Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Glacier National Park Ranger Cited in Dog-Mountain Lion Incident

An employee of Glacier National Park has received a citation for failing to comply with regulations regarding control of pets within the park. The employee's dog was involved in a fight with a mountain lion on Saturday, March 21. After the mountain lion had the dog pinned down, a park ranger shot the mountain lion and killed it.

Based on an investigation of the dog-mountain lion incident, it was concluded the employee did not maintain control of the pet. It was also determined that the ranger that shot the mountain lion acted appropriately. The ranger involved in the incident is also an owner of the dog. The investigation concluded that the ranger, or any other ranger, would have acted in the same manner due to the rapidly evolving circumstances of the situation.

Glacier National Park Chief Ranger Paul Austin said, "The sub-adult mountain lion displayed characteristics of habituation. The cat failed to flee the developed area after housing residents yelled and screamed, and rocks and logs were thrown at the cat. Austin said, "We take this incident seriously, as many children were playing outside in the housing area at the time of the incident."

Austin said, "While we are all passionate about protecting the amazing resources of Glacier National Park, the first priority for our rangers must be for the safety of our employees and visitors."

The park headquarters and employee housing area have been posted for mountain lion frequenting over the winter months. A mountain lion was hazed this winter in the employee housing area after observations of the animal near homes and offices.

Park rangers believe additional mountain lions may be frequenting the headquarters and employee housing area. The park will continue to implement actions in the area as appropriate, including posting the area to mountain lion frequenting, educational outreach to employees and visitors, area and/or trail closures, hazing and possible removal. These actions are consistent with park management plans.

Park housing residents are allowed to keep pets while living in government-owned structures in the park. According to park management directive, resident employees must comply with the same rules as visitors.

Pets are allowed in developed areas of the park, including frontcountry campgrounds and picnic areas, along roads, in parking areas, and in boats on lakes where motorized watercraft are permitted. The entire headquarters area of the park is considered a developed area. Pets are not permitted on trails, along lake shores, in the backcountry, or in any building. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet, under physical restraint, or caged at all times, including while in open-bed pickup trucks.

Glacier National Park is home to mountain lions. If there is an encounter with a mountain lion, visitors and employees are encouraged to make noise and do not run. Talk calmly, avert your gaze, stand tall, and back away. Unlike with bears, if attack seems imminent, act aggressively. Do not crouch and do not turn away. Lions may be scared away by being struck with rocks, sticks, or by being kicked or hit. Lions are primarily nocturnal, but they have attacked in broad daylight. They rarely prey on humans, but such behavior occasionally does occur. Children and small adults are particularly vulnerable. Report all mountain lion encounters immediately to a park official.

History of Incident:

At approximately 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, a park employee returned to her residence and upon opening the car door, her two dogs unexpectedly raced out of the car. The employee followed after the dogs and observed one of the dogs in a fight with a mountain lion near the resident's yard. The other dog was quickly retreating back to the employee.

Other housing residents heard the dogs, lion and employee yelling, and ran to offer assistance. A shovel was briefly used unsuccessfully to separate the mountain lion and dog. The animals tumbled over an embankment near the Flathead River. Another housing resident arrived with bear spray and began throwing rocks and logs. The mountain lion pinned down the dog near the river's edge.

A park ranger arrived at the scene and shot the mountain lion. The dog broke away and jumped into the river. After confirming the mountain lion was down and wasn't moving, the park ranger entered the river to bring the dog to safety. Others helped to get the injured dog to the river bank.

The dog was transported to a veterinarian. After many stitches and wound care, the dog is anticipated to fully recover.



Jeff
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A View from Paintbrush Divide

Have you ever wondered what the Teton Range looks like from up high? Check out the views caught on camera by one of the Grand Teton park rangers when they went to hike the Paintbrush Divide! The Paintbrush-Cascade Canyon loop is 20 miles in length, and gains more than 4,000 feet in elevation. The loop can either be completed as an overnight trek or as a strenuous day hike. This hike combines Cascade Canyon Trail with the Paintbrush Canyon Trail. Enjoy the views!







Jeff
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Grand Teton Trails
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Monday, March 30, 2015

Update on Progress at Jenny Lake

The Spring 1939 issue of Grand Teton Nature Notes reported that “By far the most popular trail in the park is the lower portion of the Cascade Canyon Trail which leaves Jenny Lake and climbs above Hidden Falls.” More than 75 years later that statement still holds true. As a result of overuse through the years the park, in conjunction with the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, launched a multi-year project in the spring of 2014 to improve the area surrounding Jenny Lake.

