Latest / This Week in Yellowstone National Park / This Week in Yellowstone: February 27th to March 5th, 2025

Transcript

This Week in Yellowstone: February 27th to March 5th, 2025 · This Week in Yellowstone National Park

• 0:00
  From the lands where Bison roam, Wolves howl and eagles soar over the wild and free Yellowstone River,
• 0:06
  this is That Scott Guy You Know and Love with a new episode of This Week in Yellowstone.
• 0:31
  What's up everybody, this week in Yellowstone National Park, February 27th to March 5th, 2025.
• 0:38
  I share the location of a roadside bear den, recommend a scientific newsletter about the Yellowstone Supervolcano,
• 0:45
  share yet another awesome hike to take when there is still snow on the ground,
• 0:49
  and give you all of the weather, wildlife and road updates you'll need to enjoy your time visiting Yellowstone National Park this coming week.
• 0:57
  That was done in one breath and that was a bit much, but anyway, standard disclaimer,
• 1:02
  I might miss a few things here and there, so if there's anything else you'd like to know about the park right now, just reach out to me.
• 1:08
  I also mentioned park locations casually, so a quick search might help if you're unfamiliar with an area I mentioned.
• 1:15
  Also, this report only covers the drivable areas of the park.
• 1:19
  Alright, before I get started, I want to let you know that this podcast is a labor of love.
• 1:24
  If you enjoy what I'm doing, let me know with a review or just send me an email.
• 1:28
  I've gotten a few emails from some listeners, absolutely appreciate them, you all are the best.
• 1:33
  And when you do visit the park, consider booking a hiking tour with me.
• 1:36
  Picture yourself hiking the trails with me, where I'm sharing the best spots, hidden gyms,
• 1:40
  and all the incredible wildlife stories, history, and geology that the park has to offer.
• 1:46
  I also give all of my tour guests as much information as possible to ensure that their trip continues to be amazing when our hike is done.
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  My guided hiking tours will forever change how you view Yellowstone, giving you an unforgettable adventure beyond the boardwalks.
• 2:00
  If you'd like to know more, reach out to me directly or check out my current guided hiking options at outdoor-society.com.
• 2:08
  Let's make your Yellowstone adventure one to remember this year.
• 2:11
  Okay, so on to the news. This week's Yellowstone News.
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  Seasonal worker numbers in national parks are expected to rise in 2025. Following a pause in seasonal hiring that raised concerns about staffing,
• 2:25
  Yellowstone may actually see an increase in workers compared to last year.
• 2:29
  According to KBZK and Bozeman, the National Park Service plans to expand seasonal hiring from 6,300 in 2024 to 7,700 in 2025.
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  It remains unclear how many of these positions will be allocated to Yellowstone, but the increase could help address staffing needs during the busy summer months.
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  This week's other news is also a sign that spring is coming soon.
• 2:54
  This is the last week you'll be able to take a snow coach into the interior for Mammoth Hot Springs,
• 3:00
  as well as access Canyon and Norris by snow coach and snowmobile for Mammoth and West Yellowstone.
• 3:06
  The park website states that the season will end for Mammoth on March 2nd, 2025, and then on March 4th, Norris to Madison, Norris to Canyon,
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  and Canyon Village to Washburn Hot Springs Overlook will all be closed to snow coach and snowmobile travel.
• 3:23
  The rest of the interior is going to close to over snow travel by March 15th. It's kind of a staggered closure. I'll mention it next week.
• 3:31
  My Experience of the Week. I struggled with wanting to share this experience, because it's not cool, but sometimes it's just not as exciting as it should be.
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  And what experience am I talking about? The visible bear den near the Petrified Tree.
• 3:47
  Located at the large pullout near the Petrified Tree turnout between Floating Island Lake and Tower Junction, there's a chance to look into a bear's den.
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  This black bear den has been used 3 out of the last 4 years, and is a good quick stop when heading to or from Lamar Valley.
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  While it may seem kind of lame with your naked eye, with a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope, you might get a glimpse of the bear.
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  Occasionally the bear will have its face out of the hole, or a paw, or sometimes you can just see its rump.
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  The reason I don't find it too exciting sometimes is because more often than not, you're just looking across a gully and staring into a hole.
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  That being said, I stop there every single time I'm in the park. It's just worth it to see if the bear is out.
• 4:32
  Now, I get that I am a little negative about this experience. You may be able to tell by my voice, but I'm trying not to be, because there is a chance that you might actually get to see the bear leaving its den.
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  There's also a chance that you won't see much of anything.
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  But the last gas of deep winter are possibly behind us, so the bear will be getting more active.
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  So each and every week, the chances of seeing an active bear here increase, so definitely check it out.
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  By the way, not sure if I've mentioned this before, I can guarantee I'm going to mention it again, but bears do not truly hibernate.
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  Instead, they enter a state called Denning or Winter Torpor.
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  Hibernation and torpor are both states of reduced metabolic activity used by animals to conserve energy.
