Unwired: Making space for pronghorn in Wyoming’s Red Desert

Last week, I posted a blurb from Grand Teton's social media about the epic 100+ mile migration that pronghorn take each fall. Part of that post included a link to a documentary film called, Unwired: Making space for pronghorn in Wyoming’s Red Desert. According to the Youtube description:

In the Red Desert of Wyoming, outdated sheep fences have excluded pronghorn from prime habitat since the 1950s. After record snowfall in 2022-2023 caused thousands of animals to perish along the fences, a group of wildlife professionals discovered an area of more than 100,000 acres that excluded pronghorn. Within a year’s time, a diverse group of partners banded together to rebuild 23 miles of new, wildlife-friendlier fences, which restored a portion of access for pronghorn — roughly 10,000 acres of inaccessible habitat and an additional 8,000 acres of restricted habitat. Now pronghorn in this part of the Red Desert have a better chance at surviving an uncertain future. To learn more or to help visit https://thewyldlifefund.org/

You can also visit: https://migrationinitiative.org/resources/unwired-making-space-for-pronghorn-in-wyomings-red-desert/





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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Department of the Interior Announces Modernized, More Affordable National Park Access

Yesterday, the Department of the Interior announced the most significant modernization of national park access in decades, delivering new digital America the Beautiful passes, updated annual pass artwork, expanded motorcycle access and a new resident-focused fee structure that puts American families first. These improvements, launching on Jan.1, 2026, reflect President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to making national parks more accessible, more affordable and more efficient for the American people.

Under the new system, the America the Beautiful passes – including Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade and Access – will be available in a fully digital format through Recreation.gov. Visitors will be able to purchase and use their passes instantly, store them on mobile devices and link them to physical cards for added convenience. Digital validation tools and updated training for field staff will ensure faster entry and a smoother visitor experience across the National Park System.

“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”

The Department also unveiled new, modernized graphics for all annual passes, featuring bold, patriotic designs that honor America’s landscapes, heritage and outdoor legacy. These refreshed visuals will appear on both digital and physical passes.

As part of the Administration’s commitment to enhancing access for American residents, the Department is also implementing America-first entry fee policies. U.S. residents will continue to enjoy affordable pricing, while nonresidents will pay a higher rate to help support the care and maintenance of America’s parks.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the Annual Pass will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for nonresidents, ensuring that American taxpayers who already support the National Park System receive the greatest benefit. Nonresidents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee.

The Department also highlighted resident-only patriotic fee-free days for 2026:

* President’s Day (February 16, 2026)
* Memorial Day (May 25, 2026)
* Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday (June 14, 2026)
* Independence Day weekend (July 3–5, 2026)
* 110th Birthday of the National Park Service (August 25, 2026)
* Constitution Day (Sept. 17, 2026)
* Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (Oct. 27, 2026)
* Veteran’s Day (November 11, 2026)

In addition, the National Park Service is expanding affordability and access for motorcycle riders. All America the Beautiful passes will now cover two motorcycles per pass, making national park adventures more accessible for riders and families who travel on two wheels.

Revenue generated from new fee policies will be invested directly back into America’s national parks, supporting upgrades to visitor facilities, essential maintenance, and improved services nationwide.

For more information on digital passes, pricing updates, and how to prepare for the 2026 changes, visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm



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From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:

The Dark Side of the Rainbow

With Christmas and Black Friday just around the corner, I wanted to remind everyone about a book I published earlier this year. While "slightly" off topic from the normal content on this blog, The Dark Side of the Rainbow examines the synchronistic relationship between The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wizard of Oz.

For the uninitiated, the “Dark Side of the Rainbow” theory (also known as "The Dark Side of Oz”) asserts that Pink Floyd purposely synchronized The Dark Side of the Moon to The Wizard of Oz. For those who have seen it, the mashup produces dozens of striking coincidences between the film and the album, where actions on the screen seemingly correspond to the lyrics, chords and musical moods of the Dark Side tracks.

In addition to a complete viewing guide for the synchronicities, the book explores an explanation for their existence:

* Pink Floyd absolutely had the means: they already had ample experience scoring films.

* Pink Floyd also had the motivation: the band continuously sought visual presentations of their songs during concerts.

* In the late 1990s, mainstream media outlets published reports that Pink Floyd had been threatened with a lawsuit by MGM if they used clips of The Wizard of Oz during concerts.

* Did Pink Floyd leave veiled clues on subsequent albums?

So, the question that must be answered: is it real, a cosmic coincidence, an ingenious marketing ploy, or just another conspiracy theory?

