August 27, 2011

Well, it was definitely a long winter with a very deep snowpack this year, but it looks like summer is finally here in Glacier. Along with summer, fire season has also arrived. Waterton, our sister park to the north, has issued a fire ban for both backcountry and frontcountry campsites. Currently Glacier has no fire restrictions in place, but warm and windy conditions along with dry conditions over the past few weeks have caused the fire danger rating to be elevated to high on the West side and very high on the East side. Please be vigilant when it comes to your camp fire. All open fires, as well as gas stoves, should never be left unattended and need to be COMPLETELY extinguished after use. Not all of our backcountry campgrounds allow fires, so be sure to check the Backcountry Camping Guide for the fire policy at your specific campground. Remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires….oh wait, wrong agency slogan. Still, good advice.

Switching gears from all this summer condition talk back to some winter hazards still hanging on in the backcountry. Apparently, Old Man Winter has been taking his Centrum Silver vitamins. Brown Pass campground is still in unavailable status due to snow cover/avalanche damage and Gunsight Pass also has a few significant snow hazards (high angle snow drifts with long run-outs). I know you guys are just dying to get out to these "killer" view backcountry locations, but you might find yourself getting too carried away (either by snow or ranger rescue). I know what you're thinking. Debbie Downer has secured a seasonal position here in the park. But don't fret, there are tons of great alternative trips if your itinerary can't be completed due to a hazard or unavailability. It's always fun to explore a new section of Glacier. And really, doesn't it all look the same anyway? 

July 15, 2011

Happy belated Fourth of July! I hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday. For the first time in 9 years my weekend actually happened to fall on the Fourth. I definitely was not in the backcountry as I was busy grilling, soaking up the sun, and shooting off fireworks (safely of course). I did, however, get to sneak away from civilization on the 6th for a much needed float down the Wild and Scenic North Fork of the Flathead. For those of you who don’t know, in 1976 (our Country’s bi-centennial year) congress added 219 miles of the Flathead River to the nation’s Wild and Scenic River System. These Wild and Scenic Rivers are designated by Congress for water quality and outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values. All of which we experienced on a glorious, not to mention wild and scenic, day of floating.

We put in at Great Northern Flats on the Flathead National Forest and I was immediately reminded that the rivers are still running high. We were floating down the swollen river at five miles an hour! To put this in perspective, that’s three miles per hour faster than the average backcountry hiker folks! This was not the clear water float that I remembered from past Julys. The water was pushy with very interesting hydraulics requiring an ample amount of maneuvering. Despite all of this, we were having an unbelievable day. We saw eagles, a great blue heron, and only one other raft. Four hours later (including a nice long lunch break) we were at Blankenship Bridge, our take out. Although not required because it is hand propelled and not in the Park, I made sure to inspect my raft for aquatic hitchhikers before heading home. Days off don’t get much more relaxing.

Now back in the office I am reminded that our busy season is officially here. For the past few days we have had people lined up before 7am. Our walk-in availability shows that many of the 57.6% of our open campgrounds have happy campers in them. Our backcountry rangers are working hard getting new campgrounds open each day. Please be flexible with route selection and have alternate routes in mind when picking up your permit as we still have significant snow and water hazards in the backcountry.

Happy Trails!

July 8, 2011

I have to apologize for not visiting with you all for a while. Summer season has started off with an abundance of snow, water, and us (the permit office) implementing a new program. Our revamped Aquatic Invasive Species program is up and in full swing. For those of you that don’t know, all non-hand propelled watercraft that enter the park have to be closely inspected for aquatic hitchhikers before launching in park waters. The permit is free and the inspection is painless. Please help out the process by having your vessel clean, drained, and dried before showing up to pick up your permit. Permits can be obtained 7am – 7pm at Park Headquarters on the West Side. For all of you East Side boaters your permits can be obtained at Two Medicine Ranger Station, St. Mary Visitor Center, and Many Glacier Ranger Station from 7am – 4:30pm.

Our backcountry permit writers have been busy issuing backcountry permits. Yes that is right you can backcountry camp in Glacier right now despite all of the snow and water. We have 44.6% of our backcountry sites in summer status. With more and more gaining this sought after status every day. Please make sure to check the trail and campground status on our Backcountry Camping page as we still have early season conditions throughout the park.

Despite the early season conditions, I have been able to get a few hikes done. My most recent weekend consisted of myself and my girlfriend Amanda staying with friends at Two Medicine (my last year’s place of employment) and hiking to Scenic Point. This hike is free of snow except for a few patches in the trees and one very significant snow hazard about a half mile from the point. It is not recommended to venture across this hazard as a slip and fall and the inability to self-arrest would result in serious injury or death. The hike up to this point is well worth it. The views to the west really give you an idea of just how much snow is still out there. You can even see that Upper Two Medicine Lake is still frozen!