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  Torpor is a short-term, temporary state of lowered body temperature and metabolism, often lasting for hours or days.
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  Hibernation is a prolonged deep sleep of dormancy with significantly reduced body temperatures, heart rate, and metabolism.
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  Hibernation usually lasts weeks or months.
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  And unlike true hibernators, a bear's body temperature during torpor drops only slightly, and this allows them to wake up more easily if disturbed, if there is a food source, or it starts warming up.
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  They also remain capable of giving birth and nursing cubs during this period.
• 5:59
  Alright, the tip of the week. One of the many conversations I hear from people visiting Yellowstone is about the supervolcano.
• 6:08
  From inquiring about the likelihood of an eruption to curiosity about how the plumbing works in the thermal features, people love the idea of the supervolcano.
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  This week, my tip is to check out a super cool resource that will help you learn everything you'd ever want to know about the caldera.
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  The Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is something you should check out.
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  Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcanic Observatory.
• 6:37
  While often covering very complex issues, the writing in this newsletter is fantastic and mostly easy to understand.
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  With the first post being way back in December 1st of 2003, there is a lot of information available.
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  You can sign up to receive each week's post in your email, making it even easier to learn all about the Yellowstone Caldera.
• 6:58
  Just search the Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles or go to my website or this podcast website where the link should work for it.
• 7:07
  Alright, the weather for the coming week. Lamar Valley.
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  It's going to be toasty for the part of this coming week.
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  Highs in Lamar are going to be in the low to mid 40s through Sunday, with lows during that time in the 20s and teens.
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  On Monday, there's a slight chance of snow showers as the colder weather returns.
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  Highs from Monday to Wednesday are going to be in the 30s and lows in the teens.
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  Cook City. Just like Lamar, Cook City will be warm for this time of the year on Thursday through Sunday with highs in the 40s and lows in the teens.
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  Monday may see some snow, but not that much, and the high is going to be in the mid 30s.
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  Then temperatures drop lower on Tuesday and Wednesday with highs in the upper 20s and a chance of snow each day.
• 7:52
  Very low chance though. Currently.
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  Gardener's weather is going to be warmer this week, with highs in the 40s and even the low 50s over the weekend.
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  Lowes will still be in the teens and 20s though, and on Monday expect cooler temperatures and clouds, with highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s.
• 8:09
  Tuesday and Wednesday will be partly sunny with highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s.
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  As always, temperatures may be higher or lower than I say, and snowfall amounts may also be higher or lower.
• 8:20
  The area is hard to predict, especially more than a day or two out.
• 8:24
  The Snowpack Update. The snowpack in Yellowstone is looking pretty good.
• 8:30
  It could be higher, it's hovering around 90% in normal range, and higher, nowhere really in the park above 100%.
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  At this time in 2024, the snowpack was in the upper 60% of normal range for most of the park.
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  The warmth that's going to be here this week will maybe drop the snowpack a little, but it shouldn't change anything substantially.
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  With that, the road conditions.
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  The roads this week should be pretty good.
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  You'll still have some sections of snow and ice here and there, but generally I anticipate pretty smooth sailing as you drive the park.
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  Expect road conditions to worsen the closer you get to Cook City.
• 9:08
  I got excited about saying Cook City.
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  Now for up-to-date information, you can call 307-344-2117 for recorded road information,
• 9:19
  or you can sign up to receive Yellowstone Road Alerts on your phone by texting 82190 to the number 888777.
• 9:29
  Once again, if you text the number 888777 with the message 82190, you will be signed up for Road Alerts for Yellowstone.
• 9:40
  Anticipate road closures due to inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions anytime,
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  especially right now, those storms on Monday, Tuesday might be heavier, so just be prepared.
• 9:51
  Camping information.
• 9:53
  You know how every week I say not to go camping mammoth because winter camping doesn't seem fun?
• 9:59
  Well if you're wanting a winter camping experience this winter in Yellowstone, this is the week.
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  With warm for us temperatures, a camping adventure at mammoth could be quite fun.
• 10:09
  Honestly, if my van was running, I'd be considering a night or two down there.
• 10:13
  It would be pretty fun, and when it's not going to be below zero at night, great.
• 10:18
  Alright, the wildlife watching update.
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  The bison are on the move.
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  The last few times I've been in the park, I have gotten in bison jams one after the other.
• 10:28
  I expect that.
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  Also expect to see some coyotes.
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  Expect to see some moose out by Round Prairie by Pebble Creek.
• 10:36
  And then obviously, you know, there's that fox out by Cook City you can and should go check out.
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  Obviously when you're out looking at that one, don't feed it.
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  Try to stay far away from it.
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  Yes, it's habituated.
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  Yes, people are feeding it.
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  But like, try and keep it wild as best you can.
• 10:52
  Elsewhere in the park, there have been some bighorn sheep hanging around the confluence of Soda Butte Creek and the Lamar River.
• 10:59
  There have also been some bighorn sheep near the Yellowstone River picnic area, which is that construction area where they're building the new bridge.
