U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Angus King (I-Maine), along with Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), have recently introduced the “America the Beautiful Act.” The bill would reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) and increase funding for public land management.
“People travel from every corner of the world to connect with America’s incredible natural beauty and to make memories that last a lifetime,” said King. “However, deferred repairs on aging infrastructure like roads and trails can become unsafe for visitors and diminish the quality of our public lands and National Parks. The bipartisan America the Beautiful Act protects our lands and the visitor experience — by addressing maintenance backlogs and reauthorizing the historic Legacy Restoration Fund. This legislation is an important step forward in establishing lasting protections for our public lands, and serves as a proud reminder that stewardship is not a partisan issue.”
“The Great American Outdoors Act brought real results to North Dakota’s outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Cramer. “Visitors to Theodore Roosevelt National Park will be able to travel the South Loop road, which washed out several years ago, and recreationists can enjoy the updated trails and campsites in the nearby grasslands. Let’s keep this momentum going by passing the America the Beautiful Act, so we maintain our national treasures.”
Background:
Senator Daines introduced the “The Great American Outdoors Act,” in the 116th Congress which was signed into law by President Trump in 2020 and authorized the LRF for five years to address the maintenance backlog on public lands and national parks. The “America the Beautiful Act” reauthorizes and strengthens the LRF for 8 years (through 2033) and also does the following:
* Increases funding from $1.9 billion to $2 billion per year
* Prioritizes projects that have a 15 percent match from stakeholders
* Requires agencies to have a two-year running list of projects
* Allows the agencies to move forward with next year’s projects under a Continuing Resolution
* Ensures that all lands administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service are eligible
* Bolsters the ability for public donations to the fund by requiring agencies to run public awareness campaigns and make known the ability to donate
* Requires the agencies to assess and dispose of unneeded constructed assets
* Requires additional reporting to Congress on actions taken by the agency to reduce their Deferred Maintenance backlogs.
* Read the text of the bill HERE.
The National Park Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, Friends of Acadia, Boone and Crockett, and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation are among many groups supporting the legislation.
Friday, November 29, 2024
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Fee increases approved for Black Canyon and Curecanti
The National Park Service (NPS) proposed this summer to charge fees for wilderness permits on the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and increase group campsite fees for Curecanti National Recreation Area. Park managers sought public comment on the fee changes in July. Comments were reviewed and the fee increase was approved in November. The proposed fee changes will take effect in January 2025.
NPS fee staff completed a fee compatibility study for wilderness permits and group campsites. The study demonstrated that comparable wilderness permit costs vary widely but are typically uniformly higher than current Black Canyon permits. Additionally, significant price increases have occurred at most comparable group campgrounds in recent years. The proposed fees would bring both parks into closer alignment with comparable wilderness permits and group campgrounds.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park changes: A permit is required for wilderness use at the park. All day and overnight use of Black Canyon’s South Rim wilderness routes, (Warner, Gunnison, and Tomichi) will be available for reservation on www.recreation.gov beginning in April 2025 for trips between May and October. Daily hiking quotas exist for each route. Red Rock Canyon is already on the reservation system. The wilderness permit fee will be $6 plus an additional $4 per person per permit. To minimize resource impacts and maintain wilderness character, wilderness use permits will be issued for no more than three nights and for a maximum group size of up to four people.
Wilderness permits will be available online only through www.recreation.gov for trips between May and October (not in-person at the Black Canyon Visitor Center). Advanced planning is needed. All permit holders will still be responsible for paying the park entrance fee. Permits for hiking wilderness routes off of the South Rim and at Red Rock Canyon from November through April will be available first-come, first-serve at the visitor center when open or by self-registration outside of visitor center when it is closed (no fee); same daily quotas apply.
Curecanti National Recreation Area changes: The Curecanti group campsite at East Elk Creek, which accommodates between 9 and 50 individuals, will have a nightly fee of $120. The smaller group campsite at Red Creek, which accommodates between 9 and 20 people, will have a nightly fee of $60.
The 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) authorizes the National Park Service to charge fees for recreation amenities at national parks. The law requires that recreational fees are appropriate to the benefits and services provided, and comparable to fees charged by others in the local area for similar benefits and services. Eighty percent (80%) of the fees collected at Black Canyon and Curecanti will remain at the parks to fund projects such as the rehabilitation of trails, upgrades to campgrounds, and improvements to water, sewer, and solid waste systems. The remaining twenty percent (20%) will be utilized agency wide.
NPS fee staff completed a fee compatibility study for wilderness permits and group campsites. The study demonstrated that comparable wilderness permit costs vary widely but are typically uniformly higher than current Black Canyon permits. Additionally, significant price increases have occurred at most comparable group campgrounds in recent years. The proposed fees would bring both parks into closer alignment with comparable wilderness permits and group campgrounds.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park changes: A permit is required for wilderness use at the park. All day and overnight use of Black Canyon’s South Rim wilderness routes, (Warner, Gunnison, and Tomichi) will be available for reservation on www.recreation.gov beginning in April 2025 for trips between May and October. Daily hiking quotas exist for each route. Red Rock Canyon is already on the reservation system. The wilderness permit fee will be $6 plus an additional $4 per person per permit. To minimize resource impacts and maintain wilderness character, wilderness use permits will be issued for no more than three nights and for a maximum group size of up to four people.
Wilderness permits will be available online only through www.recreation.gov for trips between May and October (not in-person at the Black Canyon Visitor Center). Advanced planning is needed. All permit holders will still be responsible for paying the park entrance fee. Permits for hiking wilderness routes off of the South Rim and at Red Rock Canyon from November through April will be available first-come, first-serve at the visitor center when open or by self-registration outside of visitor center when it is closed (no fee); same daily quotas apply.
Curecanti National Recreation Area changes: The Curecanti group campsite at East Elk Creek, which accommodates between 9 and 50 individuals, will have a nightly fee of $120. The smaller group campsite at Red Creek, which accommodates between 9 and 20 people, will have a nightly fee of $60.
The 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) authorizes the National Park Service to charge fees for recreation amenities at national parks. The law requires that recreational fees are appropriate to the benefits and services provided, and comparable to fees charged by others in the local area for similar benefits and services. Eighty percent (80%) of the fees collected at Black Canyon and Curecanti will remain at the parks to fund projects such as the rehabilitation of trails, upgrades to campgrounds, and improvements to water, sewer, and solid waste systems. The remaining twenty percent (20%) will be utilized agency wide.
