Wyoming State Parks’ First Day Hikes to Take Place New Year’s Day 2022

For the 11th consecutive year, Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails will host popular First Day Hikes on January 1.

First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. On New Year’s Day, people of all ages will have access to hundreds of free guided hikes organized around the country.

“I can’t think of a better way to start off the New Year!” said Laurel Thompson, Outreach Coordinator for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. “We invite everyone to come celebrate the occasion outdoors with a fun hike at one of Wyoming’s State Parks and Historic Sites.”

These events will be held at 13 Wyoming State Park and Historic Site locations, and hikers may receive swag items or other promotional items for participating. Park staff and volunteers will lead the hikes, ranging from 1 to 4.2 miles. Details about hiking locations, difficulty, length, and terrain can be found here.


Jeff
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Montana First Day Hikes for 2022

Start 2022 off on the right foot with a First Day Hike at a Montana state park!

On January 1, Montana State Parks will host First Day Hikes at Flathead Lake State Park (Wayfarers, West Shore, and Lone Pine State Park units), Travelers' Rest State Park, Spring Meadow Lake State Park, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park and Makoshika State Park. Being immersed in nature has never been more important for your mental health and physical wellbeing. These fun and informative hikes are open to all ages and are family friendly.

First Day Hikes is an annual, nationwide special event co-sponsored by America's State Parks which originated more than 25 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation – a state park in Milton, Mass. All 50 states will be participating in the tenth annual national event that encourages everyone to celebrate the New Year with guided outdoor exploration.

Details for the Montana State Parks First Day Hikes are available here.


Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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Winter recreation begins on park roads in Grand Teton

Teton Park Road, Moose-Wilson Road, and Signal Mountain Summit Road within Grand Teton National Park are now open to cross-country skiing, skate skiing, snowshoeing, and walking. Once snow begins to accumulate on the roadbeds, the designated portions of these roads may accommodate winter recreation, and the use of wheeled vehicles is prohibited for the season.

Bicycles, including, snow/fat/electric bikes, are not permitted on roads designated for over-snow access. Bikes are allowed on roadways open to motor vehicle use in Grand Teton National Park.

The 14-mile section of the Teton Park Road between the Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain Lodge will be groomed approximately three times a week dependent on snow and weather conditions.

* Tuesdays- Four lanes groomed Taggart to South Jenny Lake

* Fridays- Two lanes groomed Taggart to Signal Mountain

* Sundays- Four lanes groomed Taggart to South Jenny Lake

Grooming is anticipated to begin soon and will continue through mid-March, as conditions allow. Grooming is made possible through the financial support of Grand Teton National Park Foundation and a Federal Highway Administration Recreational Trails Program grant managed by the State of Wyoming. For grooming updates, call the park’s road information line at 307-739-3682.

Parking is available at Taggart Lake Trailhead and on the west side of the road south of the trailhead. Parking will also be available north of Taggart at the Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area and along the west side of the road across from the picnic area. Backcountry-users who plan to stay in the backcountry overnight are encouraged to use the Taggart Lake Trailhead parking, while day-users are encouraged to park along the west side of the road and at the Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area. Portable toilets will be available.

Visitors planning to recreate on the northern portion of the Teton Park Road for winter activities are encouraged to park at the Signal Mountain Lodge Parking Area. The lodge provides restroom facilities, telephone access and pay-at-the-pump gasoline for winter recreationalists.

Generally, pets are only permitted along park roadways open to motor vehicle use. However, pets are allowed on the over-snow access portions of the Teton Park Road and Moose-Wilson Road by special exception. Pets are not allowed in the backcountry. For the safety of wildlife, pets and visitors, pets must be leashed at all times. Pet owners are required to pick up waste. Dog sledding and skijoring are not allowed in the park.

Entrance fees are required to enter Grand Teton National Park and recreate on the Teton Park Road. The $35 Private Vehicle, $30 Motorcycle, or $20 Individual (by foot/bicycle/ski) Fee or applicable passes are available for purchase at the Moose, Moran and Granite Entrance Stations, or in advance through Recreation.gov. Credit or debit cards are accepted for payment, as it helps staff be safe, secure, and efficient. For more information about park entrance fees, visit go.nps.gov/tetonfees.

Additional Winter Recreation Activities

* For winter backcountry permits, call the park’s permit office at 307-739-3309 Monday through Friday, and Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307-739-3301 on weekends. Permits are available 24 hours in advance and are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry.

* Ranger-led snowshoe hikes are scheduled for the 2021-22 winter season. The program will be offered daily December 27-30, 2021 and on Saturdays January 8-* March 13, 2022. Reservations are required, call 307-739-3399 Monday-Friday to make a reservation.

* Winter activities at Colter Bay include winter camping, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, and ice fishing on Jackson Lake. Winter camping is allowed in the parking lot adjacent to the Colter Bay Visitor Center from December 1 through April 15, with a $5 per night fee which can be paid at the Moran Entrance Station.

* Several businesses and organizations provide a variety of visitor services in the park through a contract or permit with the National Park Service. Services include guided cross-country ski and snowshoe tours, wildlife viewing tours and photography workshops.

While recreating in Grand Teton, remember to keep the wild in wildlife. Avoid disturbing wintering wildlife by following winter closures for animals like bighorn sheep. Wildlife are active in the park, including in developed areas. Don’t feed foxes, squirrels, or any other wildlife. Check for closures at go.nps.gov/tetonclosures.


Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
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Glacier National Park Announces Plans for 2022 Ticket System

Visitors to Glacier National Park in 2022 can expect to use a ticket system to access portions of the park from May 27 through September 11, 2022.

This will be the second year of the pilot ticket system in the park, designed to manage high traffic volumes within the park and avoid gridlock.

