Tag Archives: Glacier National Park

Avalanche Fire estimate bumped to 45 acres

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Looks like Glacier Park is making good progress controlling the Avalanche Fire . . .

The current size estimate of the Avalanche Wildland Fire in Glacier National Park is approximately 45 acres. This size estimate is due to more accurate mapping of the fire, not fire growth, park officials said Monday afternoon.

The wildland fire is located on Mount Brown, near Avalanche Lake on the west side of Glacier National Park. The Avalanche Lake Trail is closed until further notice.

Aerial water drops have been effective in suppressing the fire, along with about 25 fire firefighters constructing fireline.

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Crews fighting wildfire in Glacier Park’s Avalanche Lake area

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Glacier Park is dealing with a wildfire in the vicinity of Avalanche Lake . . .

Firefighters spent Sunday working to suppress the 25-acre Avalanche Wildland Fire burning on Mount Brown in Glacier National Park.

Reported to authorities Saturday afternoon, the wildfire is located near Avalanche Lake and the popular Avalanche Lake Trail will remain closed from the campground to the lake until further notice.No other trails have been closed because of the fire, park officials said.

Two U.S. Forest Service helicopters and a contract helicopter are being used to drop water on the fire and for aerial observation.

Twenty six firefighters and eight smoke jumpers also are working to suppress the fire. They are from Glacier National Park, Flathead National Forest and Kootenai National Forest.

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Glacier Park hosts seminar on rare mammals within its boundaries

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There’s an interesting “brown-bag lecture” coming up in Glacier Park . . .

The rare species roaming around Glacier National Park are the topic of the latest “brown-bag lecture” hosted by the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center.

Dr. Kerry Foresman will discuss species inside the park on Tuesday, Aug. 21 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Community Building in West Glacier…

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Section of Glacier’s inside North Fork Road to open

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Another stretch of the inside North Fork Road should open by the weekend. Don’t make any heavy bets on the rest of it opening up, though . . .

Roughly six miles of the North Fork Road between the Fish Creek Campground and Camas Creek Bridge is expected to open this weekend, Glacier National Park officials said on Wednesday.

Road crews are currently completing temporary repairs, including grading of the area and laying surface gravel to improve conditions after continuous flooding. The section of the road between Polebridge and Logging Creek opened to vehicle traffic in May.

The road between Camas Creek Bridge and Logging Creek will remain closed due to flooding and road washout.

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Kyle Johnson wins stewardship award for work in Glacier Park

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Kyle Johnson gets some serious recognition for his backcountry work . . .

Kyle Johnson’s office is strewn with boots and other hiking gear, along with maps and books related to his real work area — Glacier National Park’s backcountry.

Among his more than 30 years of working in the park in a variety of roles, Johnson has for more than a decade been involved in wilderness management.

That work was recognized this month by the National Park Service with the director’s Wes Henry National Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Individual Award for 2011.

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Glacier Park’s popular Highline Trail is open

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Well, cripes, I thought the Highline Trail would be clear already, but today is the official opening. Here is the core part of the official press release . . .

The popular Highline Trail at Logan Pass is anticipated to be open by Friday, possibly earlier. Hikers are encouraged to plan ahead and be prepared. Hikers may encounter rocks and mud on trails, eroded trail tread, and some snowfields on higher elevation trails across the park.

Due to recent mud and rock slides along the Highline Trail, both west and east-side park trail crews have been working to allow for public access on the trail from Logan Pass to Haystack Butte. On July 17 a rain event triggered numerous mud and rock slides in the area and deposited lots of rock and mud debris on the trail. Much of the tread, flat surfaces or step-like features built by trail crew, were washed out. In several areas of the trail, bedrock is exposed and hikers are encouraged to use caution. Often the bedrock is angled downhill, wet, and potentially slick.The use of hiking poles is encouraged in this area.

Visitors planning to hike on trails in the higher elevations of the park are encouraged to have appropriate footwear for snow travel, specifically lug-sole boots, and self-arrest tools such as ice axe and crampons, as well as the knowledge and skills to utilize the tools. It is recommended to have layers of clothing available, including a rain jacket, for changing weather conditions throughout the park. Caution should be used near rivers and streams, as water may be extremely cold, and running swift and high. All hikers are encouraged to turn around if conditions exceed what is comfortable or beyond personal experience and limitations.

Continue reading full press release . . .

Park Service acquires Doody Ranch property in Glacier’s Middle Fork

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The Park Service has bought out the second largest remaining inholding in Glacier Park . . .

The National Park Service has acquired the second largest privately owned property remaining in Glacier National Park, the park service announced Monday.

The Trust for Public Land bought the 120-acre homestead property named Doody Ranch on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River near Harrison Lake. The property was purchased for $900,000 and sold to the park service for the same amount using royalties from offshore energy leases.

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Glacier Park’s free Going-to-the-Sun shuttles begin service today

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For those of you wishing to visit Logan Pass and Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier Park’s free shjuttle service starts today . . .

With construction under way on Going-to-the Sun Road in Glacier National Park, visitors are encouraged to use the park’s free shuttle service, beginning Sunday.

Visitors traveling the Sun Road can expect 30-minute maximum traffic delays on the west side of the park this summer and no delay on the east side.

The shuttle system provides two-way service between the Apgar Transit Center and St. Mary Visitor Center.

The Apgar center is the shuttle hub on the west side of the park.

The first two shuttles of the day are express trips straight to Logan Pass, without intermediate stops, departing at 7 and 7:30 a.m. Regular shuttle service for all stops on the west side of the park departs the transit center at 8 a.m.

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Glacier National Park ranger-led activities begin

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Glacier Park’s summer activity schedule kicks off . . .

The schedule for summer ranger-led activities in Glacier National Park through July 7 has been released. The activities include a variety of hikes, talks, boat tours, demonstrations, and evening programs. Hour-long to day-long hikes led by rangers are offered in many areas of the park, including Lake McDonald Valley, Two Medicine, Many Glacier, St. Mary, and Goat Haunt. Most programs are free of charge. The schedule of activities is available at http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/inforequest/inforequest3.cfm, or may be obtained when entering the park.

Continue reading the press release . . .

Oh, never mind – Sun Road opening delayed until middle of next week

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Glacier Park got too much new snow. The opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road through Logan Pass has been delayed until the middle of next week . . .

Glacier National Park officials are now expecting the Going-to-the-Sun Road to open to Logan Pass by the middle of next week, the park announced Tuesday.

Officials originally hoped Logan Pass would become accessible later this week, but the recent snow has hampered plow crews clearing the road. A storm last weekend dropped roughly 10 inches of snow, prompting additional slides on the road, according to the park. Since Memorial Day weekend, a minimum of 35 inches of snow has fallen at the higher elevations of the road.

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