VIDEO: Hidden Falls to Inspiration Point Trail Update

So what's been going with the Jenny Lake Renewal Project in Grand Teton National Park over the summer? Portions of the trail from Hidden Falls to Inspiration Point were closed this past summer as crews worked to rehabilitate the aging path. As of the end of August crews have installed 70 stone steps, 532 square feet of dry-laid stone masonry walls, while improving a total of 525 linear feet of existing trail corridor. Below is a video from the Grand Teton National Park Foundation that provides an update on all the important work that's been accomplished this summer:


Summer Series: Jenny Lake Project - Hidden Falls to Inspiration Point from GTNP Foundation on Vimeo.

The Jenny Lake area trail improvement work is part of the Jenny Lake Renewal Project being funded through a public-private partnership initiative with the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, the park's primary fundraising partner.

Next summer, major work will be underway to improve the visitor services located throughout the south Jenny Lake area, including trail segments along the eastshore of Jenny Lake and all foot paths that lead from the parking areas to the lake.

To finance the Jenny Lake Renewal Project, the Grand Teton National Park Foundation is raising $14 million through its Inspiring Journeys campaign. Grand Teton National Park is contributing $3 million generated from entrance fee revenues. This public-private partnership effort serves as a signature project to highlight the National Park Service's 2016 centennial milestone. For information about the Foundation or its Inspiring Journeys campaign, please go to www.gtnpf.org or phone Leslie Mattson at 307.732.0629.



Jeff
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Prescribed Burn Scheduled For Grand Teton This Weekend

Grand Teton National Park fire managers are preparing for a key prescribed fire this weekend, September 26-27, if weather conditions remain conducive. Fire managers have been planning the 371-acre Matilda Prescribed Fire for several years, but the fuels in the area have either been too wet or too dry to burn.

The project will prompt trail and road closures over the weekend. There will be a temporary closure of the Two Ocean Lake Trail and a portion of the Emma Matilda Lake Trail that is accessed from the Two Ocean Lake Trailhead and from a pullout along the Pacific Creek Road. A portion of this trail will be utilized as the western boundary of the project area. The Two Ocean Lake Road will be closed, and the Pacific Creek Road will be closed to the public, although residents, outfitters and their clients will have restricted access.

The Matilda Prescribed Fire is two miles northwest of Moran, and is bordered by Emma Matilda Lake to the west and the junction of Pacific Creek and Two Ocean Lake Roads in Grand Teton National Park.

This prescribed fire addresses timber mixed with deadfall on the east side of Emma Matilda Lake. The unit is 1 1/3 mile west of the Pacific Creek Subdivision, which is identified in the 2005 Teton County Community Wildfire Protection Plan as the third priority out of 19 communities at risk.

Completion of this prescribed fire will increase the chances for controlling a wildfire before it reaches private structures. Lightning fires on Lozier Hill and north of Emma Matilda Lake have the tendency to spread to this area east of the lake. Should a wind-driven fire spread into the thick stands of mixed conifer and deadfall, it would exhibit active fire behavior with groups of trees torching, making fire suppression challenging.

A prescribed fire allows fire managers to conduct a safe burn under optimal conditions with resources available to meet objectives. Once burned, the unit will provide a buffer between the forested area and the Pacific Creek Subdivision. Due to the aspect of the site, it is typically a wet area that would be too damp to meet objectives if burned in the spring or later fall.

For each prescribed fire, fire managers work with other resource managers for several years planning and writing a specific prescription that includes parameters for smoke impacts, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, fuel moisture for live and dead burnable vegetation, and more. The plans also delineate types and numbers of resources needed to safely conduct each burn and to support contingency plans.

For more detailed information including a map of the burn area, please visit www.tetonfires.com and click on the prescribed fire link.



Jeff
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Public Workshop Scheduled to Improve Dog Owner Responsibility in the Forest

The Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest will be hosting a public workshop on Wednesday, October 14th, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Teton County Library to discuss options to improve dog owner responsibility within the Jackson area of the National Forest.

This workshop is part of the Forest Service continuing effort to address the concerns that were brought up by the public with regard to dog waste and dog control, particularly within heavily used areas near town such as Cache Creek and Teton Pass.

The Forest recognizes the special bond people have with their pets and the value of opportunities for people to recreate in the outdoors with their companion. The Forest also recognizes that there are limited areas where dogs are permitted, especially off-leash, and the National Forest offers many of the available opportunities. At the same time, the increase in the number of people recreating with dogs means that owners have a much higher responsibility to control their dog(s) and pick up waste. Educational efforts alone are no longer sufficient to meet the Forest’s obligation to ensure public health and safety, wildlife protection, and clean water. Thus, the Forest is asking for the public’s help to come together and focus on various options to improve dog owner responsibility into the future.