• 11:08
  There's also been wolf sightings around Slough Creek and then as you're up on the plateau from Mammoth by the start of the Black Tail Plateau Trail.
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  They're going to be way out in that area.
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  So if you want to see the wolves, they're out there.
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  You'll probably have a chance to see them this week with the good weather, but just know chances are they're going to be pretty far away.
• 11:32
  Elsewhere, I've heard of some people seeing the Pygmy Owl again.
• 11:35
  Bald eagles and golden eagles are kind of everywhere and we should be getting some Osprey soon.
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  Probably not any right now, but you never know, so keep an eye out for them.
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  Also Red Tail Hawks, things like that.
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  Pronghorn are kind of working their way down through Paradise Valley.
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  And elk, if you want to see lots of them, drive into Paradise Valley or just north of Gardner.
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  And there's going to be a ton of elk if you start scanning for them on the west side of the river usually.
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  Alright, if you love what you heard on this podcast and want more information on wildlife watching,
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  please consider picking up a copy of my Wildlife Watching Guidebook to the region.
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  It's available in both ebook and paperback formats.
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  My book was written to help you spot wildlife like a season local, or at least like me.
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  So please consider buying a book directly from me as I make nothing when they're sold on Amazon.
• 12:29
  If you'd like a copy, you can go to outdoor-society.com, or you can just send me a message and I'll happily send you the link.
• 12:36
  So hiking news and updates.
• 12:39
  If you're snowshoeing or cross-country skiing this week, expect some pretty bad snow.
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  It's going to be garbage in a lot of places.
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  With the warm temperatures during the day and freezing overnight, it's going to be slick and hard snow in spots
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  where you're going to punch through even with snowshoes.
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  It's not going to be the most fun for the first part of the week, I think by early next week,
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  so that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, it could be a lot better.
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  If you're going to be doing the short boardwalk hikes, expect slushy conditions during the day
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  and slick icy paths in the morning hours.
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  My trek of the week.
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  It is the Lost Lake and Lost Creek Falls View.
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  So the trail to Lost Lake in the upper viewpoint of Lost Creek Falls is often overlooked,
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  much like many other trails that I feature in my guidebook.
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  While the Petrified Tree area remains a popular destination,
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  few individuals venture beyond the well-trodden paved path, and that's in the summer,
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  and few still do this in the winter.
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  It is not a popular place to go, which can give you some pretty nice isolation.
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  Those who do make their way to the Caged Tree, which is where the first stop goes after you walk along the road
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  in the winter months, have an opportunity to expand their adventure and step off the beaten track
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  to experience the tranquility of Lost Lake, along with the breathtaking view of the frozen over Lost Creek Falls.
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  The trail to the lake is extremely easy to follow, passing through a narrow gap between the hills
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  before arriving in an open area that houses the lake.
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  When you're hiking that way, stay on the left of the lake.
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  In the winter, the lake is going to be frozen and snow covered,
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  creating a wide open expanse for you to wander and look for animal tracks.
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  I have seen most of the major animal tracks here in the snow, including wolves.
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  Beyond the lake, the trail crosses the quaint little bridge over a small creek
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  and then enters a forest and darts toward the top of the canyon.
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  Keep your expectations of walking atop a canyon low,
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  as the forest keeps it mostly hidden as you traverse around it.
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  After crossing another small bridge over the creek, so you'll be on the east side,
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  you'll head along the opposite side of the canyon.
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  The trees remain, but more glimpses of the canyon begin emerging to your left.
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  Keep an eye out for clearings as you near the end of the canyon,
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  as there's a few spots to follow boot paths, hopefully they're there, to the canyon rim,
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  and see the majestic Lost Creek Falls.
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  If you're cautious of cornices on the canyon rim, you should be fine,
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  but be aware that don't get super close to the edge, it's not that safe.
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  So if you're going to do this, from that parking area where the Bear Den is,
• 15:21
  it's about a 5.5 mile out and back track in the winter, with about 200 feet of elevation gain and loss.
• 15:28
  If you want more information on this route, please contact me and I'll be happy to give it to you.
• 15:33
  It's also featured in my guidebook, I know I'm talking about that a lot,
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  but I'm doing this so I wanted to mention that it's featured in my hiking guidebook
• 15:40
  Beyond the Boardwalks Yellowstone National Park, and again, it is over 50 of my favorite hikes in the region,
• 15:47
  so consider picking this up directly from me and avoid Amazon if you can,
• 15:52
  just so I can make money off of this and not lose it to a billionaire.
• 15:57
  That's about as political as I'm probably going to get on this one,
• 16:01
  but that's this episode, if you've enjoyed this, rate it, review it, let me know,
• 16:07
  you can also send me an email, I appreciate those,
• 16:10
  otherwise I truly hope you get to visit Yellowstone this week,
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  and if you don't get a visit this week, make a plan to visit soon,
• 16:17
  and I'm happy to help you make sure that it's going to be the best trip ever.
• 16:21
  Until next week, bye!