Grand Teton Posts New Interactive eHike on Website

Last week Grand Teton National Park announced a brand new, web-based, interactive program takes viewers on an 'eHike' around String Lake, one of the six glacial lakes that grace the foot of the Teton Range.

Grand Teton National Park interpretive rangers invite classroom students as well as visitors far and wide to explore, through the convenience of their personal computers, the beauty and wonders of the String Lake area. Whether viewers want to relive a previous hike taken around String Lake or plan for an actual visit, this virtual field trip -- or eHike -- provides an introduction to the features that make up String Lake and its mix of natural habitats.

The web-based tour introduces viewers to the various elements -- earth, wind, water and fire -- that form the physical environment of the String Lake area. It also explains the role these forces have played in the creation of today's landscape.

eHikers can control images and sounds at each stop along their virtual tour, and they can activate videos to further explore the human and natural history stories related to each location. Alternate views will appear by hovering a mouse over side images, and hidden images will be revealed through the click of a button. eHikers can also click on audio icons to hear the sounds of birds and mammals along the trail, use video buttons to imagine being there, and "mouse over" a main image to find hidden gems in the virtual landscape.

"eHikes are becoming a useful and beneficial tool for providing park information to visitors before they can arrive in person," said Vickie Mates, Grand Teton National Park's chief of interpretation and partnerships. "We hope children and adults alike enjoy this virtual journey around String Lake, and we hope each viewer is tempted to make an actual visit to experience first-hand the captivating Teton landscape and wildlife."

To experience this innovative program, visit the park's website.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

Scoping Period Initiated for Jenny Lake Renewal Project

Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott announced last week that Grand Teton National Park is developing a long-range plan for the renewal of trails and other facilities in the Jenny Lake area-one of the most popular day-use areas of the park. Situated at the base of the Teton Range, the historic Jenny Lake area provides both visitor information and services and access to several trails. These trails provide opportunities for hiking along the valley floor as well as more strenuous treks into the park's backcountry.

Over 1.5 million visitors annually use the Jenny Lake trails and associated facilities. Due to this intensive visitor use over many decades, the area has deteriorated over time. Examples of the decline include poor drainage and steep pitches on portions of the trails (some of which were built in the 1930s), trail erosion, over-crowding on trails and viewing areas, trampled vegetation and bare ground, challenging route finding, and limited interpretation of the rich natural and cultural history.

Four areas will be considered in the planning process. These include South Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, the String Lake outlet, and the Jenny Lake overlook. Project priorities are to: retain the historic character of the area; improve route finding; expand interpretation of Jenny Lake's history, natural resources, and wilderness values; preserve and enhance the natural resources; and improve the overall visitor experience.

This scoping seeks public suggestions, comments, and concerns in the development of a master plan for the Jenny Lake area. An environmental assessment (EA) will be developed to analyze potential impacts of the project to a number of resources including geology, soils, vegetation, wildlife, cultural resources, water resources, wilderness character, and visitor use and experience. Additional public comments will be considered during preparation of the EA.

The National Park Service requests public comments on issues, alternatives, concerns and other considerations regarding this proposal. Interested individuals, organizations or agencies are invited to provide relevant information or suggestions for consideration by park managers before a draft EA is written and made available for public review this winter. Scoping comments will be accepted through September 15, 2012.

The upcoming Jenny Lake Renewal EA will address all of the proposed management actions, along with their potential impacts. Obtain more information, including maps of the area, and submit comments online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/grte or by mail to:

Grand Teton National Park
P.O. Drawer 170
Moose, WY, 83012
c/o Margaret Wilson


Jeff
Glacier National Park Trails