National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis, Intermountain Region Director John A. Wessels and Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott recently announced that the National Park Service (NPS) has purchased the second of four parcels of Wyoming school trust lands within Grand Teton National Park. Eighty-six acres known as the Snake River Parcel were acquired for an appraised value of $16 million with funds made available from congressional appropriations in fiscal years 2011, 2012 and 2013.
National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said, "This second purchase makes a significant step toward ensuring that state-owned lands within the park's boundary become entirely part of Grand Teton National Park."
Terms for the purchase of state school lands within Grand Teton National Park were set forth in a 2010 agreement between the Department of the Interior and the state of Wyoming. This agreement specified the order in which state parcels would be acquired, and the timeframes for doing so. In April 2011, the first purchase was made with the State receiving $2,000 for a 40-acre parcel of subsurface mineral rights.
Under the terms of the 2010 agreement, the next tract will be the Antelope Flats Parcel, a 640-acre section appraised at $45 million. The deadline for its acquisition is January 5, 2014. With that purchase, the NPS will retain a binding option to acquire the fourth and final parcel: 640 acres with an appraised value of $46 million located along the Gros Ventre Road adjacent to the east park boundary.
At the time of statehood in 1890, the Federal government granted Wyoming sections of land throughout the state to be held in trust to provide revenue for its public schools. Approximately 1,366 acres of school trust lands were subsequently included within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park when the park was enlarged to its present-day size in 1950. The state of Wyoming also held title to 40 acres of subsurface mineral rights within the park. Because of their location in Grand Teton, the State could not fully realize the economic value of these lands as required by its constitution.
Efforts by the NPS to acquire school trust lands within Grand Teton date back many decades. Over the past 10 years, acquisition of these state-owned parcels has remained one of the park's highest priorities.
"We look forward to the eventual purchase of the remaining 1,280 acres of state-owned lands within Grand Teton National Park so that future generations will enjoy unrestricted access to their public lands," stated Intermountain Region Director John A. Wessels.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park
Monday, December 31, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
The Top 10 Stories from Glacier National Park in 2012
2012 was another busy year for Glacier National Park. The park made headlines in the national media on a couple of occasions. Mishaps in the backcountry seemed to dominate the news this year. Below is my rundown of the top 10 stories from the park over the past year:
10) In September Glacier officials announced that the Quartz Creek Fish Barrier Modification and Improvement Project had been completed. The barrier was constructed in order to prevent additional non-native fish from reaching Quartz Lake in the northwestern section of the park.
9) In July the National Park Service announced that it had acquired the second largest privately owned property remaining in Glacier National Park. The 120-acre property, which was in private ownership but located entirely within park boundaries, is on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River near Harrison Lake. It was originally settled by Dan Doody, who was appointed as one of the first six Glacier rangers after the park was created in 1910.
8) Back in August Glacier National Park announced that it will proceed with plans to expand the Apgar Transit Center parking lot in order to accommodate increased visitor use due to the relocation of visitor center operations. The parking lot will be extended approximately 90 feet to the north, and 90 feet to the east, and will provide approximately 190-195 spaces for passenger vehicles, including 9 accessible spaces, and 21 RV or oversized vehicle spaces.
7) After 40 years of government service, Glacier National Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright announced his retirement in November, which will be effective at the end of the year.
6) Last January two lost cross-country skiers were rescued after an unplanned, overnight bivouac near Bowman Lake.
5) Sixteen miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road were closed for three days in July after several rock and mud slides occurred between The Loop and Triple Arches. One of slides was captured on video.
4) A Colorado man drowned in the North Fork of the Flathead River in Glacier National Park in September. The man was fishing near Camas Creek with a local relative when they became separated from each other's sight by a bend in the river. The relative went downstream to check on the man but was unable to find him. SAR rescuers found the victim’s body later that day.
3) In July a Glacier National Park trail crew member was seriously injured after sliding approximately 200 feet down a snow field from the Highline Trail to the Going-to-the-Sun Road below.