Monday, November 25, 2024
How to help the victims of Hurricane Helene during Christmas
Before jumping into the main point of my post, I'm writing this because it feels like the media has forgotten the victims of Hurricane Helene, especially those who live in North Carolina. The situation on the ground is far worse than you probably think. I don't know the numbers, but there are still many people living in tents, and winter is already moving into the mountains. If you're not aware of how bad things are, I would encourage you to do a little snooping on social media, and listen to the testimony of those who have been impacted.
Last week I ran into a Twitter post that provided a great idea for helping the victims of Hurricane Helene during the upcoming Christmas season. That is; by doing as much of your online Christmas shopping as possible by purchasing from small businesses in hurricane-ravaged areas. This post picks-up on that theme by focusing on businesses in areas that felt the greatest impact during the late-September storm, namely Western North Carolina. In particular, I focused on businesses that I thought hikers and outdoor enthusiasts would be most interested in. I also provided links to lists of currently open businesses so that you can find gifts from a broader universe of stores. Many of these businesses have sustained damage or have completely lost their physical store fronts, but were able to maintain their online stores. Businesses that managed to escape damage have also been greatly impacted, as tourism to the region has been shaprly curtailed. As a result, many of these business owners are in dire straight right now. All of them, I asure you, would greatly appreciate your business!
In addition to the links below, you should note that many lodging, attractions, wineries and restaurants are currently open. They desperately could use your business as well. Not just for the owners, but their employees as well. Moreover, any money spent at any business in the area helps to circulate much needed cash thoughout the community.
The Twitter posts that I saw are using these hashtags to get the word out, if you wish to help in that way: #ShopWNC / #ShopAsheville / #ShopHurricaneHelene
Each of the local businesses listed below I believe are open for online shopping:
Hiking, outdoor gear shops and local manufacturers
Mast General Store is a local institution originally out of Asheville: https://www.mastgeneralstore.com/
Regear Outdoors: https://regearnc.com/
Though the store was closed as of 10/18, Headwaters Outfitters stated in a newspaper article "In the meantime, you can shop the outdoor shop’s online store (send a note saying “Ship when the time is right”, Headwater recommends) or purchase a gift card for a future trip." https://shopheadwatersoutdoors.com/
Diamond Brand Gear: https://www.diamondbrandgear.com/
Eagles Nest Outfitters: https://eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/
Astral Designs: https://astraldesigns.com/
This is Jen Pharr Davis's business - a legendary hiker. She has an online store, but she's also currently offering guided hikes: https://blueridgehikingco.com/
This Marshall, NC bike shop was completely devastated, but they're still selling a few cycling related items: https://www.oyb-nc.com/merch
Goodies and Gifts
What hikers don't like a little something sweet after a long hike? Many offerings here, all would also make great gift items:
French Broad Chocolate: https://www.frenchbroadchocolates.com/
The Chocolate Fetish: https://www.chocolatefetish.com/
The Dillsboro Chocolate Factory: https://www.dillsborochocolate.com/
Cold Mountain Toffee: https://www.coldmountaintoffee.com/
Ashe County Cheese: https://www.ashecountycheese.com/
Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn: https://poppyhandcraftedpopcorn.com/
Breweries
And seriously, what hikers don't like beer?!? If you're in their distribution region, check out the beers from these WNC breweries next time you're in a grocery store, liquor store, bar or restaurant. You can also support them by purchasing merchandise and gift cards from their online stores. There are dozens of breweries in the impacted region, many completely wiped out, however, these were the few that I could confirm that have regional distribution of their beers. There are likely many more, especially for those who live in North Carolina:
Highland Brewing is one of the finest craft breweries around, IMHO. Normally, I'm not a fan of winter ales or spiced beers, but their Cold Mountain is outstanding if you're looking for something for the holiday spirit! https://highlandbrewing.com/hurricane-helene-response/
Catawba Brewing Company: https://www.catawbabrewing.com/
Hi-Wire Brewing: https://hiwirebrewing.com/
Appalachian Mountain Brewing: https://www.amb.beer/
Weekend Getaways
Southern Living published an article last week that lays out 13 towns in the hurricane's path that are currently welcoming guests. The article includes information on things to do in each area.
Yes!! There are still a lot of trails open in WNC. All of the trails on the TN side of the Great Smoky Mountains are open as well.
The Nantahala Outdoor Center is currently offering fully guided trips, rentals, zip lines, and aerials. Their Outfitter’s Store, Lodging, and the Rivers End Restaurant are open for business as well. https://noc.com/noc-operations-updates/
The world-famous Biltmore in Asheville has also reopened: https://www.biltmore.com/things-to-do/events/christmas/
Tuckaseegee Fly Shop: https://www.tuckflyshop.com/
There are many other businesses open in the area. You can check on the following websites in some of the hardest hit areas to see what's open. Any and all of them would greatly appreciate your business!
General info:
https://www.exploreasheville.com/article/heres-what-reopened-asheville-buncombe-county-post-hurricane-helene
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-around-town/c5-development/article293591474.html
Marshall & Hot Springs:
https://madisoncounty-nc.com/business-directory/
https://www.shopwnc.com/business-listings/hot-springs
https://www.shopwnc.com/business-listings/marshall
Swannanoa, Maggie Valley and Waynesville:
https://www.shopwnc.com/business-listings/maggie-valley
https://www.shopwnc.com/business-listings/waynesville
https://visithaywood.com/blog/haywood-county-business-updates-closures-post-hurricane-helene/
Chimney Rock & Lake Lure:
https://www.shopwnc.com/business-listings/lake-lure
Erwin, TN:
https://realwildunicoicounty.com/downtown/
https://unicoicounty.org/directory/
Other ways to help:
Samaritan's Purse - is still on the ground and doing wonderful work: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/pray-for-those-in-helenes-path/
Checkout the "Together We Rise T-Shirt" Proceeds go towards supporting Hurricane Helene relief: https://fuelgoods.com/products/together-we-rise-t-shirt-supporting-hurricane-helene-relief
DeFeet's Aireator 6" MTN Strong cycling socks. Proceeds also go towards supporting Hurricane Helene relief: https://defeet.com/products/aireator-6-mtn-strong
There are many other organizations on the ground that are doing great work. Before donating, however, I would highly encourage you to do a little homework first to make sure that as much of your donation is going towards the mission as possible, and not feeding a bloated bureaucracy. Unfortunately, there are many "charities" out there who are paying enourmous salaries to their boards of directors and management teams.
