Sunday, June 14, 2026

We’ve Got the Perfect Gift for Father’s Day

Father’s Day is rapidly approaching! Do you know what you’re getting “dear old dad?” If I had to guess, I bet he loves history. And if your dad’s a hiker, or simply loves the outdoors, I bet he would absolutely love to read Ramble On: A History of Hiking!

Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time for Amazon to ship a copy to you or directly to your dad.

Here are a couple of reviews of the first edition of the book:
"Doran's book is a treasure: a well-written, entertaining, knowledgeable, and exactingly researched book on the roots of hiking and hiking clubs, the history of trail-making, the evolution of hiking gear and clothing, and the future of hiking on overcrowded trails. Doran weaves the social, cultural, industrial, and political milieu into this fascinating history. Amusing, astonishing, and sometimes alarming anecdotes, along with photos, footnotes, and an extensive bibliography, make this a fascinating and significant account of the history of hiking."

- Appalachian Footnotes, Delaware Valley Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club
Others:

* National Parks Traveler

* MAZAMA Magazine

* Hiking For Her



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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.


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Sunday, June 7, 2026

Forest Service debuts new recreation mobile app

To kick off Great Outdoors Month, the Forest Service is launching a new, single visitor-information mobile app, National Forests and Grasslands, now available for download as visitors plan their summer trips to recreation sites across the National Forest System.

For the first time the app provides the most complete and accurate collection of Forest Service recreation sites that has ever been made available to the public, along with important planning tools like critical safety alerts, closures, amenity details and more.

“Due to the sheer size and remote nature of our 165,000 miles of trails and more than 30,000 recreation sites, we know that mobile service can be limited once you reach your destination,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “We encourage everyone to download the National Forests and Grasslands app – your own pocket-sized Forest Service guide – to check trail conditions, download offline maps, and view safety alerts before your trip.”

With the app, users can design their own adventure by identifying and favoriting recreation activities on national forest lands within a selected radius. Visitors can search for opportunities such as hunting and fishing, water activities like canoeing or rafting, bike – or equestrian - friendly trails, and campsites based on available amenities.

Downloading maps ahead of time allows users to access their location even in remote areas. Optional, map layers, including fire information and National Weather Service alerts, can be toggled on to provide a complete picture of the environment at your destination.

This debut will retire nearly 30 similar, outdated agency apps, improving overall visitor safety, access and consistent information to the nearly 164 million visitors who recreate on national forests and grasslands each year.

Download the app, explore your favorite trails and check out events happening during National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

The National Forests and Grasslands app is available for download on Apple store for iOS and Google Play for Android.



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Saturday, June 6, 2026

Victim of grizzly bear attack in Glacier provides more details

Daniel Crago, the victim of the grizzly bear attack in Glacier National Park last week, has just provided more details on the incident on his GoFundMe page. He's seeking financial aid due to the injuries he incurred. He stated on the page that he's “had three surgeries now and will need at least one more.” Crago also posted a few photos on the page, including X-rays of the damage inflicted by the bear:




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Fire danger increases to moderate in Tetons

Teton Interagency Fire managers have elevated the fire danger rating to “moderate” for Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the National Elk Refuge.

This change reflects the ongoing summer drying of vegetation, combined with warmer temperatures and increasing winds. Under moderate fire danger, wildfires can start from most accidental causes, including unattended campfires. Escaped fires are more likely on windy days and in dry, open areas.

Fire danger levels are determined using multiple indicators, including the moisture content of grasses, shrubs, trees, and dead-and-down fuels; forecasted weather patterns; the likelihood of fire spread; and firefighting resource availability locally and nationwide.

Recent Fire Activity
Recent lightning-caused wildfires have prompted swift response on the Bridger-Teton National Forest including the 257-acre Spread Creek Fire, which started on May 13 and was fully contained by May 18, and the 0.25-acre Ouzel Fire, which began on May 25 and was quickly put out by fire crews the following day. The Spread Creek Fire marked the Bridger-Teton’s largest recorded May wildfire.

For up-to-date fire conditions, safety tips, and potential fire restrictions, visit TetonFires.com. To report smoke or a wildfire, contact the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630.



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Thursday, June 4, 2026

Bear closures on the Hermitage Point Trail system

Grand Teton National Park posted this on their social media yesterday:
⚠️ π—¦π—²π—Ώπ—Άπ—Όπ˜‚π˜€ π—•π˜‚π˜€π—Άπ—»π—²π˜€π˜€: 𝗛𝗲𝗲𝗱 π˜π—΅π—² π—¦π—Άπ—΄π—»π˜€ ⚠️

If you encounter a wildlife closure sign in the park, it is not a suggestion—it is a hard closure.

A new temporary closure has been implemented on the Hermitage Point Trail system, including the Swan Lake and Heron Pond Loop, due to recent bear activity.

Several bears, both black bears and grizzly bears, are currently using the Hermitage Point area. Among them are mothers with young cubs of the year. These bears are actively foraging for natural food sources while also navigating around other bears. Recent encounters between visitors and bears in the area have created potentially dangerous situations for both people and wildlife.

While wildlife can be encountered anywhere in the park, this area has been closed after park staff carefully considered both wildlife protection and visitor safety.

Some closures occur annually to protect sensitive nesting or calving areas. Others are temporary and allow wildlife to safely access important food sources, such as seasonal roots or animal carcasses. Temporary closures are actively monitored and lifted when conditions are deemed safe.




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