Winter grooming of the 14-mile section of Teton Park Road between Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain parking area will end on March 10. The road will remain open for winter activities until March 20 when snow removal operations begin.
For safety reasons, visitors may not access the Teton Park Road once snow removal operations are underway. Rotary equipment and plows may be working at any time, and the roadway will be closed to all users until the snow removal operations are completed. Skiers and those on snowshoes using areas adjacent to the roadway are cautioned to avoid the arc of snow blown from the equipment because pieces of ice and gravel may be thrown great distances.
The Teton Park Road is anticipated to be accessible to activities such as cycling, roller skating, skateboarding, roller skiing, walking, jogging and leashed pet walking in early April, depending on weather conditions.
The Teton Park Road is expected to be open to motor vehicles May 1, depending on weather conditions.
Other park roads that are normally closed during winter will remain closed to vehicular traffic when posted or gated. The opening dates of these roads vary from year to year and are dependent on weather, snow, plowing progress, wildlife activity and road conditions.
The paved multi-use pathways in the park are open when predominantly free of snow and ice.
Thank you to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation for funding the winter grooming. Grand Teton National Park reminds visitors to plan ahead, especially as spring and summer approach. To check road status in the park, visit Grand Teton’s Live Road Status Map at go.nps.gov/tetonroads or call 307-739-3682.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Avalanche Campground Reopens in 2023
Last week Glacier National Park announced the re-opening of Avalanche Campground in Spring 2023 after being closed since 2020. Avalanche, Two Medicine and Many Glacier campgrounds will become advance reservation only through Recreation.gov.
Most of the campsites at Avalanche, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier campgrounds are reservable approximately six months in advance and several campsites in each campground can be reserved four days in advance to accommodate visitors with more spontaneous itineraries, i.e., new four-day advance reservations for campsites at Many Glacier will be reservable beginning June 6 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time for stays beginning June 9. All campsites at Avalanche and Two Medicine will become available on Rec.gov beginning March 1 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. For a complete calendar of campground opening dates in 2023, please click here.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Most of the campsites at Avalanche, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier campgrounds are reservable approximately six months in advance and several campsites in each campground can be reserved four days in advance to accommodate visitors with more spontaneous itineraries, i.e., new four-day advance reservations for campsites at Many Glacier will be reservable beginning June 6 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time for stays beginning June 9. All campsites at Avalanche and Two Medicine will become available on Rec.gov beginning March 1 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. For a complete calendar of campground opening dates in 2023, please click here.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Monday, March 6, 2023
New National Park Service report finds shifts in visitation patterns
The National Park Service 2022 Visitation Report recently released shows visitation to America’s national parks continued to rebound toward pre-pandemic levels. It also demonstrates subtle shifts in visitation patterns after two years of efforts to bolster visitation at lesser-known parks and at times of the year when parks historically saw fewer visitors.
National Park Service statisticians looked inside the numbers to see what kinds of parks people visited in 2022. Parks known for recreation opportunities drew 38 percent of visitation, parks that primarily focus on United States history and cultural heritage drew 32 percent of total park visitation, and parks anchored by nature-based experiences drew 30 percent of visitation.
“People continue to seek a variety of national park travel experiences – to learn about American history and culture, get active, and enjoy breathtaking scenic views,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said. “We’re excited to see our efforts to increase visitation to parks in the off-season and in parks that are less well-known paying off. Many parks with record visitation in 2022 are on what we would call “the road less traveled.” The subtle shift in park visitation is good for visitors, good for protecting parks, and good for local communities whose economies benefit from tourism dollars.”
Whether people have a bucket list park trip for 2023 or schedule time to discover the rest of the National Park System, the National Park Service app and insider tips from park rangers through the Plan like a Park Ranger feature are keys to safe, sensational, and successful national park experiences.
Everyone who visits a park has, or develops, their own special connections. In 2023, the National Park Service is inviting everyone to share Your Park Story. You can take part by sharing #MyParkStory on social media and follow the conversation on National Park Service social media channels.
Visitation pattern shifts:
* The group of 330-plus parks that make up 25 percent of overall visitation had a 4.6 percent increase in visitation from 2021 to 2022.
* The group of 37 parks that make up 25 percent of overall visitation had a 2 percent increase in visitation from 2021 to 2022.
* The group of 19 parks that make up 25 percent of overall visitation had a 10 percent increase in visitation from 2021 to 2022.
