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Yellowstone Expeditions Back-Country Ski Tours and the Canyon Skier's Yurt Camp in Yellowstone National Park Imagine the sensation of cross-country skiing the Yellowstone back-country, your only neighbors the bison and elk herds dotting the landscape, and the trumpeter swans and Canada geese floating on the Yellowstone River. Explore the majesty of winter in Yellowstone Park, after the summer tourists have departed and the Park has been transformed into a frozen landscape of serene beauty and mystery. This remarkable land awaits your discovery, and there is no better way to experience the wonder of Yellowstone in winter than skiing with Yellowstone Expeditions. This is What We Offer Yellowstone Expeditions has offered naturalist guided XC ski and snowshoe excursions from the Canyon Skiers Yurt Camp since 1983. Located near the Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, the Canyon Skiers Yurt Camp is designed so that our group of adventurers can explore Yellowstone's back-country, during the winter season, in relative comfort and with personal guides. Tour packages range in length from four to eight days to provide plenty of time to relax and explore the wonders of Yellowstone. Our Philosophy At Yellowstone Expeditions we believe that a large part of enjoying the outdoors is to be inquisitive about our natural surroundings. With this in mind, we strive to make each of our ski trips a relaxed and enjoyable learning experience. All of our guides are trained and knowledgeable about Yellowstone's natural and human history. We try to incorporate many learning experiences into our day to day life at camp, whether it is learning to ski better, stopping along the trail to listen to wolves or coyotes howl, digging a snow-pit to look at snow crystals on the slopes of Mt. Washburn, building a quinzhee snow shelter, listening for owls hooting at night, or stopping along the trail to examine the tracks of an ermine or wolf. Yellowstone Expeditions 2020-2021 Page 1 A view of the Yellowstone Yurt Camp with five feet of snow on the ground. The Yellowstone Yurt Camp The Canyon Yurt Camp, (elevation 8,000'), is located in a small meadow surrounded by a pine forest, near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. We are smack dab in the middle of Yellowstone National Park, only one-half mile from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River and the waterfalls viewpoints. At the camp, cross country skiers can enjoy the comforts of an outfitted and heated back country Yurt base camp with private heated individual sleeping huts and a common gathering area in the dining room Yurt. The availability of a camp shower, sauna and a heated (and well lit) outhouse increase the level of comfort well above that of your ordinary winter camping experience! The Yellowstone Skiers Yurt Camp is accessed by a 40 mile snowcoach shuttle from West Yellowstone. Our location in the heart of Yellowstone is unique: there are no other overnight visitor accommodations within 35 miles of the Yurt Camp. This lends itself to our guests being better able to experience some of Yellowstone’s winter wildness. Yellowstone Expeditions 2020-2021 Page 2 At the center of Canyon Skier’s Camp are the two main Yurts ... Our two main Yurts, heated by wood burning stoves and lit by solar recharged electric lights, serve as the camp social center, kitchen, and dining area. The Dining Room Yurt serves as the common area for eating and socializing, while our There’s always hot water on the stove for tea... delicious family style meals are prepared in the Kitchen Yurt. Yurts similar to ours were originally used as portable homes by nomadic Tannu-Tuva and Mongolian tribes, who called them "gers" (rhymes with bears). Designed to survive the brutal weather of Mongolia's high plateaus, yurts function exquisitely as a "home" for back country skiers (Various articles about yurts appear in several issues of National Geographic). We build our own yurts with steeper roofs to shed the snow and insulation to ensure comfortable warmth. Our dining room and kitchen Yurts are surrounded by several smaller, double occupancy private heated tent cabins (we call them sleeping huts or "yurtlets"). The private “yurtlets” are each heated by a propane heater with an Propane heaters keep the sleeping huts toasty warm adjustable thermostat. even on the coldest nights... Yellowstone Expeditions 2020-2021 Page 3 The thermostats in each “sleeping hut” allows guests to control the heat level to provide carefree warmth that insures comfortable sleeping each night. The two person sleeping huts are lit by solar recharged, and battery powered electric lights. Each hut is equipped and