************************************************************************************
Check out our online trail guides:
Last week I ran into a Twitter post that provided a great idea for helping the victims of Hurricane Helene during the upcoming Christmas season. That is; by doing as much of your online Christmas shopping as possible by purchasing from small businesses in hurricane-ravaged areas. This post picks-up on that theme by focusing on businesses in areas that felt the greatest impact during the late-September storm, namely Western North Carolina. In particular, I focused on businesses that I thought hikers and outdoor enthusiasts would be most interested in. I also provided links to lists of currently open businesses so that you can find gifts from a broader universe of stores. Many of these businesses have sustained damage or have completely lost their physical store fronts, but were able to maintain their online stores. Businesses that managed to escape damage have also been greatly impacted, as tourism to the region has been shaprly curtailed. As a result, many of these business owners are in dire straight right now. All of them, I asure you, would greatly appreciate your business!
In addition to the links below, you should note that many lodging, attractions, wineries and restaurants are currently open. They desperately could use your business as well. Not just for the owners, but their employees as well. Moreover, any money spent at any business in the area helps to circulate much needed cash thoughout the community.
The Twitter posts that I saw are using these hashtags to get the word out, if you wish to help in that way: #ShopWNC / #ShopAsheville / #ShopHurricaneHelene
Each of the local businesses listed below I believe are open for online shopping:
Hiking, outdoor gear shops and local manufacturers
Mast General Store is a local institution originally out of Asheville: https://www.mastgeneralstore.com/
Regear Outdoors: https://regearnc.com/
Though the store was closed as of 10/18, Headwaters Outfitters stated in a newspaper article "In the meantime, you can shop the outdoor shop’s online store (send a note saying “Ship when the time is right”, Headwater recommends) or purchase a gift card for a future trip." https://shopheadwatersoutdoors.com/
Diamond Brand Gear: https://www.diamondbrandgear.com/
Eagles Nest Outfitters: https://eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/
Astral Designs: https://astraldesigns.com/
This is Jen Pharr Davis's business - a legendary hiker. She has an online store, but she's also currently offering guided hikes: https://blueridgehikingco.com/
This Marshall, NC bike shop was completely devastated, but they're still selling a few cycling related items: https://www.oyb-nc.com/merch
Goodies and Gifts
What hikers don't like a little something sweet after a long hike? Many offerings here, all would also make great gift items:
French Broad Chocolate: https://www.frenchbroadchocolates.com/
The Chocolate Fetish: https://www.chocolatefetish.com/
The Dillsboro Chocolate Factory: https://www.dillsborochocolate.com/
Cold Mountain Toffee: https://www.coldmountaintoffee.com/
Ashe County Cheese: https://www.ashecountycheese.com/
Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn: https://poppyhandcraftedpopcorn.com/
Breweries
And seriously, what hikers don't like beer?!? If you're in their distribution region, check out the beers from these WNC breweries next time you're in a grocery store, liquor store, bar or restaurant. You can also support them by purchasing merchandise and gift cards from their online stores. There are dozens of breweries in the impacted region, many completely wiped out, however, these were the few that I could confirm that have regional distribution of their beers. There are likely many more, especially for those who live in North Carolina:
Highland Brewing is one of the finest craft breweries around, IMHO. Normally, I'm not a fan of winter ales or spiced beers, but their Cold Mountain is outstanding if you're looking for something for the holiday spirit! https://highlandbrewing.com/hurricane-helene-response/
Catawba Brewing Company: https://www.catawbabrewing.com/
Hi-Wire Brewing: https://hiwirebrewing.com/
Appalachian Mountain Brewing: https://www.amb.beer/
Weekend Getaways
Southern Living published an article last week that lays out 13 towns in the hurricane's path that are currently welcoming guests. The article includes information on things to do in each area.
Yes!! There are still a lot of trails open in WNC. All of the trails on the TN side of the Great Smoky Mountains are open as well.
The Nantahala Outdoor Center is currently offering fully guided trips, rentals, zip lines, and aerials. Their Outfitter’s Store, Lodging, and the Rivers End Restaurant are open for business as well. https://noc.com/noc-operations-updates/
The world-famous Biltmore in Asheville has also reopened: https://www.biltmore.com/things-to-do/events/christmas/
Tuckaseegee Fly Shop: https://www.tuckflyshop.com/
There are many other businesses open in the area. You can check on the following websites in some of the hardest hit areas to see what's open. Any and all of them would greatly appreciate your business!
General info:
https://www.exploreasheville.com/article/heres-what-reopened-asheville-buncombe-county-post-hurricane-helene
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-around-town/c5-development/article293591474.html
Marshall & Hot Springs:
https://madisoncounty-nc.com/business-directory/
https://www.shopwnc.com/business-listings/hot-springs
https://www.shopwnc.com/business-listings/marshall
Swannanoa, Maggie Valley and Waynesville:
https://www.shopwnc.com/business-listings/maggie-valley
https://www.shopwnc.com/business-listings/waynesville
https://visithaywood.com/blog/haywood-county-business-updates-closures-post-hurricane-helene/
Chimney Rock & Lake Lure:
https://www.shopwnc.com/business-listings/lake-lure
Erwin, TN:
https://realwildunicoicounty.com/downtown/
https://unicoicounty.org/directory/
Other ways to help:
Samaritan's Purse - is still on the ground and doing wonderful work: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/pray-for-those-in-helenes-path/
Checkout the "Together We Rise T-Shirt" Proceeds go towards supporting Hurricane Helene relief: https://fuelgoods.com/products/together-we-rise-t-shirt-supporting-hurricane-helene-relief
DeFeet's Aireator 6" MTN Strong cycling socks. Proceeds also go towards supporting Hurricane Helene relief: https://defeet.com/products/aireator-6-mtn-strong
There are many other organizations on the ground that are doing great work. Before donating, however, I would highly encourage you to do a little homework first to make sure that as much of your donation is going towards the mission as possible, and not feeding a bloated bureaucracy. Unfortunately, there are many "charities" out there who are paying enourmous salaries to their boards of directors and management teams.
************************************************************************************
Check out our online trail guides:
- Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com
- Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com
- Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Sunday, November 24, 2024
CPW to use low-flying helicopters to assess deer, elk, bighorn sheep and moose in southeast Colorado
Beginning Dec. 2, Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists will be conducting low-altitude helicopter flights to assess big game herds across the Southeast Region from Leadville to Trinidad and east of Interstate 25.
