It really must be Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!................

Today is the Vernal Equinox, which began at 7:44 A.M. EDT...

Meaning it is the official first day of spring. From looking out my window, it sure doesn't look like spring, but I am ready for it.

This article written the infamous Chris Peterson chief reporter and head bottle washer of the Hungry Horse News.






That's my two cents worth for today......Have a great day..

Winter styles of Glacier National Park.....

Lake McDonald and the McDonald valley on the bottom side of an inversion.














Apgar Lookout on the top side of an inversion looking out over the McDonald valley shown in the first picture.











Two Medicine across the Continental Divide. Amazing how the lay of the land effects places so close together....








That's my two cents worth for today......Have a great day..

Gun Rules Relaxed for National Parks

Sorry for the long absence from this blog. I have several items to comment on, however do not currently have the time. Hopefully after the first of the year time will make itself available?

So for now enjoy and speculate on the title. Oh and also what a difference a few days make. The following photos were taken about two weeks apart.

The one was taken December 15, 2008










This photo was taken today December 29, 2008.









FLATTOP MTN. SNOTEL Data Report - Daily Readings
Basin: Middle Fork Flathead (HUC 17010207) Elevation: 6300.00

As of: Mon Dec 29 08:30:50 PST 2008 there is 52 inches of snow at this snow reporting site. Only how many days until they start plowing the Going to the Sun Road?


That's my two cents worth for today......Have a great day..

Glacier Officials Announce Closure Date for Logan Pass

According to the latest news release on October 15, 2008.

Glacier National Park officials announce the winter closure of the 16-mile alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road (Sun Road) between Avalanche Creek and Logan Pass on Monday, October 20 at 8 a.m.

Park policy establishes a firm closing of the road between The Loop and Logan Pass. Given current Sun Road reconstruction, this closure will extend from Avalanche Creek to Jackson Glacier Overlook.

Typically the park has waited until conditions are bad and the crews have to work in nasty weather. Perhaps the new person in charge really has his troops well being in mind. Can't imagine there is any common sense floating around in those realms. Perhaps the political folks who usually apply pressure are too busy trying to save their own lives being as it is an election year and a lot of them are on the chopping block.

Whatever the reason it is good to see someone make a good choice.

That's my two cents worth for today......Have a great day..

Work begin on West Entrance to Glacier

This is the view as you approach the West entrance to Glacier National Park. Work has begun to restructure the lanes to allow supposely more people into the park quicker. Plans also call for building a new entrance station, a rest room and concession facilities in the same area.

This has been a plan that has been talked about for some time. Will it work?....I hope so considering all the taxpayer dollars that have been spent....












































Thats my two cents worth for today......Have a great day..

High Country Snow....

The following is a quote from the wonderful folks in the Glacier National Park backcountry office:

Above average snowpack, a cold spring, and several severe spring snow storms (Say that three times fast) have left the higher elevations of Glacier under deep snow and are presenting challenges to backcountry travel, especially over the high passes.

Our melt-out is about two to three weeks behind normal so many of our backcountry campgrounds are not opening on time either. Sustained summer heat has finally allowed 24 hour snowmelt and our hope is that this will facilitate more backcountry campground openings in the near future.

Along with this melt-out however, comes high water hazards and possible undercut snowbanks. High angle snow slopes finish out the troika of risks associated with Glacier's current backcountry conditions.

During the next few weeks, backpackers wishing to venture into the high country should be familiar with swift water crossing techniques and well versed in the use of an ice ax and crampons and possess the ability to self-arrest.

There are few offices in the park that I would put a lot of faith and trust in, but the crew at the back country office is one of them. This group of individuals are lead by the charming Brian McKeon. Actually everyone knows that really the office is ran by mother Kim and Grandma Linda, but they like to let Brian think he is in charge. But then that is a story for another day....

Temperatures have been dropping into the 40's most night here in West Glacier and in the high country. Flat top Mountain weather station shows the same trend.

It seems possible for some of the high country snows to still be around when the snows begin again in a couple months. Only time will tell.


Thats my two cents worth for today......Have a great day..

Winter Wonderland at Logan Pass

Read todays snow story in the local paper. The picture taken by Garrett Cheen of the Daily Inter Lake.