Get a head start on your summer fun with free admission to any national park this Saturday, June 9th. In celebration of National Get Outdoors Day, all 397 national parks will waive entrance fees for the day.
“Outdoor physical activity is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and national parks are great places to get out, experience nature, and get your heart pumping,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “There are so many things to see and do in a park, either on your own or on a guided tour. Stroll a battlefield, hike to a waterfall, observe wildlife, paddle a waterway, walk on the beach, or enjoy a picnic. There’s something for everyone in America’s national parks. We hope to see you on Saturday.”
National Get Outdoors Day is part of Great Outdoors Month, proclaimed by the President to encourage Americans, especially youth, to participate in outdoor activities and enjoy the beauty of public lands. Hundreds of organizations and businesses will partner with Federal, state, and local agencies to provide fun and healthy events at sites throughout the country.
A complete list of sites hosting National Get Outdoors Day activities can be found here.
The National Park Service will have four more entrance fee free days in 2012 – September 29 (National Public Lands Day) and November 10 to 12 (Veterans Day weekend). There are 133 parks that normally charge entrance fees ranging from $3 to $25. However, there are 264 national parks that never charge entrance fees.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
National Park Foundation Awards Grant to Glacier
Glacier National Park recently was awarded a $4,100 grant from the National Park Foundation to support the launch of the "Flathead Wild and Scenic River Corridor Stewardship Project." The grant will benefit park visitors through the purchase and availability of gear designed to minimize impacts on river corridor environments while recreating.
The grant has enabled the park to purchase gear including several hundred waste bags (biodegradable, puncture-resistant human waste bags), five fire pans, and eight Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee-approved bear-resistant coolers. Park visitors floating the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River are encouraged to check-out this equipment for their use at the Apgar Backcountry Permit Office, free of charge.
The Flathead River, part of the designated Wild and Scenic River System, has seen increased visitor use within the last ten years. Associated impacts include numerous fire rings, poor or improper food storage in grizzly/black bear habitat, and improper human waste disposal. Many private river users lack the gear needed to minimize their impact on the river environment due to expense. The park believes that making this gear available to river users, in congruence with Leave-No-Trace education already provided by park staff, will help reduce impacts along the river corridor.
"With these strategic grants, we have been able to positively impact hundreds of national parks across the country," said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "This unique program helps the parks enhance the visitor experience, engaging more people, and ultimately building a stronger community of park enthusiasts who share an appreciation and commitment to protecting America's Best Idea, their national parks."
For more information on availability of gear, contact the backcountry office at, 406-888-7857
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
The grant has enabled the park to purchase gear including several hundred waste bags (biodegradable, puncture-resistant human waste bags), five fire pans, and eight Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee-approved bear-resistant coolers. Park visitors floating the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River are encouraged to check-out this equipment for their use at the Apgar Backcountry Permit Office, free of charge.
The Flathead River, part of the designated Wild and Scenic River System, has seen increased visitor use within the last ten years. Associated impacts include numerous fire rings, poor or improper food storage in grizzly/black bear habitat, and improper human waste disposal. Many private river users lack the gear needed to minimize their impact on the river environment due to expense. The park believes that making this gear available to river users, in congruence with Leave-No-Trace education already provided by park staff, will help reduce impacts along the river corridor.
"With these strategic grants, we have been able to positively impact hundreds of national parks across the country," said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "This unique program helps the parks enhance the visitor experience, engaging more people, and ultimately building a stronger community of park enthusiasts who share an appreciation and commitment to protecting America's Best Idea, their national parks."
For more information on availability of gear, contact the backcountry office at, 406-888-7857
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Monday, June 4, 2012
Spring Storms Affect Plowing Efforts in Glacier
Glacier National Park snow plowing crews continue to clear the Going-to-the-Sun Road after recent spring storms brought a minimum of 16 new inches of snow, lots of rain, wind and fog in the past week. Plowing was slowed, and in some cases stopped last week, due to inclement weather including blowing snow and low visibility. Crews did work Saturday, but encountered rain and fog, limiting their work activities. A strong storm system with excessive rainfall is predicted this week which may create additional hazards and delays.