More information about the options to be discussed will be announced in October. There is no RSVP required, but due to the location of the workshop, space might be limited and we encourage those interested to arrive promptly.

For more information you can contact the Supervisors Office at (307) 739-5565 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/btnf/.



Jeff
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Teton Interagency Partners Prepare to Burn Multiple Slash Piles

With the arrival of cooler, wetter fall weather, Teton Interagency Fire personnel will begin pile burning in Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger Teton National Forest. Inside the National Park approximately 500 piles are targeted for burning, with the vast majority of those (430) in the Signal Mountain Road fuels treatment area. The remaining piles are near Moran, Triangle X Ranch, Whitegrass Ranch and the Exum cabins.

The Blackrock and Jackson Ranger Districts of the Bridger Teton National Forest plan to begin burning slash piles within the areas of the Buffalo Valley Road, Blackrock Administrative Site, Cottonwood Administrative Site and Swift Creek Trailhead Area. This list is not exhaustive and additional areas with piles may be targeted for burning. Smoke will be visible in the vicinity of these piles anytime during the next several weeks.

The piles are mostly in developed areas where fire crews have completed fuels reduction projects, which include thinning and removing lower limbs from trees, and removing dead wood and brush from the forest floor. The projects are designed to lower the risk of losing structures to a wildfire and to create more open areas that will help moderate fire behavior during a wildfire, which increases firefighter and public safety. Firefighters place the slash in tepee-shaped piles and may let them cure for a year, if necessary, before burning them.

Smoke will be evident from these pile burns during the day of the burn. You can check www.tetonfires.com for updates on where pile burning is occurring.



Jeff
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Celebrate Public Lands Day with Free Entrance and Volunteer Activities in Grand Teton

In recognition of National Public Lands Day, Grand Teton National Park entrance fees will be waived and two volunteer projects will be hosted on Saturday, September 26. National Public Lands Day is celebrated across the country encouraging enjoyment of and volunteer opportunities on public lands.

The fee waiver applies to entrance fees only. The entrance fee to Grand Teton National Park is $30 for a seven-day pass by private vehicle or $50 for a seven-day pass to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. A seven-day pass by foot/bicycle is $15 for Grand Teton National Park and $20 for both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The fee waiver does not include fees for camping, boating or backcountry permits. The next fee-free day with the National Park Service will be Veterans Day, November 11.

The park is also sponsoring and partnering to host two volunteer activities on Saturday, September 26th.

Volunteers are encouraged to participate in the removal and new construction of a buck-and-rail fence near the Lupine Meadows Trailhead. Participants should bring water, snacks, sunglasses, and clothing to match the weather, as the work activities will take place rain or shine. Work gloves will be provided, as well as shuttle transportation from the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center to the work site. Shuttle transportation will depart from the visitor center at 9:40 a.m. and will return to the visitor center by 2 p.m. Participants will be expected to carry light logs and use a hammer to pound nails. For more information, please contact Angela Timby at 307.739.3379.

Another volunteer project hosted by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation and National Parks Conservation Association, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park, will take place Saturday, September 26. A fencing project to enhance wildlife movement will include removal of barbed wire and replacing it with smooth wire and wooden top rails. The project will take place in the Elk Ranch Flats area in the park, approximately two miles south of Moran Junction. Carpooling to the site is encouraged. Please meet at the Home Ranch parking lot to depart at 8 a.m. or at the Gros Ventre junction by 8:15 a.m. to carpool. Participants should bring layered clothing including long pants, study shoes, rain jacket, hat and water bottle. Eye protection is required. Work gloves and tools will be provided, as well as water and Gatorade to fill water bottles. Lunch for the participants will be provided by Nature Valley-General Mills Corporation. The project is anticipated to be completed by 2 p.m. Please contact the Foundation at jhwffencepull@gmail.com if interested in participating.



Jeff
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Food-Conditioned Black Bear Euthanized in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park Rangers removed a food-conditioned black bear from the population last Thursday, September 17th near Lake McDonald Lodge. This action was necessary to ensure public safety.

The bear was first observed on August 31 feeding on mountain ash berries near buildings in the Lake McDonald Lodge developed area. Over the next ten days, the bear became increasingly human-habituated despite repeated attempts by park rangers to haze the bear away from the area with rubber bullets and bean bag rounds. Habituated bears are bears that have become accustomed to frequenting developed areas, backcountry campgrounds, trails or roadsides, but have retained their natural foraging behavior. They are not necessarily overly familiar with humans, but are comfortable in the presence of humans. On September 10th, after the bear was observed peering into windows at the employee dorm, park staff captured and tagged the bear, and then relocated it to a remote part of the North Fork.

