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From snowshoes to snowcoaches; explore the evolution of winter use in Yellowstone.
Duration: 2 minute 13 seconds
- Credit / Author:
- Written & Presented by Park Ranger George Heinz
- Date created:
- 2007-04-27
After 1872, the first winter visitors to Yellowstone were not here as tourist, but as hunters. Prior to 1883, general hunting was allowed and even though commercial hunting was illegal, it was wide-spread. In winter, commercial hunters could ski close enough to elk that it was possible to kill dozens in a day.
Early skis were often called snowshoes or Norwegians. They were as long as ten or twelve feet and extremely heavy. Unlike the two ski poles used today, only one long pole was used.
In 1886, The U.S. Army began a period of over thirty years protecting Yellowstone. A series of outpost were built and soldiers began routinely patrolling in winter. Later, after the National Park Service was formed, park rangers stayed in “snowshoe cabins,” that were built throughout the park.
In 1948, the first motorized over-snow vehicles, called snowplanes, visited the Old Faithful area. In 1955, two businessmen from West Yellowstone, Montana brought the first snowcoaches into the park. Those were bombardiers, much like these coaches that are used in the park today.
In 1963, the first personal snowmobiles entered the park. In 1972 the park began grooming roads and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge began operating for a short winter season, followed by the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel in 1982.
By the late 1990’s, over 150,000 people were entering Yellowstone each winter, many on 2-stroke snowmobiles. To help battle air and noise pollution, the National Park Service began limiting the number of snowmobiles and snowcoaches in 2003. Today, only snowmobiles with the best available technology are allowed and those must be with a authorized guide.
If you are interested in learning more about winter-use, visit our web-site at www.nps.gov/yell. Surely, as our society learns more about how humans impact our world, our management practices will continue evolving to better protect our wild places.
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Yellowstone has 12 campgrounds and over 2,000 sites to choose from. Campgrounds range in size from 29 sites to over 400.
Duration: 2 minute 11 seconds
- Credit / Author:
- Written & Presented by Park Ranger George Heinz
- Date created:
- 2007-04-27
There is nothing like a camping trip to Yellowstone. Waking-up in the outdoors seems to bring us closer to nature. Whether you are in a recreational vehicle or a tent, the sounds and smells of a campground will work on you like magic.
Yellowstone has 12 campgrounds and over 2,000 sites to choose from. Campgrounds range in size from 29 sites to over 400. While most of these sites are only available in the summer, the campground at Mammoth Hot Springs is open all year long.
Seven of the park’s campgrounds are managed by the National Park Service and those sites are on a first come, first served basis. It’s best to get to the park early, claim a site and then go exploring. Many of the park’s campgrounds fill each day. Check-out time is 10 AM.
The remaining 5 campgrounds are managed by Xanterra Parks & Resorts, and those sites can be reserved. If you are looking for full hook-ups for a recreational vehicle, the Fishing Bridge RV Park is your only choice. Due to bear activity, only hard sided vehicles are permitted at Fishing Bridge. (www.TravelYellowstone.com).
Many campgrounds offer free ranger-led programs in the evening. Check for availability and times on our website, at a visitor center or on the bulletin board at your campground.
Remember, Yellowstone is home to black bears and grizzly bears. Help protect Yellowstone’s bears. Keep a clean camp and always store any food items in a vehicle or in one of the bear proof boxes that are provided.
When packing for a camping trip to Yellowstone, make sure you include some warm clothes and rain gear. It can be cold or even snow at any time of year.
Camping in Yellowstone has a long and storied past. From the park’s first explorers to President Theodore Roosevelt, the park has welcomed generations of campers. I hope that soon, you and your family get a chance to wake-up with nature right here in Yellowstone National Park.
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Learn about various types of snow and how snowflakes form in this short video.
Duration: 2 minute 29 seconds
- Credit / Author:
- Written & Presented by Park Ranger George Heinz
- Date created:
- 2007-04-27
Looking across a snow covered landscape can be both pleasing and overwhelming. Your perspective may depend on whether you are about to go skiing or shovel out a buried car. But, there is no denying that individual snowflakes are as beautiful as they are complex.
Most often, when we talk about snowflakes we really mean snow crystals, which are single crystals of ice with six-fold symmetry. A snowflake can also mean a combination of multiple snow crystals.
