Tag Archives: Glacier National Park

A busy year for Glacier Park

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Glacier Park leaders, vendors and supporters gave a presentation on this year’s efforts at a gathering sponsored by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce . . .

Glacier National Park is heading into a year of significant changes that should be for the better from the perspective of visitors, three park leaders said Thursday at a gathering sponsored by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce.

Glacier Superintendent Jeff Mow led off the group, describing how the biggest changes will involve integrating a new general park concessions contractor and working with a newly formed philanthropical partner, the Glacier National Park Conservancy.

“I’m very big on being collaborative,” Mow said. “There’s a lot that the National Park Service can’t do in a national park. It really takes a team.”

Read more . . .

Snowshoeing in Glacier National Park

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The Daily Inter Lake has a nice write-up — with video, no less — of a recent ranger-led snowshoe walk in Glacier National Park . . .

When winter shrouds Glacier National Park, snowshoes are a handy mode of transportation into its snowy inner realm.

Despite rain and high winds, 15 people came out for a ranger-led snowshoe walk on Jan. 11, National Winter Trails Day.

“I’m pretty impressed,” park Ranger Terry Peterson told snowshoers as they departed from the Apgar Visitor Center. “This is the best time of the year to explore the park.”

Read more . . .

Glacier Park offers snowshoe excursions through March 22

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Glacier Park is offering snowshoe excursions each Saturday through March 22 . . .

Here’s a cool – double meaning intended – idea for getting some fresh air during the coming cabin fever months.

Why not strap on a pair of snowshoes and head off into the winter wonderland that is Glacier National Park?

Four times a weekend beginning Saturday, park rangers will lead two-hour snowshoe excursions from the Apgar Visitor Center.

Read more . . .

Or read the official press release.

Comments on Glacier Park lake trout removal due by Jan. 24

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Glacier National Park wants to continue work on removing non-native lake trout from its waterways. Comments on the proposal are due by January 24 . . .

Glacier National Park is home to approximately one-third of the nation’s bull trout population that lives in natural, undammed lake systems.

That gives the park a critical role in regional bull trout recovery and long-term conservation, according to Glacier management assistant Denise Germann.

To that end, proposals to continue lake trout suppression on Quartz Lake and start lake trout removal on Logging Lake are now available for public review and comment.

Comments on the environmental assessment are due Jan. 22.

Read more . . .

For more information on the Glacier Park lake trout suppression project, including online comments, see: http://www.parkplanning.nps.gov/LoggingQuartz

DNA data: about 600 black bears in Glacier Park

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Analysis of DNA data originally collected for a grizzly bear study indicates about 600 black bears live in Glacier Park . . .

A trio of researchers recently concluded that Glacier National Park’s black bear population is about 600 — roughly one black bear for every 2,167 acres.

The study, conducted by U.S. Geological Survey scientist Kate Kendall and colleagues Amy McCleod and Jeff Stetz, is based on nearly 1,800 black bear hair samples collected during a 2004 grizzly bear DNA study.

Researchers gathered hair samples using “bear traps,” with a scent station used to attract bears inside a barbed wire fence that snagged their hair, or by attaching small pieces of barbed wire to rub trees. Both grizzly and black bears select trees they regularly like to rub on. DNA in the hair follicles was analyzed to identify species and sex as well as individual bears.

Read more . . .

Studying hawk owls in Glacier Park

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The Hungry Horse News has a story about an ongoing survey of hawk owls in Glacier Park’s burn areas . . .

It hunts by day, has a long tail and is a fierce killer with a sweet trill of a song. It’s the northern hawk owl, and it’s one of Northwest Montana’s most unique birds.

Researchers from the Owl Institute, a Charlo-based nonprofit dedicated to owl research and conservation, have banded 60 hawk owls since their research began in earnest in 2005, according Matt Larson of the institute.

Along with his wife Jess, the two have been scouring the woods of Glacier National Park for several years in search of the owls. To date, the couple and other researchers from the institute have located 30 hawk owl nests in the Glacier Park region.

