Unwired: Making space for pronghorn in Wyoming’s Red Desert

Last week, Grand Teton National Park posted a blurb on social media about the epic 100+ mile migration that pronghorn take each fall. Part of that post included a link to a documentary film called, Unwired: Making space for pronghorn in Wyoming’s Red Desert. According to the Youtube description:

In the Red Desert of Wyoming, outdated sheep fences have excluded pronghorn from prime habitat since the 1950s. After record snowfall in 2022-2023 caused thousands of animals to perish along the fences, a group of wildlife professionals discovered an area of more than 100,000 acres that excluded pronghorn. Within a year’s time, a diverse group of partners banded together to rebuild 23 miles of new, wildlife-friendlier fences, which restored a portion of access for pronghorn — roughly 10,000 acres of inaccessible habitat and an additional 8,000 acres of restricted habitat. Now pronghorn in this part of the Red Desert have a better chance at surviving an uncertain future. To learn more or to help visit https://thewyldlifefund.org/

You can also visit: https://migrationinitiative.org/resources/unwired-making-space-for-pronghorn-in-wyomings-red-desert/





              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Department of the Interior Announces Modernized, More Affordable National Park Access

Yesterday, the Department of the Interior announced the most significant modernization of national park access in decades, delivering new digital America the Beautiful passes, updated annual pass artwork, expanded motorcycle access and a new resident-focused fee structure that puts American families first. These improvements, launching on Jan.1, 2026, reflect President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to making national parks more accessible, more affordable and more efficient for the American people.

Under the new system, the America the Beautiful passes – including Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade and Access – will be available in a fully digital format through Recreation.gov. Visitors will be able to purchase and use their passes instantly, store them on mobile devices and link them to physical cards for added convenience. Digital validation tools and updated training for field staff will ensure faster entry and a smoother visitor experience across the National Park System.

“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”

The Department also unveiled new, modernized graphics for all annual passes, featuring bold, patriotic designs that honor America’s landscapes, heritage and outdoor legacy. These refreshed visuals will appear on both digital and physical passes.

As part of the Administration’s commitment to enhancing access for American residents, the Department is also implementing America-first entry fee policies. U.S. residents will continue to enjoy affordable pricing, while nonresidents will pay a higher rate to help support the care and maintenance of America’s parks.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the Annual Pass will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for nonresidents, ensuring that American taxpayers who already support the National Park System receive the greatest benefit. Nonresidents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee.

The Department also highlighted resident-only patriotic fee-free days for 2026:

* President’s Day (February 16, 2026)
* Memorial Day (May 25, 2026)
* Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday (June 14, 2026)
* Independence Day weekend (July 3–5, 2026)
* 110th Birthday of the National Park Service (August 25, 2026)
* Constitution Day (Sept. 17, 2026)
* Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (Oct. 27, 2026)
* Veteran’s Day (November 11, 2026)

In addition, the National Park Service is expanding affordability and access for motorcycle riders. All America the Beautiful passes will now cover two motorcycles per pass, making national park adventures more accessible for riders and families who travel on two wheels.

Revenue generated from new fee policies will be invested directly back into America’s national parks, supporting upgrades to visitor facilities, essential maintenance, and improved services nationwide.

For more information on digital passes, pricing updates, and how to prepare for the 2026 changes, visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm



                *******************************************************************************

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:

The Dark Side of the Rainbow

With Christmas and Black Friday just around the corner, I wanted to remind everyone about a book I published earlier this year. While "slightly" off topic from the normal content on this blog, The Dark Side of the Rainbow examines the synchronistic relationship between The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wizard of Oz.

For the uninitiated, the “Dark Side of the Rainbow” theory (also known as "The Dark Side of Oz”) 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:

* Pink Floyd absolutely had the means: they already had ample experience scoring films.

* Pink Floyd also had the motivation: the band continuously sought visual presentations of their songs during concerts.

* In the late 1990s, mainstream media outlets published reports that Pink Floyd had been threatened with a lawsuit by MGM if they used clips of The Wizard of Oz during concerts.

* Did Pink Floyd leave veiled clues on subsequent albums?

So, the question that must be answered: is it real, a cosmic coincidence, an ingenious marketing ploy, or just another conspiracy theory?

The Dark Side of the Rainbow. is currently available in both paperback and eBook on Amazon: amazon.com/dp/B0DXVND79V

Eleven people injured in grizzly bear attack

Eleven people were injured in a grizzly bear attack in the remote coastal town of Bella Coola in British Columbia, Canada yesterday. The attack involved students (4th and 5th graders), and has left two people critically injured and two others seriously hurt. British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service said the bear attacked a group of school students as they and teachers were having lunch on a trail near town. According to Inspector Kevin Van Damme from the Conservation Officer Service, three children and one adult were among the most seriously injured in the attack. Here's a fairly detailed report from the CBC earlier today:



I can't confirm this (I haven't found anything to dispute it), but this might be the most people attacked by one grizzly bear in one incident.



              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Trails opening at Black Canyon

The Oak Flat and Uplands Trails are now open to the public at the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park after being closed since July 10, 2025. This summer, the Superintendent closed Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to all public use while wildland firefighters battled lightning-caused fires in the park. The full park closure began on July 10. The North Rim closure was rescinded on July 30. Partial opening of the South Rim began on August 29, and as park crews continued to address hazards, more of the park opened throughout the fall.

As of November 19, the trail crew completed the necessary repairs to the entirety of the Oak Flat Trail (roundtrip from the visitor center 1.56 miles [2.5 km]) and to the portion of the Uplands Trail (approximately 0.75 mile [1.2 km]) between the Oak Flat trail’s junction with the South Rim Road near the campground. Closures of those areas are now rescinded by Superintendent’s Order, and they are now open to the public. Be aware that the trails may close again temporarily in spring due to run-off conditions. Additionally, all previously closed burned-over areas are now open to the public.

Due to damaged facilities, unstable rock, and falling trees, the following public closures remain in effect:

* The Rim Rock Trail
* The Uplands Trail between the Rim Rock Trail and the South Rim Road junction
* East Portal Campground
* South Rim Campground
* The Gunnison and Tomichi wilderness routes

Use caution while visiting Black Canyon after the summer fires as soils may be unstable and/or muddy from newly fallen snow. Footing can be unstable and uneven. Check weather conditions before travelling to the park and bring food, water, and weather specific gear.



              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com