* The group of eight parks that make up 25 percent of overall visitation had a 1.2 percent increase in visitation from 2021 to 2022.
Inside the NPS Visitation Report:
* 312 million recreation visits were recorded in 2022 compared to 297 million recreation visits in 2021, an increase of five percent year over year
* There are 424 parks in National Park System; 395 parks count visitors
* Parks with record visitation in 2022 are in the lower 50 percent of overall park visitation
* 3 parks had more than 10 million recreation visits
* 9 parks had more than five million recreation visits
* 75 parks had more than one million recreation visits
* More than 15.7 billion people have visited national parks since 1904
The final chapter in my new book, Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World, dives deeper into the problems of overcrowding in our parks and on our trails. It also provides a look at some of the solutions that have already been implemented by state and national park managers, some that have been considered in the past, as well a few solutions that I think should be given consideration moving forward. Government projections on outdoor recreation indicate significant increases in the number of hikers over the next several decades. If not already, managing crowds in parks and on trails will become critical.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
National Park Service statisticians looked inside the numbers to see what kinds of parks people visited in 2022. Parks known for recreation opportunities drew 38 percent of visitation, parks that primarily focus on United States history and cultural heritage drew 32 percent of total park visitation, and parks anchored by nature-based experiences drew 30 percent of visitation.
“People continue to seek a variety of national park travel experiences – to learn about American history and culture, get active, and enjoy breathtaking scenic views,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said. “We’re excited to see our efforts to increase visitation to parks in the off-season and in parks that are less well-known paying off. Many parks with record visitation in 2022 are on what we would call “the road less traveled.” The subtle shift in park visitation is good for visitors, good for protecting parks, and good for local communities whose economies benefit from tourism dollars.”
Whether people have a bucket list park trip for 2023 or schedule time to discover the rest of the National Park System, the National Park Service app and insider tips from park rangers through the Plan like a Park Ranger feature are keys to safe, sensational, and successful national park experiences.
Everyone who visits a park has, or develops, their own special connections. In 2023, the National Park Service is inviting everyone to share Your Park Story. You can take part by sharing #MyParkStory on social media and follow the conversation on National Park Service social media channels.
Visitation pattern shifts:
* The group of 330-plus parks that make up 25 percent of overall visitation had a 4.6 percent increase in visitation from 2021 to 2022.
* The group of 37 parks that make up 25 percent of overall visitation had a 2 percent increase in visitation from 2021 to 2022.
* The group of 19 parks that make up 25 percent of overall visitation had a 10 percent increase in visitation from 2021 to 2022.
* The group of eight parks that make up 25 percent of overall visitation had a 1.2 percent increase in visitation from 2021 to 2022.
Inside the NPS Visitation Report:
* 312 million recreation visits were recorded in 2022 compared to 297 million recreation visits in 2021, an increase of five percent year over year
* There are 424 parks in National Park System; 395 parks count visitors
* Parks with record visitation in 2022 are in the lower 50 percent of overall park visitation
* 3 parks had more than 10 million recreation visits
* 9 parks had more than five million recreation visits
* 75 parks had more than one million recreation visits
* More than 15.7 billion people have visited national parks since 1904
The final chapter in my new book, Ramble On: How Hiking Became One of the Most Popular Outdoor Activities in the World, dives deeper into the problems of overcrowding in our parks and on our trails. It also provides a look at some of the solutions that have already been implemented by state and national park managers, some that have been considered in the past, as well a few solutions that I think should be given consideration moving forward. Government projections on outdoor recreation indicate significant increases in the number of hikers over the next several decades. If not already, managing crowds in parks and on trails will become critical.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Sunday, March 5, 2023
Colorado and Wyoming to receive additional $40.15 million in disaster relief funding
The USDA Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Regional Office recently announced that Colorado and Wyoming will receive $40.15 million in disaster relief funds this fiscal year, made possible through the Disaster Supplement of the Omnibus funding legislation. Colorado’s Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests will receive $39 million to continue post-fire rehabilitation efforts following the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome Fires. The Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming will receive $1.15 million to repair flood damaged areas in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
“With the help of numerous partners, an enormous amount of work has been accomplished to stabilize the areas hardest hit, and our rehabilitation work is on schedule,” said Regional Forester Frank Beum. “We have only touched upon the long-term rehabilitation efforts that need to occur, it will take years, and this funding is crucial to continuing that work,” he added.