* To alleviate congestion, one ticket per vehicle will again be required to enter the Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR) at the West Entrance, St. Mary Entrance, and the new Camas Entrance.

* In 2022, a ticket per vehicle will also be required at the Polebridge Ranger Station to visit the North Fork area of the park.

* The GTSR and North Fork tickets will be two separate tickets. The park anticipates a portion of tickets becoming available by early March. Like last year, visitors will need to set up an account on Recreation.gov to obtain tickets. Although the park does not charge for the tickets, Recreation.gov charges a $2 nonrefundable service fee.

* Tickets will not be required at the St. Mary Entrance prior to the full opening of the GTSR, typically in late June. Once snow removal and road preparations are complete and the road opens to vehicle traffic to Logan Pass, tickets will be required at the St. Mary entrance through September 11, 2022.

* The park will offer three-day tickets for GTSR rather than the seven-day ticket offered last year, and one-day tickets for the North Fork.

* The Apgar and Sprague Creek campgrounds will require advance reservations in addition to Fish Creek and St. Mary campgrounds. Reservations will be available on Recreation.gov in 2022. Rising Sun and Avalanche campgrounds will remain first come, first served. The park anticipates all campgrounds to be operating in 2022.

The 2021 pilot of the ticket system successfully reduced traffic on GTSR during peak hours and circumvented the need to fully close access to GTSR due to congestion an estimated 35 times. This was a major accomplishment despite 2021 visitation numbers currently boasting the second highest on record for the park. Avoiding gridlock also ensured access to emergency vehicles and prevented severe vehicle back-ups onto Highway 2 outside the park.

In addition to the ticket, each vehicle entering the park is required to have an entrance pass for any entry point into the park. These passes could include any one of the following: a $35 vehicle pass, good for seven days; a valid Interagency Annual/Lifetime Pass; or a Glacier National Park Annual Pass.

Visitors with lodging, camping, transportation, or commercial activity reservations within the GTSR corridor can use their reservation for entry in lieu of a $2 ticket. (The North Fork area does not offer lodging, transportation or commercial services, and camping is first come, first served.)

Park shuttles will operate in 2022. Service levels are still to be determined.

The park anticipates continued congestion at Two Medicine and Many Glacier. As in past years, entry will be temporarily restricted when these areas reach capacity. Visitors are encouraged to plan their visit outside of peak hours (10:00 am to 2:00 pm). Visitors with service reservations (e.g. boat tours, lodging, horseback ride, guided hikes) in these valleys will be permitted entry during temporary restrictions.

Park staff are currently working on details for a utility project this summer that may require the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road to be closed at night, except for emergency vehicles. More details on this project will be forthcoming, but visitors should anticipate a late night through early morning closure from Apgar to Lake McDonald Lodge from June to September.

Additional details about the ticketed system are still in development. The park website will provide updates as more information becomes available.


Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
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Limited Time Only: "Ramble On: A History of Hiking" is available at 33% off!

With the beginning of the Christmas holiday season already upon us, I wanted to let you all know that my book will be on sale this week on Amazon. Beginning today, and continuing through the rest of this week only, the paperback version of Ramble On: A History of Hiking will be sold at 33% off the regular price. During this timeframe hiking enthusiasts will be able to purchase the book on Amazon for only $12.70 (the regular price is $18.95).

Ramble On: A History of Hiking is an outstanding gift idea for anyone who loves hiking, and wishes to learn more about the rich and amazing history of one of the world’s top pastimes. For more information, and to purchase, please click here.

As always, thank you for your support!


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

Additional campgrounds move to Recreation.gov for the 2022 season

Visitors to Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway will now be able to reserve campsites at all park campgrounds in a “one-stop-shop” on Recreation.gov as all remaining campgrounds in the park transition to the website for the 2022 summer season.

The Colter Bay RV Park and Tent Village, as well as Headwaters Campground and RV Park, which were previously reservable through Grand Teton Lodge Company, are moving to Recreation.gov. These locations, along with Colter Bay, Gros Ventre, Jenny Lake, Lizard Creek and Signal Mountain Campgrounds, will be available for booking on a six-month rolling basis. While a limited number of sites will be held back at the Colter Bay and Gros Ventre Campgrounds for reservation on a 14-day rolling basis, reservations are expected to fill quickly, and visitors are strongly encouraged to plan ahead. Park campgrounds will no longer be reservable through local campground call centers or websites.

A collaborative effort between the National Park Service, Grand Teton Lodge Company, Signal Mountain Lodge, and Recreation.gov was initiated in response to public requests for an advance reservation system at park campgrounds and launched last year with a portion of the campgrounds moving onto the platform for the 2021 summer season. The introduction of a reservation system at busy park campgrounds in 2021 was deemed a success, improving the visitor experience by streamlining the camping process, significantly shortening lines and reducing wait times, alleviating associated traffic congestion, and giving visitors the ability to plan ahead with confidence, knowing they would have a place to stay upon arrival.

Campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway are operated by concessioners. Grand Teton Lodge Company operates Gros Ventre, Jenny Lake, and Colter Bay Campgrounds. Flagg Ranch Company operates Headwaters RV Park and Campground. Signal Mountain Lodge LLC operates Signal Mountain and Lizard Creek Campgrounds.

Campsite reservations are available up to six months in advance on Recreation.gov.

For more information about camping in Grand Teton, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/camping.htm.


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

How did the Garden Wall receive its name?

The Garden Wall is an imposing, saw-toothed arête that stretches roughly 8 miles from Logan Pass to Swiftcurrent Pass in Glacier National Park. Separating the Many Glacier valley from the Lake McDonald valley, the wall also forms the Continental Divide in this area. Being an arête, the Garden Wall was created by two glaciers that carved the ridge into a thin rock spine.