outfitted with a double size or two single beds, sleeping bags and sheets, pillows, cozy comforters and a clothes line and hooks for hanging and drying ski clothes. All you need to bring is your personal gear, skis and an adventurous spirit. Our heated outhouse is cozy and well lit. We also have a wonderful homemade Cedar Camp Sauna (we like it at about 160 degrees). In addition to the sauna, we can provide you with plenty of fresh hot water for washing in our heated camp shower facility. We believe the availability of a sauna and hot shower at the end of the day lends our camp an air of backwoods elan. Yellowstone Expeditions 2020-2021 Page 4 Inside one of the Sleeping Huts (We call them Yurtlets) Sample Trip Itinerary The First Day: We pick you up from your hotel in West Yellowstone around 9:00 a.m. for the snowcoach trip into the Canyon Skier's Camp. The snow-coach road enters Yellowstone Park through the Madison River Canyon where we usually will see dozens of bison and elk, many trumpeter swans, and a few coyotes and One of our Snow-Vans, named “Eleanor” eagles. Lunch is often eaten at Norris Geyser Basin, with time for a stroll among Norris’ many thermal features. After our fill of sightseeing, geysers, and critters we typically arrive at the Canyon Skiers Camp in the early afternoon. After arrival at camp you are free to spend some time getting settled into your double occupancy "tent cabin/sleeping hut/yurtlet" or you may accompany your guide on a ski tour along the Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. We end the day with a hearty family style dinner in the Dining Yurt and then a peaceful evening with the group around the wood Danny and his group enjoying the view toward Mt Washburn Yellowstone Expeditions 2020-2021 Page 5 stove. We’ll spend some time planning the coming days' wilderness ski trips and adventures before you retire to your cozy warm private sleeping hut for the night. The Middle Days: Days at the Skier's Camp start with a made to order breakfast (and for early risers "dawn A group photo before departing the “Yurt Camp” patrol" on the Roller Coaster ski trail). During breakfast and packing lunches, we will select the days ski trail options, some of which start right from camp, others at trail heads accessible by a short "snow van" shuttle ride. Lunch is typically eaten on the trail with a mid-afternoon return to camp. Many days, late in the afternoon, we will take the snow van for a short sightseeing tour to the Hayden Valley to observe wildlife or just to watch the sun set. The evening meal is served family style in the dining yurt (we promise you won't go hungry, a snow coach load of fresh groceries arrives at the ski camp every few days). Evenings are customarily spent planning the next days' skiing, playing games at the dining room table, laughing about the days “face-plants”, looking at the moon through the telescope, gazing at the brightest stars you've ever seen, relaxing in the camp sauna or shower, or retiring to the privacy of your own tent cabin to read a good book. On clear moonlit nights an evening ski to one of the Canyon Rim vistas is often in order. With the next nearest overnight accommodations over thirty five miles away, peaceful quiet evenings at our camp are the norm. Viewing the Canyon from the Seven Mile Hole Trail Yellowstone Expeditions 2020-2021 Page 6 The Last Day: After a morning ski and packing, the snow van departs the Canyon Skiers Yurt Camp during the early afternoon. Arrival in West Yellowstone usually is in the late afternoon, but we recommend making bus and airline reservations for the next day or later. It is also possible to spend Dinner in the Dining Room Yurt another day or more on your own in the town of West Yellowstone. The day can be spent skiing the local trails, such as the Rendezvous Ski Trail or the Riverside Ski Trail, or let us take you on a sightseeing / ski trip to Old Faithful Geyser. Please ask about this option. Leave only tracks...Take only memories... Yellowstone Expeditions 2020-2021 Page 7 Our History and Mission (By Arden Bailey, Founder of Yellowstone Expeditions) I started Yellowstone Expeditions in 1983 in order to allow park guests to experience the backcountry of Yellowstone from a comfortable base camp. I felt that a trip to Yellowstone in the winter needed to be more than a bus ride to a distant hotel; I felt it needed to be a personal experience. With that goal in mind, I set up our trips to be small sized tours with plenty of guides. With our remote location in the heart of Yellowstone, the stillness of winter, and our knowledgeable guides, we can take you away from the crowds and deep into the wildness of Yellowstone.
Recommended publications
  • Yellowstone Today

