Friday, February 28, 2025

Wilderness backpacking permits for Rocky Mountain National Park go on sale tomorrow

Rocky Mountain National Park posted this on their social media the other day:
Planning to go wilderness overnight backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park this summer? Now is the time to get ready! Advanced online reservations for all 2025 summer season Wilderness Overnight Backpacking permits within the park will go on sale via Recreation.gov this Saturday, March 1, at 8 a.m. MST.

#PlanLikeAParkRanger - To get important tips and begin planning for your summer wilderness overnight backpacking trips, visit the park's Wilderness Overnight Backpacking webpage at https://go.nps.gov/romo/wildernessbackpacking

Take time to become familiar with route maps, wilderness campsite locations, and the park's wilderness overnight backpacking regulations.

Next, visit Rocky's wilderness permits site on Recreation.gov at https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675320 and take time to become familiar with the site.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩?

💻 Beginning on March 1 at 8 a.m. MT, you will be able to book trips for small groups (1-7 people) and large groups (8-12 people) by clicking the "Check Availability" feature on the Wilderness Permits page for Rocky Mountain National Park on Recreation.gov. From there, select the starting area that corresponds to the site at which you hope to camp, filling in your desired start date, and entering the total number of members in your group.

Reminders: Help Protect Rocky's Wilderness Through the Following Actions:

ALL scented items must be secured inside a self-provided, hard-sided, lockable, commercially manufactured carry in/out bear-resistant food storage canister and campfires are strictly prohibited.




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Thursday, February 27, 2025

Top "off the beaten trail" Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park

As you've likely noticed in recent years, national parks are getting crowded. And Rocky Mountain National Park is no exception. As a result, most of the more well-known hikes in the park are also getting quite crowded. Not to mention finding a parking spot can be a hassle as well. Fortunately, if you dig a little deeper, there are still many hikes you can take to get away from the crowds, and still enjoy outstanding scenery. With more than 350 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, there are many options for hikers who seek a little solitude. Though not exaustive, here are 10 great hikes to consider:

1) Lion Lake No. 1: For whatever reason, I didn't take the opportunity to take this hike until 2021. Wow! What was I waiting for? The rugged subalpine landscape that surrounds this lake offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the park, while making it by far the most scenic lake in Wild Basin.

2) Baker Pass - Parika Lake Loop: This hike travels into the heart of the Never Summer Mountains, located just west of Rocky Mountain National Park. Although the hike begins along Trail Ridge Road in RMNP, this area sees relatively few visitors. This is a big mistake for those who seek awesome scenery, as the trail visits some absolutely beautiful spots, including Baker Pass and Parika Lake.

3) Pear Lake: This is another beautiful lake hike in Wild Basin. We saw lots of wildlife on this one, including a couple of moose near the trailhead.

4) Thunder Lake: Yet another beautiful lake tucked into the heart of Wild Basin. Though everyone else might be heading towards Ouzel Lake or Bluebird Lake, you might have this lake to yourself.

5) Little Horseshoe Park Loop: I would have to say that this loop (really a "lollipop hike") is a hidden gem. This short hike offers spectacular views of the Mummy Mountains, a plethora of wildflowers, as well as great opportunities for spotting a wide variety of wildlife.

6) Lumpy Ridge Loop: Wow! The views of and from the MacGregor Ranch are simply outstanding. Do this one in the early morning, and you'll likely be rewarded!

7) Lake Verna: The ultimate destination on this hike is 6.9 miles from the trailhead. If the thought of trekking that far seems too daunting you could shorten it by ending it at Lone Pine Lake, or taking a really short hike and stopping at a low bluff that overlooks East Meadow where you'll have a great opportunity of spotting moose and elk. No matter your choice, each destination passes Adams Falls near the trailhead.

8) Upper Beaver Meadows Loop: Expansive views of Longs Peak and the mountains along the Continental Divide await you from the montane grassy meadows along this one-way loop.

9) Poudre River Trail: This hike travels along the upper portions of the Cache La Poudre River, which was designated as a Wild and Scenic River by Congress in 1986.

10) Cascade Falls: One of the most voluminous waterfalls you'll find in Rocky Mountain National Park!



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From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:


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Tuesday, February 25, 2025

New Book Shines Light on the “Dark Side of the Rainbow” Theory

Is it real, a cosmic coincidence, an ingenious marketing ploy, or just another conspiracy theory?

What are the chances that one of the most beloved movies of all time is artistically linked to one of the greatest rock albums ever recorded? For the uninitiated, the “Dark Side of the Rainbow” theory asserts that Pink Floyd purposely synchronized The Dark Side of the Moon to The Wizard of Oz. For those who have seen it, the mashup produces dozens of striking coincidences between the film and the album, where actions on the screen seemingly correspond to the lyrics, chords and musical moods of the Dark Side tracks.

In addition to a complete viewing guide for the synchronicities, the book explores an explanation for their existence.

I'm super excited to announce the release of my brand new book: The Dark Side of the Rainbow.

Now available in both paperback and eBook: amazon.com/dp/B0DXVND79V



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Monday, February 24, 2025

National Park Service and Montrose County Sheriff’s Office conducts search for missing man at Black Canyon

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park staff and the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office staff are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing person. Jordan Marsters is a 31-year-old male who resides in Denver, Colorado. Marsters was traveling through Grand Junction on February 11 and in Montrose on February 12. His last known locations were in Montrose on February 12 and 13 and at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on the morning of February 13 at approximately 7:20 am.

If anyone has information or was in contact with Mr. Marsters on the days leading up to February 13, please contact Black Canyon National of the Gunnison National Park at 970-249-1914 ext. 436.

Physical Description
Age: 31
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 140 lbs.
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue

Jordan Marsters was driving a white Kia Fuente rental car with Texas license plates “TXH4349.” Mr. Marsters was last seen wearing a tan jacket and black hoodie.



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Thursday, February 20, 2025

Avalanche danger in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is warning backcountry recreators that avalanche danger is high right now in certain areas:
Planning to recreate in the mountains? Avalanche danger for Thursday, February 20 ranges from moderate to considerable in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Before heading out into the backcountry, make sure that everyone in your group is avalanche aware. If recreating in these areas, all members of your party are advised to have rescue equipment, education and experience to make informed decisions about traveling in avalanche terrain.

For more detailed information, visit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center - CAIC webpage at https://avalanche.state.co.us/ and follow them on social media.




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