On September 16th, the bear returned to the Lake McDonald area, where it obtained human food by breaking into a vehicle just north of the lodge. This bear was then determined to be a food-conditioned bear and a potential threat to human safety. Food-conditioned bears are those that have sought and obtained non-natural foods, destroyed property or displayed aggressive non-defensive behavior towards humans, and are removed from the wild. Food-conditioned bears are not relocated due to human safety concerns.

Park bear managers followed the bear from the location of the damaged vehicle to the mouth of McDonald Creek where it was then destroyed. This action is consistent with Glacier National Park's Bear Management Plan. The male bear was approximately 5 years old, was in good physical condition, and weighed 200 pounds.

Black bears are not good candidates for animal capture facilities such as zoos and animal parks due to the plentiful nature of the species throughout the United States.

At this time of year, bears are entering a phase called hyperphagia. It is a period of concentrated feeding to prepare for hibernation. There has been a shortage of berries in many areas of the park this year, leading to the potential for increased bear activity in visitor use areas.Thus it is especially important that visitors keep campgrounds and developed areas clean and free of food and trash. Regulations require that all edibles, food containers, and cookware be stored in a hard-sided vehicle or food locker when not in use, day or night. Place all trash in bear-proof containers. Do not burn waste in fire rings or leave litter around your camp. Fire rings should be free of trash before vacating a campsite.

If you see a bear along the road, please do not stop. Stopping and watching roadside bears will likely start a "bear jam" as other motorists follow your lead. "Bear jams" are hazardous to both people and bears as visibility is reduced and bears may feel threatened by the congestion. Roadside bears quickly become habituated to vehicles and people, increasing their chances of being hit by motor vehicles. Report all bear sightings to the nearest ranger.

Visitors to Glacier National Park are reminded that the park is home to black and grizzly bears. Bears spend a lot of time eating, so avoid hiking in obvious feeding areas like berry patches, cow parsnip thickets, or fields of glacier lilies. Hikers are highly encouraged to hike in groups, make noise when hiking, and have bear spray accessible and know how to use it. For more information about recreating in bear country, please visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/naturescience/bears.htm.



Jeff
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Fall Roadwork in Glacier National Park

Going-to-the-Sun Road construction is ongoing and will continue this fall on the east side of Glacier National Park. Crews will begin roadwork between St. Mary Visitor Center and Divide Creek Bridge (at the park boundary) on Monday, September 21. Traffic control will be in place to manage one lane of travel in this area. Visitors should anticipate minor delays, approximately 10 minutes or less. The St. Mary Visitor Center will remain open through October 4 daily.

Roadwork on the Going-to-the-Sun Road between Siyeh Bend and St. Mary Campground remains ongoing. Visitors should plan for up to 30 minute weekday traffic delays in this area.

Beginning Monday, October 5, Going-to-the-Sun Road will be closed to vehicular traffic between Logan Pass and the St. Mary Campground entrance for the remainder of the season to facilitate accelerated road rehabilitation. A detour will be available for visitors to continue to access the St. Mary Campground via the Upper Divide Bridge, located just south of St. Mary.

The St. Mary Campground is currently closed due to bear frequenting in the area. It is unknown at this time when the campground will reopen. Current information the status of campgrounds in the park is available at http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/cgstatus/cgstatus.cfm.

Hikers and bikers will continue to have access to the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road through the closure when the contractor is not working on weekends and evenings, weather permitting. Due to ongoing road rehabilitation, portions of the roadbed may not be paved. Bicyclists should use caution riding on gravel portions of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Some trails remain closed on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road for visitor safety in the area of the recent Reynolds Creek Fire. For current information on status of trails, please visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm.

As of October 5, Logan Pass will only be accessible by vehicle from the west side of the park through the third weekend in October, weather permitting. Visitors can call 406-888-7800 (press 2) or visit http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/roadstatus/roadstatus.cfm for current road status information.

Visitors should also expect minor delays of ten minutes or less due to one-way bridge traffic on the Many Glacier Road during rehabilitation work on the Windy and Apikuni bridges. This project is anticipated to continue through October 16.

Additional information about the Going-to-the-Sun Road rehabilitation project is available at http://www.wfl.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/mt/gtsr/.



Jeff
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Glacier National Park To Increase Fees

Starting this fall, Glacier National Park will increase entrance fees and some campground fees. These fees are consistent with other large national parks.

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) is the legislation that allows the park to collect entrance and camping fees, and retain 80 percent of the collected revenue. The remaining 20 percent is distributed throughout the National Park System. Basic park operations are funded by direct appropriations from Congress.

