The Invention of "Carrarmato"

The following is an adaptation from Ramble On: A History of Hiking:

The first major improvement in mountaineering boots came about as a result of a deadly climbing accident in 1935. While descending Punta Rasica, a rugged peak along the Swiss-Italian border, an expedition led by Vitale Bramani was caught in an unexpected blizzard. Unable to descend along the icy rock walls, six members of his party ultimately succumbed to exhaustion, exposure and frostbite. As was the custom at that time, climbers wore heavy, hobnailed boots along the lower slopes of mountains. As they climbed higher, they would exchange their boots for lighter rock climbing shoes, usually made with thin leather and felt-bottom soles that offered little protection against cold temperatures or moisture. Though they worked well in normal weather, the shoes offered virtually no grip in icy conditions.

Convinced that inadequate footwear played the primary role in the deaths of his six companions, Bramani resolved to find a solution to the problem. Two years later he introduced a boot sole with an innovative tread design that he called Carrarmato, which means “tank tread.” The sole was made from vulcanized rubber, and featured heavy lugs that were designed to take the place of hobnails. The rubber lug pattern provided boots with outstanding traction, which allowed them to be used on a variety of surfaces, including uneven forest floors, bare rock, loose scree slopes, and hard-packed snow. Moreover, the rubber soles were highly durable, abrasion-resistant, waterproof, and provided far more insulation against the cold than leather soles. In 1937, with the financial backing of Leopoldo Pirelli, grandson of the founder of Pirelli Tires, Bramani launched his revolutionary new product. Taking the first two letters of his first name, and the first four letters of his last name, Vitale Bramani called his startup enterprise “Vibram.” Almost immediately, the lugged soles caught on with the climbing community, and eventually with hikers in the 1960s and 70s.



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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

New edition of "Ramble On: A History of Hiking" released!

Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk in the woods for pleasure?

While there are enough books about mountaineering to fill a small library, very little has been written on the rich and fascinating history of hiking. Ramble On: A History of Hiking is the first book to explore how hiking evolved into one of the world’s most popular outdoor recreational activities.

Extensively researched, this book provides a broad overview of the origins of hiking, as well as the cultural trends, movements, events, and innovations that spurred its growth and allowed it to eventually flourish.

This second edition of Ramble On: A History of Hiking builds upon the original to reflect additional research and to expand more broadly on a few key topics. For example, I wanted to provide a deeper understanding of how the Age of Enlightenment and the Romantic Era influenced art, aesthetics, literature, religion and thought, which in turn allowed hiking to bloom and eventually flourish. I also thought that it was important to chronicle in more detail the crucial role the multi-generational Crawford family of New Hampshire played in the development of hiking in America. This edition also explores how the term “hiking” surprisingly evolved after the Philippine-American War to assume the meaning we understand today.

Praise for the first edition:

"Doran weaves the social, cultural, industrial, and political milieu into this fascinating history. Amusing, astonishing, and sometimes alarming anecdotes .. make this a fascinating and significant account of the history of hiking."

- Priscilla Estes, Appalachian Footnotes, Winter 2018-2019, Delaware Valley Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club


Ramble On: A History of Hiking is now available on Amazon.

Two Men Rescued From Summit of Longs Peak on Saturday

Park rangers from Rocky Mountain National Park were contacted late Friday night, February 6, by two male climbers on Kiener’s Route in the Longs Peak area requesting assistance. The 47- and 50-year-old climbers were located at approximately 14,000 feet. They reported they were incapacitated, unable to continue their route, and had not planned to remain overnight.

Rangers maintained communication with the climbers overnight. Early Saturday morning, February 7, rangers initiated rescue operations. Two Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue teams, along with members of Larimer County Search and Rescue, began hiking toward the Longs Peak area. Air operations were limited due to high winds. A U.S. Forest Service helicopter attempted a flight but was forced to abort due to wind conditions. A Flight For Life helicopter was also ordered but later stood down for the same reason.

Through established partnerships with Colorado Search and Rescue, additional resources were requested from the Colorado National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility at Buckley Space Force Base. A Chinook helicopter with flight crew, along with rescuers from Alpine Rescue and Rocky Mountain Rescue, landed on the summit of Longs Peak at approximately 2:15 p.m. The climbers, who had moved to the summit, were located and flown from the summit to Upper Beaver Meadows Road within Rocky Mountain National Park.

Park rangers remind visitors that winter conditions can persist in the high country even when overall snowpack is below average. Those recreating in alpine environments should plan ahead and be prepared for ice, snow, high winds, and subzero temperatures.



