Glacier National Park in partnership with LC Staffing is seeking candidates to fill support positions for Glacier National Park’s free shuttle system that operates on the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. In addition, there are various other hiring and volunteer opportunities in the park this season.
Shuttle Support Needed:
LC Staffing of Kalispell, Montana has been awarded the annual contract for providing drivers, dispatchers, and supervisors for Glacier National Park’s Visitor Transportation fleet, which includes 35 shuttles and buses. Candidates who are interested in applying should contact LC Staffing or apply directly on the LC Staffing Website. The Visitor Transportation Service operates a free hiker-biker shuttle that provides weekend service from May 7 until June 26, from 7 am to 3 pm, and runs between Apgar Visitor Center, Lake McDonald Lodge, and Avalanche Creek. When the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens for the season, park shuttles will provide service between the Apgar and St. Mary Visitor Centers from July 1 to Labor Day from 7 am to 7 pm, seven days per week. Park shuttles operate on a first come-first served basis.
Other Jobs Available at Glacier:
The park is still in its hiring season and is experiencing the same hiring challenges as businesses throughout the country. If you are interested in working for Glacier National Park this summer, contact the park's administrative officer, Emily Keil, for information about latest job openings. Emily can be contacted at emily_keil@nps.gov or 406-888-7880.
Volunteer at Glacier National Park:
The park is looking for local volunteers that can help make a visitor’s day by serving as first contact with visitors needing help navigating the vehicle reservation system. For more information, email glac_volunteer_program@nps.gov, or call 406-888-7034.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Friday, April 29, 2022
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Interagency team conducting grizzly bear research trapping, 2022
As part of ongoing efforts required under the Endangered Species Act to monitor the population of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, biologists with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) will conduct pre-baiting and trapping operations within Grand Teton National Park from May 1 to July 15.
Research trappings are conducted annually. When bear trapping activities are being conducted, the area around the site will be posted with bright warning signs to inform the public of the activities occurring. For bear and human safety, the public must respect these closures and stay out of the posted areas.
Trained professionals with the interagency team will bait and trap grizzly bears in accordance with strict protocols. Once trapped, the bears are sedated to allow wildlife biologists to collar the bears and collect samples and data for scientific study. The bears are then released on site, often with a collar that transmits their location to study how bears use the landscape.
The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team was established in 1973 to collaboratively monitor and research grizzly bears in the ecosystem on an interagency basis. The gathering of critical data on the bears is part of a long-term research effort to help wildlife managers devise and implement programs to support the ongoing recovery of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s grizzly bear population. The team includes representatives from the National Park Service, U. S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribal Fish and Game Department, and the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
For more information regarding grizzly bear trapping efforts, contact the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team hotline at 406-994-6675. Information about grizzly bear research and monitoring is available from the IGBST website at https://www.usgs.gov/science/interagency-grizzly-bear-study-team.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Research trappings are conducted annually. When bear trapping activities are being conducted, the area around the site will be posted with bright warning signs to inform the public of the activities occurring. For bear and human safety, the public must respect these closures and stay out of the posted areas.
Trained professionals with the interagency team will bait and trap grizzly bears in accordance with strict protocols. Once trapped, the bears are sedated to allow wildlife biologists to collar the bears and collect samples and data for scientific study. The bears are then released on site, often with a collar that transmits their location to study how bears use the landscape.
The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team was established in 1973 to collaboratively monitor and research grizzly bears in the ecosystem on an interagency basis. The gathering of critical data on the bears is part of a long-term research effort to help wildlife managers devise and implement programs to support the ongoing recovery of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s grizzly bear population. The team includes representatives from the National Park Service, U. S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribal Fish and Game Department, and the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
For more information regarding grizzly bear trapping efforts, contact the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team hotline at 406-994-6675. Information about grizzly bear research and monitoring is available from the IGBST website at https://www.usgs.gov/science/interagency-grizzly-bear-study-team.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Sunday, April 24, 2022
DNA study provides new information on Teton bighorn numbers
Preliminary findings from an on-going DNA study suggest there may be more bighorn sheep in the Teton Range than biologists previously believed, a breath of good news as public land and wildlife managers work to conserve this small, isolated and vulnerable population.
“By analyzing the DNA in scat samples collected in the high country of the Tetons in 2020 and processing that data with statistical models, we estimate about 178 bighorn sheep lived in the range that summer,” said National Park Service wildlife biologist Carson Butler.
Biologists have closely watched the Teton bighorns for decades. They believe the herd is vulnerable because it is small, geographically isolated, and because it has lost traditional migration routes and winter ranges.
“This number is preliminary and is only a snapshot in time,” Carson said. He also emphasized he and his colleagues are halfway through a four-year study intended to answer more questions about the herd’s resiliency.
