Glacier National Park reminds visitors that vehicle reservations are required for the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor and the North Fork area of the park starting May 27 through September 11, 2022. A vehicle reservation is only needed from the east side at Rising Sun when the Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open for the season. Visitors can access the community of Polebridge without a vehicle reservation as it lies just outside the entrance station to the park. Visitors can follow the Going-to-the-Sun Road status on the park website.
Advanced reservations are exclusively available on Recreation.gov. Visitors will not be able to obtain a reservation at the park. Starting May 26, 24-hour advanced reservations will be released at 8 am MDT the day before the effective date on Recreation.gov. All 120-day advanced vehicle reservations for the 2022 season have been released.
Vehicle reservations are needed to enter the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor at the West Glacier Entrance, Camas Entrance and Rising Sun checkpoint (located 6 miles west of the St. Mary Entrance) from 6 am until 4 pm each day. North Fork area reservations are required between 6 am and 6 pm. Reservations are not required for any other portions of the park (for example Many Glacier, Two Medicine, St. Mary or Chief Mountain Highway) and visitors are still subject to the per vehicle entrance pass fee.
Visitors with service reservations along the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor and in the North Fork area of the park do not need a vehicle reservation. Valid service reservations will serve as a vehicle reservation for the day of the service reservation and include lodging, camping, commercial tours, etc. Please visit the park’s Vehicle Reservation System page for more information.
In addition to vehicle reservation information, the park reminds visitors that they will not be able to access the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the West Entrance before 6 am due to night-time construction along Lake McDonald beginning on June 1st. There will be nightly closures between 10 pm and 6 am, from the foot of Lake McDonald to just west of the Sprague Creek Campground. Vehicles will have one opportunity at midnight to be piloted through the nightly closures. During the day, traffic lights will control a single lane through the construction area. Please see the park’s Construction Page for more information.
Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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Sunday, May 29, 2022
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Grizzly bear 399’s offspring are now independent
Grizzly bear 399 has successfully weaned her four offspring, which is normal for female grizzly bears with two-year-old cubs. These young bears will eventually disperse to establish individual home ranges. Residents of Teton County should expect that these bears, and other recently weaned individual bears, could travel through their neighborhoods in pursuit of available habitat.
Young bears have a higher potential to become emboldened in seeking out foods in and around human development, especially if they have learned to acquire food there in the past. When this food-conditioned behavior occurs, management options for bear and human safety become limited. As interagency and community partners, BearWise Jackson Hole, Teton County, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will continue our collective efforts to proactively prevent conflicts between bears and people in Teton County. However, the potential for conflict is high, and we need your help. Please secure attractants of any kind and be bear wise.
During the last two years, grizzly bear 399 and her cubs spent a significant amount of time near residential areas and received numerous food rewards. These events serve as a critical reminder that all of Teton County is in occupied grizzly bear habitat. Living and recreating in bear country requires awareness and actions on our part to keep both bears and humans safe. As the grizzly bear population expands within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, bears continue to disperse across their historical range but also into more populated areas. Unfortunately, more often than not, “a fed bear is a dead bear.”
Properly storing all attractants to ensure a bear does not obtain a food reward is crucial to keeping bears wild and humans safe. BearWise Jackson Hole, Teton County, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like to thank Teton County residents for their efforts to secure bear attractants this spring. Grizzly bear 399 and her offspring foraged naturally on private property for nearly two weeks with no conflicts recorded. This goes to show that our efforts and dedication as a community paid off. Let’s keep up the great work.
Please immediately report bear sightings and any conflict activities in your local community to the bear management professionals with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, so we can respond properly to reduce conflict potential between bears and people.
BearWise Jackson Hole was established in 2006 as a local chapter of the Wyoming Bear Wise Community Program and is a partnership between Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation. Our objective is to minimize the accessibility of unnatural attractants to bears and educate residents and visitors about bears and conflict prevention.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Young bears have a higher potential to become emboldened in seeking out foods in and around human development, especially if they have learned to acquire food there in the past. When this food-conditioned behavior occurs, management options for bear and human safety become limited. As interagency and community partners, BearWise Jackson Hole, Teton County, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will continue our collective efforts to proactively prevent conflicts between bears and people in Teton County. However, the potential for conflict is high, and we need your help. Please secure attractants of any kind and be bear wise.
During the last two years, grizzly bear 399 and her cubs spent a significant amount of time near residential areas and received numerous food rewards. These events serve as a critical reminder that all of Teton County is in occupied grizzly bear habitat. Living and recreating in bear country requires awareness and actions on our part to keep both bears and humans safe. As the grizzly bear population expands within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, bears continue to disperse across their historical range but also into more populated areas. Unfortunately, more often than not, “a fed bear is a dead bear.”
Properly storing all attractants to ensure a bear does not obtain a food reward is crucial to keeping bears wild and humans safe. BearWise Jackson Hole, Teton County, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like to thank Teton County residents for their efforts to secure bear attractants this spring. Grizzly bear 399 and her offspring foraged naturally on private property for nearly two weeks with no conflicts recorded. This goes to show that our efforts and dedication as a community paid off. Let’s keep up the great work.
Please immediately report bear sightings and any conflict activities in your local community to the bear management professionals with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, so we can respond properly to reduce conflict potential between bears and people.
BearWise Jackson Hole was established in 2006 as a local chapter of the Wyoming Bear Wise Community Program and is a partnership between Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation. Our objective is to minimize the accessibility of unnatural attractants to bears and educate residents and visitors about bears and conflict prevention.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Thursday, May 19, 2022
30th Annual National Trails Day Celebration on June 4, 2022
Millions of people from across the country will hit the trail on June 4, 2022, celebrating the 30th annual American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day®. This year’s celebration is about coming together to leave the trail and the outdoor community better than they found them. Hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, paddlers, trail clubs, federal and local agencies, land trusts, and businesses will partner at events across the country to forge a more inclusive trail community and advocate for, maintain, and clean up trails and public lands.
American Hiking and the nationwide trails community invite people of all ages and abilities to connect with their local community around their love of being outside. Anyone can join the national movement by giving back to the trails and making sure everyone can enjoy the outdoors with three simple actions:
To find a local event, please click here.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
American Hiking and the nationwide trails community invite people of all ages and abilities to connect with their local community around their love of being outside. Anyone can join the national movement by giving back to the trails and making sure everyone can enjoy the outdoors with three simple actions:
To find a local event, please click here.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Monday, May 16, 2022
Anticipate temporary road closures on East Entrance Road in Yellowstone National Park due to increased avalanche danger
The East Entrance Road between the East Entrance and Fishing Bridge will close for periods of time Monday, May 16 through Wednesday, May 18 because of increased avalanche danger from recent snowfall and warm temperatures. The road closed today, May 16, at 11 a.m. and will be closed until 7 p.m.
Anticipate midday road closures on May 17 and May 18.
Stay informed about up-to-date road conditions in Yellowstone:
* Visit Park Roads.
* To receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone, text “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).
* Call (307) 344-2117.
Conditions in Yellowstone can change quickly, especially during spring, and roads can temporarily close due to poor driving conditions. Drive slowly and with caution!
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Anticipate midday road closures on May 17 and May 18.
Stay informed about up-to-date road conditions in Yellowstone:
* Visit Park Roads.
* To receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone, text “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).
* Call (307) 344-2117.
Conditions in Yellowstone can change quickly, especially during spring, and roads can temporarily close due to poor driving conditions. Drive slowly and with caution!
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Dave Roemer Selected as Superintendent of Glacier National Park
National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Mike Reynolds announced the selection of David (Dave) Roemer as superintendent of Glacier National Park. In this position, he will provide oversight of the staff and resources needed to manage the over one million acres that make up the park. Roemer will begin working at Glacier in early July.
"Dave brings strong experience working with community and Tribal partners and is a passionate and inclusive leader,” said Reynolds. “Dave's strong background in resource management and park operations will serve him well as Glacier's new superintendent.
"Roemer comes to Glacier from his most recent position as the deputy superintendent at Redwood National and State Parks. In this role, he engaged in complex partnerships, strategic planning, and Tribal engagement. Roemer recently served in details as acting superintendent at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, at Redwood, and at Big Thicket National Preserve.
Prior to his current position, Roemer worked as the chief of resource management and science at Redwood and in a similar position at Big Thicket. He has also worked as a biologist at both Bryce Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns national parks. Roemer began his NPS career as an interpretive ranger at Carlsbad Caverns.
“I am excited for the opportunity to serve as superintendent of Glacier National Park. I look forward to working with the exceptional staff at Glacier and welcoming visitors to experience the majestic landscapes and diverse ecosystems at the Crown of the Continent,” said Roemer. “I am eager to continue the park’s strong relationships with Tribes, local governments, partner organizations and external stakeholders.”
Roemer did his graduate work in Montana where he received a master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana. He has a bachelor’s degree in environmental communications from Antioch College.
Dave will be moving to Glacier with his wife, daughter, and son. They all enjoy camping, backpacking and travel. He succeeds Jeff Mow who retired in December after more than eight years leading Glacier National Park.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
"Dave brings strong experience working with community and Tribal partners and is a passionate and inclusive leader,” said Reynolds. “Dave's strong background in resource management and park operations will serve him well as Glacier's new superintendent.