The Garden Wall received its name from a popular song that was making the rounds in the late 1800s. While camping near Grinnell Lake during a trip guided by George Bird Grinnell in 1897, the party gathered around the campfire to sing songs. The event that led to the naming of the geological feature is described in The Father of Glacier National Park:

"One evening, around a campfire, they were singing the then-popular song, 'Over the Garden Wall', when one of the party remarked, “There is one wall we cannot get over.” The name was immediately applied to the ridge --- The Garden Wall"

Over the Garden Wall was composed by G. D. Fox in 1882, and the words to the song were written by Harry Hunter. Here's the first verse:

Oh, my love stood under the walnut tree,
Over the garden wall,
She whispered and said she'd be true to me,
Over the garden wall,
She'd beautiful eyes and beautiful hair,
Se was not very tall,
So she stood on a chair,
And many a time have I kissed her there.
Over the garden wall,

The song continues with three more verses.

Over the course of seven trips to Glacier spanning 13 years, Grinnell named 43 geological features within the future national park. This included Iceberg Lake, Swiftcurrent Mountain and Gunsight Mountain.


Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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Yellowstone National Park seeks public comments on revised Commercial Use Authorization plans

Yellowstone National Park asks for public comment on revised Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) and service-related operating plans that will guide commercial services in the park for the next five years.

The purpose of these revisions is to update the existing CUA and operating plans, last approved in 2013. These revisions would improve the CUA program's consistency with federal laws, policies and guidelines, and accommodate changing visitor needs and interests. The park would begin operating under this new plan beginning January 1, 2022.

The revised plans would affect both existing and potential CUA holders, and includes the following updates:

* Activity-based CUAs: Bicycling Tours, Environmental Education Tours, Skiing/Snowshoeing, Motorized Boating, Non-Motorized Boating, Overnight Backcountry Trips, Painting and Photography Workshops, Stream and Shoreline Fishing, Road-Based Transportation (groups 1-25), Wedding and Portrait Photography and Single-session Wedding and Portrait Photography.

* Service-based CUAs: Towing and Automotive Services (RV and RV appliance repair, tire repair, locksmith) and Water Access (specific to the Yellowstone River in Gardiner, Montana).

* CUA applications are accepted year-round. Applications may be submitted any time during the current operating year of January 1-December 31 (the previous application period was October 1-March 1). Applications for the following operating year will be accepted beginning October 1 of the current year.

* CUA permit application fees cost $300 annually for each activity-based CUA requested (remains unchanged), $150 every two years for a service-based CUA and $100 per Single-session Wedding and Portrait Photography CUA.

* Management fees remain unchanged and include 3%, 4% or 5% of annual gross receipts. Additional fees are not required for service-based or Single-session Wedding and Portrait Photography CUAs.

Comments must be received by November 23, 2021. Comments may be submitted online at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/YELLCUA or by mail. Comments will not be accepted by fax, email or other means. Mail comments to: Compliance Office, Attention: CUA Plan Revisions, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190.

Public Comment Considerations

* Bulk comments in any format submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted.

* Before including your address, phone number, email, or other personal information, be aware that your entire comment – including your personally identifiable information – may be made public at any time. You may ask us to withhold your personally identifiable information from public review, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.


Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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MT Fish and Wildlife Commission seeks public comments on grizzly bear relocation sites

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission is seeking public comment on proposed grizzly bear relocation sites.

Senate Bill 337, which was passed by the 2021 legislature, requires the Fish and Wildlife Commission to approve all sites where grizzly bears will be relocated by FWP. FWP staff, working with other land management agencies, have assembled a list of potential release sites in each of the Cabinet-Yaak, Northern Continental Divide, and Greater Yellowstone ecosystems. All proposed relocation sites are located within current grizzly bear distribution and occupied habitat and are located both inside and outside of designated recovery zones.

According to the SB337, FWP will not relocate a grizzly bear that is in conflict and captured outside of a designated recovery zone, although the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or their agents may. The new statute doesn’t preclude the Fish and Wildlife Service from relocating a bear to any suitable release site. The list proposed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission is only for FWP grizzly bear relocation efforts.

Grizzly bears may be relocated for a variety of reasons, including to avoid conflict, population augmentation, such as in the Cabinet-Yaak Recovery Zone, or for the purpose of genetic exchange. Many more sites are proposed than will be used. However, it is important to have many alternatives as specific sites may not be available at the time a bear needs to be relocated.

The list of potential sites includes a mix of sites that have been used historically, and new sites.

For more information, including maps of the proposed sites, and to comment, please visit https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities. Comments can also be submitted in writing to FWP Wildlife Comments, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701 and by email to fwpwld@mt.gov.

Comments accepted until Monday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m., with final adoption at the December 2021 commission meeting.


Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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HikinginGlacier.com Celebrates 10TH Anniversary

It's hard to believe, but its been 10 years since we launched HikinginGlacier.com. Building this website has given me an outstanding opportunity to explore dozens of trails in Glacier that I likely never would've considered in the past - simply because I would've continued hiking the most popular trails. In the process, I discovered many hikes that are just as scenic and enjoyable as Iceberg Lake, the Highline Trail or Avalanche Lake. Moreover, this website has given me an opportunity to discover many things about the park that I otherwise probably wouldn't have taken the time to learn, such as its rich and extensive human history, as well as the park's natural history, including its wide range of flora and fauna.

When we first launched this website in 2011 we covered roughly 40 hikes. Today the site covers a total of 68 hikes, and continues to grow. Over the last 10 years I've committed myself to making this the best possible online resource for hiking in Glacier by providing accurate trail descriptions, interesting historical anecdotes pertinent to as many trails as possible, and providing photographs that accurately showcase the beauty and the highlights of each hike.

