CHRIS PETERSON
Chris Peterson is the editor of the Hungry Horse News. He covers Columbia Falls, the Canyon, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. All told, about 4 million acres of the best parts of the planet. He can be reached at editor@hungryhorsenews.com or 406-892-2151.
Recent Stories
Glacier National Park's Sun Road advanced reservations easier to get than one might think
The earlier morning hour slot — from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.— as one might expect, are going much faster. But in early July, it doesn’t get dark until well after 10 p.m. in Glacier, so even starting out at 1 p.m. gives a party plenty of daylight to enjoy the park.
Private house in Glacier Park can remain, federal judge rules
The Park Service, it should be noted, allowed the Ambler home to be built, and even allowed it to be hooked into Park Service sewer and water, which serves Apgar Village.
Hiring freeze, 'resignation' offer could impact Glacier
Glacier, like many large national parks, hires hundreds of seasonal employees each summer to operate campgrounds, clean bathrooms, pick up garbage, clear trails and as rangers, to name just a few jobs. They are critical to the operation of the park, which saw 3.2 million visitors last year, the second most ever.
A long walk, but sadly, no creepers
A common raven, for example, is a CORA, while a black-capped chickadee is a BCCH. It’s not as simple as it sounds, however. For example, I also saw a three toed woodpecker, so I wrote down TTWP, but it turns out it’s an American Three Toed Woodpecker, so it should have been ATTW.
Glacier Park sets new October visitation record
The busiest year was 2017, with 3.305 million visitors. The year 2024 is unlikely to eclipse that, as the weather in November and December took a decided turn, with snow before Thanksgiving closing all but a few roads.
FWP says wolf numbers holding fairly steady
The estimated statewide wolf population for 2023 was 1,096, just one less than the 2022 estimated population and slightly below the 10-year average of 1,140 wolves but well above recovery thresholds, FWP noted.
Glacier seeing high number of no-shows in North Fork
Like other entrances in Glacier, the Park Service implements a reservation system for the area to control crowding in the summer months from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Scientist unlocks mystery of nutrient surge in Lake McDonald
The good news is the lake has rebounded since then – dissolved nitrogen and phosphorous levels have plummeted by 67% and 92% respectively.
Hikers and bikers should be able to go to Logan Pass this weekend
Since crews typically don’t work on weekends, that means folks should be able to hike and bike to Logan Pass this weekend.
Belly Up
When things go south in a beautiful place, you just roll with it
The first fish broke the line and that was the end of the fishing. I knew the leader was beyond repair at that point and I didn’t have another one.