Starting November 1, 2015, Glacier National Park will increase entrance fees and some frontcountry campsite fees. These fees reflect input from the civic engagement process Glacier National Park implemented in November 2014 following a nationwide National Park Service review of fees.

It is anticipated that these fee changes could potentially generate approximately an additional $500,000 annually for Glacier National Park, depending on the number and type of entrance passes and camping permits sold.The funds generated by fees are used for projects that enhance visitor services and facilities, including interpretive programs at campgrounds, the backcountry campsite reservation program, repair and restoration of trails, restoration of wildlife habitat, improvement and replacement of restroom facilities, preservation and maintenance of roads, and shuttle bus operation and maintenance.

Beginning next May, the 7-day pass for vehicles will rise from $25 to $30. One night camping fees for the Many Glacier Campground will increase from $20 to $23. Backcountry camping fees will also increase, from $5 to $7 per person, per night. For a list of all fee increases, please click here.



Jeff
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Yellowstone Wildfire Receives Significant Rain Overnight

The lightning-caused Spruce Fire, burning in the backcountry of Yellowstone National, received significant rain overnight on Monday. The fire had grown to an estimated 2,594 acres as of noon on Monday, before storms moved into the area, dropping approximately .5 inches by Tuesday morning. Weather forecasts call for continued damp weather throughout the next few days. Fire activity has greatly diminished, but the fire is still burning in some areas. Crews will continue to monitor the fire while it plays its natural role in the ecosystem. Smoke from the fire may continue to be visible throughout the park and in surrounding communities;however, no facilities, trails, or roads are threatened and there are no closures in place.

A much smaller fire, the 5L4 Fire on the Promontory Peninsula at the south end of Yellowstone Lake, was reported on August 24. It was last estimated to be 16 acres and is still burning, though it has not been very active in the last two weeks. Fire activity picked up slightly on Monday afternoon, as gusty winds ushered in the storms, but that was quickly dampened by the overnight rain. Fire crews are also managing this fire for its benefits to park resources. Backcountry campsites 5L3, 5L4, and 6A1 continue to be closed due to the 5L4 Fire.

The decision on how to manage each fire in the park is based on a number of factors, including current and predicted conditions, as well as potential values at risk. There have been two additional park fires that have been suppressed in the last five days: a human-caused fire in Mammoth Hot Springs on September 10 and a lightning-caused fire near the northwest boundary of the park on September 12.

The decision on how to manage each fire in the park is based on a number of factors, including current and predicted conditions, as well as potential values at risk. There have been two additional park fires that have been suppressed in the last five days: a human-caused fire in Mammoth Hot Springs on September 10 and a lightning-caused fire near the northwest boundary of the park on September 12.

The fire danger in Yellowstone National Park is currently "High." There are no fire restrictions in place, however, campfires are allowed only in designated grills in park campgrounds, some picnic areas, and specific backcountry campsites.

For up-to-date information on fires burning across the country, go to http://inciweb.nwcg.gov.



Jeff
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East Side Access to Logan Pass Extended By Two Weeks

The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the east side of Glacier National Park will be Sunday, October 4th. Vehicle traffic will be restricted on the east side near the St. Mary Campground beginning Monday, October 5th to allow for fall season rehabilitation on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Vehicle access to Logan Pass will be available from the west side of the park through the 3rd weekend in October, weather permitting.

The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the east side was originally planned to be September 20th. However, road crews have made great progress on paving and road rehabilitation projects and are able to extend access to the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road through October 4th. Road rehabilitation will continue through and after October 4th. Visitors should anticipate some traffic delays. Some east side road pull-outs may be closed due to road work and fire hazards.

After October 4th, hikers and bikers will have access to the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road on weekends and evenings, weather permitting.

The free shuttle transportation service accessing Logan Pass and locations along Going-to-the-Sun Road ended on September 7th.

The Logan Pass Visitor Center will remain open through September 30th. The St. Mary Visitor Center will remain open through October 4th. The Apgar Visitor Center will move to a weekend only schedule beginning October 17th through mid-May.

Autumn visitors to Glacier National Park will find less crowds, cooler temperatures, and changing vegetation colors. Area residents and visitors are reminded that the park is open year-round and park recreational opportunities can be found during all seasons.

For additional park information, visit the park’s website http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm or call park headquarters at 406-888-7800.



Jeff
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Yellowstone Wildfire Grows to More Than 2000 Acres

The lightning-caused Spruce Fire, burning in the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park since early September, has grown to an estimated 2,119 acres as of 1:30 pm on Sunday. Crews are actively monitoring the fire by air and from lookout points on Mount Washburn and other locations throughout the park. The Spruce fire is burning in a fire-adapted lodgepole pine forest, approximately ten miles west of Fishing Bridge and two miles south of Hayden Valley in the central portion of Yellowstone. Smoke from the fire has been visible throughout the park and in surrounding communities;however, no facilities, trails, or roads are threatened and there are no closures in place.