It is true that no 2 are alike, but they do have things in common with each other. Snow crystals begin as a microscopic speck of dust. Scientists call these small particles condensation nuclei. They supply the surface that a water droplet needs to initially freeze to ice. Once a droplet freezes, it continues growing into a snow crystal as water vapor condenses on its surface.
We know that a glass of water will freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but dispersed fine droplets can remain liquid in air as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. These supercooled droplets promote the growth of ice crystals.
The path that an individual ice crystal takes on its way to the ground is unique to that crystal. The conditions along that path determine the shape and complexity we see when a snowflake lands on our coat sleeve.
On colder days here in Yellowstone we may get a chance to see a form of snow crystals called diamond dust. These hexagonal ice prisms are only a few 10ths of a millimeter in size and nearly invisible to the naked eye. These small crystals sparkle in the sunlight as if the air is twinkling. Cirrus clouds are made of diamond dust.
The largest ice crystals are called stellar dendrites. They begin as small hexagonal ice prisms with branches that grow simultaneously from the six corners. The side branches are triggered by changes in temperature and humidity.
Ice crystals can also come in column or needle shapes. They never come with 4, 5, 7 or 8 sides.
While talking about snowflakes, Thoreau said, “How full of the creative genius is the air in which these are generated! I should hardly admire more if real stars fell and lodged on my coat.”
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Most avalanches occur within a day or two after a heavy snowfall. This means you need to know what the conditions were like on the days preceding your trip.
Duration: 2 minute 29 seconds
- Credit / Author:
- Written & Presented by Park Ranger George Heinz
- Date created:
- 2007-04-27
A winter trip into Yellowstone’s backcountry can be the adventure of a life time. Whether you plan on entering this spectacular wilderness for a day or on an extended trip, you should be aware of the potential for avalanches.
In reality, all that is required for an avalanche to occur is a mass of snow and a slope to slide down. But, several factors can combine to raise the avalanche danger. The first factor to look at is the weather.
Most avalanches occur within a day or two after a heavy snowfall. This means you need to know what the conditions were like on the days preceding your trip. You can learn a lot by talking to a ranger at a visitor center or a backcountry office.
Surface Hoar is formed on calm and clear nights. These beautiful ice crystals form a weak layer once they are covered by snow. Depth Hoar develops within the snowpack and can be very dangerous. It forms when there is a large temperature gradient within the snowpack.
Wind can also be a big factor to consider. As wind rises up the windward side of a mountain it erodes the snow and carries it up and over the ridge. The snow is then loaded onto the leeward side of the mountain. The added weight raises the avalanche danger drastically.
Slope angle and slope orientation are also important. Most avalanches occur on slopes of 30 degrees or more, but wet snow can slide on slopes as low as 10 degrees. Here in the United States, the majority of slides are on the north, east and northeast side of mountain ranges.
Be aware of the terrain you are crossing. Avoid gullies and bowls if possible. The snow can build rapidly in those types of areas. Small depressions located between steeper slopes can be dangerous. These places are called terrain traps for a reason.
Conditions can change rapidly in Yellowstone. Take the time to research avalanches before you begin your adventure. You can find some great information by visiting our website. (http://www.nps.gov/yell/avalanche_information.htm) By understanding the dynamics of avalanches, you can develop the skills needed to survive in this winter wonderland.
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I think the old saying is, "getting there is half the adventure". For a winter trip to Yellowstone, that may be an understatement.
Duration: 2 minute 11 seconds
- Credit / Author:
- Written & Presented by Park Ranger George Heinz
- Date created:
- 2007-04-27
I think the old saying is, “getting there is half the adventure.” For a winter trip to Yellowstone, that may be an understatement. Especially if you get to ride in an R-12 Bombardier or a Bombardier as the locals would say. These historic snowcoaches have been used to access the park’s interior since 1955.
The Bombardier season begins with the opening of the Old Faithful Snow Lodge in mid-December. Xanterra Parks and Resorts operate 21 Bombardiers as part of their transportation fleet.
Alpen Guides of West Yellowstone, Montana also operates a small fleet of Bombardiers. You will find help locating all the companies that supply services in winter by visiting our website (www.nps.gov/yell).
These snowcoaches are just plain cool, with bucket seats up front and a bench seats in back. They say it can hold 10 people, but that’s a tight fit. Some even come with both a luggage and a ski rack. Throw in a sun roof and now you’re styling.