Since launching HikinginGlacier.com in 2011 my wife and I have launched two additional websites for two other national parks. They include RockyMountainHikingTrails.com in 2012, and TetonHikingTrails.com in 2014. If you've never had the opportunity to visit either of these parks, I highly recommend both of them. Like Glacier, each of these parks offer many outstanding hiking opportunities.

Thanks to all of you for your support over the years!


Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

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

No need to worry about the supply chain, "Ramble On: A History of Hiking" is available!

No need to worry about supply chain issues this Christmas! Ramble On: A History of Hiking is currently available for purchase from Amazon, and is the perfect gift for you and your favorite hiker!

As you've probably already heard, there are many warnings coming from experts that supply chain issues could cause major interruptions for Christmas shoppers this year. Fortunately my book is printed on demand by Amazon, and is therefore readily available. If you're worried about supply chain issues, and are looking for a gift idea, both the paperback and E-book versions of my book are available on Amazon. If you order now you'll still have plenty of time to have it shipped to your home.

Ramble On: A History of Hiking is the first broad historical overview of hiking in one volume. Among the variety of topics discussed about the early years of hiking, the book chronicles hiking’s roots in alpinism and mountaineering, the societal trends that fostered its growth, some of the early hikers from the 19th century, the first trails built specifically for hiking, the formation of the first hiking clubs, as well as the evolution of hiking gear and apparel. It also includes anecdotal stories of trail development in some of our oldest and most iconic national parks, such as Yellowstone, Glacier, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

For more information on the book, and to purchase on Amazon, please click here.

Once again, thank you very much!


Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

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

Elk reduction program begins this Saturday

An elk reduction program begins Saturday, November 6, in Grand Teton National Park. The park’s enabling legislation of 1950 authorizes Grand Teton National Park to jointly administer an elk reduction program with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department when necessary for the proper management and conservation of the Jackson Elk Herd.

Respective federal and state resource managers have reviewed available data and concluded that the 2021 program is necessary. The need for the program is determined annually and is based on the status of the Jackson Elk Herd, including estimated herd size and composition and the number of elk on supplemental feed on the National Elk Refuge. A total of 400 permits are authorized for the 2021 program.

The only area open to the elk reduction program is Wyoming Game and Fish Elk Hunt Area 75, located mostly east of U.S. Highway 89. The Antelope Flats portion of this area closes November 22, and the remaining portions close December 12. The Snake River Bottom between Deadmans Bar and Ditch Creek is closed.

Wyoming Game and Fish Elk Hunt Area 79 is closed to limit harvest pressure on northern migratory and resident elk.

Participants in the program must carry their state license for Elk Hunt Area 75, conservation stamp, elk special management permit and 2021 elk reduction program park permit, use non-lead ammunition, and are limited in the number of cartridges they are able to carry each day. Harvest is currently restricted to cows and calves. The use of archery, handguns, or other non-center fire ammunition rifles is not permitted, nor is the use of artificial elk calls. In addition, participants, regardless of age, are required to carry a hunter safety card, wear fluorescent orange or pink, and carry and have immediately accessible a 7.9 oz. (or greater) can of non-expired bear spray. Information packets accompanying each permit warn participants of the risk of bear encounters and offer tips on how to minimize the risk of human-bear conflicts.

Following detection of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a mule deer within Grand Teton National Park in November 2018, the National Park Service increased surveillance efforts to include mandatory collection of elk heads from all elk harvested during the program. Park personnel will collect biological samples from the heads and submit them to the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory for testing. Participants can check their results online.

National Park Service and Wyoming Game and Fish staff will monitor and patrol elk reduction program areas to ensure compliance with rules and regulations, interpret the elk reduction program to visitors, and provide participants with outreach regarding bear activity and safety. These areas remain open to park visitors, and wearing bright colors is highly encouraged during this time.

An information line for the elk reduction program is available at 307.739.3681.


Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

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

RockyMountainHikingTrails.com Adds 5 New Hikes to Website

RockyMountainHikingTrails.com continues to expand! Kathy and I spent a week and a half in Rocky Mountain National Park a few weeks ago, and as a result, we just added 5 new hikes to our website (in addition to several new photos for several other hikes). Hopefully you'll find that this expansion will make your hike and trip planning a little easier. During our trip we made our first trek to Lion Lake No. 1. Why did we ever wait so long?

Anyway, here's a rundown on what's been added to our site:

Lion Lake No. 1: For whatever reason, we haven't had a chance to take this hike until this past fall. Wow! What were we waiting for? The rugged subalpine landscape that surrounds this lake offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the park, while making it by far the most scenic lake in Wild Basin.

Timber Lake: At some point I thought the landslide area along the route would be cleared. I don't think this will ever happen, so we went ahead and hiked to the lake on the west side of the park. During our trip the slide really wasn't a big deal. The lake and the meadows along the way make this a very nice hike.

Lulu City: Although nearly every hike on this website visits a specific destination, you could argue that this hike is more about the journey. On this route hikers will enjoy beautiful meadows and mountain scenery as they proceed along the upper portions of the Colorado River. While there’s quite a bit of history along the way, the physical remnants are rapidly decaying.

Boulder Brook Loop: This is an excellent choice if you're seeking a bit of solitude in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park!

Lily Ridge Loop: Provides hikers with the opportunity to view Lily Lake and the surrounding mountains from a higher vantage point.

Happy trails!


Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

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

Wildlife is active near park roads, be vigilant while driving

Park officials ask visitors and local residents to practice vigilance while driving in Grand Teton National Park. In the last two weeks alone, five bison, one elk, one mule deer, one pronghorn, one coyote and one wolf pup were hit and killed by vehicles traveling on park roads.