The fire continues to play its natural role in the ecosystem and crews are managing it for its benefits to park resources. It is burning in a typical mosaic pattern within the fire's perimeter, with overall fire activity picking up in the afternoon as temperatures rise, relative humidity levels drop, and gusty winds increase. On Sunday, hazy smoke from wildland fires burning in California and parts of Idaho likely played a role in moderating the fire's activity and spread. A change in the weather forecast for Monday calls for cloudier, cooler, and wetter conditions.

A much smaller fire, the 5L4 Fire on the Promontory Peninsula at the south end of Yellowstone Lake, was reported on August 24, is currently 16 acres and not very active. Fire crews are also managing this fire for its benefits to park resources. Backcountry campsites 5L3, 5L4, and 6A1 continue to be closed due to the 5L4 Fire.

The decision on managing each fire in the park is based on a number of factors, including current and predicted conditions, as well as potential values at risk. There have been two additional park fires that have been suppressed in the past week, a human-caused fire in Mammoth Hot Springs on September 10, and a lightning-caused fire near the northwest boundary of the park on September 12.

The fire danger in Yellowstone National Park is currently "High." There are no fire restrictions in place, however, campfires are only allowed in designated grills in park campgrounds, some picnic areas, and specific backcountry campsites.



Jeff
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Grizzly Bear Research Trapping Continues this Fall in Grand Teton National Park

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team will resume research trapping operations for grizzly bears within Grand Teton National Park beginning Tuesday, September 8 through October 19, 2015. Scientific research and trapping operations at Grand Teton have been underway since this spring as part of ongoing efforts required under the Endangered Species Act to collect data and monitor the population of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Monitoring of grizzly bear distribution, as well as their food selection and other activities, is vital to recovery of grizzlies across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Trained professionals with the interagency team trap grizzly bears at remote sites across Grand Teton. The trapping and handling of grizzly bears is done in accordance with strict protocols developed by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team.

Trap sites are not located near established hiking trails or backcountry campsites, and all sites are posted with bright-colored warning signs around the closure perimeter. Potential access points are also posted with warning signs. Any backcountry users who venture upon such posted areas must obey the warnings and stay out of the closure area.

It is critical that all members of the public respect these warning signs.

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team was established in 1973 to research and monitor bears across theGreater Yellowstone Ecosystem in a collaborative effort between federal land managers and state wildlife agencies. Gathering of critical data on these protected bears is part of a long-term research effort to help wildlife managers devise and implement programs to support the ongoing recovery of the grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team is composed of representatives of the U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribal Fish and Game Department, and the states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

For more information about the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team or grizzly bear trapping, visit http://nrmsc.usgs.gov/research/igbst-home.htm or call 406.994.6675.



Jeff
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St. Mary Campground Temporarily Closed

The St. Mary Campground, located on the east side of the park, is closed temporarily. The campground has seen a recent increase in bear activity, creating a high potential for negative human/bear interactions. No incidents between humans and bears have been reported in the St. Mary Campground to date. It is unknown at this time when the campground will reopen.

Beginning August 28th, the campground was only open to hard-sided camping. Since that announcement, there has been increased bear activity in and around the campground. Efforts to haze the bears from the area have been unsuccessful. For public and bear safety issues, the campground will be temporarily closed until bear activity decreases.

At this time of year, bears are entering a phase called hyperphagia. It is a period of concentrated feeding to prepare for hibernation. This year there has been an exceptionally abundant crop of a variety of berries located in the campground, attracting bears to the area. There has been a shortage of berries in other areas of the park.

Glacier National Park is home to black and grizzly bears. Campers are reminded to keep campground and developed areas clean and free of food and trash. Regulations require that all edibles, food containers, and cookware be stored in a hard-sided vehicle or food locker when not in use, day or night. Visitors are required to place all trash in bear-proof containers. Visitors should report all bear sightings to a park ranger as soon as possible.

For more information about camping or hiking in bear country while recreating in Glacier National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/naturescience/bears.htm. For updated information about campgrounds and campground status, please visit http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/cgstatus/cgstatus.cfm or contact the park at 406-888-7800.



Jeff
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Moose-Wilson Road Temporarily Closed to Protect Bears

Grand Teton National Park managers have initiated a temporary closure of the Moose-Wilson Road from the Murie Ranch Road Junction to the Granite Canyon Trailhead to protect numerous black bears that are feeding on hawthorn berries along the road. Managers will monitor the situation continuously and will re-open the road when conditions allow. Park visitors should call 307.739.3682 or visit www.nps.gov/grte and click on the "alerts" tab for updated information.

