Last year I posted a short video from a group of multimedia artists that spent 25 days in 2011 hiking the 219-mile long John Muir Trail. The video was only a small taste of a documentary film the group is currently working on.
More recently, the group published the first official trailer for the documentary, called MILE...MILE & A HALF: A Journey Across The John Muir Trail. I'm really looking forward to seeing the entire film. The incredible scenery from the Sierra Mountains is pure inspiration. For more information on JMT: the Muir Project, you can visit the film crew's website.
Here's the trailer:
MILE...MILE & A HALF (trailer) from The Muir Project on Vimeo.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Temporary Closures In Place to Protect Nesting Raptors in Rocky Mountain National Park
Each year Rocky Mountain National Park officials initiate temporary closures in the Lumpy Ridge and Sheep Mountain areas of the park, in order to protect raptor breeding and nesting sites. To ensure that these birds of prey can nest undisturbed, specific areas within the park are closed temporarily to public use during nesting season, and are monitored by wildlife managers. All closures went into effect on March 1st, and will continue through July 31st. These closures may be extended longer or rescinded at an earlier date depending on nesting activity.
Closures include Checkerboard Rock, Lightning Rock, Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Thunder Buttress, The Parish, Alligator Rock, Sheep Mountain, Twin Owls and Rock One. These closures include the named formations as well as areas extending 100 yards surrounding the base of the formation. The perimeter around Alligator Rock extends for 200 yards in all directions. Closures include all climbing routes, outcroppings, cliffs, faces, ascent and descent routes and climber access trails to the named rock formations. Check the park's website or call the park's Information Office at (970) 586-1206 for updated information on raptor closures.
The National Park Service is committed to preserving birds of prey. The same cliffs that are critical for raptors also appeal to climbers. The cooperation of climbing organizations and individuals continues to be essential to the successful nesting of raptors in the park.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
The National Park Service is committed to preserving birds of prey. The same cliffs that are critical for raptors also appeal to climbers. The cooperation of climbing organizations and individuals continues to be essential to the successful nesting of raptors in the park.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Lady Moon Trail in the Roosevelt National Forest Reopens
Roosevelt National Forest officials announced yesterday that the Lady Moon Trail, located south of County Road 74E near Red Feather Lakes, and the area around the trail, reopened following a fuels reduction and hazardous tree removal project in that area.
The project included thinning on approximately 200 acres, and product removal in the mountain pine beetle hit area.
The trail, popular with hikers and horseback riders, was expected to be closed through the winter, but work has been completed allowing the U.S. Forest Service to reopen the area.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
The project included thinning on approximately 200 acres, and product removal in the mountain pine beetle hit area.
The trail, popular with hikers and horseback riders, was expected to be closed through the winter, but work has been completed allowing the U.S. Forest Service to reopen the area.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Friday, March 1, 2013
First day to reserve backcountry camping permits in Rocky Mountain National Park is today
Today is the first day backpackers can reserve backcountry camping permits for the upcoming summer season in Rocky Mountain National Park. Park officials are warning that phone lines "get super jammed today, so please be patient".
To clarify the rules for backcountry camping permits, backpackers may obtain day-of-trip permits in person year‑round. You can also make reservations by mail or in person anytime after March 1st for a permit for that calendar year.
However, you may only make reservations by phone between March 1st and May 15th, and anytime after October 1st for a permit for that calendar year. To make a reservation you can send to:
Rocky Mountain National Park
Backcountry Office
1000 W. Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517
Or call: (970) 586-1242
TTY: (970) 586-1319
There is a $20 administrative fee for permits during peak season periods that are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
For more information, please visit the Backcountry Camping Guide.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
To clarify the rules for backcountry camping permits, backpackers may obtain day-of-trip permits in person year‑round. You can also make reservations by mail or in person anytime after March 1st for a permit for that calendar year.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Backcountry Office
1000 W. Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517
Or call: (970) 586-1242
TTY: (970) 586-1319
There is a $20 administrative fee for permits during peak season periods that are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
For more information, please visit the Backcountry Camping Guide.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Which park units generate the most spending and jobs?
Earlier this week I mentioned that the National Park Service had published a report that measures the economic impact that national parks have on local communities. Today I wanted to dig a little deeper into the data to see which parks generate the most spending and the most jobs for their respective communities.
Which parks generate the most spending by visitors?