Several new snow slides, ranging from 8 to 15 feet deep, on the west side of Logan Pass created additional work to replow the areas, and additional safety concerns for the crews. Two avalanches slid across the road at the end of a work day last week, one at Triple Arches and one in the Slopes, creating a challenging situation to clear the area for the crew to return to park headquarters.
The east-side crew is working toward the Big Drift, encountering 25 to 30 feet deep snow. They will continue to plow through the drift this week, eventually meeting the west-side crew as they pioneer the Big Drift from the west. The west-side crew reached the Logan Pass Parking Lot late last week, finding 6-8 foot drifts and building eaves covered in snow.
Crews continue working hard to clear snow and debris along the road. There is additional debris, rocks and trees, with the snow slides and rain. Work to clean snow on the entire width of the road needs to be completed, as well as installation of guard rails once snow is removed and ice is melted. At the Logan Pass Visitor Center snow will be plowed and moved in the parking lot, and then snow from around the building needs to be cleared and moved. Much of the final work will be completed with hand shovels.
The projected date for vehicle access to Logan Pass remains mid-June, but with recent delays prompted by inclement weather, access may be later. Weekend and overtime work is taking place to support the projected date. Currently, 29 miles of the road are open to vehicle travel. Visitors can drive 15.5 miles from the West Entrance to Avalanche on the west side, and 13.5 miles from the St. Mary Entrance to Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side. Hiker/biker access on the Going-to-the-Sun Road may change day to day dependent on snow removal and road rehabilitation work. Visitors are encouraged to check the park website for the latest updates.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Several new snow slides, ranging from 8 to 15 feet deep, on the west side of Logan Pass created additional work to replow the areas, and additional safety concerns for the crews. Two avalanches slid across the road at the end of a work day last week, one at Triple Arches and one in the Slopes, creating a challenging situation to clear the area for the crew to return to park headquarters.The east-side crew is working toward the Big Drift, encountering 25 to 30 feet deep snow. They will continue to plow through the drift this week, eventually meeting the west-side crew as they pioneer the Big Drift from the west. The west-side crew reached the Logan Pass Parking Lot late last week, finding 6-8 foot drifts and building eaves covered in snow.
Crews continue working hard to clear snow and debris along the road. There is additional debris, rocks and trees, with the snow slides and rain. Work to clean snow on the entire width of the road needs to be completed, as well as installation of guard rails once snow is removed and ice is melted. At the Logan Pass Visitor Center snow will be plowed and moved in the parking lot, and then snow from around the building needs to be cleared and moved. Much of the final work will be completed with hand shovels.
The projected date for vehicle access to Logan Pass remains mid-June, but with recent delays prompted by inclement weather, access may be later. Weekend and overtime work is taking place to support the projected date. Currently, 29 miles of the road are open to vehicle travel. Visitors can drive 15.5 miles from the West Entrance to Avalanche on the west side, and 13.5 miles from the St. Mary Entrance to Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side. Hiker/biker access on the Going-to-the-Sun Road may change day to day dependent on snow removal and road rehabilitation work. Visitors are encouraged to check the park website for the latest updates.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Road and Facility Construction Projects for Grand Tetons
This past week Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott announced that road and facility construction projects are underway at various locations in Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, which will result in minor traffic delays during the 2012 summer season. There will also be intermittent, temporary one-day to two-day closures of parking areas in the Moose area and along the Teton Park Road. Travelers are advised to call the road conditions line at 307.739.3614 or stop at park visitor centers for current and specific information. The park's newspaper, Grand Teton Guide, includes a road construction map for further reference and can be picked up at any park entrance station and visitor center, or found online here.
NOTE: Because of the several delays that may be encountered, motorists are encouraged to plan for extra travel time to reach their destinations. Efforts will be made to minimize any inconvenience to drivers using park roads, however, traffic will be held up for short periods of time for road improvement work. These road construction projects are necessary to provide routine maintenance, as well as improve safety for the many vehicles that use park roads throughout the year.
* In June, motorists can expect up to 15-minute delays along the Teton Park Road and Jenny Lake Loop for a micro-seal pavement overlay. There will be reduced overnight and day use parking at the following trailheads during the first three weeks of June: South Jenny Lake, Taggart Lake, Leigh Lake, and String Lake, including the canoe launch. Access to these trails will remain open from nearby parking areas. Signs and staff will direct visitors to available parking during construction, and visitors are advised to follow posted parking signs and staff instructions. Additionally, pullout and picnic parking along the Teton Park Road between Taggart Lake and Spalding Bay will be closed intermittently during the first three weeks of June.