This segment of the Moose-Wilson Road is closed to all visitors including motorists, cyclists, and hikers. There is also an area closure in effect including the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve east of the Moose-Wilson Road. Visitors will still be able to access the Granite Canyon Trailhead from the south via Highway 390. Visitors may access the Murie Ranch from the north.

All backcountry trails west of the Moose-Wilson road will remain open. While there will be no access to the Death Canyon Trailhead for day users, backcountry users in possession of an overnight camping permit will be granted access to this trailhead. Horse trails in the area will not be affected by the temporary closure.

Similar temporary closures of the Moose-Wilson Road have been periodically implemented since 2011during the fall berry season. During the fall, bears enter a period of hyperphagia as they build up fat reserves in preparation for denning. A below-average huckleberry crop this fall may be contributing to the bears' use of this area of the park, which is rich in berry-producing hawthorn bushes. While as many as eight black bears have been reported in the area, there have been no confirmed sightings of grizzly bears in the area at this time.

This temporary closure is being implemented to allow bears to use this seasonally-important food source without disruption, and to provide for visitor safety. Because of its narrow surface lined with dense vegetation, hillsides, and wetlands, the Moose-Wilson Road does not allow for a safe distance between people and bears. These factors create situations where both visitors and bears may be at risk for injury, making it necessary to close the road whenever bears are foraging along the roadway. While park staff have managed many "bear jams" safely over the past two weeks, staff observed a significant increase in bear activity over the last 24 hours that necessitated the closure.

To alert travelers of the road closure, signs are in place on Highway 390 and at the Murie Ranch Road Junction. The road condition information line, 307.739.3682, and the park website "alerts" tab at www.nps.gov/grte will be updated as conditions change.

Rangers remind visitors to "Be Bear Aware," as these animals are active throughout Grand Teton National Park. Visitors are required to maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from bears. Individuals venturing into the park's backcountry should always carry bear spray, as well as make noise and travel in groups.



Jeff
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Trail of Cedars Nature Trail To Close For Paving Project

The paved portion of the Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail will be closed temporarily for repaving. Paving is scheduled to begin as soon as today, September 11, 2015. The project is anticipated to be completed in a few days. Signs will be posted on the trail during the temporary closure. The Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail is a wheelchair accessible trail located near Avalanche Creek Campground along Going-to-the-Sun Road.

The boardwalk portion of Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail will remain open during construction. The Avalanche Lake trail is anticipated to remain open throughout most of the paving. Visitors can access the Avalanche Lake Trailhead from the boardwalk portion of the Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail. You can click here for the most up-to-date information on trail closures in Glacier National Park.

The existing pavement on the Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail has deteriorated to the point that it no longer complies with current accessibility standards. The trail will be replaced with a non-asphalt polymer pavement.

This paving project is a partnership between Glacier National Park, The Glacier National Park Conservancy, and HK Contractors. The Glacier National Park Conservancy is funding much of the materials needed for the project. HK Contractors, who has completed much of the paving and rehabilitation work on Going-to-the-Sun Road, is donating time, labor and equipment to help with the paving of the Trail of Cedars.

"Glacier National Park is working in partnership with The Glacier National Park Conservancy and HK Contractors to make the Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail more accessible to all visitors," said Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow.

"The Glacier Conservancy is thrilled to be working withthe park on providing visitor access to the park's wilderness areas, through projects like Trail of the Cedars," said Mark Preiss, President of the Conservancy. "Through the partnership with HK Contractors, this projec twill improve the trail to meet current accessibility standards while giving access to one of the park's most popular places for all visitors regardless of ability."



Jeff
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Temporary Closure at Jenny Lake and Surrounding Trails on Tuesday

There will be a temporary closure for Jenny Lake, and the trails around Jenny Lake, on Tuesday, September 15, from approximately 7 a.m. through 1 p.m. The temporary closure is a safety measure due to rehabilitation activities on the west side of the lake that will include helicopter transport of heavy construction materials.

The temporary closure will include the Jenny Lake public boat launch, the southwest Jenny Lake Lakeshore Trail, the upper horse trail, Moose Ponds, Hidden Falls, and Inspiration Point. Jenny Lake Boating will not be operating the shuttle boat or renting water craft. Signs will be posted throughout the closure area, and park staff will be available to provide suggestions for alternate routes/detours for anyone visiting this area of the park. For hikers returning from Cascade Canyon during this time, they will be routed to the String Lake area and transportation will be provided back to South Jenny Lake.

Areas not affected by this temporary closure include, Cascade Canyon accessed via the canyon horse trail, Teton Park Road, Jenny Lake Scenic Loop Road, South Jenny Lake parking and visitor areas, and String Lake parking lots and trailheads.

