Going-to-the-Sun Road may open later than ever this year

Last July I visited Brandon in Polson, Montana and we took a trip to Glacier National Park while I was there.

You can watch day one and day two of our adventure and of course, don't forget Brandon vs. the goat!

On our trip we headed up Going-to-the-Sun Road. But this year visitors to the park might not be able to make that trip.


The Great Falls Tribune ran an article yesterday about how the road may not open until very late this year.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK — Only twice in the history of the Going-to-the-Sun Road has the scenic drive in Glacier National Park opened for the season after July 4.

This year will mark the third year the alpine section of the Sun Road isn't open on Independence Day.

In 1933, the road had its inaugural opening on July 15. In 1943, the road opened on July 10 because of reduced staffing during World War II.

It appears that 2011 will go down in history as one of the latest openings of the Sun Road.

The reason for the late opening this year is a heavy snowpack and cold, snowy weather late into spring.

You can read the rest of the article over on The Great Falls Tribune site.

The Northern Rangers go HD

For 2011 the Northern Rangers have decided to go HD. That's right, all of our adventures will now be in High Definition! So tune back in as we show you everything that we see, only now, it will be crystal clear.

To start off the HD Northern Rangers we decided to show you one of our favorite hikes, Poo Poo Point, and the views from the top. Check it out:

Snow hike

If you're not in the Northwest then you might not know about the arctic freeze that hit our area the last few days.

Well, yesterday while most of the Seattle area was scared stiff cause of the ice and the snow, the Northern Rangers headed up Poo Poo Point for a hike.

And it was very much worth it.

The weather was sunny but in the 20's. However, the view was awesome. Snow all through the valley.


One thing that did surprise us was that when were up there, two paragliders showed up. They were getting set up when we headed down and we saw them land in the snow right as we finished our decent. Check it out:

Journey on the Wild Coast

I came across this preview for the documentary"Journey on the Wild Coast."

In June 2007, Bretwood Higman and Erin McKittrick walked out of Seattle heading north. Twelve months and 4,000 miles later, they came to a stop at the end of the Aleutian Islands chain, having made their way by foot, pack raft, and skis. The trip was ostensibly about raising awareness of conservation issues, but the underlying reason, says Erin, was to bite off a huge challenge.

Carl Fabiani article

Yesterday the Tacoma News Tribune ran a great article by Craig Hill on Carl Fabiani.

One day soon, hikers on the Glacier Basin Trail will cross an unnamed creek about halfway up the path with hardly a second thought about the short wooden bridge under their boots.

Such is the case with most of Carl Fabiani’s projects. You might not know his name, but if you’ve hiked in Mount Rainier National Park in the last 45 years, you know his work.

Whether chopping through downed trees or bureaucratic red tape, Fabiani has been building and repairing trails in the park since he graduated from Buckley’s White River High School in 1965.

Check out the rest of the article over on the Tacoma News Tribune site.

Rattlesnake Mountain hike

Yesterday the Northern Rangers headed out to enjoy the colors of fall on a hike on Rattlesnake Mountain near Snoqualmie, Washington.



View our previous hike report of Rattlesnake Ledge from earlier this year here.

Just Southeast: 4 Differences in Hiking Down South

We normally cover the Northwest areas on Just Northwest since, well, that's where we are! However, we have a special treat for you today as we're featuring a guest post from David DuPont:

How many of you spend your days outdoors in the Pacific Northwest? That part of the country is arguably the best place to live if you love hiking, climbing, kayaking and other outdoor sports. I, on the other hand, live in a part of the country many people call 'Heavens Waiting Room' ... Florida.

Yes we have miles and miles of pristine beaches, but I would trade sand and waves for rocks and snow any day of the week. I do enjoy living in Florida most of the time, but when you get that "call of the wild" there is only so much you can do. We can still go hiking, kayaking and skiing ... it's just our versions have no stunning views, no whitewater, and skiing is done behind a boat.

I thought it would be fun to write a guest post on Just Northwest about what some of the major differences are between hiking in the Northwest and hiking in the Southeast. For the sake of this post I will mostly be referring to hiking in Florida - the exact opposite corner of Washington, where I believe most of the Just Northwest readers live.

