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

2012 Construction on the Going-to-the-Sun Road

As many of you are likely already aware, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is undergoing a multi-year project to rehabilitate this 50-mile engineering marvel that spans the interior of Glacier National Park.

Over the last two years work has been completed on the road between Big Bend and Logan Pass, and along McDonald Creek below the West Tunnel. East of the Divide, the section between Logan Pass and Siyeh Bend was also completed.

This year work will continue between Haystack Creek and Big Bend, as well as between Avalanche Creek and Logan Creek, for a total of 5.5 miles of construction activity:

Short traffic delays will occur in the construction zones. Expect some one-lane directional travel and no more than a 30 minute total delay from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for a one-way trip across the entire road. Occasional night delays between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. (Monday night through Friday morning) may occur with advance information posted along the road to alert visitors. In the event of a night closure, the restricted area would be between Logan Pass and Avalanche. A 15-20 minute window for passage through the restricted area would begin at 2 a.m. between Logan Pass and Avalanche.

Glacier National Park recently published an information sheet on the Top 10 Things You Need to Know (PDF) about the Going-to-the-Sun Road for 2012.

For more information on driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road, as well as a quick reference guide, please click here.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com

US Forest Service announces 2012 fee waiver days

The U.S. Forest Service announced yesterday eight dates for the new year when national forests nationwide will waive fees that are usually collected to support forest maintenance and amenities.

“We encourage the public to get outdoors in America’s vast and dynamic playground,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We hope that visiting your beautiful national forests and grasslands will help people gain a deep appreciation for natural resources, and create lifelong memories.”

Visitors to national forests will not pay fees on the following dates in 2012:

• Jan. 14-16 -- Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend

• June 9 -- Get Outdoors Day

• Sept. 29 -- National Public Lands Day

• Nov. 10-12 -- Veterans Day weekend

Despite the Forest Service’s fee waivers, the agency does not usually charge for visitors to national forests. In fact, the Forest Service does not charge for access on 98 percent of its land. More than two-thirds of the Forest Service’s approximately 18,000 recreation sites nationwide can be used for free. They include picnic sites, campsites, beach and lake areas, trails, boat launches, and cabins.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com

Glacier's Annual Park Pass Features a Collaborative Mural

The 2012 annual pass for Glacier National Park features a mural developed by hundreds of park visitors and staff.

The mural, titled Touched by Glacier, was created by park volunteer Sheryl Mink and was painted by more than 700 park visitors and staff throughout the course of last summer. The project was located in the park’s 1913 Historic Ranger Station near St. Mary. Mink created the basic background of the St. Mary Valley while others added layers of detail and color.

The $35 pass is valid for one year from month of purchase. It admits purchaser and passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder and his/her immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (foot, bicycle).

The original mural now is at the St. Mary Visitor Center.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com

National Parks Announce Fee Free Days for 2012

To encourage Americans to explore America’s natural beauty, rich history and culture, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recently announced that the National Park Service will waive admission fees on 17 days in 2012.

Salazar emphasized that our national parks and public lands serve as an economic engine for many local communities, supports jobs and driving tourism. Recreation in national parks, refuges, and other public lands fueled nearly $55 billion in economic activity and supported 440,000 jobs in 2009. The fee free dates for 2012 are:

* January 14 to 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend)

* April 21 to 29 (National Park Week)

* June 9 (Get Outdoors Day)

* September 29 (National Public Lands Day)

* November 10 to 12 (Veterans Day weekend).

More information is available at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm. In addition, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service will waive their entrance and standard amenity fees January 14 to 16, June 9, September 29, and November 10 to 12.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also have a fee free day on October 14 in recognition of National Wildlife Refuge Week. The Bureau of Reclamation will waive standard amenity fees on September 29 and November 12. Many park-related hotels, restaurants, gift shops, and tour operators will offer specials on fee free days. “The majority of national parks don’t have an entrance fee and those that do charge a maximum of $25 a week for an entire family” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “We realize there are additional expenses when visiting a park so many associated businesses will have discounts and enhancements on the fee free days.” “One of the great things about a national park vacation is it can be as economical or luxurious as desired,” added Jarvis. “A visit can be a few hours or several days. One could pack their lunch or eat at a snack bar, cafeteria, or gourmet dining room. One could sleep under the stars in the backcountry or stay in a campground, motel, or majestic lodge.

There is something for everyone at each of the country’s 395 national parks. So mark the dates, grab a friend or family member – especially one that has never been to a park before – and come visit one of your national parks.”


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com