BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING
IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
07:00 MST Tue Dec 27 2022
The Flathead Avalanche Center in Hungry Horse has issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING for the following areas: NWS Missoula MT - MTC 029 (Flathead County)...MTC 047 (Lake County)...MTC 053 (Lincoln County)
* WHAT...The avalanche danger is HIGH due to a warm, wet, and windy storm sweeping across the forecast region. The avalanche danger may remain elevated Wednesday and into Thursday.
* WHERE...On and below steep slopes at all elevations in the Whitefish Range, Swan Range, Flathead Range, and parts of Glacier National Park (John F. Stevens Canyon, the Apgar Range, and Marias Pass area).
* WHEN...In effect from Tue 07:00 MST to Wed 07:00 MST.
* IMPACTS...Rain on snow, heavy snow, and blowing snow will overload the snow surface and buried weak layers resulting in widespread areas of unstable snow and natural avalanches.
* PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Very dangerous avalanche conditions are developing. Travel in avalanche terrain is downright dangerous. Avalanches may run long distances and into mature forests, valley floors, or flat terrain.
Consult http://www.flatheadavalanche.org/ or www.avalanche.org for more detailed information.
Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage area of this or any avalanche center.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Friday, January 20, 2023
Thursday, January 19, 2023
The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Grand Teton National Park
Rising more than 7000 feet above Jackson Hole, the high peaks of Grand Teton National Park provide one of the most dramatic landscapes in the entire world. Although many people seem to treat it as an afterthought, only visiting the park as a side trip while visiting its more famous neighbor to the north, more time and focus should be given to this stunning landscape. Within its 310,000 acres the majestic mountains of the Teton Range are home to a wide variety of wildlife, eight peaks that top out above 12,000 feet, more than 100 alpine and backcountry lakes, and more than 240 miles of trails that provide intimate access to all of this incredibly beautiful scenery. The following are among some of the top reasons why you should pay a visit to this amazing park:
1) Cascade Canyon
The Cascade Canyon Trail is widely touted as one of the best hikes in the entire National Park System. In addition to the stunning views of 12,928-foot Mt. Owen, the trail visits Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. The route is also known for the wide variety of wildlife that is frequently seen, especially bears and moose.
2) Lake Views
Lying along the eastern base of the Teton Range is a series of glacially-carved lakes. Rising sharply above their western shores, the views of the rugged mountains are stunning and dramatic. From the shores of Jackson, Leigh, Jenny, Phelps, Bradley and Taggart Lakes, hikers will enjoy some of the most striking views in the park.
3) Wildlife
Although Yellowstone rightfully receives a lot of attention for its wildlife viewing opportunities, the Grand Tetons are also known for its diversity of wildlife. The rugged mountains provide habitat to a wide variety of wildlife, including black bears, grizzly bears, elk, bison, bighorn sheep, moose, pronghorn, wolves, fox, lynx, bobcats and mountain lions. There are also more than 300 species of birds, including trumpeter swans, ospreys and bald eagles. A drive along Moose-Wilson Road is a popular way of spotting mega fauna such as bears and moose. However, hikes such as Amphitheater Lake, Hermitage Point, Moose Ponds and the Emma Matilda Lake Loop are all great choices for possibly seeing wildlife in the backcountry.
4) Photography
The abrupt rise of the Tetons from the valley floor arguably makes them one of the most photogenic mountain ranges in the world. As a result, professional and amateur photographers alike will enjoy a multitude of photo opportunities around the park. Some of the best spots for getting that perfect shot include Mormon Row, Oxbow Bend, Schwabacher’s Landing, as well as the Snake River Overlook, which was made famous by Ansel Adams' 1942 photograph. Of course all of the backcountry locations mentioned above will also provide outstanding photo opportunities.
5) Snake River Float Trip
The Snake River meanders along the sage brush flats below the Teton Range, and provides park visitors with the unique opportunity of enjoying the majestic mountain scenery from a raft. Although outfitters offer trips throughout the day, I highly recommend the morning trips, as the mountains typically look their finest when bathed in the glow of early morning sunshine. Morning also provides the best opportunity for spotting wildlife along the river banks, including bald eagles.