Inspiring Journeys: A Campaign for Jenny Lake is a $16.4 million public-private collaboration that will transform Jenny Lake’s trails, bridges, key destinations, and visitor complex. The much needed upgrades will improve the experience of hikers headed to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, Cascade Canyon, as well as the loop trail around Jenny Lake.

This short video provides an overview of what's been accomplished so far, and what's to come in 2015:


Progress at Jenny Lake from GTNP Foundation on Vimeo.

For more information on the project you can visit the Grand Teton National Park Foundation website.



Jeff
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Thursday, March 26, 2015

Time to Give Wildlife a Brake: Spring Migration Underway in Grand Teton

Wildlife have begun their annual migration from wintering areas toward summer ranges located in Grand Teton National Park. Because spring migration appears to be fully underway, motorists are advised to drive with extra caution during the coming weeks, and be alert for animals wandering near park roadways, especially Highway 26/89/191 (Hwy 89) and the Antelope Flats/Kelly scenic loop roads. Spring migration is a critical time to give wildlife a brake!

Early this week, elk started to drift north from the National Elk Refuge. With the receding snowpack, elk have fanned out across the sagebrush flats north of the Gros Ventre River. Various small and larger groups of elk can be found scattered across this broad area; some have bunched up near Hwy 89 before crossing the roadway. In addition, several moose are roaming the sage flats between the Gros Ventre Junction and Moose Junction. A group of six to seven moose are lingering near Hwy 89 as they browse both sides of the roadway, especially near Airport Junction and Sleeping Indian Turnout. Bison and mule deer will soon make their transition from wintering areas to summer ranges, as well.

A number of moose are struck by vehicles each year—and often killed—on Hwy 89 just south of Moran Junction in an area of dense willows near the confluence of the Snake River and Buffalo Fork River. This section of highway carries a 45 mph speed limit day and night. A nighttime speed limit of 45 mph is also posted for the entire length of Hwy 89 within Grand Teton because animals tend to move during low light conditions and are generally most active between dusk and dawn. Lower speed limits are posted in an effort to slow drivers and reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions.

Motorists are required to drive the posted speed limit and advised to be alert for animals that cross roads unexpectedly. Driving slower than indicated speed limits—especially at night—can increase the margin of safety. Collisions between motor vehicles and wildlife may result in severe damage to the vehicle, serious or fatal injuries to occupants of that vehicle, and/or death for the animal involved.

Animals are often weakened from the rigors of a Jackson Hole winter and they may be forced to use precious energy whenever startled or disturbed by vehicles and humans on foot or bicycle. Park visitors and local residents should keep their distance from ALL wildlife, maintaining a distance of 100 yards from bears or wolves and 25 yards from other wildlife, including nesting birds.

Public closures are now in effect near sage grouse leks (mating grounds) throughout the park to protect grouse during a vulnerable time of year. Anyone visiting these locations must obey the posted closures to reduce disturbance to sage grouse on their seasonal mating areas.



Jeff
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Grand Teton Trails
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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

How to Prevent Blisters

As Sheri Propster emphatically states, blisters do suck! In this short video she offers several ways to help prevent, and treat, blisters. A couple years ago I also published a blog that offers several tips for "taking care of your hiking feet", which provides an overview of taking care of your entire foot while hiking.








Jeff
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Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Bears are out of Hibernation in Grand Tetons

Bears are out of hibernation and active again in both Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Now that bears are awake, appropriate precautions must be taken. Park visitors and local residents need to exercise common sense and good judgment, stay alert, and follow these recommended safety precautions while skiing or hiking in Grand Teton National Park and the Rockefeller Parkway:

• Make noise
• Travel in a group of three or more
• Carry bear spray and know how to use it
• Maintain a 100-yard distance from bears at all times
• Never approach or feed a bear under any circumstance

Long-term data indicates that 50% of adult male bears are out of their winter dens by mid-March each year, and females with yearlings emerge shortly after. When bears leave their winter dens, they search for any food source that will help restore fat reserves lost during hibernation. Winter-killed animals provide immediate sources of protein, and hungry bears may strongly defend carcasses and other food sources against perceived threats. Carcasses should serve as a point of caution—a red flag to detour away from the area. As snow banks recede, bears also dig up wildflower bulbs and burrowing rodents.

