Vol 3, # 46

   Monday, May 3, 1999

YELLOWSTONE
WEATHER
Highs 50s, Lows 20s
Partly Cloudy
 

Yellowstone Net Home Page
Vacation Reservations

ROAD REPORT
The West Roads
Are Now Open!
(Mammoth to Old
Faithful & Canyon)

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- The coming of the summer season means that some visitors will inadvertently do things which are harmful to the Park's wildlife, thermal features or plant life -- and may also be harmful to the unwitting perpetrator.

Accordingly, this column will, from time to time, print information from the National Park Service regarding the rules and regulations which visitors to Yellowstone are required to follow.  Park Service rules and regulations in Yellowstone are designed for the protection of both the visitor and the Park itself.

Following are the rules and regulations regarding backcountry use in Yellowstone. 

"Backcountry campers who practice minimum impact, or 'Leave No Trace,' principles help preserve the pristine condition of the Yellowstone backcountry.  Developed by the National Outdoor Leadership School, the principles of 'Leave No Trace' ethics serve as guidelines to minimize impacts by backcountry users.   A combination of your personal judgement and experience, coupled with the following practices, can help preserve natural resources in the backcountry.

"1. Plan ahead and prepare.  Get a good topographical map and know where you are going and how to get there.  Know what gear you will need to accomplish your trip.

"2. Camp and travel on durable surfaces.  Hardened trail surfaces are tougher than 'off-trail' surfaces.

"3. Pack it in, pack it out.  Pack out all garbage including any items not completely burned in the fire pit.

"4. Properly dispose of what you can't pack out.  Dispose of dishwater properly.  Use pit toilets wherever provided; otherwise bury human waste. Pack out, burn or bury toilet paper.

"5. Leave what you find.  Removing, defacing or destroying any plant, animal or mineral is prohibited.

"6. Minimize the use and impact of campfires.  Pack a stove instead.   Campfires are permitted only in established fire pits.  Wood fires are not allowed in some campsites.  Burn only dead and down wood."

Permits are required for backcountry camping.  You can obtain permits from ranger stations and visitor centers in Yellowstone no more than 48 hours in advance. 

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS

Ralph Maughan
Kim Steinbacher
Kevin Sanders
Steve Brashear
Clint Wilkes
Tim Gourley
Hon. Bob Gammage
Ruth Colter-Frick
Lee Whittlesey
Tom Mazzarisi
Russ Finley
David Monteith
Denise Elmer
Dr. Bob Bara

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- May is a special month for Yellowstone National Park. The grasses and some flowers begin to grow where the snow has melted, wildlife are giving birth to their young, and Memorial Day marks the beginning of the busy summer tourist season. Many people will visit Yellowstone during the Memorial Day weekend, and will have opportunities to view a variety of wildlife and their young.

Bison calves, elk calves, deer fawns, moose calves, wolf pups, and bear cubs are just a few of the young animals that will undoubtedly be roaming throughout the park. These young wildlife often spend their time playing, running, and exploring their new world. It can be a very exciting and enjoyable experience for Yellowstone visitors to observe the animals in their natural environment. However, it is very important for park visitors to remember that caution and common sense should be used when viewing and photographing wildlife.

Although bears and wolves are less frequently observed by visitors, bison, elk, deer, and moose are common. Visitors should remember that most wildlife species will aggressively defend their young whenever they perceive a threat. If you venture too close while viewing or photographing the animals, disaster can occur. Even the seemingly tame bison, elk, and moose can be extremely dangerous whenever approached too closely. For example, many people have been gored by bison, because they got too close to the adult animal or its young. Bison and moose can weigh over 1,000 pounds, elk may weigh several hundred pounds, and all of these animals can run faster than a human. A cow moose protecting its young can be a very dangerous animal. It will react aggressively to any perceived threat...even a park visitor.

The young of bison, elk, moose, and deer usually remain with their mother for at least a year. The young learn how to survive from their mothers. Many of the young do not live through their first year as there are many dangers, particularly predators. In addition, depending on the weather conditions, food may be scarce and the first winter may be difficult for the young animals. At any rate, remember to view/photograph wildlife and their young from a safe distance. It's important for your personal safety and the welfare of the animals.

Another species that should be mentioned is the grizzly bear. May and June are the months that grizzly bears frequent the lower elevations in search of food (spawning fish, fresh vegetation, etc). Some areas are closed to all forms of human activity, particularly around Yellowstone Lake. The bears frequent areas around the lake in May and June as they feed on the spawning trout. Please obey all closure signs for your safety and the benefit of the bears. If you should observe a bear from the road, do not approach the animal. Grizzly sows with cubs are extremely protective of their offspring and will aggressively attack anything that they perceive as a threat to their cubs. DO NOT approach any bear cub, even if you do not see the sow (mother). You can be certain that she is nearby and will be keeping close watch on her cubs.

Since this month marks the beginning of the tourist season, it seems appropriate to mention one more thing. Please do not feed the animals or leave litter in the park. Yellowstone's wildlife are wild animals and know how to obtain food on their own. When wildlife become accustomed to visitors feeding them, they lose the desire and proficiency of obtaining food on their own. In addition, feeding the wildlife can create an unsafe situation as animals can easily injure you, with or without intent. Finally, it is illegal to feed any wild animal in Yellowstone National Park (including everything from chipmunks to bears).

In any case, there are many great places to view wildlife and their young from the road in May. The road from West Yellowstone to Mammoth is a great location for viewing bison, elk, and an occasional moose.  Though less commonly seen, grizzly bears and wolves may be observed in Lamar Valley. Another good location for grizzly bears is the Pelican Valley, which is located on the north side of Yellowstone Lake.   However, the valley is closed to hiking and camping during the months of May and June due to bear activity. There is a pull-out at where Pelican Creek flows into the lake. Visitors can park and view wildlife from the vehicle. Bring binoculars and scan the open valley from the parking area. If you are lucky, you just might see a bear. But, don't be disappointed if you don't see one, because relatively few visitors have the opportunity to observe bears in their natural habitat. For any additional information on closures and wildlife, visit the visitor's center at Mammoth. If you're planning a trip to Yellowstone this month, have fun and be safe!

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For those interested in collecting the new Yellowstone Anniversary commemorative coin to be minted by the U.S. Mint this summer, the U.S. Mint's website may be of interest.  Although there is currently no information about the Yellowstone coin, if will be forthcoming.   The Mint will also soon be offering a brochure about the Yellowstone coin.

The URL for the U.S. Mint website is www.usmint.gov.

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Yellowstone memorabilia continues to grow in popularity.  More and more collectors of such memorabilia are turning to the internet.  Online auctioneer Ebay is the leading site for selling Yellowstone memorabilia.  Yahoo's auction site and a few others also have Yellowstone items listed daily.

To see the listings of currently-offered Yellowstone items on internet auctions, click here.

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