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MONDAY, AUG 3, 1998 |
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Volume 2, No 78 | |||
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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 INTERN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS
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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- It was a pleasure to be able to spend some time in Yellowstone during early July. The purpose of the trip was mostly business, but traveling in the Park was definitely a pleasure for me. I was delighted to see the new growth and the recovery in most of the burned area that was visible from the road. The new pine seedlings seem to be well established and the wildflowers were blooming. Everything was lush and green. The deer, buffalo and moose sightings slowed traffic and were photo opportunities for the tourists. The weather was cool and delightful. But I was on a mission, and could not take the time to savor the sights, sounds, and smells of Yellowstone. First, I visited the stores in the Park checking the quality and selection of their books and merchandise. The purpose was to determine if my book, "Courageous Colter and Companions" would be an appropriate addition to their gift shop. After all, if it should be a best seller anywhere, Yellowstone and Teton Park stores should be the place where it would be appreciated the most. Second, I wanted to revisit the "Colter Stone" to compare the letter formation with the writing I had just seen on a sandstone boulder along the Yellowstone river. Both stones have Colter's name on them, and I have no reason to doubt their authenticity. Plans are being made to have them evaluated by specialists. You may recall that I wrote an article about the "Teton Stone" and the "Bighorn Stone" several months ago. Third, I saw the Yellowstone film at the IMAX theater at West Yellowstone and saw my ancestor John Colter in the film. The film showed a stone with the letters "J.C." carved on it . I would like for all the visitors and employees at Yellowstone and Teton Parks to be on the lookout for that stone! With matching letters on three stones, we may convince the curator and archivist that they have a valuable authentic artifact, and that it need not be hidden from public view! The "Teton Colter Stone" was not at Mammoth, but had been moved to Colter Bay. The historian at Mammoth was kind enough to help make arrangements for me to view and photograph the stone. However, I misunderstood his directions and passed Colter Bay and went to Moose to the interpretive center. They instructed me to go back to Colter Bay to the archives where I accomplished my mission with help from several friendly people. Now this sounds like a lot of unnecessary traveling and it was. But every mile of the way was enjoyed. The clouds were threatening rain. There were a few rain showers and a definite drop in the temperature. It appeared to be snowing in the mountains at the higher elevations. As we left the south gate of the park, the sun was shining and a rainbow was in the sky. Yellowstone revisited-----and mission accomplished! Hope to return soon.
College Guide to a Summer Job in
Yellowstone  This column is based on my interactions with people who have worked
in Yellowstone (or who want to work in the Park). Some of these stories will be the
"behind the scenes" story of why I wrote a particular story in my book. If
you have a story to contribute to this column, email
me. For more information about my book, College Guide to a Summer Job in Yellowstone, click here.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- One of the summer jobs available in Yellowstone is the job of Wrangler. "The Wranglers are a remarkable group to be around. They are always telling tall tales and having fun. Their work looks like fun, but it is also one of the hardest jobs in the Park. Every Wrangler's first priority is taking care of their horse. A Wrangler may be worn and tired, but they will first make sure their horse is secure before calling it a day. Amazingly, after a shower and a brief rest most Wranglers get a second wind and are ready to spend an evening with the company of their friends. "The National Park Service tries to always maintain a natural environment within the Park. Unless a human structure is in danger, the Rangers will not interfere with nature. "If a snag falls on a trail, the Park Service will only cut out that part of the tree which has fallen on the trail. "When an animal like a buffalo or elk dies in the middle of a trail the Rangers may close that trail. If it is a seldom-used walking trail, they Rangers may create a new walking path around the dead animal. A trail used by horseback rides would always be closed, as the destruction horse hooves would cause could not be easily repaired. "Horseback trails are seldom closed. To close them would end those Wranglers' summer jobs in Yellowstone. The odds of an animal dying on the trail are enormous. " 'Sliding Buffalo' is one of the most remarkable phenomenon of our time. There is not a scientist in the world who has been able to explain this wonder of nature. What happens is this: a buffalo or elk which dies on a trail will mysteriously slide about twenty yards off the trail. In all accounts of other dead buffalo or elk which did not die on a trail you will find none of these mysterious slide marks. "I heard that several years ago, in a most unusual phenomenon, a buffalo was actually found to have slid over one hundred yards off the trail onto the trail. Even more unusual was that the buffalo had been dead several days before it slid. "This occurred one day before this trail ride was scheduled to close. That very night a whole crew of Wranglers went to enjoy the nightlife of Jackson Hole."
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NOTE: The next edition of the A YNET Weekly Feature
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- For the past several years, Yellowstone's wolves and bison have garnered the headlines when it comes to the wildlife of Yellowstone. Previous to the bison and brucellosis issue and the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone, concern for the American Grizzly Bear, an Endangered Species, was widespread and known to make headlines. Although talk of the Grizzly is less than it has been in previous years, the Grizzly remains on the Endangered Species list, and its long-term survival is far from assured. Some experts, in fact, believe the Grizzly, which needs a lot of ranging room, will not survive if a protected corridor from Yellowstone to the Yukon is not established. Grizzlies should not be forgotten in the midst of the great concern over the fate of Yellowstone's wolves and bison. A great resource for the latest information and updates about the status of the American Grizzly in Yellowstone and throughout the United States is The American Grizzly Bear website. The author of the American Grizzly Bear site has included just about everything that is available regarding Grizzlies, including links to dozens of other Grizzly sites. It will be helpful to anyone who is concerned about the fate of the Grizzly.
Editor-in-Chief Needed Yellowstone Net Newspaper is looking for
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Yellowstone is a national treasure
which is owned by the American public. Protecting Yellowstone is the responsibility
of the American public. This weekly feature will help identify and explore the
issues which are crucial to the ongoing, healthy existence of the "Crown Jewel"
of America's National Park system.
