They're Here

SnoBear on left, Grizz on right.

Note the heavy track system and suspension on the skis of the Grizz.

Photo from SnoBear Facebook Page.

A Bit Of Information

SnoBear SEEN IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

ALL DECKED OUT IN COMMERCIAL COLORS AND TOUTING AVAILABLE USES

.. FACT: There is a new SnoBear dealership in West Yellowstone.
.. FACT: There are two SnoBear vehicles in the neighborhood.
.. FACT: One vehicle is in Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park, and areas nearby with enough snow to use it.
.. FACT: One vehicle is in West Yellowstone, Montana and occasionally on Hebgen Lake, Parade Rest Guest Ranch, and environs.
FACT: The vehicles are light, nimble, clean, quiet, modern, and initially designed for ice fishing.
FACT: Aircraft-design windows do not fog up when in use.

RUMOR: Yellowstone National Park is exploring the possibility of buying a fleet of these vehicles, (or a larger custom-built model,) to replace or augment their aging fleet of van-conversions and Bombardier vehicles.
RUMOR: A custom built, (to Park specifications,) vehicle should arrive in Mammoth within a month, or six weeks at the latest.
RUMOR: A ski shuttle business is in the offing for back country areas around West Yellowstone and perhaps in Yellowstone National Park.
RUMOR: These vehicles are cleaner and quieter than any winter use vehicle currently mandated by Yellowstone National Park for winter over-the-snow tourism.
RUMOR: These vehicles provide comfort and convenience that is light-years beyond that of any vehicle currently being used for winter tourism in Yellowstone National Park.
RUMOR: Yellowstone National Park officials believe that the winter visitor experience will be greatly enhanced by the use of these vehicles.
RUMOR: Winter-stressed animals do not even look up as these vehicles pass them.
SPECULATION: The introduction of these vehicles into the winter travel mix in Yellowstone National Park could be as revolutionary as the banning of Snow Planes, or the mandate for only commercial travel on all roads except the road to Cooke City.
SPECULATION: Yellowstone National Park is using the vehicles for VIP tours.
SPECULATION: These vehicles are being tested in an effort to comply with any current or future EIS winter-use requirements.

Native Fish Conservation

20 YEAR EFFORT

Comment Now

no whiners

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.. The NATIVE FISH CONSERVATION PLAN is designed as a major effort to respond to the diminished stocks of native fish in Yellowstone National Park.
.. The Environmental Assessment is now open for public comment.

.. Mark your calendars; only two public meetings are scheduled:

* Bozeman, Montana: January 5th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Comfort Inn, 1 370 North 7th Avenue
* Cody, Wyoming: January 6th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Holiday Inn, 1701 Sheridan Avenue.

.. Written comments may be submitted through the project web site, in person, by mail, or at either of the scheduled public meetings. Comments will not be accepted by phone, fax, or e-mail. All public comments must be received or postmarked by midnight, January 31, 2011.
..  Here are the important Links:
==> Project Home Page,
==> Project Plan Process,
==> Meeting Notices,
==> Project Links,
==> Document List,
==> Comment Form.

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.. The scoping meeting in West Yellowstone last April was poorly attended. No feather merchants were present, one local guide was present, and a handful of concerned fishers attended.
.. Input by these few interested parties helped shape the current document that is now open for review.
.. The EA addresses Lake Trout in Yellowstone Lake, other invasive species throughout the rivers in the park, the effects of climate change on native species, and disease.
.. Conservation efforts addressed include: increased gill netting in Yellowstone Lake, establishing barriers and weirs, removing non native species, restoring native populations, and a host of other actions including poisoning fish populations.
.. The key concept is conservation. The actions taken to implement this can be extensive, varied, and vast.
.. It's important that input at this time be concise, reasoned and rational. It will help steer the project and will certainly affect the fishscape of the future.
.. Please understand that, at base, this addresses the question of "What Is The Purpose Of Yellowstone National Park." Several guides have remarked that it does no good to replace one trout with another. They are just concerned with catching any fish.

.. Many guides and fishers of the park will be voicing opinions that catching fish, (the more - the better,) is what the park should provide.
.. There are others that feel it's important to remove all invasive species such as Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Brook Trout to foster the recovery of native Cutthroat Trout & Grayling(?).
.. Many feather merchants feel that the role of Yellowstone National Park is to provide fishing opportunities for recreational fishing, (and an economic base for their enterprise.)
.. Some conservationists believe that the only way to enable preservation of native fish is to "restore" the park to "natural" conditions, including removal all planted stocks of fish, (which is a large segment of the current fishable populations.)
.. Definition of terms and concepts will be argued and explored at the public meetings and in the submitted comments. Many oxen could be gored by this project.

