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RMNP Guide
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Written by Aaron
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Wednesday, 21 October 2009 13:45 |
Today, Wednesday, October 21, 2009, Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season to through travel. Old Fall River Road officially closed for the season on October 8, 2009. Since Sunday, October 4, Trail Ridge Road has been closed due to consistent winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below freezing temperatures above 10,000 feet. Trail Ridge Road, one of the most impressive alpine highways in the United States, is the highest continuous road in America and reaches an elevation of 12,183 feet. The road connects the park’s gateway communities of Estes Park on the east and Grand Lake on the west. The road is currently closed at Colorado River Trailhead on the west side and Many Parks Curve on the east side.
Old Fall River Road is an unpaved road that travels from Endovalley picnic area to above treeline at Fall River Pass, following the steep slope of Mount Chapin. Due to the road’s narrow nature, the scenic 9.4-mile route leading to Trail Ridge Road is one way only. The Old Fall River Road was built between 1913 and 1920.
According to Superintendent Vaughn Baker, “After recent snowfall accumulation at high elevations in the park, with the accompanying wind and ice, as well as the forecast for periodic storms at high elevations, we have decided to officially close Trail Ridge Road for the season. The snow continues to blow and drift at higher elevations, making snow clearingoperations and driving conditions extremely hazardous. During the winter season, weather permitting, we will keep Trail Ridge Road open to Many Parks Curve on the east side of the park and to the Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park.”
Trail Ridge Road was opened in 1932. The average winter closure date has been October 23. The previous ten year’s closure dates are: November 6, 2008, October 22, 2007, October 23, 2006, November 4, 2005, October 25, 2004, November 6, 2003, November 1, 2002, October 18, 2001, November 2, 2000, and November 22, 1999. The central portion of Trail Ridge Road normally opens the last week in May, weather permitting. This year Trail Ridge Road opened on May 21, 2009.
Both roads have reverted to trail status; therefore bicycles and dogs are not permitted. For current road conditions and other park information, please call (970) 586-1206.
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Written by Aaron
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Tuesday, 13 October 2009 15:19 |
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At 12:15 p.m. today, October 13, park dispatch received a cell phone call concerning an 72-year-old man who was suffering from a possible heart attack on the Dream Lake Trail in the Bear Lake area of Rocky Mountain National Park. The patient was roughly 1 mile, at an elevation gain of 425 feet (9,900 feet), from the trailhead. A park ranger medic reached the patient at 12:54 p.m. Two other rangers reached the scene shortly after. An eight-person park litter team reached the patient at 1:25 p.m.
The patient was packaged in a wheeled litter and the team began bringing him down the trail at 1:45 p.m. He reached the trailhead at 2:40 p.m. At 2:49 p.m. he went in to cardiac arrest. Rangers and paramedics from Estes Park Medical Center provided resuscitation efforts. At 3:05 p.m. St. Anthony’s Lifeguard One flew the patient from the Bear Lake parking lot to Boulder Community Hospital.
The patient’s hometown is unknown. His name will not be released until family members are notified.
Update:
After the man went in to cardiac arrest in he was revived and was conscious when he left the park. He arrived at Boulder Community Hospital in approximately 12 minutes via Lifeguard One from St. Anthony's.
Correction: The man is 72 years old rather than 80 as originally reported. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 October 2009 08:33 |
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Written by Aaron
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Friday, 02 October 2009 14:40 |
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The National Park Service is accepting applications for its summer 2010 Artist-in-Residence Program from October 1, 2009, through December 1, 2009, at Rocky Mountain National Park. Selected artists are provided with a creative, contemplative environment in which to generate artistic works and share their works with the public. Artistic diversity, new ideas and creative uses of media are encouraged. Selected artists receive a two-week residency at the William Allen White cabin from June through September. Professional musicians, writers, sculptors, painters, photographers, poets and performance artists will be given equal consideration.
During their stay, artists share their vision in two public presentations. Following their residency, artists donate a fully finished work to Rocky Mountain National Park, representative of their stay. The National Park Service holds a noncommercial copyright to donated artwork.
A panel of professional artists will judge the applicant pool. Five to six artists will be selected to participate in the summer of 2010. Selections are made on the basis of the following criteria: entry materials, vision, and recognized talent as demonstrated by participation in juried shows, publications or performances. Having begun in 1984, Rocky Mountain’s program is the longest running Artist-in-Residence program operated by the National Park Service.
Interested artists may obtain more information and download an application by accessing the park’s website at http://www.nps.gov/romo/supportyourpark/artist_in_residence.htm by calling (970) 586-1206, or by e-mail (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
). If requesting by e-mail, applicants should provide a complete postal mailing address. Detailed instructions are on the entry form. Applications must be postmarked by December 1, 2009.