Access to human food and garbage is a death sentence to a bear. Black and grizzly bears that learn humans are an easy source for food items can become a nuisance, as well as a safety concern. Food-conditioned bears are often removed from the population via management actions such as relocation or euthanization.

Park visitors are reminded to keep food, garbage and other odorous items unavailable to bears at all times by storing these attractants inside hard-sided vehicles, by disposing of garbage in bear-resistant trash cans or dumpsters, and by keeping personal items—such as backpacks—within arms' reach at all times. It may be a cliché; however more often than not, "a fed bear is a dead bear."

Visitors are asked to report bear sightings or sign to the nearest visitor center or ranger station as soon as possible. Timely reporting will help park staff provide important safety messages about bear activity to other visitors.

For further information on bear safety behaviors when hiking, camping or picnicking in bear country, visit the park's safety tips webpage.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
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Mountain Lion Killed After Fighting with Dog

A mountain lion was shot and killed by a park ranger after the lion attacked a dog in the employee housing area of Glacier National Park in West Glacier Saturday evening.

At approximately 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, a park employee returned to her residence and upon opening the car door, her two dogs unexpectedly raced out of the car. The employee followed after the dogs and observed one of the dogs in a fight with a mountain lion. The other dog was quickly retreating back to the employee.

Other housing residents heard the dogs, lion and employee yelling, and ran to offer assistance. A shovel was briefly used unsuccessfully to separate the mountain lion and dog. The animals tumbled over an embankment near the Flathead River. Another housing resident arrived with bear spray and began throwing rocks and logs. The mountain lion pinned down the dog near the river’s edge.

A park ranger arrived at the scene and shot the mountain lion. The dog broke away and jumped into the river. After confirming the mountain lion was down and wasn’t moving, the park ranger entered the river to bring the dog to safety. Others helped to get the injured dog to the river bank.

The dog was transported to a veterinarian. After many stitches and wound care, the dog is anticipated to fully recover. A necropsy will be performed on the mountain lion to determine health and age.

The park headquarters and employee housing area have been posted for mountain lion frequenting over the winter months. A mountain lion was hazed this winter in the employee housing area after observations of the animal near homes and offices.

Park rangers believe additional lions may be in the headquarters developed area. The park will continue to implement management actions in the area as appropriate, including posting the area to lion frequenting, educational outreach to employees and visitors, area and/or trail closures, hazing and possible removal. These actions are consistent with park management plans.

Glacier National Park is home to mountain lions. If there is an encounter with a mountain lion, visitors and employees are encouraged to make noise and do not run. Talk calmly, avert your gaze, stand tall, and back away. Unlike with bears, if attack seems imminent, act aggressively. Do not crouch and do not turn away. Lions may be scared away by being struck with rocks, sticks, or by being kicked or hit. Lions are primarily nocturnal, but they have attacked in broad daylight. They rarely prey on humans, but such behavior occasionally does occur. Children and small adults are particularly vulnerable. Report all mountain lion encounters immediately to a park official.

Pets are allowed in developed areas of the park, including frontcountry campgrounds and picnic areas, along roads, in parking areas, and in boats on lakes where motorized watercraft are permitted. Pets are not permitted on trails, along lake shores, in the backcountry, or in any building. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet, under physical restraint, or caged at all times, including while in open-bed pickup trucks.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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Tuesday, March 17, 2015

National Park Service and State of Montana Seek Public Input on New Bison Management Plan

The National Park Service (NPS), Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Montana Department of Livestock announced yesterday that they will begin preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a new plan to manage a wild and migratory population of Yellowstone-area bison, while minimizing the risk of brucellosis transmission between bison and livestock to the extent practicable. A Notice of Intent has been published in the Federal Register. The new plan is needed because conditions have changed since implementation of the Interagency Bison Management Plan began in 2001, including agency experience in managing bison and new science.

A range of six preliminary draft alternative concepts has been developed by the NPS and the State of Montana, with input from cooperating agencies. The preliminary alternative concepts primarily differ in terms of bison abundance, bison tolerance outside of the park, and the tools that could be used to manage the bison population within the park and on lands adjacent to the park. A newsletter with additional details about the plan and the preliminary alternative concepts is available online on the plan’s NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) web page.

Members of the public are being asked to participate in the planning process by offering input on the scope of issues and range of alternative concepts that may be considered in the new plan. The preferred method for submitting comments to the NPS and State of Montana is on the plan’s NPS PEPC web page. Comments may also be mailed or hand-delivered to the Superintendent, Yellowstone National Park, Bison Management Plan, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190. The deadline to receive comments is June 15, 2015.