Flights to be conducted west of I-25 will involve both surveys of herds and some capture work. Those flights will occur in South Park, the Upper Arkansas River Valley, the Pikes Peak Region, the Sangre de Cristo mountains, the Wet Mountain Valley and Fishers Peak State Park in Trinidad.
On flights from Leadville to Cañon City, biologists will capture mule deer does and fawns to place radio-transmitting collars on them as part of a 26-year survival monitoring study.
Flights in the South Park area will include capturing elk as part of a study of elk survival and movement.
For the herd survey work, Southeast Region residents can expect to see helicopters that spend a short amount of time in a specific area and then move on as they search for herds. They will only hover long enough for wildlife biologists to count, determine sex of the animals and assess overall health. The flights provide important information to inform CPW wildlife biologists about individual herds.
“The helicopters will spend a brief amount of time in a specific area to count and categorize individual herds and then move on,” said Julie Stiver, senior wildlife biologist for CPW’s Southeast Region, based in Colorado Springs. “Each year, CPW biologists inventory tens of 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.”
On the southeastern plains, helicopter surveys will be conducted in Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties followed by surveys in Kiowa, Prowers and Baca counties. CPW will be studying deer, elk, bighorn sheep and moose
CPW biologists also will fly along the Arkansas River and associated drainages from Pueblo to the Kansas state line. The biologists also will survey along the South Republican River drainage from Flagler to the Kansas state line.
Flights to be conducted west of I-25 will involve both surveys of herds and some capture work. Those flights will occur in South Park, the Upper Arkansas River Valley, the Pikes Peak Region, the Sangre de Cristo mountains, the Wet Mountain Valley and Fishers Peak State Park in Trinidad.
On flights from Leadville to Cañon City, biologists will capture mule deer does and fawns to place radio-transmitting collars on them as part of a 26-year survival monitoring study.
Flights in the South Park area will include capturing elk as part of a study of elk survival and movement.
For the herd survey work, Southeast Region residents can expect to see helicopters that spend a short amount of time in a specific area and then move on as they search for herds. They will only hover long enough for wildlife biologists to count, determine sex of the animals and assess overall health. The flights provide important information to inform CPW wildlife biologists about individual herds.
“The helicopters will spend a brief amount of time in a specific area to count and categorize individual herds and then move on,” said Julie Stiver, senior wildlife biologist for CPW’s Southeast Region, based in Colorado Springs. “Each year, CPW biologists inventory tens of 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.”
On the southeastern plains, helicopter surveys will be conducted in Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties followed by surveys in Kiowa, Prowers and Baca counties. CPW will be studying deer, elk, bighorn sheep and moose
CPW biologists also will fly along the Arkansas River and associated drainages from Pueblo to the Kansas state line. The biologists also will survey along the South Republican River drainage from Flagler to the Kansas state line.
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Seven Great Reasons to Visit Glacier National Park
Fully realizing this may sound a little over-the-top, but every person living in this country should visit Glacier National Park at least once in their life. It will forever change them. John Muir once said of Glacier:
Unparalleled Beauty
In my humble opinion, Glacier National Park is by far the most beautiful park I’ve ever been to. This includes almost every major national park in the lower 48. As a disclaimer, I should note that I haven’t had a chance to explore the interior of Alaska….yet. Having said that, my love affair with this park began immediately the first time I laid eyes on it. To be precise, it was during the drive from Browning along Highway 2 as we approached the East Glacier/Two Medicine area. My love and awe for the park has grown after each subsequent visit. At every turn on any road or trail is one spectacular scene after another. In fact, there are no bad or boring hikes. Photographers could spend a lifetime here taking photos of scenes that normally show up in Backpacker Magazine or National Geographic. One of the most famous photo locations in the entire National Park System is at a spot known as Wild Goose Island Overlook. You may recognize the scene in theis photo:
Glaciers
Most people assume that Glacier received its name as a result of the 25 glaciers located within the park. However, the park was actually given its name due to the rugged mountains that were carved by massive glaciers during the most recent ice ages. Fortunately for hikers, a few of these can be reached by trail. Some of the most popular hikes for enjoying front row views of glaciers include Iceberg Lake and Grinnell Glacier.
The Highline Trail
The Highline Trail from Logan Pass is widely recognized as one of the best hikes in the park, if not the entire National Park System. At every step, and every turn, hikers will enjoy spectacular scenery as they traverse along the Continental Divide. The exceptionally beautiful views, the excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife, and the wildflowers all combine to make this a hike you'll remember the rest of your life. If you can make it past the narrow ledge section near the trailhead you’ll have the option of traveling to Haystack Pass, Granite Park Chalet, or making the one-way hike to “The Loop”. You'll also have the option of taking the steep spur trail up to Grinnell Glacier Overlook.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road
The famous Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only road to cross Glacier National Park from east to west. The epic route transports visitors through some of the most spectacular scenery the park has to offer. This engineering marvel spans more than 50 miles across the park's interior, takes passengers over the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, and treats visitors to some of the grandest sights in the Rocky Mountains. Along its course the road passes glacial lakes and cedar forests in the lower valleys, as well as windswept alpine meadows and sweeping mountain vistas atop the 6646-foot pass.
Several scenic viewpoints and pullouts along the way provide motorists with ample opportunities to stop for extended views and photographs. Once at Logan Pass be sure to visit Hidden Lake Overlook, a relatively easy hike that takes hikers across the Continental Divide just above the Logan Pass Visitor Center.
Some drivers (and passengers) might be a little intimidated by the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Portions of it hug the mountainside as it traverses over steep drop-offs and steers through tight curves. If this gives you any pause, you may want to consider letting the drivers of the iconic Red "jammer" Buses take you across the mountains.
Wildlife
Outside of Yellowstone, Glacier National Park is arguably the best park for spotting and viewing wildlife. Although wildlife are frequently spotted along the road, a venture into the wilderness is likely to bring better results. Trails such as Iceberg Lake, Ptarmigan Tunnel, Grinnell Glacier and Swiftcurrent Pass are excellent choices if you wish to see a grizzly or black bear. Bullhead Lake, the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail, Dawson Pass and Cobalt Lake are all great choices for spotting moose. For bighorn sheep, check out Grinnell Glacier, Dawson Pass or the Highline Trail. For the best opportunities to possibly spot a mountain goat, check out Hidden Lake Overlook, the Highline Trail or Piegan Pass.