The rehabilitation and construction work on the west side of Jenny Lake is part of the Jenny Lake Renewal Project. Work is planned to continue this fall, as well as next summer. The project is funded through a public-private partnership initiative with the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, the park's primary fundraising partner.

The Grand Teton National Park Foundation is raising $14 million through its Inspiring Journeys campaign to finance the project, and Grand Teton National Park is contributing $3 million generated from entrance fee revenues. This public-private partnership effort serves as a signature project to highlight the National Park Service's 2016 centennial milestone. For information about the Foundation or its Inspiring Journeys campaign, please visit http://www.gtnpf.org/ or call 307.732.0629.



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

Free Entrance to all National Parks on September 26th

All 397 national parks will offer free entrance on Saturday, September 27th for National Public Lands Day. The 21st annual event is offered to encourage everyone to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. You can visit www.nps.gov for a list of parks and information to help plan your park adventure.

“National Public Lands Day reminds all of us of the vast and diverse nature of America’s open spaces, from small neighborhood parks to large national parks, and the importance of each one,” said former National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “We are fortunate that more than 600 million acres of public land, including national parks, provide all of us with cherished places where we can go to unwind, recreate, or learn.”

Many people will lend a hand to help the land and spend part of National Public Lands Day volunteering on work projects. More than 175,000 people are expected to plant trees, clean watersheds, remove invasive plants, replace signs, and otherwise beautify 2,000 public sites throughout the country. Visit www.publiclandsday.org for more information.

Other Federal agencies offering free admittance on September 26th include the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and the U.S. Forest Service.

If you do plan to visit Glacier on National Public Lands Day, or anytime this fall, be sure to visit the accommodation page on our hiking website to help with all your vacation planning.



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

Key Milestones in Hiking

Over the last several decades the sport of hiking has become increasingly more popular. According to the latest Outdoor Recreation Participation Report, 11.4% of all adults in the United States participated in hiking in 2013. But the burning question to a modern-day trekker such as myself, is when did people take to the trail for pleasure? Ever since our predecessors began walking on two feet humans have used bipedal mobility to hunt, explore, migrate to another territory, or trade goods with another community. At some point we as humans figured out that there doesn’t have to be a utilitarian reason for walking. We discovered that joy can be found by simply traipsing through the woods, seeing wildlife in their natural habitat, admiring the beauty of a wildflower, marveling at the roar of a waterfall, or soaking-in the awe-inspiring views from a mountain top. Is this a recent phenomenon, or was this something that humans always had a natural urging for? Here are a few of the key milestones in the history of hiking that’s led to its popularity today:

~3300 BCE: In 1991 two German tourists found the mummified remains of “Otzi, the Iceman” at roughly 10,530 feet in the Ötztal Alps along the Austrian–Italian border. Although scientists aren’t sure what this 5000-year-old man was doing at that high elevation, there are some that believe that Otzi may have been one of the first hikers or mountaineers.

125: The 2nd century Roman Emperor, Hadrian, hiked to the summit of Mt. Etna on Sicily to see the sunrise.

1778: Thomas West, an English priest, published A Guide to the Lakes, a detailed account of the scenery and landscape of the Lake District in northwestern England. The guide helped to popularize the idea of walking for pleasure and “to encourage the taste of visiting the lakes by furnishing the traveler with a Guide”.

1786: The beginning of modern mountaineering is marked by the first ascent of 15,771-foot Mont Blanc, the tallest peak in the Alps.

1799: Williams College (of Massachusetts) President Ebenezer Fitch and two others climb Mt. Greylock.

1819: Abel Crawford, and his son Ethan, blaze an 8.5-mile trail to the summit of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. This path is the oldest continually used hiking trail in the United States.

1830: A crew of 100 students and professors from Williams College blaze the Hopper Trail to the summit of Mt. Greylock. Later that same year students would build a wooden tower atop the same mountain. The tower was maintained into the 1850s, and was used for sightseeing and scientific observations.

1854: The beginning of the systematic sport of modern mountaineering as we essentially know it today is marked by the ascent of the Wetterhorn in the Swiss Alps by Sir Alfred Wills. His book, Wanderings Among the High Alps, published two years later, helped make mountaineering fashionable in Britain, and ushered in the systematic exploration of the Alps by British mountaineers These events also marked the beginning of the so-called “golden age of alpinism”.

1857: The world's first mountaineering club, the Alpine Club, was founded in London.