1. Weather



The weather differences are the first thing that come to mind when thinking about hiking in Florida vs. hiking in the Northwest. It may get to 90 degrees on a hot summer day in Seattle ... but your 90 degrees is like our 70. It's hot here. Really hot. And we have 100% humidity every day during the summer. It makes hiking outdoors brutal. With staggering heat comes afternoon storms - the type of storms that bring lightning and heavy rains. You can set your watch the these storms -- 3:00 pm every day. You do not want to be caught in the outdoors when an afternoon storm rolls in. They don't usually last long, but they are fierce.

2. Elevation



Or lack there of... hiking in Florida means you're walking on a level path the entire way. It's easier on your legs, but makes for a boring trip when all you can see to the front, back, right and left of you are trees. Hikers in the Pacific Northwest have easy access to mountains at 14,000+ ft - Florida's hhighest elevation above sea level is 345 ft.

3. Wildlife



For the most part, the wildlife from the Pacific Northwest is somewhat similar to the wildlife in Florida. Florida has black bears, deer, panthers (our version of the mountain lion), lots of birds, squirrels, rabbits, etc. One of the major differences in wildlife is the Pacific Northwest is home to Bigfoot! Just kidding ... I'm talking about alligators! And they are everywhere down here. No joke - we have alligators here that walk across the street. They live in the swampy outdoor areas, which happened to be the same areas Florida hikers venture in to.

4. Ecosystem



Not all of Florida is in the "tropics" but our ecosystem and vegetation down here varies greatly from what hikers in the Northwest are used to. In Florida, we have a lot of sawgrass marshes and palm trees - I'll admit that hikes along the beaches and marsh areas are actually pretty nice. Florida also has a lot of pine trees, cypress trees and mangroves. We have vegetation that thrives in wetlands. We have swamps and creeks, but our creeks are not the same as yours. We don't have snow melt in Florida so our creeks aren't the swift running, crystal clear type - they are the slow moving, muddy, snake infested type.

I may have painted Florida as an awful place to go hiking and spend time in the outdoors, but that's not really the case. I guess when you're pointing out the differences it sometimes can seem like a negative thing. We do have a lot of amazing hikes here, like The Florida Trail... which starts near the Everglades National Park and works its way up through the panhandle.

If you don't live in the Northwest, where do you live? What are some of the major differences in hiking from your area? Post a comment and let us know.

About the Author: David DuPont is a hiker, climber and outdoor enthusiast who writes for Adayak, a designer and seller of hiking shirts. Get more from Jacob and Adayak on twitter.

National Park free weekend

This weekend, August 14 and 15, the National Park Service will waive entrance fees to help encourage all Americans to visit the national parks.

"This fee-free weekend provides an opportunity for individuals and families alike to take an affordable vacation or to explore a nearby park they have never visited before," Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said. "I encourage everyone to take advantage of the free admission to visit not only our greatest natural wonders but also our nation's historic and cultural icons."

There are 391 national parks in our national and many offer views that can only be seen there. So if you haven't visited a national park lately, why not head out there for free this weekend?

Also, please note that the fee waiver is only for the entrance fees. Any camping fees, reservation fees and special bus tour fees are still in place.

Pacific Northwest Trail

I came across a hike for anyone wanting to experience the Northwest. It's called the Pacific Northwest Trail.

The Pacific Northwest Trail stretches 1,200 miles, between Washington and Montana and was designated in 2009.

The trail begins in the Olympic National Park in Washington and ends in Glacier National Park in Montana.

Being so new, the trail doesn't have a "designated" route yet and hikers must navigate forest trails, highways, logging roads, city streets and even a ferry.

According to an article by Terry Richard of the Oregonian, it will take years -- perhaps decades -- before a formal route is surveyed and marked.

But just how many years could that be? Richards says in his article that, trails are works in progress. As an example, the Pacific Crest Trail was conceived in 1932, designated by Congress in 1968 and officially completed in 1993. Even now, the trail gets rerouted as storms damage sections, or as land ownership issues are resolved.

Imagine the views that you will have though. From the coast of Washington to the Rocky Mountains. All with desert, forests and rivers in between.

The Portland office of the U.S. Forest Service has been charged with the task to coordinate official designation of the route. I'll keep you updated as the route is designed.

Glacier National Park: Part Two

Here is Part Two of mine and Brandon's trip to Glacier National Park.

This is our hike to Hidden Lake.

Part Two includes: hiking to Hidden Lake in Glacier National Park, Logan Pass, Brandon chased by a goat and beautiful views.