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Written by Aaron
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Tuesday, 29 September 2009 16:55 |
More permits will be available to collect firewood generated from hazard tree removals within Rocky Mountain National Park. A $20 non-refundable administrative fee will be charged for removing up to five cords of firewood.
On the east side of the park, the wood can be collected at the storage pit accessed through the Glacier Basin Campground; on the west side of the park the wood can be collected from the Corral Area and from the Pontiac Pit area. Fifty permits will be issued on each side of the park. Because of the popularity of the previous wood sale on the east side of the park in August, a lottery system will be used for this wood sale.
On Wednesday, October 7, between 9:00 am and 3:00 p.m. interested parties can stop by or call to register for the lottery for a firewood permit. For people interested in the lottery for a firewood permit on the east side call (970) 586-1242 or stop by the backcountry office adjacent to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center near Estes Park. For people interested in the lottery for wood collection on the west side call (970) 627-3471 or stop by the Kawuneeche Visitor Center north of Grand Lake. Please note, October 7, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. is the only time to register for the lottery for firewood permits. Names selected for the lottery will be posted on the park’s website on Friday morning, October 9, at http://www.nps.gov/romo/parknews/lottery_results_firewood_permits.htm
On Saturday, October 10, permits will be available to be picked up at the respective backcountry offices and collection can begin. Backcountry office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Firewood collection times are from 9:00 a.m. to sunset through November 15, weather permitting.
Payment must be made with cash in the exact amount or a personal check when picking up the permit. One permit is allowed per household. Maps of the wood collection areas will be provided with the permit. The firewood at the Corral Area has already been cut into lengths that are manageable and can be loaded into pickup trucks or trailers. Chainsaws can be used at the other two sites.
Wood is primarily lodgepole pine but may include some Douglas-fir, spruce, ponderosa pine and aspen. Some of the wood was previously inhabited with mountain pine beetle but enough time should have elapsed to allow the beetles to exit the wood.
Permit holders will be authorized non-fee entry into the park for purposes of wood collection. To receive more information and permit availability, please call the park’s information office at 970-586-1206. |
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Written by DeeCeeM
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Tuesday, 22 September 2009 10:26 |
Former Yellowstone National Park Superintendent
Presents “Reflections of a National Park Manager – 42 Years on the Griddle”
Retired Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Bob Barbee will speak at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Auditorium in Rocky Mountain National Park on Wednesday, September 30, 2009. The talk will begin at 7:00 p.m. and is open and free to the public. It is the third Randy Jones Memorial Lecture, jointly sponsored by the University of Colorado’s Center of the American West and the National Park Service.
Barbee will present “Reflections of a National Park Manager – 42 Years on the Griddle.” Barbee served a long and distinguished career with the National Park System including an assignment as the Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, where he was stationed during the wildfires of 1988. With a bachelors degree in biology and masters degree in natural resource management from Colorado State University, he focused on resource management issues throughout his career and is well versed on the challenges national park managers face when wrestling with tough resource decisions.
After serving is the U.S. Army, Barbee entered the National Park Service spending 42 years in a variety of positions. He began his career at Rocky Mountain National Park as a seasonal ranger. He also served at Carlsbad Caverns, Yosemite National Park on three occasions, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Big Bend National Park. He served as superintendent at Cape Lookout National Seashore, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Redwood National Park and Yellowstone National Park for 12 years. His last assignment was as the Regional Director for the Alaska Region of the National Park Service. Afterwards, he and his wife Carol, retired to Bozeman, Montana.
Barbee’s awards include: Department of Interior Meritorious & Distinguished Service Awards; Meritorious Executive from the Senior Executive Service; Honor Alumnus from the College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University; Lifetime Achievement Award, College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University; Cornelius Pugsley Medal from the National Park Foundation; and, the Stephen P. Mather Award from the National Park & Conservation Association.
The Center of the American West takes as its mission the creation of forums for the respectful exchange of ideas and perspectives in the pursuit of solutions to the region's difficulties. The lecture series honors former park superintendent Randy Jones, who had a reputation for negotiation and mediation. Randy’s long and distinguished career with the federal government spanned over 30 years, primarily with the National Park Service. From 2002 until spring of 2005, Randy held the position of Deputy Director, the highest position for a career employee within the National Park Service, at the agency headquarters in Washington, D.C. Randy’s diverse career consisted of a number of complex and prestigious assignments including Superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park. Randy was among the leaders of the Natural Resource Challenge initiative for the National Park Service and was instrumental in increasing federal spending on natural resource management in the parks.
For more information please contact the park information office at (970) 586-1206. |
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