Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Glacier National Park Operations Adjust for Fall Season as Ticketed Entry Winds Down

As the autumn season approaches, operations in the park will start winding down. On September 6, 2021 the park’s ticketed entry pilot program will end as well as the park’s shuttle program. Park officials are expecting high visitation numbers in September. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and prepare for temporary traffic restrictions at the west entrance due to congestion and Highway 2 construction delays.

While the last day of ticketed entry is on September 6, construction will continue in and around the park. In addition, there may be temporary closures of the west entrance due to congestion. Visitors can check the Montana Department of Transportation website for updates on Highway 2 construction.

All real-time reporting systems such as campground availability, trail status, etc. are currently down on Glacier National Park’s website. This service is not expected to resume this season.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is scheduled to remain open from Avalanche Creek to Jackson Glacier Overlook until Sunday, October 17 at midnight, pending closures due to winter weather.

Construction will continue on Many Glacier Road causing 40-minute delays in both directions during the day and up to three hours at night. Starting September 19 at midnight, Many Glacier Road will be closed to the public for the year.

Camas Road is also under construction causing 30-minute delays in both directions during the day.

Operating hours for visitor services in Glacier National Park including the park’s shuttle, campgrounds, backcountry permits, boat inspections, and concession operations will also begin to adjust. More info here.


Jeff
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Thursday, August 26, 2021

Northern section of Moose-Wilson Road temporarily closed due to bears

The northern section of the Moose-Wilson Road, between Murie Ranch Junction and Death Canyon Junction, is temporary closed to all visitors including motorists, cyclists, and hikers. The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve and Death Canyon Trailhead can be accessed from the south.

Black and grizzly bears are currently eating berries along the Moose-Wilson Road. The road is closed for human safety and the protection of the bears. Because of its narrow surface lined with dense vegetation, hillsides, and wetlands, the Moose-Wilson Road does not allow for a safe distance between people and bears. These factors create situations where both visitors and bears may be at risk for injury, making it necessary to close the road whenever bears are foraging along the roadway.

Park staff will monitor the situation and will reopen the road when conditions allow. The road could be temporarily closed through the weekend or longer.

Rangers remind visitors to “Be Bear Aware,” as these animals are active throughout park and are feeding on ripened berries. All visitors are required to maintain a safe distance of at least 100 yards from bears.


Jeff
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Teton Interagency Fire danger lowered to moderate

Teton Interagency Fire managers will lower the fire danger rating to moderate and lift stage 1 fire restrictions for Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and the National Elk Refuge beginning Thursday, August 26. It is important to note that despite the lowering of the rating, the chance for fires to start easily and spread quickly remains.

Due to the amount of rain or snow received over the majority of western Wyoming over the past several days, moisture levels in vegetation have dropped to non-critical levels. It is important to note that long range forecasts are still calling for a warming and drying trend into the fall. Fire managers will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions for the remainder of the fire season to see if adjustments need to be made.

Fire managers are advising all public land users and particularly campers and hunters, to use caution when building and maintaining campfires. While fires are now legal, it is still illegal to leave a fire unattended or abandoned. There have been more than 155 illegal and abandoned campfires in the Teton Interagency Fire area to date for this year. Unattended or abandoned campfires and warming fires can quickly escalate into wildfires. Campers and day users should have a shovel on hand and a water bucket ready for use. Soak, stir, feel, repeat. It is extremely important that all campfires are “dead out” and cold to the touch before leaving.

To report a fire or smoke in the immediate area, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630. Learn more about fire safety at TetonFires.com.


Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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Monday, August 23, 2021

Bighorn sheep habitat improvement project planned on Wind River District

The first phase of a project designed to improve habitat for the Whiskey Mountain bighorn sheep herd on the Wind River Ranger District of the Shoshone National Forest will begin implementation starting the week of August 23, 2021.

Crews are contracted to begin cutting small diameter trees to prepare a fuel bed for a project known as the Torrey Rim Prescribed Fire project. This newly created fuel bed will take at least two years to dry out and be able to carry prescribed fire spread. The project, which is approximately 685 acres in size, is one of several prescribed fire projects designed to improve bighorn sheep migration corridors, create protected loafing habitats, and enhance winter range in the Glacier Addition of the Fitzpatrick Wilderness and adjacent Wyoming State Lands.