Seeing wildlife in their natural habitat is one of the many unique opportunities that make Grand Teton National Park a special, awe-inspiring place. Motorists can do their part to protect and preserve these animals by slowing down and using caution while driving.

For many animals, fall is a time of migration which means animals may be more active near park roadways and can cross the roads unexpectedly. Days become shorter as fall transitions to winter. Drivers should use caution and slow down, especially at dawn, dusk, and during the night when visibility is reduced.

Visitors and local residents should obey posted speed limits and maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles. Please follow the nighttime speed limit of 45 miles per hour on U.S. Highway 26/89/191. The reduced speed limit gives drivers and wildlife more time to react.

In addition, drivers should pay close attention while driving on park roads. Many animals are good at hiding along roadsides and it is important to be aware that animals are around, even when you do not see them. Speeding is not the only cause of wildlife collisions. Park wildlife are often hit because drivers are not paying attention to their surroundings.

When an animal is hit, wildlife management staff are sent to respond. Depending on the circumstances, this pulls staff members away from their other duties for a considerable amount of time in order to perform carcass removal, biological sampling, and clean up. This directly impacts park staff’s ability to protect other wildlife.

Around 75—100 large animals are hit by vehicles annually in Grand Teton. You can save a life by slowing down, driving 45 at night and being alert on park roads.


Jeff
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TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

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

Fuel reduction burns planned in Grand Teton National Park

Teton Interagency Fire personnel will burn slash piles created from fuel reduction projects near Beaver Creek, Elk Ranch and other areas in Grand Teton National Park in the coming weeks. Firefighters will burn these piles under low fire behavior conditions resulting from wet weather and snow accumulation. Smoke may be visible from these piles during the day of ignition and may linger in the area for a few days following.

Firefighters have focused on fuel reduction efforts in developed areas, such as Beaver Creek, to reduce wildfire risk, and pile burning is the last step in this thinning. Fuel reduction includes thinning and removing lower limbs from trees and the removal of dead wood and brush from the forest floor. Firefighters place the slash from fuels reduction work into tepee-shaped piles and let them cure for a year before burning them.

Additional debris piles have been constructed around the park resulting from regular hazard tree removal and routine trail and road maintenance. One of these piles is at the Elk Ranch south of Moran. Fence removal and other regular maintenance has led to an accumulation of debris at the Elk Ranch which will be targeted for burning this fall. There may be other locations in the park as well that will be burned this fall as conditions allow.

Due to the specific conditions that need to be in place for pile burning, it is hard to predict exactly when work will begin. Fuel reduction piles are only ignited under certain conditions, including favorable smoke dispersal and weather conditions that limit the chance of fire spread. The areas will be monitored by patrols after burning is completed.

Public and firefighter safety is always the number one priority in all burn operations. Smoke from vegetation piles may be visible while piles are lit and burn down over the course of a few days. Fire management staff tend to the piles to assure complete combustion and consumption of all fuels and to monitor burning conditions for potential fire spread. Some smoke may linger in the pile area and in drainages as temperatures drop during the evening. Signs will be posted along travel routes and roadsides to remind travelers to use headlights for safe travel within areas of concern.

More information on these projects is available at www.tetonfires.com.


Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

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

Body of missing 26-year-old Texas man located in Grand Teton

Search teams located the body of missing 26-year-old Texas man Jared Hembree today in Grand Teton National Park. His body was found near Uhl Hill in the eastern part of the park.

Rangers arrived to the scene and recovered Hembree’s remains. The National Park Service and Teton County Sherriff’s Office are conducting an investigation into what occurred.

A search was initiated Thursday, October 21, after park law enforcement received a call expressing concern about Hembree’s welfare after an interaction with him outside of the park’s eastern boundary. Hembree’s vehicle was located unattended at Game Warden Point parking area in the eastern part of the park.

The four-day intensive search involved over eighty members. Grand Teton park staff, members of Teton County Sherriff’s Office (TCSO), members of Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR), members of Teton County Idaho Search and Rescue (TCISAR), the Civil Air Patrol and members of Wyoming Highway Patrol were all involved in search efforts. TCSAR provided assistance with a helicopter and a drone. The Civil Air Patrol provided assistance with a fixed wing airplane. Search and rescue dog teams and horse teams were also involved.

The park and all those involved in the search extend their condolences to Jared Hembree’s family and friends.


Jeff
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Search underway in Grand Teton for missing Texas man

Search operations are underway to find a missing 26-year-old Texas man. Jared Hembree was last seen in Grand Teton National Park on Thursday, October 21 near Game Warden Point in Moran, Wyoming.

Hembree is 5’9” tall and 170 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He has been described as wearing a green t-shirt with black pants and is believed to be carrying a black backpack.

Park law enforcement received a call expressing concern about Hembree’s welfare after an interaction with him outside of the park’s eastern boundary. Hembree’s vehicle was located unattended at Game Warden Point parking area in the eastern part of the park.

Grand Teton National Park law enforcement rangers, Teton County Sherriff’s Office deputies, and Teton County Search and Rescue are involved in the search. Efforts have included ground and aerial search operations. The Civil Air Patrol has provided assistance with a fixed wing airplane. Teton County Search and Rescue has provided assistance with a helicopter and a drone. Search and rescue dog teams have also been deployed.

Anyone who has been traveling in the area since Thursday may have seen Hembree. Those with information regarding his whereabouts are urged to contact Teton Interagency Dispatch Center at 307.739.3301.


Jeff
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Grand Teton surpassed park’s busiest full year in September

Grand Teton National Park hosted 3,493,937 recreation visits between January and September 2021, already surpassing the park’s busiest full year on record with three months to go in 2021. Previously, 2018 had the record for most recreation visits in a year with 3,491,151 visits. Of the past nine months, six have been record setting for visitation.

