Yellowstone National Park has to many attractions to
mention but I will offer up a few. Winter, spring,
summer,
or fall all offer their seasonal wonders.
The Lower Falls is the tallest waterfall
in the park at 308 feet. The arrow at the top of
the photo points at a group of visitors on the
platform
at the Brink of the Lower Falls.
Over the years
the estimates of the height of this falls
has varied dramatically.
In 1851 Jim Bridger estimated
its height at 250 feet. One outrageous newspaper
story from 1867 placed its height at "thousands
of feet".
A map from 1869 gives the falls its current
name of Lower Falls for the first time and
estimates
the height
at 350 feet.
It mattered little how tall the
observers thought the falls was. They
consistently write
journal
entries that
comment on its awe-inspiring nature.
A member of the 1870 Washburn party N. P. Langford
gave this
brief but
poetic description: "A grander scene
than the lower cataract of the Yellowstone
was never
witnessed by mortal
eyes."
In the heart of Yellowstone Park is a
giant blue gem called Yellowstone Lake, not a very imaginative
name, but appropriate. Yellowstone Lake is the largest lake
at high elevation (i.e., more than 7,000 ft.) in North America
with a surface area of about 84,000 acres of 132 square
miles; it is a natural lake, situated at 7,733 ft above
sea level. To the east of Yellowstone Lake are the snow-capped
peaks of the Absaroka Mountain Range and to the north the
Beartooth Mountains grace the skyline; its kind of like
Lake Tahoe except with geysers on its beaches. The Yellowstone
Lake is a beautiful, clear and deep, body of water. In the
center of our countryês first National Park.
Morning Glory Pool
NPS-Photo
Long a favored destination for park visitors, Morning
Glory Pool was named in the 1880s for its remarkable
likeness to its namesake flower. However, this beautiful
pool has fallen victim to vandalism. People have thrown
literally tons of coins, trash, rocks, and logs into
the pool. Much of the debris subsequently became embedded
in the sides and vent of the spring, affecting water
circulation and accelerating the loss of thermal energy.
Through the years Morning Glory's appearance has changed
as its temperature dropped. Orange and yellow bacteria
that formerly colored only the periphery of the spring
now spread toward its center.
Minerva Hot Spring
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Minerva Spring is a favorite not only because of its
wide range of bright colors but also for its ornate
travertine formations. Since the 1890s, when records
were first kept on the activity of Mammoth Hot Springs,
Minerva has gone through both active and inactive periods.
For several years in the early 1900s, it was completely
dry, but by 1951 reports state that Minerva was again
active. During some cycles of activity, water discharge
and mineral deposition have been so great that boardwalks
have been buried beneath mounds of newly deposited travertine.
Consequently, an elevated and movable boardwalk now
spans the hill in the vicinity of Minerva. In recent
years, hot spring activity has shifted dramatically
from Minerva to other features on the Lower Terraces,
and back again.
Grand Parismatic Spring is the largest of Yellowstone's
hot spring pools.
Mudpots
NPS-Photo
Where hot water is limited and hydrogen sulfide gas is
present (emitting the "rotten egg" smell common
to thermal areas), sulfuric acid is generated. The acid
dissolves the surrounding rock into fine particles of
silica and clay that mix with what little water there
is to form the seething and bubbling mudpots. The sights,
sounds, and smells of areas like Artist and Fountain
paint pots and Mud Volcano make these curious features
some of the most memorable in the park.
An estimated 20,000 park visitors have observed wolves
since their return in 1995. The program's visibility
has resulted in opportunities to educate audiences about
predator-prey relationships, endangered species restoration,
and the importance of maintaining intact ecosystems.
The program has also generated numerous partnerships
with private groups and individuals who generously donated
their time and money—critical in an era of reduced
budgets and staff downsizing
The grizzly bear population within the Yellowstone ecosystem
is estimated to be approximately 280-610 (Eberhardt
and Knight 1996) bears. The park does not have a current
estimate of the black bear population; black bears are
considered to be common in the park.
During the last 23 years (1980-2002), bears have
injured 32 people within YNP. Grizzly bears and
black bears were involved in 25 (78%) and 4 (13%)
of the injuries, respectively. The species of bear
could not be determined for 3 (9%) of the injuries.
Three injuries occurred within a developed area,
2 occurred during a bear management handling accident,
and 27 occurred in backcountry areas. Of the people
injured while hiking, 57% were hiking off-trail.
All (100%) backcountry hiking injuries involved
people hiking in groups of less than 3 people.
Bear Management Area restrictions reduce the chance
of bear/human encounters and the risk of bear-caused
human injury in areas with known seasonal concentrations
of grizzly bears.
Winter visitors to the park still enjoy watching and
photographing bighorns along the cliffs between Gardiner
and Mammoth, as they did 80 years ago. Annual surveys
of bighorn indicate that the resident herd on Yellowstone's
northern range consists of at least 150-225 animals.
