The Huckleberry Hiker

Saturday, June 13, 2020

Glacier National Park Continues Adaptive Operational Recovery

Glacier National Park continues their adaptive operational recovery as additional portions of the park become available this weekend and on Monday, June 15.

Below is a forecast of what to expect in the park this weekend and starting Monday, June 15. In addition, there are several changes to the backcountry permit process.

Continuing through the Weekend
The west entrance to the park will open by 8:00 am, as conditions permit, and close at 4:30 pm. After 4:30 pm additional entries will not be allowed, including hikers and bikers. Visitors already in the park are not required to leave by 4:30 and are free to exit after finishing their recreational activities. No overnight use of the park is permitted at this time and the campgrounds and lodges are currently closed.

Visitors will be able to access Apgar and Going-to-the-Sun Road as far as Lake McDonald Lodge. Restrooms will remain open after 4:30 pm. A few public bathrooms in the park will not be open this year due to the increased cleaning frequency required by COVID-19 mitigations. One of those is the Education Center facilities in Apgar. Those bathrooms are closed this year to allow the other facilities to be cleaned and disinfected more frequently.

Lake McDonald is currently the only waters open to boating (non-motorized only.) The Aquatic Inspection Station is open at Apgar from 9am-7pm. All watercraft must be cleaned thoroughly before coming to inspection station. Please review the park’s website regarding watercraft prior to arrival.

Visitors should come prepared and follow all CDC and local health guidance by practicing good hygiene and social distancing. Face coverings are recommended where social distancing is not possible. People who are sick should stay home and not visit the park. The CDC has provided specific guidance on visiting parks and recreational facilities.

What Changes in the Park this Weekend?

This weekend, hikers and bikers can go as far as they like on Going to the Sun Road past Lake McDonald Lodge at their own risk. Visitors are discouraged from going past the Loop due to falling rock and avalanche danger. Depending on avalanche concerns, closure may be instituted on a case-by-case basis. The Swan Mountain Apgar horseback rides will start on June 13.

What Changes on Monday, June 15?

* Starting Monday, June 15, the west entrance gate will no longer close at 4:30 pm.

* Camas Road will be open on June 15. The North Fork portion of the park will open and hiking trails, including trails to Bowman and Kintla Lake, will open for day use only. Campgrounds will remain closed and Bowman and Kintla Lakes remain closed at this time.

* Starting June 15, Going-to-the-Sun Road will open to Avalanche Creek and the campground will be available for day-use parking. Only the restroom at the shuttle stop will be available.

* On June 15, Village Inn Hotel and Lake McDonald Lodge open to overnight guests only. The Lodge lobby and restrooms will be closed to day-use visitors.

* Food service will be take-out only and orders can be placed on the lakeside exterior of the building. The bar and gift shop in the Lodge will be closed.

* Lake McDonald Campstore opens and restrooms in the old post office will be open to the public on June 15.

Backcountry Permits

* Backcountry permits will be available starting June 26. This is a correction to a previous news release that stated an incorrect date of June 21.

* There will be no undesignated camping permits or advance reservations for the 2020 summer season. All backcountry permits will be obtained using the first come, first served walk-in system.

* Starting June 26, permits can be purchased on the west side at Apgar Visitor Center from 8am-4pm. Tentatively starting by July 1, permits can be purchased on the east side at St. Mary Visitor Center from 8am- 4pm. These are the only locations where backcountry permits can be purchased for the 2020 season. Permits will not be obtainable at Many Glacier, Two Medicine, Polebridge, or Waterton this summer. Credit and debit cards will be the only form of payment accepted in 2020.

Masks or cloth face coverings are strongly encouraged to be worn while inside backcountry permit offices. Backcountry staff will be wearing them out of respect for public health. Physical distancing guidelines will be observed at all backcountry permit offices, which may result in longer wait times and/or lines outside the office buildings. A maximum of four people will be allowed in the backcountry office at any time. Any additional party members may join the group for a safety briefing outdoors after a permit is obtained.

Additional potential health risks must be assumed for overnight backcountry trips, ex. shared pit toilets and food prep areas in all campgrounds. Please consult the park website for further information on preparedness before embarking on a backcountry trip.

The Goat Haunt border crossing will be closed for the 2020 season. Continental Divide Trail hikers, please call 406-888-7859 for further information.

Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Friday, June 12, 2020

Temporary Delays on Moose-Wilson Road and Phelps Lake Trails

There will be temporary 20-minute delays along the Moose-Wilson Road near the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve from 11 a.m. -4 p.m. on Monday, June 15, as well as trail closures between the Preserve Center and Phelps Lake. The Lake Creek and Woodland, and Aspen Ridge Trails will be closed, as well as the Phelps Lake Loop south of Huckleberry Point and south of the junction with the Boulder Ridge Trail, between 7 a.m.-5-p.m. on Monday, June 15.