Bombardiers have become somewhat of an icon. They symbolize our societies struggle to both enjoy and protect the places we love. History or no history, these snowcoaches will need to use the “best available technology,” to continue fascinating winter visitors.
In the winter of 2007-2008, Xanterra began experimenting with ways of making these coaches quieter and cleaner. That winter, snowcoach 707 was equipped with catalytic converters and better computer, fuel injection, and muffler systems.
Hopefully, future improvements will allow these Bombardiers to continue their service here in Yellowstone. By utilizing new cleaner technology as it comes along, we will ensure Yellowstone is protected for the future.
Overall, it’s the resource that brings us here. From the wild animals to the thermal features, Yellowstone is amazing in winter. But, take it from an old snowcoach driver, that’s one hot bombardier.
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Historically, Yellowstone National Park has been more of a summer destination than a winter one, but there are all kinds of winter opportunities to be had by the adventurous traveler.
Duration: 2 minute 12 seconds
- Credit / Author:
- Written & Presented by Park Ranger George Heinz
- Date created:
- 2007-04-27
Historically, Yellowstone National Park has been more of a summer destination than a winter one, but there are all kinds of winter opportunities to be had by the adventurous traveler. The park’s interior officially open in mid-December and remains open until mid-March.
The only roads that are open to automobile traffic during this time are between the Mammoth Hot Springs area and the northeast gate of the park; a 22 mile stretch of U.S. 191, along the west side of the park, is also open during winter. These plowed roads offer access to some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, but the conditions require drivers to maintain a safe speed while staying alert for wildlife.
Away from the plowed roads, visitors must rely on over-snow means of transportation. The hotel at Mammoth, as well as the Old Faithful Snow Lodge offer rooms for rent and a wide range of activities. Both of these hotels have a variety of snowcoach adventures and guided snowmobile trips. Many companies outside Yellowstone also provide accommodations, transportation services and other winter adventures.
These adventures include, but are not limited to, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Both hotels within the park staff ski-shops with knowledgeable personnel. Ski drops can be reserved along with your room. Ski trail maps are available at many park locations.
The National Park Service staffs visitor centers at Mammoth, Old faithful and the West Contact Station near the west gate. Yellowstone rangers present interpretive programs at various times during the week. Rangers also staff warming-huts at several places in the park. You can often catch interpretive rangers presenting impromptu talks at many of the park’s attractions.
Check our official web-site on the latest news on visiting Yellowstone in winter. There, you can also find a list of companies that operate within the park. If you do venture into this winter wonderland, know your families limitations. A winter trip to Yellowstone is a trip you won’t soon forget.
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As the climate warms the tree-line moves higher and the Yellowstone region is left with less alpine tundra. Learn about this and other effects of climate change.
Duration: 3 minute 05 seconds
- Credit / Author:
- Presented by Park Ranger Kelli English
- Date created:
- 2007-04-27
The diversity here at Yellowstone National Park is truly amazing. The park ranges in elevation from 5,282 feet here at Reese Creek to 11,358 feet on Eagle Peak, high in the Absaroka Mountains. The landscape here ranges from dry sagebrush steppe to alpine tundra.
The park is famous for the multitude of wildlife species that inhabit this unique place. To protect Yellowstone, we must ask ourselves what climate change means for the park and are there clues today that our nation’s first national park is showing signs of global warming?
Many believe the answer is yes. Plants seem to be the most susceptible to rapid change. It takes generations for a plant species to change locations, especially in mountainous regions. Today, the upper tree-line is around 9,500 feet. As the climate warms, that tree-line moves higher and the Yellowstone region is left with less alpine tundra.
Grizzly bears, pikas and numerous plant species all require the alpine zone for survival. Today, whitebark pine trees that define the upper reaches of the forest are being infested with pine bark beetles. Drought makes it harder for trees to fight these infestations.
At lower elevations near Mammoth Hot Springs, the mature spruce and fir forest is under attack by the spruce budworm. While still in the larval stage of development, the budworm consumes much of the newest growth on the host trees. The dead and drying tips of trees can be seen throughout the Northern Rockies.
Researchers believe the water cycle is changing as well. Spring runoff is occurring 20 days earlier than in the past. In some areas, global warming could mean more precipitation, but with warmer air, evaporation increases.
With warmer rivers, coldwater fish habitat could be reduced by as much as 30%. Some aquatic insects and other stream invertebrates could be wiped out.
