PERMITS AND LEASES One restricted cattle-grazing permit was issued on lands remote from the roads and ruins. Permits were also issued to the Mesa Verde Pack & Saddle Co. for pack and saddle animal transportation and to Morris and Evans for the operation of passengerstage line from Gallup, N. Mex., to the park and return. RECOMMENDATIONS Mesa Verde is becoming well and favorably known throughout the length and breadth of the land, and again for the second time in the past three seasons it will undoubtedly lead all national parks in percentage of increase of travel over that of the previous season. Our most imperative needs are first and foremost: 1. Sufficient water to care for the conservative needs of visitors, operators, park employees, and park construction. Wider and hard-surfaced roads, reduction of grades of 10 to 20 per cent to a maximum of 8 per cent, and correction of hairpin turns and excessively quick switchbacks. 3. Increased appropriations so that Mesa Verde can meet the requirements that a 50 per cent growth in attendance in a single season demands. GLACIER NATIONAL PARK CHARLES J. KRAEBEL, Superintendent, Belton, Mont. GENERAL STATEMENT Glacier National Park, comprising 1,534 square miles of the State of Montana, is bordered on all sides by great public land areas. Northward is Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada, eastward the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, southward the Flathead National Forest, and westward the Blackfeet National Forest. Its claim for national park status is its inclusion of the most rugged and scenic portion of the Rocky Mountains, containing more than 60 glaciers and over 200 lakes, the waters of which drain to the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans. During the past year there has been added to the park a total of 746.73 acres as a result of two land exchanges by special act of Congress approved March 3, 1917 (39 Stat. 1122). These exchanges were consummated by giving timber only in exchange for lands and timber. The standing timber on the total of 1,488 acres, which was given in exchange, lies in the southwest corner of the park in an area never visited by travelers and entirely out of sight of all traffic. There still remains within the exterior boundaries of Glacier Park 15,761.28 acres of privately owned lands. ADMINISTRATION The park is administered by a superintendent, 2 assistant superintendents, 1 of whom is also chief ranger, a clerical force of 4 permanent and 3 temporary employees, and the ranger force consisting of 13 permanent rangers, 12 temporary rangers, 1 assistant chief ranger, and 2 first assistant chief rangers. The addition of four rangers to our staff during the past year, has greatly increased the efficiency of our field force. During December, 1923, former superintendent J. Ross Eakin was transferred to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and Charles J. Kraebel took over the superintendency of Glacier in February, 1924. TOURIST ACCOMMODATIONS AND FACILITIES For the accommodation of travelers there are a number of excellent hotels and chalets. Those on the east side of the park are operated by the Glacier Park Hotel Co. and include two large hotels-Glacier Park Hotel at Glacier Park Station, accommodating 400 guests, and Many Glaciers Hotel at Lake McDermott, 55 miles from the railroad, accommodating 500 guests. The chalet groups are located at points of vantage accessible for the most part one from the other, in a day by horseback or hiking. Glacier Hotel with its numerous cottages accommodating 400 guests, situated on Lake McDonald on the west side of the park, is operated by Mr. John E. Lewis. At the head of Lake McDonald is Park Cabin Resort (Geduhns) and at the foot is Apgar, at both of which there are a number of cottages for travelers' use. At the foot of the lake, Lake McDonald Camp (Gold Bros.) has increased its accommodations by the erection of six attractive cottages. Skyland Camps at Bowman Lake is also a popular tourist center. TRANSPORTATION Visitors arriving by rail are distributed by motor busses and touring cars operated by the Glacier Park Transportation Co. All of the larger lakes are traversed by launches operated by the hotel company or by individual concessioners. The Park Saddle-Horse Co. maintained over 800 saddle horses and gave the public the best saddle-horse service that has ever been given. A notable achievement was the movement, without the slightest difficulty, of a hiking party of 210 members of the Sierra Club of California, on a three weeks camping trip through the park. The transportation company greatly increased its facilities this year and were prepared to handle a far greater travel than the season developed. NATURE GUIDE SERVICE Our nature-guide service was most efficiently maintained again this year by Dr. M. J. Elrod of the University of Montana. Although greatly handicapped by lack of a Government building to accommodate his work, Doctor Elrod was furnished space in the lobby of Many Glaciers Hotel and his displays and talks filled a very distinct need of thousands of visitors. Besides maintaining a considerable display of flowers, Doctor Elrod prepared an excellent exposition of the geological history of the park, which aroused great interest. He made many field trips and constantly supplied our office with publicity matter for the press. His most notable achievement during the past year has been the publication of a complete guide to Glacier National Park, fulfilling a most urgent demand on the part of the traveling public. TRAVEL An early spring stimulated an increase of travel to