If you ever get the chance you should jump at the opportunity to hike the Alaska Basin Trail. The trail takes hikers up to the Alaska Basin in the Jedediah Smith Wilderness Area, located just west of Grand Teton National Park. Below is a video, published by Kenneth Vanderstoep a few years ago, that highlights the breathtaking views, wildflowers and meadows you'll see on this epic hike. The song playing during the video is "Consider the Lilies" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
For more information on this hike, please click here to visit our new hiking website for the Grand Tetons. Enjoy:
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Friday, November 28, 2014
Monday, November 24, 2014
DNA Test Confirms Gray Wolf in Grand Canyon National Park
DNA tests released last Friday confirm that a wolf repeatedly photographed at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is a female gray wolf originating from the northern Rocky Mountains. The wolf is currently protected as a member of an endangered species, but would be stripped of her protective status along with other vulnerable wolves under an Obama administration proposal anticipated to be finalized this year, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.
“This wolf’s epic journey through at least three western states fits with what scientific studies have shown, namely that wolves could once again roam widely and that the Grand Canyon is one of the best places left for them,” said Michael Robinson with the Center for Biological Diversity. “It’s heartening this animal has been confirmed as a wolf but I am very worried that if wolves are taken off the endangered species list she will be killed and wolf howls from the North Rim’s pine forest will never again echo in the Grand Canyon.”
The wolf, wearing an inoperative radio collar, has repeatedly been observed in Grand Canyon National Park and the adjoining Kaibab National Forest since early October. Tests were conducted on feces to help determine the animal’s origins. The minimum straight-line distance from her home to present location is about 450 miles. It is likely the wolf wandered even farther, however, by taking a more meandering route.
Earlier this month, the Center released a first-of-its-kind analysis identifying 359,000 square miles of additional wolf habitat in the lower 48 states that could significantly boost wolf recovery. The study found that the gray wolf population could be doubled to around 10,000 by expanding recovery into areas researchers have identified as excellent habitat in the Northeast, West Coast and southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the Grand Canyon.
“There’s so much more room for wolves in the West if only we extend them a bit more tolerance,” Robinson said. “The Grand Canyon wolf is a prime example of what wolves can do if only we let them.”
Young adult wolves often leave their family packs to seek a mate and a territory of their own and may wander dozens and sometimes hundreds of miles. But with few other lone wolves to be found and many hazards, many such migrations end with the wolf’s death. One notable exception is OR-7 of Oregon, a male wolf nicknamed “Journey” by school-children, who wandered for two years in Oregon and California before finding a mate this year and raising pups in southwestern Oregon.
Last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed removing gray wolves from the endangered species list, except for the Mexican gray wolf subspecies that is clinging to survival in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Independent peer-reviewers criticized that proposal’s scientific underpinnings, but the Service may finalize the proposal nonetheless. Where wolves have already been taken off the endangered species list in the northern Rockies and upper Midwest, state-authorized hunting, trapping and snaring, along with federal aerial gunning, are driving wolf numbers downward.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
The wolf, wearing an inoperative radio collar, has repeatedly been observed in Grand Canyon National Park and the adjoining Kaibab National Forest since early October. Tests were conducted on feces to help determine the animal’s origins. The minimum straight-line distance from her home to present location is about 450 miles. It is likely the wolf wandered even farther, however, by taking a more meandering route.
Earlier this month, the Center released a first-of-its-kind analysis identifying 359,000 square miles of additional wolf habitat in the lower 48 states that could significantly boost wolf recovery. The study found that the gray wolf population could be doubled to around 10,000 by expanding recovery into areas researchers have identified as excellent habitat in the Northeast, West Coast and southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the Grand Canyon.
“There’s so much more room for wolves in the West if only we extend them a bit more tolerance,” Robinson said. “The Grand Canyon wolf is a prime example of what wolves can do if only we let them.”
Young adult wolves often leave their family packs to seek a mate and a territory of their own and may wander dozens and sometimes hundreds of miles. But with few other lone wolves to be found and many hazards, many such migrations end with the wolf’s death. One notable exception is OR-7 of Oregon, a male wolf nicknamed “Journey” by school-children, who wandered for two years in Oregon and California before finding a mate this year and raising pups in southwestern Oregon.
Last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed removing gray wolves from the endangered species list, except for the Mexican gray wolf subspecies that is clinging to survival in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Independent peer-reviewers criticized that proposal’s scientific underpinnings, but the Service may finalize the proposal nonetheless. Where wolves have already been taken off the endangered species list in the northern Rockies and upper Midwest, state-authorized hunting, trapping and snaring, along with federal aerial gunning, are driving wolf numbers downward.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Help Build the Next 32 Miles of the CDT in Colorado
The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC), the lead National Partner for management of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) has launched a new Fundraising campaign through Indiegogo titled “The Next 32 Miles” to raise funds to construct a 32 mile non-motorized section of the CDT on the Rio Grande National Forest near Saguache, CO.
This project would allow the CDTC and partners, including local Youth Corps programs and volunteers, to complete one of the last remaining sections of the CDT in Colorado. When complete, this 32 mile trail section, which co-aligns with the Colorado Trail, will be a highly desirable, primitive back-country hiking and horseback riding experience.
The Continental Divide Trail is one of the few remaining ’wild’ places in our country, and was designated as one of America’s national scenic trails by Congress in 1978. However the Trail remains incomplete in many areas today. Colorado boasts over 800 miles of the CDT; New Mexico and Montana each host 750 miles; Wyoming, 610 miles, and Idaho 180 miles. Considered one of the greatest long-distance trails in the world, along with the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails, they make up “Triple Crown” of National Scenic Trails.