Then there’s fire. Average temperatures in the mountain west could increase by as much as 13 degrees. Wildfire seasons that are longer and more intense may already be the norm. Fire releases CO2, the root cause of global warming.
Many of us have built a snowman by first starting with a small ball of snow. We roll the ball and it gets bigger and bigger. But, then we need help to complete our snowman. I believe global warming has been building much like our snowball and we can’t fix it without all of us helping.
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Fall and spring seem to be the most dangerous seasons because people are not as prepared.
Duration: 2 minute 42 seconds
- Credit / Author:
- Presented by Park Ranger Kelli English
- Date created:
- 2007-04-27
At times, it may seem the more you learn about surviving in a wilderness, the more you need to learn. A couple of the most important skills you can have are knowing how to recognize the early stages of hypothermia and how to administer treatment.
Hypothermia starts when the body temperature has dropped about 3 degrees. Uncontrollable shivering, loss of coordination, confusion and cold or blue skin are all signs to watch for. Treatment should start at the first indication of hypothermia.
If possible, get into a warm and dry environment. Insulate the hypothermic person from the ground with a sleeping pad or anything that is available. Change out of any wet clothes and get in a warmed sleeping bag. Drink hot drinks and eat foods that are high in sugar.
During mild hypothermia, you can also increase exercise. If you feel the patient is getting worse, the treatment changes. While they are conscious, continue to administer hot fluids, but discourage strenuous activity.
An old trick used by experienced backpackers is to fill a water bottle with hot water and place it under the arms or near the groin. Hot rocks that you can touch without burning your hand may also be used.
In cases of severe hypothermia, life is on the line. About the only thing you can do is to maintain the person’s current body temperature while someone in your group gets medical help. Skin to skin contact in a sleeping bag or blanket could save a life. Rubbing the skin and moving the joints should be avoided. Be gentle with the victim.
Always make sure you use good clothing and equipment when entering the backcountry. Wool and synthetics are better to wear, because cotton holds moisture and accelerates hypothermia. Seek medical attention with all but the mildest stage of hypothermia.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be extremely cold for hypothermia to develop. Fall and spring seem to be the most dangerous seasons because people are not as prepared. Take the time to ensure that all members of your party can recognize and treat this killer.
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By looking at what we carry, you can develop your own emergency kit.
Duration: 2 minute 23 seconds
- Credit / Author:
- Written & Presented by Park Ranger George Heinz
- Date created:
- 2007-04-27
An adventure to Yellowstone in winter is one of the most exciting things I can think of. That same trip also has the potential to be one of the most dangerous trips of your life. As rangers, we are required to carry an emergency survival kit when we venture out on snowmobiles.
By looking at what we carry, you can develop your own emergency kit. You will be required to explore Yellowstone’s winter landscape with a guide, but you never know what these mountains have in store.
One of the most important items I carry is a space blanket. I actually carry 2. These can be used to build an emergency shelter to protect you from the elements. They usually have a reflective side and a colored side that could be used to attract the attention of rescuers.
A fire building kit is a must. Mine has wax paper that is easy to light. I also carry cotton balls and petroleum jelly or fire sticks. Aluminum foil can be used as sort of a fire pan to elevate your fire from the snow if you can’t dig to the ground. You will also need waterproof matches.
Gathering wood and building a fire can be strenuous so you will need some dry clothes. Extra gloves, socks, a hat and some good long underwear can help you keep your fingers and toes. If you have the room, carry a good down sleeping bag and maybe a tent.
Heat packs are essential. They can be used to warm your feet and hands, even if you are not stranded. Water, high calorie food and tea or hot chocolate are great to have. Foods that are high in sugar can help you fight off hypothermia. I also carry a small backpacking stove.
A flashlight or headlamp can make life much easier and could be the difference between getting home tonight instead of tomorrow. Don’t forget batteries. A good knife and maybe an adjustable wrench can come in very handy.
I personalize my kit with a skier’s snow shovel, a sleeping pad, some toilet paper, ski goggles and extra rope or bungee cords. I also carry a first-aid kit. You should add any items you feel will help you survive the unexpected.
If you want to make sure your stuff stays dry, try using a dry bag like the ones boaters use. You can get those almost anywhere. As rangers, we also have park radios. We hope your adventure is one to remember for all the right reasons.
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