    Yellowstone Today

    YELLOWSTONE Today National Park Service Spring 2009 Official Newspaper of Yellowstone National Park U.S. Department of the Interior Throughout the Park TRAFFIC DELAYS & ROAD CLOSURES See back page & below NPS/Peaco The Albright Visitor Center at Mammoth Hot Springs, above, is part of historic Fort Yellowstone. In This Issue This and other stone buildings at the fort were built 100 years ago. MAP & ROAD INFORMATION .Back Cover Fort Yellowstone dates from the time the U.S. Army managed the park, 1886–1918. You can enjoy a self-guiding trail around the fort by following the exhibits that begin in front of the visitor center. Safety . .2 You can also purchase a guide that explains even more about this National Historic Landmark District. Plan Your Visit . .3 Highlights . .4 “Greening” Yellowstone . 5 Expect Delays as You Travel In the Park Camping, Fishing, Hiking . 6–7 See map on the back page. Symbols of Yellowstone . 8 Plan your day to minimize delays. Our rangers • If animals are nearby, stay safe—stay in your offer these tips: car and watch them through the windows. Spring Wildlife Gallery . .9 • Don’t wait until the last minute for a rest- • Enjoy this park newspaper! Friends of Yellowstone . 10 room stop—the next facility may be on the • Make notes about your trip so far—where other side of a 30-minute delay. Issues: Bison, Winter Use, Wolves . 11 you’ve been in Yellowstone, which features • Turn off your engine and listen to the wild and animals you’ve seen. Other NPS Sites Near Yellowstone .
  • Yellowstone National Park Wyoming

    Yellowstone National Park Wyoming

    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UBE RT W RK S EC RE A RY H O . T NA T IO N A L P A R K S E R V IC E S TE P EN T . M AT E R DIREC T R H H , O RULES AND REGULATIONS YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK WYOMING T W O O F A KIN D 1 92 3 SEASON FROM JUNE 20 TO SEPTEMBER 20 Ph otog r ap h by Uni te d S tate s R e clamatl o n S erv1 c e ROPO S E D JA C KS O N L A KE A N D T H E T ET O N M O UNT A INS IN T H E P E N L A RG E M E NT . i n f e et a nd ount M ora n, e levat o , levati o n f eet o n th e left , G ra nd T eto n, e , M h e e levati on of Jac k son Lak e i s fe et. o n th e ri g ht. T u l. © H ay ne s , S t P a U O B IL E C A P . C A M P IN G IN M A M M OT H HO T S P R ING S A TO M M o uri st seaso n. n th i s s ite i n a s i n le ni g h t d uri ng th e t As many a s 30 0 cars may be p ark e d i g THE NAT IONAL PARKS AT A GL ANCE .
  • 2003 Fish with Cover

    2003 Fish with Cover

    Yellowstone Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences Annual Report 2003 Thorofare Creek, October 2003. ellowstone National Park’s Yellowstone Lake is whirling behavior, abnormal feeding, and increased home to the premier surviving inland cutthroat vulnerability to predation, was first detected in Yellowstone Y trout fishery in North America. Two significant Lake in 1998, and in the Firehole River in 2000. This threats to the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, discovered devastating disease further threatens already declining over a five-year period during the 1990s, irreversibly Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations. Although whirling altered the future of this thriving and diverse ecosystem. disease is currently believed to be concentrated in the Without swift, continuing action, negative effects on this northern regions of the Yellowstone Lake watershed, several trout population—a keystone energy source for numerous other tributaries have already been identified as at high risk. mammal and bird species and a recreational focus for In addition to native trout preservation, aquatics visitors—have the potential to produce ecosystemwide program goals include restoration of isolated but genetically consequences. pure westslope cutthroat trout, monitoring to track aquatic Predatory, non-native lake trout were likely illegally ecosystem health and expedite early warnings for other introduced to the lake in 1988 and not discovered until invasive exotic species, and encouragement of public 1994. They can consume 50–90 Yellowstone cutthroat trout involvement in various fisheries programs. per capita annually. Without heightened and maintained The stakes are high, raising the bar for innovative management efforts, they have the potential to decimate management and fundraising. The increased magnitude the Yellowstone Lake fishery in our lifetime.
  • Thesis Winter Ecology of Bighorn Sheep In