The Torrey Rim Project is the culmination of a collaborative public process between the US Forest Service, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, National Bighorn Sheep Center, and the University of Wyoming that has resulted in a new management plan for the Whiskey Mountain bighorn sheep herd. This project was identified as a high priority during the 2019 collaborative public process. When combined with ongoing research and conservation efforts, these management actions are intended to preserve the Whiskey Mountain bighorn sheep herd as a core value and icon of the Fitzpatrick Wilderness.


Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Bridge at Phelps Lake closed for replacement through fall of 2022

The Phelps Lake outlet bridge will be closed for replacement beginning the evening of Wednesday, August 18. The closure is expected to be in place through fall 2022.

The bridge connects Lake Creek Trail to the Woodland Trail and therefore hikers will not be able to make a loop hike on those trails, although hikers can still hike the Lake Creek or Woodland Trail one way to the lake and back. The Phelps Lake Loop from the Death Canyon Trailhead will require an additional 1.5 miles to complete the loop. Signs will be placed around Phelps Lake to reflect the closure.

The bridge was originally built for vehicle use by the Rockefeller family more than 60 years ago, before being reconfigured for pedestrian use as part of the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. The bridge sits on untreated logs and over time the weight of the bridge has made the wood deteriorate. The old bridge will be replaced with a new bridge that will be less costly to maintain and will continue to reflect the attractive, rustic appearance of the historic bridge.

Jackson Hole Preserve Inc., one of Grand Teton’s longest standing partners, is helping to support the bridge replacement.


Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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Thursday, August 12, 2021

Glacier Achieves Full Certification as International Dark Sky Park

Today, Waterton Lakes National Park (Alberta, Canada) and Glacier National Park (Montana, USA) are proud to announce that they have received full certification as an International Dark Sky Park, after meeting the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) outdoor lighting requirements.

Waterton-Glacier International Dark Sky Park has installed dark sky-friendly lighting while ensuring lighting used is necessary for public safety. These lights and fixtures reduce the harmful impacts of artificial lighting on wildlife, protect human health and preserve night skies for optimal viewing.

Parks Canada is adding to its reputation as an international leader in the preservation of night skies with this certification in Waterton Lakes National Park. In 2021, new LED streetlights were installed in Waterton Lakes in accordance with Parks Canada outdoor lighting guidelines and IDA standards. This completed the requirements for certification as a dark sky park. Waterton Lakes’ new streetlights feature a custom LED colour temperature, PC Amber (1650K). Parks Canada will continue to replace park lighting with these new LEDs over time. With this certification, Waterton Lakes joins 12 other Parks Canada-administered places with dark sky designations.

In Glacier National Park, new LED streetlights were installed in the West Glacier headquarters area and park residences received either new, dark sky-friendly fixtures and LED bulbs, or simply had the existing bulbs replaced. Additionally, replacement fixtures have been purchased for the East Glacier, St. Mary, and Many Glacier areas of the park for installation later this year.

Dark Sky Park certification helps raise awareness about light pollution and highlights how Waterton-Glacier International Dark Sky Park is reducing the impacts of outdoor lighting. It also provides opportunities for visitors to experience the night sky at its best in both parks.

Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park now hold four joint designations: International Peace Park, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, and the first transboundary IDA International Dark Sky Park.


Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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Friday, August 6, 2021

Wildland Fire Potential Exists Through September

The Bridger-Teton National Forest Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge recently received some monsoon moisture and the fire danger has decreased to high, with Stage 1 fire restrictions still in effect.

The area remains in moderate to severe drought conditions with temperature and precipitation outlooks for drier and warmer than normal conditions through the remainder of the summer. Analyses and outlooks indicate significant wildland fire potential exists through September in the greater Teton Interagency Dispatch area.

Precipitation over the last couple weeks was very sporadic. Some locations received well over an inch of rain while other areas only received a quarter inch. Going into this monsoonal moisture pattern fuels were at critical levels and some remain significantly drier than average. With warm and dry weather expected by next week fuels conditions will quickly rebound to previous levels.