During the public scoping comment period, the NPS and State of Montana will hold public open houses in West Yellowstone, Gardiner, and Bozeman, Montana. Details about the date, time, and location of each meeting will be announced in a future press release and online on the plan’s NPS PEPC web page.

At the conclusion of the public comment period, the NPS and State of Montana will analyze and consider all feedback received and begin the preparation of the EIS. When completed, the draft EIS will be released for public review and comment.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
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Sunday, March 15, 2015

Your Chance To Be On Survivorman Episode With Les Stroud

Les Stroud, star of OLN Canada and Discovery Channel’s Survivorman, is heading into the wilderness again, but this time he will not be alone. Les is taking one lucky fan with him, with no food, no water, no shelter and no camera crew, for an episode of Survivorman. Les has survived in a raft at sea, fought off the frigid cold, avoided bear attacks and more, logging a half-million miles trekking across the world in the process, but can he survive while having to lookout for another person?

To be considered, fans must convince Stroud, via uploading a five to 10 minute video, that they’re the right person for the job. This is your chance to impress Les! Submit your best video that shows Les your personality, filming ability, and unique qualities. Please note: your video is NOT to be about your survival skills. You have to convince Les that YOU should appear on Survivorman.

Aspiring contestants can visit http://www.lesstroud.ca/survivorman-competition for details about the contest. Submissions will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 1st.



Jeff
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Friday, March 13, 2015

Glacier National Park Superintendent Discusses Concept of International Peace Parks

Kurt Repanshek from the National Parks Traveler recently interviewed Glacier National Park Superintendent, Jeff Mow, about the future of International Peace Parks, and how Glacier is considered to be a model for the Peace Park concept:





Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

10 Ways to Use a Bandanna On The Trail

Do you carry a bandanna in your pack? Good thing, because there are several uses for this ubiquitous piece of cloth. In this short video Backpacker Magazine offers 10 ways to use a bandanna while in the backcountry:





Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
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Monday, March 9, 2015

Suppressing Invasive Lake Trout in Quartz Lake and Implications for Native Bull Trout

The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center at Glacier National Park is hosting a brown-bag luncheon presentation on a recent graduate study that evaluates the feasibility of suppressing invasive lake trout in remote backcountry lakes in order to maintain healthy native bull trout populations. The free presentation is Tuesday, March 10, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the park’s community building in West Glacier.

Glacier National Park Fisheries Biologist Carter Fredenberg will present recent research that examines the effectiveness of suppressing invasive lake trout in Quartz Lake, both in terms of reducing the lake trout population and the effects suppression has on the native bull trout population. The study was conducted in partnership between Glacier National Park and the US Geological Survey.

Carter received a Bachelor of Science Degree in wildlife management with an aquatic emphasis in 2009 from the University of Montana, and a Master of Science Degree in fish and wildlife management from Montana State University in 2014. Carter spent seven years with the US Geological Survey as a fisheries technician in Glacier National Park, and recently joined the National Park Service as a fisheries biologist to aid park staff in monitoring and managing the park’s aquatic resources.

The Glacier National Park Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center hosts brown-bag lectures throughout the year. For more information, please click here.



Jeff
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Friday, March 6, 2015

Flathead National Forest Releases Proposed Action for the Revision of the Forest Plan and Amendments for Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy

The Flathead National Forest is releasing for public comment the proposed action for the revision of the land and resource management plan (forest plan) as directed by the National Forest Management Act. The proposed action for the revised forest plan includes management direction to support a variety of proposed and possible actions that may occur on the plan area over the next 15 years or so, or during the life of the plan. Acting Forest Supervisor Sharon LaBrecque commented that “the proposed action reflects the overall theme of the 2012 planning rule by its integration of ecological, social, and economic sustainability as equally important components formanagement of NFS lands.”

The Flathead National Forest is also concurrently releasing an amendment to integrate the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy (“strategy”) into the forest plans for the Helena, Kootenai, Lewis and Clark, and Lolo National Forests. The Flathead National Forest is incorporating the relevant portions of the strategy as part of its plan revision process. The proposed amendment provides grizzly bear habitat-related management direction within the portions of each forest that lie within the NCDE. This is a prerequisite for eventual delisting of the NCDE grizzly bear population under the Endangered Species Act. The Forest Service will prepare a single environmental impact statement (EIS) for its revised forest plan and the amendments.

A series of seven public meetings across the region will be conducted to address answers and provide additional information.