With more than 240 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see Grand Teton National Park. In addition to the hikes listed above, the park offers a variety of other outstanding hikes. If you do plan to visit Grand Teton this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings as well as other things to do to help with all your vacation planning.
*******************************************************************************
Rising more than 7000 feet above Jackson Hole, the majestic mountains of Grand Teton National Park provide one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. With more than 240 miles of trails meandering throughout this park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Exploring Grand Teton National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Grand Teton:
1) Cascade Canyon
The Cascade Canyon Trail is widely touted as one of the best hikes in the entire National Park System. In addition to the stunning views of 12,928-foot Mt. Owen, the trail visits Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. The route is also known for the wide variety of wildlife that is frequently seen, especially bears and moose.
2) Lake Views
Lying along the eastern base of the Teton Range is a series of glacially-carved lakes. Rising sharply above their western shores, the views of the rugged mountains are stunning and dramatic. From the shores of Jackson, Leigh, Jenny, Phelps, Bradley and Taggart Lakes, hikers will enjoy some of the most striking views in the park.
3) Wildlife
Although Yellowstone rightfully receives a lot of attention for its wildlife viewing opportunities, the Grand Tetons are also known for its diversity of wildlife. The rugged mountains provide habitat to a wide variety of wildlife, including black bears, grizzly bears, elk, bison, bighorn sheep, moose, pronghorn, wolves, fox, lynx, bobcats and mountain lions. There are also more than 300 species of birds, including trumpeter swans, ospreys and bald eagles. A drive along Moose-Wilson Road is a popular way of spotting mega fauna such as bears and moose. However, hikes such as Amphitheater Lake, Hermitage Point, Moose Ponds and the Emma Matilda Lake Loop are all great choices for possibly seeing wildlife in the backcountry.
4) Photography
The abrupt rise of the Tetons from the valley floor arguably makes them one of the most photogenic mountain ranges in the world. As a result, professional and amateur photographers alike will enjoy a multitude of photo opportunities around the park. Some of the best spots for getting that perfect shot include Mormon Row, Oxbow Bend, Schwabacher’s Landing, as well as the Snake River Overlook, which was made famous by Ansel Adams' 1942 photograph. Of course all of the backcountry locations mentioned above will also provide outstanding photo opportunities.
5) Snake River Float Trip
The Snake River meanders along the sage brush flats below the Teton Range, and provides park visitors with the unique opportunity of enjoying the majestic mountain scenery from a raft. Although outfitters offer trips throughout the day, I highly recommend the morning trips, as the mountains typically look their finest when bathed in the glow of early morning sunshine. Morning also provides the best opportunity for spotting wildlife along the river banks, including bald eagles.
With more than 240 miles of trails meandering throughout the park, hiking is the absolute best way to see Grand Teton National Park. In addition to the hikes listed above, the park offers a variety of other outstanding hikes. If you do plan to visit Grand Teton this year, please note that our hiking website also offers a wide variety of accommodation listings as well as other things to do to help with all your vacation planning.
*******************************************************************************
Rising more than 7000 feet above Jackson Hole, the majestic mountains of Grand Teton National Park provide one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. With more than 240 miles of trails meandering throughout this park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Exploring Grand Teton National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Grand Teton:
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Rangers respond to injured man involved in avalanche
Teton Interagency Dispatch Center (TIDC) received an emergency call at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 16 notifying them that a snowboarder was injured off the west side of Albright Peak in Grand Teton National Park. The snowboarder, a local Idaho man, was caught in an avalanche and swept into Death Canyon.
A member of the injured man’s party called 911 and was able to provide location information to the park’s search and rescue staff. Staff gathered medical and extraction equipment and jointly responded with Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) staff and helicopter.
The rescue crew located the injured man and after initial assessment, it was determined that the patient could walk a short distance to the helicopter. The patient and two uninjured members of his party were flown to a landing zone near the Teton Park Road where they met a waiting ambulance. The helicopter then returned for the remaining two rescuers and the fourth member of the party, still on Albright Peak. After further assessment in the ambulance, the patient refused additional medical care and self-transported to St. John’s Hospital with his companions.