the park, particularly through the western entrances, this being entirely motor travel. Although a great increase in total registration for the season was anticipated, this hope was not fulfilled because of peculiar conditions throughout the Eastern States. Cool weather and a temporary financial depression caused a pronounced falling off of rail travel, which continued throughout the season. A significant feature has been the steady increase of automobile travel, in spite of adverse conditions. This year we had over 1,100 more automobiles than last year. With so great an increase in one year of poor travel there will undoubtedly result a vastly greater increase in a favorable year, thus placing a severe strain upon our automobile camp ground accommodations. There is no doubt that the completion of the Transmountain Road will result in a tremendous increase of motor visitors to Glacier National Park. The following table shows the kind and amount of travel to the park during the past year: Increase_ 33, 372 33, 988. 616. 6,756 5, 599 1, 157 22, 090 16, 236 5, 854 The automobiles traveling through Glacier National Park this year came from every State in the Union-except Alabama, Georgia, New Mexico, and North Carolina-and from Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, and Denmark. ACCIDENTS This has been a tragic year for Glacier Park. On July 5 a young boy, son of an employee at Going-to-the-Sun Chalets, was drowned in St. Mary Lake at that point; on June 30 a young woman employee at Many Glaciers Hotel died from injuries sustained in a fall on Mt. Altyn. August 24 two young men, brothers, disappeared while hiking from Granite Park Chalet to Glacier Hotel on Lake McDonald. Although a thorough search was conducted for more than a month by a large crew of expert mountaineers, our rangers, and hunters with trained dogs no trace has been found of these men and no theory regarding their disappearance can be advanced. REVENUES The revenues collected and transmitted to the service during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1924, together with the principal sources, are as follows: WEATHER The total precipitation for the year, October 1, 1923, to September 30, 1924, was 30.26 inches. With the exception of a severe rain and snow storm on June 6 the entire season has been a succession of delightful summer weather with occasional storms. ROADS The most important feature in the park with respect to roads is the construction of the Transmountain Road over the Continental Divide through Logan Pass. On the west side this road was completed to Avalanche Creek, a distance of 4 miles from its former terminus. The road from the foot of Lake McDonald to Avalanche Creek was placed in excellent condition before June 1, but the storm of June 6 caused many slides and washouts, which required costly emergency measures. The St. Mary link of the Transmountain Road, extending from St. Mary Chalet to the "Golden Stairs," a distance of 7 miles, was under construction during the year. On July 30 contract was let for an extension of the Transmountain Road from Avalanche Creek eastward. It is extremely gratifying to record that a large survey party under the direction of Mr. F. A. Kittredge, of the Bureau of Public Roads, was established in camp at Logan Pass in mid-September to make a complete survey of the entire Transmountain Road. Due largely to the services of an excellent road foreman the west side road system was maintained at a higher standard than ever before in the history of Glacier Park. Through the aid of the Flathead County commissioners we were given the use of two trucks for North Fork road repairs, and a fund of $300 was set aside by them for much needed repairs to bridges and corduroys on this road. We were also fortunate in securing for our east-side roads a foreman whose engineering training made possible the accomplishment of much good work. The Two Medicine Road, as in former years, has been a source of great trouble, several minor accidents having occurred as a result of its bad condition. On September 12 a contract was let for the construction of the much-needed 10 miles of road from Babb northward to the international boundary. While this road is being constructed from Federal, State, and county funds, its maintenance will devolve upon the park administration. It is encouraging also to note the activity of the State Highway Commission and various neighboring counties in improving as rapidly as possible the several approach roads to the park. Great credit should be given to the Park-to-Park Highway Association, the Y/G B-Line Association, and the Roosevelt Highway Association for their efforts and achievements in improving these various highways. TRAILS The storm of June 6, which came at a time when most of our trails had been opened for the season, placed a great strain upon our maintenance funds. During the year a portion of the trail from Sperry Chalet to Sperry Glacier was constructed, but the workers encountered much costly rockwork and only about half of the intended trail was completed. The trail from Browns Pass to Kintla Lake is still under construction and traverses a wonderfully scenic country. Although the appropriation for this trail was cut, an effort will be made to push the trail through to its destination under partial construction. BUILDINGS The following buildings were authorized in our 1925 appropriation and work on them is in progress: Ranger cabin at the head of Lake McDonald, six snowshoe cabins or patrol cabins in outlying sections of the park, two fire lookout cabins, one on Huckleberry Mountain, one on Indian Ridge, and