History, Culture and Ambiance
The Glacier experience is unlike any other national park. This is due in large part to its living history. Park visitors can still enjoy the magnificent grand lodges, backcountry chalets and trails that were built by the Great Northern Railway shortly after the turn of the 20th century. You can also relax and take in the sights in one of the historic boats that still ply the waters of Glacier's lakes. Another tradition from Glacier's bygone era are its famous Red Busses, which have been used as transportation since 1914. Visitors can take a step back in time by touring the park in one of these vehicles, each of which were built between 1936 and 1939. For unparalleled ambiance, there's absolutely nothing better than sipping a huckleberry beer on the back porch of the Many Glacier Hotel and soaking-in the profound beauty of Swiftcurrent Lake and the mountains that surround it. In many respects, and with maybe a little imaginaton, visitors can still enjoy a similar experience park visitors had in the past.
Backcountry Chalets
2024 marked the 110th anniversary of the Sperry and Granite Park Chalets. Both backcountry chalets were built in 1914 during a period when the Great Northern Railway was promoting Glacier National Park under the "See America First" campaign. Today the two backcountry chalets offer hikers the opportunity to trek to an overnight backcountry destination without being bogged down with a bunch of camping gear.
Perched at an elevation of more than 6500 feet, the Sperry Chalet sits high atop a rock ledge that offers visitors commanding views of majestic mountain peaks, waterfalls, as well as Lake McDonald in the valley far below. The Granite Park Chalet rests just below Swiftcurrent Pass, along the edge of a sub-alpine meadow that offers commanding views of Heavens Peak and the McDonald Valley. Day hikers and overnight guests commonly reach this chalet by one of three trails: the Highline Trail, the Granite Park Trail or the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail out of Many Glacier. Day hikers may want to note that Sperry Chalet also sells hot lunches.
With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see Glacier National Park. In addition to the hikes listed above, the park offers a variety of other outstanding hikes. If you do plan to visit Glacier this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings as well as other things to do to help with all your vacation planning.
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Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout this vast park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Exploring Glacier National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Glacier:
"Give a month at least to this precious reserve. The time will not be taken from the sum of your life. Instead of shortening, it will indefinitely lengthen it and make you truly immortal. Nevermore will time seem short or long, and cares will never again fall heavily on you, but gently and kindly as gifts from heaven."I know I can’t, but I'm pretty sure there aren’t too many people that can sum-up the Glacier experience better than Muir. Here are just a few of the reasons why I think Glacier is so special:
Unparalleled Beauty
In my humble opinion, Glacier National Park is by far the most beautiful park I’ve ever been to. This includes almost every major national park in the lower 48. As a disclaimer, I should note that I haven’t had a chance to explore the interior of Alaska….yet. Having said that, my love affair with this park began immediately the first time I laid eyes on it. To be precise, it was during the drive from Browning along Highway 2 as we approached the East Glacier/Two Medicine area. My love and awe for the park has grown after each subsequent visit. At every turn on any road or trail is one spectacular scene after another. In fact, there are no bad or boring hikes. Photographers could spend a lifetime here taking photos of scenes that normally show up in Backpacker Magazine or National Geographic. One of the most famous photo locations in the entire National Park System is at a spot known as Wild Goose Island Overlook. You may recognize the scene in theis photo:
Glaciers
Most people assume that Glacier received its name as a result of the 25 glaciers located within the park. However, the park was actually given its name due to the rugged mountains that were carved by massive glaciers during the most recent ice ages. Fortunately for hikers, a few of these can be reached by trail. Some of the most popular hikes for enjoying front row views of glaciers include Iceberg Lake and Grinnell Glacier.
The Highline Trail
The Highline Trail from Logan Pass is widely recognized as one of the best hikes in the park, if not the entire National Park System. At every step, and every turn, hikers will enjoy spectacular scenery as they traverse along the Continental Divide. The exceptionally beautiful views, the excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife, and the wildflowers all combine to make this a hike you'll remember the rest of your life. If you can make it past the narrow ledge section near the trailhead you’ll have the option of traveling to Haystack Pass, Granite Park Chalet, or making the one-way hike to “The Loop”. You'll also have the option of taking the steep spur trail up to Grinnell Glacier Overlook.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road
The famous Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only road to cross Glacier National Park from east to west. The epic route transports visitors through some of the most spectacular scenery the park has to offer. This engineering marvel spans more than 50 miles across the park's interior, takes passengers over the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, and treats visitors to some of the grandest sights in the Rocky Mountains. Along its course the road passes glacial lakes and cedar forests in the lower valleys, as well as windswept alpine meadows and sweeping mountain vistas atop the 6646-foot pass.
Several scenic viewpoints and pullouts along the way provide motorists with ample opportunities to stop for extended views and photographs. Once at Logan Pass be sure to visit Hidden Lake Overlook, a relatively easy hike that takes hikers across the Continental Divide just above the Logan Pass Visitor Center.
Some drivers (and passengers) might be a little intimidated by the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Portions of it hug the mountainside as it traverses over steep drop-offs and steers through tight curves. If this gives you any pause, you may want to consider letting the drivers of the iconic Red "jammer" Buses take you across the mountains.
Wildlife
Outside of Yellowstone, Glacier National Park is arguably the best park for spotting and viewing wildlife. Although wildlife are frequently spotted along the road, a venture into the wilderness is likely to bring better results. Trails such as Iceberg Lake, Ptarmigan Tunnel, Grinnell Glacier and Swiftcurrent Pass are excellent choices if you wish to see a grizzly or black bear. Bullhead Lake, the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail, Dawson Pass and Cobalt Lake are all great choices for spotting moose. For bighorn sheep, check out Grinnell Glacier, Dawson Pass or the Highline Trail. For the best opportunities to possibly spot a mountain goat, check out Hidden Lake Overlook, the Highline Trail or Piegan Pass.
History, Culture and Ambiance
The Glacier experience is unlike any other national park. This is due in large part to its living history. Park visitors can still enjoy the magnificent grand lodges, backcountry chalets and trails that were built by the Great Northern Railway shortly after the turn of the 20th century. You can also relax and take in the sights in one of the historic boats that still ply the waters of Glacier's lakes. Another tradition from Glacier's bygone era are its famous Red Busses, which have been used as transportation since 1914. Visitors can take a step back in time by touring the park in one of these vehicles, each of which were built between 1936 and 1939. For unparalleled ambiance, there's absolutely nothing better than sipping a huckleberry beer on the back porch of the Many Glacier Hotel and soaking-in the profound beauty of Swiftcurrent Lake and the mountains that surround it. In many respects, and with maybe a little imaginaton, visitors can still enjoy a similar experience park visitors had in the past.