Summering bands are found in the Gallatin and Washburn
Ranges, the Absarokas, and occasionally in the
Red Mountains. On Dunraven Pass, a section of the
Grand Loop Road in the park, a band of ewes and
lambs has become somewhat habituated to summer
traffic.
More than 30,000 elk from 7-8 different herds summer
in Yellowstone and approximately 15,000 to 22,000 winter
in the park. The subspecies of elk that lives here are
found from Arizona to northern Canada along the Rocky
Mountain chain; other species of elk were historically
distributed from coast to coast, but disappeared from
the eastern United States in the early 1800s. Some other
subspecies of elk still occupy coastal regions of California,
Washington, and Oregon. Elk are the second largest member
of the deer family (moose are larger). Adult males,
or bulls, range upwards of 700 pounds while females,
or cows, average 500-525 pounds. Their coats are reddish
brown with heavy, darker-colored manes and a distinct
yellowish rump patch.
Yellowstone is known world wide as a world class
trout fishery. Because of the increasing number
of anglers in the park, more restrictive regulations
have been adopted in Yellowstone.
These restrictions include: season opening/closing
dates, restrictive use of bait, catch-and-release
only areas,
and number/size limits according to species.
A few places are closed to the public to protect
threatened and endangered
species, sensitive nesting birds, and to provide
scenic viewing areas for visitors seeking undisturbed
wildlife.
Guide services are
available for those that want to guarantee their success
and maxamize their catch.
Moose (Alces alces shirasi Nelson), the largest member
of the deer family, were reportedly very rare in
northwest Wyoming when Yellowstone National Park
was established
in 1872. Subsequent protection from hunting and
wolf control programs may have contributed to increased
numbers
but suppression of forest fires probably was the
most important factor, since moose here depend
on mature
fir forests for winter survival.
Surveys in the
late 1980s suggested a total park population
of fewer than
1000 moose. Moose are commonly observed
in the park's southwestern corner along the
Bechler and Falls rivers, in the riparian
zones around Yellowstone Lake, in the Soda
Butte Creek, Pelican Creek, Lewis River, and Gallatin
river drainages,
and in the Willow Park area between Mammoth
and
Norris.
Yellowstone is the only place in the lower 48 states
where a population of wild bison has persisted since
prehistoric times, although fewer than 50 native bison
remained here in 1902. Fearing extinction, the park
imported 21 bison from two privately-owned herds, as
foundation stock for a bison ranching project that spanned
50 years at the Buffalo Ranch in Yellowstone's Lamar
Valley. Activities there included irrigation, hay-feeding,
roundups, culling, and predator control, to artificially
ensure herd survival. By the 1920s, some intermingling
of the introduced and wild bison had begun. With protection
from poaching, the native and transplanted populations
increased. In 1936, bison were transplanted to historic
habitats in the Firehole River and Hayden Valley. In
1954, the entire population numbered 1,477. Bison were
trapped and herds periodically reduced until 1967, when
only 397 bison were counted parkwide. All bison herd
reduction activities were phased out after 1966, again
allowing natural ecological processes to determine bison
numbers and distribution. Although winterkill takes
a toll, by 1996 bison numbers had increased to about
3,500.
Glistening under a thick blanket
of snow, winter in Yellowstone is a magical place teeming
in wildlife
and primal beauty, all without the usual tourist
crowds of summer. The Yellowstone's 10,000
hydrothermal features provide an eerie contrast
to Yellowstone's icy winter landscape. A snowmobile
visit to Yellowstone National Park will create
a treasured memory for a lifetime.
There are a few egocentric lying tree hugger types
(the
Eco-tally-ban) that don't want to share the
park with the rank and file American tax payer.
In their effort to do so they are perpetuating
lies by selecting biased pseudo science and making
a convincing argument to the American people about
damage to Yellowstone that doesn't exist. Poorly
informed Americans are suckers for heartstring
issues such as these.
The Eco-tally-ban admits
that pollution levels are higher in summer from
cars but since snowmobiles are a soft target because
of the smaller numbers of participants they are
today's target of these selfish user groups.
Snow Coach Tours
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Hop on a snowcoach and leave the
over-snow driving to somebody else. Snowcoaches have been operating
in Yellowstone National Park since 1955 providing a
warm passage into Yellowstone's winter wonderland.
Today,
guided snowcoach tours and ski and snowshoe
shuttles are available at Mammoth Hot Springs,
Old Faithful Snow Lodge, West Yellowstone
and Flagg Ranch outside
the South Entrance.
Most of Yellowstone is backcountry and managed as wilderness;
many miles of trails are available for skiing. Track
is set only on a few trails. All unplowed roads and
trails are open to cross country skiing and showshoeing.
