Old Fall River Road will open to vehicles on Saturday, July 1. It is currently closed to all uses, including bicycles and pedestrians, until Friday morning, June 30, for dust abatement. This historic road normally opens by the fourth of July weekend. Old Fall River Road was built between 1913 and 1920. It is an unpaved road which travels from Endovalley Picnic Area to above treeline at Fall River Pass, following the steep slope of Mount Chapin’s south face. Due to the winding, narrow nature of the road, the scenic 9.4-mile route leading to Trail Ridge Road is one-way only. Vehicles over 25 feet and vehicles pulling trailers are prohibited on the road.
This road provides access to the Chapin Creek Trailhead, and the "CCY Route" hike.
Travelers should plan ahead for Rocky Mountain National Park’s pilot temporary timed entry permit reservation system. There are two types of reservations. One permit is for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the entire corridor and access to the rest of the park. This reservation period is from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The second permit is for the rest of Rocky Mountain National Park, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor, and includes Old Fall River Road. This reservation period is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To learn more visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Friday, June 30, 2023
Thursday, June 29, 2023
The unthinkable: Hiker suspension bridge collapses!
Okay, this video is a little dated, but I just saw it yesterday. This 2015 video shows several French backpackers taking a bath after the suspension bridge they were walking across collapsed. Fortunately, all four survived, and no one was seriously injured. According to the video description:
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
While walking on Lake Waikaremoana in New Zealand, these hikers fell off the last bridge when it collapsed under their weight. The bridge was designed to carry a maximum of 10 people and collapsed under the weight of three. Three hikers fell 8 meters (26 feet) into the river below. No one was seriously injured.I'm pretty sure the next time we walk across a hiker suspension bridge, it won't be so casual! Here's the video:
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Ranger-Led Bird Walks
Are you interested in learning about the many species of birds that call Rocky Mountain National Park home? If so, you are invited to join a ranger-led bird walk!
Rocky's summer bird walks take place on Wednesdays and Fridays, beginning at 7:30 a.m. MDT at the Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead. The turnoff for Upper Beaver Meadows Road is 2 miles west of the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.
Bird walks are free and open to participants of all ages. The program length is approximately 60 minutes. This program will travel up to 1.5 miles through an easy to moderate riparian zone. Binoculars are provided.
Participants are encouraged to wear good footwear for walking and hiking. Bring water and snacks. This program can be canceled at any time due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. For more information on Rocky's ranger-led programs, visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/ranger-led-programs.htm.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Rocky's summer bird walks take place on Wednesdays and Fridays, beginning at 7:30 a.m. MDT at the Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead. The turnoff for Upper Beaver Meadows Road is 2 miles west of the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.
Bird walks are free and open to participants of all ages. The program length is approximately 60 minutes. This program will travel up to 1.5 miles through an easy to moderate riparian zone. Binoculars are provided.
Participants are encouraged to wear good footwear for walking and hiking. Bring water and snacks. This program can be canceled at any time due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. For more information on Rocky's ranger-led programs, visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/ranger-led-programs.htm.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Monday, June 26, 2023
NPS seeks public input on the potential impacts of e-bikes in parks across the National Park System
Last week the National Park Service (NPS) announced an open comment period for members of the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to provide feedback on a programmatic environmental assessment (PEA) that evaluates the potential national-level impacts of electric bicycle (e-bike) use in national parks. The comment period is open from June 21 to July 21, 2023.
E-bikes can have many benefits for parks and visitors including making travel easier, expanding access for those with physical limitations, and providing healthy recreation opportunities. At the same time, the NPS must manage this emerging form of access and recreation, like others that occur in park areas, in a manner that protects park resources, values, and visitors. The PEA evaluates potential impacts to natural and cultural resources, and visitor use and experience, and wildlife on a national scale.
Currently, NPS regulations authorize park superintendents to allow e-bikes, where appropriate, on roads and trails where traditional bicycles are allowed. Public lands designated by Congress as “wilderness areas” remain off-limits to both traditional bicycles and e-bikes. The NPS is conducting the PEA consistent with court direction to complete an analysis consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act.
How to provide feedback
Online: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/e-bikes
Mail or hand deliver to: Electric Bicycle Programmatic EA, National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW, MS-2472 Washington, DC 20240.
Note that comments will not be accepted by fax, email, or in any way other than those specified above. Comments delivered on external electronic storage devices (flash drives, compact discs, etc.) will not be accepted. Bulk comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
E-bikes can have many benefits for parks and visitors including making travel easier, expanding access for those with physical limitations, and providing healthy recreation opportunities. At the same time, the NPS must manage this emerging form of access and recreation, like others that occur in park areas, in a manner that protects park resources, values, and visitors. The PEA evaluates potential impacts to natural and cultural resources, and visitor use and experience, and wildlife on a national scale.
Currently, NPS regulations authorize park superintendents to allow e-bikes, where appropriate, on roads and trails where traditional bicycles are allowed. Public lands designated by Congress as “wilderness areas” remain off-limits to both traditional bicycles and e-bikes. The NPS is conducting the PEA consistent with court direction to complete an analysis consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act.
How to provide feedback
Online: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/e-bikes
Mail or hand deliver to: Electric Bicycle Programmatic EA, National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW, MS-2472 Washington, DC 20240.
Note that comments will not be accepted by fax, email, or in any way other than those specified above. Comments delivered on external electronic storage devices (flash drives, compact discs, etc.) will not be accepted. Bulk comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Friday, June 23, 2023
Moose attacks, tramples man walking dogs near Coal Creek
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating a report of a moose attack on a man walking his dogs in Coal Creek Canyon earlier this week, on Monday morning.
The man, in his late 50s, told CPW officers he was walking two dogs along Coal Creek near Hummingbird Lane, when he surprised a cow moose and her calf around a hairpin turn in the trail. The moose charged and knocked the man down, stomping him several times.
The man was armed and fired two shots into the ground to startle the moose, hazing it from the area. The moose and calf were not shot and retreated, according to the victim. The man was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The dogs were not injured and off-leash at the time.
CPW officers searched Coal Creek Canyon for the moose and calf, but they were not found.
During late spring and early summer, cow moose can be aggressive while their calves are young, and they can view dogs as predators or threats. Calves are born in a 3-4 week period from the end of May to mid-June.
Colorado’s moose population is healthy and thriving, with an estimated 3,000 statewide. CPW encourages hikers to avoid thick willow habitat in riparian areas, where moose like to eat and rest, to decrease chances of moose interactions. CPW urges dog owners to keep their dogs leashed while hiking, and give moose extra space on trails.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
The man, in his late 50s, told CPW officers he was walking two dogs along Coal Creek near Hummingbird Lane, when he surprised a cow moose and her calf around a hairpin turn in the trail. The moose charged and knocked the man down, stomping him several times.
The man was armed and fired two shots into the ground to startle the moose, hazing it from the area. The moose and calf were not shot and retreated, according to the victim. The man was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The dogs were not injured and off-leash at the time.
CPW officers searched Coal Creek Canyon for the moose and calf, but they were not found.
During late spring and early summer, cow moose can be aggressive while their calves are young, and they can view dogs as predators or threats. Calves are born in a 3-4 week period from the end of May to mid-June.
Colorado’s moose population is healthy and thriving, with an estimated 3,000 statewide. CPW encourages hikers to avoid thick willow habitat in riparian areas, where moose like to eat and rest, to decrease chances of moose interactions. CPW urges dog owners to keep their dogs leashed while hiking, and give moose extra space on trails.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)