Glacier National Park’s public scoping newsletter for the proposal to replace the Upper McDonald Creek Bridge and formalize parking at Upper McDonald Creek Trailhead is available for review and comment on the National Park Service (NPS) Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website. The scoping newsletter will be available for 14 days and comments are due August 30, 2022.
The North Lake McDonald Road provides access between Going-to-the-Sun Road and the northwest shore of Lake McDonald including private homes, the Lake McDonald Ranger Station, and access to trailheads. The road crosses Upper McDonald Creek via the Upper McDonald Creek Bridge.
Bridge replacement is needed due to progressive failure and to improve vehicle access to the northwest side of the lake. The bridge has suffered damage over time due to flooding and currently has a restricted load capacity of 15 tons, inadequate for heavy loads needed for wildland fire control.
The existing single-lane bridge and its two in-stream piers would be removed and replaced with a single-lane, clear span bridge with two sidewalks, one on each side. The new bridge would be built approximately 30 feet upstream of the existing bridge, requiring a realignment of the road approaches.
The existing bridge would continue to be available for NPS and landowner access during construction. The construction area extending approximately 100-feet from Going-to-the-Sun Road to Upper McDonald Creek trailhead would be closed to public access for the duration of construction.
Site clearing would likely occur in late summer/early fall of 2022. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2023 and mostly completed by the end of fall 2023.
Parking for the Upper McDonald Creek Trailhead west of the bridge would also be formalized under this project, likely with 10 delineated head-in parking spaces.
Replacing the Upper McDonald Creek Bridge with a new bridge slightly offset from the existing location and alignment was approved under a categorical exclusion in May of 2021. However, the submitted construction workplan had greater than anticipated impacts on landowner access. The project has been redesigned to further shift the location of the new bridge to enable administrative and local access across the existing bridge during construction.
The park believes the redesigned project could still be categorically excluded and would not require the preparation of an environmental assessment (EA). Public scoping is being conducted based on the redesign to determine if there is any other information or additional concerns the park is not aware of that might result in the need for an EA.
Comments can be posted on the NPS PEPC website or sent by mail to Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: UMC Bridge Replacement, P.O. Box 128, West Glacier, Montana, 59936.
Jeff
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Friday, August 26, 2022
Friday, August 19, 2022
Part of a foot, in a shoe, spotted in Yellowstone hot spring
On Tuesday, August 16, 2022, an employee found part of a foot, in a shoe, floating in Abyss Pool, located in the West Thumb Geyser Basin in the southern part of Yellowstone National Park.
An investigation by Yellowstone National Park law enforcement officers is ongoing.
Evidence from the investigation thus far suggests that an incident involving one individual likely occurred on the morning of July 31, 2022, at Abyss Pool. Currently, the park believes there was no foul play. The investigation is continuing to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
The West Thumb Geyser Basin and parking lot were temporarily closed to visitors due to the discovery but have since reopened.
Abyss Pool has a depth of more than 50 feet and is one of the deepest hot springs in the park. Its temperature is approximately 140 degrees F (60 degrees C).
Visitors are reminded to stay on boardwalks and trails in thermal areas and exercise extreme caution around thermal features. The ground in hydrothermal areas is fragile and thin, and there is scalding water just below the surface. Learn more about safety in thermal areas at go.nps.gov/yellsafety.
The park has no additional information to share about this incident.
Jeff
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An investigation by Yellowstone National Park law enforcement officers is ongoing.
Evidence from the investigation thus far suggests that an incident involving one individual likely occurred on the morning of July 31, 2022, at Abyss Pool. Currently, the park believes there was no foul play. The investigation is continuing to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
The West Thumb Geyser Basin and parking lot were temporarily closed to visitors due to the discovery but have since reopened.
Abyss Pool has a depth of more than 50 feet and is one of the deepest hot springs in the park. Its temperature is approximately 140 degrees F (60 degrees C).
Visitors are reminded to stay on boardwalks and trails in thermal areas and exercise extreme caution around thermal features. The ground in hydrothermal areas is fragile and thin, and there is scalding water just below the surface. Learn more about safety in thermal areas at go.nps.gov/yellsafety.
The park has no additional information to share about this incident.
Jeff
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Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Trail Advisory Committee To Meet In Helena
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks State Trails Advisory Committee (STAC) will meet Aug. 30 and 31. The STAC advises FWP on trail-related concerns and needs across Montana, including funding, use and the promotion of recreational trails across land ownership.
The group will meet in person, with a virtual option, in the Montana Room at the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) building in Helena. The meeting will run from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, and from 8:30 to noon on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
On the first day of the meeting, the committee will hear a programmatic overview of the trail grant programs, go over a breakdown of the eligibility requirements for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and Trail Stewardship Program (TSP) and learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the STAC across both programs. The second day will focus on the updated TSP application and scoring criteria, as well as the STAC’s annual role of application review and scoring.
The Montana DNRC building is at 1539 11th Ave. in Helena. The meeting is open to public and public comment will be taken before lunch and at the end of the agenda. The meeting will also be streamed live via Zoom on the State Trails Advisory Committee webpage.
Jeff
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The group will meet in person, with a virtual option, in the Montana Room at the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) building in Helena. The meeting will run from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, and from 8:30 to noon on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
On the first day of the meeting, the committee will hear a programmatic overview of the trail grant programs, go over a breakdown of the eligibility requirements for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and Trail Stewardship Program (TSP) and learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the STAC across both programs. The second day will focus on the updated TSP application and scoring criteria, as well as the STAC’s annual role of application review and scoring.
The Montana DNRC building is at 1539 11th Ave. in Helena. The meeting is open to public and public comment will be taken before lunch and at the end of the agenda. The meeting will also be streamed live via Zoom on the State Trails Advisory Committee webpage.
