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FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1998 |
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PARK
WEATHER MORE NEWS The Yellowstone Net Newspaper is published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
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PUBLISHER EDITOR IN CHIEF CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS
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by Naturalist KEVIN SANDERS YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- Researchers have observed at least two litters of wolf puppies in Yellowstone. It is still believed that #9F and #18F of the Rose Creek pack, denned together in the same den, have produced at least ten pups between them. No. 9F is one of the three original alpha females released into Yellowstone the spring of 1995, and has given birth to large litters each of the three years since her release. No. 18F is one of #9’s three year old offspring. Druid Peak Pack: Crystal Creek Pack: Chief Joseph Pack: Leopold Pack: Soda Butte Pack: Nez Perce Pack: Sunlight Pair: Washakie Pack:
by KIM STEINBACHER BERKELEY, Cal. (YNET) -- Off the Beaten Path. Taking that
phrase to heart can lead to some wonderful experiences. This doesn't mean you have to hike
50 miles into the wilderness to get away from the crowds on the easy trails. Heck, I'm
usually part of that crowd on the easy trail! Sometimes it just means doing something that
*most* of the crowd will never do. If you'd like to see more of the park you must be accompanied by a member of the Navajo Nation. Most people sign up for the numerous tours (car or horseback) offered. I tend to shy away from such tours simply because they often don't mesh with my photographic needs. I usually like the flexibility to stop whenever I see an interesting landscape or be at certain places when the light is good. So, instead of a packaged tour I hired a local guide to take me to Hunt's Mesa, a viewpoint I had seen on a postcard. We took my car (a 4WD Jeep) and I drove while the guide directed me. A four wheel drive vehicle is necessary if you want to go off the main road as you will be travelling over sand, creek beds, and other rough roads. What a wonderful experience! We drove as far as we could along a creek bed, at which point we parked and hiked the rest of the way up to the mesa. I was again reminded that I wasn't in a national park as I crossed a very steep and narrow section of slickrock and there wasn't a fence or handrail in sight. If you are afraid of heights I suggest a trail other than the one to Hunt's Mesa :-) But then we used ancient hand and footholds cut into the sandstone hundreds of years ago and I was reminded of how special it was to be there. The view was spectacular and it didn't end with the hike. On the way back to the visitor center we took a different route and the guide pointed out a number of fascinating petroglyphs, none of which I would have seen if I had only traveled along the Valley Drive. Next time I return I plan to hire a guide again and try a different part of the park. You also become more involved with the park in a way. A local guide gives you a sense of history and the people who live there. Monument Valley becomes more to you than another stop along your Southwest road trip.
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A Weekly Column by
My first experience with Yellowstone's birds of prey came during one of my first hikes of my inaugural season as a park employee. I was in the Hayden Valley along the Mary Mountain Trail on a very warm spring day. My friends and I had come across numerous bison, elk, coyotes, and bear sign. The setting in the valley appeared to set us back in time; a time before early explorers ever knew that the "New World" existed. As we trudged and slipped along the muddy trail, a most striking sound echoed from the sky above us. A pair of red-tailed hawks were soaring and circling in the deep blue Yellowstone sky. They seemed to follow our every step and frequently sounded their spine tingling cries, which probably struck fear in many of the valley's smaller inhabitants. As I gazed up toward the hawks, I realized then that no hike would be the same without the call or even the mere presence of Yellowstone's winged hunters. The most magical bird of prey experience of mine occurred along the Mount Washburn trail. The day was quite stormy and I continually second guessed my decision to hike along the exposed ridges of the Washburn Range, but nevertheless, trekked on. The day appeared to turn out okay as I reached the summit. I was welcomed by a small band of bighorn sheep grazing near the summit and numerous marmots who lay unhurried in the sun as they took advantage of a break in the weather. I to took advantage of this and soon began my descent down, back to the trailhead. As luck would have it, the clouds began to build with distant cracks of thunder rumbling off towards the northwest. To make matters worse, the wind picked up and jagged streaks of lightning began to accompany the torrent that was building up around me. I was beginning to get a little nervous and quickened my pace in hopes of beating the oncoming storm. My focus was on the trail in front of me as I watched the placement of each step. All of a sudden the hairs on the back of my neck stood tall as a most unusual sound jolted me back to my senses. A loud SWOOSH-SWOOSH cut through the eerie silence that precedes the storm. As I looked up, my uneasiness was quickly replaced by a feeling of awe. Literally within arms reach, a bald eagle swooped over my head. I was amazed at the size of the bird whose wing span seemed to dwarf mine. The details and alignment of the feathers were remarkable. The head was bigger than my fist and the beak was a brilliant gold. The talons were clutched up towards its tail feathers, but were no less ominous and powerful. Its eyes as they peered into mine were utterly mesmerizing. I stood there motionless, my soul captured in the gaze of the eagle, my mind completely clear of all thoughts. With a subtle move of the head, the eagle released its hold on my subconscious. The wind picked up again and the eagle caught an updraft and began to soar away toward the Hayden Valley. The eagle continued to shrink off into the distance and suddenly disappeared into the vastness of the valley. I stood there motionless as I recounted the events that had just unfolded before my eyes. Was it real? Was it the spirit of Yellowstone, masked as an eagle, trying to send me a message? The feeling I was experiencing was and still is indescribable, but reminded me how wild and special Yellowstone is. For those visiting the park this season, keep an eye and ear open to the guardians of Yellowstone's skies. You just might hear the cries of an osprey from its delicately constructed nest overlooking Yellowstone Lake or witness the silent swiftness of a great gray owl as it navigates through a forest in search of unsuspecting prey. The presence of these magnificent animals is an emphatic reminder of the true meaning of wilderness. Let their voices be heard overhead as they cry, screech, and squawk their message; Yellowstone must stay wild, forever!
Association of Internet
Businesses AIB is a weekly technical and marketing column for those doing business on the internet. Any family-friendly business can join AIB for free. Members will receive additional newsletters with the latest business news on the net. BILLINGS, Mont. (YNET) -- I recently did consultations for the National Park Service (NPS) and for the Las Vegas Review Journal. These were calls from friends who needed information which they felt I could provide. Consultations are held in strictest confidence. However, both of these have given me permission to share the following information with you. I'll cover the NPS question today and the Review Journal next week. Roger at NPS wanted to know how many emails we get per day since the NPS is looking at whether they should offer to answer email questions on the NPS Yellowstone site. My response was to advise them to not post a public email address, but rather to set up a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section. Even with our Discussion Forums, Chat page and Guest Book, in which visitors can ask questions and express opinions, Yellowstone Net gets up to several hundred emails per day. We are a business and are committed to answering them all, except the usual assortment of junk email targeted at businesses and the email from the guy who wanted me to send him the names and addresses of any "famous people I know ASAP." The NPS already mails anyone who requests Yellowstone information a complete packet of information for free (at taxpayers expense). I am sure the NPS would have to hire several extra people to just answer email if they post a public email address. They already know the most commonly asked questions, and a FAQ section could answer most questions plus save us (the taxpayers) some money. The NPS is evaluating the FAQ option. We have offered to help in any way we can. Both Tim Gourley, Yellowstone Net President, and I are available to consult with you about either technical or marketing aspects of your internet business.
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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- The Yellowstone
Ecosystem is home to a number of different species of birds of prey. It is spellbinding to
watch these majestic creatures perform aerial stunts that even the best warplane pilots
would drool over. Simply seeing one perched upon a snag overlooking the Lamar River or
listening to their primordial cries is enough to instill a feeling of wildness.
Yellowstone's birds of prey have treated me to some of my most fond Yellowstone memories.