.. The subtext of comments will be interesting to observe, as will the rationale behind the proposed actions in those comments.
.. Some fishers of Yellowstone have opined that since Brown Trout have been in the rivers for over 100 years that they are "native."
.. Does that make Lake Trout native if they survive another 70 years?
.. In another 100 years what will the descendants of those fishers say about Rock Snot, New Zealand Mud Snails, and other yet unforeseen invasive species?

.. As the waters warm will we see Yellowstone become a trophy fishery for Carp and Chubs and Largemouth Bass?
.. What will happen if some fool decides to dump Northern Pike or Muskellunge or Lake Trout in Hebgen Reservoir, right at Yellowstone's door?
.. Your input is necessary for the decision making process. We're talking about the future and how history will view the legacy that we leave.
.. Make no mistake about it, this is a significant project. It will last for 20 years, (1/5 of the next 100 years.) It will significantly affect the definition of Yellowstone National Park and it's role in species conservation and recovery.
.. It will also determine who fishes where and for what in the park. It is an historic effort that demands you input and your concern for how Yellowstone is defined: a fun and profitable fishery for visitors seeking "non-native," invasive trout or a refuge for indigenous species - or both.

Park Opens

TODAY'S THE DAY

How 'bout 1939 ?

.. In 1939 if you flew into West Yellowstone you would be greeted by this lovely terminal building just off of Iris Street at the west side of town.
.. Now that's an adventure! Read it HERE.

Annual Arrival

The White's At Bullwinkle's

arriving as you read this

photos tomorrow

Winter Use Reports

DRAFT REPORTS

Comment Now

Old Snowcoaches nosiest
THE MONEY QUOTE

"The majority of these higher sound levels were
caused by old technology snowcoaches.
Sounds from both visitor and administrative
oversnow vehicles were included in this study."

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.. The 2009 draft reports for winter use are out. You can find them at: WINTER USE TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS. The two draft reports cover: noise, air pollution, wildlife reactions, and other issues.
.. Now that the commercial four stroke snowmobile fleet is quieter than old snowcoaches we anticipate that the winter use discussion will focus on the impact to animals generated by the concentrated mass of vehicles mandated by grouping sleds together in 'guided' tours.
.. There will probably not be much change in the stance of the traditional litigants in the winter use debate. Sadly there is entrenchment by all parties and they are still using both old data and misinformation in the public debates and harangues.
.. Arguments against snowmobiles are still focused on 2-stroke pollution & pictures that are over a decade old. Arguments for Bombardier snowcoaches ignore the crowded & restrictive nature of the experience and their decibel levels; both inside and outside of the vehicle.
.. The Acoustic Ecology Institute has followed the noise of sleds in the park and found similar results to the NPS studies.
.. In addition to the noise issue there is data that suggest that the current snowmobile fleet is even cleaner than the "BAT" snowcoaches, (LINK.) this data was produced two years ago and has only been used in court cases - not the public debates in the press.
.. A recent article in the Deseret News points out the kinds of arguments being used. The sad part of the whole debate is that enormous amounts of park monies and resources are being squandered defending and reiterating the "SCIENCE" that is misinterpreted.
.. This emotional battle is being fought along lines drawn in the snow by parties with vested interests so diverse that it promises to continue for another decade or more.

More User Friendly

EASY ACCESS
FOR NEW STUFF

.. A convenient point of entry for new postings has been added to the Yellowstone National Park Website. Simply: What's New on the Yellowstone Website?
.. Now, once you become familiar with the myriad resources on the site, you can keep current with just two links:
-----> NEWS
-----> WHAT'S NEW
.. The newest of the new includes thirteen videos added this month and last month. You can find the list at: Inside Yellowstone Videos List.
.. An iTunes podcast subscription box is also included on each video page. Click HERE to see the Apollinaris Video.
.. The Yellowstone Digital Slide File continues to grow and now has over 13,000 images that are in the public domain.

Busy Beavers

GROWTH IN RESOURCES

YNP Web Site Goodies

nice work guys
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.. In the every expanding website for Yellowstone National Park is a section on "Publications Related To Yellowstone." From information on campgrounds to the Associated Tribes this resource gives a list of publications available for online consultation.
.. Most of the publications are in PDF format. One excellent, (and very large,) map of the park can be found HERE, this is the same map you receive when you enter the park.
.. Other resources include: Bison Natural History, Where are the Bloomin' Wildflowers?, Yellowstone and the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Exploring the History of Yellowstone National Park with John Colter.
.. Of course there are many other resources listed about the geology and biology and other topics relating to Yellowstone National Park. Many of these resources have existed previously on the site - it's nice to see them in a single place.
.. This page provides an excellent starting point for visitors and allows information to be appreciated prior to visiting the park.
.. Thanks go to the staff for keeping the site dynamic, and pertinent.