Read more . . .

Local graduate studying harlequin ducks in Glacier Park

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Here’s an interesting article about a harlequin duck study in Glacier Park . . .

Warren Hansen, a graduate of Polson High School, has channeled his lifelong love of ducks and the outdoors into a long-term examination of harlequin ducks in Glacier National Park’s McDonald Creek watershed — a renowned hot spot for harlequin breeding activity.

With their signature plumage rivaled only by the beauty of their migratory mountain homes, harlequin ducks have captured the hearts of countless bird watchers and casual observers. The rare birds are sea ducks that typically spend their winters residing in coastal surf zones before migrating inland to nest alongside whitewater mountain streams.

“They’re the only bird to have an east-west migration,” he said.

Read more . . .

East side access to Logan Pass restricted starting September 22

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Going -to-the-Sun Road construction will pretty much close off access to locations past St. May Campground up to Logan Pass beginning Monday, September 22. Access to Logan Pass from the west side is scheduled to remain open until October 20, weather permitting. Here’s the press release . . .

The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the east side of Glacier National Park will be Sunday, September 22, allowing accelerated fall season rehabilitation on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Vehicle traffic will be restricted on the east side near the St. Mary Campground beginning Monday, September 23. Vehicle access to Logan Pass will be available from the west side of the park through Sunday, October 20, weather permitting.

Fall access to east-side hiking trails between Rising Sun and Logan Pass will be limited during road rehabilitation activity beginning Monday, September 23. Hikers wanting to hike any of the trails that are accessed, or may be an exit point, along the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, are highly encouraged to contact the park at 888-7800 before departing. The trails that are affected include Siyeh Pass, Piegan Pass, Otokomi, St. Mary Falls/Barring Falls/Virginia Falls, Gunsight, Sperry, and Red Eagle Trails. For more information on status of trails and access, please contact the park or visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm.

Access to some backcountry campsites on the east side of the park will also be affected. All backcountry campers are required to have a permit from the park’s backcountry office for overnight stays. All backcountry permits must be obtained from the Apgar Permit Center at this time of the year. For more information on backcountry camping and trail access, please contact the park at 888-7800 or visit http://www.nps.gov/glac.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own drinking water as drinking water availability throughout the park will be limited during this time of year. Drinking water is not available at Logan Pass, but restroom facilities (new vault toilet) are. For more information contact the park at 406-888-7800.

Prescribed burn planned on Big Prairie this month

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Glacier Park plans a prescribed burn on Big Prairie sometime this month. Here’s the official press release . . .

A prescribed fire project is planned in the North Fork area of Glacier National Park, approximately four miles northwest of Polebridge. Approximately 125 acres are planned to be burned in the Big Prairie area by the end of September, depending on weather and fuel conditions.  This project was initiated this spring with approximately 150 acres successfully managed through a prescribed burn. The entire project includes about 700 acres of prairie that will be managed with prescribed fire over the next several years.

Firefighter and equipment support from the Flathead National Forest was instrumental in the success of the spring burn. It is anticipated that forest personnel will assist with the fall burn as well.

The primary objective of the burn is to reduce lodgepole pine regeneration which is encroaching on the native prairie grassland. Managers hope to remove some lodgepole with fire and improve the growth of native grasses and shrubs.

This prescribed burn will only take place if optimum weather and smoke dispersal parameters are met. For more information, contact the park at 406-888-7800.

Three-year Logan Pass mountain goat study begins

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Glacier National Park has begun a three-year study of the interactions between mountain goats and people in the Logan Pass area . . .

Glacier National Park, in partnership with the University of Montana, has begun a three-year research study on how mountain goats are affected by roads, people and trails in the Logan Pass area. Currently, six mountain goats have been successfully collared by National Park Service staff, University of Montana researchers, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks personnel with GPS or VHF radio devices. Collaring efforts will continue through the fall as weather permits. It is anticipated approximately 20-25 goats will be collared of the estimated 1,500 goats in the park.

Read more .  . .