    Thesis Winter Ecology of Bighorn Sheep In

    THESIS WINTER ECOLOGY OF BIGHORN SHEEP IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Submitted by John L. 01demeyer In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Colorado State University December 1966 COLORADO STATE m~IVERSI1Y December 1966 WE HEREBY RECOl-lEEND 'lRAT lliE 'IHESIS PREPARED UNDER OUR SUPERVISION BY J onn L. 01demeyer ENTITLED tt'v-linter ecolo&;,( of bighorn sheep in yellowstone National ParkU BE ACCEPTED AS FULFILLING nus PART OF 'mE ~UIIill"LENTS FOR THE DillREE OF EASTER OF SCI~CE. CO:TJli ttee on Graduate Work --- - Examination Satisfacto~ Pennission to publish this thesis or any part of it must be obtained from the Dean of the Graduate School. PJL,ORADO STATE UN !VEKS ITY LI BRARIES i ABSTRACT WIN TER ECOLOOY OF ID:GHORN SHEEP IN YELLOVlS'IDHE NA TI ONAL PARK A bighorn sheep study was conducted on the northern winter range of yellowstone National Park, TNY01~inE from JIDle 1965 to June 1966. The objectives of the study were to census the bighorn population, map the winter bighorn distribution, detennine plant conposition and utilization on irnportant bighorn winter ranees, observe daily feedine habits, and assess the effect of competition on bighorn sheep. ~o hundred twen~ nine bighorn sheep wintered on the northern winter range. These herds were located on Nt. Everts, along the Yellowstone River, on Specimen Ridge, and along Soda Butte Creek. The ewe to ram ratio was 100: 78, the ewe to lamb ra tic waS 100: 47, and the ewe to yearling ratio was 100: 20. Range analysis was done on HacHinn Bench, Specimen Ridge, and Druid Peak.
  • Yellowstone National Park! Renowned Snowcapped Eagle Peak

    Yellowstone National Park! Renowned Snowcapped Eagle Peak

    YELLOWSTONE THE FIRST NATIONAL PARK THE HISTORY BEHIND YELLOWSTONE Long before herds of tourists and automobiles crisscrossed Yellowstone’s rare landscape, the unique features comprising the region lured in the West’s early inhabitants, explorers, pioneers, and entrepreneurs. Their stories helped fashion Yellowstone into what it is today and initiated the birth of America’s National Park System. Native Americans As early as 10,000 years ago, ancient inhabitants dwelled in northwest Wyoming. These small bands of nomadic hunters wandered the country- side, hunting the massive herds of bison and gath- ering seeds and berries. During their seasonal travels, these predecessors of today’s Native American tribes stumbled upon Yellowstone and its abundant wildlife. Archaeologists have discov- ered domestic utensils, stone tools, and arrow- heads indicating that these ancient peoples were the first humans to discover Yellowstone and its many wonders. As the region’s climate warmed and horses Great Fountain Geyser. NPS Photo by William S. Keller were introduced to American Indian tribes in the 1600s, Native American visits to Yellowstone became more frequent. The Absaroka (Crow) and AMERICA’S FIRST NATIONAL PARK range from as low as 5,314 feet near the north Blackfeet tribes settled in the territory surrounding entrance’s sagebrush flats to 11,358 feet at the Yellowstone and occasionally dispatched hunting Welcome to Yellowstone National Park! Renowned snowcapped Eagle Peak. Perhaps most interesting- parties into Yellowstone’s vast terrain. Possessing throughout the world for its natural wonders, ly, the park rests on a magma layer buried just one no horses and maintaining an isolated nature, the inspiring scenery, and mysterious wild nature, to three miles below the surface while the rest of Shoshone-Bannock Indians are the only Native America’s first national park is nothing less than the Earth lies more than six miles above the first American tribe to have inhabited Yellowstone extraordinary.
  • Yellowstone National Park Tour Report June 10-15, 2012 Guide Peg Abbott, with Six Participants: Lynn, Maggie, Hazel, Peter, Suzanne and Chris