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click on image for large size

Foul Geysers

YELLOWSTONE SCIENCE
SEES IT - SHOWS IT

A World Perspective

.. Vol. 17, #1 of Yellowstone Science has been published to the web. It's lead article is about the geysers of Yellowstone in a global perspective. The title is "HUMAN IMPACTS ON GEYSER BASINS."
.. The history of impacts and degradation to the geysers and thermal features in Yellowstone is documented.
.. The most significant cause of destruction and degradation can be laid, (directly or indirectly,) at the feet of "TOURISM."
.. And, it continues today with roads, trails, boardwalks, and other elements of the built environment encroaching on thermal basins in the name of access.
.. From the earliest days to the present the perception has been that appreciation of the features is best done "up close and personal."
.. This attitude demands destruction and degradation for the perceived need for appreciation.
.. Geothermal exploitation is also considered as a threat to the thermal features of Yellowstone. Two areas adjacent to Yellowstone National Park are mentioned, as is the monitoring of resources in the park.
.. Any persons with more than a passing interest in the history of thermal feature degradation in Yellowstone National Park should read this article.
--> PART ONE (PDF) [pages 1 - 18, includes geyser article]
--> PART TWO (PDF) [pages 19 - 37, includes other articles]

[sic]
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[CORRECT]

Ranger Smith's New Tires

YOGI WATCHING CLOSELY

New Skins For Jellystone Fleet

.. On the first day of April, (irony?) the Michelin Man announced his take over of the commercial battleground known as Yellowstone National Park.
.. Michelin is now the "OFFICIAL TIRE OF THE YELLOWSTONE PARK FOUNDATION." Read it HERE.
.. The tire giant proposes ". . . to provide Michelin energy-saving tires to the Yellowstone National Park vehicle fleet. Adding Michelin tires will improve the fleet's fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions by an estimated 8 to 10 percent."
.. They will also ". . . engage in programs for Yellowstone employees that demonstrate how to improve fuel efficiency and maximize tire life through proper tire inflation."
.. It is important to remember that tires need to be properly inflated, as pointed out by the raft of lawsuits in the early part of this decade.
.. The Michelin Tire Company, (Michelin, B.F. Goodrich, Uniroyal and Kleber brands,) knows full well the implications of poorly inflated and defective tires, as illustrated by a raft of lawsuits: ( SOURCES, #1, #2, #3, #4.) Their experience and history should inform their program curricula for Yellowstone employees.
.. The benefits to Michelin and Yellowstone should soon become apparent. The park gets tires and service on the tires for it's fleet, (depending on how many vehicles this could be a substantial cost saving for the park.)
.. The tire giant gets advertising opportunities and the association with Yellowstone, (for better or worse.)
.. This is just the latest in a long list of commercial exploitations of Yellowstone. Little nibbles and bits continue to gnaw around the edges. Each is touted as "GOOD" - we'll wait and see. Toyota, Canon, Michelin, etc. - soon . . . . well, we will wait.

Sell Yellowstone ?

FOLLOW THE BRITS EXAMPLE ?

What's It Worth ?

.. An interesting article in Time, (on line,) poses the possibility that the U.S.A. could sell government owned assets to bail out the economy and save the "American Way Of Life."
.. The British are planning to sell the Royal Mint and the National Mapping Agency. America could generate at least 20% of the cost of the new stimulus package by selling all the National Parks.
.. So, what is Yellowstone National Park worth? Time figures that it should go for about $4 billion. Perhaps there could be a bidding war between the Northern Pacific and Union Pacific like the good ol' days.
.. Now then, when the parks are all gone, what should we sell to cover the other 80% of the massive debt?

Care To Browse ?

MSU ON FLICKR

Just A Sample

use the virtual finder

.. The personal, professional, and family photography collections of Frank Jay Haynes are again seeing the light of day - electronically.
.. Frank J. Haynes was the official photographer of the Northern Pacific Railroad and Yellowstone National Park.
.. Many of photographs were received by Montana State University with the donation of the Haynes family papers by Isabel May (Nauerth) Haynes in 1977.
.. The collection includes more than 5000 photographs, collectively referred to as the Haynes Family Collections.
.. The photograph collection was divided between the University and the Montana Historical Society in 1978 with the MHS receiving the bulk of the negatives and other items.
.. The Montana State University Library has a PRO FLICKR ACCOUNT with four excerpted image collections currently posted. The recently posted Haynes collection has 60 photos in the photostream.
.. The FLICKR images appear to be free from copyright limitations, although not necessarily free from third party restrictions. These are down-loadable under a creative commons license in many sizes.