“The good news is, there are likely more bighorn sheep than we previously understood,” Butler said. “At the same time, this information should be taken in context. What really matters is the long-term trend. Conservation and stewardship efforts are needed to protect this population into the future.” Butler said the change in numbers reflects a new method of counting bighorn sheep that was implemented in 2019, not necessarily changes in the population itself.
In previous years, biologists relied primarily on counts from helicopters to track the number of bighorn sheep in the Tetons. Counts since 2020 have hovered around 100 animals, a notable increase from the preceding years’ counts which dipped below 60 animals for three consecutive years. Many factors such as weather, snow tracking conditions, and distribution of animals can greatly impact which bighorns get counted and which are missed in overflight. These types of surveys are meant to provide general population trends, measures of productivity, and sex-ratios over time and are not a census. Butler notes that while standard helicopter surveys provide much useful information, they do not provide information to estimate how many animals were missed in a survey.
Knowing these short comings of helicopter surveys, biologists invested in newer, non-invasive DNA surveys that can provide a wealth of information without ever laying hands on the animals. Butler and colleagues are part way through a four-year sampling program. In the future, Butler expects DNA data will provide a robust population estimate, a checkup of the population’s genetic status, and potentially estimates of survival and reproduction. “We only have half of our anticipated dataset in-hand right now, so these are very preliminary findings,” Butler said. “We know there’s a lot of interest in this population right now and we want to keep people up-to-speed with what we’re learning, while also not rushing to conclusions.”
The National Park Service, US Forest Service and Wyoming Game and Fish continue to agree that the Teton bighorn sheep herd is vulnerable and needs special stewardship.
The DNA research is a collaboration that includes staff from the National Park Service, Oregon State University, Utah State University, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Other funders include: the Grand Teton National Park Foundation; Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation; Teton Conservation District; Meg and Bert Raynes Wildlife Fund; Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee; Iowa Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep; and the Wild Sheep Foundation.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
“By analyzing the DNA in scat samples collected in the high country of the Tetons in 2020 and processing that data with statistical models, we estimate about 178 bighorn sheep lived in the range that summer,” said National Park Service wildlife biologist Carson Butler.
“This number is preliminary and is only a snapshot in time,” Carson said. He also emphasized he and his colleagues are halfway through a four-year study intended to answer more questions about the herd’s resiliency.
“The good news is, there are likely more bighorn sheep than we previously understood,” Butler said. “At the same time, this information should be taken in context. What really matters is the long-term trend. Conservation and stewardship efforts are needed to protect this population into the future.” Butler said the change in numbers reflects a new method of counting bighorn sheep that was implemented in 2019, not necessarily changes in the population itself.
In previous years, biologists relied primarily on counts from helicopters to track the number of bighorn sheep in the Tetons. Counts since 2020 have hovered around 100 animals, a notable increase from the preceding years’ counts which dipped below 60 animals for three consecutive years. Many factors such as weather, snow tracking conditions, and distribution of animals can greatly impact which bighorns get counted and which are missed in overflight. These types of surveys are meant to provide general population trends, measures of productivity, and sex-ratios over time and are not a census. Butler notes that while standard helicopter surveys provide much useful information, they do not provide information to estimate how many animals were missed in a survey.
Knowing these short comings of helicopter surveys, biologists invested in newer, non-invasive DNA surveys that can provide a wealth of information without ever laying hands on the animals. Butler and colleagues are part way through a four-year sampling program. In the future, Butler expects DNA data will provide a robust population estimate, a checkup of the population’s genetic status, and potentially estimates of survival and reproduction. “We only have half of our anticipated dataset in-hand right now, so these are very preliminary findings,” Butler said. “We know there’s a lot of interest in this population right now and we want to keep people up-to-speed with what we’re learning, while also not rushing to conclusions.”
The National Park Service, US Forest Service and Wyoming Game and Fish continue to agree that the Teton bighorn sheep herd is vulnerable and needs special stewardship.
The DNA research is a collaboration that includes staff from the National Park Service, Oregon State University, Utah State University, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Other funders include: the Grand Teton National Park Foundation; Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation; Teton Conservation District; Meg and Bert Raynes Wildlife Fund; Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee; Iowa Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep; and the Wild Sheep Foundation.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Bureau of Reclamation to close Teton Park Road across Jackson Lake Dam on Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.
The Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Snake Field Office, is temporarily closing the Teton Park Road across the Jackson Lake Dam in Grand Teton National Park on Thursday, April 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. to perform crane work on the dam.
Crane work will take place to set and move the bulkhead gate and inspect and perform maintenance work at the Jackson Lake Dam.