* The trail bridge over Taggart Lake will be closed for repair from June 8-22. As a result, Taggart Lake will be approachable only from the Taggart Creek trail. Additionally, the entire Taggart Lake trail network will be closed to all access on June 8 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for visitor safety during aerial delivery of construction materials.
* Construction is ongoing to improve accessibility, visitor safety, and environmental protection at the Moose boat landing. Throughout the month of June, these activities will result in temporary closures that will impact traffic flow. Boaters should expect intermittent detours.
* Throughout the summer and into the fall, motorists traveling Highway 89/287 between Jackson Lake Lodge and Flagg Ranch should expect delays of up to 30 minutes on weekdays for a road widening and traffic safety improvement project. Weekend and holiday work will not occur.
* The Gros Ventre Road near Slide Lake will have up to 15-minute delays from early July until mid August for asphalt paving repairs.
* The Moose-Wilson Road is scheduled for closure on July 11 and August 29 for application of dust abatement (magnesium chloride) coating. Visitors are cautioned that these dates are subject to favorable weather conditions.
* The Grassy Lake Road will have intermittent 15-minute delays for gravel resurfacing during late summer.
* Loops A through G in the Colter Bay campground will be closed until late June for upgrades to the water and wastewater infrastructure.
* Construction schedules may change or be delayed due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Visitors are encouraged to call the road conditions line at 307.739.3614 or stop at park visitor centers for current and specific information.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
NOTE: Because of the several delays that may be encountered, motorists are encouraged to plan for extra travel time to reach their destinations. Efforts will be made to minimize any inconvenience to drivers using park roads, however, traffic will be held up for short periods of time for road improvement work. These road construction projects are necessary to provide routine maintenance, as well as improve safety for the many vehicles that use park roads throughout the year.
* In June, motorists can expect up to 15-minute delays along the Teton Park Road and Jenny Lake Loop for a micro-seal pavement overlay. There will be reduced overnight and day use parking at the following trailheads during the first three weeks of June: South Jenny Lake, Taggart Lake, Leigh Lake, and String Lake, including the canoe launch. Access to these trails will remain open from nearby parking areas. Signs and staff will direct visitors to available parking during construction, and visitors are advised to follow posted parking signs and staff instructions. Additionally, pullout and picnic parking along the Teton Park Road between Taggart Lake and Spalding Bay will be closed intermittently during the first three weeks of June.
* The trail bridge over Taggart Lake will be closed for repair from June 8-22. As a result, Taggart Lake will be approachable only from the Taggart Creek trail. Additionally, the entire Taggart Lake trail network will be closed to all access on June 8 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for visitor safety during aerial delivery of construction materials.
* Construction is ongoing to improve accessibility, visitor safety, and environmental protection at the Moose boat landing. Throughout the month of June, these activities will result in temporary closures that will impact traffic flow. Boaters should expect intermittent detours.
* Throughout the summer and into the fall, motorists traveling Highway 89/287 between Jackson Lake Lodge and Flagg Ranch should expect delays of up to 30 minutes on weekdays for a road widening and traffic safety improvement project. Weekend and holiday work will not occur.
* The Gros Ventre Road near Slide Lake will have up to 15-minute delays from early July until mid August for asphalt paving repairs.
* The Moose-Wilson Road is scheduled for closure on July 11 and August 29 for application of dust abatement (magnesium chloride) coating. Visitors are cautioned that these dates are subject to favorable weather conditions.
* The Grassy Lake Road will have intermittent 15-minute delays for gravel resurfacing during late summer.
* Loops A through G in the Colter Bay campground will be closed until late June for upgrades to the water and wastewater infrastructure.
* Construction schedules may change or be delayed due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Visitors are encouraged to call the road conditions line at 307.739.3614 or stop at park visitor centers for current and specific information.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Video: Hike to Ptarmigan Tunnel
A video perspective on one man's hike to Ptarmigan Tunnel in Glacier National Park:
For more details on the hike to Ptarmigan Tunnel, please click here.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
For more details on the hike to Ptarmigan Tunnel, please click here.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
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