National Park Service: eHikes May 24, 2006
Best Practice: Glacier National Park, Montana
Prepared by Kassandra Hardy
Background
In recognizing that not everyone is able to reach remote North West Montana, or perhaps more specifically- various destinations within Glacier National Park, the park’s media team set out to connect people through innovative technology. In November 2005, Glacier National Park launched an innovative interpretive technique to connect people, near and afar, with the wonders of their million acre park: eHikes. Each eHike (electronic hike), whether it is a short jaunt or a backpacking trip, allows visitors to view pictures (including 360 degree panoramas), watch videos, and listen to the sounds of nature with a simple click of their mouse. A Glacier Park eHike is a multi-use tool that not only assists in trip planning, but also connects and reconnects visitors to the Crown of the Continent ecosystem. This electronic opportunity provides all individuals with the opportunity to see and imagine Glacier’s wilderness, whether they are physically capable or not. The short wait to download this interactive and engaging experience has been done by over 30,000 visitors, in just the past 6 months!
General Project Purpose
Connect millions of visitors, both near and afar, to the wonders of the National Park Service through innovative computer technology.
Goal
- Connect people to parks and inspire stewardship for our nation’s greatest resources.
Objectives
- Attract, captivate, and engage young generations throughout the nation in park activities
- Create opportunities for visitors to learn about and participate in their National Parks
- Utilize this accessibility tool for those not physically able (handicap, young children, prison mates, etc) to experience different parts of parks (i.e. back country, mountain passes, etc)
- Heighten awareness of accessible and inexpensive, natural and cultural opportunities available
Case Study: Glacier National Park
Benefits/Results
Glacier National Park (GNP) is nestled in the North West corner of Montana. Glacier preserves over 1,000,000 acres of forests, alpine meadows, and lakes. Its diverse habitats are home to over 70 species of mammals and over 260 species of birds. The spectacular glaciated landscape is a hiker’s paradise containing over 700 miles of maintained trails that lead deep into one of the largest intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states.
GNP’s Non-personal Interpretive Media Team is comprised of a small, yet highly productive group of folks. In the late 90s, driven by Interpretive Specialist Bill Hayden, they set out to create the first Electronic Field Trip. This relatively inexpensive and innovative project was the first of its kind, and turned out to be popular among several other parks. Following this technological accomplishment, the team began to work on the possibility of Webcams in the park. Today, one can view live images from 5 locations within the park year-round. These Webcams were and are made possible by the generous support of the Glacier Natural History Association, the Glacier Fund, and several website visitors that have donated funds to purchase cameras.
Utilizing the latest technological tools, lead by Visual Information Specialist David Restivo, the team set out to craft another new way to visit Glacier National Park. In November 2005, they launched the ever popular concept of eHikes. This multi-use tool has the ability to connect and reconnect visitors to one of America’s finest gems. The site currently hosts two of the most popular hikes in the park: Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake, and Dawson-Pitamakan Pass Loop. The specialists hope to launch two more eHikes during summer 2006: Apgar Lookout and Red Eagle Lake Trail.
Visitor Feedback on eHikes:
“PLEASE continue to create more great and new interactive eHikes for us! I really think that you have pioneered something here which should be adopted for other national park sites. I can’t wait to get to Glacier National Park for real this Friday!”
-North Hollywood, CA
“There’s soooo many neat things to do on this virtual hike…I think I’d rather do this in my cube than actually be on the hikes- it’s warmer and there are less bugs.”
-Washington, DC
“I think this is a great way to interact with and capture the attention of a younger demographic of hikers.”
“The Avalanche eHike is thought provoking. What was I thinking during the hike? Thank you for providing this resource and helping me relive the wonder of Glacier Park.”
-West Virginia
“Your eHike on this area brought it all back! It’s better than my photo album! Outstanding use of technology and a wonderful reminder of our trip. (Please add more eHikes when you can!)
“I visited GNP in 2004. Now I live in Japan and I am very happy to be able to use this eHike!! Yesterday my wife and I had a nice time taking this eHike. I am looking forward to seeing new eHikes!”
-Kitahama, Japan
“I just did the eHike for Glacier’s Avalanche Lake, and it was simply awesome. The interaction was fun and easy to use.”
“This eHike is just like the real thing. I check the site everyday for new hikes- Give me more!!!”
-Daytona Beach, FL
“I am a fighter pilot in Iraq- and my wife and I are avid outdoors people. It makes my day when I can take a hike in Glacier even if it’s from behind my computer. Thank you so much for this.”
“I only had 3 days to spend at Glacier- and now I can see hikes I didn’t get to go on. I love the eHikes. I hope someone helps you lug your tripod on these hikes!”
-New York, NY
“Love the new eHikes- it let’s me ‘be’ in the most beautiful place in the world while sitting at my computer.”
-Durham, NC
The Non-personal Interpretive Media Team in GNP, not surprisingly, has continued to reach out to its visitors in new ways. In January 2006, they launched a new experiment with Podcasts. This novel delivery tool is designed to supply information to park visitors. Currently the park website hosts two Audio Podcasts discussing bear and water safety. Wildlife Biologist John Waller discusses ways to keep both people and bears safe in the backcountry of GNP, while Park Naturalist Kim Redding talks about the hazards of swift moving water in GNP and how to avoid potentially fatal or dangerous accidents. There is also the hope of adapting eHikes for Podcasts in the near future.
Glacier National Park eHikes can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/glac/eHikes.htm
Project Contacts
Bill Hayden
Interpretive Specialist
National Park Service
Glacier National Park
West Glacier, Montana
phone 406.888.7927
David Restivo
Visual Information Specialist
Visual Information Specialist
National Park Service
Glacier National Park
West Glacier, Montana
Glacier National Park
West Glacier, Montana
phone 406.888.7933
Kassandra Hardy
SCA/Unilever Congressional NPS Intern
National Park Service
National Capital Region
1100 Ohio Drive, SW Room 339
Washington, DC 20242
cell 518.369.9357
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