Tag Archives: Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park begins harlequin duck study

Environmental Issues, News,

Glacier National Park just announced a two-year project to study harlequin ducks, which are, it turns out, pretty interesting critters. Here’s the core of the press release . . .

Glacier National Park scientists in cooperation with researchers from the University of Montana, will initiate a two-year study of harlequin ducks on Upper McDonald Creek in late April…

Harlequin ducks, a species of concern in Montana, occupy a unique niche among waterfowl. These small sea ducks spend most of their lives feeding in the turbulent surf along the North American coast. Each April, the ducks migrate inland to breed and raise their young along fast-moving, freshwater streams. They are specially adapted to feed on stream bottoms in raging water, a place inaccessible to other wildlife species. Male harlequin ducks are very striking, being slate blue, with bold white, black, and chestnut markings.

Continue to full press release . . .

Glacier National Park’s 2011 concessioner operating dates announced

News

Glacier Park just posted a schedule of the operating dates for their various concessioner-run services. With the exception of facilities like the backcountry chalets, most things kick off from late May to mid-June . . .

Glacier National Park officials announce the 2011 operating dates for park concessioners. These concessioners, who work under contract within Glacier National Park, provide visitor services including lodging, food service, retail shops, tours, transportation, horseback riding, guided day hikes and backpacking trips, and boat tours and small boat rentals.

Continue reading (temporary link, will update as needed) . . .

2011 Spring plowing is underway in the park

News, , , , , ,

They’re starting to move snow in Glacier National Park and they have plenty extra this year. Don’t expect Logan Pass access before mid-June at best and, as usual, they are letting Camas and the inside North Fork Road melt out on their own. Read the press release for all the gory details . . .

Glacier National Park road crews have begun spring snow plowing on the park’s roads and are finding substantial amounts of snow. Flattop and Many Glacier Snotel sites, snow measuring stations, are showing between 20 and 40 percent above normal snow water equivalent. Last week, USGS snow survey crews recorded 100 inches of snow on the ground at Siyeh Bend, two miles east of Logan Pass, and 140 inches of snow at the 7,500 foot elevation nearby.

Park crews began plowing the Chief Mountain Road, near the park’s northeast corner on Tuesday, March 15. The crews then focused their efforts on the Two Medicine Road. Instead of the three foot drifts they normally encounter at this time of year, the crews were plowing drifts up to eight feet deep. As soon as weather and road conditions permit, visitors will be able to drive to Running Eagle Falls. The Many Glacier Road will be the focus of east side plowing efforts this week. At present, crews are encountering drifts over ten feet deep. The Many Glacier Road will not open to motor vehicles until the third weekend of April at the earliest, to reduce stress on wildlife in critical winter range.

On the west side, the crews have completed plowing Apgar Village and one lane on the Camas Road. The Camas and Inside North Fork Roads will be allowed to melt out prior to opening. Plowing of the Going-to-the-Sun Road (Sun Road) began on Friday, April 1, beyond the Lake McDonald Lodge. Crews are encountering 12-36 inches of snow with two to six inches of ice on the road surface. Once the crews plow beyond Avalanche Creek, HK Contractors will continue rehabilitation of the Sun Road along Upper McDonald Creek and on both sides of Logan Pass.

Because of the contract to rehabilitate the Sun Road, the earliest possible opening of the road in its entirety would be June 17, weather and road conditions dependent. Spring snow storms play a large factor in safely opening the Sun Road to two-way motor vehicle traffic. Once the plow crews are working in the higher elevations, visitors will be able to drive to Avalanche Creek on the west side and Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side.

Continue reading . . .

Glacier National Park to be featured on new quarter

News,

Here’s a fun little tidbit. From today’s press release . . .

Glacier National Park is pleased to join the United States Mint for the launch of the seventh coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. The ceremony will take place on April 13, 2011 at the Columbia Falls High School Gymnasium at 1:00pm, and the public is invited to attend. At the ceremony, B. B. Craig, Associate Director of Sales and Marketing, United States Mint and Chas Cartwright, Superintendent of Glacier National Park will be joined by dignitaries, and their representatives, from throughout the state of Montana. Following brief remarks, a coin exchange will take place where the public can swap their currency for $10 rolls of the new Glacier National Park quarters. All children 18 and under will receive a free quarter.

