue Dogs, Medevac, and Rocky Mountain Rescue Group.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

National Parks Contributed Record High $55.6 Billion to U.S. economy, Supported 415,000 Jobs in 2023

This week, the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service released a new report that finds visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2023 resulted in a record high $55.6 billion benefit to the nation’s economy and supported 415,400 jobs.

“I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “And I’m just as proud to see those visitors making positive impacts of their own, by supporting local economies and jobs in every state in the country.”

The National Park Service report, 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income, and $55.6 billion in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. Restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.

The latest report is informed by improved socioeconomic survey data enhancing the accuracy of spending estimates and helps the National Park Service learn more about park visitors.

Results from the visitor spending effects report series are available online via an interactive tool. Users can view year-by-year trend data and explore current year visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value-added, and economic output effects by sector for national, state and local economies.

The annual peer-reviewed economics report was prepared by economists from the National Park Service.



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From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:

Vehicle Rollover on Rim Rock Drive in Colorado National Monument

On August 25, at about 8 p.m., Colorado National Monument staff received a report that a passenger vehicle had departed from Rim Rock Drive. National Park Service (NPS) rangers and other first responders immediately dispatched to the scene, where it was discovered that the vehicle failed to navigate a curve and rolled down an approximately 30-foot drop. Four individuals were in the vehicle, and three were transferred to the hospital to receive treatment. No fatalities occurred.

The NPS extends gratitude to our partners at the Mesa County Sherriff’s Office, Glade Park Fire Department, Grand Junction Fire Department, and Colorado State Patrol, who joined rangers on the incident and provided exceptional response.

Rim Rock Drive is a historic 23-mile scenic drive through Colorado National Monument. Built in the 1930s during the CCC Era, the road includes steep hills, sharp curves, and significant heights. Drivers are reminded to follow all federal traffic laws and encouraged to slow down, use caution, and be aware of wildlife, severe weather, and changing conditions whenever visiting the monument.

The cause of the accident is currently under investigation, and no other details are available at this time.



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From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:

NPS completes environmental review for continued management of e-bikes in parks

The National Park Service (NPS) today released a programmatic environmental assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) reaffirming park superintendents’ authority to allow visitors to use electric bicycles (e-bikes) in national parks on a case-by-case basis, consistent with public safety and consideration of natural and cultural resources.

Last year, the NPS held an open comment period for members of the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to provide feedback on a programmatic environmental assessment (PEA). The review examined the potential national level impacts of e-bike use in national parks. With today’s FONSI, NPS reaffirms the existing 2020 rule that authorizes superintendents to allow e-bikes, where appropriate, on park roads, parking areas, and administrative roads and trails where traditional bicycles are also allowed. Public lands designated by Congress as “wilderness areas” remain off-limits to both traditional bicycles and e-bikes.

When determining if and where e-bikes might be allowed in the park, superintendents must take into consideration public health and safety, natural and cultural resource protection, and other management activities and objectives.

To determine whether e-bikes are allowed in a specific park, visit the park website or contact the park directly. You can find a specific park website and contact information at: Find a Park (nps.gov)

When managed appropriately, the use of e-bikes can enhance fun and healthy recreational opportunities for visitors to national parks and support active transportation options. E-bikes can have many benefits for parks and visitors including expanding access for those with physical limitations, supporting clean transportation and reducing vehicle congestion within parks, and providing healthy recreation opportunities. The 2020 rules ensures that NPS must manage this form of access and recreation, like others that occur in park areas, in a manner that protects park resources, values, and visitors.



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From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:

Man Rescued On Estes Cone in Rocky Mountain National Park

Shortly before noon on Friday, August 16, park rangers were notified by a park visitor that a 70-year-old male had taken a 15 to 20-foot fall near Estes Cone.

Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members provided care on scene and prepared the patient to be transported off Estes Cone via a hoist. Park rangers were assisted by a Colorado Army National Guard helicopter from Buckley Space Force Base to extricate the man. Rocky Mountain Rescue Group assisted with helicopter hoist operations.

The man was transferred to a Med Evac air ambulance at Upper Beaver Meadows and flown to further emergency care. No further information is available.

Regardless of fitness levels, park visitors are reminded to be prepared when setting out on any park adventure and activity. In addition to carrying the ten essentials and packing extra food and water, know your own limits and take time to adequately rest and consume water and salty snacks when recreating in the mountains.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Expect rolling delays up to 30 minutes throughout Rocky Mountain National Park

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

Beginning on Monday, August 19, roads and parking areas within Rocky Mountain National Park will be striped.

Striping work will take place on all park roads and in most paved parking areas. Work will take place both during the day and at night. Weather permitting, road striping is expected to be completed by Wednesday, August 28.

