The Alpine Connection Co.

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

Crisp, cooler air, shorter days and leaves turning brilliant shades of gold, orange and red. Add the haunting sound of bull elk bugling across the meadows, and you've got the magic of fall at Rocky Mountain National Park.

It’s a gorgeous sight and signals that winter is just around the corner in the southern Rocky Mountains!

Photo at Rocky Mountain National Park by Jim Garrison

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

Don’t overlook these overlooks! Foothills Parkway is one of the best ways to enjoy fall color in the Smokies—with less traffic. 🍁

Located in Tennessee, the Parkway spans three separate sections. Two sit along the park’s northwestern edge: the stretch between Wears Valley and Walland, and the section between Walland and US‑129. These can be driven together and offer numerous scenic pullouts, a picnic area, a campground, and even a short hike to the Look Rock Observation Tower.

On the eastern side, Foothills Parkway East offers an even quieter drive. Just outside Cosby, this shorter segment features beautiful overlooks with sweeping views of the Smokies.

Learn more about Foothills Parkway on our website (link in comments).



NPS / Kenzie Connor Photo

10/19/2026

Staying a safe distance from wildlife isn’t just a guideline—it’s one of the most important ways visitors can protect both themselves and the animals that call Glacier National Park home. ️

Research has consistently shown that when people approach wildlife too closely, animals experience elevated stress levels, changes in feeding and movement patterns, and—most concerning—an increased likelihood of defensive behavior. These disruptions can affect an animal’s long-term health, impact survival rates, and alter entire ecosystems. For visitors, close encounters significantly raise the risk of injury. Even animals that appear calm or uninterested can react unpredictably when they feel crowded or threatened.

That’s why Glacier follows science-backed best practices recommending that visitors remain at least:

🏔 100 yards from bears and wolves
🏔 25 yards from all other wildlife

Giving animals space reduces stress, prevents dangerous encounters, and helps ensure that wildlife remains wild. It also allows everyone to appreciate Glacier’s incredible natural environment responsibly and respectfully.

Thank you for helping protect the park, its wildlife, and your fellow visitors. Together, we can keep Glacier safe for all who roam its landscapes—on two legs or four.

10/19/2026

Snow on the mountain... in October?

We haven't seen our first snowfall yet, but Snow on the Mountain (Euphorbia marginata) is a common annual plant found throughout the Badlands. A member of the spurge family, it is related to the poinsettia. Like its famous holiday cousin, the plant's white "petals" are actually modified leaves surrounding the small flowers.

First described by the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Snow on the Mountain is one of the Great Plains' late-season bloomers, adding bright splashes of white to the prairie well into autumn.

The dark soil in this photo may seem unusual among the light sediments for which Badlands National Park is known. This area was the site of a prescribed fire in 2025. Just one year later, the Mixed Grass Prairie continues to teem with life.

NPS Photo/K. Tarbet