"Roemer comes to Glacier from his most recent position as the deputy superintendent at Redwood National and State Parks. In this role, he engaged in complex partnerships, strategic planning, and Tribal engagement. Roemer recently served in details as acting superintendent at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, at Redwood, and at Big Thicket National Preserve.
Prior to his current position, Roemer worked as the chief of resource management and science at Redwood and in a similar position at Big Thicket. He has also worked as a biologist at both Bryce Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns national parks. Roemer began his NPS career as an interpretive ranger at Carlsbad Caverns.
“I am excited for the opportunity to serve as superintendent of Glacier National Park. I look forward to working with the exceptional staff at Glacier and welcoming visitors to experience the majestic landscapes and diverse ecosystems at the Crown of the Continent,” said Roemer. “I am eager to continue the park’s strong relationships with Tribes, local governments, partner organizations and external stakeholders.”
Roemer did his graduate work in Montana where he received a master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana. He has a bachelor’s degree in environmental communications from Antioch College.
Dave will be moving to Glacier with his wife, daughter, and son. They all enjoy camping, backpacking and travel. He succeeds Jeff Mow who retired in December after more than eight years leading Glacier National Park.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Grand Teton National Park to begin work at Jackson Lake Dam for Snake River Gateways project
Phase two of the Snake River Gateways project will soon begin on the north side of Jackson Lake Dam in Grand Teton National Park. The National Park Service and Grand Teton National Park Foundation are working in partnership on this multi-year project to improve river access points along the Snake River. The project will enhance the visitor experience, improve safety, restore the resilience of riparian areas, improve infrastructure, and emphasize accessibility for all.
Construction activities will begin in the coming days on the north side of Jackson Lake Dam. During the spring and summer, visitor impacts will be minimal. Visitors may continue to access the area below the dam, which provides access to fishing and a place for boaters to launch on the Snake River. Parking will be limited to allow crews an area to work and for storage of materials.
Beginning September 6, and possibly into the spring of 2023, it is anticipated that a temporary closure of the visitor area below Jackson Lake Dam, on the north side, will go into effect. The park will provide updates later this summer about the temporary closure and alternative access suggestions for visitors.
The design for the Jackson Lake Dam launch will provide improved boat launching conditions and the addition of accessible site features. Features include a boat ramp which will accommodate two vehicles at a time, fully accessible sidewalks leading to two accessible fishing platforms, expanded parking, and improved site amenities including picnic tables, bench seating, and bicycle parking. Additionally, visitor use areas for viewing and providing educational information about the Snake River will be established.
The Snake River Gateways project was initiated in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the tenth anniversary of the wild and scenic designation of the headwaters of the Snake River. In 2009 the passage of the Craig Thomas Snake Rivers Headwaters Legacy Act of 2008 added 414 miles of rivers and streams of the Snake River Headwaters to the national wild and scenic rivers system.
The National Park Service finalized the Snake River Headwaters Comprehensive River Management Plan and associated environmental assessment in 2014. The plan defined the improvements to take place at access points along the river and headwaters in Grand Teton National Park.
Work at Pacific Creek Landing was completed in 2021. Phase three of the project, Moose Landing, is planned to begin in 2023.
The Foundation's goal is to raise $7.5 million to support these improvements. When combined with at least $5.7 million from the National Park Service, private philanthropy will provide a margin of excellence that would not be possible otherwise.
Blue Trident, LLC of Bainbridge Island, Washington, was awarded the construction contract for Jackson Lake Dam launch. Jorgensen Associates of Jackson, Wyoming, and Otak, of Denver, Colorado, provided the design for the project.
For more information about the Snake River Gateways project, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/grte and Grand Teton National Park Foundation’s website at www.gtnpf.org.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Construction activities will begin in the coming days on the north side of Jackson Lake Dam. During the spring and summer, visitor impacts will be minimal. Visitors may continue to access the area below the dam, which provides access to fishing and a place for boaters to launch on the Snake River. Parking will be limited to allow crews an area to work and for storage of materials.
Beginning September 6, and possibly into the spring of 2023, it is anticipated that a temporary closure of the visitor area below Jackson Lake Dam, on the north side, will go into effect. The park will provide updates later this summer about the temporary closure and alternative access suggestions for visitors.
The design for the Jackson Lake Dam launch will provide improved boat launching conditions and the addition of accessible site features. Features include a boat ramp which will accommodate two vehicles at a time, fully accessible sidewalks leading to two accessible fishing platforms, expanded parking, and improved site amenities including picnic tables, bench seating, and bicycle parking. Additionally, visitor use areas for viewing and providing educational information about the Snake River will be established.
The Snake River Gateways project was initiated in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the tenth anniversary of the wild and scenic designation of the headwaters of the Snake River. In 2009 the passage of the Craig Thomas Snake Rivers Headwaters Legacy Act of 2008 added 414 miles of rivers and streams of the Snake River Headwaters to the national wild and scenic rivers system.
