Renowned Photographer Chris Peterson Retraces Mary Roberts Rinehart's 1915 Journey Through Glacier National Park

The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center at Glacier National Park is hosting a brown bag luncheon presentation by Chris Peterson, photographer and writer, on Wednesday, October 5th from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the park's Community Building in West Glacier. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Peterson's book, "Through Glacier Park 1915–2015," shares his experience recreating Mary Roberts Rinehart's 300-mile journey through Glacier in 1915. Rinehart wrote about her expedition, which started and ended at the East Glacier train station, in her travelogue, "Through Glacier Park 1915." Using Rinehart's book as a guide, Peterson pieced together the route he thought she took. Through snowstorms, hurricane-force winds, blazing heat, bear encounters and the thick smoke of wildfires, Peterson walked roughly 240 miles, half of it with his autistic son, HJ.

Chris Peterson is the editor and photographer of the Hungry Horse News. He grew up near Rochester, New York, moving out West in 1998 to take the job as the staff photographer of the newspaper.



Jeff
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TetonHikingTrails.com Adds Several New Hikes

Earlier this summer Kathy and I had the opportunity to do a little hiking during our visit to Wyoming. In addition to some hiking in Grand Teton National Park, we also did a few hikes atop Teton Pass. Prior to our visit to the Grand Tetons we also did some hiking in the Bighorn Mountains. As a result of this trip we have added seven new hikes to our newest hiking website, TetonHikingTrails.com. Here's a quick rundown of the new hikes from the Teton Pass area:

Mount Glory - is the southern-most peak in the Teton Range, and rises just north of Teton Pass. Without a doubt, it is the toughest one mile I've ever hiked. It's only one mile to the summit, but it's also a whopping 1655 feet of climbing (and suffering) to reach the top. Fortunately you'll be well rewarded with stunning panoramic views at the summit.

Coal Creek Meadows - out of the three trails we hiked near Teton Pass this was by far my favorite. The upper portions of Coal Creek Meadows are very beautiful. Moreover, we continued on for another half-mile beyond the typical stopping point, and made the short climb up to Coal-Mesquite Divide where we enjoyed outstanding views of the southern Teton Range, as well as Grand Teton itself in the far-off distance.

Black Canyon Overlook - this hike also begins from the top of Teton Pass, but travels south from the highway. This trail offers a plethora of wildflowers, as well as great views of Jackson Hole, Black Canyon and the Snake River Range.

All three hikes offer a degree of solitude when the summer crowds invade all of the popular trails in Grand Teton National Park.

As mentioned above, we also had a chance to do a little hiking in the Bighorn Mountains. We were able to add four hikes from this region, including Sherd Lake, Rainy Lake, Otter Lake and the Cloud Peak Wilderness Overlook. All four destinations pass through the Cloud Peak Wilderness in the Bighorn National Forest.

Designated by Congress in 1984, the Cloud Peak Wilderness protects more than 189,000 acres, including the highest peaks in the Bighorn National Forest: 13,167-foot Cloud Peak and 13,005-foot Black Tooth Mountain. The Bighorn National Forest is one of the oldest federally-protected forest lands in the United States. It provides habitat for elk, moose, mule deer, pronghorn, black bear and mountain lion, has over 1500 miles of trails, and protects more than 1.1 million acres.



Jeff
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Visitors Invited to Watch & Learn about Hawks in Hayden Valley

Sunday, September 25, visitors are invited to celebrate the spectacle of raptor (bird of prey) migration in Yellowstone National Park’s Hayden Valley with Yellowstone Raptor Initiative volunteer Katy Duffy. The Hayden Valley Hawk Watch is a spectacular opportunity to observe and learn about raptors, their ecology, and their migration strategies.

Participants will start the day at 9 a.m. at the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center for a 45 minute presentation about raptor identification tips. Afterwards, enthusiasts will travel to the park’s famed Hayden Valley to look for and learn about raptors that fly through Yellowstone each fall.

For the field portion of the day, participants will meet at 11 a.m. at a turnout located 6.6 miles south of Canyon Junction and nine miles north of Fishing Bridge Junction. Each end of the turnout will have a sandwich board that indicates the program location. A uniformed ranger with a spotting scope will also be present. Participants may want to bring a lawn chair, water, snacks, and binoculars. Observations will occur from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Both programs are free and open to the public. For more information, please call Katy Duffy at 307-699-2696.



Jeff
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Celebrate Public Lands Day with Free Entrance and Volunteer Activities in Grand Teton

In recognition of National Public Lands Day, Grand Teton National Park entrance fees will be waived on Saturday, September 24th, and volunteer projects will be hosted throughout the weekend.

A volunteer project in partnership with the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation will take place Saturday, September 24th at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. The project will include removal and modification of fences to enhance wildlife movement. Volunteers should contact the Foundation at 307-739-0968 to register and for more information.

On Sunday, September 25, the park is hosting a signature Public Lands Day event. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. Volunteers will then split into groups for service projects in the park at 10 a.m. The projects will include trash pickup, fence work, assembling new picnic tables and a variety of other tasks. Project work is anticipated to be completed by 2 p.m. Volunteers should register online at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f4da5a92ba4fd0-public by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 23.

All volunteers on Sunday will receive work gloves, t-shirt and National Park Service Centennial gift, as well as a voucher that can be used for a one-time entry into any public land site that charges an entrance fee. Bistro Catering is donating breakfast and snacks. Volunteers are encouraged to bring water, lunch, sunglasses, and clothing to match the weather, as the work activities will take place rain or shine. Work gloves will be provided.Participants will carpool to the work sites.

Sunday's activities are in partnership with the National Environmental Education Foundation, Environmental Grantmakers Association, Blue Sky Funders Forum, REI and Grand Teton Association. For more information, please contact Grand Teton National Park Volunteer Program Manager Megan Kohli at 307-739-3656.

National Public Lands Day is celebrated across the country encouraging enjoyment of and volunteer opportunities on public lands.



Jeff
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Lend a Hand on National Public Lands Day

On September 24th is your chance to be a part of the nation's largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. Throughout the country about 200,000 people will participate in 2,500 National Public Lands Day events. As part of the celebration, national parks will waive entrance fees and host projects and programs that promote environmental stewardship.

"Whether a neighborhood park or a national park, public lands belong to all of us," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "They might vary in shape and size but they all exist for all of us. Join us on National Public Lands Day and help ensure that these special places can continue to be used for recreation and inspiration."

All 413 National Park Service sites will have free entrance on National Public Lands Day. Those who volunteer for a service project will receive a voucher that permits them into a national park for free on a different day.

Dozens of National Park Service sites will host events. Take part in spring cleaning in Yosemite National Park, repair a horse trail in Catoctin Mountain Park, preserve earthworks at Richmond National Battlefield Park, or restore the tall grass prairie at Pipestone National Monument.

Click here for some of the National Park Service sites hosting National Public Lands Day events later this month.



Jeff
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