National Parks: America's Best Idea Trivia Contest

National Parks: America's Best Idea Trivia Contest

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

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I just got an email from the National Park Foundation stating that they are holding a Trivia Contest after each episode of the Ken Burns film, The National Parks: America's Best Idea.Each night after watching a new episode you'll have a chance to answer a trivia question. If you answer correctly, your name will be entered into a daily prize drawing. You can enter after each night for multiple chances...

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Citizen Scientist: Help Conduct Field Research in the Smokies

Citizen Scientist: Help Conduct Field Research in the Smokies

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

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Friends of the Smokies has a news release posted on their Facebook page announcing that there will be another Citizen Scientist opportunity in the Great Smoky Mountains this weekend.Here's the announcement:Researchers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park are inviting people to volunteer as Citizen Scientists on Saturday, October 3, and join Park biologists and educators in developing scientific...

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General Grant National Park

General Grant National Park

Monday, September 28, 2009

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So I'm watching the Ken Burns film last night on the national parks, and the narrator makes mention of General Grant National Park being added to the national park system in 1890 as the 4th national park. This piqued my interest because I had never heard of it before.Purely out of curiosity, I did a quick Google search which showed that the park was incorporated into the larger Kings Canyon National...

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The Reel Rock Tour Returns

The Reel Rock Tour Returns

Monday, September 28, 2009

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The Reel Rock Film Tour will be making its return to the area when it pays a visit to the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co. on October 1. The 4th annual film tour presented by Windstopper and The North Face, is the largest international climbing celebration.Reel Rock features the latest releases from the award-winning filmmakers at Sender Films and Big UP Productions and the winning short films from...

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Top 10 Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park

Top 10 Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park

Sunday, September 27, 2009

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A couple people have emailed me recently, asking for suggestions on some great day hikes, or asked me what my favorite trails are in Rocky Mountain National Park. Based on many hikes over the years, I’ve compiled a list of my top 10 hikes in the Rockies. They are as follows: 1) Hallett Peak 2) Sky Pond 3) Old Ute Trail 4) Emerald Lake 5) Chasm Lake 6) Bluebird Lake 7) Key Hole on Longs Peak 8) Black...

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Flora and Fauna from Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park

Flora and Fauna from Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park

Saturday, September 26, 2009

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Marmot hamming-it-up on trail to Longs Peak:Keeping an eye on the harem in Moraine Park:Indian paintbrush and sunflowers near Sky Pond:Clouds building near Granite Pass:Arctic Gentian on Granite Pass:Getting ready for the rut: Petrified prehistoric alligator??Sunflowers near Sky Pond: Magpie: Lone bull elk in Horseshoe Park:Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park 2010 CalendarJeffHikingintheSmokys.com Detailed...

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RMNP Day 6: Ypsilon Lake

RMNP Day 6: Ypsilon Lake

Friday, September 25, 2009

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With temperatures hovering around freezing, this was by far the coldest morning yet. Our windshield had frost on it, while the upper elevations received some light snow the day and night before.After passing a red fox walking along the road we reached the Lawn Lake trailhead. Hikers to Ypsilon Lake share the same path to Lawn Lake for the first 1.4 miles.At just over a mile you’ll reach the Roaring...

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National Parks Second Century Commission Releases Final Report

National Parks Second Century Commission Releases Final Report

Thursday, September 24, 2009

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As reported earlier in the year, the National Parks Second Century Commission held it's final meeting in the Great Smoky Mountains this past June. That meeting concluded a year-long series of meetings to examine the role of national parks and to develop a vision for their future.The Commission consists of nearly 30 national leaders and experts, including scientists, historians, conservationists, academics,...

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RMNP Day 5: Wild Basin - Bluebird Lake

RMNP Day 5: Wild Basin - Bluebird Lake

Thursday, September 24, 2009

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The trail to Bluebird Lake begins out of the fairly remote Wild Basin area in the southeastern corner of Rocky Mountain National Park. This would be our first trip to this area of the park. The trail offers several attractions along the way, including Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, Ouzel Falls and Ouzel Lake. Copeland Falls, the first destination along the way, arrives early at just 0.3 miles...

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RMNP Day 4: Key Hole on Longs Peak

RMNP Day 4: Key Hole on Longs Peak

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

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Today our destination was supposed to be the summit of 13,281-foot Mt. Lady Washington, the mountain just northeast of Longs Peak.Longs Peak is on the left, Mt. Lady Washington is on the right:We woke up at 4:30 and arrived at the trailhead at 6:00 a.m., just as the sky was beginning to lighten on the eastern horizon. Since we remained on EST throughout our trip, that early wake-up call wasn’t a complete...

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Blog hits milestone

Blog hits milestone

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

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Last week this blog quietly celebrated a milestone by reaching 100,000 visits. When I launched this blog back in April of last year, I thought I would never reach 1000, let alone 100,000. Out of curiosity, I thought I’d take this time to take a look back and list the top 10 postings in terms of total visitor traffic:1) Video: Tyler Bradt's record 186-foot Kayak Drop2) Don’t miss the Flame Azaleas...

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RMNP Day 3: Old Ute Trail

RMNP Day 3: Old Ute Trail

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

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Never doubt the warning that weather in the Colorado Rockies can change quickly….Figuring out where the Old Ute Trail is located can be a little confusing. One section runs from the Alpine Visitor Center at Fall River Pass to Milner Pass. The section we decided to hike, apparently unconnected to the other, begins about 2 miles above Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road. This is an excellent trail that...

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RMNP Day 2: The Loch & Sky Pond

RMNP Day 2: The Loch & Sky Pond

Monday, September 21, 2009

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The trail to Sky Pond begins from Glacier Gorge Junction, and is another trail with multiple attractions, including, Alberta Falls, The Loch, and the Lake of Glass, before reaching the spectacular alpine lake at the base of Taylor and Powell Peaks. Although the forecast called for good weather in the morning, the skies were already looking a little threatening. We even had a few sprinkles before...

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