Dinosaur National Monument Reminds Visitors to be Lion Aware

Staff at Dinosaur National Monument are reminding visitors that they are visiting mountain lion country when traveling in the monument, especially in the backcountry and along the river canyons.

On Tuesday, July 22nd, fresh evidence of an animal killed by a mountain lion was found in the Echo Park area. Signs of the kill included paw prints, blood, fur, and drag marks from the mountain lion moving an animal from a meadow south of a restroom, across a road, and into the brush along the Green River. A 72-hour closure was placed on the area immediately around the kill site to minimize disturbance of the mountain lion as it feeds. Prior to this event, a visitor on a rafting trip on the Green River noticed a mountain lion watching him from a ledge above the Rippling Brook campsite.

Visitors are reminded that although mountain lions, also known as cougars, are rare to see, all of Dinosaur National Monument is suitable habitat. Visitors should take appropriate precautions when recreating within the monument. According to Wayne Prokopetz, Chief of Resource Management, "As the higher elevation areas in the monument dry out, deer and elk will move to the river corridors to find better forage. Mountain lions will follow these animals since they are the lions preferred food source.""Due to the increase in sightings, we are stepping up our mountain lion safety education program," stated Chief Ranger Lee Buschkowsky. Hikers, boaters, and campers are encouraged to be alert for their presence and report mountain lion sightings as soon as possible at a visitor center or ranger station. Visitors should remember the following safety tips:

To prevent an encounter:

• Don't hike or jog alone
• Keep children within sight and close to you
• Avoid dead animals
• Keep a clean camp
• Leave pets at home
• Be alert to your surroundings
• Use a walking stick

If you meet a mountain lion:

• Don't run, as this may trigger a cougar's attack instinct
• Stand and face it
• Pick up children
• Appear large, wave arms or jacket over your head
• Do not approach, back away slowly
• Keep eye contact

If you encounter a mountain lion and it acts aggressive:

• Do not turn your back or take your eyes off it
• Remain standing
• Throw things
• Shout loudly
• Fight back aggressively

In addition to mountain lions,other wildlife, such as deer, elk, black bear, and bighorn sheep, are prevalent in the monument. Please be alert for animals crossing the roads – particularly at dawn and dusk. Never approach or feed any animals in the monument.

For more information on Dinosaur National Monument, please call  (435) 781-7700.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Online Lottery Applications Coming for River Permits in Dinosaur National Monument

Changes are coming to the river permit lottery at Dinosaur National Monument. Starting with the 2014 season, if you want to participate in the lottery for a high season permit to take a multi-day float trip on the Yampa or Green Rivers, you can apply online through Recreation.gov for your permit. This change is part of our effort to better serve our visitors and to go "green" by incorporating a paperless online system.

From December 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014, applicants can apply online instead of filling out a form and mailing it in with a check to the monument's river office. Through the online system, applicants can also pay using a credit or debit card. Recreation.gov does require each applicant to register and create a profile with their unique email address and a password so that they can process payments.

Previously, a potential river user could file only one application for only one possible launch date on one river. For the 2014 season, applicants can still file only one application, but they may choose up to four possible launch date/river choices on the application. The Yampa and Green Rivers are still combined in one drawing system.

"This quadruples the number of launches you can ask for," stated Kelly Kager, Dinosaur National Monument's River Office Manager. "That's a real plus for putting the lottery online. You also won't have to write a check or rummage around for a stamp. A similar lottery has been run successfully online for the Four Rivers in Idaho for several years. With the new system, we anticipate that we will be able to let people know the lottery results much faster. Lottery applicants will receive a notification by email."

During the open period, applications can be submitted online any time of day, and the fee remains the same as previous years at $15 per application. Permit fees are also the same as last year: $185 for a multi-day permit and $20 for a single day permit.

The Dinosaur National Monument lottery for 2014 permits opens December 1st at www.recreation.gov and closes on January 31, 2014. This year, only the lottery application process is moving online. Dinosaur National Monument's River Office will continue the processing of all permits for successful lottery applicants. Reservations for the pre/post season launches or one day permits in Dinosaur National Monument will be also processed through the river office beginning March 1, 2014 at 8:00 am Mountain time, as they have been in the past.

