The Park Closure

Everyone in Grand Lake talked of a two-day closure of Rocky Mountain National Park.  Even if the government shutdown lasts for weeks, the park service has always been kind to local residents and visitors alike.  They will allow people to drive through the park to the town Estes Park, so hard hit by the flood and having Trail Ridge road as its last best access.  And they will not stop visitors from hiking in the park; hikers just have to realize that all services are temporarily suspended and they hike at their own risk.  That was the talk two days ago.  

On the first day of closure, October 1, I hiked the East Shore Trail, from East Shore Trailhead near Grand Lake and returned without incident, reporting wonders from within the national park, which many of you saw, in part, here on the blog. 

Encouraged by a fine day in the closed park, I hiked on October 2 from the East Inlet Trailhead just outside of Grand Lake to Adams Falls and on to Lone Pine Lake, eleven miles in all and returned by the same route. 

With just a quarter mile to go I met a man in a brown uniform with a badge and a national park service insignia.  He asked me where I had come from, as he fingered the gun on his belt.  “From up the trail,” I said. 

He told me that I had broken the law and that he could either give me a citation or arrest me.  I explained that the closure was due to congress’ inability to pass a budget and not due to any environmental impact or danger to hikers.  He said I could go this time, but if he ever saw me in the park again while the closure is in effect, I could go to jail.  

I have not gone in by any means since.  The road through the park is closed, and all trailheads are now marked with signs that prohibit entry.  Everybody in Grand Lake, visitors and residents, are angry.