Backcountry Chalets
2024 marked the 110th anniversary of the Sperry and Granite Park Chalets. Both backcountry chalets were built in 1914 during a period when the Great Northern Railway was promoting Glacier National Park under the "See America First" campaign. Today the two backcountry chalets offer hikers the opportunity to trek to an overnight backcountry destination without being bogged down with a bunch of camping gear.
Perched at an elevation of more than 6500 feet, the Sperry Chalet sits high atop a rock ledge that offers visitors commanding views of majestic mountain peaks, waterfalls, as well as Lake McDonald in the valley far below. The Granite Park Chalet rests just below Swiftcurrent Pass, along the edge of a sub-alpine meadow that offers commanding views of Heavens Peak and the McDonald Valley. Day hikers and overnight guests commonly reach this chalet by one of three trails: the Highline Trail, the Granite Park Trail or the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail out of Many Glacier. Day hikers may want to note that Sperry Chalet also sells hot lunches.
With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see Glacier National Park. In addition to the hikes listed above, the park offers a variety of other outstanding hikes. If you do plan to visit Glacier this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings as well as other things to do to help with all your vacation planning.
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Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout this vast park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Exploring Glacier National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Glacier:
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Etymology: Hiking
There are many terms that have been used to describe the sport of hiking. Walking, strolling, wandering, sauntering, tramping, ambling, roaming, rambling, traipsing, marching, bushwalking, trekking and backpacking have all been used to describe the act of walking in the woods (or any wilderness area) for pleasure. Perhaps the first term to describe the act of taking a leisurely walk in nature was “rambling”. The word originally meant to wander, or roam aimlessly, but eventually came to describe hiking. The expression was widely used in England through the 19th Century. It was also used in America for a time, though much less frequently. While rambling is still sometimes used in the United Kingdom, it’s now looked at as being an old fashion word. Walking, hillwalking, fellwalking and even hiking are more commonly used now. Fellwalking, a word used to describe hiking in the mountains, comes from the English word fell or fjall, which is an old Norse term that means mountain.
Words used to describe hiking have evolved over time, and differ according to region. For example, in Australia, bushwalking is the preferred term for hiking. Trekking is a term used to describe multi-day hiking in many mountainous regions around the world. However, in North America, backpacking is the preferred term. In Europe, however, backpacking refers to a form of budget travel where travelers normally stay in hostels.
In Victorian England, during the mid-1800s, wandering vagrants were derogatively known as tramps, a word that would eventually refer to hikers, and now used by New Zealanders to describe backpacking. Tramping was also used by some in America in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including John Muir. Both Henry David Thoreau and John Muir also used the term saunter.
Webster's Dictionary indicates that the first use of the word "hike" occurred around 1809; however, it had a different meaning at that time. It was originally meant "to move, pull or raise with a sudden motion." The dictionary implies that it wasn't until 1865 before the word was adopted to mean "a long walk esp, for pleasure or exercise." Etymonline.com claims the word hike comes from the English term, hyke, which meant "to walk vigorously." It also states that the first use of "hyke" appeared in 1809. Additionally, the site quotes a definition of the term from the 1830 version of the Vocabulary of East Anglia: "to go away. It is generally used in a contemptuous sense Ex. 'Come, hike,' i.e. take yourself off; begone."
It appears that the use of the words "hike" and "hiking" as we know them today didn't become widespread until at least the early 20th Century. Up to that point most clubs used the word "mountain" or "alpine" in their name. It wasn't until the Wanderlusters Hiking Club out of Washington DC formed in 1910 that the word "hiking" was used in a club name. One of the earliest uses of the term “hiking boots” appeared in the December 1914 issue of Mazama, the journal of The Mazamas mountaineering club out of Oregon. In his book, The Mountain Trail and Its Message, published in 1911, Albert Palmer relayed this discussion with John Muir:
In addition to getting out on the trail, what better way is there to celebrate National Hiking Day than by learning about the rich history of hiking? Just think, after reading Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World you could be the smartest person on the trail next summer!!
Words used to describe hiking have evolved over time, and differ according to region. For example, in Australia, bushwalking is the preferred term for hiking. Trekking is a term used to describe multi-day hiking in many mountainous regions around the world. However, in North America, backpacking is the preferred term. In Europe, however, backpacking refers to a form of budget travel where travelers normally stay in hostels.
In Victorian England, during the mid-1800s, wandering vagrants were derogatively known as tramps, a word that would eventually refer to hikers, and now used by New Zealanders to describe backpacking. Tramping was also used by some in America in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including John Muir. Both Henry David Thoreau and John Muir also used the term saunter.
Webster's Dictionary indicates that the first use of the word "hike" occurred around 1809; however, it had a different meaning at that time. It was originally meant "to move, pull or raise with a sudden motion." The dictionary implies that it wasn't until 1865 before the word was adopted to mean "a long walk esp, for pleasure or exercise." Etymonline.com claims the word hike comes from the English term, hyke, which meant "to walk vigorously." It also states that the first use of "hyke" appeared in 1809. Additionally, the site quotes a definition of the term from the 1830 version of the Vocabulary of East Anglia: "to go away. It is generally used in a contemptuous sense Ex. 'Come, hike,' i.e. take yourself off; begone."
It appears that the use of the words "hike" and "hiking" as we know them today didn't become widespread until at least the early 20th Century. Up to that point most clubs used the word "mountain" or "alpine" in their name. It wasn't until the Wanderlusters Hiking Club out of Washington DC formed in 1910 that the word "hiking" was used in a club name. One of the earliest uses of the term “hiking boots” appeared in the December 1914 issue of Mazama, the journal of The Mazamas mountaineering club out of Oregon. In his book, The Mountain Trail and Its Message, published in 1911, Albert Palmer relayed this discussion with John Muir:
"One day as I was resting in the shade Mr. Muir overtook me on the trail and began to chat in that friendly way in which he delights to talk with everyone he meets. I said to him: "Mr. Muir, someone told me you did not approve of the word 'hike.' Is that so?" His blue eyes flashed, and with his Scotch accent he replied: "I don't like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains - not hike!"Perhaps we have a definition of what it actually meant to "hike" at that time. In that same book, Albert said:
"There are always some people in the mountains who are known as "hikers." They rush over the trail at high speed and take great delight in being the first to reach camp and in covering the greatest number of miles in the least possible time. they measure the trail in terms of speed and distance."Over the years the terms that Thoreau and Muir preferred are really no longer in use. Nearly everyone in North America now uses hiking. If past is prologue, however, perhaps that may change some day down the road (path).