registration station at Belton entrance. HYDROELECTRIC PLANT Considerable trouble was experienced during the past year with the Pelton wheel in the hydroelectric plant at Belton headquarters. An unsuccessful attempt was made to rectify this by the installation of a new wheel under the direct supervision of an expert from the Pelton Wheel Co. FISH The waters of Glacier Park have more than ever before satisfied the demands of visitors for good fishing. The work of stocking was continued throughout the season, but the extensive program of stocking planned could not be carried out completely for lack of the necessary fry and eyed eggs. A total of 1,468,830 fry and eyed eggs were planted in park waters during the year. NATIVE ANIMALS A count of wild animals in Glacier Park has been conducted during the past three years by our ranger force. While it is manifestly impossible to obtain an exact count of wild animals in so large an area as Glacier Park, nevertheless it is believed that the estimates reflect with fair accuracy the status of our game. A noticeable increase in all species of wild life was observed since the beginning of this game check. The hunting of predatory animals was continued during the year and mountain lions and coyotes were destroyed by ranger hunters. The small number of mountain lions caught indicates that these animals are extremely rare in the park; it is doubtful whether further hunting should be done until their number appears to increase. Smaller The following tables show the number of different kinds of game in the park. animals were not counted, and this check covers the big-game animals only. A total of 16 forest fires was fought and extinguished in the park during the past season at a total cost of about $8,000. More than two-thirds of this expense could have been saved if proper equipment of portable pumps had been possessed by the park. The practice of brush burning by road contractors in dry weather, without the permission of the superintendent, has been vigorously condemned. The following is a detailed statement of fires and their cost, also cause: Location Cause Cost Middle Fork River, west of park head- Sparks blowing across river from brush fires on H. E. Vaught's ranch. Brush fires on right of way of Transmountain Electrical storm.. do.. Sparks from brush fires on private property. do.. 1 The cost of the last three fires has not yet been determined, but it is estimated at $2,000. TELEPHONES $171. 74 3, 888. 66 237.83 No cost. 1,347. 55 No cost. 290,51 12, 000. 00 7,936. 29 New telephone lines were authorized from Bowman Lake to Waterton Lake through Browns Pass, and from Sherburne Lake ranger station to the international boundary line, connecting with the Belly River ranger station. VIOLATIONS OF REGULATIONS There were no convictions of violations of park regulations before the United States commissioner during the past season. Several motorists brought before the superintendent for speeding were converted into assistants to help enforce our speed laws. During September of last year George E. Snyder drove into the park at the Belton entrance, colliding with the Government team and wagon. Snyder was in an intoxicated condition, and he was apprehended and tried before the United States commissioner on October 3, 1923, for reckless driving A fine of $500 and costs and six months in jail was imposed. Snyder served seven months when application was made for release on account of insufficient funds to pay his fine. Snyder was also charged by the Federal officers with transporting liquor, and trial was held in the United States district court at Great Falls on September 8, 1924. He plead guilty and was fined $5 and costs. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Roads. Without doubt one of our most urgent needs is the completion of the Logan Pass Road. It is earnestly requested that a large appropriation be obtained for expenditure upon this road during the coming year. If a sum of $400,000 could be made available in one year, it would be possible to interest a better class of contractors to compete for the work, and so guarantee its execution in the most efficient and satisfactory manner. The North Fork Road requires a complete relocation and survey, including a spur road to Logging Lake and a road following Kishenehn Creek to the international boundary. The Blackfeet Highway requires relocation, widening, and straightening in many places. Several new bridges must be placed across the Two Medicine and Cut Bank streams. The road from Babb to Many Glacier while requiring only minor changes, must have these changes carefully planned. Cooperation by the Washington office with the National Park Service of the Dominion of Canada is urged, in order to bring about the enlargement of Waterton Lakes National Park so that its western boundary will coincide with the western boundary of Glacier Park to guarantee the protection of great numbers of moose and deer which annually drift across the international boundary. The assistance of the Washington office is also needed to push the completion of a road through Waterton Lakes Park to connect with our North Fork Road and Babb Road. An international conference of park executives and superintendents of Canada and of the United States is recommended for our mutual benefit. 2. Camp grounds.-The rapid development of automobile camp grounds on a large scale is required. The completion of the Transmountain Road will bring into Glacier Park a flood of motor campers. A special appropriation of $15,000 per year for the next four or five years will be needed. 