Another Day in Paradise…

Driving through Hayden Valley during the annual bison rut is a spectacle to
behold. Last week with our group we were fortunate to find hundreds of bison
right along the road. This is not always the case. The old saying about bison
is, they take a bite, they take a step, take a bite, take a step. In fact,
several days later when I returned the bison were well away from the road.
However, on August 16 we felt like we were on the set of the epic western movie, Dances With Wolves! The bulls were very rambunctious—going at it head to head, creating dust clouds from their wallows, and chasing the cows all over the place.

After our up close and personal encounter with so many bison (viewed safely from inside our vehicle—remember, the park requires a minimum distance of 25 yards between bison and visitors, and 100 yards between visitors and bears), we headed to Fishing Bridge Visitor Center. This wonderfully rustic and quaint building was constructed in the 1930s, and sits right along the shore of Yellowstone Lake, the second largest lake in the world at such a high elevation (7733 feet).  The back door of the visitor center opens right out to a stone balcony overlooking the beach of the lake. From here you can ponder the incredible thermal activity that has been discovered at depths to over 400 feet! The detailed relief map of Yellowstone Lake is a relatively new addition at Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and is not to be missed.

Near Bridge Bay we encountered some large buck mule deer resting in a meadow.   The grass was so deep that all you could see were their large racks of antlers, which made for neat photos!

Butch Bach

Guide

August, Friday the 13th.

Our evening tour started in the rain, and it was a bit more than our usual 20 minute thunderstorms.   As soon  as we arrived at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the weather  cleared up for a great view.

On the north rim drive, we were  especially happy to see the osprey chicks still in the nest.  The 3 of  them are huge!  They were all stretching their wings and active from  the rain storm.   We then stopped on the north side of Dunraven Pass  and watched some elk, but as soon a we loaded up and turned the next  corner a sow grizzly and her 2 cubs walked a ridge in front of us.

Our group included a family from New York and 2 families from Italy.
The guests from Italy are touring the west in RV’s and just arrived
from Arches National Park.  As we entered the Lamar Valley they were
especially happy to see hundreds of bison.  At first, they were miles
away.  Then we ended up in the middle of a few dozen bison on all
sides.  It’s the rut, and that means a lot of activity.  Snortin’,
fighting, drooling and they stink worse than a geyser.  It’s a lot of
fun to watch.

We stopped at Slough Creek to try a catch a glimpse of
some wolves.  It’s a den location, so if you are there long enough
they will show up.  We missed some activity by a few minutes.
On our way to Mammoth, we stopped to watch a herd of antelope near the
petrified tree.  It was pretty dark by the time we got to Bunsen Peak
area and we watched some more elk, but much closer than before.  The
cow calls were clear and made all the kids laugh.  It was fun tour
with fun people, Cheers!

Our day began near Gardiner at the north entrance, so we decided to travel the
upper loop of the park. After passing a herd of elk right in the middle of the
old Fort Yellowstone complex, we headed up to the Upper Terrace Drive at
Mammoth. Here, we walked around the very colorful Orange Mound Spring, where the new travertine deposits appear to be taking over a portion of the road!

I’m always amazed at how easy it is to find quiet solitude in Yellowstone, even
on the busiest of days. Short walks to such spots as Apollinaris Spring, Ice
Lake, and Crystal Falls provided us with such an experience. A slightly longer
hike along the north rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone produced
awe-inspiring views deep into the colorful gorge, as well as a good view of
Silver Cord Cascade, the park’s tallest waterfall.  After strolling along the canyon’s edge at Calcite Springs to view the unique and fascinating geologic formations, we began our descent back to Mammoth.  Along the way, the youngster in our group was delighted as we passed two black
bears and one grizzly near the road, all digging and feeding naturally in the
forest and meadows.

A few of us Alpen guides drive south through the northwest corner of Yellowstone most days.  It gives our guests coming from the Big Sky area a chance to see the Gallatin and lower reaches of the Madison river before we arrive in West Yellowstone to enter the Park’s interior.  This year, with the ample spring moisture, wildflowers along the road are abundant and delightful.  Rainbows of color call for a glimpse and for the first time I remember, Bitterroot (Montana State Flower) could be seen if we stopped at JUST the right spot.  It is like finding a treasure.  In the evenings, this special corner of the park has seen quite a bit of bear activity.  A few of the bears are seen most often and one has a blond streak across the back shoulder earning it the nick-name “Streak”.  It’s important to remember the 100 yard rule (stay at least that far from a bear).

