As the autumn season approaches, operations in the park will start winding down. On September 6, 2021 the park’s ticketed entry pilot program will end as well as the park’s shuttle program. Park officials are expecting high visitation numbers in September. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and prepare for temporary traffic restrictions at the west entrance due to congestion and Highway 2 construction delays.
While the last day of ticketed entry is on September 6, construction will continue in and around the park. In addition, there may be temporary closures of the west entrance due to congestion. Visitors can check the Montana Department of Transportation website for updates on Highway 2 construction.
All real-time reporting systems such as campground availability, trail status, etc. are currently down on Glacier National Park’s website. This service is not expected to resume this season.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is scheduled to remain open from Avalanche Creek to Jackson Glacier Overlook until Sunday, October 17 at midnight, pending closures due to winter weather.
Construction will continue on Many Glacier Road causing 40-minute delays in both directions during the day and up to three hours at night. Starting September 19 at midnight, Many Glacier Road will be closed to the public for the year.
Camas Road is also under construction causing 30-minute delays in both directions during the day.
Operating hours for visitor services in Glacier National Park including the park’s shuttle, campgrounds, backcountry permits, boat inspections, and concession operations will also begin to adjust. More info here.
Jeff
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Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Northern section of Moose-Wilson Road temporarily closed due to bears
The northern section of the Moose-Wilson Road, between Murie Ranch Junction and Death Canyon Junction, is temporary closed to all visitors including motorists, cyclists, and hikers. The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve and Death Canyon Trailhead can be accessed from the south.
Black and grizzly bears are currently eating berries along the Moose-Wilson Road. The road is closed for human safety and the protection of the bears. Because of its narrow surface lined with dense vegetation, hillsides, and wetlands, the Moose-Wilson Road does not allow for a safe distance between people and bears. These factors create situations where both visitors and bears may be at risk for injury, making it necessary to close the road whenever bears are foraging along the roadway.
Park staff will monitor the situation and will reopen the road when conditions allow. The road could be temporarily closed through the weekend or longer.
Rangers remind visitors to “Be Bear Aware,” as these animals are active throughout park and are feeding on ripened berries. All visitors are required to maintain a safe distance of at least 100 yards from bears.
Jeff
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Black and grizzly bears are currently eating berries along the Moose-Wilson Road. The road is closed for human safety and the protection of the bears. Because of its narrow surface lined with dense vegetation, hillsides, and wetlands, the Moose-Wilson Road does not allow for a safe distance between people and bears. These factors create situations where both visitors and bears may be at risk for injury, making it necessary to close the road whenever bears are foraging along the roadway.
Park staff will monitor the situation and will reopen the road when conditions allow. The road could be temporarily closed through the weekend or longer.
Rangers remind visitors to “Be Bear Aware,” as these animals are active throughout park and are feeding on ripened berries. All visitors are required to maintain a safe distance of at least 100 yards from bears.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
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Teton Interagency Fire danger lowered to moderate
Teton Interagency Fire managers will lower the fire danger rating to moderate and lift stage 1 fire restrictions for Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and the National Elk Refuge beginning Thursday, August 26. It is important to note that despite the lowering of the rating, the chance for fires to start easily and spread quickly remains.
Due to the amount of rain or snow received over the majority of western Wyoming over the past several days, moisture levels in vegetation have dropped to non-critical levels. It is important to note that long range forecasts are still calling for a warming and drying trend into the fall. Fire managers will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions for the remainder of the fire season to see if adjustments need to be made.
Fire managers are advising all public land users and particularly campers and hunters, to use caution when building and maintaining campfires. While fires are now legal, it is still illegal to leave a fire unattended or abandoned. There have been more than 155 illegal and abandoned campfires in the Teton Interagency Fire area to date for this year. Unattended or abandoned campfires and warming fires can quickly escalate into wildfires. Campers and day users should have a shovel on hand and a water bucket ready for use. Soak, stir, feel, repeat. It is extremely important that all campfires are “dead out” and cold to the touch before leaving.