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.. A complete catalog of the images in the collection, (most have been digitized,) is also available through the Montana State Library web site at: Haynes Family Photographs (Collection 1507). [Repository: Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections at Montana State University Libraries.]
.. This catalog indexes the collection of 19 boxes, including original metal boxes, and is categorized in substantially chronological order, with topical subdivisions.
.. For the Haynes Family scholar, the collection contains a wealth of information about family, friends, trips, interests, and activities.
.. For those interested in Yellowstone National Park, the collection is an invaluable record of architecture, environment, policy, presidential visitation, tourism, transportation, and just plain-ol'-nostalgia.
.. If you've got the time and a good Internet connection, the browse is well worth the effort. We thank the Montana State University Library for this effort. We also appreciate the concern of the Haynes Family in making the images available to the interested public.

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.. Here's the catalog and links for the complete collection:

Contents

19 boxes

Series 1: Haynes Family, 1878-1965; Boxes 1-3, Box 4, files 1-14

Subseries 1: F. Jay Haynes Family, 1878-ca.1925

Subseries 2: Nauerth Family, 1885-1911

Subseries 3: Jack E. Haynes, 1885-1960

Subseries 4: Isabel M. Haynes, 1900-ca.1930

Subseries 5: Lida Haynes, 1932-1954

Subseries 6: Haynes Family, 1929-1961

Subseries 7: Haynes' Friends, ca.1920-ca.1965

Series 2: Yellowstone National Park, 1866-1963; Box 4, files 15-42, Boxes 5-6

Subseries 1: YNP Photographs, 1883-1963

Subseries 2: Greater Yellowstone Area and the "West", 1866-ca.1960

Subseries 3: Collection 1504 Separated Photographs, 1882-1963

Subseries 4: Unnamed Features in YNP, n.d.

Series 3: Oversized Photographs, 1884-1961; Box 7, Box 8, files 1-17

Subseries 1: Haynes Family and Friends, 1890-1961

Subseries 2: Other Topics, 1884-1961

Series 4: Pictorial Items, ca.1870-1920; Box 8, files 18-27, Box 9-13

Subseries 1: Detroit Photographic Company chromolithographs, ca.1870-ca.1910

Subseries 2: Prints, Haynes and others, 1870-1920

Subseries 3: Charles M. Russell reproductions, n.d.

Subseries 4: Haynes waterfall prints, hand-tinted, n.d.

Subseries 5: F. Jay Haynes Cabinet and Boudoir Photographs, ca.1883-

Series 5: Photograph Albums, 1890-1969; Box 14, 14A-18

Subseries 1: Disbound Albums, ca.1905-ca.1952

Subseries 2: Bound Albums, 1890-1969

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Canceled Again ?

IS THIS THE END?

other opportunities exist

.. A single brief line on the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce site says it all: CANCELED: Spring Cycle Tour. The tour was scheduled for May - If you were planning - don't!
.. Yellowstone National Park closes to over-the-snow travel on the 15th of this month. Shortly thereafter the roads are open to roller blade, tennis shoe, hiking boot, and bicycle travel - and it's free.
.. West Yellowstone is geared up to help visitors by April first and celebrates "Cycle Days" for the visitors without motorized travel.
.. We mention this now so you can watch the weather and plan your visit accordingly. The Yellowstone National Park information page is found under SPRING BICYCLING.

Sneak Peek

O.F. VIRTUAL
VISITOR CENTER

Up And Running

nice job folks

.. The expansion of the Yellowstone National Park website continues with the compilation of the "Old Faithful Virtual Visitor Center." This is a work in progress sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the Yellowstone Park Foundation.
.. The linked pages of the center are attractive and surprisingly easy to navigate, (a welcome switch from most of the rest of the consolidated parks sites.)
.. Enter the OFVVC through the Lobby and explore the exhibits, maps and multimedia.
.. Use the text link at the bottom of the page to send your comments, requests, and reviews to the team that is developing this portion of Yellowstone's Website.
.. The floor plan of the virtual site is a sneak peek of the coming actual VC. The Multimedia Center features a compilation of much of the media scattered throughout the parent site and is an informational and educational gold mine.
.. The new media presentations are wonderfully simple and informative. High speed connections are recommended - and well worth the look. this page alone is worth a bookmark to watch developments.
.. In the morass of consolidation that the NPS has undertaken with their websites this segment stands out as a shinning example of what can be done. It's a really good show!
.. We hope that the OFVC lives up to the standard set by the OFVVC.