Rocky Mountain Journal

Sunday, May 31, 2020

National Trails Day® 2020 Goes Virtual

Each year people all across the country unite on the first Saturday of June to celebrate American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day®. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, events won’t be held in person this year on June 6, but American Hiking is still fighting for trail preservation and equitable access to the outdoors. On National Trails Day® 2020 American Hiking Society will partner with land managers, volunteers, and the public to take actions from home that preserve trails and public lands and help ensure access for all to quality natural spaces.

“While the COVID-19 quarantines have put into sharp focus how much our minds and bodies need time outside every day, the trails and parks we value are under-resourced and not everyone has easy access to quality green space,” explains Kate Van Waes, Executive Director of American Hiking Society. “In honor of National Trails Day®, we are encouraging everyone to take American Hiking’s #NationalTrailsDay Pledge to preserve trails and parks and fight for equitable access.”

In addition to taking the #NationalTrailsDay Pledge, American Hiking is encouraging the public to join the National Trails Day® digital movement and share on social media why access to trails and natural space are important to them. Tag photos with #NationalTrailsDay and @AmericanHiking to be entered into a photo contest with a chance to win one of multiple prize packages of outdoor gear.

In the upcoming weeks, American Hiking will provide easy actions the public can take to preserve trails and fight for equitable access to the outdoors, even while social-distancing.

American Hiking’s National Trails Day® is made possible by the generous support of Corporate Sponsors – Athletic Brewing Co., Merrell, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., REI Co-Op, Popular Mechanics, Adventure Medical Kits. Federal Partners include the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Federal Highway Administration, and U.S. Forest Service.

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

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Rocky Mountain Conservancy Supports Longs Peak Trail Work in 2020

The Rocky Mountain Conservancy recently announced that they will be spearheading a multi-year project to rehabilitate the popular Longs Peak Trail. Here's the announcement:

The park is moving forward with plans to refurbish the popular ascent trail on the Longs Peak trail, Colorado Front Range’s most prominent 14’er. Technical rockwork is planned on this iconic trail to support a large volume of visitor usage, custodial operations and SAR operations – and help protect the sensitive tundra ecosystem.

This first season is part of a multi‐year project to refurbish the trails on the mountain above tree line. The high volume of users each year widens the trail which encroaches ever more into the delicate tundra. The RMNP Trails crew hopes the improvements will not only provide users with a better outdoor experience, but guide hikers through the landscape in a more sustainable way.

Much of the work in 2020 will be trail construction from native rock. The goal is to create a beautiful and sustainable trail system to guide users up the mountain. Next year, in 2021, trail crews will be focusing on building European paver‐style trails – an elegant and long‐lasting solution – from Granite Pass to the Boulder Field. Two trails crews will spend much of the season at elevation, living and working on the trail.

This trail project will have a lot of logistics and heavy stonework, but the extensive project will serve to represent the area’s status as one of the most prominent backcountry trails on the Front Range. Thanks to the generosity of long‐time Conservancy supporter Richard Hoffman of Denver, Colorado, the Conservancy was able to provide $50,000 to help fund labor, logistics, materials and equipment toward this incredible backcountry project. The entire project is estimated to be a 3‐5 ‐year venture.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Mesa Verde National Park is Beginning to Increase Recreational Access

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Mesa Verde National Park is increasing recreational access and services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning Sunday, May 24, 2020, Mesa Verde will reopen access to:

• Mesa Top Loop Drive
• Far View Sites
• Cliff Palace driving loop
• Park hiking trails
• Park restrooms
• Chapin picnic area

The park’s concessions facilities will also be open, including Morefield Campground, Far View Lodge, Far View Terrace, and Spruce Tree Terrace. For information on concessions, visit https://www.visitmesaverde.com.

Entrance fees will resume at the park’s winter rates, which can be found at https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/fees.htm. Only credit cards will be accepted. Mesa Verde’s annual pass and all federal passes will also be available. A virtual ranger station will be open at the Visitor and Research Center parking lot and roving interpretation staff will be on site at that location.

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:

• Cliff Palace, Balcony House, Long House, and Step House cliff dwellings
• Wetherill Mesa Road
• Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
• Visitor and Research Center building

"We welcome you back to Mesa Verde and ask for your patience and understanding with our reduced services. Recreate safely and strive to maintain 6 feet spacing between you and others," said Superintendent Cliff Spencer.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Mesa Verde our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. Conditions may change quickly, which could affect facilities and services. As Mesa Verde continues to have limited operations due to COVID-19, some facilities may not be available, and staffing may be limited. Visitors should adjust their expectations accordingly and should practice social distancing, personal hygiene, and other behaviors to avoid infection in public areas. Visitors should not rely upon site staff to ensure their protection from contagious disease.