For more information, go to www.nps.gov/dino or call the Dinosaur National Monument river office at (970) 374-2468 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to Noon.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Jones Hole Trail Reopens in Dinosaur National Monument

Superintendent Mary Risser announced that the Jones Hole Trail will reopen today, August 10, 2013 at 6:00 am. A portion of Jones Hole Creek will remain closed from the NPS/USFWS fish hatchery boundary to downstream of the rock slide zone. Anglers will be able to access the creek either on USFWS property or starting downstream of the slide area to the confluence with the Green River.

While the rock slide remains potentially active, a recent analysis by a geomorphologist with the National Park Service Geologic Resources Division determined that the trail lies on the outer edge of any potential impact zone. Signs will be posted along the trail that inform visitors that they are entering an active slide and should not linger in the area. If they hear cracking or popping noises from the cliff face, they should leave the area immediately.

The portion of the creek below the slide, however, is within the impact zone and due to the greater potential for injury from falling rocks, it will remain closed indefinitely. "Based upon analysis from our Geologic Resources Division, the risk to anglers in this portion of the creek was quite high," stated Superintendent Risser. "Unlike hikers who will be quickly moving through this area, anglers may be more stationary, giving them a longer exposure to any falling rocks in the area. Also, the sound of the stream impairs the ability of anglers to hear any cracking or popping sounds that may provide warning of any falling rocks." Signs will be posted along the closed section of the creek. Though this ¼ mile section of the creek will remain closed to the public, the remaining 3¾ miles of the creek within Dinosaur National Monument will be open to fishing.

"We know that this is a very popular area of the monument, and we appreciate everyone's patience while we worked to ensure that we could safely reopen the trail and creek to monument visitors," expressed Superintendent Risser.

During several events between June 18 and June 20, 2013, over 2400 m3 (3140 yd3) of rock estimated to weigh over 6,000 metric tonnes (6,600 tn) was released from Weber Sandstone cliffs. The rock fell from a height of 340 m (1,115 ft) into and across Jones Hole Creek about 600 m (1970 ft) downstream from the Jones Hole trailhead and National Fish Hatchery.

According to the report received by the monument, the June 2013 rockfall events initiated on parallel fractures or sheeting joints on the cliff. In the absence of clear triggering events, such as intense or long duration rain storms or an earthquake, it is likely that the cause of the rockfall is related to cycles of thermal expansion and contraction caused by diurnal and/or annual changes in temperature or other rock weathering processes, such as frost weathering. Regardless of the underlying causes, it is likely that there will be more rockfall from this source until the scar more closely resembles previous scar sites where the majority of the material in front of fracture on the cliff has been cleared. It is not possible to determine how long this process will take.

The Jones Hole Trail is a popular hiking trail that connects the Jones Hole Fish Hatchery with the Green River. It's approximately 4.25 miles long one way. The area is also very popular with anglers due to the access to Jones Hole Creek.

For more information on Dinosaur National Monument, please call (435) 781-7700.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Lightning Starts Six Fires in Dinosaur National Monument

Lightning strikes from a Thursday storm started six fires within Dinosaur National Monument according to Joe Flores, Fire Management Officer. All five fires are located on the Colorado side of the Monument.

Aerial surveys were conducted of the two fires burning in the Wild Mountain area. According to Flores, the Wild fire is now estimated to be approximately 362 acres and the Hacking fire is approximately 10 acres in size. These numbers may change once firefighters have walked the fire's boundary.

A fire module and helicopter support is now on scene, and an additional module is en route. At this time, both fires are being managed for the benefits fire provides to the monument's natural resources. Located in a remote area, neither fire poses any threat to property outside the monument boundaries or any monument facilities. Firefighters are coordinating with private inholdings within that portion of the monument to protect private property.

Three other fires that resulted from the lightning strikes on Thursday, June 13 have been successfully controlled. The Echo Fire was located near the Echo Park Overlook on the Harpers Corner Road. The Pool Fire was between Pool Creek and Trail Draw and the Limestone Fire was near the Iron Springs Bench area.

A sixth fire has now been identified in the Limestone Ridge area, which is north of the Echo Park area and east of the Green River. This fire, which is not currently named, will be suppressed. More information will be released on this fire once it has been obtained.

