Nearly three times the size of Rhode Island
Across three states – Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
It became the world’s first national park in 1872 when
Congress and President Ulysses S Grant created Yellowstone National Park.
Five Entrances to the Park
Northeast Entrance – closet to Cook City and Silver Gate, Mont.
North Entrances – is five-mile from Gardiner, Mont.
East Entrance – is fifty-three miles from Cody, Wyo.
South Entrance – fifty-seven miles from Jackson, Wyo.
West Entrance – this entrance is the busiest at West Yellowstone, Mont.
Wildlife in the Park
At the last headcount, 94 wolves roam the park in eight packs. The packs can be seen in Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, Canyon area, Willow Flats, and Blacktail Deer Plateau. Best time to see them at dawn and dusk.
The elk population during the winter months is about 5,000 and increases to 10,000 to 20,000 during the summer months. Adult bull elks weigh up to 700 pounds, while the females weigh 500 pounds.
Moose are striking in appearance because of their towering size, black or brown coloring, long legs, pendulous muzzle, dangling hairy dewlap, and the immense, wide, flat antlers of old bulls.
Grizzly Bears have a massive head with a prominent nose, rounded inconspicuous ears, small eyes, a short tail, a large, powerful body, and a noticeable hump above the shoulders. The claws on the front feet of adults are about 4 inches long and slightly curved. Grizzly Bears range widely in color and size. For viewing, go to Lamar, Hayden, and Pelican valley.
The American bison is the largest surviving terrestrial animal in North America. They are broad and muscular with shaggy coats of long hair adults grow up to 6 feet 11 inches in height and11 ft 6 inches in length. American bison can weigh from around 880 to 2,800 pounds. Bison are nomadic. The bulls leave the herds of females at two or three years of age and join a horde of males, generally smaller than females. Mature bulls rarely travel alone.
Hiking in the Park
Avalanche Peak
This 4.5-mile hike to the 10,600-foot dramatic summit gains 2,070 feet in elevation. As a result, this hike is steep and rugged.
Trout Lake
This short uphill trail of 1.2 -miles through a Douglas-fir forest to the lake gains 200 feet in elevation.
Storm Point
Storm Point Loop is a 2.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail with an elevation gain of 98 feet, through a meadow and lodgepole pine forest – home to bison, bears, and eagles.
Wraith Falls
A popular 6-mile round trip with spectacular views fr
This easy, short, 0.9-mile trail passes through sagebrush meadows, marshland, and mixed conifer forest to the base of 79-foot Wraith Falls on Lupine Creek.
Mount Washburn
Mt. Washburn is a popular 6-mile round trip with spectacular views from the summit fire tower at the top of a 10,243-foot peak. It is heavily trafficked and is a reward by the 360-degree views from the top are spectacular—families of bighorn sheep who frequent the mountainside.
The hike is strenuous and not recommended for those with heart and respiratory problems.
Fairy Falls
There are two heavily trafficked trails, 4.8 miles round trip, heavily trafficked out and back trail. At 220-feet-high, Fairy Falls, Yellowstone’s most spectacular waterfall, is the tallest waterfall in the park.
You will walk 1.6 miles through a young lodgepole pine forest to the falls. Continue 0.6 miles to Spray, and Imperial geysers will add 1.2 miles to your hike.
Mammoth Hot Springs
The Mammoth Hot Springs volcanic heat source remains somewhat of a mystery. Scientists have proposed two sources: the giant magma chamber underlying the Yellowstone Caldera or a more minor heat source closer to Mammoth.
At Mammoth, a network of fractures and fissures form the plumbing system that allows hot water from underground to reach the surface. The water comes from rain and snow falling on the surrounding mountains and seeping deep into the earth where it is heated. In addition, small earthquakes may keep the plumbing open.
Feel free to email us any suggestions, comments, or corrections that you feel need to webmaster@northeast-truckcampers.org. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
