The Huckleberry Hiker

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Glacier National Park Cancels all 2020 Backcountry Camping Advance Reservations

Glacier National Park announced yesterday that it has cancelled all 2020 backcountry camping advance reservations. Here's the blurb they posted on their website:

Glacier National Park has modified operations in accordance with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health authorities. Due to current and anticipated staffing and operational limitations related to the COVID-19 outbreak, combined with the uncertainty of trail and backcountry campground availability, all backcountry camping advance reservations for the 2020 season have been cancelled. This cancellation includes reservations previously processed. All advance reservation application fees will be fully refunded by May 31. The park will not accept or process advance reservations for backcountry camping for the remainder of 2020.

This web page will be updated when the park reopens and we can safely provide backcountry experiences. The park expects to issue overnight backcountry camping permits when conditions allow. Please monitor www.nps.gov/glac and park social media channels for updates on current park conditions.

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

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

Updates to COVID-19-related closures and suspensions in Montana

People looking to get outside and enjoy spring will continue to have ample opportunities with Gov. Steve Bullock's phased approach to reopening the state, which was announced April 22.

Most of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ sites typically open and operational at this time of year remain so. This includes all FWP fishing access sites, most state parks and those wildlife management areas that don’t have seasonal closures.

People heading outside still need to keep in mind Montana’s social distancing directives. Per Gov. Bullock’s “Reopening the Big Sky” plan, all who recreate outdoors should “avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing.” They are further asked to “exercise frequent sanitation protocols if public facilities are open” and continue to follow all previously established hygiene measures. For more information on Gov. Bullock’s plan, please visit COVID19.mt.gov.

The following some of the FWP updates in response to Gov. Bullock’s plan:

* Overnight camping opportunities will resume at most FWP fishing access sites and state parks on May 1.

* Campers between May 1-15 may encounter reduced amenities or limited services that are typical for the opening of early-season recreational sites. Please check the FWP website for specific site restrictions or closures.

* Group sites, including fishing piers, will open May 1.

* At all sites, as in other aspects of life, social distancing guidelines must be strictly followed.

* Visitor centers, park offices and FWP lobbies are still closed to the public at this time.

* Out-of-state travelers are still required to follow the governor’s 14-day quarantine directive when they come to Montana, as they carry the risk of spreading COVID-19 to Montana residents. Guidance for those directives can be found at fwp.mt.gov/covid19. The directives include the requirements that those in quarantine cannot leave for groceries, recreation, work or any other activity.

As the governor’s plan progresses through its three phases, FWP will announce further updates. For more information on FWP’s response to COVID-19, please visit fwp.mt.gov/covid19.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

USDA Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Region releases new online tool for recreation and fire restriction updates and information

The Rocky Mountain Region of the USDA Forest Service has released a new online tool as a place to find recreation updates and closures for any of the 24 national forests and grasslands across Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.

This online tool provides a one-stop resource for learning about current USDA Forest Service recreation site status updates, alerts, warnings and fire restriction information within the states of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.

The Rocky Mountain Region continues to ask all forest and grassland visitors engaging in dispersed recreation, such as hiking, mountain biking or river rafting, to take extra precautions and adhere to the following safety and responsibility guidelines.

* Stay close to home to keep other communities safe.
* Stay 6 feet apart from others.
* Avoid crowding in parking lots, trails, scenic overlooks and other areas.
* Take CDC precautions to prevent illnesses like COVID-19.
* Prepare for limited or no services, such as restroom facilities and garbage collection.
* Prepare to pack out trash and human waste.

Monday, April 27, 2020

Spring Recreation Reminders on the Bridger-Teton National Forest

Bridger-Teton National Forest reminds forest visitors that winter wildlife restrictions remain in effect until May 1, 2020. It is important that all users understand the importance of observing the critical winter range closure. Critical winter range areas have been designated as essential to the survival of wildlife. When people access closed winter range, the animals using the area flee to new locations. This retreat requires animals, especially ungulates like deer, elk and moose, to use energy they cannot spare. Further, it usually places them in areas less suitable for grazing and/or browsing, preventing them from gathering the energy they need to survive. This leads to a weakened condition, which can have a direct effect on the animals’ ability to defend itself, making it more susceptible to predation and disease, and can lead to future reproduction problems in individual animals.

Forest biologists also stress the importance of staying off freshly exposed slopes in and out of the closure areas. These muddy, tender slopes are prone to degradation from user traffic when wet. This type of degradation can lead to erosion problems that affect water quality, fisheries and the production of grasses and forbs used by grazing/browsing wildlife.

Remember; be responsible when using the great outdoors. Spring is in the air, but winter is still on the ground. With cold temperatures and heavy storms still a possibility, your wildlife populations need your respect. Stay on designated travel routes and learn the location of closed critical winter range before heading out into the Forest. The bears are also up and moving all across the Forest so bring your bear spray and practice bear safety when exploring the Forest.

Also, it is a good time to remember that we all have a responsibility to make conservative decisions when venturing out onto the Forest. Be sure to let someone know where you are headed and remember that creeks or roads frozen in the morning may be soft and impassable after the temperatures rise. Visitors are encouraged to only recreate locally, as in respecting public health guidelines and orders and remaining in the communities they live and work in.

With the increase in vehicle traffic due to social distancing measures, recreationists are asked to avoid times and places of high use as to not exceed parking area capacity and not cause resource damage by expanding parking areas in crowded locations. The Bridger-Teton is working very hard to make recreation opportunities available, but visitors must respect social distancing requirements and follow County, State and Center of Disease control (CDC) guidelines.

As a reminder there are no services on the Bridger-Teton National Forest right now as many of the Forest restrooms and developed areas are closed or inaccessible due to snow. Visitors are asked to practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash

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, April 24, 2020

Bridger-Teton National Forest Seeks Public Comment to Change in Dog Leash Requirements

The Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest is asking for public comment on proposed changes to dog leash requirements on area trailheads. The current requirements enacted in 2016 have shown a marked decrease in negative interactions with other dogs, humans, and wildlife as well as reducing waste left behind in high traffic areas.

Leash requirements are currently in effect only during the winter months (December 1 – April 30) and only apply in the trailheads/parking areas and on trails that parallel the winter wildlife closures. The proposed changes are intended to improve consistency in regulations while also reducing dog waste and reducing conflicts between people and dogs in the trailhead areas year-round. Additionally, the changes are proposed in order to protect wildlife, protect water quality, provide more enjoyable experiences, and to ensure the safety of people’s dogs in these heavily visited areas.

The full scoping document is available on the Bridger-Teton website https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58056 Comments must be submitted in writing (either email or letter) by May 15, 2020.

Email comments can be submitted to: Tim Farris, Trails/Wilderness Supervisor at timothy.farris@usda.gov.

Letters should be sent to:

Dog Leash Proposal
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Jackson Ranger District
PO Box 1689
Jackson, WY 83001