Visitors to public lands are reminded that fire restrictions are in place and responsible fire behavior is critically important through August and September.

* Lighting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, barbeque or grill is ONLY ALLOWED at designated recreation sites such as established campgrounds or picnic areas. Use of portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, or use of a fully enclosed sheepherder type stove with a spark arrester screen is permitted.

* Smoking is allowed only in an enclosed vehicle, building (unless otherwise prohibited), developed recreation site, or while in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of al flammable materials ( parking lots, developed campsites, or locations surrounded by water).

* Year-round, operating a chainsaw is prohibited in national parks and on the wildlife refuge. Operating a chainsaw on national forest lands is permitted only when equipped with a USDA or SAE approved spark arrestor that is properly installed and in effective working order. Operators must also carry a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.

* Discharge of fireworks and use of explosives requiring blasting caps are prohibited.

* Charcoal burning fires are only allowed in official campgrounds and picnic areas.

Stoves and grills that burn contained fuel sources that can be turned off and on are allowed. Stoves and grills must be attended to at all times and be setup on hardened surfaces devoid of vegetation at least three feet in diameter. There have been more than 150 illegal and abandoned campfires in the Teton Interagency Fire area to date for this year. Unattended or abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires, and it is extremely important that all campfires are completely extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving a campfire. The easiest way to avoid an escaped campfire is to choose not to have one. Come prepared with warm layers and easy to cook food. If you choose to build a fire in an approved location, never leave a fire unattended and always prepare for the unexpected by having a water bucket and shovel on hand and ready to use.

Additional information on restrictions and allowable stoves and to learn more about fire safety visit TetonFires.com. To report a fire or smoke in the immediate area call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630.


Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Illinois woman charged in Yellowstone National Park case involving grizzly sow and cubs

Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that SAMANTHA R DEHRING, age 25 of Carol Stream, Illinois, was charged with one count of willfully remaining, approaching, and photographing wildlife within 100 yards and one count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening, or intentionally disturbing wildlife. Dehring is expected to appear in front of Magistrate Judge Mark L. Carman in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming on August 26, 2021, for her arraignment.

According to the violation notices, Dehring was at Roaring Mountain in Yellowstone National Park on May 10, 2021, when visitors noticed a sow grizzly and her three cubs. While other visitors slowly backed off and got into their vehicles, Dehring remained. She continued to take pictures as the sow bluff charged her. Witnesses took pictures and video of the incident which was shared with news outlets and eventually led to her identification. Dehring faces up to a year in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Park Rangers from Yellowstone National Park provided the results of their investigation to Rangers in Dehring’s area who served her the violation notices in person. These charges are only accusations of a violation of law and Dehring is presumed innocent until when and if proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by Yellowstone National Park Rangers and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Hambrick.


Jeff
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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Monday, August 2, 2021

Public Input Sought on Proposed Air Tour Management Plans

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will seek the public’s feedback on proposed air tour management plans for 24 national parks. Among these parks is Glacier National Park.

To encourage broad public participation, the agencies will livestream the meetings on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Comments may be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website. Updated information on meetings and comment periods will be announced through the publication of notices in the Federal Register.

“The purpose of the air tour plans is to ensure that park resource values, including natural sounds, wilderness character, visitor experiences, wildlife, and other natural and cultural resources, are protected in national parks where air tours occur,” said Ray Sauvajot, Associate Director for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science in the National Park Service.

“Public feedback is vital in developing proposed air tour management plans for national parks across the United States," said Kevin Welsh, Executive Director, FAA Office of Environment and Energy. “The FAA looks forward to working in partnership with the National Park Service, tribal leaders and community groups.”

The agencies hope to complete all air tour management plans by the end of August 2022. The schedule is part of a plan approved by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for the agencies to comply with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 within two years.

An important part of the process is the inclusion of Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. The agencies are consulting with Tribes that have tribal lands within or adjacent to national parks with air tours, and with Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations that attach historic and cultural significance to resources within these parks.

Please visit this NPS site and this FAA site for detailed information about air tour management plans. Links to meeting notifications, recordings, and slide decks (where applicable) will be posted to the NPS site.


Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
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Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park