Now's the time to take to the Teton Park Road with your bike/NPS, Jackie Skaggs

For the next five weeks you can enjoy traveling the Teton Park Road in Grand Teton National Park by bike, roller-blades or skis, or simply walking. The road has melted down to pavement in most places and is now open to non-motorized recreation. Springtime visitors can look forward to access on this park road for nearly five weeks before it opens to private vehicles for the summer travel season on Friday, May 1.

Although the Teton Park Road is open for non-motorized use, springtime recreationalists must be alert for park vehicles that periodically travel this roadway for administrative purposes as spring opening continues. Road crews are still in the process of clearing other auxiliary roads and wayside areas, and visitors are cautioned to keep a safe distance from the heavy equipment that may be operating at various locations.

Annual plowing of the Teton Park Road is a process that can take several weeks to complete, depending on the depth and consistency of the snowpack. Due to the relatively thin snow cover this year, removal operations on the Teton Park Road have taken just one week's time.

Visitors are reminded that dogs are permitted on the Teton Park Road. Owners are required to keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet in length, and are required to use waste disposal bags to pick up after their dogs. Mutt Mitt stations are in place at the Taggart Lake parking area.

Don't forget, bears are now out of hibernation and active again in Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Consequently, park visitors need to be alert for bears and take appropriate precautions when using the Teton Park Road and other park areas. Visitors should exercise common sense and good judgment, stay alert, and follow these recommended safety tips while biking, hiking or spring skiing:

* Make noise

* Travel in a group of three or more

* Carry bear spray and know how to use it

* Maintain a 100-yard distance from bears at all times

* Never approach a bear under any circumstances

People should also report bear sightings or sign to the nearest visitor center or ranger station. Timely reporting will help park staff to provide important safety messages about bear activity to other visitors.