During the day, travelers should expect rolling delays up to 30 minutes Monday through Friday. Most work in parking areas will be completed at night. Striping work will not take place on Saturdays or Sundays.

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Trail Restoration Workdays

The Poudre Wilderness Volunteers (PWV), a wilderness trail stewardship organization, is hosting two trail restoration workdays later this week: August 17 and 18, 2024. They will be working on the Little Beaver Creek trail. To better understand a day working the trail, please visit the workday video.

PWV will provide tools, instruction, team leaders and a sack lunch. You are welcome to participate in one or both days. To register for Aug 17 please click Little Beaver Creek registration day 1. To register for Aug 18 click Little Beaver Creek day 2.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

South Shore Section of the Bear Lake Loop Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park Will be Temporarily Closed for Tree Work

Beginning on Monday, August 12, a section along the south shore of Bear Lake Loop Trail will be closed between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for park forestry crews to conduct hazardous tree work. Several standing dead trees will be removed for public safety along this section of the trail. The trail will be temporarily closed through Thursday, August 15. The trail will re-open for the weekend and close again on Monday, August 19 through Thursday, August 22.

These temporary closures will not impact the main Bear Lake viewing locations or trail access to Flattop Mountain, Bierstadt Lake, Alberta Falls or Nymph Lake, Dream Lake or Emerald Lake.

Visitors must observe and adhere to this posted closure. Trail guards will also be near the closure area directing visitors.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Trekking to Machu Picchu

Have you ever dreamed of visiting Machu Picchu? Ian Taylor Trekking, one of the longtime advertisers on our websites, offers five-day trips to this iconic destination in the Andes Mountains of southern Peru. As Ian's website mentions, the trip isn't for the faint of heart. Participants trek over several steep passes, and will reach a maximum elevation of 13,829 feet during this 26-mile trip. Ian recently posted a blog on his site, 5 Reasons to Pick the 5 Day Classic Trek to Machu Picchu, if you want more information. He also published this short video on YouTube:





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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Road and Trail Closures due to Alexander Mountain Fire

The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest has issued a list of closures on their website as a result of Alexander Mountain Fire. The list of trails currently closed include the following:

925 (Storm Mountain)
926 (Donner Pass)
926.1 (Donner Pass Cuttoff)
927 (Indian) 928.1 (Bulwark Ridge)
929 (North Fork) 930 (Fox Creek)
931 (Crosier Mountain)
931.1 (Crosier Mountain Summit)
931.2 (Crosier Mountain H-G)
934 (Lookout Mountain)
934.1 (Lookout Mountain Summit)
967 (West Creek)
969 (Round Mountain)
969.1 (Round Mountain Nature Trail)
981 (Crosier Rainbow)
997 (Miller Fork)

As of about an hour ago, the fire has grown to 9194 acres, and is 5% contained. The fire is located north of Highway 34, west of Loveland, CO in Larimer County.

According to the Larimer Sheriff Twitter page, "327 people are working on the #AlexanderMountainFire today. Incoming storms may cause wind shifts, so firefighters are focusing on maintaining lines & ensuring safety of community & fire personnel."

According the Inciweb page, "Hot air will remain in place over the Alexander Mountain Fire through Monday (8/5). Increasing moisture and passing disturbances will increase thunderstorm development. Initial storms on Friday (8/2) may be initially dry with gusty and erratic winds. While the thunderstorm potential decreases Saturday, hit or miss rain will return Sunday into Thursday of next week."

Meanwhile, the Stone Canyon Fire north of Lyons remains at 1553 acres, and is 30% contained. According to the Boulder Office of Disaster Management, one person has died, two firefighters have been injured, and five structures have been destroyed..



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Complete Fire Ban in Place at Rocky Mountain National Park

Due to extreme fire danger, the extended weather forecast, and current fire activity in the State of Colorado, a ban is now in effect on all fires within Rocky Mountain National Park. This ban is effective beginning today, Thursday, August 1, and will remain in effect until further notice.

When fires bans are in effect, this means that all campfires, including charcoal briquette fires, are not permitted anywhere within Rocky Mountain National Park. However, petroleum-fueled stoves and grills may still be used in developed campgrounds, picnic areas and in designated backcountry campsites. Stoves must be able to be turned on and off.

Smoking is also prohibited inside the park, except within an enclosed vehicle, or stopped within a developed paved area devoid of vegetation for at least three feet. Visitors are reminded to properly extinguish all lighted smoking materials and dispose of properly. Fireworks are always prohibited within Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park always has Stage 1 fire restrictions in place, where campfires are prohibited in the park, except within designated campfire rings in picnic areas and front-country campgrounds. The last time a total fire ban (Stage 2 fire restrictions) was in place in the park was in August of 2020.



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From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies: