Fall for Glacier: September 19-22

If you haven't done so yet, mark your calendars for September 19-22, 2013.

The Glacier National Park Conservancy will be holding its annual Fall for Glacier event on September 19-22, 2013. This year, the event will be held at the historic Izaak Walton Inn in Essex, MT near the southern tip of Glacier National Park.

The Conservancy is lining up their traditional wide variety of amazing activities such as an all-star cast of guest speakers, guided hikes, Red Bus tours and more, as well as great food and lodging in a wonderfully unique setting. Hikes will be led by experts in fields such as geology and wildlife biology, and will explore the lightly-visited southern portion of the park. One hike will be led by ultra-hiker Jake Bramante, who in 2011 became the first person to hike every trail within Glacier National Park in one year. Chas Cartwright, the former Glacier National Park Superintendent, will also be leading a hike this year.

Some of the destinations included on this year's hiking schedule include a hike along the Flathead River, Garry Lookout, Stanton Lake, Firebrand Pass, Three Bears Lake, Elk Mountain (with Jake Bramante), and Scalplock Lookout (with Chas Cartwright).

For more information on the event, please click here.

If planning to attend, or just visiting Glacier this summer or fall, you can find a variety of lodging options on our Accommodations page.



Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park Superintendent Cartwright to Retire

After 40 years of government service, Glacier National Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright has announced his retirement, effective at the end December.

Cartwright joined Glacier National Park in the spring of 2008 and has been responsible for the management of over 1 million acres, a staff of approximately 130 permanent and 360 seasonal employees and numerous volunteers, an annual operating budget of almost $14 million, and partnership with four park partners, concessionaires, Blackfeet and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, landowners within the park, and local and regional communities and businesses.

Cartwright said he will miss the relationships and all the people that have been part of his job for the past 4½ years. "I am so fortunate to have worked with so many great people, internally and externally, that have a passion for Glacier National Park," said Cartwright. He has been especially impressed with the employees that care for it on a daily basis, as well as the many partners and neighbors that are actively involved.

Some of his highlights during his tenure at Glacier National Park include the resolution of mining issues in the North Fork, progress on the Going-to-the-Sun Road rehabilitation, leadership of the Flathead Basin Commission and the pro-active response to aquatic invasive species (AIS) and protecting the region's water, and the merger of park partners in an effort to grow private support and provide a more seamless way of connecting others with the park.

Cartwright said, "It has been an honor to be involved with public land management and public service for the past 40 years. I've enjoyed my career and protecting many of the nation's special places."

His career with the National Park Service has included superintendent positions at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Colorado, Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in North Dakota, and Hovenweep National Monument in Utah and Colorado. He held acting superintendent positions at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico and National Bridges National Monument in Utah. He also served as the Associate to the Deputy Director of the National Park Service in Washington, D.C.

Cartwright began his career with the National Park Service at Canyonlands and Arches National Parks and Natural Bridges National Monument as the group's first permanent archaeologist. Prior to joining the National Park Service, he worked for the Bureau of Land Management as an archaeologist and the US Forest Service as a fire lookout, river ranger and firefighter.

After graduating from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology in 1972, Cartwright traveled west to begin his career in public land management

He is an avid athlete who regularly bikes, skis, swims, hikes and kayaks. He says working for the National Park Service has been a great way to explore some of our country's greatest outdoor areas. "Getting out and interacting with employees, partners and visitors on the trail has been a priority for me," said Cartwright.

Cartwright and his wife Lynda plan to stay in the Flathead Valley and continue exploring and enjoying the many outdoor recreational activities.

A reception to honor Cartwright is planned for Thursday, December 13, 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Glacier's Community Building in West Glacier. For more information or to schedule a presentation, please contact Connie Stahr at 406-888-7901.

It is unknown at this time who will serve in the interim as Acting Glacier National Park Superintendent until the position is filled.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

A Conversation with Chas Cartwright

The Glacier National Park Fund is partnering with Grouse Mountain Lodge to co-host Chas Cartwright, Glacier National Park’s Superintendent, on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 7 p.m. Chas plans to have an informal, open conversation with the audience about the current issues facing Glacier National Park. This program is open to the public and will be held at Grouse Mountain Lodge. Please check the sign in the lobby for the room assignment. Cold beverage refreshments will be provided by the Lodge. Coffee will be provided by Montana Coffee Traders. GML would also like to invite you to come early for their happy hour and dinner from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. before the evening’s presentation.

As superintendent of Glacier National Park, Cartwright is responsible for the management of 1,013,572 acres, a staff of approximately 150 permanent and term employees, 365 to 435 seasonal employees and an annual operating budget of more than $13,700,000. Cartwright began his career with the National Park Service in 1987 at Canyonlands and Arches National Parks and Natural Bridges National Monument as their first archeologist. Since 1989, he has held a number of superintendent positions at several parks - including Dinosaur National Monument, Devils Tower National Monument, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site and Hovenweep National Monument. He has also held acting superintendent positions at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Natural Bridges National Monument.

For more information, please click here.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com

No Changes to Glacier's Mountain Goat Management Plan

Kurt Repanshek from the National Parks Traveler is reporting that Glacier National Park has no plans to change its regulations with regards to mountain goats. This response from Superintendent Chas Cartwright comes in light of a multi-million-dollar lawsuit that was recently filed by the widow and stepson of Robert Boardman, who was killed in Olympic National Park by a mountain goat in October 2010.

Witnesses and others in the area at the time describe an aggressive male mountain goat that approached, followed and fatally gored Boardman while he was hiking. Following the fatal encounter, the goat stood over Boardman until several visitors, including an off-duty National Park Service employee, succeeded in scaring off the goat.

An investigation into the park's handling of the case by the family's law firm turned up documentation that the goat had established a pattern of "aggressive behavior towards Park Service employees, experienced hikers, Boy Scout troops, (and) families with children."

Superintendent Cartwright told the National Parks Traveler:

“We have a variety of wild animals, most notably grizzly bears and black bears, and yes, we do have goats, sheep, and other animals that are in close proximity to heavy visitor use. I think that we have a pretty good plan and a pretty good program for managing that, but that’s something that I think will always be in the back of our minds."

You can read the full National Parks Traveler article here.



Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com