    Yellowstone National Park Tour Report June 10-15, 2012 Guide Peg Abbott, with Six Participants: Lynn, Maggie, Hazel, Peter, Suzanne and Chris

    PO Box 16545 Portal, AZ 85632 Phone 520.558.1146 Toll free 866.900.1146 Fax 650.471.7667 Email [email protected] Yellowstone National Park Tour Report June 10-15, 2012 Guide Peg Abbott, with six participants: Lynn, Maggie, Hazel, Peter, Suzanne and Chris Sun., June 10 Billings / A Bit of the Prairie near Molt / Red Lodge We met in Billings on a very blustery day, but as the entire group arrived either a day early or were continuing from the week before, we got an early start. The wind was howling, and rain started as we left town, foiling our plans to pick up a few signature prairie species en route to Red Lodge. We gave it a try, seeing Horned Larks and Lark Buntings from paved and gravel roads near Molt, as well as several Pronghorn. We turned south from there, lining up with Laurel and our route to Red Lodge, where we enjoyed some time to explore this pretty little mountain town ahead of our welcome dinner. The historic Pollard Hotel is always fun to stay at, giving a sense of Montana’s rich past. The hostess greeted us warmly but not with the best of news. Peg became worried about the next day as today Beartooth Pass was closed, due to the weather conditions (snow!), blocking our planned route into Yellowstone. An alternate route was also scenic but longer, we’d have to wait and check conditions in the morning… Naturalist Journeys, LLC PO Box 16545 Portal, AZ 85632 PH: 520.558.1146 Toll free 866.900.1146 Fax 650.471.7667 www.naturalistjourneys.com Email [email protected] Mon., June 11 Beartooth Pass (almost) and Sunlight Basin to Cooke City We walked in the city park of Red Lodge to give the pass some time to open, knowing plows on both sides were at the task, but over three feet of snow had fallen the day before.
  • Landscape Photography in Yellowstone

    Landscape Photography in Yellowstone

    Landscape Photography in Yellowstone About | Staff | Instruction | Galleries | Forums | Portfolios | Shop | Links | Membership Yellowstone – A Rangers Perspective Text and photography copyright © Gary Melnysyn. All rights reserved. Each season as I approach Cody, Wyoming with my Jeep filled to the ceiling with summer gear and my best buddy Mo, a yellow lab who is an official "Bark Ranger" sprawled out in the back seat. I anticipate what new experience and sights I might encounter as I head out to McCullough Peak for my annual visit with the wild horses. Just 12 miles east of Cody this scenic area’s climate is typical of a cold desert with annual precipitation averaging five to nine inches. Stock reservoirs and intermittent streams fed by winter snows and spring runoff provide adequate water for the HMA. Topography is highly variable, ranging from mostly flat to slightly rolling foothills carved by drainages, to colorful badlands and desert mountains featuring steep slopes, cliffs and canyons. This is home to approximately 150 horses with a diversity of coat colors (bay, brown, black, sorrel, chestnut, white, buckskin, gray, palomino, and blue, red and strawberry roans) and patterns such as piebald and skewbald. Most times in early spring I am alone with these magnificent descendents of the early Spanish horses as I watch the mustangs battle for dominance within the herd. Moving westward I generally head over Chief Joseph Pass toward Cooke City Montana. This is, of course, is if weather permits. As we know, snow in Yellowstone can truly fall in any month. Although there may be only subtle changes, if any, to the landscape, it always seems so fresh and new as I wind my way over the pass, arguably one of the most scenic drives in the world.
  • Sensitive Species That Are Not Listed Or Proposed Under the ESA Sorted By: Major Group, Subgroup, NS Sci

    Sensitive Species That Are Not Listed Or Proposed Under the ESA Sorted By: Major Group, Subgroup, NS Sci