Jeff
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Friday, August 12, 2022
Rangers conduct three major rescues in less than 24 hours
Grand Teton National Park Rangers conducted three major search and rescue operations within 24 hours this week. August is a busy time for search and rescue personnel as backcountry activity increases in the Tetons in the summer.
On Monday August 8, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received a report of a disoriented 21-year-old female at Surprise Lake. Park rangers were flown via the Teton Interagency helicopter to a landing zone near Surprise Lake and approached the patient on foot. The patient was then transported via short-haul out of the backcountry to Lupine Meadows where she was transported via ambulance to St. John’s Health.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received another call from a party reporting their friend, a 22-year-old female, had hurt her back after she jumped into Phelps Lake from the rock feature known as “Jump Rock.” The patient was unable to walk more than a few steps. Park rangers were flown via the Teton Interagency helicopter to Phelps Lake to evaluate the patient. The patient was then transported via short-haul to White Grass Ranch where she declined further medical transport.
Tuesday morning at approximately 8 a.m., a climber on the traverse between Teewinot Mountain and Mount Owen contacted Teton Interagency Dispatch Center to report that his climbing partner had taken a several-hundred-foot, un-roped fall, had a severe head injury, and possibly broken bones in his extremities. Park rangers responded via the Teton Interagency helicopter and placed four rangers and rescue gear via helicopter short-haul to the accident site. The patient, a 24-year-old male, was treated and flown to Lupine Meadows where an emergency physician, park ambulance crew, and air ambulance crew further stabilized him. The patient was then transported via Air Idaho Rescue to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
Jeff
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On Monday August 8, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received a report of a disoriented 21-year-old female at Surprise Lake. Park rangers were flown via the Teton Interagency helicopter to a landing zone near Surprise Lake and approached the patient on foot. The patient was then transported via short-haul out of the backcountry to Lupine Meadows where she was transported via ambulance to St. John’s Health.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Teton Interagency Dispatch Center received another call from a party reporting their friend, a 22-year-old female, had hurt her back after she jumped into Phelps Lake from the rock feature known as “Jump Rock.” The patient was unable to walk more than a few steps. Park rangers were flown via the Teton Interagency helicopter to Phelps Lake to evaluate the patient. The patient was then transported via short-haul to White Grass Ranch where she declined further medical transport.
Tuesday morning at approximately 8 a.m., a climber on the traverse between Teewinot Mountain and Mount Owen contacted Teton Interagency Dispatch Center to report that his climbing partner had taken a several-hundred-foot, un-roped fall, had a severe head injury, and possibly broken bones in his extremities. Park rangers responded via the Teton Interagency helicopter and placed four rangers and rescue gear via helicopter short-haul to the accident site. The patient, a 24-year-old male, was treated and flown to Lupine Meadows where an emergency physician, park ambulance crew, and air ambulance crew further stabilized him. The patient was then transported via Air Idaho Rescue to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
Jeff
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Thursday, August 11, 2022
Fire risk now moderate in Tetons
Teton Interagency Fire managers have adjusted the fire danger rating to moderate for Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the National Elk Refuge following recent rainfall and cooler temperatures.
A moderate fire danger rating does not mean that people should let their guard down regarding fire risk. The best way to prevent wildfires is to not build an outdoor fire. If temperatures are cool, dress in layers to keep warm instead.
If you choose to build a fire, keep your fire small and attend to it vigilantly. Be sure to have a plan for putting your fire out before you light it. Campfires must be completely extinguished before you leave them. Before you walk away from your campfire, douse your fire with a large amount of water, stirring the coals and ashes into a thick, muddy soup, incorporating the white ash from the fire’s edges. Feel for heat in the center of the fire, on the larger pieces of wood, and along the edges of the ash. Repeat this process until no heat remains.
If you do not have a shovel or water, no established fire ring, a soil area to build your fire free of flammable materials, or if there are winds that could carry sparks, consider not building a fire.
So far this year, there have been 77 illegal and abandoned campfires in the Teton Interagency Fire area. Every year, hundreds of campfires are left unattended, with all of them having the potential to start a large, extremely costly, life-threatening wildfire. Unattended or abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires and recreationists can be held liable for suppression costs if their campfire ignites a wildfire. Please be responsible with fire.
Learn more about wildfire prevention and current wildfires by visiting www.tetonfires.com. To report a fire or smoke in the area, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center, 307-739-3630.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
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RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
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Exploring Grand Teton National Park
A moderate fire danger rating does not mean that people should let their guard down regarding fire risk. The best way to prevent wildfires is to not build an outdoor fire. If temperatures are cool, dress in layers to keep warm instead.
If you choose to build a fire, keep your fire small and attend to it vigilantly. Be sure to have a plan for putting your fire out before you light it. Campfires must be completely extinguished before you leave them. Before you walk away from your campfire, douse your fire with a large amount of water, stirring the coals and ashes into a thick, muddy soup, incorporating the white ash from the fire’s edges. Feel for heat in the center of the fire, on the larger pieces of wood, and along the edges of the ash. Repeat this process until no heat remains.
If you do not have a shovel or water, no established fire ring, a soil area to build your fire free of flammable materials, or if there are winds that could carry sparks, consider not building a fire.
So far this year, there have been 77 illegal and abandoned campfires in the Teton Interagency Fire area. Every year, hundreds of campfires are left unattended, with all of them having the potential to start a large, extremely costly, life-threatening wildfire. Unattended or abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires and recreationists can be held liable for suppression costs if their campfire ignites a wildfire. Please be responsible with fire.
Learn more about wildfire prevention and current wildfires by visiting www.tetonfires.com. To report a fire or smoke in the area, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center, 307-739-3630.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
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