Some of the largest increases in recreation visits occurred during the shoulder season, including the months of March, April, and May. Summer visitation (June, July, August) also increased with July 2021 recording the busiest month for recreation visits in Grand Teton’s history.

The park has also seen increases in trail use. During the 2021 summer, trail use increased approximately 29%, compared to 2019. Looking back five years ago, since 2017, trail use has increased approximately 49%.

“2021 has been a record setting year for visitation in Grand Teton National Park, but it’s more than just the numbers. We are seeing changing patterns and behavior including more people in the backcountry and more visitors in the ‘shoulder season.’ The park is studying changing visitation to gain a more detailed understanding of existing conditions and learning what issues may threaten a quality visitor experience. We are also learning from other parks, seeing what solutions are being tried and what issues they are solving,” said Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins. “The visitor experience is a resource, just like moose or clean air, and it’s something we are actively working to preserve and protect.”

Grand Teton park staff continue to analyze data and studies conducted over the summer to better understand changing visitation trends in the park. Studies include visitor-use and experience studies at Colter Bay, Taggart and Lupine Meadows trailheads, which surveyed visitors in these areas to gain a better understanding of visitor demographics, visitor expectations, and more. Additionally, a parkwide visitor mobility study was conducted this summer to identify common visitor travel patterns and flow.


Jeff
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How National Parks Are Dealing With Crowds

This news feature ran on CNBC last night. It's sad that our national parks have come to this, but I think they're probably doing the right thing here in order to deal with the overcrowding problems in our parks. To think just a few short years ago the National Park System, as well as states like Utah, ran advertising campaigns to attract visitors. No doubt Covid and the closures imposed on travel and recreational activities has driven some of this increase. Will this surge subside after the country and the world gets back to normal?




Jeff
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Highly food conditioned grizzly bear euthanized

For public safety, Grand Teton National Park officials, in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, euthanized a highly food-conditioned, four-year-old female grizzly bear on Saturday, October 16. This action was taken after the bear received numerous food rewards from unsecured sources, causing it to exhibit increasingly bold behavior. This behavior caused the bear to pose a threat to human safety and therefore it was removed from the population.

Over the course of two years, the grizzly received multiple food rewards and demonstrated escalating conflict behavior. In October of 2020, the bear accessed numerous unsecured attractants at a private residence south of the park. During the fall of 2021, the grizzly received additional food rewards on private lands and caused property damage. The bear eventually became more emboldened in attempts to obtain human food, breaking into bear-resistant dumpsters in Grand Teton National Park.

Once a bear receives a human food reward, it can become food conditioned. Food rewards can include human food, trash, livestock feed, compost, pet food, beehives, etc. Over time, food conditioned bears may become bold or aggressive in their attempts to obtain human food, as was the case with this bear.

Park officials made the decision to capture and remove the animal as per Interagency Grizzly Bear guidelines and per the park bear and wildlife management plan. On October 16, the grizzly bear was captured by Grand Teton park staff and euthanized.

Timeline of conflict behavior
October 5, 2020: Based on GPS collar data, localized at a private residence south of the park.
October 9 – 16, 2020: Based on GPS collar data, localized at a private residence south of the park.
October 21, 2020: Based on GPS collar data, localized at a private residence south of the park.
September 3, 2021: Received food reward of chicken feed on private lands.
September 4, 2021: Received food reward of chicken feed on private lands.
September 12, 2021: Caused property damage on private lands.
September 14, 2021: Caused property damage on private lands.
September 16, 2021: Received food reward of bird and livestock feed on private lands.
September 24, 2021: Received food reward of garbage on private lands.
September 25, 2021: Received food reward of garbage on private lands.
September 26, 2021: Received food reward of garbage on private lands.
October 4, 2021: Caused property damage and received food reward of garbage on private lands.
October 5, 2021: Received food reward of garbage on private lands.
October 7, 2021: Received food reward of garbage from bear-resistant trash can in Grand Teton.
October 9, 2021: Received food reward of garbage on private lands.
October 10, 2021: Received food reward of garbage from bear-resistant dumpster in Grand Teton.

You can make a difference in a bear’s life by doing your part to ensure bears never obtain human foods, whether you call the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) home or are just passing through. Odors attract bears. By storing attractants so bears cannot gain access and securing all trash in a bear-resistant dumpster, you can make sure a bear does not receive human foods. As the grizzly bear population continues to expand in the southern end of the GYE, bears continue to disperse outside of Grand Teton National Park. Residents of local communities are encouraged to secure attractants around their homes. Store all garbage within bear-resistant containers. Secure livestock feed, compost, and beehives. Ensure bird feeders are ten feet up and four feet out from any building. Avoid planting fruit trees. Help your neighbors create a bear-wise community to protect wildlife. It may be cliché; however, more often than not, “a fed bear is a dead bear.”


Jeff
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Going-to-the-Sun Road Closes Early for Season

Due to continued winter weather, the alpine sections of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park will remain closed for the season. Currently, visitors can drive 15.5 miles from the West Entrance to Avalanche Creek, and 13.5 miles from the St. Mary Entrance to Jackson Glacier Overlook. The Going-to-the-Sun Road typically closes between Avalanche Creek and Jackson Glacier Overlook on or before the third Monday in October, depending on road and weather conditions.

A temporary road closure was first implemented on Sunday, October 10 due to inclement weather forecasted. Since that time, several inches of snow have accumulated at Logan Pass and the road remains icy. The National Weather Service forecasts additional snowfall Wednesday October 13 and wind gusts up to 20 mph. As a result, the Going-to-the-Sun Road closure between Avalanche Creek and Jackson Glacier Overlook will continue for the remainder of the season.