When skiing on unplowed roadways used by snowmobiles,
keep to the right to avoid accidents.
Most trails are marked with orange
metal markers attached to trees. Few streams have
bridges. Parties
venturing into the backcountry should carry a USGS
topographic map and a compass and know how to use
them. Even on a well-marked trail, it is easy to
get lost in a "whiteout" or blizzard.
Only skiers thoroughly familiar with the area should
attempt off-trail travel. When planning your trip,
get specific information on conditions from rangers
at a ranger station or visitor center
Old Faithful erupts more frequently than any of the other
big geysers, although it is not the largest or most
regular geyser in the park. Its average interval between
eruptions is about 91 minutes, varying from 65 - 92
minutes. An eruption lasts 1 1/2 to 5 minutes, expels
3,700 - 8,400 gallons (14,000 - 32,000 liters) of boiling
water, and reaches heights of 106 - 184 feet (30 - 55m).
It was named for its consistent performance by members
of the Washburn Expedition in 1870. Although its average
interval has lengthened through the years (due to earthquakes
and vandalism), Old Faithful is still as spectacular
and predictable as it was a century ago.
Tower Fall's 132-foot drop of Tower Creek, framed
by eroded volcanic pinnacles has been documented by
park visitors from the earliest trips of Europeans into
the Yellowstone region. Its idyllic setting has inspired
numerous artists, including Thomas Moran. His painting
of Tower Fall played a crucial role in the establishment
of Yellowstone National Park in 1872. The nearby Bannock
Ford on the Yellowstone River was an important travel
route for early Native Americans as well as for early
European visitors and miners up to the late 19th century.
The Henry's Fork of the Snake River, located in
eastern Idaho, is one of the most famous trout streams in
all of the United States. It's legendary hatches and abundant
large wild rainbow trout make the Henry's Fork one of America's
top fly-fishing destinations. The river flows for approximately
150 miles and within its journey passes some of the more
classic dry fly water in the United States. Gentle flowing
meadowland, pocket water, and spring creek like sections
make up much of this legendary fishery made popular by Avril
Harriman the railroad man. The Henry's Fork of the Snake
is a spectacular river and fishery. Anglers come from all
over the world to this river to fish its diverse and productive
waters. More........
The South Fork of the Snake is in southeastern
Idaho close to the Wyoming border. The South Fork begins
as it flows out of 20 mile long Palisades Reservoir in the
community of Swan Valley, forming a 64-mile stretch of legendary
tail-water fly-fishing. The South Fork is also a beautiful
river for flat water rafting, canoeing and kayaking. If you
float this river in a canoe know what you are doing as it
is big water and its flat-water appearance can fool you to
its dangers. More.........
The source of the mighty Snake River is in Yellowstone National
Park, from there it flows past Flagg Ranch south through
the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway, and into
postcard perfect Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park.
Below Jackson Lake Dam, the river meanders through Grand
Teton National Park. Above the river to the west, the Grand
Teton mountains rise suddenly, with no foothills to soften
their dramatic rise to the sky. These are mountains the way
we always expect mountains to look, The snowcapped, Grand
Tetons are America's quintessential mountain range, rearing
up with sawtooth like exaggeration crowned by the 13,770-foot
Grand Teton. More.......
The Snake River as it leaves Grand Teton National Park is
equally as breathtaking as it is as it flows through the
Park but allows you to see the Grand Teton Mountain Range
from different angles and vantage points. This escarpment
of perpendicular granite is awesome no mater which angle
you view it from. There also good views of the Sleeping Indian
in the Gros Ventre Mountains to the east. More.......
Snake
River Canyon• Pritchard
Creek to Sheep Gulch - Jackson Hole to Alpine
A blue sky overhead hosts a few cumulous clouds, the towering
Snake River Range overwhelms you on the right but the majestic
Wyoming Range balances it on the left, an osprey plucks an
unsuspecting trout from its watery home with a quick swoop
from the sky and some handy work with it's talons. You can
count your blessings when you're floating down the mighty
Snake River that divides these two mountain ranges here in
the bottom of Wyoming's Snake River Canyon. The Snake River
is a gorgeous ribbon of blue, green and white that comes
alive and deposits itself in you face on a regular basis
in this imposing canyon where towering spruce, pine and fir
trees wear rags of moss and bald eagles perch watching the
parade of kayakers, fishermen and rafters float by. More...........
Yellowstone
River• Yellowstone
Park - Gardinger MT - Livingston MT - Big Timber MT
The Yellowstone River drainage
hosts exceptional scenery and some of the most diverse
wildlife on earth. You can see elk, bison, grizzlies,
moose, majestic mountains, canyons and waterfalls. And
is a world-renowned trout-fishing destination.