Watch Part One here.

Mount Rainier Wonderland Trail Preview 3

It's time for preview number three of the Wonderland Trail.

The Northern Rangers take off on our great Wonderland Trail adventure tomorrow.

The last two days I've previewed the history and facts about the Wonderland Trail and about wilderness permits and campgrounds on the trail.

Today I'll cover the gear that we'll be packing on the trip.

Gear for the trip

Like any mountain, the weather on Mount Rainier can change very quickly. And storms are a normal occurrence. Because of this, we have to plan ahead and use the Boy Scout motto. Be Prepared.

Here's what we will be bringing on the trip:

BACKPACK

• 1 backpack
• 1 backpack rain cover

CLOTHING (this includes what I will be wearing)

• 2 long sleeved shirts (synthetic, polyester material)
• 1 pair of hiking pants (Bear Grylls style)
• 1 pair of hiking shorts
  
• 3 pairs of underwear
• 4 pairs of smart wool socks
• 3 pairs of liner socks
  
• 1 pair of hiking boots (pre-broken in)
• 1 pair of sandals (or camp shoes)
• 1 brimmed hat
• 1 fleece
• 1 raincoat
• 1 stocking hat
• fleece gloves
  

OUTDOOR GEAR

• 1 pocket knife
• 1 first aid kit
• 1 stainless steel water bottle
• 1 headlamp (spare battery)
• 1 compass
• emergency blanket
• 1 canister bear spray
• trekking polls
• map
• small journal and pencil
• wallet-sized waterproof container (put in cash, credit card and photo ID)
• 1 roll duct tape
  

COOKING

• 1 camp stove
• gas for stove
• waterproof matches
• food (enough for trip, plus two emergency meals)
• water filter
• 1 heavy duty plastic spork
• snacks
• Gatorade powder
• 1 cooking pot
  

BED/SHELTER

• 1 tent (mine is REI quarter-dome three backpacking tent)
• 1 sleeping bag (temperature according to area)
• 1 sleeping pad (foam inside for insulation)
• 1 travel pillow

PERSONAL HYGIENE

• 1 tube toothpaste
• 1 toothbrush
• 1 roll toilet paper
• 1 stick deodorant
• 1 container dental floss
• 1 bottle fashwash
• hand sanitizer
  
• quick-dry towel
• 1 bottle sunscreen
• 1 bug spray
  

Hilarious bear commercial

If you aren't afraid of bears now, you will be after this commercial.

Rattlesnake Ledge Trail

Today the Northern Rangers headed up Rattlesnake Ledge Trail outside of North Bend, Washington.
The hike starts at Rattlesnake Lake and has an elevation gain of 1,175 feet over two miles. So it's fairly steep but by no means difficult to the average active person.

Following the trail you'll find a number of switchbacks and a fairly constant uphill grade.
However, you'll also find a large number of people on the trail because of how close the trailhead is to Seattle and I-90.

The picture to the left shows Rattlesnake Ledge overflowing with people.

However, the trail doesn't end at Rattlesnake Ledge and as of 2007, now goes all the way to the old Snoqualmie Brewery at Exit 27 off I-90. So for a bit more peaceful turnaround point hikers can follow the trail up a little higher and still enjoy the great views but without the circus shown in the other picture. (see below photo)

Hiking Time to Rattlesnake Ledge: 45 mins to 1 hour
Miles: 4 Round trip
Elevation gain: 1,175 feet

How to get there

On I-90 east take Exit 32 (436th Avenue SE) just past the exits to North Bend. Turn right off the exit, heading south on 436th Ave SE which turns into Cedar Falls Road. In about three miles you'll see the parking lots. Follow the signs posted for Rattlesnake Lake.

Backpacking Middle Fork of Snoqualmie

The Northern Rangers headed out to the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River last weekend for a backpack trip. We camped, did some day hikes and took video of the trail/area.

Hope you enjoy the newest video!

Wonderland Trail Permits

You might be wondering where in the world have the Northern Rangers been? Well, the truth is we've been hitting the gym and bicycling. But don't worry, we'll be hiking again soon.

Mainly to help get us prepared for the Wonderland Trail.


That's right, Jeff and I got our permits.

I am pretty excited as this is not the easiest permit to obtain. We planned our route and sent in the application on March 15. That is the first day you could send them in. The rangers started reviewing the applications and granting permits to hikers on April 1. The trail is red line in the picture above.