Upon observation at the avalanche site, it was determined that the skier was carried approximately 600 feet, striking multiple objects before coming to rest against a tree. The avalanche ran a total of 2,400 feet from beginning to end, was about 300 feet wide and varied from one to five feet deep.
Quick response and a close working relationship with TCSAR made it possible to deploy interagency resources directly and save time in the field.
The avalanche hazard rating for the Teton forecast zone at the time of the avalanche was moderate and skiers and riders should always exercise caution when entering high consequence avalanche terrain.
Anyone planning to recreate in the backcountry should visit the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center at jhavalanche.org to obtain an avalanche forecast. Anyone recreating in avalanche terrain should utilize safe travel practices whether on skis, a snowboard, or a snowmobile.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
A member of the injured man’s party called 911 and was able to provide location information to the park’s search and rescue staff. Staff gathered medical and extraction equipment and jointly responded with Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) staff and helicopter.
The rescue crew located the injured man and after initial assessment, it was determined that the patient could walk a short distance to the helicopter. The patient and two uninjured members of his party were flown to a landing zone near the Teton Park Road where they met a waiting ambulance. The helicopter then returned for the remaining two rescuers and the fourth member of the party, still on Albright Peak. After further assessment in the ambulance, the patient refused additional medical care and self-transported to St. John’s Hospital with his companions.
Quick response and a close working relationship with TCSAR made it possible to deploy interagency resources directly and save time in the field.
The avalanche hazard rating for the Teton forecast zone at the time of the avalanche was moderate and skiers and riders should always exercise caution when entering high consequence avalanche terrain.
Anyone planning to recreate in the backcountry should visit the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center at jhavalanche.org to obtain an avalanche forecast. Anyone recreating in avalanche terrain should utilize safe travel practices whether on skis, a snowboard, or a snowmobile.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Friday, January 13, 2023
Wyoming State Parks & Historic Sites Hosts Another Year of Record Visitation
Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites’ annual visitation numbers for 2022 indicate high visitor use is here to stay with nearly 5.2 million visitors across all parks and historic sites.
In recent years, Wyoming’s outdoors have seen unprecedented visitation throughout the state and those high numbers have continued through 2022. Individually, state parks hosted nearly 4.9 million visitors, 3% above the five-year average, and historic sites hosted nearly 334,000 visitors, 6% above the five-year average. 2020 saw over 5.8 million visitors, with 2021 over 5.7 million visitors.
Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites’ current numbers remain well above pre-pandemic visitation which can be attributed to the retention of many first-time guests during this extreme visitation period.
“Many outdoor recreation destinations continue to see significant growth throughout the state and need new ways to continue to engage first-time and returning visitors,” said Dave Glenn, Deputy Director of Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails. “Our agency continues to enhance the visitor experience by investing in the development and expansion of new and existing infrastructure, campgrounds, trail systems, and interpretive programming amongst other exciting outdoor recreation opportunities across our sites.”
State parks and historic sites also saw a continued increase in fall visitation during 2022. September visitation was 14% above the five-year average, and October’s was 21% above the five-year average.
These numbers provide continued encouragement to Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites’ officials, who attribute the growth to the hard work and dedication of park staff and their efforts to extend and enhance shoulder season visitation.
To learn more about Wyoming State Parks & Historic Sites and/or to view Visitation Statistics, please visit wyoparks.org.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
In recent years, Wyoming’s outdoors have seen unprecedented visitation throughout the state and those high numbers have continued through 2022. Individually, state parks hosted nearly 4.9 million visitors, 3% above the five-year average, and historic sites hosted nearly 334,000 visitors, 6% above the five-year average. 2020 saw over 5.8 million visitors, with 2021 over 5.7 million visitors.
Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites’ current numbers remain well above pre-pandemic visitation which can be attributed to the retention of many first-time guests during this extreme visitation period.