During this time, travelers will not be able to access the Signal Mountain Lodge Area by vehicle and non-motorized access to the Teton Park Road will only be available from the south at Taggart Lake Trailhead and Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area. Access to the Snake River, including the boat launch and fishing area below the dam will be available north of Jackson Lake Dam during this time.
Variable message boards advising visitors of the closure will be operational 24 hours in advance. Flaggers will staff hard closures north and south of Jackson Lake Dam.
Further information about this maintenance work can be obtained from Reclamation’s Upper Snake Field Office by contacting Johnathon Owsley at 208-678-0461 ext. 18.
Work schedules may change or be delayed due to weather conditions or other extenuating circumstances.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Crane work will take place to set and move the bulkhead gate and inspect and perform maintenance work at the Jackson Lake Dam.
During this time, travelers will not be able to access the Signal Mountain Lodge Area by vehicle and non-motorized access to the Teton Park Road will only be available from the south at Taggart Lake Trailhead and Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area. Access to the Snake River, including the boat launch and fishing area below the dam will be available north of Jackson Lake Dam during this time.
Variable message boards advising visitors of the closure will be operational 24 hours in advance. Flaggers will staff hard closures north and south of Jackson Lake Dam.
Further information about this maintenance work can be obtained from Reclamation’s Upper Snake Field Office by contacting Johnathon Owsley at 208-678-0461 ext. 18.
Work schedules may change or be delayed due to weather conditions or other extenuating circumstances.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Bears with cubs are emerging from dens in Teton County
Grizzly bears with cubs have begun emerging from their dens in Teton County. As bears become active this spring, BearWise Jackson Hole reminds residents and visitors to secure attractants of any kind and be bear aware.
Seeing a bear in its natural habitat is an awe-inspiring experience. However, living and recreating in bear country requires awareness and actions on our part to keep both bears and humans safe. As the grizzly bear population expands within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, bears continue to disperse across their historical range but also into more populated areas. All of Teton County is now in occupied grizzly bear habitat.
Properly storing all attractants to ensure a bear does not obtain a food reward is crucial to keeping bears wild. Once a bear becomes conditioned to human foods, risks to the bear and humans increase and management options become limited. Whether you have lived in Teton County for decades or are visiting the area for a day, please do your part to help protect bears.
If you are exploring the backcountry:
* Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
* Make noise, especially in areas with limited visibility or when sound is muffled.
* Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and keep it readily accessible.
* Hike in groups of three or more people.
* Do not run. Back away slowly if you encounter a bear.
For more information, please visit: https://go.nps.gov/tetonbears
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Seeing a bear in its natural habitat is an awe-inspiring experience. However, living and recreating in bear country requires awareness and actions on our part to keep both bears and humans safe. As the grizzly bear population expands within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, bears continue to disperse across their historical range but also into more populated areas. All of Teton County is now in occupied grizzly bear habitat.
Properly storing all attractants to ensure a bear does not obtain a food reward is crucial to keeping bears wild. Once a bear becomes conditioned to human foods, risks to the bear and humans increase and management options become limited. Whether you have lived in Teton County for decades or are visiting the area for a day, please do your part to help protect bears.
If you are exploring the backcountry:
* Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
* Make noise, especially in areas with limited visibility or when sound is muffled.
* Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and keep it readily accessible.
* Hike in groups of three or more people.
* Do not run. Back away slowly if you encounter a bear.
For more information, please visit: https://go.nps.gov/tetonbears
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Saturday, April 16, 2022
Glacier National Park Spring Operations for 2022
The weather is changing, wildlife is emerging, and Glacier National Park staff is gearing up for the season. While full park operations are still a couple of months off, visitors will see increasing recreational opportunities throughout the months of April and May.
Road plowing began the first week of April and will continue until Going-to-the-Sun Road opens over Logan Pass, usually between mid-June and mid-July. Typical years see snowstorms and avalanches continuing through April and May, making it impossible to predict an opening date.
With rising visitation during hiker/biker season and an increased amount of avalanche near misses, the park will incorporate additional safety measures around avalanche zones and hazardous trail conditions. This spring, there will be hiker/biker closure signage on Going-to-the-Sun Road that visitors will not be allowed to pass. A road crew hiker/biker closure will be in place Monday through Thursday where plow crews are currently working to clear the road. In order for heavy equipment to be safely used to open the road, the area needs to be clear of bicycles and pedestrians, similar to a construction zone. A hiker/biker avalanche hazard area closure will usually be determined by avalanche monitors and put in place Thursdays when road crews are done with their work and maintained throughout the weekend as conditions allow. Closure locations will be based on an evaluation of the potential avalanche hazard above the road. This approach will allow more of the road to be opened progressively through the season as the avalanche hazard decreases. Visitors who disobey the road closure signage are putting their safety at risk and could face up to a $5,000 fine and six months in jail.