The Dark Side of the Rainbow. is currently available in both paperback and eBook on Amazon: amazon.com/dp/B0DXVND79V

Eleven people injured in grizzly bear attack

Eleven people were injured in a grizzly bear attack in the remote coastal town of Bella Coola in British Columbia, Canada yesterday. The attack involved students (4th and 5th graders), and has left two people critically injured and two others seriously hurt. British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service said the bear attacked a group of school students as they and teachers were having lunch on a trail near town. According to Inspector Kevin Van Damme from the Conservation Officer Service, three children and one adult were among the most seriously injured in the attack. Here's a fairly detailed report from the CBC earlier today:



I can't confirm this (I haven't found anything to dispute it), but this might be the most people attacked by one grizzly bear in one incident.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Pronghorn Running the Ancient Path

Yesterday, Grand Teton National Park posted this on their social media:

Pronghorn Running the Ancient Path

🍁 Every fall, pronghorn that summer in Grand Teton National Park undertake epic 100+ mile migration, one of the longest land migrations in the lower 48 states. Known as the Path of the Pronghorn, this route winds through the Gros Ventre drainage, down past Pinedale, WY, and into the Red Desert winter range with the rest of the Sublette herd. Archaeological finds show pronghorn have been using this corridor for at least 6,000 years.

⚡North America’s fastest land animal, pronghorn (often called “antelope”) are built for speed across the sagebrush sea. They can sprint up to 60 mph and sustain over 40 mph for a mile. But speed isn’t enough to escape modern obstacles. 🚧 Pronghorn rarely leap fences; instead, they crawl under them. Fences with mesh or barbed wire bottom strands can block their path, just like highways, subdivisions, and expanding energy development.

📊Biologists estimate that 75% of the Sublette herd migrates and a recent evaluation found their migration path is at “high risk” of being lost without protection. The good news? Wyoming is taking steps to designate the Path of the Pronghorn as a migration corridor, a crucial move toward safeguarding the route that Grand Teton's pronghorn travel.

👉 Protecting migration routes ensures that pronghorns can keep running one of the West’s greatest wildlife marathons for generations to come. Learn more at Wyoming Migration Initiative: https://migrationinitiative.org/resources/unwired-making-space-for-pronghorn-in-wyomings-red-desert/

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

The Many Glacier webcam is back up and running

Yesterday, Glacier National Park announced on their social media that the Many Glacier webcam is back up and running:

Keeping Glacier connected requires teamwork. Today, Glacier National Park and the Glacier National Park Conservancy are proud to share that the Many Glacier webcam is back up and running! https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm

Connectivity in the remote Many Glacier is a challenge, but thanks to critical funding and support from the Conservancy and technical implementation by National Park Service staff, we have restored this beloved view. Whether you use it to check the weather before a hike or just to get your daily dose of mountains from home, we’re happy to be sharing it with you again!

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

The new Yellowstone River Bridge is open

Yellowstone National Park announced yesterday that the new Yellowstone River Bridge, located on the Northeast Entrance Road near Tower Junction, is now open. The park published this blurb and photo on their social media:

Been to Lamar Valley lately? You might’ve seen the big news: the new Yellowstone River Bridge is open! This major Great American Outdoors Act project is moving into its final phase as crews continue work on overlooks, remove the old bridge, and restore the Lost Creek drainage. The full project is expected to be completed in 2026.

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

President Trump pardons runner who cut a switchback in Grand Teton National Park

You may recall this story from a couple of months ago, but professional mountain runner Michelino Sunseri was found guilty of cutting a switchback in Grand Teton National Park in 2024. Just before Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick was to hand down her sentence last month, the DOJ offered to dismiss the case if Sunseri would agree to 60 hours of community service and take a wilderness stewardship course. However, earlier this week, the White House announced that President Trump had pardoned Sunseri, which apparently came as a complete surprise to the trail runner. Normally, cutting a switchback is a misdemeanor that comes with a fine of up to $5,000 or six months in jail.

According to a press release published by Sunseri's legal counsel, the Pacific Legal Foundation, a group that fights government overreach:

"We are thrilled that Michelino’s nightmare is over, but we’re not done fighting against unconstitutional regulations that give low-level park officials the power to criminalize harmless conduct,” said Michael Poon. “We are ready to help other Americans who face criminal prosecution for breaking park rules that were illegally created."

They also stated:

On September 2, 2024, Michelino set a new Grand Teton speed record, ascending and descending the mountain in 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 10 seconds—almost three minutes faster than the previous record. This accomplishment drew admiration across the climbing and trail-running world. But just days later, federal prosecutors charged him with a crime for running on a “restricted” social trail—one that other record-holders had used without consequence.

The Pacific Legal Foundation's website made note of this:

Michelino chose to take a “social trail,” a commonly used path that is not formally designated as a trail. This decision was not uncommon. Many of the previous FKT record holders used this same trail, but no action was taken against them. Nevertheless, local national park employees chose to pursue criminal charges against Michelino, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Wyoming agreed to bring the case.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide has additional details on this case, if you would like to read more.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Celebrating National Hiking Day

Mark your calendars: next Monday is National Hiking Day! This is a great opportunity to invite a friend or take a family member out on a hike, especially those that have never really experienced the joys of traipsing through the woods. For those of you who might be asking; yes, this is a relatively new "holiday." In 2015, the American Hiking Society officially designated November 17th of each year as National Hiking Day, also known as “Take A Hike Day,” to encourage more people to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

To help celebrate National Hiking Day, I wanted to remind everyone about the trail guide I published just over a year ago, Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains: Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico.

With Christmas just around the corner, this guide will also make a great gift for all your hiking friends. As a bonus, now's a great opportunity to get ahead of the Black Friday madness!

What exactly is in this trail guide?

* Detailed descriptions for 75 day hikes that lead to tranquil backcountry lakes, roaring waterfalls, deep canyons, alpine meadows and placid glaciers. Many ascend to high mountain passes and summits. All of them will lead you to extraordinary places that offer breathtaking scenery.

* Hikes range from easy strolls to all-day adventures. Many include notes on shorter options, side trips to other nearby destinations, as well as locations of backcountry campsites for those wishing to create a backpacking trip.

* Hikes span across four national parks (Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Rocky Mountain), thirteen national forests, two national monuments and one national preserve.

* Each hike covered in this guide includes a detailed trail description, key reference points, specific information you need to be aware of, color photographs, trail maps, and driving directions to the trailhead.

* Each hike also includes key stats that can be reviewed at a glance. This includes key features along the route, roundtrip mileage, total elevation gain, highest elevation, difficulty ratings, and GPS coordinates for the trailhead.

* Tips for planning your trip, safety considerations, and trail access information where applicable.

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains is now available on Amazon.

Bull moose attacks woman in Boulder County

Another moose has attacked an individual while walking with a dog. Unfortunately, this type of wildlife encounter seems to happen at least a few times each year.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating a reported moose attack west of Jamestown in Boulder County around 1 p.m. Wednesday. A woman was walking her dog off-leash near her home when a young bull moose knocked her to the ground, stomping her multiple times. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital with head and back injuries.

CPW officers responded to the area, but officers were not able to locate the moose. Signs warning of aggressive moose behavior have been placed near the scene.

A majority of reported moose attacks involve dogs, as moose view them as predators or potential threats. Pets should be kept on a leash when recreating outdoors, especially near riparian habitats where moose prefer to live.

Moose should be given ample space and not approached when encountered. They are large and very fast, able to run up to 35 miles per hour. Use rocks, trees or vehicles as barriers between people and moose if spotted while recreating outdoors.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Bears, biologists, and backcountry rescues

Kevin Grange, author of Grizzly Confidential, will be join the Glacier National Park Conservancy on November 12 for a conversation about science, survival, and the soul of the wild. According to the GNP Conservancy,

Grizzly Confidential follows Kevin Grange, a former paramedic and park ranger, on his journey to understand North America’s most formidable predator, the grizzly bear. From the misty island of giant bears to cutting-edge research on hibernation, Grange encounters scientists, activists, and even the darker sides of wildlife trade. His adventure leads him to a remote part of Alaska where humans peacefully coexist with the largest gathering of brown bears. Part science, part travelogue, Grange’s story is both an exploration of grizzlies and a passionate call for their conservation.

Join Executive Director, Doug Mitchell, on Zoom and have a discussion with author Kevin Grange about the book, Grizzly Confidential. Registration is open now!

For more information and to register, please click here.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

‘SNL’ alum Kevin Nealon wants you to take a hike

To help celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has teamed up with comedian and hiking enthusiast Kevin Nealon to change the way we think — and talk — about the phrase “Take a Hike.” Long used as a rude dismissal, the campaign reclaims it as a powerful call to reconnect with nature and raise awareness for the protection of the Appalachian Trail.

At the heart of the campaign is a petition calling on major dictionary publishers, including Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English Dictionary, to add a modern, positive definition of “Take a Hike”: A friendly invitation to reset, recharge, and reconnect with the outdoors.



The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is calling on the public to join the movement by signing and sharing the petition, helping shift how we talk about hiking, wellness, and the positive power of being outdoors.

“Look, I’m not saying hiking solves everything,” said Kevin Nealon, known for his Saturday Night Live tenure and YouTube series Hiking with Kevin, “but I’ve never seen anyone come back from the woods angry. Hungry, maybe, but not angry. That’s why I love this campaign, it’s a reminder to reset, breathe, and take a hike.”

The campaign is launching at a time when mental health challenges are increasingly widespread. Recent studies show that nearly half the global population will experience a mental health disorder by age 75, and more than 50% of Americans with a mental illness do not receive treatment (Mental Health America). The “Take a Hike” campaign champions the proven benefits of spending time in nature as a simple, accessible way to support mental and physical well-being.

“For 100 years, the Appalachian Trail has been a place of refuge, discovery, adventure, and connection,” said Sandi Marra, President & CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “Now more than ever, we all can benefit from taking a hike. With this campaign, we’re not just celebrating a century of stewardship, we’re inviting everyone to experience the restorative power of the Trail and help protect it for the next century.”

To learn more or support the campaign, please visit www.takeahikepetition.org.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com