3. Telephones. The great need of telephonic communication between administrative headquarters of the east and west sides of the park has been demonstrated this season. 4. Trails.-Ten miles of new trail are needed, extending northward along the Garden Wall from Granite Park, at the 7,000-foot level, to Ahern Pass and on to Flattop Mountain at Mount Kipp. A short trail from Ahern Pass to Helen Lake is a logical sequence to the Granite-Kipp trail. Restoration of trail appropriations cut from our 1926 estimates is recommended. 5. Privately owned lands in Glacier Park.-An act of Congress should be secured, authorizing appropriations to purchase private lands within Glacier Park. A similar act is required to exchange State lands within the park for public domain lands outside. 6. Tourist accommodations. A conference of concessioners is recommended to consider plans for the development of accommodations along the route of the Transmountain Road. The landscape engineering department should be represented at this conference at which should be discussed the matter of permanent camps. The establishment of a series of horse and hiker camps throughout the northern section of the park is recommended. 7. Buildings.-At Belton headquarters, a bunk and mess house is badly needed. The residence for the assistant superintendent and the United States commissioner, which were cut from the 1926 appropriation should be stoutly defended for 1927. The ranger station cut from the 1926 appropriation will have to be built in 1927, since repairs made to the old building can not make it suitable for permanent occupation. Removal of the public-comfort station from its present location between the administration office and the superintendent's residence, to its proper place opposite the registration station, is needed. More snowshoe cabins are required to safeguard the lives of our rangers when on game patrols during the severe winter months. At Glacier Park suitable fences are needed to keep the great numbers of the Indians' horses and stock out of the lawns and door yards of the park community. A museum building is very badly needed at Many Glaciers. The work of the park naturalist has been carried on, under great disadvantage, in one corner of the hotel lobby. The assembling of a collection of representative specimens of mammals and birds of the park, has been started and the housing of this and other interesting collections is a matter that deserves consideration. 8. Electric power. The present hydroelectric plant at headquarters is overtaxed by the burden of merely lighting the community. There is not sufficient current to drive the machinery of our carpenter shop. Plans should be developed for a large hydroelectric development as a source of power and light. 9. Fish.-The Bureau of Fisheries should be induced to operate its hatchery at Glacier Park to maximum capacity. CONCLUSION The A grateful acknowledgment is made of the invaluable assistance of the headquarters staff in helping me to master details of park administration in this my first season. intimate knowledge of the entire park business, possessed by Assistant Superintendent Hutchings, has been chiefly responsible for the successful administration of the park this season. Grateful acknowledgment is due to my predecessor, J. Ross Eakin, for the memo randa which he left before his departure, and for the numerous good works which he had initiated during his administration at Glacier. I must also extend acknowledgments to the hotels and the motor transport company for the accommodations they have always cheerfully furnished; and to the saddle horse company for the freequent use of horses on my many trips. The encouragement and assistance given me by Superintendent Albright, field assistant to the director, at Yellowstone Park, has been an important feature in enabling me to cope with many difficult problems. The visit of Director Mather, from August 1 to August 11, was a source of great inspiration to the entire staff and leads me to express the hope that more frequent contact with members of the Washington office may be made possible. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK ROGER W. TOLL, Superintendent, Estes Park, Colo. GENERAL STATEMENT Rocky Mountain National Park was created by the act of January 26, 1915 (38 Stat., 798). Under the act approved February 14, 1917 (39 Stat.. 916), an area of approximately 43 square miles was added, making the present area of the park 3972 square miles. About 8 per cent of the area within the park boundaries is held in private ownership, having been acquired prior to the creation of the park. The village of Estes Park is the principal eastern entrance to the national park and is a mile and a half east of the park boundary. Denver, the largest city near the park, is 70 miles distant. The eastern side of the park is reached by three automobile routes and the western side is reached by way of Grand Lake. The entire park lies at an elevation of more than 7,500 feet and is free from oppressive heat in summer. The park is easily and quickly reached from large centers of population. These factors, combined with the beauty and grandeur of the region, draw large numbers of visitors every season. The park contains 68 miles of road, about 100 miles of trail, and 75 miles of telephone lines. ORGANIZATION The permanent organization of the park consists of the superintendent, chief clerk and special disbursing agent, clerk-accountant, chief ranger, assistaut chief ranger, two permanent rangers, and one auto mechanic. In addition, one temporary clerk-stenographer, one information clerk, one ranger-naturalist, and nine temporary rangers were |