The temporary delays and closures will be in effect for health and safety purposes as a helicopter transports supplies and materials for repairs of the Phelps Lake Restroom. The restroom facility was damaged during the winter of 2018-2019 and closed last summer.

The repairs are in partnership with the support of Jackson Hole Preserve Incorporated. The public is encouraged to travel alternative routes and visit other trails on Monday. The repair work is weather contingent, and could be delayed to the following day, Tuesday, June 16.

The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve is comprised of 1,106 acres on the south end of Phelps Lake and includes a 7,500-square foot interpretive center, parking lot and approximately eight miles of trails and three restroom facilities. Jackson Hole Preserve Incorporated is an active partner with the National Park Service and managed the donation of the Preserve from the estate of Laurance S. Rockefeller in 2007. The organization was established in 1927 as the Snake Land Company.

The interpretive center will remain closed for the 2020 season because of limited staff due to COVID-19. The parking area and restroom are anticipated to be accessible for the summer season after the transport of supplies and materials for repairs at the Phelps Lake Restroom.

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

As national parks reopen, our online trail guides are still here to help with all your hiking plans

With most national parks finally in the process of reopening, and with restrictions on travel slowly being lifted, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your continuing support of our online hiking trail guides for the four national parks we cover:

HikinginGlacier.com

TetonHikingTrails.com

RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

HikingintheSmokys.com

If you do plan to visit any of these parks this year or anytime in the future, be sure to visit our websites to find the most comprehensive information on the best day hiking destinations in each of those parks. Our various trail directories and lists of top hikes will help you easily drill down to find the best hikes suited to your abilities and preferences.

In addition to our online trail guides, our websites also provide Accommodations and Things To Do listings to help with all your vacation planning. You can help support our websites by clicking and visiting our advertisers' websites, and using the services of these local businesses that have been hit hard by the shutdowns.

You can also support our websites by shopping from any of our affiliate links, including REI and Amazon.

Again, thank you very much!

Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Monday, June 8, 2020

Waters Open Throughout Grand Teton

Lakes and rivers that provide access to private and commercial vessels for floating, boating and fishing throughout Grand Teton National Park are open for the season beginning June 5.

Local residents and visitors to Grand Teton National Park are reminded to do their part to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Those who recreate on park waters have a responsibility to drain, clean, and dry their vessel, as well as check fishing gear before launching in the park.

All boats should be inspected at the Moose or Moran Aquatic Invasive Species Station upon entry to the park. Recreationists transporting any watercraft, including non-motorized vessels such as canoes and kayaks, are required by law to stop every time they pass an open inspection station. Watercraft that are dirty or have standing water will require a more in-depth inspection and potentially decontamination. As in past years, boat inspectors are issuing visitors an inspection verification card upon completion of the inspection. Frequent visitors should carry this card with them to expedite the inspection process during future visits.

The prevention of invasive species from entering park waters is critical, and more effective than attempting to remove invasive species after they've been established. Boat inspection stations are located in Moose and Moran, 7:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m. daily during the busy summer boating season.

Boaters are reminded that both a park boat permit and a state of Wyoming aquatic invasive species decal are required before launching on any park waters. Park boat permits are available via the mail by calling 307-739-3309 or may be purchased at park visitor centers once they are open. State decals may be purchased at a variety of outlets in the local area.

Concession operated marinas at Signal Mountain, Colter Bay, and Leeks will open by 9 a.m. on Friday, June 5, as well as other boat launches in the park. Park concessioner Jenny Lake Boating will also begin operations on Friday.

The National Park Service and Grand Teton National Park Foundation are working in partnership on a multi-year project, Snake River Gateways, to transform three river access sites along the Snake River. Construction began at Pacific Creek Landing this spring and public access to this location will be unavailable through June 7.

All river users should be aware of the skills needed for navigating each section of river.  During the temporary closure at Pacific Creek Landing, anyone putting in on the Snake River at Jackson Lake Dam will need to travel to Deadmans Bar, which requires an advanced skill set. River users may want to consider an alternate section of river recreation during this time.  

Currently, rivers are running fast and high due to spring runoff. Water recreationists should use caution and be prepared to encounter changing river conditions, including log jams and other possible obstructions.

Local residents and visitors are reminded to practice safety while boating and floating in Grand Teton National Park. Vessels must carry USCG approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) of the appropriate size for each person on board. Passengers under 13 years of age must wear a PFD. Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited in the park. When on the water, stay aware of other boaters.

Grand Teton National Park is implementing the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. Grand Teton is modifying operations at areas that cannot adhere to this guidance. Where it is safe, outdoor spaces will remain open to the public. Practice patience while traveling through the park.

Please visit https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/ans.htm for more information about preventing aquatic invasive species and https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/upload/boating19-access.pdf for information about boating in Grand Teton National Park.

Saturday, June 6, 2020

Map Highlighting Areas to Open in Glacier National Park on June 8

Below is a map of what will be open on June 8th when Glacier National Park begins welcoming visitors back to the park. You can click here for the full size version.