When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders http://montezumacounty.org/web/covid19/, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

Visitors traveling from outside the state of Colorado should be aware that they may be traveling through the Navajo Nation on their journey. Due to the significant impact the pandemic has had on residents, there are curfews in place and services may be limited; especially for those traveling at night. Please be respectful of these residents and plan accordingly prior to passing through Navajo Nation lands.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on the park website and social media channels.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland officials announce temporary restrictions will remain in effect through May 31

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland officials have announced that temporary developed recreation site closures and fire restrictions will remain in place through May 31 to allow employees to prepare facilities, as well as time to ensure the necessary personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies are readily available. Trails and general forest areas will remain accessible for public use.

The value of nature to promote mental and physical health comes at a time when access is vital to the American public. We are working diligently to open the trails for full access and ask that visitors be patient during this transition period. Be prepared for other options if your trail is closed, and whenever possible, recreate locally. Local county restrictions may also limit access to National Forest System lands, so check with local jurisdictions for any county road closures.

If you do plan on visiting the national forest, please recreate responsibly by adhering to the following safety and responsibility guidelines:

* Stay close to home to keep other communities safe.
* Stay 6 feet apart from others.
* Avoid crowding in parking lots, trails, scenic overlooks and other areas.
* Take CDC precautions to prevent illnesses like COVID-19.
* Prepare for limited or no services, such as restroom facilities and garbage collection.
* Prepare to pack out trash and human waste.

Fire restrictions are in place through May 31 to enhance public safety, protect natural and cultural resources, and help minimize human-caused wildfires.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Great Sand Dunes to Begin Phased Reopening on June 3

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve will increase recreational access through a phased approach following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities. A phased approach will allow the park to adhere to all guidance, reduce risks to visitors and staff, and promote safe recreational opportunities. Great Sand Dunes continues to follow the State of Colorado “Safer at Home” guidance and to work with county and local officials as these changes are implemented. Great Sand Dunes is in Alamosa and Saguache counties.

This summer’s operation will look different. The park has implemented many strategies to ensure that visitors can still enjoy the park while also minimizing potential risks.

Beginning June 3, Great Sand Dunes will implement Phase 1 and reopen access to:

* Main park road

* Dunes parking area and dunefield

* Medano Pass Primitive Road (if road conditions allow), including established campsites on a first-come, first-served basis

* All trails: Mosca Pass, Montville Nature, Sand Sheet Loop, Wellington Ditch, Dunes Overlook, Sand Ramp, Medano Lake, and Music Pass

* All picnic areas: Mosca Creek, Sand Pit, and Castle Creek

* Entrance Station, including the collection of fees if authorized

With public health in mind, the following facilities or areas remain closed until further notice:

* Visitor Center

* South Ramada group picnic site in the Mosca Creek Picnic Area

* Pinon Flats Campground

* Overnight backcountry access in the National Park, including the dune field and sites along the Sand Ramp Trail

While the visitor center remains closed, the park will provide limited visitor services outside at the visitor center, including park information.

Great Sand Dunes plans to reopen the Pinon Flats Campground and begin issuing backcountry permits for both the Park and Preserve in mid-June as part of Phase 2; however, Phase 2 is contingent upon successful implementation of Phase 1, sufficient staff capacity and supplies, and current local and state guidance.

Alamosa County Public Health Director Della Cox-Vieira stated, “I have confidence in the plan for reopening the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. The Park has done a great job balancing the public health needs of their visitors and staff as they increase public access to the national treasure in our backyard. I remind all visitors to practice social distancing, frequent hand washing, and face covering in the common areas of the Park.”

Upon re-opening, business practices will be put into place to ensure the safety of visitors and staff when interacting at the entrance station, campground, visitor center and public restroom facilities. When recreating, we encourage the public to follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding, practice proper hand washing, avoid high-risk outdoor activities, and wear cloth face masks in crowded areas, especially around the visitor center and restroom facilities.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Great Sand Dunes, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public facilities and staff workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website, www.nps.gov/grsa, and social media channels.