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Of f icial Newspaper of Yel l o wstone National Par k Autumn 2001 G r aphic removed for faster loading C o n t e n t s Safety .. 2 Park Information .. 3 Trip Tip s. 4 Vol c a n o !. 5 Welcome to the Wo r l d ’s First National Pa r k Big Mammal Map .. 8 The Natural Force of Fire .. 9 Yel l o wstone is also: • One of the few places in the world with active traver t i n e Is s u e s .. .1 0 • The second largest national park in the contiguous te r r a c e s Se r v i c e s .. .1 3 – 1 5 U.S.—approximately 3,472 square miles in Wyo m i n g , • Home to the largest concentration of elk in the wor l d Ma p. Back Cover Montana, and Idaho (the largest is Death Val l e y National • Location of the largest lake above 7,000 feet in North Center section: Park in California) Am e r i c a — Ye l l o wstone Lake; with about 110 miles (170 Walks & Talks & Programs • Site of the wor l d ’ s greatest concentration of thermal km) of shoreline and approximately 136 square miles features—approximately 10,000, including more than (354 sq km) of surface area Ranger-led activities continue 300 geys e r s through September. • Location of the wor l d ’ s largest petrified forest • One of the wor l d ’ s largest active vol c a n o e s I n t e r n ational Der Yel l o wstone National Park hat Madison–Norris Road closed—see back page. V i s i t o r s ge wisse Gefahren. Sehen Sie Seite 2. Sie können Information auf Deutschan den Besucherzentren Le Parc national de Yel l ow s t o n e und Par ke i n g angen bekom m e n . Park Inform a t i o n E m e r g e n cy présente des risques particuliers. Existen peligros únicos en el Re gardez la page 2. Des renseigne- Unique dangers exist in 3 0 7 - 3 4 4 - 7 3 8 1 Parque Nacional Yel l ow s t o n e . Ve a Yel l o wstone National park. ments en francais sont disponibles página 2. Se puede conseguir infor- w w w. n p s . g ov / ye l l Dial 911 aux centres des visiteurs dans le See page 2. You can obtain more mación en español en los Centros information at visitor centers and parc et aux kiosques d’entreé. de Visitantes y las entradas. en t r ance stations. Printed on recycled paper with soy ink 2 You Need to Read This Pa g e Autumn 2001 Attention Anglers & Boaters Yel l o wstone National Par k ’ s general fishing season opens the Saturday of Memorial C AU T I O N : Scalding Wa t e r Day weekend and closes the first Sunday in Novem b e r . Other dates apply for Yel l o wstone Lake and its tributaries; see page 6 or consult the park fishing regu l a t i o n s . Beautiful but deadly: Yel l ow s t o n e ’ s thermal features can kill you. Their waters are frequently Boats and float tubes require permits; see page 6. near or above boiling. The crust surrounding them is thin and breaks easily, and often over l i e s more scalding wat e r . People have died in these pools. Be safe, be careful—enjoy the thermal B a c k c o u n t r y Pe r m i t s areas from a distance. Permits are required for over night backcountry use and may be obtained in person • You must stay on boardwalks and designated trails. Th e y exist to protect you and to up to 48 hours in advance from any ranger station. Rangers will provide information pr e s e r v e delicate formations. on weather, trails and other conditions. See page 7 for more information. • Pets are prohibited in thermal areas. B i cy cl i n g • Swimming or bathing is prohibited in thermal pools or streams where water flows entirely from a thermal spring or pool. Please wear safety gear, including helmet and high visibility clothing. Park roads • Where swimming is allowed, swim at your own risk. Thermal waters may contain organ i s m s are narrow and winding with few shoulders, and no bicycle paths exist along them. kn o wn to cause infections and/or amoebic meningitis, which can be quickly fatal. Obtain In spring, high snowbanks make travel more dangerous. Road elevations range from more information at any ranger station or visitor center. 5,300 to 8,860 feet (1,615–2,700 m); long distances exist between services and facilities. Bicycling is permitted on established public roads, parking areas, and designated routes. Bicycles are prohibited on backcountry trails and boardwalks. Motorists frequently do not see bicyclists or fail to give them sufficient space on the road. Drivers sometimes pass on hill crests, blind curves or in oncoming traffic . Vehicles, especially motor homes or those towing trailers, may have wide mirrors, Stay Away from Wildlife posing an additional hazard. For more information about bicycling in Yel l ow s t o n e , inquire at a visitor center. Yel l o wstone is not a zoo and the animals are BE A R S li ve throughout the park. Be alert for Fa l li n g Tr e e s not tame, even though they may seem calm. tracks and sign; do not approach carcasses. Avoid areas with large numbers of dead trees (snags), which may suddenly fal l — Do not approach any wildlife. Vie w them Tak e all necessary precautions to avoid especially on windy days. from the safety of your veh i c l e . If an animal surprise encounters. reacts to your presence, you are too close. High Altitude Page 7, “Hiking and Camping in Bear Most of the park is above 7,500 feet (2,275 m). Al l o w time to acclimate and drink Keep your distance and stay safe—and you Co u n t r y ,” provides important infor m a t i o n plenty of liquids. Be aware of your physical limitations. Don’t over e xert; drink plenty will be rewarded by seeing more of an on precautions and what to do if you of water to forestall the dehydrating effects of the park’s dry climate. Stop and rest an i m a l ’ s natural behavior and activi t y . encounter a bear. fr e q u e n t l y . Each year park visitors are injured by wildlife If precautionary measures fail and you are when they approach animals too closely. You ch a r ged by a bear, you can usually defuse the Pe t s must stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away situation. Pepper spray is a good last line of Pets must be leashed. Th e y are prohibited on all trails, in the backcountry, and in fr om bears and at least 25 yards (23 m) defense; it has been effe c t i ve in more than thermal basins. Pets are not allowed more than 100 feet from a road or parking area. away from all other animals—including 90% of the reported cases where it has been Le a ving a pet unattended and/or tied to an object is prohibited. bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, used. Become familiar with your pepper wol v es, coyot e s . sp r a y , read all instructions, and know its limi- Picnic Areas Ov ernight camping is not allowed in the park’s picnic areas. Fires may be built only BI S O N are unpredictable and dangerous; tations. Pepper spray must be instantly avai l - th e y weigh up to 2,000 pounds (900 kg) and able, not in your pack. Remember, carrying in fire grates available in picnic areas at Snake River , Grant Village, Bridge Bay, sprint 30 miles per hour (48 kph). Vis i t o r s pepper spray is not a substitute for vigilance Cascade, Norris Meadows, Yel l o wstone River , Spring Creek, Nez Perce, and the east ar e gored every yea r . and good safety precautions. parking lot of Old Faithful. Liquid or gas fuel stoves or self-contained charcoal grills If you are injured by a bear (regardless of may be used for cooking at all locations. Most picnic areas have pit toilets, but none CO YOTE S quickly learn habits like roadside ha ve drinking wat e r . feeding. This may lead to aggressive behavi o r ho w minor), or if you observe a bear or bear to ward humans and can increase the risk of sign, report it to a park ranger as soon as Stream Crossing the coyote being poached or hit by a veh i c l e . possible. Someone’s safety may depend on it. If your plans include fishing or following trails that cross streams, check at local ranger stations for current stream conditions. T h ef t Lock your vehicle; keep all valuables out of sight; label all valuable property with AVOID These Situations your name, address, or identification number; report theft or vandalism to a ranger.