2014 Annual Park Pass Available

The 2014 Glacier National Park Annual Pass is available for purchase and features the winning artwork from the recent annual art contest sponsored by the park and the Glacier National Park Conservancy.

The pass showcases an image of the historic Lake McDonald Lodge by 2013 Glacier High School Graduate Valarie Kittle. High school students participating in the contest were requested to submit artwork related to the 100th anniversaries of three iconic cultural resources in the park- Lake McDonald Lodge, Sperry Chalet and Granite Park Chalet.

The pass can be purchased from park headquarters 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or by calling 406-888-7800. The pass is also available through the Glacier National Park Conservancy located in Columbia Falls at 402 9th Street West or by calling 406-892-3250.

Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow said, “We are pleased to have the new passes available for the holiday season, and showcase a local student’s artwork.” Mow said he appreciates the partnership with the Glacier National Park Conservancy in sponsoring the artwork contest and making the passes available at their Columbia Falls Office.

Approximately 80% of the revenue from the park annual passes sold is returned to the park through the Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program and is used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services at the park.

The annual pass allows unlimited entry to the park for one year from month of first use and admits the pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. The cost is $35. The pass is for entrance into the park only and does not apply to any other user fee.

Without an annual park pass, the park’s seven-day winter entrance fee is $15 for vehicles and $10 for single entrants (hiker /bicyclist /motorcyclist), and during the summer the fees are $25 for vehicles and $12 for single entrants.



Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

Winter Survival Skills: Eating Snow versus Ice

We posed a similar situation over the weekend, but will ask again: What if you're out several miles from the trailhead during a winter hike and find yourself in an emergency situation in which you've run out of drinking water? In this particular situation you'll have plenty of snow and ice around, but the question is, do you consume any of it to help with your increasing dehydration? Is one source better than the other? And do you know why? The folks over at Vermont-based Peak Survival provide the answers to these questions in this short video:







Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

The Yosemite Valley

Half Dome "presents an aspect of the most imposing grandeur; it strikes even the most casual observer as a new revelation in mountain forms; its existence would be considered an impossibility if it were not there before us in all its reality..."

- Josiah D. Whitney

The Sentinel Meadow & Cook's Meadow Loop hike is the perfect way to experience the Yosemite Valley. The loop hike offers a variety of attractions, including lush meadows filled with wildflowers, wildlife, and outstanding views of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Falls and Half Dome.

For more photos, and to learn more about this short easy hike, please click here.



Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

First Day Hikes 2014

Start the new year off on the right foot by taking a First Day Hike in a state park near you. All across the country state parks will once again be offering guided First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day 2014.

The idea for First Day Hikes originated over 20 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation State Park in Milton, Massachusetts. The program was launched to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year round recreation at state parks. Many other states have offered outdoor recreation programs on New Year’s Day, however, all 50 state park systems have now joined together to sponsor a range of First Day Hikes.

This year, for the first time, the American Hiking Society has joined America’s State Parks in support of their First Day Hikes program. So far more than 400 hikes in all 50 states have been scheduled for this years events, with numerous options for a First Day Hike in the Glacier National Park region. You can find a First Day Hike by clicking here.






Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

Procuring Water in a Winter Survival Situation

What if you're out several miles from the trailhead during a winter hike, and you find yourself in an emergency situation in which you've run out of drinking water. In the video below, the folks over at Vermont-based Peak Survival offer some interesting and "outside of the box" alternatives for creating and storing drinking water. These are probably some good skills to learn and remember for anyone who ventures out into the wilderness during the winter months:







Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park