To report a fire or smoke in the immediate area, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630. Learn more about fire safety at TetonFires.com.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
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RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
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Due to the amount of rain or snow received over the majority of western Wyoming over the past several days, moisture levels in vegetation have dropped to non-critical levels. It is important to note that long range forecasts are still calling for a warming and drying trend into the fall. Fire managers will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions for the remainder of the fire season to see if adjustments need to be made.
Fire managers are advising all public land users and particularly campers and hunters, to use caution when building and maintaining campfires. While fires are now legal, it is still illegal to leave a fire unattended or abandoned. There have been more than 155 illegal and abandoned campfires in the Teton Interagency Fire area to date for this year. Unattended or abandoned campfires and warming fires can quickly escalate into wildfires. Campers and day users should have a shovel on hand and a water bucket ready for use. Soak, stir, feel, repeat. It is extremely important that all campfires are “dead out” and cold to the touch before leaving.
To report a fire or smoke in the immediate area, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630. Learn more about fire safety at TetonFires.com.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
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Monday, August 23, 2021
Bighorn sheep habitat improvement project planned on Wind River District
The first phase of a project designed to improve habitat for the Whiskey Mountain bighorn sheep herd on the Wind River Ranger District of the Shoshone National Forest will begin implementation starting the week of August 23, 2021.
Crews are contracted to begin cutting small diameter trees to prepare a fuel bed for a project known as the Torrey Rim Prescribed Fire project. This newly created fuel bed will take at least two years to dry out and be able to carry prescribed fire spread. The project, which is approximately 685 acres in size, is one of several prescribed fire projects designed to improve bighorn sheep migration corridors, create protected loafing habitats, and enhance winter range in the Glacier Addition of the Fitzpatrick Wilderness and adjacent Wyoming State Lands.
The Torrey Rim Project is the culmination of a collaborative public process between the US Forest Service, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, National Bighorn Sheep Center, and the University of Wyoming that has resulted in a new management plan for the Whiskey Mountain bighorn sheep herd. This project was identified as a high priority during the 2019 collaborative public process. When combined with ongoing research and conservation efforts, these management actions are intended to preserve the Whiskey Mountain bighorn sheep herd as a core value and icon of the Fitzpatrick Wilderness.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
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The Torrey Rim Project is the culmination of a collaborative public process between the US Forest Service, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, National Bighorn Sheep Center, and the University of Wyoming that has resulted in a new management plan for the Whiskey Mountain bighorn sheep herd. This project was identified as a high priority during the 2019 collaborative public process. When combined with ongoing research and conservation efforts, these management actions are intended to preserve the Whiskey Mountain bighorn sheep herd as a core value and icon of the Fitzpatrick Wilderness.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
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Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Bridge at Phelps Lake closed for replacement through fall of 2022
The Phelps Lake outlet bridge will be closed for replacement beginning the evening of Wednesday, August 18. The closure is expected to be in place through fall 2022.
The bridge connects Lake Creek Trail to the Woodland Trail and therefore hikers will not be able to make a loop hike on those trails, although hikers can still hike the Lake Creek or Woodland Trail one way to the lake and back. The Phelps Lake Loop from the Death Canyon Trailhead will require an additional 1.5 miles to complete the loop. Signs will be placed around Phelps Lake to reflect the closure.
The bridge was originally built for vehicle use by the Rockefeller family more than 60 years ago, before being reconfigured for pedestrian use as part of the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. The bridge sits on untreated logs and over time the weight of the bridge has made the wood deteriorate. The old bridge will be replaced with a new bridge that will be less costly to maintain and will continue to reflect the attractive, rustic appearance of the historic bridge.
Jackson Hole Preserve Inc., one of Grand Teton’s longest standing partners, is helping to support the bridge replacement.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
The bridge was originally built for vehicle use by the Rockefeller family more than 60 years ago, before being reconfigured for pedestrian use as part of the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. The bridge sits on untreated logs and over time the weight of the bridge has made the wood deteriorate. The old bridge will be replaced with a new bridge that will be less costly to maintain and will continue to reflect the attractive, rustic appearance of the historic bridge.
Jackson Hole Preserve Inc., one of Grand Teton’s longest standing partners, is helping to support the bridge replacement.
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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