The National Park Service finalized the Snake River Headwaters Comprehensive River Management Plan and associated environmental assessment in 2014. The plan defined the improvements to take place at access points along the river and headwaters in Grand Teton National Park.
Work at Pacific Creek Landing was completed in 2021. Phase three of the project, Moose Landing, is planned to begin in 2023.
The Foundation's goal is to raise $7.5 million to support these improvements. When combined with at least $5.7 million from the National Park Service, private philanthropy will provide a margin of excellence that would not be possible otherwise.
Blue Trident, LLC of Bainbridge Island, Washington, was awarded the construction contract for Jackson Lake Dam launch. Jorgensen Associates of Jackson, Wyoming, and Otak, of Denver, Colorado, provided the design for the project.
For more information about the Snake River Gateways project, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/grte and Grand Teton National Park Foundation’s website at www.gtnpf.org.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Monday, May 2, 2022
Public comments encouraged for bighorn sheep winter habitat protection environmental assessment
Grand Teton National Park is developing an environmental assessment to consider implementing additional management strategies to protect bighorn sheep winter habitat within the park. The public is encouraged to comment on the proposed actions by May 20, 2022.
Bighorn sheep have occupied the Teton Mountain Range for thousands of years, but today this native population is small, isolated from other nearby populations, and at risk of local extinction. Since the 1990s, management of the herd and its habitat has been coordinated between Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and Caribou-Targhee National Forest, as the Teton Range Bighorn Sheep Working Group. The Working Group identified bighorn sheep population threats from habitat loss, disease, non-native mountain goats, and disturbance from backcountry winter recreation.
In an ongoing effort to conserve and protect the bighorn sheep within Grand Teton National Park, the park is proposing additional actions beyond the current 2019 Mountain Goat Management Plan implementation. Based on emerging science, recommendations from the Teton Range Bighorn Sheep Working Group, and changing conditions on the ground, the National Park Service is considering other visitor and resource management actions to conserve this small, native population of bighorn sheep within the park, while providing backcountry winter recreation opportunities.
Alternatives will consider visitor management and education strategies for protection of bighorn sheep as recommended by the Teton Range Bighorn Sheep Working Group, including increased public outreach and education, signage, enhanced monitoring of both bighorn sheep and recreational use, new or expanded winter closures in specific areas, and designated travel routes, among other actions. Action is needed at this time to address emerging issues related to increases in winter backcountry visitor use patterns in winter bighorn sheep habitat and the new and growing body of research that demonstrates that winter recreation can disturb and harm wintering ungulates, including bighorn sheep. The primary aim is to provide secure winter habitat for bighorn sheep so they can spend the winter in disturbance free zones, while also providing backcountry winter recreation opportunities.
At this time, during the scoping period, the National Park Service seeks input from the public on the components of these strategies.
A scoping newsletter and other information is available at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/bighorn_habitat. A copy of the newsletter and additional information can be downloaded through this website and comments can be provided electronically online.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Bighorn sheep have occupied the Teton Mountain Range for thousands of years, but today this native population is small, isolated from other nearby populations, and at risk of local extinction. Since the 1990s, management of the herd and its habitat has been coordinated between Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and Caribou-Targhee National Forest, as the Teton Range Bighorn Sheep Working Group. The Working Group identified bighorn sheep population threats from habitat loss, disease, non-native mountain goats, and disturbance from backcountry winter recreation.
In an ongoing effort to conserve and protect the bighorn sheep within Grand Teton National Park, the park is proposing additional actions beyond the current 2019 Mountain Goat Management Plan implementation. Based on emerging science, recommendations from the Teton Range Bighorn Sheep Working Group, and changing conditions on the ground, the National Park Service is considering other visitor and resource management actions to conserve this small, native population of bighorn sheep within the park, while providing backcountry winter recreation opportunities.
Alternatives will consider visitor management and education strategies for protection of bighorn sheep as recommended by the Teton Range Bighorn Sheep Working Group, including increased public outreach and education, signage, enhanced monitoring of both bighorn sheep and recreational use, new or expanded winter closures in specific areas, and designated travel routes, among other actions. Action is needed at this time to address emerging issues related to increases in winter backcountry visitor use patterns in winter bighorn sheep habitat and the new and growing body of research that demonstrates that winter recreation can disturb and harm wintering ungulates, including bighorn sheep. The primary aim is to provide secure winter habitat for bighorn sheep so they can spend the winter in disturbance free zones, while also providing backcountry winter recreation opportunities.
At this time, during the scoping period, the National Park Service seeks input from the public on the components of these strategies.
A scoping newsletter and other information is available at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/bighorn_habitat. A copy of the newsletter and additional information can be downloaded through this website and comments can be provided electronically online.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
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