12 Jan 2005 - Wednesday

I left home about 9:00 AM and headed out into the park to view Yellowstone's Winter Wonderland. The day was cold, about 14 degrees with broken clouds.

The road to Mammoth was snow covered, plowed and cindered. It was a nice drive with no traffic on the road. I knew there were a group of wolf watchers out in Little America or Lamar and I had hoped to join in the fun.

Just as I drove past Blacktail Lakes, there were three bull elk just off the road waiting for me to take their pictures. They were great looking elk and it was nice to see them.
There was very little traffic and I just took my time and admired the setting and winter scenery.

There were two small herds of bison just past the Lava Creek area. I stopped and changed batteries on Carlene's new digital camera. It sure was nice of her to let me use it and to be able to have photos to add to the report.

Just east of Phantom Lake there was a small herd of elk feeding and resting. They seemed to be making it through the winter okay. The snow was not too deep and they seem to be enjoying the day.

As I headed east towards Hellroaring the wind picked up a little and storm clouds were setting in from the west. A few snow flurries came my way but nothing serious.
I passed the Blacktail Drive entrance and Hellroaring. It was almost time for the noon meeting in the Map Room at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, so I turned around and headed back. At the Hellroaring overlook I took a few photos of Parkadise in winter to share.

As I drove up to the chapel in Mammoth, I noticed the resident elk herd feeding just west of the church and had to take a picture so folks would know that the elk are still in the park and doing well. If I were an elk, I think I would live in the same place.

As I pulled into the hotel I saw Oldtymr coming out to his truck. He and Geri had just finished lunch and they were waiting for the 10 year anniversary celebration of the re-introduction of the wolves to Yellowstone to begin. I parked and headed inside.

We visited and looked around in the gift shop as we waiting for the program to begin. We had a nice visit as we waited and staked out our seats. Bob Landis was previewing his film and getting all set. The park photographer, Jim Pico came in and set up the screen and slide show of the wolves from day one until now.

They had invited all the folks who had been involved in the planning and implementing of the wolf restoration project. The wolf program biologist, Mike Phillips (original project biologist), Doug Smith (the current program biologist), Norm Bishop (former resources interpreter), project veterinarian Mark Johnson, Jim Evenoff maintenance supervisor, and several others showed slides, films or just spoke of their involvement in and feelings for the project. Most of the presenters' emotions were close to the surface. If you would like to view the program, Bob Landis recorded it and is going to put it on DVD. I will let you know the details as soon as I find out.

It was an awesome presentation! Great folks that did a fantastic job with limited resources. Our hearts went out to them and all involved in front of and behind the scenes. It is nice to have a fully intact ecosystem the way it was when this land was set apart for us to treasure. What a great place and day! There was a large group of loons and fellow wolf watchers in attendance.

A group of about 15 folks headed down to Gardiner for supper and to visit together. It was a fun gathering of loons and friends. It was a great day and evening with family and friends in Yellowstone!

Bull Elk Napping by John W. Uhler ©

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Trip Photos

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Elk	Elk	Elk	Snowy Road	Hellroaring	Hellroaring	Elk