Trail conditions in some areas may require a closure due to conditions such as ice and snow in locations with high consequences/risk. This season, Grinnell Glacier Trail will be managed similar to Highline Trail and closed during early spring due to steep trails covered by snow immediately above cliffs. These trails will open once exposed areas are melted out.
The park’s free spring hiker/biker shuttle returns this year. The shuttle will provide weekend service from May 7 until June 26, from 7 am to 3:00 pm, and runs between Apgar Visitor Center, Lake McDonald Lodge, and Avalanche Creek. The shuttle operates on a first come-first served basis.
On the west side of the park, Going-to-the-Sun Road is currently open to vehicles approximately 12 miles from the West Entrance to Lake McDonald Lodge.
On the east side of the park, visitors may currently drive Going-to-the-Sun Road approximately six miles from St. Mary to Rising Sun.
Two Medicine and Many Glacier Roads are closed at the park boundary. Hikers and bikers may travel farther into the valleys. Hiker/ biker traffic currently ends at the intersection for the Many Glacier Hotel while road crews are plowing.
The Inside North Fork Road is closed between the Polebridge Ranger Station and Fish Creek. Road access to Bowman and Kintla Lakes has not yet opened for the season. These dirt roads will open when conditions allow but are prone to intermittent closure in the spring due to muddy conditions.
The Camas Road is currently closed between Apgar and the park boundary until the snow has melted out.
Quarter Circle Bridge Road, accessing the Apgar Lookout trail, is currently closed until the snow has melted out.
A vehicle reservation is required to access Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR) and the North Fork area via the Polebridge Entrance Station from May 27 to September 11, 2022. Most advance reservations have been available on Recreation.gov since March 2, and additional reservations will be released within 24 hours of the visitation date. Other areas of the park can be accessed without a reservation. Check the Glacier National Park website for details.
Campgrounds:
Apgar, Fish Creek, Sprague, and St. Mary Campgrounds will operate under a reservation system beginning May 27 for most of the summer. Campsites at Apgar (group sites), Fish Creek, and St. Mary sites can be reserved on recreation.gov. Reservations for the rest of Apgar and Sprague Creek will be available beginning April 20. Reservations are only available online. Other park campgrounds not listed below are expected to open in June.Frontcountry campgrounds scheduled to open in April and May include:
* Apgar Campground will open fully April 25 on a first come-first serve basis and is currently open for primitive camping. Beginning May 27 advance reservations will be required.
* Bowman Lake Campground opens May 17 on a first come-first serve basis.
* Fish Creek Campground opens May 27 and will require an advance reservation.
* Kintla Lake Campground opens May 27 on a first come-first serve basis.
* Sprague Creek Campground opens May 10 on a first come-first serve basis. Beginning May 27 advance reservations will be required.
* St. Mary Campground is currently open for primitive camping on a first come-first serve basis and will switch over to non-primitive on May 14. Beginning May 27 advance reservations will be required.
* Two Medicine Campground opens May 27 on a first come-first serve basis.
Campgrounds in primitive status have vault toilets available and fees are reduced. No campground reservations are issued at primitive campgrounds and all camping is first-come, first-served. Visit the park’s campground page for additional camping information.
Backcountry Permits:
All wilderness campgrounds (formerly referred to as backcountry campgrounds) except in the Goat Haunt area will be available in 2022 as conditions allow and require a permit year-round. Almost 4,000 requests for advance reservations were submitted on March 15, 2022. The wilderness permit office will begin processing the requests for advance reservations April 17. The remaining 30% of wilderness camping permits will be available for walk-in campers the day before or day of the trip start date. The Apgar Backcountry Permit Center will open May 1 while stations at Two Medicine, St. Mary, and Many Glacier will open May 28, and the station at Polebridge will open May 27. Visitors can go straight to the other permit offices where no vehicle reservations are required if they do not have a Going-to-the-Sun Road reservation, which will be required to access the office in Apgar after May 27.
Boat Inspections:
Private boating will begin on May 8 for Lake McDonald, Bowman Lake, and Kintla Lake with the opening of the Apgar and North Fork AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) inspection stations. Inspections for North Fork-bound watercraft will still be available at the Apgar inspection station.Many Glacier, St. Mary, and Two-Medicine AIS inspections begin May 28.
Concession Operations:
All park concessions are expected to operate this summer. Some concessioner services will open up throughout May including lodging, tours, food service, and retail shops. Visitors can find links to each concessioner service through our Lodging, Restaurants, and Services webpage.
Visitor Centers: The Apgar Visitor Center will be staffed on weekends beginning April 16, with daily operations beginning May 14. The St. Mary Visitor Center will be open daily starting May 28.
Much of the park is still snow-covered this time of year and travelers should be prepared for changing conditions. Avalanches are still active on trails and along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Higher elevation trails can be dangerous and snow-covered until late June. Bears are emerging from their dens hungry, and visitors should take steps to travel safely in bear country. Extensive up-to-date park information is available via the Glacier National Park website.
The park is still in its hiring season and is experiencing the same hiring challenges as businesses throughout the country. This may affect some operations. If you are interested in working for Glacier National Park this summer, contact the park's administrative officer, Emily Keil, for information about latest job openings. Emily can be contacted at emily_keil@nps.gov or 406-888-7880.
With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see Glacier National Park. In fact, the park offers a wide variety of outstanding hikes that take-in the best scenery Glacier has to offer. If you do plan to visit Glacier this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings and other things to do to help with all your trip planning.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Road plowing began the first week of April and will continue until Going-to-the-Sun Road opens over Logan Pass, usually between mid-June and mid-July. Typical years see snowstorms and avalanches continuing through April and May, making it impossible to predict an opening date.
Trail conditions in some areas may require a closure due to conditions such as ice and snow in locations with high consequences/risk. This season, Grinnell Glacier Trail will be managed similar to Highline Trail and closed during early spring due to steep trails covered by snow immediately above cliffs. These trails will open once exposed areas are melted out.
The park’s free spring hiker/biker shuttle returns this year. The shuttle will provide weekend service from May 7 until June 26, from 7 am to 3:00 pm, and runs between Apgar Visitor Center, Lake McDonald Lodge, and Avalanche Creek. The shuttle operates on a first come-first served basis.
On the west side of the park, Going-to-the-Sun Road is currently open to vehicles approximately 12 miles from the West Entrance to Lake McDonald Lodge.
On the east side of the park, visitors may currently drive Going-to-the-Sun Road approximately six miles from St. Mary to Rising Sun.
Two Medicine and Many Glacier Roads are closed at the park boundary. Hikers and bikers may travel farther into the valleys. Hiker/ biker traffic currently ends at the intersection for the Many Glacier Hotel while road crews are plowing.
The Inside North Fork Road is closed between the Polebridge Ranger Station and Fish Creek. Road access to Bowman and Kintla Lakes has not yet opened for the season. These dirt roads will open when conditions allow but are prone to intermittent closure in the spring due to muddy conditions.
The Camas Road is currently closed between Apgar and the park boundary until the snow has melted out.
Quarter Circle Bridge Road, accessing the Apgar Lookout trail, is currently closed until the snow has melted out.
A vehicle reservation is required to access Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR) and the North Fork area via the Polebridge Entrance Station from May 27 to September 11, 2022. Most advance reservations have been available on Recreation.gov since March 2, and additional reservations will be released within 24 hours of the visitation date. Other areas of the park can be accessed without a reservation. Check the Glacier National Park website for details.
Campgrounds:
Apgar, Fish Creek, Sprague, and St. Mary Campgrounds will operate under a reservation system beginning May 27 for most of the summer. Campsites at Apgar (group sites), Fish Creek, and St. Mary sites can be reserved on recreation.gov. Reservations for the rest of Apgar and Sprague Creek will be available beginning April 20. Reservations are only available online. Other park campgrounds not listed below are expected to open in June.Frontcountry campgrounds scheduled to open in April and May include:
* Apgar Campground will open fully April 25 on a first come-first serve basis and is currently open for primitive camping. Beginning May 27 advance reservations will be required.
* Bowman Lake Campground opens May 17 on a first come-first serve basis.
* Fish Creek Campground opens May 27 and will require an advance reservation.
* Kintla Lake Campground opens May 27 on a first come-first serve basis.
* Sprague Creek Campground opens May 10 on a first come-first serve basis. Beginning May 27 advance reservations will be required.
* St. Mary Campground is currently open for primitive camping on a first come-first serve basis and will switch over to non-primitive on May 14. Beginning May 27 advance reservations will be required.
* Two Medicine Campground opens May 27 on a first come-first serve basis.
Campgrounds in primitive status have vault toilets available and fees are reduced. No campground reservations are issued at primitive campgrounds and all camping is first-come, first-served. Visit the park’s campground page for additional camping information.
Backcountry Permits:
All wilderness campgrounds (formerly referred to as backcountry campgrounds) except in the Goat Haunt area will be available in 2022 as conditions allow and require a permit year-round. Almost 4,000 requests for advance reservations were submitted on March 15, 2022. The wilderness permit office will begin processing the requests for advance reservations April 17. The remaining 30% of wilderness camping permits will be available for walk-in campers the day before or day of the trip start date. The Apgar Backcountry Permit Center will open May 1 while stations at Two Medicine, St. Mary, and Many Glacier will open May 28, and the station at Polebridge will open May 27. Visitors can go straight to the other permit offices where no vehicle reservations are required if they do not have a Going-to-the-Sun Road reservation, which will be required to access the office in Apgar after May 27.