“The Next 32 Miles” launched on November 18, and raised over $10,000 in the first 48 hours of the effort. The goal is to raise $20,000 during the campaign, which will help the CDTC secure funds to obtain the entire project cost of $200,000, which is needed to build the 32-mile section within two years. The Campaign will run through January 2, 2015. More information can be found here.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
The Continental Divide Trail is one of the few remaining ’wild’ places in our country, and was designated as one of America’s national scenic trails by Congress in 1978. However the Trail remains incomplete in many areas today. Colorado boasts over 800 miles of the CDT; New Mexico and Montana each host 750 miles; Wyoming, 610 miles, and Idaho 180 miles. Considered one of the greatest long-distance trails in the world, along with the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails, they make up “Triple Crown” of National Scenic Trails.
“The Next 32 Miles” launched on November 18, and raised over $10,000 in the first 48 hours of the effort. The goal is to raise $20,000 during the campaign, which will help the CDTC secure funds to obtain the entire project cost of $200,000, which is needed to build the 32-mile section within two years. The Campaign will run through January 2, 2015. More information can be found here.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Friday, November 21, 2014
Body Of Missing Man On Longs Peak Recovered
Rocky Mountain National Park officials announced that the body of Peter Jeffris was located 200 feet below the Ledges on the Keyhole Route during helicopter search efforts yesterday. A Search and Rescue Team was flown to a landing spot in the Glacier Gorge drainage. The four team members then climbed approximately 1,800 vertical feet to where Jeffris was found. They prepared his body for transport. His body was flown from the scene to a landing spot at Upper Beaver Meadows at approximately 4:00 p.m. and transferred to the Boulder County Coroner.
Jeffris was reported overdue the afternoon of Monday, November 17, when he did not arrive at work. His vehicle was located in the parking lot at the Longs Peak Trailhead. He reportedly left Sunday morning to summit Longs Peak. It was unclear what route he was planning, but he indicated to friends he was considering the Cables Route on the north face. Safety was a top priority in determining when and where rescue personnel could search for Jeffris.
Winter conditions including extreme winds and below freezing temperatures made search and recovery operations even more difficult. These challenging conditions hampered search operations, particularly above tree line, the past three days. With today's calmer winds, searchers were able to utilize a helicopter which enhanced our ability to cover a much larger area and ultimately locate Jeffris.
Over the multiple day search, Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Teams were assisted by Larimer County Search and Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue, Alpine Rescue Team, Diamond Peak Ski Patrol, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Search Dogs of Colorado and the Colorado Search and Rescue Board. Park staff also worked with the US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Winter conditions including extreme winds and below freezing temperatures made search and recovery operations even more difficult. These challenging conditions hampered search operations, particularly above tree line, the past three days. With today's calmer winds, searchers were able to utilize a helicopter which enhanced our ability to cover a much larger area and ultimately locate Jeffris.
Over the multiple day search, Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Teams were assisted by Larimer County Search and Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue, Alpine Rescue Team, Diamond Peak Ski Patrol, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Search Dogs of Colorado and the Colorado Search and Rescue Board. Park staff also worked with the US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Favorable Weather Allows Aerial Search Efforts For Missing Man
Search efforts continue today on Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park for Peter Jeffris, 25, from Broomfield, Colorado. Weather and winds are favorable and aerial searching by helicopter began this morning. This will enable searchers to cover a larger area and search higher elevations that have not been searched due to extreme winter conditions and safety of searchers the past four days. The forecast calls for the potential of snow and winds beginning tomorrow afternoon. This entire search area encompasses nearly 20 square miles and includes alpine, sub-alpine and heavily forested areas. Ground teams continue to focus on a variety of sections in the overall search area.
Jeffris was reported overdue the afternoon of Monday, November 17, when he did not arrive at work. His vehicle was located in the parking lot at the Longs Peak Trailhead. He reportedly left Sunday morning to summit Longs Peak. It is unclear what route he was planning, but he indicated to friends he was considering the Cables Route on the north face. He was not prepared to spend the night.
Search efforts the last two days have not revealed any significant signs or clues. Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team is being assisted today by Douglas County Search and Rescue, Larimer County Search and Rescue, Diamond Peak Ski Patrol and the Colorado Search and Rescue Board. For the last two days, park staff have also been working with the US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center related to cell phone tracking. However, no significant information has been obtained that would influence the search. There are thirty-four people involved in the overall search efforts again today.
Park rangers would like to hear from anyone who was in the Longs Peak area on Sunday, November 16. Please call (970) 586-1204.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
Jeffris was reported overdue the afternoon of Monday, November 17, when he did not arrive at work. His vehicle was located in the parking lot at the Longs Peak Trailhead. He reportedly left Sunday morning to summit Longs Peak. It is unclear what route he was planning, but he indicated to friends he was considering the Cables Route on the north face. He was not prepared to spend the night.
Search efforts the last two days have not revealed any significant signs or clues. Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team is being assisted today by Douglas County Search and Rescue, Larimer County Search and Rescue, Diamond Peak Ski Patrol and the Colorado Search and Rescue Board. For the last two days, park staff have also been working with the US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center related to cell phone tracking. However, no significant information has been obtained that would influence the search. There are thirty-four people involved in the overall search efforts again today.
Park rangers would like to hear from anyone who was in the Longs Peak area on Sunday, November 16. Please call (970) 586-1204.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com
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