RATE THIS ARTICLE
(Current Rating: 0)
BOOKMARK & SHARE
No other season rivals the wonder of Yellowstone in winter. Erupting geysers and hissing vents propel amazing clouds of steam into clear blue skies. Eagles abound, buffalo pass within your arm’s length, and hunting wolves are much easier to see against the backdrop of snow-packed meadows.
Yellowstone’s frosty landscapes create the perfect white canvas for spotting wildlife of any shape and size or capturing the frosty steam from a wintry waterfall. The scene is ever changing. Some days bring brilliant blue skies with ‘snow dawgs’ silhouetted against the pines and diamond-studded reflections off snowy fields. Other days bring the steady, silent descent of powdery flakes from leaden skies covering everything with a soft downy blanket of new snow. No wonder so many refer to Yellowstone as a true ‘Winter Wonderland.’
Yellowstone’s unique thermal geography continually generates heat. Steam rises from thermal meadow areas reducing snow depth. Active hydro-thermals keep lakes and rivers from freezing over and ensure a steady source of fish throughout the winter. The open water and easier access to last summer’s grasses encourage large herds of elk and bison to migrate from the deeper snows found in the interior of the Park. And, with the ungulates comes their predators. Nowhere else in the world can you find such a concentrated and diverse range of winter wildlife.
Winter is also the best time to spot of some of Yellowstone’s more unusual mammals. Yellowstone’s unique geology makes the perfect environment for river otters. Watch for otters along the waterways of Yellowstone, particularly where creeks empty into larger rivers or lakes including along the Madison River between Seven Mile Bridge and Nine Mile Hole, the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake, in Hayden Valley, Trout Creek, and along the banks of Soda Butte Creek. This winter, there have been regular sightings of up to 5 otters swimming or playing on the riverbanks under the bridge leading to the Upper Canyon area
One of the Parks most colorful sights is the occasional red fox whose rare daylight forays are much easier to photograph against snowy meadows. Their brilliant red fur and bushy silver tails make for an incredible photograph. With their large ears, foxes can hear mice and rodents under several feet of snow and can put on quite a show as they bound through heavy snows to pounce on escaping mice. Another unique sighting this year has been a bobcat in the Madison Junction area. Watch carefully from Seven Mile Bridge to the Junction and you may catch a glimpse of this elusive predator.
You can access Yellowstone Park in the winter through the west entrance on special oversnow vehicles, snowcoaches or snowmobiles. Each day, commercially guided snowcoach and snowmobile tours travel over snow covered, groomed roads to popular destinations including Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Both snowmobile and snowcoach tours stop along their routes for a chance to see winter wildlife, experience the smells and sounds of a rushing, icy river, or grab the perfect photo opportunity. Snowmobiles (like snowcoaches) must be guided by an approved Yellowstone Park concessionaire. These guides not only ensure your safety, but enhance the overall experience. See www.destinationyellowstone.com for more information on Yellowstone snow tours or call 406-646-7001.
There are also number of special winter programs offered by Yellowstone Park. Have kids? The popular summer Junior Ranger program has a special winter program. Kids from 5 to 12 can earn a cool winter badge when they complete their activities. The program is based on age-appropriate activities and easy to follow. You can sign-up at the Visitor’s Centers (at West Yellowstone, Old Faithful, or Mammoth). The activity book is $3.00 and allows each child to choose from activities focusing on geology, wildlife adaptations, weather, snow crystals and more. In addition to completing an age-appropriate activity paper, participants attend a program led by a park ranger, record wildlife observations, make a record of geyser and hot spring activity, and hike, ski, or snowshoe a trail.
The winter program differs from the summer one in that you can also check out a “Snowpack” for the program. The Snowpack includes special equipment like a crystal card hand lens for looking at snow layering, a thermometer for measuring variations in temperature in different layers, and a wind gauge anemometer for weather-related activity.
Yellowstone National Park Ranger Programs are held through March 14th, 2010. Join a ranger for an illustrated program highlighting a fascinating aspect of Yellowstone' natural, cultural or scenic wonders. Weekly program descriptions will be posted in the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center. Meet at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center at 201 South Canyon Street at 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM or at the Visitor Information Center at 30 Yellowstone Avenue at 7:00 PM. Contact: (307) 344-2876.
Join a Yellowstone National Park Ranger for a 2-mile snow shoe walk into Yellowstone National Park along the Riverside Trail. Meet at the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center at 30 Yellowstone Avenue at 1:30 PM. Bring snowshoes, water and a snack - Everyone welcome. Snowshoes are available for rent in West Yellowstone. Call 406-646-7701 for more information.
Winter in Yellowstone is a truly unique experience. Even if you have visited Yellowstone countless times during warm weather seasons, Yellowstone in the winter is a photographic phenomenon. This winter will bring its own unusual and unique sightings. Don’t hibernate. Experience Yellowstone at its best.