Some of the proposed actions in the plan include:

* Emphasizing front country recreation opportunities by identifying areas around Lakeside, Bigfork, and Whitefish for additional recreation opportunities.

* Recommends 188,000 acres for inclusion into the National Wilderness Preservation System including the Jewel Basin and the Tuchuck-Whale areas as well as additions to Mission Mountain, Bob Marshall, and Great Bear Wilderness areas.

* Identifies 22 rivers as eligible for inclusion into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

* The Flathead NF, in consultation with MTFWP and other experts, screened a lengthy list of species, and developed a list of 9 potential wildlife Species of Conservation Concern (SCCs), 2 potential aquatic SCCs, and 13 potential botanical SCCs. The Regional Forester will make a decision on which species are carried forward as final SCC.

* Ensures that habitat protections specific to the grizzly bear are consistent on key National Forest System lands within the Northern Continental Divide Grizzly Bear Ecosystem (NCDE), by incorporating the relevant habitat management direction from the grizzly bear conservation strategy.

The Flathead National Forest plan revision website provides the full proposed action text for the revision, describing preliminary desired conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines, and other plan content; the 2014 Assessment; summaries of the public meetings and public meeting materials, and public comments. The revision component of the proposed action is located here. The amendment component of the proposed action can be found here. Links to the 2012 planning rule and the draft NCDE Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy can be found on these websites as well.



Jeff
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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

One week temporary dog closure planned for Cache Creek drainage

The Bridger-Teton National Forest will temporarily close the Cache Creek drainage to dogs for a one week period beginning Wednesday March 18th and ending Wednesday March 25th. The temporary closure includes all trails in the Cache Creek drainage including the Cache Creek trail and trailhead, Hagen trails, Putt-putt trails including the Nelson Drive trailhead, Nelson hill, and the Cache Creek sidewalk trail. Jackson District Ranger Dale Deiter said that the temporary closure is intended to be a “time out” that signals change must occur to address the on-going problem of dog waste and dog control. Each day 70 to 90 dogs are on the Cache Creek trail and monitoring over a one month period found 168 dog waste piles left by owners. In areas adjacent to crucial wildlife winter range, 32 violations of leash requirements have occurred so far this winter.

The Forest Service has worked for years with help from non-profit organizations, businesses, and individuals to install and maintain mutt-mitt stations, promote responsible “good dog” behavior, improve trailhead signing, implement leash requirements in limited areas, and employ personnel to talk directly with recreationists. While these efforts have helped, they have not been sufficient. Ranger Dale Deiter said that the cumulative effect of so many dogs and too many owners who don’t pick up waste and don’t have their dog under control is unacceptable.

Beyond the very real evidence of dog waste accumulating at trailheads and along the first sections of trail, there are many issues that are attributed to irresponsible ownership. These include dogs chasing or harassing wildlife, dogs attacking other dogs, dogs nipping people or causing personal injury, wildlife injuring or killing dogs, and dogs being hit by vehicles. Deiter said that the public is clearly asking the Forest Service to address the problem for the sake of wildlife, clean water, people and pets. “The temporary closure serves as a signal that something different must be done it is time to get serious about developing real solutions.” Deiter said he looks forward to working with the community, with town and county officials, and with local non-profit organizations to develop a comprehensive solution that results in real change.

During the week Cache Creek is closed to dogs, owners will need to use alternate areas to recreate with their dog. Forest Service personnel will be at the trailheads and on the trails providing information and enforcing the temporary closure. Deiter noted that, as a community that values wildlife and nature-based recreation, we all own the problem and must do better. Ideas are being gathered via a survey. A service project is scheduled on Saturday March 21st at 9 am for the public to help thoroughly clean-up the trailhead and trails and improve facilities.



Jeff
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New Website Launched for Rocky Mountain Travelers

Looking for a resource to help plan your next trip to the Rocky Mountains? Just this past December a brand new website was launched to promote travel resources and vacation spots for those wishing to visit the Rocky Mountains. Called Top Rocky Vacations, the site focuses on ski products and vacations, primarily in the Rocky Mountain states of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Utah.

Although new, the owners of the site plan to expand, with the goal of eventually becoming the best travel site aimed at promoting the Rocky Mountain region.

The website’s primary focus is on travel, including flights and hotels, but will also provide insights on outdoor adventure activities. Additionally, the owners, Bryan and Britta, are available to personally provide help to travelers as they make plans for their trips.

Please take a moment to check out their website. You just may discover a new destination for your next vacation. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
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