    Forest Service Sensitive Species that are not listed or proposed under the ESA Sorted by: Major Group, Subgroup, NS Sci. Name; Legend: Page 94 REGION 10 REGION 1 REGION 2 REGION 3 REGION 4 REGION 5 REGION 6 REGION 8 REGION 9 ALTERNATE NATURESERVE PRIMARY MAJOR SUB- U.S. N U.S. 2005 NATURESERVE SCIENTIFIC NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME(S) COMMON NAME GROUP GROUP G RANK RANK ESA C 9 Anahita punctulata Southeastern Wandering Spider Invertebrate Arachnid G4 NNR 9 Apochthonius indianensis A Pseudoscorpion Invertebrate Arachnid G1G2 N1N2 9 Apochthonius paucispinosus Dry Fork Valley Cave Invertebrate Arachnid G1 N1 Pseudoscorpion 9 Erebomaster flavescens A Cave Obligate Harvestman Invertebrate Arachnid G3G4 N3N4 9 Hesperochernes mirabilis Cave Psuedoscorpion Invertebrate Arachnid G5 N5 8 Hypochilus coylei A Cave Spider Invertebrate Arachnid G3? NNR 8 Hypochilus sheari A Lampshade Spider Invertebrate Arachnid G2G3 NNR 9 Kleptochthonius griseomanus An Indiana Cave Pseudoscorpion Invertebrate Arachnid G1 N1 8 Kleptochthonius orpheus Orpheus Cave Pseudoscorpion Invertebrate Arachnid G1 N1 9 Kleptochthonius packardi A Cave Obligate Pseudoscorpion Invertebrate Arachnid G2G3 N2N3 9 Nesticus carteri A Cave Spider Invertebrate Arachnid GNR NNR 8 Nesticus cooperi Lost Nantahala Cave Spider Invertebrate Arachnid G1 N1 8 Nesticus crosbyi A Cave Spider Invertebrate Arachnid G1? NNR 8 Nesticus mimus A Cave Spider Invertebrate Arachnid G2 NNR 8 Nesticus sheari A Cave Spider Invertebrate Arachnid G2? NNR 8 Nesticus silvanus A Cave Spider Invertebrate Arachnid G2? NNR
  • Tschanz Rare Books List 45 Yellowstone Images: S, M & L

    Tschanz Rare Books List 45 Yellowstone Images: S, M & L

    Tschanz Rare Books List 45 Yellowstone Images: S, M & L Usual terms. Items Subject to prior sale. Call, text: 801-641-2874 Or email: [email protected] to confirm availability. Domestic shipping: $10 International and overnight shipping billed at cost. Small 1- Haynes, Jack Ellis. 35694 Hellroaring Mountain from Highway, Yellowstone National Park. [St. Paul, MN]: Haynes Picture Shops, [1935]. Black and white photograph [9 cm x 11.5 cm] printed on a white stock [9.5 cm x 12 cm] Haynes number and title printed on the reverse. Image has strong contrasts. Fine. Image of Hellroaring Mountain, which is just north of Yellowstone Park. Photograph likely taken from the Grand Loop Road. $20 2- Haynes, Jack Ellis. 24384 Yellowstone Lake and Colter Peak. [St. Paul, MN]: Haynes Picture Shops, [1924]. Black and white photograph [9 cm x 11.5 cm] printed on a white stock [9.5 cm x 12 cm] Haynes number and title printed on the reverse. Image has strong contrasts. Near fine. Small short closed tear to the lower right margin. Image of Colter Peak and the surrounding Absaroka Range from the southeastern shore of Yellowstone Lake. Colter is named for John Colter, who was the first white man through the area. $20 3- Haynes, Jack Ellis. 28461 Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, Yellowstone Park. [St. Paul, MN]: Haynes Picture Shops, [1928]. Black and white photograph [9 cm x 11.5 cm] printed on a white stock [9.5 cm x 12 cm] Haynes number and title printed on the reverse. Image has strong contrasts. Fine.
  • MOUNT EVERTS: a STUDY in CRETACEAOUS SURF & TURF by Elaine Hale