In addition to getting out on the trail, what better way is there to celebrate National Hiking Day than by learning about the rich history of hiking? Just think, after reading Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World you could be the smartest person on the trail next summer!!
Friday, November 15, 2024
Boulder Falls in Boulder Canyon due to rockslide
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department has temporarily closed the Boulder Falls area in Boulder Canyon due to a recent rockslide that has damaged the trail. This proactive visitor safety closure follows recent weather conditions that likely triggered soil movement, causing a slide that damaged key trail infrastructure designed to capture rocks and sediment from the hillside. Trails are always susceptible to natural hazards and weather events, and OSMP reminds visitors to stay alert while recreating outdoors.
OSMP is assessing trail damage to determine future repairs and maintenance work that might be necessary in the popular waterfall area west of Boulder. At this time, there is no estimated timeline for when the area may reopen, and more information will be provided once an assessment is completed. OSMP reminds community members to visit OSMPTrails.org to view current trail closures.
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Check out our online trail guides:
OSMP is assessing trail damage to determine future repairs and maintenance work that might be necessary in the popular waterfall area west of Boulder. At this time, there is no estimated timeline for when the area may reopen, and more information will be provided once an assessment is completed. OSMP reminds community members to visit OSMPTrails.org to view current trail closures.
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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
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Celebrating National Hiking Day
Update: Sale continues thru Cyber Monday!
Mark your calendars: this Sunday is National Hiking Day! This is a great opportunity to invite a friend or take a family member out on a hike, especially those that have never really experienced the joys of traipsing through the woods. For those of you who might be asking; yes, this is a relatively new "holiday." In 2015, the American Hiking Society officially designated November 17 of each year as National Hiking Day, also known as “Take A Hike Day,” to encourage more people to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.
To help celebrate National Hiking Day I’ve put my entire collection of eBooks on sale (see below). Right now, all four of my eBooks are half off at Amazon – just $4.95 each. What better way to learn about every day hike in Glacier or Grand Teton? Or, help you discover new hikes across the entire Rocky Mountain Range? Or, if you really want to impress your hiking friends with your knowledge of our favorite pastime, check out my book on the history of hiking!
Lastly, with Christmas just around the corner, these books will also make great gifts for all your hiking friends. And as a bonus, now's a great opportunity to get ahead of the Black Friday madness!
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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:
[This book is also available in paperback]
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Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout this vast park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Exploring Glacier National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Glacier:
**********************************************************************************
Rising more than 7000 feet above Jackson Hole, the majestic mountains of Grand Teton National Park provide one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. With more than 240 miles of trails meandering throughout this park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Exploring Grand Teton National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Grand Teton:
**********************************************************************************
Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk in the woods for pleasure?
Ramble On explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world:
[This book is also available in paperback]
As always, thank you very much!
Mark your calendars: this Sunday is National Hiking Day! This is a great opportunity to invite a friend or take a family member out on a hike, especially those that have never really experienced the joys of traipsing through the woods. For those of you who might be asking; yes, this is a relatively new "holiday." In 2015, the American Hiking Society officially designated November 17 of each year as National Hiking Day, also known as “Take A Hike Day,” to encourage more people to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.
To help celebrate National Hiking Day I’ve put my entire collection of eBooks on sale (see below). Right now, all four of my eBooks are half off at Amazon – just $4.95 each. What better way to learn about every day hike in Glacier or Grand Teton? Or, help you discover new hikes across the entire Rocky Mountain Range? Or, if you really want to impress your hiking friends with your knowledge of our favorite pastime, check out my book on the history of hiking!
Lastly, with Christmas just around the corner, these books will also make great gifts for all your hiking friends. And as a bonus, now's a great opportunity to get ahead of the Black Friday madness!
**********************************************************************************
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:
[This book is also available in paperback]
**********************************************************************************
Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout this vast park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Exploring Glacier National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Glacier:
**********************************************************************************
Rising more than 7000 feet above Jackson Hole, the majestic mountains of Grand Teton National Park provide one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. With more than 240 miles of trails meandering throughout this park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Exploring Grand Teton National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Grand Teton:
**********************************************************************************
Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk in the woods for pleasure?
Ramble On explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world:
[This book is also available in paperback]
As always, thank you very much!
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Rocky Mountain National Park announces 2025 timed entry reservation system
Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) will implement its 2025 timed-entry reservation system, beginning May 23, 2025. This reservation system provides day use visitor access in a way that protects resources while creating opportunities for high-quality visitor experiences.
The system, established through the Day Use Visitor Access Plan finalized in May 2024, manages day use visitor access in a way that protects the park's resources, maintains positive visitor experiences, promotes safety, and supports the park’s ability to maintain daily operations. The system will be similar to 2024, with two types of reservations available. One permit will be for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the entire corridor, as well as access to the rest of the park. This reservation period will be from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The second permit will be for the “rest of the park,” excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. This “rest of park” reservation period will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability, with no set time for departure. The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 recreation.gov processing fee. The Bear Lake Road Corridor timed entry reservation system will end on Monday, Oct. 20. However, the rest of the park reservation system will end on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Reservations to enter the park will be available through www.recreation.gov following the below schedule.
* Beginning at 8 a.m. MT on Thursday, May 1. This round of reservations will be available to enter the park from May 24 through June 30.
* The next release will occur on June 1, for the month of July and any remaining days that have not been booked for June.
* July 1, reservations will be available for the month of August and any remaining days that have not been booked for July.
* Aug. 1, reservations will be available for the month of September and any remaining days in August that have not been booked.
* Sept. 1, reservations will be available for October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked.
When planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, take time to consider your preparedness, skills, fitness and experience. No matter how you choose to recreate, be prepared to turn back when conditions change or if you are being pushed to your limits. Weather and conditions can change quickly in the Rockies. Before starting any trip, take time to explore the park's website and plan ahead for a safer and more enjoyable visit.
RMNP is one of the most visited national parks. The park experienced a 44 percent increase in visitation from 2012 to 2019. In 2022, the park received 4.3 million visits. Even with a pilot vehicle reservation timed entry system in place, the park received some of the highest visitation in its history. Between 2016 and 2023, the park piloted several day-use visitor management strategies to address crowding, congestion, and impacts on park resources. These pilots demonstrated this strategy is effective at easing congestion impacts and improved the visitor experience in the park. The park also asked the public for their participation in envisioning the future of day use visitor access at RMNP during the summer of 2021 and the winter of 2022-2023.
The system, established through the Day Use Visitor Access Plan finalized in May 2024, manages day use visitor access in a way that protects the park's resources, maintains positive visitor experiences, promotes safety, and supports the park’s ability to maintain daily operations. The system will be similar to 2024, with two types of reservations available. One permit will be for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the entire corridor, as well as access to the rest of the park. This reservation period will be from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The second permit will be for the “rest of the park,” excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. This “rest of park” reservation period will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability, with no set time for departure. The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 recreation.gov processing fee. The Bear Lake Road Corridor timed entry reservation system will end on Monday, Oct. 20. However, the rest of the park reservation system will end on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Reservations to enter the park will be available through www.recreation.gov following the below schedule.
* Beginning at 8 a.m. MT on Thursday, May 1. This round of reservations will be available to enter the park from May 24 through June 30.
* The next release will occur on June 1, for the month of July and any remaining days that have not been booked for June.
* July 1, reservations will be available for the month of August and any remaining days that have not been booked for July.
* Aug. 1, reservations will be available for the month of September and any remaining days in August that have not been booked.
* Sept. 1, reservations will be available for October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked.
When planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, take time to consider your preparedness, skills, fitness and experience. No matter how you choose to recreate, be prepared to turn back when conditions change or if you are being pushed to your limits. Weather and conditions can change quickly in the Rockies. Before starting any trip, take time to explore the park's website and plan ahead for a safer and more enjoyable visit.
RMNP is one of the most visited national parks. The park experienced a 44 percent increase in visitation from 2012 to 2019. In 2022, the park received 4.3 million visits. Even with a pilot vehicle reservation timed entry system in place, the park received some of the highest visitation in its history. Between 2016 and 2023, the park piloted several day-use visitor management strategies to address crowding, congestion, and impacts on park resources. These pilots demonstrated this strategy is effective at easing congestion impacts and improved the visitor experience in the park. The park also asked the public for their participation in envisioning the future of day use visitor access at RMNP during the summer of 2021 and the winter of 2022-2023.
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Colorado Parks and Wildlife releases its 2024 Future Generations Act Report
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is pleased to share this year’s annual 2024 Future Generations Act Report, which documents CPW's work towards fulfilling the 10 goals outlined in the Future Generations Act legislation. CPW has committed to fulfilling these 10 goals by 2025. Through ongoing and intentional work by CPW to achieve the goals, significant progress has been made towards ensuring that future generations have access to the quality hunting, fishing and outdoor recreational opportunities we enjoy today.
“The
2024 Future Generations Act Report demonstrates our commitment to preserving Colorado’s outdoor heritage while adapting to the needs of a growing and diverse population,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “From expanding access to outdoor recreation to enhancing conservation efforts, our work supports sustainable outdoor opportunities for all Coloradans.”
CPW is making progress on all 10 goals outlined in the Future Generations Act. Here are a few examples as they pertain to hikers:
Goal 4: Supporting Access Programs on Public and Private Lands. CPW continues investing in Colorado’s public lands. The Keep Colorado Wild (KCW) Pass, launched in January 2023, has generated approximately $62 million as of June 30, 2024. This $29 annual pass gives all Coloradans easy access to all state parks and the added benefit of investing in our great outdoors and wildlife.
Goal 4: Supporting Access Programs on Public and Private Lands. CPW remains committed to expanding public access to outdoor recreation. In 2024, CPW awarded 24 non-motorized trail grants totaling $2.4 million, five Land and Water Conservation Fund grants totaling $5.5 million, 52 off-highway vehicle (OHV) grants exceeding $6.2 million, and 36 snowmobile grants nearing $1.3 million.
Expanding access through trails:
Since its establishment in 1971, CPW’s Recreational Trails Program has actively encouraged the development of trails through a number of annual grant programs. Local, county, and state governments, federal agencies, special recreation districts, and non-profit organizations with management responsibilities over public lands may apply for and are eligible to receive non-motorized and motorized trail grants. CPW strives to enhance the experience of Colorado trail users by funding trail maintenance, enforcement, planning, and construction grants and increasing the number of hours of maintenance performed by trail crews. The State Trails Program continues to emphasize maintenance projects for both non-motorized and off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail grant projects to address the increased need to repair and improve existing trails and address resource impacts due to increased visitation on public lands. In FY24, they funded almost 150,542 trail crew hours and awarded over $15.4 million in grants.
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Check out our online trail guides:
2024 Future Generations Act Report demonstrates our commitment to preserving Colorado’s outdoor heritage while adapting to the needs of a growing and diverse population,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “From expanding access to outdoor recreation to enhancing conservation efforts, our work supports sustainable outdoor opportunities for all Coloradans.”
CPW is making progress on all 10 goals outlined in the Future Generations Act. Here are a few examples as they pertain to hikers:
Goal 4: Supporting Access Programs on Public and Private Lands. CPW continues investing in Colorado’s public lands. The Keep Colorado Wild (KCW) Pass, launched in January 2023, has generated approximately $62 million as of June 30, 2024. This $29 annual pass gives all Coloradans easy access to all state parks and the added benefit of investing in our great outdoors and wildlife.
Goal 4: Supporting Access Programs on Public and Private Lands. CPW remains committed to expanding public access to outdoor recreation. In 2024, CPW awarded 24 non-motorized trail grants totaling $2.4 million, five Land and Water Conservation Fund grants totaling $5.5 million, 52 off-highway vehicle (OHV) grants exceeding $6.2 million, and 36 snowmobile grants nearing $1.3 million.
Expanding access through trails:
Since its establishment in 1971, CPW’s Recreational Trails Program has actively encouraged the development of trails through a number of annual grant programs. Local, county, and state governments, federal agencies, special recreation districts, and non-profit organizations with management responsibilities over public lands may apply for and are eligible to receive non-motorized and motorized trail grants. CPW strives to enhance the experience of Colorado trail users by funding trail maintenance, enforcement, planning, and construction grants and increasing the number of hours of maintenance performed by trail crews. The State Trails Program continues to emphasize maintenance projects for both non-motorized and off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail grant projects to address the increased need to repair and improve existing trails and address resource impacts due to increased visitation on public lands. In FY24, they funded almost 150,542 trail crew hours and awarded over $15.4 million in grants.
************************************************************************************
Check out our online trail guides:
- Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com
- Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com
- Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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