2) Back in October two hikers were rescued after spending an unanticipated five nights in the backcountry. One of the hikers slipped and fell approximately 100 feet down a steep area between Cut Bank Pass and Dawson Pass. Unable to make their back up to the ridge, the hikers dropped down to the Nyack Lakes area where they waited for rescuers.
1) In July, Jakson Kreiser, a 19-year-old seasonal employee with Glacier Park, Inc., went missing while hiking from the Logan Pass area. An extensive search was conducted for several days, but search personnel were unable to locate the Michigan native. His remains were found in September in an area southwest of Hidden Lake.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park
10) In September Glacier officials announced that the Quartz Creek Fish Barrier Modification and Improvement Project had been completed. The barrier was constructed in order to prevent additional non-native fish from reaching Quartz Lake in the northwestern section of the park.
9) In July the National Park Service announced that it had acquired the second largest privately owned property remaining in Glacier National Park. The 120-acre property, which was in private ownership but located entirely within park boundaries, is on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River near Harrison Lake. It was originally settled by Dan Doody, who was appointed as one of the first six Glacier rangers after the park was created in 1910.
8) Back in August Glacier National Park announced that it will proceed with plans to expand the Apgar Transit Center parking lot in order to accommodate increased visitor use due to the relocation of visitor center operations. The parking lot will be extended approximately 90 feet to the north, and 90 feet to the east, and will provide approximately 190-195 spaces for passenger vehicles, including 9 accessible spaces, and 21 RV or oversized vehicle spaces.7) After 40 years of government service, Glacier National Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright announced his retirement in November, which will be effective at the end of the year.
6) Last January two lost cross-country skiers were rescued after an unplanned, overnight bivouac near Bowman Lake.
5) Sixteen miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road were closed for three days in July after several rock and mud slides occurred between The Loop and Triple Arches. One of slides was captured on video.
4) A Colorado man drowned in the North Fork of the Flathead River in Glacier National Park in September. The man was fishing near Camas Creek with a local relative when they became separated from each other's sight by a bend in the river. The relative went downstream to check on the man but was unable to find him. SAR rescuers found the victim’s body later that day.
2) Back in October two hikers were rescued after spending an unanticipated five nights in the backcountry. One of the hikers slipped and fell approximately 100 feet down a steep area between Cut Bank Pass and Dawson Pass. Unable to make their back up to the ridge, the hikers dropped down to the Nyack Lakes area where they waited for rescuers.
1) In July, Jakson Kreiser, a 19-year-old seasonal employee with Glacier Park, Inc., went missing while hiking from the Logan Pass area. An extensive search was conducted for several days, but search personnel were unable to locate the Michigan native. His remains were found in September in an area southwest of Hidden Lake.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Invasive Plant Citizen Science Program at Glacier
This short video from the NPS provides an overview of the Invasive Plant Citizen Science Program in Glacier National Park, and how you can help:
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park
Friday, December 21, 2012
New Ranger-led Snowshoe Hikes on Tap in Grand Tetons
Grand Teton National Park ranger naturalists invite visitors and locals to experience the extraordinary wonders of winter during one of the new snowshoe hikes scheduled for the season. In addition to the regular daily snowshoe hikes from the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, rangers will also conduct guided snowshoe treks to Taggart Lake, as well as five full-moon snowshoe hikes.
Daily snowshoe hikes begin on Wednesday, December 26 at the Discovery Center in Moose, Wyoming. These two-hour excursions are offered every day at 1:30 p.m. and previous experience is not necessary. Snowshoes are provided for a fee of $5 for adults and $2 for children, 8 years and up.
For something different, join rangers for a snowshoe trek across glittering snow and under a bright full moon. These two-hour outings travel a level section of one of the park's snow-covered trails. Previous snowshoe experience is not required, and snowshoes are provided free of charge for these hikes. Full moon excursions are offered once a month on the following dates:
December 27 (Thursday) from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
January 26 (Saturday) from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
February 24 (Sunday) from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
March 26 (Tuesday) from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
April 24 (Wednesday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
For more of a challenge, join a guided snowshoe hike to Taggart Lake. Explore the magic of winter and get your blood pumping at the same time. These moderately strenuous excursions gain 400 feet of elevation across a three-mile, round-trip trail to the lake. Dates and times will be announced throughout the winter. Previous snowshoe experience is not required, but may be helpful. Snowshoes are provided for a fee of $5 for adults and $2 for children, 8 years and older.
People have used snowshoes as a means of winter travel for thousands of years. These ranger-led snowshoe outings are designed to introduce beginning and casual snowshoe hikers to a rare experience: oversnow travel across a frozen and pristine landscape in the company of others. Venture into the winter landscape and learn about the natural wonders and unique characteristics that make this season so special.
Those attending any of the snowshoe hikes should wear warm layered clothing, sturdy insulated boots, and a face scarf or ski mask. Bring along an energy snack and water and a sense of adventure.
Reservations are required for all snowshoe hikes. Call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor center at 307.739.3399 to sign up.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park
For something different, join rangers for a snowshoe trek across glittering snow and under a bright full moon. These two-hour outings travel a level section of one of the park's snow-covered trails. Previous snowshoe experience is not required, and snowshoes are provided free of charge for these hikes. Full moon excursions are offered once a month on the following dates:
December 27 (Thursday) from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
January 26 (Saturday) from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
February 24 (Sunday) from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
March 26 (Tuesday) from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
April 24 (Wednesday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
For more of a challenge, join a guided snowshoe hike to Taggart Lake. Explore the magic of winter and get your blood pumping at the same time. These moderately strenuous excursions gain 400 feet of elevation across a three-mile, round-trip trail to the lake. Dates and times will be announced throughout the winter. Previous snowshoe experience is not required, but may be helpful. Snowshoes are provided for a fee of $5 for adults and $2 for children, 8 years and older.
People have used snowshoes as a means of winter travel for thousands of years. These ranger-led snowshoe outings are designed to introduce beginning and casual snowshoe hikers to a rare experience: oversnow travel across a frozen and pristine landscape in the company of others. Venture into the winter landscape and learn about the natural wonders and unique characteristics that make this season so special.
Those attending any of the snowshoe hikes should wear warm layered clothing, sturdy insulated boots, and a face scarf or ski mask. Bring along an energy snack and water and a sense of adventure.
Reservations are required for all snowshoe hikes. Call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor center at 307.739.3399 to sign up.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Section of Hay Creek Road Closed in the North Fork Area of the Flathead National Forest
To provide for public safety a section of the Hay Creek Road in the North Fork area of the Flathead National Forest will be closed to all vehicle traffic Monday through Friday from now until March 31, 2013. Logging trucks are operating on this stretch of road during those days as part of the Hay-More Stewardship project.
The section of road which will be closed is National Forest System Road (NFSR) #376 (Hay Creek) from the intersection of County Road #486 (North Fork Road) to the intersection of NFSR #909 (Cyclone Creek Road.)
The road will be open from Friday at 6:00 p.m. to Monday at 12:01 a.m. for vehicle traffic. This stretch of road is being plowed which means it is not open to snowmobiles traffic.
For more information about area road access, contact the Hungry Horse/Glacier View Ranger District, 406/387-3800.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park
The section of road which will be closed is National Forest System Road (NFSR) #376 (Hay Creek) from the intersection of County Road #486 (North Fork Road) to the intersection of NFSR #909 (Cyclone Creek Road.)
The road will be open from Friday at 6:00 p.m. to Monday at 12:01 a.m. for vehicle traffic. This stretch of road is being plowed which means it is not open to snowmobiles traffic.
For more information about area road access, contact the Hungry Horse/Glacier View Ranger District, 406/387-3800.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park
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