Boat Inspections:
Private boating will begin on May 8 for Lake McDonald, Bowman Lake, and Kintla Lake with the opening of the Apgar and North Fork AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) inspection stations. Inspections for North Fork-bound watercraft will still be available at the Apgar inspection station.Many Glacier, St. Mary, and Two-Medicine AIS inspections begin May 28.
Concession Operations:
All park concessions are expected to operate this summer. Some concessioner services will open up throughout May including lodging, tours, food service, and retail shops. Visitors can find links to each concessioner service through our Lodging, Restaurants, and Services webpage.
Visitor Centers: The Apgar Visitor Center will be staffed on weekends beginning April 16, with daily operations beginning May 14. The St. Mary Visitor Center will be open daily starting May 28.
Much of the park is still snow-covered this time of year and travelers should be prepared for changing conditions. Avalanches are still active on trails and along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Higher elevation trails can be dangerous and snow-covered until late June. Bears are emerging from their dens hungry, and visitors should take steps to travel safely in bear country. Extensive up-to-date park information is available via the Glacier National Park website.
The park is still in its hiring season and is experiencing the same hiring challenges as businesses throughout the country. This may affect some operations. If you are interested in working for Glacier National Park this summer, contact the park's administrative officer, Emily Keil, for information about latest job openings. Emily can be contacted at emily_keil@nps.gov or 406-888-7880.
With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see Glacier National Park. In fact, the park offers a wide variety of outstanding hikes that take-in the best scenery Glacier has to offer. If you do plan to visit Glacier this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings and other things to do to help with all your trip planning.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Thursday, April 14, 2022
April 15 select road opening in Yellowstone National Park: ANTICIPATE DELAYS; Stay informed about road status
Due to extremely heavy snow received this week in Yellowstone National Park, the park’s efforts to open interior roads by April 15 has been delayed.
Crews are working to clear nearly a foot of snow and remove large drifts from storms on Tuesday, April 12. Although progress has been made, the normal opening schedule will be altered. The park will attempt to open the following road segments tomorrow as scheduled:
* West Entrance to Old Faithful
* Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris
However, more snow is forecasted in the park tonight with the potential for freezing rain over the weekend. Other road segments will open as conditions allow.
The road between the North Entrance, Mammoth Hot Springs and Northeast Entrance is open year-round.
The public should be prepared to alter their park travel plans depending on weather conditions which could change rapidly. In-park services are very limited. Visit Operating Hours and Seasons for area-specific services.
Crews will continue making every effort to ensure a safe road opening for the 2022 season. Stay informed about up-to-date road conditions in Yellowstone:
Visit go.nps.gov/YellRoads. Call (307) 344-2117 for a recorded message. Sign up to receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting "82190" to 888-777.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Crews are working to clear nearly a foot of snow and remove large drifts from storms on Tuesday, April 12. Although progress has been made, the normal opening schedule will be altered. The park will attempt to open the following road segments tomorrow as scheduled:
* West Entrance to Old Faithful
* Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris
However, more snow is forecasted in the park tonight with the potential for freezing rain over the weekend. Other road segments will open as conditions allow.
The road between the North Entrance, Mammoth Hot Springs and Northeast Entrance is open year-round.
The public should be prepared to alter their park travel plans depending on weather conditions which could change rapidly. In-park services are very limited. Visit Operating Hours and Seasons for area-specific services.
Crews will continue making every effort to ensure a safe road opening for the 2022 season. Stay informed about up-to-date road conditions in Yellowstone:
Visit go.nps.gov/YellRoads. Call (307) 344-2117 for a recorded message. Sign up to receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting "82190" to 888-777.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Public invited to join ranger-led programs to observe strutting sage grouse in Grand Teton National Park
The public is invited to join park rangers on early-morning tours to observe strutting sage grouse, as they perform their annual mating dance on a historic lek near Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park. Ranger-led grouse strut programs will be offered Saturday, April 23, Sunday, April 24, and Saturday, April 30. Advanced reservations are required.
Programs will begin at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at 5:30 a.m. To make an advanced reservation and for more information, please call 307-739-3399 or speak with a ranger at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, now open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Ranger-led grouse strut programs offer a unique opportunity to witness greater sage grouse congregate and perform animated mating displays by males during the breeding season. This behavior occurs each spring, when multiple males gather in open areas called leks. During this time, males use their tail feathers and expandable air sacs under their throats to compete with other males for optimum position on the lek and the attention of females. Rangers will provide information about sage grouse and conservation efforts underway for populations that are declining throughout much of the American West.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Programs will begin at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at 5:30 a.m. To make an advanced reservation and for more information, please call 307-739-3399 or speak with a ranger at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, now open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Ranger-led grouse strut programs offer a unique opportunity to witness greater sage grouse congregate and perform animated mating displays by males during the breeding season. This behavior occurs each spring, when multiple males gather in open areas called leks. During this time, males use their tail feathers and expandable air sacs under their throats to compete with other males for optimum position on the lek and the attention of females. Rangers will provide information about sage grouse and conservation efforts underway for populations that are declining throughout much of the American West.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Monday, April 11, 2022
Lake McDonald Utility Project Begins June 1
Glacier National Park announces that the Lake McDonald utilities construction project is set to begin June 1 at 10 pm.