The chart below shows the top 10 park units in terms of overall spending generated by visitors in 2011. I was a little surprised by these results. Generally speaking, I figured that the park units with the most visitors would also have the highest amount of total spending by its visitors. Not so. For example: although the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ranks 32nd in the total number of visitors for 2011, it ranked 9th in the total amount of spending generated by visitors. Moreover, only five parks that ranked in the top 10 for visitors in 2011, also ranked in the top 10 for visitor spending:
Which park units supported the most jobs?
This analysis was more in line with what I expected. Generally speaking, the park units with the most visitors tended to support the most jobs for the surrounding local communities:
Which park units generated the most spending on a per visitor basis?
Finally, I wanted to see which park units generated the most spending on a per visitor basis. These results were quite interesting. Each of the park units making the top 10 in this category were in Alaska. At first glance you might think that this must seem like some statistical anomaly. However, given how remote each of these parks are from civilization, the cost of services is likely far greater than in the lower 48. I would also guess that transportation costs are likely the biggest drivers in spending. My guess is that many of these parks have local airports and local air services that benefit from park visitors.
Not on the list above, but ranked 11th, is Grand Teton National Park, which makes it the highest ranked park outside of Alaska in terms of spending on a per visitor basis ($169).
The George Washington Memorial Parkway in Washington DC has the distinction of having the lowest amount of spending on a per visitor basis - only $4.63.
The lowest ranked national park is Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska. On average, visitors only spend $10.63. Well, you might be asking yourself why this park isn't ranked much higher - given that it's in Alaska. According to the park website; "Most visitors to Glacier Bay see the park from large cruise ships with thousands of passengers. These visitors do not go ashore in the park; instead National Park Service naturalists board the ship to share their knowledge about the park and its wildlife during a day-long cruise in the bay."
I would interpret this to mean that the NPS doesn't count these dollars as being spent in a local community.
To view the entire NPS report, please click here.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Which parks generate the most spending by visitors?
The chart below shows the top 10 park units in terms of overall spending generated by visitors in 2011. I was a little surprised by these results. Generally speaking, I figured that the park units with the most visitors would also have the highest amount of total spending by its visitors. Not so. For example: although the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ranks 32nd in the total number of visitors for 2011, it ranked 9th in the total amount of spending generated by visitors. Moreover, only five parks that ranked in the top 10 for visitors in 2011, also ranked in the top 10 for visitor spending:
Which park units supported the most jobs?
This analysis was more in line with what I expected. Generally speaking, the park units with the most visitors tended to support the most jobs for the surrounding local communities:
| Great Smoky Mountains NP | 11,418 |
| Grand Canyon NP | 7,361 |
| Grand Teton NP | 6,352 |
| Yellowstone NP | 5,041 |
| Yosemite NP | 5,003 |
| Blue Ridge PKWY | 4,379 |
| Acadia NP | 2,970 |
| Glen Canyon NRA | 2,755 |
| Rocky Mountain NP | 2,742 |
| Denali NP & Preserve | 2,669 |
Which park units generated the most spending on a per visitor basis?
Finally, I wanted to see which park units generated the most spending on a per visitor basis. These results were quite interesting. Each of the park units making the top 10 in this category were in Alaska. At first glance you might think that this must seem like some statistical anomaly. However, given how remote each of these parks are from civilization, the cost of services is likely far greater than in the lower 48. I would also guess that transportation costs are likely the biggest drivers in spending. My guess is that many of these parks have local airports and local air services that benefit from park visitors.
| Yukon-Charley Rivers NPRES | $1,144 |
| Denali NP & PRES | $394 |
| Aniakchak NM & PRES | $368 |
| Bering Land Bridge NPRES | $345 |
| Gates of the Arctic NP & PRES | $345 |
| Cape Krusenstern NM | $345 |
| Kobuk Valley NP | $344 |
| Noatak NPRES | $344 |
| Lake Clark NP & PRES | $344 |
| Katmai NP & PRES | $257 |
Not on the list above, but ranked 11th, is Grand Teton National Park, which makes it the highest ranked park outside of Alaska in terms of spending on a per visitor basis ($169).
The George Washington Memorial Parkway in Washington DC has the distinction of having the lowest amount of spending on a per visitor basis - only $4.63.
The lowest ranked national park is Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in Alaska. On average, visitors only spend $10.63. Well, you might be asking yourself why this park isn't ranked much higher - given that it's in Alaska. According to the park website; "Most visitors to Glacier Bay see the park from large cruise ships with thousands of passengers. These visitors do not go ashore in the park; instead National Park Service naturalists board the ship to share their knowledge about the park and its wildlife during a day-long cruise in the bay."
I would interpret this to mean that the NPS doesn't count these dollars as being spent in a local community.
To view the entire NPS report, please click here.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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