Visitors should be aware of road crews prepping for winter operations which include removing guard rails, displays, and signs, and installing snow poles along the road closure. Hiking and biking is permitted on most closed roads in the park as far as the hiker/biker closure signs, however risks include falling ice or rocks, and ice-covered or snowy road conditions. Closure points are determined by changing road crew activity and conditions. Bicycling is not permitted on snow covered roads.

The Many Glacier Entrance is closed at the boundary to all traffic due to construction. To stay up to date with changing road conditions, visit the park's Current Road Status webpage.

Highway 2 construction will continue into November along the southern border of Glacier National Park and visitors can check the Montana Department of Transportation website for updates. Camas Road remains under construction until the beginning of November causing 30-minute delays in both directions during the day.

Most visitor amenities in the park have closed for the season. Two Medicine, Bowman Lake, Kintla Lake, and one section of Apgar (Loop B) campgrounds, are open for primitive camping on a first come, first served basis until October 31, when they will move into winter camping and remain open as winter road conditions permit. St. Mary Campground opens to winter camping on November 1. Visitors may check campground status on our website.

The Apgar Wilderness Permit Office and Aquatic Invasive Species Boat Inspection Station close October 31. No boating in the park is permitted after October 31. Free winter wilderness camping permits are available November 1 – April 30 and can be reserved three to seven days in advance by email or phone (406-888-7857).

The Apgar Visitor Center is open on weekends through October 24, weather permitting, but Wi-Fi, restrooms and potable water remain available at this location year-round.

The park is open year-round and recreational opportunities can be found during all seasons. Learn more about winter operations at Glacier National Park on our Visiting in Winter webpage. For additional visitor inquiries, contact park headquarters at 406-888-7800.


Jeff
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Wildlife officers remove tire that was around a bull elk’s neck for over two years

An elk with a tire around its neck for at least the last two years was finally freed of the obstacle Saturday evening when Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers were able to tranquilize the bull and remove the tire. Wildlife officers Dawson Swanson and Scott Murdoch had to cut the antlers off the bull elk in order to remove the tire. That occurred Saturday around 8 p.m., roughly one mile south of Pine Junction on private property off of County Road 126.

Wildlife officers aged the bull as a four-and-a-half year-old weighing over 600 pounds and had five points on each of its antler beams.

“It was tight removing it,” Murdoch said of pulling the tire off the bull’s neck, even after cutting its antlers off. “It was not easy for sure, we had to move it just right to get it off because we weren’t able to cut the steel in the bead of the tire. Fortunately, the bull’s neck still had a little room to move. We would have preferred to cut the tire and leave the antlers for his rutting activity, but the situation was dynamic and we had to just get the tire off in any way possible.”

Once the tire was off, wildlife officers Swanson and Murdoch were surprised to see the condition of its neck after having that tire on it for over two years.

“The hair was rubbed off a little bit, there was one small open wound maybe the size of a nickel or quarter, but other than that it looked really good,” Murdoch said of the bull’s neck. “I was actually quite shocked to see how good it looked.”

It was the fourth attempt wildlife officers had made in the last week to try to tranquilize this bull. Saturday evening, officer Swanson was in a neighborhood looking for this elk that was reported in the area earlier in the day. He found it in a group of elk and maneuvered into a location where he thought it was going to cross. Swanson was able to successfully tranquilize the bull. Murdoch arrived to aid in the removal operation before the two set him free, many pounds lighter.

Swanson and Murdoch estimated that the bull elk dropped roughly 35 pounds between the removal of the tire, his antlers and the debris that was inside the tire.

“The tire was full of wet pine needles and dirt,” Murdoch said. “So the pine needles, dirt and other debris basically filled the entire bottom half of the tire. There was probably 10 pounds of debris in the tire.”

This bull elk has spent the past couple of years traveling back and forth between Park and Jefferson Counties. He would disappear for long periods of time, particularly in the winter, and was acting as expected from a wild animal, not wanting to be around human presence. That is much different than some of the resident elk people often see in towns such as Evergreen or Estes Park.

At the end of May and into June 2021, four attempts were made to catch up with this bull in the Pleasant Park area of Conifer. Sightings of him picked back up in September and early October near the town of Pine. Murdoch felt the rut (breeding season) played a helpful role in catching up with the bull.

“In the winter we weren’t getting any reports of him,” Murdoch said. “In the springtime, we would get an occasional report or see him in a little bachelor herd. The rut definitely made him more visible. There was a bigger bull in the group he was with on Saturday, but he is getting to be a decent size bull.”

The first time wildlife officers became aware of this elk with a tire around its neck was in July 2019. While conducting a population survey for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and mountain goats in the Mount Evans Wilderness, wildlife officer Jared Lamb saw the bull through a spotting scope. At the time the bull appeared to be a younger one, likely two years old. “Being up in the wilderness, we didn’t really expect to be able to get our hands on the elk just because of the proximity or the distance away from civilization,” Murdoch said. “It is harder to get the further they are back in there and usually the further these elk are away from people, the wilder they act. That certainly played true the last couple of years, this elk was difficult to find, and harder to get close to.”

Since the original sighting by wildlife officer Lamb, a handful of other sightings came in over the following year. A trail camera near Conifer picked up the bull with the tire twice in 2020, first on June 5 and later on July 12. A separate trail camera also captured it on Aug. 12, 2020.

The saga of this bull elk highlights the need for residents to live responsibly with wildlife in mind. That includes keeping your property free of obstacles that wildlife can get tangled in or injured by. Wildlife officers have seen deer, elk, moose, bears and other wildlife become entangled in a number of man-made obstacles that include swing sets, hammocks, clothing lines, decorative or holiday lighting, furniture, tomato cages, chicken feeders, laundry baskets, soccer goals or volleyball nets, and yes, tires.

