Turn off the lights to see

It’s a clear night, not a cloud in the sky, a perfect night to look at the stars, except for one thing, there are no visible stars in the sky.

This is due to one contributing factor: light pollution.

Light pollution is the excessive use of artificial light. This is seen mostly in heavily populated areas. According to darksky.org, light pollution is the side effect of industrial civilization.

Sources of artificial light are interior and exterior lighting from buildings, illuminated advertising signs, commercial properties, factories, streetlights and illuminated sporting stadiums.

The International Dark-Sky Association shared four components of light pollution. These four components are glare, sky glow, light trespass, and clutter.

Glare is excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort. Sky glow is brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas. Light trespass is light falling where it is not intended or needed. Lastly, clutter is bright, confusing groupings of light sources.

The majority of light pollution that people are used to is light trespass. Many sources of outdoor light are either overly bright or poorly targeted. With this inefficient lighting, light pollution is made.

In an effort to give the stars their light again, the International Dark Sky Association is working with land managers and other organizations to develop Dark Sky Reserves.

Dark Sky Reserves, according to darksky.org, is a public or private land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural, heritage and/or public enjoyment.

There are only 12 Dark Sky Reserves in the world and only one in the United States.

The single Dark Sky Reserve in the United States is located in Central Idaho and is approximately 1, 416 square miles.

The Idaho Dark Sky Reserve was designated in 2017 and has been an area of not only exclusion in the night, but hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding throughout the day.

There isn’t much space in the United States to have access to an off the grid experience. The Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is the place for the off the grid experience.

“Visitors can have a truly ‘off-grid’ experience, with access to neither electricity nor mobile phone service across thousands of square kilometers,” according to darksky.org.

The International Dark Sky Association has specific guidelines for Dark Sky Reserves, among those guidelines there are specific goals that the Dark Sky Reserve is attempting to meet with each reserve made.

A couple of the goals listed are to encourage land administrators, surrounding communities and private interests to identify dark skies as a valuable resource in need of proactive protection, also, to provide international recognition of such sites.

There are many ways you can prevent light pollution. One of those is buying certified outdoor lighting features.
 
Actions can also be made to develop lighting ordinances in your local communities.

March 13, 2019March 13, 2019 by Victoria Fowler Categories: Senior ProjectTags: dark sky, environment, Idaho, light, light pollution, outdoor, outside, pollution, stars Leave a comment

5 hikes you need to try

Lace up your hiking boots and hit the trail! The Southeastern Idaho area is home to hundreds of hikes all over the region, ranging from the perfect “getting started” hike to the more skilled trail. Whatever your skill level, the southeastern Idaho area has you set to begin your hiking journey.

Listed below are five must-do hikes in the area.

All ratings are based on alltrails.com

Beginner:

Cress Creek- Nestled along the Snake River, in Ririe, Idaho, the Cress Creek trail is a 1.3-mile trail that is accessible to any level hiker. The beginning of the trail, leading to the loop is a gradual incline on a paved walkway.

Once you reach the split to go around the loop the trail becomes a gravel path, but easy to navigate. Once in the loop, there are some steeper sections, but nothing too difficult.

Cress Creek trail is the perfect taste of the beauty southeastern Idaho holds. The trail can be accessed all year round but is best to visit June through October.

​Bloomington Lake Trail– No need for an Eifel Tower while in Paris, Idaho with this hike to a beautiful lake. The Bloomington Lake Trail is an out and back 1.4-mile hike.

This hike is perfect for beginners and offers gorgeous views of the area. About a half a mile in the hike, there is a smaller body of water, but don’t let this fool you, at the end of the hike Bloomington Lake is a beautiful reward.

This hike is best accessed March through October, although if you do take this trail earlier in the year be prepared for snow.

Moderate:
Mystic Falls– One of the many wonders of Yellowstone National Park, Mystic Falls is the perfect hike to get away from the busy attractions of the national park.

Mystic Falls is a 3.6- mile hike that starts at the Biscuit Basin Geyser and leads you through trees up to an incredible overlook and then to the falls.

This hike is a little harder than the rest because of its distance but also the 546 ft. elevation gain through the trees.

Be sure though when you come to the first split in the trail to take the right path, this will bring you to the overlook and gives you an incredible view of Yellowstone National Park.

​Difficult:
Table Rock- With stunning views of the Teton Mountains, Table Rock is a difficult out and back 12-mile hike, but is worth every step. Located in Alta, Wyoming, Table Rock is the perfect hike for the experienced hiker.

The trail begins right off with switchbacks that lead to the beauty of the Jedediah Smith Wilderness. The trail is easy to navigate through these fields of green. Along the trail, there are streams and parts of rivers to be crossed. Previous hikers have gone through and made log bridges to easily pass over the water.

This trail is best used from July to September. Any sooner than these times will give some difficulty with snow. This hike gets its difficult title from its 4,140 ft. elevation gain. As difficult as this hike may be, it is a beautiful experience for each hiker.

Cascade Canyon Trail- Of the many hikes in Grand Teton National Park, Cascade Canyon Trail, is a must do. This hike is an out and back 9.3-mile trail near Beaver Creek, Wyoming.
The trail begins on the Shore of Jenny Lake and takes you into the Cascade Canyon. This hike brings you up to Inspiration Point, which gives great views of the national park but doesn’t stop here.

This trail will take you farther into the canyon giving spectacular views and a memorable experience that will keep you coming back.

This trail is best accessed April to September and has an elevation gain of 1,066. The first part of this trail is rather steep, but after the first mile, the elevation is a gradual incline. Following a creek through the canyon, this hike offers all that the Grand Teton National Park has to offer.

December 4, 2018March 13, 2019 by Victoria Fowler Categories: Senior ProjectTags: Grand Teton National Park, hiking, Idaho, lakes, need to do, outdoors, outside, rivers, trails, waterfalls, Wyoming, yellowstone Leave a comment