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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

Drone used to rescue hiker on Quandary Peak

An overdue hiker needed some help after wandering off trail while attempting to summit Quandary Peak recently. A blurb posted on the the Summit County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page stated that the Summit County Rescue Group used a creative solution to provide the hiker with some much needed light, after his phone battery almost went dead:

Cold, wet, and lost in the mountains? We’re here for you.

Last week, a deputy located a lost hiker and dropped a flashlight to him from a drone. That light guided him back to the trail and helped the Summit County Rescue Group locate him quickly — resulting in a safe outcome for all.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office — Always Here for You.

Here's a report from CBS Colorado that provides a few more details:





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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

Explore Park Science and Stewardship at Rocky Mountain National Park’s Biennial Research Conference

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) invites you to explore research, monitoring, and management during the Biennial Research Conference “Park Stewardship: From Discovery to Decision” on March 4-5 at The Holiday Inn in Estes Park. Scientific research is an integral part of science-informed decision making and adaptive management at RMNP. The park utilizes a collaborative process in which park staff and research partners work together to conduct research to address management questions.

The Biennial Research Conference is presented by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. It is free and open to all who are interested in attending. No pre-registration is required.

Conference highlights include 27 oral presentations by research partners and park staff, a poster session highlighting over 20 research and public engagement activities in the park, an Alpine Ecosystem Question and Answer Panel with park staff and partners, and a Conversation Café in which members of the public can engage in structured, small-group discussions about vital wetland ecosystems in the park.

Oral presentations are organized into sessions covering related subjects. Sessions will focus on forestry and wildfire, park histories and cultural resources, research conducted by Rocky Mountain Conservancy fellows, wildlife studies, long term monitoring projects and management applications, and alpine ecosystem research and stewardship. Oral presentations in the alpine ecosystem session and following subject expert panel will also be available to attend virtually.

New to this year will be an in-person screening of the Alpine Ecosystem oral session and panel held at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center in Grand Lake. This event is free and open to the public to provide an opportunity for engagement with the conference for the Grand Lake community and will include opening remarks from park staff. The screening will take place in the Auditorium of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, located at 16018 US Highway 34, Grand Lake, CO.

Conference events begin at 8 a.m. each day and conclude at 5 p.m. on March 4 and 4:30 pm on March 5. For a complete schedule of events, to access the wetland ecosystems session virtually, and other accessibility information, visit: go.nps.gov/RMNPConference2026

The conference will take place in the Ballroom of The Holiday Inn Estes Park, located at 101 S Saint Vrain Avenue, Estes Park, CO.



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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

Update: Treasury Department Cancels Contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton (Recreation.gov)

Earlier this week we reported that the Treasury Department had canceled their contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, the government contractor that runs Recreation.gov, the website that facilitates reservations for timed entry permits, campsites, etc. Since then, no one has said anything with regards to the future of Recreation.gov - that includes the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Booz Allen Hamilton, or even Recreation.gov. The only comment I've seen on this topic comes from RVtravel.com. In an article they posted on Tuesday, they concluded:

Despite the headlines, Recreation.gov reservations aren’t in jeopardy. The contract news involves a different agency, a different system, and a different issue altogether.

Although they didn't provide any sources for this conclusion, it seems that they might be correct. If anything changes, I'll post something on this blog



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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

Timber Creek Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park to Close August 10, 2026 For Sewer System Rehabilitation Project

Timber Creek Campground, located on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, will close at noon on Aug. 10, 2026, and remain closed through the end of the 2026 summer season, for a sewer system rehabilitation project. The campground will open for the season in mid-May, and the last night for visitors to camp at Timber Creek campground will be Aug. 9.

This closure is necessary to begin a major construction project to rehabilitate the campground’s aging sewer system. The project will replace damaged and deteriorating sewer manholes, perform spot repairs on broken pipes and rehabilitate existing pipes in place using pipe lining technology.

These improvements are essential to maintain safe and reliable infrastructure for future visitors. The campground is expected to reopen for the 2027 summer season.

Visitors planning camping trips to the west side of the park should plan for alternative arrangements after Aug. 9. There are additional camping opportunities located in communities outside of the park. Aspenglen, Glacier Basin and Moraine Park Campgrounds, located on the east side of the park will remain open.

Reservations for park campgrounds can be made up to six months in advance at www.recreation.gov



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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

Treasury Department Cancels Contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton (Recreation.gov)

The Treasury Department just announced that they have canceled its contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, a government contractor and consulting firm that runs Recreation.gov, the website that National Parks and National Forests use to sell timed entry permits, campsite reservations and other services. According to a press release issued earlier today:

Today, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced the cancelation of all contracts with consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. The Treasury Department currently has 31 separate contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton totaling $4.8 million in annual spending and $21 million in total obligations.

“President Trump has entrusted his cabinet to root out waste, fraud, and abuse, and canceling these contracts is an essential step to increasing Americans’ trust in government,” said Secretary Bessent. “Booz Allen failed to implement adequate safeguards to protect sensitive data, including the confidential taxpayer information it had access to through its contracts with the Internal Revenue Service.”

Most notably, between 2018 and 2020, Charles Edward Littlejohn — an employee of Booz Allen Hamilton — stole and leaked the confidential tax returns and return information of hundreds of thousands of taxpayers. To date, the IRS determined that the data breach affected approximately 406,000 taxpayers. Littlejohn has pled guilty to felony charges for disclosing confidential tax information without authorization.

Right now, it's not exactly clear what will happen to Recreation.gov. If you recall, there was a class action lawsuit that was filed against Booz Allen Hamilton in 2023, claiming that Recreation.gov was charging "junk fees" to consumers. Several months later, however, the lawsuit was dropped. Hopefully, we'll soon have a better understanding of the future of Recreation.gov, especially for those wishing to visit a park or area this year that requires a permit or reservation of some type.



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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

Rocky Mountain National Park to Host a Variety of Ranger-led Winter Programs in 2026

For many, winter is their favorite time of year to visit Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). The park is less crowded and for those who are prepared, winter is an enchanting time to explore the scenic beauty of the southern Rocky Mountains. Weather and snow conditions permitting, RMNP will be offering a variety of ranger-led walks, talks and activities this winter. Winter ranger-led programs are available on both the east and west sides of the park through mid-March.

Programs Offered on the East Side of RMNP Include:

East Side RMNP - Kid-Friendly Snowshoe Walks

Step into the basics and learn what snowshoeing is all about! These beginner walks are perfect for the whole family. Snow and weather conditions permitting, these programs will take place on Saturdays at 2 p.m. and they are 1-hour in length.

No previous snowshoe experience is needed. Beginner snowshoe walks are free to attend (park entrance fees are required). Space is limited and advanced reservations are required. Reservations open seven days ahead of a scheduled snowshoe walk. For additional details and to register, visit https://rmconservancy.org/rmnpsnowshoe/

East Side RMNP - Snowshoe Hikes

Enjoy an afternoon of winter exploration! Snowshoe hikes travel through hilly, uneven, snow-covered meadows and forest areas within RMNP at elevations ranging from 9,400-9,700 feet above sea level. Snowshoe hikes are up to 2-hours long. During this hike, participants will learn about plants and wildlife that call Rocky home. Snowshoe hikes are for participants ages 8 and older.

Snowshoe hikes are moderately strenuous and participants should be in good physical condition. Participants must have a baseline fitness level that allows them to snowshoe approximately one mile over hilly terrain at high elevation. One mile of snowshoeing is more strenuous than a typical hike. Programs take place at higher elevations and may not be suitable for people sensitive to altitude.

Beginning on January 27, east side snowshoe hikes will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. RMNP’s snowshoe hikes are very popular and fill quickly. Advanced reservations are required. Reservations open seven days ahead of a scheduled snowshoe hike. For additional details and to register, visit https://rmconservancy.org/rmnpsnowshoe/

To Participate in an East Side Snowshoe Program, What Do I Need to Bring?

All participants must bring their own snowshoes or rent snowshoes outside of the park. Snowshoe rentals are not available inside RMNP. For your comfort and safety, appropriate clothing is essential. Recommended items include waterproof winter jacket, snow pants, warm socks, waterproof boots, gloves/mittens, a hat, and sunglasses or goggles. Other essential items include water and sunscreen. Hiking poles are helpful.

Discover Something New at RockyLAB!

Pop into RockyLAB and dive into hands-on fun! Beginning on January 23, come to Fall River Visitor Center on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays any time from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. and explore short science and nature activities. Participants can stay as long as they choose. These activities are perfect for the whole family. All materials will be provided and children must be accompanied by an adult. What will you discover? Example activities include dissecting an owl pellet, creating your own ranger station, learning about animal adaptations, and exploring snow science.

Programs Offered on the West Side of RMNP this Winter Include: West Side Kid-Friendly Snowshoe Walks

Join a park ranger for an easy, kid-friendly snowshoe walk and learn the basics of snowshoeing! These beginner snowshoe walks are fun for the whole family. These snowshoe walks take place on Fridays at 1:30 p.m. and are great for participants ages 5 and older. On west-side snowshoe walks, snowshoes are provided. For your comfort and safety, all participants must wear appropriate winter clothing, including waterproof boots. Advanced reservations are required. To make a reservation, call 970-627-3471.

West Side Snowshoe Hikes

Join a park ranger for an afternoon adventure! Snowshoe hikes are considered moderate and travel through hilly, uneven, snow-covered meadows and forest area. Snowshoe hikes take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. This program is for participants ages 8 and older. On west-side snowshoe walks, snowshoes are provided. For your comfort and safety, all participants must wear appropriate winter clothing, including waterproof boots.

Advanced reservations are required. To make a reservation, call 970-627-3471.

To see a list of all available programs and activities RMNP is offering this winter, visit the park online at https://go.nps.gov/romo/winter-programs or on the NPS App. These programs and activities are made possible by the Rocky Mountain Conservancy.



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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

Book pre-announcement

FYI, everyone: I'm excited to announce that a brand new edition of Ramble On: A History of Hiking will be released in early February! Please check back for more information!

New Dinosaur Fossils Excavated at Dinosaur National Monument

Recent parking lot construction work in Dinosaur National Monument revealed previously uncovered dinosaur fossils near the Quarry Exhibit Hall, marking the first fossil excavations at this location since 1924.

The new fossils were identified by park staff on Sept. 16, 2025, after asphalt removal exposed a portion of the dinosaur-bearing sandstone. Following the discovery, construction was paused to allow paleontologists to assess and excavate the fossils. The fossils belong to a large, long-necked dinosaur, most likely Diplodocus, which is common in this bonebed. Park staff, a Utah Conservation Corps crew, volunteers and on-site construction crews assisted in the fossil removal.

This location had not been excavated for fossils since the original excavations at the site ended in 1924. Historic excavations were led by the Carnegie Museum from 1909 to 1922, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in 1923 and the University of Utah in 1924. Dinosaur National Monument was established in 1915.

Roughly 3,000 pounds of fossils and rock were removed during the new excavation between mid-September to mid-October. Work is now underway to clean and study the remains, which are currently housed at the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal, Utah. The work can be viewed in the museum’s fossil preparation lab. Fossils from the excavation are also on display at the Quarry Exhibit Hall and the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum.

The Quarry Exhibit Hall, also known as the “Wall of Bones,” is the most popular area to visit in Dinosaur National Monument. The building sits over a preserved section of the historic Carnegie dinosaur fossil quarry where visitors can see approximately 1,500 dinosaur fossils still encased in the rock.

The parking lot and road improvement project were completed following the excavation. The project included extensive concrete and asphalt work and accessibility improvements around the Quarry Exhibit Hall. The Exhibit Hall is open daily except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Visit nps.gov/dino for more information and hours.

P.S.: if you would like to see dinosaur tracks up close, check out the hike to West Gold Hill Dinosaur Trackway in Ouray.



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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

Winter Pile Burning Operations Planned When Conditions Permit in Rocky Mountain National Park

Fire managers at Rocky Mountain National Park plan to take advantage of favorable winter weather and conditions to conduct pile burning operations in a variety of locations including Deer Mountain, near Lily Lake, near Moraine and Glacier Basin Campgrounds, off Highway 7 in the Wild Basin area and near Allenspark. Slash from hazard fuels treatments has been cut and piled by NPS fire crews and contractors over the last two years and are now ready to be burned. Pile burning will only occur this winter when weather and conditions allow.

The primary goal of this fuels reduction project is to reduce the threat of wildland fire to adjacent communities and NPS infrastructure to help reduce the amount of fuels available in case of a wildfire. When fighting the East Troublesome Fire in 2020 and the Fern Lake Fire in 2012, firefighters were able to take advantage of previous and existing prescribed fire and hazardous fuels treatment areas that provided a buffer between the fires and the town of Estes Park. Prior hazard fuels projects were instrumental in stopping both fires from crossing Bear Lake and Trail Ridge Roads.

Pile burning operations only take place when conditions allow. Firefighters will be on scene for the duration of the operation and will be patrolling the burn pile areas. Smoke from the burn will be visible throughout the day of the burn, mostly during the warmest part of the day. With cooler temperatures in the evening, smoke may linger and accumulate in low-lying areas. Fuels reduction projects like these are not designed to be a stand-alone defense against wildfires nor do they guarantee to hold a wildfire in the worst of conditions. We all need to do our part. Homeowners are encouraged to complete wildfire mitigation on your property. For tips and resources, visit www.firewise.org and https://nocofireshed.org/resources/ Smoke may be visible both inside and outside the park. Every effort will be made to minimize smoke impacts on visitors and the adjacent community; however, some smoke is anticipated to disperse east of the park. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information on the health effects of wildland fire smoke and how to reduce your exposure, please visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website, Wood Smoke and Health.

Safety factors, weather conditions, air quality, personnel availability and environmental regulations are continually monitored as part of any fire management operation. For more information please contact the park Information Office at (970) 586-1206.



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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:

CPW update on Larimer County mountain lion investigation

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has ended the active search for a third mountain lion in the area of the fatal attack on a woman on the Crosier Mountain Trail in Larimer County. CPW officers, federal agency staff and houndsmen with trained dogs searched thoroughly for more than 72 hours. No fresh tracks or scents were detected. Crosier Mountain Trail is back open to the public, and mountain lion signage with education messages will remain. Permanent signage warning of lion activity and how to handle conflicts has been in place on the trail for years.

Any mountain lion sightings or conflicts should immediately be reported to CPW by contacting either the Denver office at 303-291-7227, the Fort Collins office at 970-472-4300 or Colorado State Patrol at *CSP (*277) to reach an on-call officer. Crosier Mountain Trail lies in mountain lion habitat. Residents and visitors should continue to remain vigilant.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family,” said Mark Leslie, Regional Manager for CPW’s Northeast Region. “This is a terrible tragedy. This hiker did what many people did on New Year’s Day. She went out in nature on the first day of a new year, and the fact that she did not return to her family and friends is nothing short of heartbreaking. We encourage the public to have compassion and empathy for her and her loved ones.”

CPW thanks the agencies who assisted in the initial response and search: Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Estes Park Police Department, Larimer County Parks and Open Space, Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department and U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services.

Necropsy results:

Necropsies were performed by CPW pathologists on two mountain lions. Initial results indicate a family group consisting of one approximately 12-month old male subadult lion and one approximately 12-month old female subadult lion in very good body condition with no signs of organ abnormalities (subadult refers to lions older than kittens but not yet to breeding age, typically breeding age is 2.5 to 3 years). Human DNA was found on all four paws of the male subadult lion. No human DNA was detected on the female subadult. Both lions tested negative for rabies. The final necropsy report has not yet been completed.

On January 1, witnesses observed a mountain lion standing over the victim on the Crosier Mountain Trail. As they approached, they began throwing rocks to scare the lion from the area and attend to the woman. Witnesses also called 911. When officers arrived on scene, the male subadult lion approached the incident area, was shot by an officer and ran off. CPW officers on the ground and houndsmen tracked this lion and euthanized it, noting it had a wound from the earlier officer’s shot. The second lion, the female subadult, was seen in close vicinity to the site and was tracked and euthanized by CPW. Shortly after, a third lion was observed by officers approaching the incident area. This lion was also pursued by hounds but CPW officers were unable to locate it. Due to multiple lions present at the attack area and evidence found at the scene, CPW officers suspected a family group was responsible.

“It is very unlikely that these lions were in such close proximity to the scene by coincidence,” said Leslie. “This is not a decision we take lightly. CPW is charged with protecting human safety. Given the gravity of this situation and the rarity of this type of behavior, this was a necessary, if unfortunate action.”

Recent mountain lion activity in the Glen Haven area reported to CPW and subsequent management actions:

* On 10/28/2025, a man was hiking with a dog off-leash in the 2000 block of McGraw Ranch Road in Estes Park. A mountain lion attacked and killed the dog. The incident was reported to CPW on 11/20/2025.

* On 10/29/2025, a woman was hiking with her dog off-leash on West Creek Road in Larimer County. A mountain lion suddenly appeared and took her dog. The incident was reported to CPW on 10/30/2025. A CPW officer responded to the scene and was unable to locate any lions.

* On 11/12/2025, a man was trail running on Crosier Mountain Trail and observed a lion in front of him in the trees. The lion approached the man but never made contact. The man successfully hazed the mountain lion with a tree branch and by throwing objects. The incident was reported to CPW on 11/12/2025. CPW officers responded to the area and were unable to locate any lions. Signs warning of increased mountain lion activity were placed in the area, in addition to the permanent mountain lion signage at the Crosier Mountain Trail. The temporary signs were removed after a few weeks.

* On 11/30/2025, a man and woman were hiking near Crosier Mountain Trail summit when they encountered two mountain lions. One lion was spotted in front of them, another was spied behind the couple. They were able to successfully haze the lions by yelling and throwing rocks. No physical contact was made. The incident was reported by voicemail to CPW and received on 12/1/2025. CPW officers responded to the area and were unable to locate lions on the trail. A temporary sign warning of mountain lion activity in the area was placed at the trailhead, in addition to the permanent signage warning of mountain lion presence on the Croiser Mountain Trail. The temporary sign was in place on January 1.

* On 12/23/2025, a man living off County Road 43 in Glen Haven found a mountain lion attacking his dog in his yard. He shot and killed the 3-year-old adult male lion. The incident was reported to CPW on 12/24/2025. A CPW officer responded, investigated and no citations were issued. A necropsy showed the adult male lion did not have any abnormalities. Due to its age, CPW biologists do not think it was a parent to either of the subadults.

* No other mountain lion-related attacks or sightings have been reported to CPW in the Glen Haven area during this time period.

“Timeliness is critical for tracking and responding to mountain lion conflicts,” said Jason Duetsch, CPW Area Wildlife Manager. “We encourage anyone to immediately report encounters with lions so CPW officers can have the most effective response.”



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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

Can Pole Walking Help With Weight Loss?

It's a new year, and if past is prologue, then we can probably assume that many of us are trying to figure out how we're going to lose all that weight we gained over the holidays. The solution might already be in our closets. Did you know that Nordic walking, or walking with poles, can burn as much as 20% more calories during the same amount of time that you normally spend walking or hiking? Honestly, this came as a bit of a revelation to me recently, but it makes complete sense. Using trekking poles while walking also gives your upper body a workout. Apparently, scientific research has confirmed this:



For more information, you can click here, here and here.



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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

Update: Three hikers found dead on Mount Baldy in California

Because of the strange circumstances surrounding the deaths of three hikers on Mount Baldy in Southern California last week, I thought it was important to provide an update. Yesterday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department provided this bit of information on their website:

On Friday, January 2, 2026, the Sheriff’s Coroner Division positively identified Juan Sarat Lopez and Bayron Pedro Ramos Garcia, two Guatemalan Nationals residing in Los Angeles, were among the three deceased males located at Mt. Baldy. Investigators believe Lopez and Ramos Garcia fell from the Devil’s Backbone Trail the same day they were found.

Additional updates will be provided as they become available.

Also, ABC7 out of LA added this piece of information:

Authorities said Lopez and Garcia were not hiking with Casanova at the time of the incident, but they believe they fell from the same Devil's Backbone trail.

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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

CPW investigating suspected fatal mountain lion attack in Larimer County

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating a suspected fatal mountain lion attack on the Crosier Mountain trail in unincorporated Larimer County. Around 12:15 p.m., hikers reported seeing a mountain lion near a person lying on the ground from approximately 100 yards away. As they approached, the witnesses scared the lion from the area by throwing rocks at the animal. The hikers then attended to the adult woman victim but did not find a pulse.

CPW officers, Larimer County Sheriff deputies, Estes Park police and Glen Haven Area Volunteer firefighters responded to the area to launch an extensive search for any mountain lions. A CPW biologist who was conducting aerial deer surveys in the county was able to assist in spotting and personnel transportation. Houndsmen assisted by using dogs to track the scent of lions.

Officers located one lion at the scene, shot the animal and it ran from the area. Officers tracked the mountain lion and it was euthanized. A short time later, a second mountain lion was found nearby and euthanized. It is unknown if one or multiple animals were involved in the suspected attack. According to CPW policies, wildlife involved in attacks on humans must be euthanized to ensure public safety.

CPW pathologists will perform a necropsy on the animals, checking for abnormalities and neurological diseases like rabies and avian influenza. Larimer County Coroner will release the identity of the victim and cause of death.

Mountain lion attacks on humans in Colorado are considered to be rare, with 28 previous attacks reported to CPW since 1990. The last fatal attack was in 1999.

Along the Front Range and Larimer County, hikers and people enjoying the outdoors should expect to encounter wildlife. Mountain lions are more visible in winter as they follow deer and elk to lower elevations. If lions are spotted, make noise to scare them from the area, hold objects overhead to appear bigger and start backing away from the animal. Pets should be kept on-leash and not interact with wildlife.



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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