“Many outdoor recreation destinations continue to see significant growth throughout the state and need new ways to continue to engage first-time and returning visitors,” said Dave Glenn, Deputy Director of Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails. “Our agency continues to enhance the visitor experience by investing in the development and expansion of new and existing infrastructure, campgrounds, trail systems, and interpretive programming amongst other exciting outdoor recreation opportunities across our sites.”
State parks and historic sites also saw a continued increase in fall visitation during 2022. September visitation was 14% above the five-year average, and October’s was 21% above the five-year average.
These numbers provide continued encouragement to Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites’ officials, who attribute the growth to the hard work and dedication of park staff and their efforts to extend and enhance shoulder season visitation.
To learn more about Wyoming State Parks & Historic Sites and/or to view Visitation Statistics, please visit wyoparks.org.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Saturday, January 7, 2023
Backcountry camping reservations in Grand Teton opening for summer 2023
Backcountry camping permits will be available online beginning Tuesday, January 10 at 8 a.m. (MST) for summer 2023 in Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Visitors are encouraged to reserve their special night under the stars early as reservations are expected to fill quickly.
Planning a backcountry adventure in Grand Teton?
Backcountry camping includes campsites that are not accessible by vehicle (except Spalding Bay). While visiting the backcountry is a great way to experience Grand Teton, a backcountry trip requires advance planning and obtaining a permit. Download a backcountry planning brochure to get started.
Backcountry camping permits can be purchased online in advance at Recreation.gov, or in the park the day before your trip begins, on a first-come, first-served basis, at any park backcountry office, including the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Moose, Colter Bay Visitor Center, and Jenny Lake Ranger Station.
Looking to camp in Grand Teton’s frontcountry?
Frontcountry camping includes campsites you can drive to and standard amenities like restrooms, potable water, metal fire grates, picnic tables and metal bear boxes. All frontcountry camping is by reservation only and available for booking up to six months in advance at Recreation.gov.
Grand Teton Lodge Company & Flagg Ranch Company operate Gros Ventre Campground, Jenny Lake Campground, and Colter Bay Campground, Tent Village and RV Park and Headwaters Campground and RV Park. Signal Mountain Lodge operates Signal Mountain and Lizard Creek campgrounds.
Car camping or sleeping overnight in vehicles is not allowed in park pullouts, parking areas, picnic areas, or any place other than a designated campground. Overnight parking at trailheads is only permitted with a backcountry permit.
Please visit the park’s website for more information about all camping in the park or call 307-739-3399. Plan ahead, recreate responsibly and help ensure this iconic landscape may be enjoyed by future generations.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Planning a backcountry adventure in Grand Teton?
Backcountry camping includes campsites that are not accessible by vehicle (except Spalding Bay). While visiting the backcountry is a great way to experience Grand Teton, a backcountry trip requires advance planning and obtaining a permit. Download a backcountry planning brochure to get started.
Backcountry camping permits can be purchased online in advance at Recreation.gov, or in the park the day before your trip begins, on a first-come, first-served basis, at any park backcountry office, including the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Moose, Colter Bay Visitor Center, and Jenny Lake Ranger Station.
Looking to camp in Grand Teton’s frontcountry?
Frontcountry camping includes campsites you can drive to and standard amenities like restrooms, potable water, metal fire grates, picnic tables and metal bear boxes. All frontcountry camping is by reservation only and available for booking up to six months in advance at Recreation.gov.
Grand Teton Lodge Company & Flagg Ranch Company operate Gros Ventre Campground, Jenny Lake Campground, and Colter Bay Campground, Tent Village and RV Park and Headwaters Campground and RV Park. Signal Mountain Lodge operates Signal Mountain and Lizard Creek campgrounds.
Car camping or sleeping overnight in vehicles is not allowed in park pullouts, parking areas, picnic areas, or any place other than a designated campground. Overnight parking at trailheads is only permitted with a backcountry permit.
Please visit the park’s website for more information about all camping in the park or call 307-739-3399. Plan ahead, recreate responsibly and help ensure this iconic landscape may be enjoyed by future generations.
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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