Monday, January 26, 2026

Treasury Department Cancels Contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton (Recreation.gov)

The Treasury Department just announced that they have canceled its contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, a government contractor and consulting firm that runs Recreation.gov, the website that National Parks and National Forests use to sell timed entry permits, campsite reservations and other services. According to a press release issued earlier today:
Today, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced the cancelation of all contracts with consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. The Treasury Department currently has 31 separate contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton totaling $4.8 million in annual spending and $21 million in total obligations.

“President Trump has entrusted his cabinet to root out waste, fraud, and abuse, and canceling these contracts is an essential step to increasing Americans’ trust in government,” said Secretary Bessent. “Booz Allen failed to implement adequate safeguards to protect sensitive data, including the confidential taxpayer information it had access to through its contracts with the Internal Revenue Service.”

Most notably, between 2018 and 2020, Charles Edward Littlejohn — an employee of Booz Allen Hamilton — stole and leaked the confidential tax returns and return information of hundreds of thousands of taxpayers. To date, the IRS determined that the data breach affected approximately 406,000 taxpayers. Littlejohn has pled guilty to felony charges for disclosing confidential tax information without authorization.
Right now, it's not exactly clear what will happen to Recreation.gov. If you recall, there was a class action lawsuit that was filed against Booz Allen Hamilton in 2023, claiming that Recreation.gov was charging "junk fees" to consumers. Several months later, however, the lawsuit was dropped. Hopefully, we'll soon have a better understanding of the future of Recreation.gov, especially for those wishing to visit a park or area this year that requires a permit or reservation of some type.



              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:







              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:



Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Route improvement project coming to Delta Lake in Grand Teton

Grand Teton National Park Foundation posted this blurb on their social media yesterday:
Instagram’s favorite Grand Teton lake is getting some much-needed care. 💚

In partnership with Grand Teton National Park and Access Fund, Grand Teton National Park Foundation is proud to support a new project to improve access to Delta Lake this year.

After years of heavy use without a designated trail, erosion and informal 'social trails' have degraded the primary approach to the lake, creating safety concerns and causing environmental damage.

Beginning summer 2026, Access Fund crews will help stabilize the route while preserving the wild character that defines Delta Lake.
You can read more about the project on the Foundation's website.



              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:



Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Book pre-announcement

FYI, everyone: I'm excited to announce that a brand new edition of Ramble On: A History of Hiking will be released in early February! Please check back for more information!
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, January 19, 2026

What happens when wolves, coyotes, foxes and people share the same landscape?

Grand Teton National Park posted this earlier today:
Every year, scientists conduct carefully reviewed research in Grand Teton National Park to help us better understand and protect this place. One of those projects is the 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, which is studying how gray wolves, coyotes, and red foxes interact with each other and with humans across the park.

Here’s why it matters 👇
• Wolves were absent from the ecosystem for more than 70 years
• Coyotes became the dominant canid when wolves were absent
• Red foxes were less prominent in the park during this period

Since wolves returned to the region in the late 1990s, those relationships have shifted again. Using GPS collars, remote cameras, genetic analysis, and even anonymous cell phone data, researchers are tracking how these three species move, compete, use the landscape, and react to human presence.

Early findings show:
• Larger canids have larger home ranges
• All three species expand their ranges in winter
• Coyotes overlap with other canids more than foxes or wolves
• Human presence adds both risks and opportunities for wildlife

The Canid Coexistence Project—led by University of Wyoming researchers in partnership with park and Wyoming Game and Fish biologists—is in the middle of data collection. Supported by @grandtetonfoundation, this research helps park managers anticipate conflict, protect habitat, and sustain healthy wildlife populations as visitation continues to grow.

Science plays a key role in keeping Grand Teton wild, resilient, and thriving. 🏔️
Thanks to the researchers helping us understand what coexistence really looks like.




              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:



Posted by at No comments:

Friday, January 16, 2026

The Truman Everts Story

I ran into this Yellowstone National Park video about Truman Everts a few days ago. I was already familiar with this amazing story of survival, as I read a book about it several years ago. I thought you might be interested in it as well:





              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:



Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Yellowstone National Park seeks public input on environmental assessment for North Entrance Road Reconstruction Project

The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is seeking public input on an environmental assessment (EA) for the reconstruction of the new permanent North Entrance Road in Yellowstone National Park. Goals for the new road alignment include continuing to provide year-round access between Gardiner and Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana, improving the road’s safety, and ensuring long-term visitor access while protecting natural and cultural resources.

Yellowstone experienced a 500-year flood event on June 13, 2022. The flood destroyed infrastructure in the northern portion of the park, including several sections of the North Entrance Road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Gardiner, Montana, and segments of the Northeast Entrance Road between Tower Junction and Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana. Both roads are open year-round and serve as the only winter vehicle access in and out of the park. After temporarily closing to regular visitor traffic on June 13, 2022, a temporary North Entrance Road was constructed between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs, which opened to the public Oct. 30, 2022. Although this temporary road has successfully provided visitor access to the park, it was not engineered for the long-term.

Public Meetings
Yellowstone invites the public to attend a virtual or in-person meeting to learn and ask questions about the road alignment options for the North Entrance Road Reconstruction Project. During each meeting, NPS and FHWA staff will present three preliminary road alignment alternatives, including a video fly-over of the preferred alignment, followed by a question-and-answer session. The same information will be shared in each meeting.

In-person meeting
* Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. MST
* Location: Yellowstone Forever Institute Conference Room, 308 Park Street, Gardiner, MT 59030

Virtual meeting
* Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. MST
* Link to join virtual meeting
* If you plan to join the virtual meeting from your mobile device, we recommend downloading the Microsoft Teams app.
* This meeting will be recorded and posted to North Entrance Road Reconstruction Project and YouTube.

Public CommentThe public is encouraged to review the EA and other project materials at North Entrance Road Reconstruction Project. NPS will accept comments on the EA Jan. 5 - Feb. 4, 2026. The preferred method for submitting comments is online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/NorthEntranceRoad. Comments may also be mailed to: Yellowstone Center for Resources, Attn: North Entrance Road EA, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. At the conclusion of the 30-day public comment period, NPS will analyze and consider all comments received. A final decision will be made in spring 2026.



              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:



Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Sperry and Granite Park Chalets announce opening date for reservations

Sperry Chalet posted this blurb on their website today:
Belton Chalets, Inc. Celebrates Successful Bid to Continue Operating Granite Park and Sperry Chalets in Glacier National Park

West Glacier, MT – The National Park Service has awarded Belton Chalets Inc., the opportunity to operate Granite Park Chalet and Sperry Chalet, historic backcountry chalets in Glacier National Park, for the next ten years.

“Belton Chalets Inc. has prided itself on providing outstanding hospitality and customer service to Chalet visitors, said Hannah Phillips, Operational Chalet Coordinator with Belton Chalets, Inc., “we are committed to continuing that legacy going forward.”

“We are thrilled to continue our work as stewards of Granite Park and Sperry Chalets,” said Abigail Bockus, Administrative Chalet Coordinator with Belton Chalets, Inc., “working in partnership with the National Park Service, we look forward to preserving the history of the Chalets while protecting them for future generations.”

2026 SUMMER SEASON: July 10, 2026 through September 13, 2026

RESERVATIONS (FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE) WILL OPEN FEBRUARY 12, 2026.

Our reservation process will be similar to prior years; however new and exciting changes are accompanying the start of the new contract. Additional information regarding rates and the reservation process will be updated on our website in a few days, with other important details (such as transportation and interpretive workshops) rolling out throughout January. Please check the website frequently to stay up-to-date before reservations launch on February 12th. We look forward to serving you in 2026!




              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:



Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Concessioner Selected to Provide Backcountry Lodging in Glacier National Park

The National Park Service has selected Belton Chalets, Inc. to provide backcountry lodging, food and beverage, and other services at Glacier National Park under concession contract CC-GLAC004-26. The new contract will begin on Jan. 1, 2026, and has a term of 10 years.

Belton Chalets, Inc. previously served as the concessioner under a contract that was effective Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2025. The public is not expected to experience any interruptions in services.

“Belton Chalets, Inc. has provided park visitors with exceptional and unique services at Granite Park and Sperry chalets for years. We know that their passion for the chalets and their experience will serve the public and the park well,” said Dave Roemer, superintendent of Glacier National Park.

Solicitation of concession business opportunities within NPS sites and the selection of best proposals are routine processes for the NPS, dictated by the 1998 Concessions Management Improvement Act. By law, all contracts are issued through a fully open and competitive process, awarding contracts to those with the best proposal. Additional information about the law, regulation, and policy governing the National Park Service’s Commercial Services Program can be found online at the NPS Concessions webpage.

Concessioners fill a vital role in helping the NPS carry out its mission by operating publicly owned facilities and offering high-quality, commercial visitor services at reasonable rates. Glacier National Park has six concession contracts that provide a variety of visitor services in the park.



                *******************************************************************************

Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout this vast park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Exploring Glacier National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Glacier:


Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Update: Three hikers found dead on Mount Baldy in California

Because of the strange circumstances surrounding the deaths of three hikers on Mount Baldy in Southern California last week, I thought it was important to provide an update. Yesterday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department provided this bit of information on their website:
On Friday, January 2, 2026, the Sheriff’s Coroner Division positively identified Juan Sarat Lopez and Bayron Pedro Ramos Garcia, two Guatemalan Nationals residing in Los Angeles, were among the three deceased males located at Mt. Baldy. Investigators believe Lopez and Ramos Garcia fell from the Devil’s Backbone Trail the same day they were found.

Additional updates will be provided as they become available.
Also, ABC7 out of LA added this piece of information:
Authorities said Lopez and Garcia were not hiking with Casanova at the time of the incident, but they believe they fell from the same Devil's Backbone trail.




              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:



Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Can Pole Walking Help With Weight Loss?

It's a new year, and if past is prologue, then we can probably assume that many of us are trying to figure out how we're going to lose all that weight we gained over the holidays. The solution might already be in our closets. Did you know that Nordic walking, or walking with poles, can burn as much as 20% more calories during the same amount of time that you normally spend walking or hiking? Honestly, this came as a bit of a revelation to me recently, but it makes complete sense. Using trekking poles while walking also gives your upper body a workout. Apparently, scientific research has confirmed this:



For more information, you can click here, here and here.



              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:



Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)