The long-awaited project will replace seven miles of sewer force main, electrical, and telephone lines from Apgar to the Lake McDonald Lodge along Going-to-the-Sun Road. It will also replace the lift station at the lodge to reduce the threat of sewage overflow.
“Although there will be some inconvenience this summer, in the long-term the project will be a great benefit,” says Kate Hammond, acting Superintendent for Glacier National Park. “This project is long overdue, and our staff has worked hard to secure the funding to replace antiquated and out-of-date equipment, which in turn will protect park resources.”
The contract for the project has been awarded to Ceccanti, Inc. of Tacoma, WA.
Construction will begin on June 1, 2022 at 10 pm. Spring and summer work will be done at night from 10 pm to 6 am, with a nighttime closure in place along Going-to-the-Sun Road from the south end of the lake near Apgar Campground to Sprague Creek Campground.
At midnight each evening, there will be a window when vehicles will be piloted through construction.
With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see Glacier National Park. In fact, the park offers a wide variety of outstanding hikes that take-in the best scenery Glacier has to offer. If you do plan to visit Glacier this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings and other things to do to help with all your trip planning.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
The long-awaited project will replace seven miles of sewer force main, electrical, and telephone lines from Apgar to the Lake McDonald Lodge along Going-to-the-Sun Road. It will also replace the lift station at the lodge to reduce the threat of sewage overflow.
“Although there will be some inconvenience this summer, in the long-term the project will be a great benefit,” says Kate Hammond, acting Superintendent for Glacier National Park. “This project is long overdue, and our staff has worked hard to secure the funding to replace antiquated and out-of-date equipment, which in turn will protect park resources.”
The contract for the project has been awarded to Ceccanti, Inc. of Tacoma, WA.
Construction will begin on June 1, 2022 at 10 pm. Spring and summer work will be done at night from 10 pm to 6 am, with a nighttime closure in place along Going-to-the-Sun Road from the south end of the lake near Apgar Campground to Sprague Creek Campground.
At midnight each evening, there will be a window when vehicles will be piloted through construction.
With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see Glacier National Park. In fact, the park offers a wide variety of outstanding hikes that take-in the best scenery Glacier has to offer. If you do plan to visit Glacier this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings and other things to do to help with all your trip planning.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Friday, April 8, 2022
Going-to-the-Sun Road Projected To Be Fully Open By Late June
For a second year in a row, Glacier National Park is piloting a vehicle reservation system for Going-to-the-Sun Road from May 27 through September 11, 2022. Visitors will be able to access Going-to-the-Sun Road on the west side after 4 pm without a reservation. Visitors will not be able to access Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west side before 6 am, unlike last year, due to nighttime construction for the duration of the project.
Vehicle reservation for Going-to-the-Sun Road are available 120 days and 24-hours in advance at Recreation.gov (or Rec.gov). For more information regarding reservations, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/gtsrticketedentry.
Visitors can enter Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east side at the St. Mary Entrance from May 27 through September 11, 2022 before 6 am and after 4 pm without a reservation and travel as far as Sprague Creek Campground during the nighttime closure.
Glacier National Park road crew began snow removal on Going-to-the-Sun Road on Monday, April 4. Based on previous years, park staff estimate the road will be fully open towards the end of June. The road is currently open to Lake McDonald Lodge from the west and Rising Sun from the east. Visitors can expect the road to be open as far as Avalanche Campground on the west side and Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side when the vehicle reservation system goes into effect on May 27 through most of June.
On October 1, 2022, access to Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west side will be closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week beyond Apgar Village. Logan Pass will be accessible from St. Mary Entrance until the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road closes for the year. The alpine section typically closes on or before the third Monday in October, depending on road and weather conditions.
With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see Glacier National Park. In fact, the park offers a wide variety of outstanding hikes that take-in the best scenery Glacier has to offer. If you do plan to visit Glacier this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings and other things to do to help with all your trip planning.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Vehicle reservation for Going-to-the-Sun Road are available 120 days and 24-hours in advance at Recreation.gov (or Rec.gov). For more information regarding reservations, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/gtsrticketedentry.
