Brewpub Seeks "Chief Hiking Officer"

Hard to believe, but this is no joke! In fact, this just might be dream come true for one lucky, beer-loving hiker! The Devils Backbone Brewing Company is currently accepting applications for a "Chief Hiking Officer". Located in Lexington, Virginia in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Devils Backbone is seeking one person to thru-hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in 2021, and will pay them $20,000 to do so. Below is some additional information on the position from the brewers website, including a short video:

Devils Backbone is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just a few miles from the Appalachian Trail, so we can get our fill of fresh air any time. But folks always tell us how they wish they had the time to trek the AT from Georgia to Maine. So, why couldn’t we sponsor one lucky hiker and help them check “conquer the AT” off their bucket list?

Well, that’s what we’re doing! This spring we’re accepting applications for our 2021 Chief Hiking Officer. That’s right: we’re going to pay someone to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2021. We’ll outfit our CHO with gear, fly ‘em to the trail head, and throw some big ol’ beer parties along the way. Plus, there’s a $20k stipend.

Qualifications? You’ve gotta love hiking and beer. We mean really love it. We’re talking 2,200 miles, camping under the stars, pack-in-pack-out for 5-7 months love it. If this sounds like your dream job, read up on exactly what we’re looking for in our CHO below.

For more information on this unique opportunity, and how to apply, please click here.




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

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

Short-Haul Rescue at Black Canyon

On June 2, at approximately 3 pm, a climbing ranger on the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison received a report that a man had taken a 50-foot lead climbing fall on the Scenic Cruise climbing route in Cruise Gully. Despite having a broken ankle, the 43- year-old climber from South Jordan, Utah was able to rappel to the base of the route. Rangers responded to the scene and arranged for a short haul rescue to the south rim helicopter landing pad. Short haul is the transportation of personnel suspended under a helicopter on a fixed line. Black Canyon rangers have been training with Mesa Verde Helitack for the last two years. This was the first short haul rescue conducted within the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

In addition to the helicopter rescue, Black Canyon rangers have noticed an uptick in “walk out rescues” from the canyon routes. Visitors are reminded to carry a gallon of water per person per day, hike within your limits, and be prepared for arduous conditions. “These are not your normal hiking conditions,” said Chief Ranger Chris Mengel. “These are loose rock scrambles on extremely steep grades that require dexterity and preparation.”

Unseasonably warm temperatures and the upcoming monsoon season with lightning danger are also major concerns. Know your abilities, stay within them, and prepare for more challenge than you might initially think you will encounter. Plan ahead and prepare!








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

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

As national parks reopen, our online trail guides are still here to help with all your hiking plans

With most national parks finally in the process of reopening, and with restrictions on travel slowly being lifted, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your continuing support of our online hiking trail guides for the four national parks we cover:

RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

HikinginGlacier.com

TetonHikingTrails.com

HikingintheSmokys.com

If you do plan to visit any of these parks this year or anytime in the future, be sure to visit our websites to find the most comprehensive information on the best day hiking destinations in each of those parks. Our various trail directories and lists of top hikes will help you easily drill down to find the best hikes suited to your abilities and preferences.

In addition to our online trail guides, our websites also provide Accommodations and Things To Do listings to help with all your vacation planning. You can help support our websites by clicking and visiting our advertisers' websites, and using the services of these local businesses that have been hit hard by the shutdowns.

You can also support our websites by shopping from any of our affiliate links, including REI and Amazon.

Again, thank you very much!




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

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

Canyon Lakes Remote Visitor Information Centers Will Not Open in 2020

Remote Visitor Information Centers on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest will not open for the 2020 season. These include the Arrowhead Lodge in the Poudre Canyon, Stub Creek Visitor Center in the Laramie River Valley, Redfeather Visitor Center located in Red Feather Lakes and the Deadman Lookout Tower located northwest of Red Feather Lakes.

These four sites are typically open during the summer and staffed exclusively by volunteers. In order to mitigate the impact and spread of COVID-19 amongst volunteers and forest visitors, the sites will not open for the season. We will provide information virtually, focusing our efforts on re-opening other developed recreation sites. In some instances, volunteers may still be on site assisting with maintenance needs of these facilities. Our ability to achieve sustained customer service requires safe and healthy employees and volunteers to meet community and public needs. The work of our dedicated volunteers is deeply appreciated.

Although our offices are closed, we are providing virtual services via email or phone. Contact information is available on our website. For information on recreation site status, please check our conditions report. For a full list of campground status, check dates on our campground table. To find out when roads open on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, check our road status page.

As a reminder, forest visitors are asked to stay as local as possible when choosing a site to visit and to pack out everything they bring, especially trash and human waste. Certain services may still be unavailable, so visitors are asked to plan accordingly and to remain flexible. Visitors are also urged to take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with local health and safety guidance. Tips for preventing illnesses like the coronavirus are available from the CDC website. If an area is crowded, please find another location.

Fire restrictions are in place until rescinded to enhance public and firefighter safety, protect natural and cultural resources and help minimize human-caused wildfires. It is important to check with the local county you plan to visit as many also have fire and recreational shooting restrictions in place.




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

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

Mount Evans Highway won’t open to motorized vehicles for the 2020 season due to impacts from COVID-19

Due to issues associated with COVID-19, USDA Forest Service and Denver Mountain Parks will not be able to provide services for visitors on Mount Evans this summer, and the Mount Evans Highway (Colorado Highway 5) will not open to motorized vehicles for the 2020 season. The Colorado Department of Transportation, the USDA Forest Service, and Denver Mountain Parks — the agencies that jointly manage Mount Evans — have reached this decision after careful consideration of both health and safety risks and economic feasibility.

While there will be no restrooms or services provided by USDA Forest Service and Denver Mountain Parks on Mount Evans this summer, there are no plans to prohibit the use of Mount Evans Highway for non-motorized activities such as hiking and biking. Recreationists should be aware of and plan for extremely limited parking. Visitors to public lands should practice the seven Leave No Trace principles and follow state and local orders regarding recreation throughout the summer.

Since the highway will remain closed to motorized use for the 2020 season, CDOT crews plan to perform necessary maintenance of the highway that can’t be carried out when the highway is open. This includes filling potholes and fixing damaged delineation markings which outline the edges of the highway and also alert motorists to any obstacles covered by snow. This work will help improve the condition and safety of the highway greatly as all involved agencies look ahead to the 2021 season.

Conditions on Mount Evans could be quite variable and unsafe due to weather and potential icy and snow-packed conditions. Due to the higher demand on law enforcement and rescue operations, high-risk activities that increase your chance of injury or distress should be avoided.

BACKGROUND ON MOUNT EVANS

Located near Idaho Springs, the Mount Evans Highway is owned by the Colorado Department of Transportation and jointly managed by Denver Mountain Parks and the USDA Forest Service, both of which have land and facilities along the highway to the 14,264-foot summit. CDOT partners with these agencies by plowing and maintaining the narrow, winding highway — the highest paved road in North America — from Echo Lake at CO 103 to the summit. More than 200,000 people from all over the world visit the summit of Mount Evans annually while the road is open, generally from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend.








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

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