Arches National Park Seeks Graffiti Vandals

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people? Arches National Park recently discovered another act of graffiti vandalism, and posted this message on their Facebook page yesterday:

We need your help. Staff recently discovered new graffiti at Frame Arch, just off the trail to Delicate Arch. If you saw anyone carving or writing on the rock on the Delicate Arch trail, please contact the park via email or phone listed here: https://www.nps.gov/arch/contacts.htm

Graffiti—marking, scratching, chalking, and carving on rocks—is unsightly and illegal. It damages the rocks and ruins other people's experience in this natural place. Rangers and volunteer groups spend hundreds of hours every year removing graffiti from the park. Help us protect your national park: if you discover graffiti in the park, please let us know.

No doubt, the two losers who did this, "Staten" and "Andersen", likely took congratulatory selfies after leaving their mark. By the way, this isn't an isolated case. This type of "tagging" seems to be a growing trend in parks around the country. Here's the photo Arches published on their FB page which shows the damage done:

Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

Tips for Hiking with Kids

So you want to go on a hiking trip this summer, but you’re thinking that it might not be a good idea due to the young kids in the back seat. It’s likely you’re concerned that your children will be bored by the idea of traipsing through the woods. Although I hear this concern quite a bit, you really don’t have to hang up your boots until the kids go off to college.

Fortunately there are several things parents can do to make hiking enjoyable for their kids. The key is to keep them interested, motivated and, most importantly, make sure they have fun. Although that might sound easier than it really is, there are several things you can do to accomplish these objectives.

For very young kids you’ll have to keep the hike very short. As they get older and begin to build confidence and endurance you’ll be able to gradually increase the distance. Although we as adults enjoy expansive views, this really isn’t important to kids. Children much prefer things that are scaled down to their smaller world view. As a parent you should try to appeal to their sense of discovery and adventure, such as visiting a waterfall, a cave, large boulders, a hollowed-out tree, a gurgling stream, or a lake to possibly where they can skip rocks. In fact, water is usually a great motivator.

As you venture further down the trail during your hike try to point things out along the way. Perhaps playing a game similar to that of a scavenger hunt where your children try to find a variety of items such as certain trees, pine cones, wildflowers, boulders, insects, birds’ nests and various wildlife. National parks like Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Glacier and the Great Smoky Mountains are all perfect for finding any of these items.

A few other important tips to keep children motivated are to let them set the pace, bring lots of snacks, take frequent breaks, be prepared for a variety of weather conditions, and maybe even consider allowing them to bring a friend along.

Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Glacier and the Great Smoky Mountains all offer many outstanding easy hikes that will appeal to both children and adults alike.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

Major Water Line System Improvements Begin At Rocky Mountain National Park

Beginning on Tuesday, April 26, visitors may experience minor delays on Bear Lake Road between the Bear Lake Road/Trail Ridge Road junction and Moraine Park Discovery Center due to a water line improvement project. Work will take place Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through May 25. Traffic delays should be less than fifteen minutes.

This work is all part of a large project to improve and rehabilitate a water line and supply system that was installed in Rocky Mountain National Park in the 1950s. The improvements will cover the system from Moraine Park to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and park headquarters area. This overall project will include replacing thousands of feet of pipe, rehabilitating valves, improving its condition to greatly enhance its service life, insure greater reliability, reduce water loss, enhance fire protection and reduce operational maintenance costs of a system that is over sixty years old and in poor condition. Expected completion for this overall project is in October of 2016.

A roughly sixty-two foot wide and seven foot deep trench is anticipated. After the project is complete, restoration will be a top priority.

For further information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please call the park's Information Office at (970) 586-1206.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

Canyon Lakes Ranger District Flood-Impacted Trails Update

Many trails across the Canyon Lakes Ranger District were impacted by the September 2013 Flood and a lot of great work by both staff and volunteers has taken place since then. Below is the status of these trails.

North Fork Trail: This trail is partially open to hikers and is anticipated to open more fully in June to hikers. Some additional work must be completed before the trail can be open to stock.

Crosier Mountain Trails: These trails are open but some additional work may take place this year or next to improve the temporary repairs made in 2014.

Hewlett Gulch Trail: Although this trail has been reopened to the public, early rains in 2015 did more damage. It remains open but some additional restoration work is needed.

Young Gulch Trail: One of the most heavily damaged trails by both the 2012 wildfire season and the flood, it remains fully closed. Analysis work for a rebuild has been completed and work will start taking place in 2016. Due to the extensive amount of work needed, it will not open this year.

Lion Gulch Trail: This trail was also heavily damaged and remains closed. Bridge work and trail restoration are both needed. The trailhead is also being used by the Colorado Department of Transportation during road repairs. It is anticipated to stay closed through 2016.

Homestead Meadows Trail: Portions of this trail were completely destroyed and is unstable. Analysis work for a new trail location will be needed before work can take place due to the extensive damage.

Over 600 hours of volunteer work took place on flood-damaged trails last season, in addition to work done by Forest Service trail crews. There will also be additional opportunities this season for the public to volunteer to make progress on the very popular Young Gulch Trail. Thanks to all the volunteers who have helped move us forward in getting trails restored and back open to the public.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

Video Hike to Ramsey Cascades

Awhile back the Great Smoky Mountains Association published a video of the hike to Ramsey Cascades. Dropping roughly 100 feet over the course of multiple tiers, Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in the Smokies. The popular trail takes hikers though the largest old-growth forest remaining in the Great Smoky Mountains, and passes the 6th tallest tree in the park. For more information on this beautiful hike, please click here.

 
© GSMA 2010. All rights reserved.

With more than 800 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In addition to Ramsey Cascades, the park offers many other outstanding hikes. If you do plan to visit the Smokies this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings to help with all your vacation planning.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com