Visitors are advised to avoid the Wild Mountain area of the monument both for their safety and to not interfere with fire operations. None of the fires are located near the Dinosaur Quarry and visitor services or facilities have not been affected by fire operations. For more information on Dinosaur National Monument, call us at (435) 781-7700.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Spring Brings Expanded Visitor Services to Dinosaur National Monument

"Now that spring is here, Dinosaur National Monument is preparing to offer expanded services for visitors," announced Monument Superintendent, Mary Risser.

On the Utah side of the monument, the Quarry Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The visitor center features exhibits, a film, and a sales outlet for the Intermountain Natural History Association; it also serves as the departure point for car caravans to the Quarry Exhibit Hall with its wall of dinosaur fossils. Caravans leave from the visitor center at scheduled times throughout the day. Visitors must first stop at the visitor center before driving to the Quarry. In addition to the fossil wall, the Quarry Exhibit Hall features exhibits about dinosaurs and other life during the Jurassic. Beginning on May 18, the shuttle which transports visitors between the visitor center and exhibit hall, will begin operations. For more information about seeing the dinosaur fossils, please visit the monument website or call (435) 781-7700.

The Split Mountain Group and Green River campgrounds are scheduled to begin providing water and restrooms starting Friday, April 12. With the return of water and restroom services, camping fees will be charged. For the Green River Campground, the fee is $12.00 per night, per site. Each site can accommodate up to 8 people. Reservations are not accepted at this time. The Split Mountain Group Campground has four group sites. Each site can accommodate up to 25 people and six vehicles. The fee for Split Mountain is $25.00 per site, per night. Reservations for the sites at Split Mountain Group Campground are accepted through the online system managed by Recreation.gov or calling 1 (877) 444-6777 (10:00 am - Midnight, Eastern Time). Split Mountain and Green River Campgrounds are located approximately four miles east of the Quarry Visitor Center on the Cub Creek road.

Also on the Utah side of the monument, the Cub Creek Road is a 12-mile scenic drive beginning near the Quarry Visitor Center. Visitors in this area can see numerous petroglyph sites, explore the Josie Morris homestead, look for wildlife, or take a hike on several trails. On the Colorado side of the monument, the Harpers Corner Road will open on Friday, April 12 for the season.

The Harpers Corner Road is a scenic 32-mile one way drive that leaves U.S. Highway 40 two miles east of Dinosaur, Colorado. "Though the road is currently closed to vehicular traffic, bicyclists and hikers may travel on the road," commented Superintendent Risser, "but should use caution and watch out for any snow removal equipment." Cycling on the Harpers Corner Road may give visitors the opportunity to see an array of wildlife, including elk, deer, and grouse. The Canyon Visitor Center, located at the start of the Harpers Corner Road, is currently closed, but will open on Saturdays and Sundays starting April 13 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and daily beginning on May 24.

While there are no dinosaur fossils in the Colorado portion of the monument, overlooks along the road provide sweeping views of the Uintah Basin and into the canyons of the Green and Yampa Rivers. Several trails provide a closer look not only at the monument's scenery and but also its plant and animal life. Dirt roads leading off the Harpers Corner Drive are not maintained and are usually impassable when wet. Check at the visitor center before venturing onto the unpaved roads for road conditions. Visitors venturing into this portion of the monument should check the forecast prior to their visit and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

The Gates of Lodore Campground, located 106 miles north of the Canyon Visitor Center on the Green River at the head of Lodore Canyon, is scheduled to begin providing water and restrooms starting May 24. Once the water is turned on, camping fees of $8.00 per night, per site will be charged. May 24, is also when water is scheduled to be turned on at the Echo Park Campground, located 38 miles north of the Canyon Visitor Center near where the Yampa River meets the Green River, and at the Deerlodge Park Campground located 53 miles east of the Canyon Visitor Center on the Yampa River at the head of Yampa Canyon. Camping fees for both campgrounds are $8.00 per night, per site.

Entrance fees for Dinosaur National Monument are as follows: $10 per vehicle, valid for up to seven days; $5 per person for someone on a motorcycle or bicycle. Frequent visitors to the monument may want to purchase a Dinosaur Annual Pass for $20.00, which is great value for those who come often or bring family and friends when visiting the area. For more information, visit the fees and reservation section of the park website which also includes rates for commercial and non-commercial groups and how school groups can request an academic fee waiver.

More information can be found by visiting: www.nps.gov/dino/



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com