This elk would have gotten the tire around its antlers either when it was very young, before it had antlers, or during the winter when it shed its antlers. It could have been a big stack of tires that the elk stuck its head in, wildlife officers have also seen it where people feed animals who come in and put their heads in things that they then walk away with.


Jeff
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Illinois woman charged in Yellowstone case involving a grizzly receives four days in federal custody and fines

Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that Samantha R Dehring, age 25 of Carol Stream, Illinois, pleaded guilty to willfully remaining, approaching, and photographing wildlife within 100 yards. The other count, feeding, touching, teasing, frightening, or intentionally disturbing wildlife, was dismissed. Dehring appeared in front of Magistrate Judge Mark L. Carman in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming on October 6, 2021, for her change of plea and sentencing hearing. She was sentenced to four days in custody, one-year unsupervised probation, and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, a $1,000 community service payment to Yellowstone Forever Wildlife Protection Fund, a $30 court processing fee and a $10 assessment. Dehring also received a one-year ban from Yellowstone National Park.

According to the violation notices, Dehring was at Roaring Mountain in Yellowstone National Park on May 10, 2021, when visitors noticed a sow grizzly and her three cubs. While other visitors slowly backed off and got into their vehicles, Dehring remained. She continued to take pictures as the sow bluff charged her.

“Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are, indeed, wild. The park is not a zoo where animals can be viewed within the safety of a fenced enclosure. They roam freely in their natural habitat and when threatened will react accordingly,” said Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray. “Approaching a sow grizzly with cubs is absolutely foolish. Here, pure luck is why Dehring is a criminal defendant and not a mauled tourist.”

According to Yellowstone National Park regulations, when an animal is near a trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, give it space. Stay 25 yards (23 m) away from all large animals - bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.


Jeff
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Temporary closures scheduled for trails around Phelps Lake and Death Canyon Road

A temporary area closure will be in effect for several trails around Phelps Lake as well as the Death Canyon Road in Grand Teton National on Thursday, October 7, and from Tuesday, October 12—Thursday, October 14. The temporary area closure is necessary to ensure public safety during construction activities involving helicopter transport of heavy materials from White Grass to the Phelps Lake outlet bridge on the east side of Phelps Lake. Closures will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the provided dates.

For safety during the staging and hauling of construction materials, Death Canyon Road and some trails around Phelps Lake, including the Wister Draw Trail, the Woodland Trail, and Boulder Ridge Trail will be temporarily closed.

Staff will be located at junctions or trailheads where trails will be closed. Death Canyon Road will have staff on either end and will be closed to incoming traffic.

Schedules may change, or be delayed, due to weather conditions, equipment malfunction, or other extenuating circumstances.

History:

The Phelps Lake outlet bridge was closed for replacement beginning August 18. The closure is expected to be in place through fall 2022.

The bridge connects Lake Creek trail to the Woodland trail and therefore hikers will not be able to make a loop on those trails, although hikers can still hike the Lake Creek or Woodland trail one way to the lake and back. The Phelps Lake loop from the Death Canyon Trailhead will require an additional 1.5 miles to complete the loop. Signs will be placed around Phelps Lake to reflect the closure.

The bridge was originally built for vehicle use by the Rockefeller family more than 60 years ago, before being reconfigured for pedestrian use as part of the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. The bridge sits on untreated logs and over time the weight of the bridge has made the wood deteriorate. The old bridge will be replaced with a new bridge that will be less costly to maintain and will continue to reflect the attractive, rustic appearance of the historic bridge.

Jackson Hole Preserve Inc., one of Grand Teton’s longest standing partners, is helping to support the bridge replacement.


Jeff
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Female visitor suffers significant thermal burns in Yellowstone; Park warns visitors to keep pets under control

A 20-year-old woman from Washington suffered significant thermal burns between her shoulders and feet on the afternoon of October 4, in the vicinity of Fountain Flat Drive south of Madison Junction.

When the woman and her father exited their vehicle to look around, their dog jumped out of the car and into Maiden’s Grave Spring near the Firehole River. The woman entered the thermal hot spring to retrieve the dog. The father pulled her out of the feature and then drove the party to West Yellowstone, Montana.

Yellowstone National Park rangers and Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District provided initial care to the woman at West Yellowstone. She was then transported to the Burn Center at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

The dog was removed from the feature and the father intended to take it to a veterinarian. Its status is unknown currently.

This incident is under investigation and the park has no additional information to share.

The ground in hydrothermal areas is fragile and thin, and there is scalding water just below the surface. Everyone must remain on boardwalks and trails and exercise extreme caution around thermal features. Learn more about safety in thermal areas at go.nps.gov/yellsafety.

While in the park, visitors should protect their pets by physically controlling them at all times. Pets must be in a car, crate or on a leash no more than six feet long. They are not allowed on boardwalks, hiking trails, in the backcountry, or in thermal areas.

This is the second significant injury in a thermal area in 2021. The first occurred in September at Old Faithful. In 2020, a three-year-old suffered second degree-thermal burns to the lower body and back and a visitor (who illegally entered the park) fell into a thermal feature at Old Faithful while backing up and taking photos. In September 2019, a man suffered severe burns after falling into thermal water near the cone of Old Faithful Geyser. In June 2017, a man sustained severe burns after falling in a hot spring in the Lower Geyser Basin. In June 2016, a man left the boardwalk and died after slipping into a hot spring in Norris Geyser Basin. In August 2000, one person died and two people received severe burns from falling into a hot spring in the Lower Geyser Basin.


Jeff
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