    MOUNT EVERTS: a STUDY in CRETACEAOUS SURF & TURF by Elaine Hale

    jhft Buffalo Thfc Resource Management Newsletter Yellowstone National Park Early Winter 2002 What's inside Pine beetle activity 3 Geologists'notebook 4 Tribal meetings held in SD 5 "Live, from the South Pole" 8 Mt. Everts survey 12 Winter Use FSEIS update 15 News briefs 17 YELLOWSTONE'S UNCHARTED TERRITORY: THE 2002 THERMOPHILE SURVEY by Ann Rodman & Kendra Maas hermal ecosystems have radically changed our knowledge of the origins of life, evolution, and physiological and phylogenetic diversity. Yellowstone National Park comprises and protects the largest intact and most varied geo- Tthermal basin in the world. These high-temperature ecosystems represent a nearly unexplored wealth of ther­ mophile diversity that has the potential for remarkable scientific, social, and economic impact. For example, members of the Order Aquificales predominate in some of Yellowstone's near-neutral springs, and appear to be the Bacteria that are most closely related to the original organisms that inhabited Earth. Thermophiles are the unusual heat-loving microorganisms that thrive in high temperatures and, in Yellowstone, ex­ tremes of pH. The park has been inventorying the chemical and physical characteristics of geothermal ecosystems for years, but still knows very little about the biodiversity, ecology, and distribution of the thermophiles within them. In 1996, the list of thermophiles in Yellowstone included only 35 species. In 2000 and 2001, park staff searched the scientific lit­ erature for information about Yellowstone thermophiles and found references to 406 unique organisms in 105 different pools, meaning that fewer than one percent of Yellowstone's thermal pools have been studied for thermophiles! In 2002, the park began a collaboration with Portland State University and the University of New Mexico on a multi-year field/lab­ oratory project to create a baseline inventory of the microbial communities from geochemically, physically, and biologi­ cally varied areas throughout the park.
  • Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service

    Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service

    Thursday, February 28, 2008 Part II Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Critical Habitat for the Contiguous United States Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis); Proposed Rule VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:58 Feb 27, 2008 Jkt 214001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\28FEP2.SGM 28FEP2 sroberts on PROD1PC70 with PROPOSALS 10860 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 40 / Thursday, February 28, 2008 / Proposed Rules DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, refined to more closely circumscribe the Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203. boreal forest landscapes occupied by Fish and Wildlife Service We will not accept e-mail or faxed lynx. Refined maps that accurately comments. We will post all comments depict the specific vegetation types on 50 CFR Part 17 on http://www.regulations.gov. This all land ownerships are not readily generally means that we will post any available. We are especially interested [FWS–R6–ES–2008–0026] personal information you provide us in this information for the Greater 92210–1117–0000-B4] (see the Public Comments section below Yellowstone Area unit. RIN 1018–AV78 for more information). (9) Whether our proposed revised FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: critical habitat for the lynx should be Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Mark Wilson, Field Supervisor, altered in any way to account for and Plants; Revised Critical Habitat for Montana Ecological Services Office, 585 climate change. the Contiguous United States Distinct Shepard Way, Helena, MT, 59601; (10) Whether the proposed revised critical habitat designation for the lynx Population Segment of the Canada telephone 406–449–5225.
  • The Main Plan for This Day Was to Check out the Grand Canyon of The

    The Main Plan for This Day Was to Check out the Grand Canyon of The

    ! NORTHEAST YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK The main plan for this day was to check out the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone area, including the Brink of the Upper Falls Trail, Uncle Tom's Trail, Artist's Point, the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail, and Inspiration Point. We also checked out Tower Falls on the way to the canyon area, before it got too crowded later in the day. Unfortunately, however, as it got too crowded in the canyon area quickly, we had some time in the afternoon to check out other areas. Therefore, we also stopped at a turnout near Dunraven Pass to photograph the spectacular wildflowers on the slopes of Observation Peak, as well as at the Petrified Tree (which was jammed with tourists) near Tower-Roosevelt and the "Forces of the Northern !Range" boardwalk. Buffalo rubbing his face on a tree on the side of the road; luckily it was early in the morning, as otherwise there would have been more vehicles than just the one in front us stopped in the middle of the road blocking traffic: ! ! Tower Falls (height 132 feet) has some interesting rock '"minarets" near the edge of the falls: ! ! Informative sign at the falls; the rock at the top of the falls is volcanic breccia, which is harder than the layer of rock beneath it; the glacial debris beneath this volcanic breccia is more easily eroded, creating Tower Falls: ! ! Vertical photograph of Tower Falls, showing that its lower portion is not visible from this overlook: ! ! The trail to the base of the falls is closed: ! ! However, visitors can walk down to near the Yellowstone River: