Saturday, July 11, 2026

Grand Teton issues Extreme Heat Warning

Grand Teton National Park posted this on their social media yesterday:
☀️ 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Plan Ahead and Stay Safe

An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for Grand Teton National Park from noon Saturday, July 11, through 9 p.m. Monday, July 13. Temperatures are expected to reach around 100°F each day, creating dangerous conditions for outdoor recreation.

If you’re visiting the park:

• Plan hikes and other activities for early morning or cooler parts of the day.
• Carry more water than usual and take frequent breaks in the shade.
• Wear a hat and sunscreen, seek shaded areas, and know the signs of heat-related illness (https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/about/).
• If you head onto the water to cool off, wear your personal flotation device (PFD).
• Avoid alcohol, which can speed up dehydration.

The safest way to beat the heat is to limit time outdoors during the hottest hours and spend time in air-conditioned or shaded spaces when possible.

A little extra planning helps keep your adventure safe. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and recreate responsibly.




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

Check out our online trail guides:



Posted by at No comments:

Friday, July 10, 2026

On this date in hiking history: The 10th Mountain Division is established in Colorado

On this date in 1943 the legendary 10th Mountain Division was constituted. Five days later, on July 15th, it was activated at Camp Hale in Colorado, located near Tennessee Pass between Leadville and Vail. After an extremely hard-fought campaign in Northern Italy during the later stages of WWII, many veterans from this unit came home and became integral parts of the budding outdoor recreation industry.
More than 2000 soldiers from the unit had direct roles in creating the modern ski industry in America. This includes the founding of the Aspen, Vail, and Arapahoe Basin ski resorts, among several others.
Other 10th Mountain Division veterans became heavily involved in the hiking and mountaineering industry. This includes Gerry Cunningham, who founded GERRY; Paul Petzoldt, who helped found Exum Mountain Guides, Outward Bound, the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and the Wilderness Education Association (WEA); and David Bower, who served as the first executive director for the Sierra Club, and is credited with helping pass the Wilderness Act.
After designing the master plans for Vail, Snowmass, and Breckenridge, Fritz Benedict established the 10th Mountain Hut system in Colorado. Inspired by the backcountry huts he saw in the Alps, Benedict envisioned a system of huts connected by backcountry trails. The first two were constructed in 1982. The expansive network now encompasses 34 huts and 350 miles of trails, and is used year-round by skiers, snowshoers, hikers, and mountain bikers.

During the Korean War, Jim and Lou Whittaker trained soldiers in mountain warfare at Camp Hale. Afterwards, Lou co-founded Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (now RMI Expeditions). His twin brother became the first full-time employee at Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) in 1955, and eventually became its CEO sixteen year later. Within that span he became the first American to summit Mt. Everest (in 1963).



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

Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk through the woods for pleasure? Ramble On: A History of Hiking explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world.


Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Update: Yellowstone lifts remaining temporary closures near Old Faithful following May 4 bear incident

Yellowstone has lifted the remaining temporary trail, backcountry campsite and fishing closures near Old Faithful that were put in place after a May 4 bear incident in which two hikers were injured by an adult female grizzly bear with cubs.

The closure related to the 2024 Biscuit Basin hydrothermal explosion remains in place due to continued unpredictable hydrothermal activity.

Since the incident, Yellowstone bear management staff have surveyed the Mystic Falls Trail and surrounding area. Staff have not documented recent bear activity, including fresh tracks, scat or feeding sites. Based on these observations, the park has determined that bear-related risk in this area is consistent with that of other Yellowstone trails at this time of year.

Visitors are reminded to carry bear spray, know how to use it, stay alert and hike in groups whenever possible.



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

Check out our online trail guides:



Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, July 5, 2026

Grand Teton National Park to conduct high-visibility enforcement operations this summer

Grand Teton National Park law enforcement rangers will conduct a series of high-visibility enforcement (HVE) operations throughout the summer to promote safe driving behaviors and reduce serious traffic incidents in the park.

Enforcement efforts will primarily be near the park’s southern boundary and will include increased patrol presence and traffic stops. These traffic safety campaigns are focused on seatbelt use, speeding, and impaired driving. Patrols will focus on targeted areas during designated enforcement periods to increase visibility and encourage compliance with traffic laws.

Motor vehicle crashes and impaired driving remain some of the leading safety concerns in national parks. Park rangers encourage all visitors to help keep roads safe by driving responsibly. Remember to:

* Wear seatbelts at all times.

* Obey posted daytime and nighttime speed limits.

* Never drive impaired.

* Stay alert for wildlife, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

* Allow extra travel time during peak summer visitation.

* Stay patient in construction zones.

The upcoming patrol operations are funded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in partnership with the National Park Service Traffic Safety Coalition.



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

Check out our online trail guides:



Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Happy 4th of July!

On this day in 1930, sculptor Gutzon Borglum unveiled the 60-foot granite head of George Washington on Mount Rushmore. More info here.
Here’s a short newsreel from the George Washington unveiling:





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

Check out our online trail guides:



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