It begins in the Teton Wilderness in northwest
Wyoming’s rugged Absoraka Mountains 671 miles upstream
from the confluence with the Missouri, from here the
Yellowstone winds unencumbered by dams all the way to
South Dakota's rolling prairies,
The upper Yellowstone is pretty much as it
always has been, and is being managed by Yellowstone
Park and Montana Game and Fish for the welfare of the
fish and wildlife that live around it. This has preserved
one of the best trout rivers, outside of Alaska or Canada.
Winding through Yellowstone Park and into Montana to
the town of Big Timber, the famous trout water of the
Yellowstone flows for nearly 250 miles. More......
The Teton River begins its journey to the Columbia in the
upper reaches of postcard perfect Teton Valley. Much of this
mountain valley is pasture, grain and potato fields, and
open range bordered by the forested hills of the Big Hole
Mountains and the famous peaks of the Grand Teton Range.
The rugged peaks of the Tetons and the forested hillsides
of the Big Hole's stand in stark contrast to each other,
this diversity adds character to the Teton River Valley.
The upper Teton River is a meandering spring creek that is
a fly-fishing nirvana. Huge rainbow and cutthroat trout live
throughout the entire river. This is a dry fly paradise!
Mayfly hatches are prolific and often there will be four
or five different hatches at the same time. The Narrows (the
lower Teton) has all the adrenaline rush attributes of any
class IV and V whitewater river. The Teton River is a diverse
waterway providing the gamut from tubing to world class whitewater
and trout fishing. More......
The Gros Ventre River (pronounced 'grow-vont')
flows from it's headwaters in the Gros Ventre Wilderness
which forms much of the eastern boundary of Jackson
Hole and lies mostly to the south of the river. The
Gros Ventre is a swift medium-sized freestone river
providing plentiful pocketwater, runs and pools. There
are not many riffles on the Gros Venture. The River
contains expansive open terrain with exposed sedimentary
rock layers of many colors, cliff bands, dense forest,
and narrow canyons. In places the color scheme of this
beautiful river valley resembles the southwest. The
river alternates between a broad cottonwood-lined bottom
and narrow canyons. Views of the Grand Tetons Range
are spectacular. It is a beautiful, undeveloped region
with abundant wildlife. The Gros Ventre River is home
to the Snake River Fine-spotted Cutthroat Trout, and
whitefish. Brookies are in some of the tributaries of
the upper Gros Ventre drainage. Early season kayaking
is classic, the fishing is remarkable, and photographers
will have no shortage of subject matter. More......
Tucked in the southwest corner of Yellowstone
National Park, the Falls River basin is truly a fisherman's
and waterfall lover's paradise. The Fall River is aptly
named because of the many waterfalls along its tributaries.
This is the major river that drains the Cascade Corner,
of Yellowstone Park. The four major streams in the Fall
River drainage are the Belcher River, Boundary Creek,
Mountain Ash creek and of course the Fall River. They
begin on the Madison and Pitchstone plateaus and they
carve canyons across Yellowstone Park's southwest corner.
Some of Yellowstone's most beautiful waterfalls are
in this area. As the runoff of many creeks drop off
the Madison and Pitchstone Plateaus, many waterfalls
are formed. With nearly 80 inches of annual precipitation,
the Falls River drainage is one of the wettest portions
of Yellowstone National Park. The Falls River is a backpacking,
fisherman, and photographer's nirvana. More......
The Salt River is a small river that originates on the western
slope of the Salt River Mountain Range just south of the
town of Afton. It flows north through scenic Star Valley
Wyoming between the Salt River Range of Wyoming and the Caribou
Range of Idaho into Palisades Reservoir at its confluence
with the Snake River. On it's way it meanders through miles
of ranch land until it reaches on Idaho-Wyoming border. The
Salt River is home to Brown, Rainbow, Brook and Snake River
Fine Spotted Cutthroat and Trout. The Salt is a flat-water
river but does offer scenic canoe, kayak, rafting and tubing
floats. More......
The Grey's River is located just east of the Idaho/Wyoming
border near Alpine, Wyoming. The river is about 55 miles
long and flows into Palisades Reservoir. The Grey's River
area is considered by many northwest Wyoming locals to be
a one of their favorite multiple use playgrounds, the river
offers great trout fishing, kayaking, rafting and canoeing
and there are many access points along the road to access
the river. The towering Salt River Range to the west and
the matching Wyoming Range to the east, both hosting several
peaks that reach above 11,000 feet in elevation, this results
in an awesome place to be. The surrounding mountains and
their many canyons offer OHVing, horseback riding, hiking,
and trophy elk and deer hunting with many Boon and Crocket
records to prove it. This mountain valley is alive with the
sweet smell of wildflowers, the green forest floor is shared
with yellow Balsamroot, red Indian Paintbrush Yellow Arrowleaf,
and purple Fireweed. More..........
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