Summer is young and we have more days to look forward to in the park!

Yellowstone National Park

• Yellowstone Reports Record Visitation for Third Month in a Row
  It has been a record-breaking summer for Yellowstone National Park. Visitation figures for June, July, and now August, have all shattered previous records.
• Park Reminds Visitors to Stay Safe Distance from Wildlife This Fall
  The onset of fall in Yellowstone, with its cooler temperatures and snow in the high country, prompts many animals to start moving to lower elevations. Yellowstone’s road corridors, campgrounds, and other developments were built primarily in lower elevation areas. This can result in great wildlife viewing opportunities for visitors. However, with these opportunities comes an increased risk of visitors being injured if they get too close to wildlife. It can be challenging to manage both wildlife behaving naturally and the people viewing them.
• Hunters Reminded of Yellowstone Regulations
  With the opening of hunting seasons on lands surrounding Yellowstone National Park, hunters are reminded that hunting is not permitted within the park. Though most of the park boundary is well marked, it is the responsibility of the hunters to ensure they do not hunt within the park.
• Canyon Rim Paving Project to Begin After Labor Day
  Work is set to begin right after the Labor Day holiday weekend on a stretch of road along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
• Yellowstone’s Tenth Biennial Scientific Conference Will Focus on Climate, Land Use, and Invasive Species Issues
  Yellowstone National Park is inviting the public to learn more about their public lands and climate change by attending the Tenth Biennial Scientific Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The conference, “Questioning Greater Yellowstone’s Future: Climate, Land Use, and Invasive Species,” will be held in the park at Mammoth Hot Springs, October 11–13, 2010.
• Yellowstone Set for Final Big Weekend of Summer
  Good weather is forecast for Yellowstone National Park for the start of the Labor Day holiday weekend. This typically results in a pulse of weekend visitors, as many people from the area surrounding the park use the occasion to mark the unofficial end of summer.
• Gibbon Canyon Night Closures End
  Work is nearing completion on the section of road between Norris and Madison through Gibbon Canyon in Yellowstone National Park.
• Annual Grizzly Bear Research Set to Resume in September
  As they have for 36 years, members of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST), are set to resume research work in Yellowstone National Park.
• New Visitor Education Center Opens at Old Faithful
  Old Faithful Geyser erupted as if on cue as the keynote speaker wrapped up his remarks Wednesday at the dedication of the new Visitor Education Center at Old Faithful.
• New Visitor Center at Old Faithful Opens Wednesday
  The National Park Service is inviting the public to come to Yellowstone on Wednesday, August 25, for the dedication ceremony and grand opening of the new Visitor Education Center at Old Faithful.
• Two Bears Found Dead Near Fishing Bridge
  Two bears were found dead Tuesday in the east central section of Yellowstone National Park.
• Summer 2010 Bison Population Estimate Released
  The population is estimated to be 3,900 bison. The estimate is based on a series of aerial surveys conducted in June and July.
• Works Nears Completion on New Visitor Education Center at Old Faithful
  Public Invited to Grand Opening Wednesday, August 25
• Nine Injured In Old Faithful Lightning Strike
  Nine visitors to Yellowstone National Park were injured late Tuesday afternoon when they were struck by lightning.
• Yellowstone To Conduct Safety Checks This Weekend
  Yellowstone National Park rangers will be conducting safety and sobriety checkpoints in the park over Memorial Day weekend.
• Yellowstone Sets New Visitation Record for June
  Nearly 700,000 visitors came to Yellowstone National Park during June. It marks the second record June in a row, and the third record June out of the last four years. Visitor numbers this June are 100,000 higher than those recorded in June 2008.
• Grizzly Relocated, Norris Campground Again Open to Tents
  Visitors with tents and pop-up trailers can again camp in Yellowstone’s Norris Campground.
• Yellowstone Seeks Public Input on Proposed Lake Area Comprehensive Plan
  Yellowstone National Park has begun to develop a long-range plan to respond to changing visitor and resource needs and conditions in the Lake area.
• Bears Active Around Norris Campground
  Norris Campground in Yellowstone is temporarily restricted to hard-sided units only because of bear activity in the area.
• Habituated Yellowstone Black Bear Euthanized
  A habituated black bear was captured and euthanized by Yellowstone National Park staff on Wednesday morning.