Visitors can enter Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east side at the St. Mary Entrance from May 27 through September 11, 2022 before 6 am and after 4 pm without a reservation and travel as far as Sprague Creek Campground during the nighttime closure.
Glacier National Park road crew began snow removal on Going-to-the-Sun Road on Monday, April 4. Based on previous years, park staff estimate the road will be fully open towards the end of June. The road is currently open to Lake McDonald Lodge from the west and Rising Sun from the east. Visitors can expect the road to be open as far as Avalanche Campground on the west side and Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side when the vehicle reservation system goes into effect on May 27 through most of June.
On October 1, 2022, access to Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west side will be closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week beyond Apgar Village. Logan Pass will be accessible from St. Mary Entrance until the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road closes for the year. The alpine section typically closes on or before the third Monday in October, depending on road and weather conditions.
With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see Glacier National Park. In fact, the park offers a wide variety of outstanding hikes that take-in the best scenery Glacier has to offer. If you do plan to visit Glacier this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings and other things to do to help with all your trip planning.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Friday, April 1, 2022
Rangers rescue stranded backcountry skier in Grand Teton National Park
Park rangers and Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) jointly responded to rescue a stranded backcountry skier on the East Prong of Mount Owen at approximately 10:30 a.m. this morning in Grand Teton National Park.
On Thursday, a local 27-year-old man solo skied a couloir on Disappointment Peak. Afterwards he climbed the Koven Couloir on Mount Owen, planning to ski it, but when he got to the top, he decided he wanted to attempt the Cathedral Traverse in reverse from the top of the Koven Couloir towards Mount Teewinot.
In doing so, the man climbed the East Prong. During this climb, due to its’s technical nature, he realized he would be unable to reverse course and climb back down to the top of the Koven Couloir. The man was not carrying a rope. Once he reached the top of the East Prong, conditions in the mountains began to deteriorate, and the man found himself in whiteout conditions with wayfinding becoming increasingly difficult.
Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received a call around 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening from the backcountry skier who reported he was unable to make it out of the mountains due to whiteout conditions. Park dispatch put the man in touch with a Jenny Lake climbing ranger to discuss his situation and plan accordingly. The man told the ranger he had dug a snow cave on top of the East Prong and would stay in it overnight. He planned to wake up the next morning and make his way down once visibility improved.
Overnight the mountains received over a foot of new snow, making the conditions more hazardous.
Friday morning the man sent a text message to park rangers at approximately 6:30 a.m. to let them know he was awake and doing okay. Rangers advised the man to keep them updated on his progress and his plans for the day.
At 7 a.m. the man called rangers to inform them he would be unable to safely proceed due to the technical and high consequence terrain he was stranded in.
At approximately 10:30 a.m. park rangers and TCSAR jointly responded in the TCSAR helicopter to rescue the man. Rangers and TCSAR short-hauled the man out of the backcountry to the Jenny Lake Rescue Cache. The man was uninjured and able to self-transport.
Rangers want to remind the public that when traveling in technical terrain, it is important to have the means to reverse one’s ascent.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
On Thursday, a local 27-year-old man solo skied a couloir on Disappointment Peak. Afterwards he climbed the Koven Couloir on Mount Owen, planning to ski it, but when he got to the top, he decided he wanted to attempt the Cathedral Traverse in reverse from the top of the Koven Couloir towards Mount Teewinot.
In doing so, the man climbed the East Prong. During this climb, due to its’s technical nature, he realized he would be unable to reverse course and climb back down to the top of the Koven Couloir. The man was not carrying a rope. Once he reached the top of the East Prong, conditions in the mountains began to deteriorate, and the man found himself in whiteout conditions with wayfinding becoming increasingly difficult.
Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received a call around 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening from the backcountry skier who reported he was unable to make it out of the mountains due to whiteout conditions. Park dispatch put the man in touch with a Jenny Lake climbing ranger to discuss his situation and plan accordingly. The man told the ranger he had dug a snow cave on top of the East Prong and would stay in it overnight. He planned to wake up the next morning and make his way down once visibility improved.
Overnight the mountains received over a foot of new snow, making the conditions more hazardous.
Friday morning the man sent a text message to park rangers at approximately 6:30 a.m. to let them know he was awake and doing okay. Rangers advised the man to keep them updated on his progress and his plans for the day.
At 7 a.m. the man called rangers to inform them he would be unable to safely proceed due to the technical and high consequence terrain he was stranded in.
At approximately 10:30 a.m. park rangers and TCSAR jointly responded in the TCSAR helicopter to rescue the man. Rangers and TCSAR short-hauled the man out of the backcountry to the Jenny Lake Rescue Cache. The man was uninjured and able to self-transport.
Rangers want to remind the public that when traveling in technical terrain, it is important to have the means to reverse one’s ascent.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
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