Glacier National Park Announces New Advance Reservation System for Wilderness Camping Permits

Glacier National Park recently announced a new digital permit process for reserving 2023 advance wilderness camping permits using the Recreation.gov online reservation system.

Previously, park staff conducted a lengthy lottery process to issue advance reservation permits using Pay.gov and a unique computer application. Park staff can no longer provide the required maintenance and are migrating away from the application.

Recreation.gov is a government service for 13 federal agencies, including the National Park Service, for travel planning and reservations at 4,200 facilities and activities, and over 113,000 individual reservable sites across the country.

On March 15, 2023, at 8:00 am MDT, wilderness campsites will be released for advance reservations on Recreation.gov. Until then, backpackers can familiarize themselves with Glacier National Park Wilderness Permits webpage on Recreation.gov.

A Recreation.gov account is necessary to make reservations. Visit the Recreation.gov website to create an account or to log in to an already existing account.

Backpackers are encouraged to secure a reservation early because of high demand. The most efficient way to book your wilderness backpacking trip is online via Recreation.gov. Reservations can also be made by contacting the Recreation.gov call center at 877-444-6777.

The new online reservation system will only accommodate groups of 1-4 campers per permit. To make advance reservations for groups larger than four on Recreation.gov, backpackers need to be aware of the following permitting requirements:

• Groups of 5-8 campers will require two separate permits and two separate group leaders.
• Groups of 9-12 campers will require three separate permits and three separate group leaders.

To provide an alternative way of obtaining a permit for groups larger than four, the park will retain the use of the Pay.gov site for a one-day application period for mid-size and large group permits. The application period for permits via Pay.gov will occur on March 1 from 12:01 am MST and close at 11:59 pm MST.

Group applications submitted to Pay.gov will be placed into a lottery and reservations for successful applicants will be booked on Recreation.gov by park staff. Camping reservations will be awarded to 30 groups of 5-8 campers and 5 groups of 9-12 campers. Successful applicants will be notified via email by park staff and will have five days to submit their payment.

The application period for permits via Pay.gov will occur before advance reservations are available on Recreation.gov. Therefore, visitors planning wilderness camping trips for groups larger than four can first apply for permits using the one-day Pay.gov opportunity, followed by the Recreation.gov site if unsuccessful at Pay.gov.

Because of the high demand for campsites, backpackers are encouraged to discuss plans with members of their party before booking a reservation and be prepared with three or four different trip itineraries in the event your preferred itinerary is not available.

Seventy percent of wilderness campsites park-wide will be available for advance reservations, leaving thirty percent available for walk-up permits the day before or the day of a desired trip start date. Permit offices are located in Polebridge, Apgar, Two Medicine, St. Mary, and Many Glacier. A valid wilderness camping advance reservation from Recreation.gov serves as a vehicle reservation the day before or day of a trip starting date.

Glacier National Park is a popular wilderness backpacking destination with a high demand for campsites. Over the last few years, applications for advance wilderness camping permits have tripled.

The park conducted civic engagement with the public, with a comment period from February 3-17, 2023. In response to public input, the park’s wilderness camping website will describe the refund policy and include a tutorial video, and the elevation gain from trailheads has been added to campsite descriptions on Recreation.gov. To view the planning documents, visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/WildernessCampingPermits.

For complete details, visit the Wilderness Camping Advance Reservations webpage on the park website.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Flathead Avalanche Center continues backcountry avalanche warning

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING

IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

07:00 MST Tue Feb 21 2023

The Flathead Avalanche Center in Hungry Horse has continued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING for the following areas: NWS Missoula MT - MTC 029 (Flathead County)...MTC 047 (Lake County)...MTC 053 (Lincoln County)

* WHAT...Heavy snowfall and powerful winds have created unstable slabs of new and drifted snow. Large and very large avalanches are likely. These can fail spontaneously or under the weight of a person or snowmachine.

* WHERE...On and below steep slopes at upper elevations in the Whitefish Range, Swan Range, Flathead Range, and parts of Glacier National Park (Apgar Range, John F. Stevens Canyon, and Marias Pass area).

* WHEN...In effect from Tue 07:00 MST to Wed 07:00 MST.

* IMPACTS...Recent heavy snow combined with wind will likely create widespread areas of unstable snow.

* PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Avalanches may run long distances and can run into mature forests, valley floors, or flat terrain.

Consult http://www.flatheadavalanche.org/ or www.avalanche.org for more detailed information.

Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage area of this or any avalanche center.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Backcountry Skiing in Grand Teton - protecting bighorn sheep

“Denizens of the Steep” is a short film by Wyoming PBS. It was produced in order to encourage backcountry skiers to become stewards for bighorn sheep and wintering wildlife.





Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

eBook Edition of "Ramble On" is Now Available on Amazon

Last week I annouced the release of my brand new book, Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World. Today, I wanted to announce that the eBook version of "Ramble On" has just been published, and is now available on Amazon!

As with the original paperback edition, in this new eBook you’ll learn about:

* How the Age of Enlightenment and the Romantic Era influenced art, literature, religion and thought, which allowed hiking to bloom and eventually flourish.

* The crucial role the Crawford’s of New Hampshire played in the development of hiking, including the construction of two paths to the summit of Mt. Washington that were likely the first recreational trails in the world.

* The first hiking clubs, why they organized, and the key role they played in making hiking a popular pastime.

* How the Alpine Club of Williamstown’s inclusion of women set a precedent for admitting females in subsequent American clubs, a policy not shared by many of the first European clubs.

* The key innovations in gear and apparel, such as Vibram, Gore-Tex, fleece, polypropylene underwear and backpacks.

* The apparel women were forced to wear during the Victorian era, and the danger those fashion standards posed to women who dared to venture into the mountains.

For more information on the book, and to order your copy now, please click here.

Finally, I would really appreciate if you could share this post with any of your hiking friends and social media contacts who might be interested in this book!

Thank you very much!



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Yellowstone recruiting for 2023 Youth Conservation Corps program

How would you like to work, learn, play and grow in Yellowstone’s wonderland? Yellowstone National Park is currently recruiting for the 2023 Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), a residential work-based education program for students between the ages of 15 and 18. Visit the YCC program webpage to apply. Completed application materials must be postmarked by March 1, 2023.

Two 1-month-long YCC sessions will be offered from June 11-July 12 and July 16-August 15. Forty-four youth will be randomly selected from across the country to participate in the program. Applicants must be citizens of the United States and 15 years of age by June 11, but not over 18 years of age by August 15. Yellowstone recruits youth from all social, economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds for the program.

No previous wilderness experience is necessary, but enjoying camping is a plus since it will be required four nights a week during work assignments. Applicants should possess a positive attitude, a willingness and ability to work and learn in a physically active outdoor program and get along well with others. Participants will be required to live in the park, and a minimal fee will be charged for room and board. Wages will be $9.50 per hour.

YCC is designed to develop an appreciation for the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage through unique educational, recreational, and work experiences. Corps members work together with National Park Service staff to complete conservation projects such as trail rehabilitation, campground restoration, and a wide variety of resource management, visitor support services and maintenance projects.

Participants develop their job and leadership skills while exploring personal values, gaining self-esteem, expanding their awareness of work ethics, and learning firsthand about environmental and conservation issues. Corps members also participate in evening and weekend recreational activities and discover the many options for careers in the National Park Service and other land management agencies.

Questions may be directed to YELL_YCC_Office@nps.gov.

The Yellowstone YCC Program is funded by park entrance fees and generous donations to Yellowstone Forever, the park’s official nonprofit partner.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park

Encompassing more than 265,000 acres, and with more than sixty peaks topping out above 12,000 feet, Rocky Mountain National Park is home to some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. From wooded forests to alpine tundra, these majestic mountains provide habitat to more than 60 species of mammals, while more than 280 species of birds visit or reside within the park. With more than 350 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, Rocky Mountain is also widely recognized as a hiker’s paradise. Here’s why you should plan to visit Rocky sometime this year:

The Continental Divide
One of the best things about Rocky Mountain National Park is its accessibility to the high country. No other park in the country allows visitors to gain lofty elevations so easily. Roughly one-third of the park is above tree-line, and more than 60 peaks top out above 12,000 feet, including 14,259-foot Longs Peak, the highest peak in the park. In addition to trails like the Flattop Mountain Trail or the route to Mt. Ida, visitors can also drive over the Continental Divide along the highest continuous paved road in North America. With a maximum elevation of 12,183 feet, and more than eight miles traveling above 11,000 feet, Trail Ridge Road connects Estes Park with Grand Lake. The road also provides access to outstanding tundra hikes such as the Ute Trail, the Tundra Communities Trail and the Alpine Ridge Trail.

Wildflowers
Wet springs can bring exceptional wildflower blooming seasons in Rocky Mountain National Park. Even during normal years the park explodes with a variety of wildflowers. Some of the varieties visitors might enjoy include Alpine Clover, Rock Primrose, Western Wallflower, Sky Pilot and Alpine Sunflowers in the tundra areas of the park, as well as Mountain Iris, Lupine, Mariposa-lily and Colorado Columbines in the lower elevations. Some of best wildflower hikes include Big Meadows, Cascade Falls, Emerald Lake and the Lumpy Ridge Loop, among many others.