1863: Professor Albert Hopkins of Williams College founds the Alpine Club of Williamstown, the first hiking club in America. The stated purpose of the organization was “to explore the interesting places in the vicinity, to become acquainted, to some extent at least, with the natural history of the localities, and also to improve the pedestrian powers of the members”

1867: John Muir begins a 1000-mile walk from Indiana to Florida, which he recounts in his book, A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf. The trek launched a lifetime career of hiking and wilderness advocacy. His conservation efforts, books and articles would help to establish several national parks during and after his lifetime.

1872: Yellowstone becomes the world’s first national park after legislation is signed by President U.S. Grant.

1876: The Appalachian Mountain Club, America’s oldest recreational organization, was founded to explore and protect the trails and mountains in the northeastern United States.

1876: Newtown, England entrepreneur Pryce Pryce-Jones designs the "Euklisia Rug", considered by many to be the forerunner of the modern sleeping bag. The rug included a wool blanket with a pocket at the top for a sewn-in, inflatable, rubber pillow. Once inside, the camper (or soldier) folded the blanket over and fastened it together, thus keeping themselves “snug in a rug”.

1879: One of the first hiking clubs in England, the 'Sunday Tramps', was founded by Leslie White. These early “rambling” (English for walking) clubs sprang up in the northern areas of England as part of a campaign for the legal "right to roam", a response to the fact that much of the land in England was privately owned.

1922: Lloyd F. Nelson submits his application to the U.S. Patent Office for his "Trapper Nelson's Indian Pack Board", which is acknowledged to be the first external-frame backpack. The "Trapper Nelson" featured a wooden "pack board" as its frame. On the frame was a canvas sack that contained the hiker's gear, which rested on the hiker's body by two canvas shoulder-straps. Prior to his invention hikers used a rucksack, which was essentially a loose sack with shoulder straps.

1930: The Green Mountain Club completes construction of the Long Trail, making it the first long-distance hiking trail in the United States.

1937: America's first “grand” trail, the Appalachian Trail, was completed in August of 1937. A forester by the name of Benton MacKaye conceived the idea in 1921.

1948: Earl Shaffer becomes the first person to thru-hike the entire Appalachian Trail.

1967: Climber Greg Lowe invents the internal frame backpack. The “Expedition Pack” also featured the first adjustable back system, first side compressors, first sternum strap and the first load stabilizers.

1969: Bob Gore accidentally stretches a solid polytetrafluoroethylene tape by almost 800%, which forms a microporous structure that was roughly 70% air. The discovery was introduced to the public under the trademark of "Gore-Tex", which became the first breathable, waterproof, and windproof fabric.

1992: Ray Jardine introduces the concept of ultralight backpacking with the release of his book, The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker's Handbook. During his first PCT thru-hike Jardine’s pack weighed just 25 pounds. By his third it was less than 9 pounds. “Ray’s Way” of thinking has led to several innovations that have benefitted both backpackers and hikers.






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

Massive Herd of Elk in Montana

A massive herd of elk was filmed last year crossing a road in Montana, just north of Yellowstone. It's pretty amazing to see these animals during their annual migrations around the western states. You'll notice that one of the younger elk was unable to make it across the fence. It took him/her a couple of minutes to figure out how to cross, before reuniting with the herd:





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

National Parks Featured In IMAX Movie & TV Series

Dozens of national parks will be featured in an upcoming IMAX 3D film that is scheduled to be released in early 2016.

On February 12, 2016, a new giant screen film, “National Parks Adventure”, will be released around the world, and will feature narration by Robert Redford.

Produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films along with Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, the film follows mountaineer Conrad Anker, his stepson Max Lowe, and family friend Rachel Pohl as they explore the beauty and natural wonders of parks like Rocky Mountain, Devils Tower, Katmai, Canyonlands, Everglades, Congaree, Redwood, Yellowstone, and more. Many national parks helped make this filming possible.

Produced as a tribute to the National Park Service’s Centennial, the film also journeys back to the early days of the parks, recreating John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt’s famous three-day camping trip in Yosemite.

The film is the centerpiece of Brand USA’s Great Outdoors campaign, which promotes America’s lands and waters to international visitors.

While shooting “National Parks Adventure”, MacGillivray Freeman also produced an eight-part TV series in collaboration with the Travel Channel called, “America. The Beautiful.” The series is also narrated by Robert Redford and features parks, national forests, state parks, and a variety of public lands and waters. The series began airing on the Travel Channel last month. The series will likely air again in February 2016 with the release of the IMAX film.

MacGillivray Freeman has been making large screen films for fifty years, with 38 films to date, including award winners such as “Everest,” “The Living Sea,” and “To Fly.” Their films frequently focus on the natural world, inspiring audiences to both explore and protect natural resources, and each film is accompanied by uniquely designed educational outreach programs that broaden the film-going experience for students.

Below is a short overview of the movie:





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