Continue reading . . .

Crews begin plowing Glacier Park roads; snow depths above average

News, , ,

The Missoulian yesterday evening posted a pretty thorough write-up on this year’s snow removal efforts in Glacier National Park, including this interesting tidbit: “Basin totals for the entire North Fork of the Flathead River are an astounding 197 percent of average snow water equivalent” . . .

In this corner of Montana, nothing heralds the approach of springtime quite like the mechanical whirring of a fleet of snowplows hewing out a path on Glacier National Park’s famed Going-to-the-Sun Road.

On April 1, plow crews will begin the annual work of forging through a wall of white on the 50-mile-long engineering marvel, a job that will require several months of steady churning before visitors can make the tortuous journey – and perhaps longer, given this winter’s cumbrous snowpack.

Continue reading . . .

Bears on the move in Glacier National Park

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

It’s that time again. The bears are starting to get up and moving. The folks in Glacier National Park are seeing fresh tracks . . .

Recent observations of bear tracks in the snow indicate bears are emerging from hibernation and venturing out looking for food in and around Glacier National Park. Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright remarked, “Bear tracks in the snow are a good reminder that Glacier National Park is bear country and park visitors need to be alert for bear activity and to be familiar with and comply with safety regulations.”

Continue reading . . .

In Glacier, volunteers help track secretive wolverines

Environmental Issues, News, , , ,

Here’s another article on the wolverine study in Glacier National Park. This one, from the Hungry Horse News, is based on an interview with Doug Chadwick — reasonable enough, since he has published a book on wolverines . . .

A creature long-maligned is finally getting some positive attention. The wolverine, one of Glacier National Park’s most rugged animals, is the subject of an ongoing study by biologists to learn more about the mysterious animal.

“We’re trying to get out there an learn everything we can,” said volunteer and local author Doug Chadwick. “The single most concentrated, vigorous population we know of in the Lower 48 is in Glacier National Park and we’re only talking about 40 to 45 animals.”

Continue reading . . .

Glacier National Park home to about 40 wolverines

Environmental Issues, News, ,

Although not as extensive as yesterday’s Wolverine story in the Missoulian, this article posted to the Flathead Beacon has a bit of additional information . . .

A recent ongoing study indicates that about 40 wolverines are living in Glacier National Park, a U.S. Forest Service biologist says.

Rick Yates said that a study that started in January to collect wolverine fur samples is providing DNA samples from the secretive mammals.

Continue reading . . .

Remote cameras: Secretive wolverines give up furry clues in Glacier National Park

Environmental Issues, News, , , , , ,

This very interesting article about wolverine studies in Glacier National Park appeared in today’s Missoulian. Study volunteers Doug Chadwick, Karen Reeves, Stuart Reiswig and Flannery Coats all get a mention . . .

The carnivore’s eyes glow like orbs in the winter darkness, the front quarter of a deer clenched in its vice-like jaws.

As the fur-covered critter wrests the carrion from a steel bolt on a bait post, it leaves behind a token that will be treasured by researchers studying the animal – a lock of wolverine fur.

The remarkable scene was captured last month by remote camera at a backcountry site in Glacier National Park, where carnivore ecologist John Waller has been conducting an unprecedented study to determine the size of the park’s wolverine population.

Continue reading . . .

Heaven’s Peak restoration raises concerns

Environmental Issues, News,

This sounds like one of those awkward debates between two groups of well-meaning people . . .

Glacier National Park’s plan to stabilize the remote Heaven’s Peak Lookout has sparked a lively debate over appropriate uses in wilderness. But unlike other public debates over the years, this one is, in part, between current and former employees of the Park Service.

The lookout was built in 1945 by conscientious objectors during World War II and one of the last remaining structures built by members of the Civilian Public Service.

For that reason, Glacier officials claim the lookout deserves preservation, whether it’s in wilderness or not.

Continue reading . . .