And I'm so happy that we got our permit.

Here's what our trip looks like:

July 22- Mowich Lake Camp
July 23- Carbon River Camp
July 24- Granite Creek Camp
July 25- White River Camp
July 26- Indian Bar Camp
July 27- Maple Creek Camp
July 28- Pyramid Creek Camp
July 29- So. Puyallup River Camp
July 30- Golden Lakes Camp
July 31- So. Mowich River Camp
Aug 1-Mowich Lake Trailhead and out of the wild.

Check out a profile map of the trial here.

The map shows all of the elevation gains along the trail. It certainly isn't flat. That's why we have been training.

Here's what Mount Rainier National Park says about the trail:

The Wonderland Trail is 93 miles (150kms) long and encircles Mt. Rainier. It is a strenuous hike with lots of elevation gain and loss, through lowland forests and valleys and into high alpine and sub-alpine areas.

Perhaps the biggest aspect in planning to hike the Wonderland Trail is you knowing your hiking skills, abilities and habits. Rangers cannot tell you that. Nobody knows your skill level better than you. This is important when laying the foundation for your trip... selecting the proper distance between campsites.

Do you live and hike primarily in mountainous terrain and climates, or lower elevation areas? Hiking on flat terrain for 93 miles is far easier than having to climb up three thousand feet with a full pack day, after day, after day. This sounds like something that should not have to be stated, but we often see hikers going beyond their skill level. This usually leads to injury, illness, misery and an early end to a long-planned trip.

Oh, and we'll be documenting our whole trip with videos. So keep watching for those.

Hopefully we'll have better weather than last year. Fingers crossed.

Mount St. Helens 30 years later

Here's a great feature from KGW Portland on what Mount St. Helens is like 30 years after the May 18, 1980 eruption.

Original Mount St. Helens eruption coverage KGW

30 years ago today Mount St. Helens erupted. It was a massive national disaster. Here is the original news coverage the day of the eruption from KGW out of Portland. (It's funny to see how far the news has come in 30 years)

America's Best Adventures

National Geography Adventure ran a post featuring the best adventures in America.

It was a great list. But guess what. Three of these adventures were located in Washington state.

Here's the top five of the list:

1. Biking the Continental Divide Trail: Multistate
2. Kayaking Lake Yellowstone: Wyoming
3. Rowing Down the Grand Canyon: Arizona
4. Climbing Mount Rainier: Washington
5. Canoeing the Adirondacks: New York

The other two Washington adventures to make the list were:

17. Transect the Olympic
30. Hike Glacier Peak

You can view the full list, as well as an interactive map, over at National Geographic Adventures.

Glacier National Park turns 100

Today is the 100th birthday of Glacier National Park in Montana.

100 years is awesome. But will the park make it another 10? That's what an article in USA Today looked at.
The gorgeous million-acre park in northwestern Montana celebrated its 100th birthday on Tuesday. But many of its glaciers have melted, and scientists predict the rest may not last another decade.

The forests are drier and disease-ridden, leading to bigger wildfires. Climate change is forcing animals that feed off plants to adapt.

Many experts consider Glacier Park a harbinger of Earth's future, a laboratory where changes in the environment will likely show up first.

Average temperatures have risen in the park 1.8 times faster than the global average, said Dan Fagre, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist.

The change is visible to the naked eye, with the vast moraines left behind as the giant glaciers melt away. Climate change is blamed for the increasing size and frequency of wildfires, and lower stream flows as summer progresses.

You can view the rest of the article on the USA Today site.

Visit a National Park for FREE!

That's right, during April 17 to April 25 all 392 national parks will have free admission. This is in honor of National Park Week.

National Park Week, a program of the National Park Service, is an opportunity to engage families and communities in America’s Great Outdoors, reconnecting them with nature and creating close to home opportunities for people to get outside, be active, and have fun.

“National parks preserve our heritage, promote recreational experiences, and provide places of quiet refuge,” said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis. “Most people live within a short drive of a national park so I encourage everyone to spend some time enjoying America’s Great Outdoors during National Park Week.”

There will be hundreds of family friendly events on Saturday, April 24, for National Junior Ranger Day. Each child participating in Junior Ranger activities will receive a certificate, patch, or pin.

So make sure to head out to a National Park. And if you do, let us know how it went.