Longs Peak
At 14,259 feet, Longs Peak is the highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. The iconic sentinel is seen from almost anywhere in the park, as well as from many locations around northern Colorado. It’s also one of most popular “fourteeners” for hikers and climbers to tackle in a state that boasts a total of 53 peaks above 14,000 feet. Although considered a mountaineering route, thousands of hikers attempt to summit the peak each summer using the famous Keyhole Route. Personally, I don’t want anything to do with the narrow ledges and steep cliffs along the upper portions of the route. I much prefer safer climbs such as Hallett Peak and the Chapin-Chiquita-Ypsilon Mountains route to cure my big mountain summit fever.

Elk Rut
The annual elk rut is one of the premier attractions in Rocky Mountain National Park. Each fall elk descend from the high country to the lower elevation meadows during the annual breeding season. During the rut, bull elk compete with one another for the right to breed with herds of females. Mature bulls compete for cows by bugling, posturing, displaying their antlers and herding, while occasionally fighting off young challengers. The peak season for the rut generally lasts from mid-September to mid-October in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Fall Aspens
Just as the elk rut is kicking into high gear, another annual event that draws tourists to the park during the autumn are the brilliant fall colors of aspens. Each September the leaves of quacking aspens turn from green to orange and golden yellow throughout the park. Some of best hikes for viewing fall aspens include Bierstadt Lake, Alberta Falls, Cub Lake, Finch Lake, Adams Falls and Chasm Lake, among many others.

In addition to the hikes discussed above, Rocky Mountain National Park has many other outstanding hikes that take-in the best scenery the park has to offer. If you do plan to visit Rocky Mountain this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings and other things to do to help with all your vacation planning.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

112 Yellowstone bison transferred to Fort Peck Tribes

During the week of January 10, the National Park Service (NPS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) completed the transfer of 112 Yellowstone bison to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Poplar, Montana. The movement of these animals constitutes the single largest transfer to date under the park’s Bison Conservation Transfer Program. The program has led to the largest relocation of live Yellowstone bison to American Indian Tribes in history.

Since 2019, a total of 294 bison have been transferred from Yellowstone to the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes at Fort Peck. Approximately 170 of those bison have then been further distributed to 23 Tribes across 12 states in partnership with the InterTribal Buffalo Council.

The bison transferred last month were a large family group of seven males, 53 females and 52 calves. All completed Phases I & II of the brucellosis quarantine protocol at Yellowstone National Park and the APHIS facilities and will finish assurance testing (Phase III) at Fort Peck (see information below for details about the protocol).

This transfer is the result of many partners working together: the NPS/Department of the Interior, Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, APHIS/United States Department of Agriculture, the State of Montana, InterTribal Buffalo Council, Yellowstone Forever, Defenders of Wildlife and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition.

Yellowstone National Park partnered recently with Yellowstone Forever and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition to more than double the capacity of the facility within the park. The park and APHIS intend to enter 250 new animals into the program this winter.

“We greatly appreciate the tremendous number of partners who have come together to make the Bison Conservation Transfer Program a success,” said Superintendent Cam Sholly. “It is important we continue to look for opportunities to build on the success of this program in order to move larger numbers of disease-free bison to Tribes across the country, while also achieving our future goal of eliminating shipments to slaughter."

Background information about quarantine:
Quarantine was included as a possible tactic for bison management back in 2001 when the Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP) was signed by the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture and the Governor of Montana. The National Park Service formally pursued a quarantine program in 2014 by initiating a public planning process. The operational quarantine program was approved in May 2018.

APHIS and DOL established the final structural specifications and biosecurity requirements for quarantine facilities in June 2017. The only facilities that currently meet those specifications are located at Stephens Creek in Yellowstone National Park, Corwin Springs in Montana, and the Fort Peck Reservation.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Glacier National Park seeks comment on changes to the advance wilderness camping permit system

Glacier National Park is inviting public comment on the proposal to transition the advance wilderness camping permit system to Recreation.gov. Wilderness camping reservations would be available on Recreation.gov beginning on March 15 and a one-day lottery for large group permits would be available on Pay.gov on March 1. A newsletter describing the transition is posted to the NPS Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website at:

https://parkplanning.nps.gov/WildernessCampingPermits

The public comment period is open until February 17, 2023.



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Announcing the release of "Ramble On" - My new book on the history of hiking!

I’m very excited to announce the release of my brand new book on the rich and compelling history of hiking! Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World is an expanded edition of my original book, which was published in 2018. To give you a better idea of what the book encompasses, I've copied a portion of the introduction to the book, which is now available on Amazon.


Introduction:

How did hiking evolve from the upper-class European sport of alpinism and the publication of an English travel guide, into an activity that now has millions of participants all over the world? How did western cultures overcome their intense fear of mountains, and why were the social stigmas associated with walking rejected? What roles did the Industrial Revolution play in the development of hiking as a major pastime?

Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World answers these and many other key questions. It 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 what the early hikers wore, and what some of the key inventions and innovations were that led to our modern array of gear and apparel.

The book also includes anecdotal stories of trail development in some of our oldest and most iconic national parks, such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, Mt. Rainier, Glacier and Acadia National Park, as well as the first trails to be blazed in the White Mountains of New Hampshire - America’s first hiking destination. It also takes a look at some of the peculiar traditions of some of the early hiking clubs, including the Appalachian Mountain Club. Among the more compelling stories is the apparel women were forced to wear during the Victorian Era, and the danger those fashion standards posed to women who dared to venture into the mountains.


Why Publish a 2nd Edition?

Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World builds upon the first edition of this book to reflect additional research, and to expand more broadly on a few topics. For example, I wanted to provide a better understanding of how the social trends that prevailed during the Age of Enlightenment influenced art, literature, religion and thought, which allowed hiking to bloom and eventually flourish. I also thought it was important to chronicle in more detail the crucial role the multi-generational Crawford family of New Hampshire played in the development of hiking. I also wanted to delve deeper into the first female hikers and mountaineers, while showing how women eagerly adopted these fledgling outdoor pursuits. As one other example, since publication of the first edition, a compelling new theory has emerged as to why Darby Field made his two ascents of Mt. Washington in 1642, which directly challenges the legend of him being the first hiker in America.

My hope is that you will you come away with a better understanding of what it took to make hiking one of the most popular outdoor activities in the world, and what we need to do to preserve our trails and the spirit of hiking for future generations to come.

To order your copy now, please click here.

Finally, I would really appreciate if you could share this post with any of your hiking friends and social media contacts who might be interested in this book!

Thank you very much!



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Jackson Ranger District Requests Public Input

The Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest is inviting comments on five proposed projects in the Curtis Canyon area. The projects range from road repairs, increasing the size of the Curtis Canyon Campground, to relocating the Goodwin Lake Trailhead. Comments Must be received by March 3rd, 2023.

The Curtis Canyon area provides the closest opportunity for developed and dispersed camping to the town of Jackson. This has led to a heavy concentration of dispersed camping and off-highway vehicle use. Maintenance crews are unable to sufficiently maintain the current road surface, thus necessitating more substantial repairs. These factors have resulted in safety concerns, vegetation loss, poor visitor experience, and problems with human waste. The proposed projects aim to alleviate some of these pressures and provided for an improved visitor experience and more sustainable use in the future.

To view the scoping document and find out more or to provide a comment please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63443. Comments in writing will also be accepted at in person at the Jackson Ranger District, 340 N Cache St, Jackson WY or via mail to

Curtis Canyon Road and Campground Project
Bridger-Teton National Forest
P.O. Box 1689
Jackson, WY 83001



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

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

Going-to-the-Sun Road Construction Photo Collection Now Available

The Glacier National Park Conservancy recently announced that they assisted in the digitization of Glacier National Park’s photographic archives. One such collection highlights photos from the construction and dedication of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Here's what the GNPC posted on their website:

Glacier National Park’s archives contain a wealth of fascinating materials and valuable historic documents, but with no park museum to display historic artifacts, documents, and photos, few people laid eyes on these incredible resources. A major digitization effort in Glacier’s archives is changing that—and so far, the results are amazing!

A collection of historic photos from the construction and dedication of Going-to-the-Sun Road, now available to the public on the Montana Memory Project give a glimpse into the harrowing and spectacular lives of those building this famous road.

With the support of our donors, the Glacier National Park Conservancy was able to support a Museum Technician position to work with these photographs. GNPC also funded work by the park librarian to add metadata to the images, putting them in their proper historical context.

To view the collection, 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

Announcement: "Ramble On" To Be Published on February 7th

I’m very excited to announce that “Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World” will be officially published on Amazon next Tuesday, February 7th!

As previously mentioned on this blog, this new book is an expanded edition of "Ramble On: A History of Hiking," which was published in 2018. So you may be asking, "why publish a 2nd edition?" Great question! Here are a few answers:

* The new edition builds upon the first edition of my book to reflect additional research, to expand more broadly on a few topics, and to discuss new information. For example, since publication of the first edition, a compelling new theory has emerged as to why Darby Field made his two ascents of Mt. Washington in 1642, which directly challenges the legend of him being the first hiker in America.

* I thought it was important to chronicle in more detail the crucial role the multi-generational Crawford family of New Hampshire played in the development of hiking. The new edition dives more deeply to examine the significance of this family, and the many historical events that surrounded them as hiking blossomed in America.

* I also wanted to provide a better understanding of how the social trends that prevailed during the Age of Enlightenment influenced art, literature, religion and thought, which allowed hiking to bloom and eventually flourish.

* Finally, the 2nd edition delves deeper into the first female hikers and mountaineers, while showing how women eagerly adopted these fledgling outdoor pursuits.

In the meantime, you can find more information about the book by clicking here.

Thank you!



Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

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