Watersheds serving multiple Colorado communities were decimated by the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome Fires in 2020. Front Range water providers, in partnership with the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, accomplished $15 million of emergency watershed stabilization work on National Forest System lands in 2021 with funding made possible by the water providers and state grants.
In 2022, northern Colorado water providers completed $21.2 million of slope stabilization work on National Forest System lands in collaboration with local and federal partners. The work was accomplished with disaster supplemental funding that the forests received in June. The current funding will continue stabilization efforts on an additional 50,000 acres and begin long-term rehabilitation work such as road and trail repairs, reforestation, noxious weed containment, project planning, and recreation facility repairs.
Severe flooding impacted the Shoshone National Forest in 2022, causing damage to roads, trails, campgrounds, and recreational facilities. The funding will be used to continue emergency stabilization efforts, control further erosion, restore appropriate water flows, plant native vegetation, and repair, rebuild and relocate National Forest System Roads 119 and 120, which were severely impacted by the flooding. These roads are popular access for recreational activities and the only access to the Switchback Ranch during the winter.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
“With the help of numerous partners, an enormous amount of work has been accomplished to stabilize the areas hardest hit, and our rehabilitation work is on schedule,” said Regional Forester Frank Beum. “We have only touched upon the long-term rehabilitation efforts that need to occur, it will take years, and this funding is crucial to continuing that work,” he added.
Watersheds serving multiple Colorado communities were decimated by the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome Fires in 2020. Front Range water providers, in partnership with the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, accomplished $15 million of emergency watershed stabilization work on National Forest System lands in 2021 with funding made possible by the water providers and state grants.
In 2022, northern Colorado water providers completed $21.2 million of slope stabilization work on National Forest System lands in collaboration with local and federal partners. The work was accomplished with disaster supplemental funding that the forests received in June. The current funding will continue stabilization efforts on an additional 50,000 acres and begin long-term rehabilitation work such as road and trail repairs, reforestation, noxious weed containment, project planning, and recreation facility repairs.
Severe flooding impacted the Shoshone National Forest in 2022, causing damage to roads, trails, campgrounds, and recreational facilities. The funding will be used to continue emergency stabilization efforts, control further erosion, restore appropriate water flows, plant native vegetation, and repair, rebuild and relocate National Forest System Roads 119 and 120, which were severely impacted by the flooding. These roads are popular access for recreational activities and the only access to the Switchback Ranch during the winter.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Recreation.gov is Charging "Junk Fees"
A consumer class action lawsuit was recently filed by the law firm of Tycko & Zavareei against Booz Allen Hamilton, the government contractor that runs Recreation.gov, the portal used by national park visitors (and other recreational users) to purchase timed entry permits, lottery fees and other recreational passes. In short, the lawsuit, filed in the Virginia Eastern District Court, alleges that Recreation.gov is charging excessive "junk fees" to access federal recreational lands and national parks.
According to the Tycko & Zavareei website:
The complaint and court filings can be found here. Also, the National Parks Traveler published an excellent article detailing many of the issues surrounding Recreation.gov and this lawsuit.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
According to the Tycko & Zavareei website:
Based on our investigation, when a reservation is made on recreation.gov, there are two fees charged. A “use fee” (often free) paid to the applicable federal agency (e.g., the National Park Service) and a “reservation fee,” that is paid to the for-profit federal contractor Booz Allen. As at least one federal court has recognized, “[n]o part of the [reservation] processing fee is remitted to [the federal agency].” Kotab v. Bureau of Land Mgmt., No. 220CV01957JADEJY, 2022 WL 972416, at *1 (D. Nev. Mar. 31, 2022).Since this is a class action lawsuit, anyone who made a reservation through Recreation.gov may have standing in this lawsuit. For more information, you should contact Tycko & Zavareei.
Based on our investigation to date, we believe that the reservation fees may be unlawful for at least three reasons. First, as at least one federal court has already found, Booz Allen is not authorized to charge the fees under federal law. Second, Booz Allen operates recreation.gov to create the false and deceptive impression that the reservation fees are paid to the federal agencies that actually administer the federal land. Finally, the reservation fees may deprive veterans and others of free access to national parks, in violation of federal law.
The complaint and court filings can be found here. Also, the National Parks Traveler published an excellent article detailing many of the issues surrounding Recreation.gov and this lawsuit.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
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