Latest / This Week in Yellowstone National Park / This Week in Yellowstone: January 8th to January 14th, 2026

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This Week in Yellowstone: January 8th to January 14th, 2026 · This Week in Yellowstone National Park

0:00
From Yellowstone National Park where the snowpack
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appears to be good in the mountains, but it isn't
0:05
that deep in the park's lower elevations. This
0:08
is that Scott guy you know and love with a brand
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new episode of This Week in Yellowstone. What's
0:24
up everybody and welcome to another episode of
0:26
this week in Yellowstone this week in Yellowstone
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National Park from January 8th to January 14th
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2026 I'll share news about grizzly deaths in
0:37
the Yellowstone area, and I'm also going to talk
0:40
about what's going on with the north entrance
0:42
road as far as construction goes. I'll also try
0:45
to convince you to wake up early, look for ravens
0:47
and magpies, and even share some cool data about
0:50
how the wolf reintroduction impacted the elk
0:53
population of Yellowstone. I'll also give you
0:55
the complete weather forecast, the snowpack update,
0:58
the wildlife report, and everything else you
1:00
need to have to have an incredible time this
1:03
week in Yellowstone. Now my standard disclaimer,
1:06
I might miss a few details here and there, so
1:08
if you need more information, reach out to me
1:10
with any questions. I also mention park locations
1:13
very casually, so if you're unfamiliar with anything
1:16
I mention, a quick search on your favorite search
1:18
engine can help. And also know that this report
1:21
only covers the drivable areas of the park. Finally,
1:25
this podcast is a passion project. If you enjoy
1:28
it, I'd love a review or a quick email. If you
1:30
want to support my work, you can check out my
1:32
hiking and wildlife watching guidebooks, or you
1:35
can join me for a guided hiking tour in Yellowstone's
1:37
backcountry that includes snowshoe tours. Now
1:40
for more information on any of that, visit outdoor
1:42
-society .com or contact me directly. Seriously
1:46
though, come book a trail tour with me. It's
1:48
awesome. You'll have a great time. This week's
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Yellowstone news. Your input is needed in Yellowstone
1:54
National Park. The National Park Service and
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Federal Highway Administration are seeking public
1:59
input on an environmental assessment for rebuilding
2:02
a permanent north entrance road in Yellowstone
2:05
National Park. The road is a critical corridor
2:08
providing year -round access between Gardner
2:11
and Cook City -Silvergate, Montana. Public participation
2:14
will help guide the final decision. The public
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comment period is open from January 5th through
2:20
February 4th, 2026. During this time, the public
2:23
is encouraged to review the EA and submit comments
2:27
for consideration. All feedback received during
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the comment period will be evaluated before the
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NPS makes a final decision in the spring of 2026.
2:35
To support public involvement, the MPS and the
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Federal Highway Commission will host a virtual
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public meeting on Wednesday, January 14th from
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1 to 2 .30. The meeting will include an overview
2:47
of the project, a presentation of the proposed
2:49
road options, a flyover video of the preferred
2:53
alternative, and live question and answer sessions.
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The meeting will be recorded and posted online
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for those unable to attend. The three alternatives
3:02
for the north entrance road Are as follows keep
3:05
in mind that they may be numbered differently
3:07
in the in the whatever you're gonna fill out
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So alternative one is the center alignment. That's
3:12
preferred alternative construct a new alignment
3:15
that uses portions of the old Canyon Road Convert
3:18
the temporary road into multi -use trail and
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reclaim damaged sections of the old roadway Alternative
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2 is the OGR alignment. It will re -engineer
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and widen the temporary road to meet the current
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park standards and reclaim portions of the old
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canyon alignment. Alternative 3 is the Gardiner
3:37
Canyon alignment and this is to rebuild the original
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canyon road damaged during the flood and redesign
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the temporary road as a multi -use trail. The
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EA also examines potential impacts to visitor
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use and experience, wildlife and habitat, water
3:51
and geologic resources, vegetation and soils,
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and cultural resources. National Park Service
3:56
encourages anyone interested in Yellowstone's
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future access, infrastructure, and resource protection
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to review the EA, attend the virtual meeting
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if possible, and submit comments before February
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4, 2026. Grizzly bear deaths in the Greater Yellowstone
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Ecosystem So grizzly bear deaths in the Yellowstone
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ecosystem reached a record high in 2025, with
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roughly 70 to 73 known mortalities, marking the
4:22
second consecutive year of historical high losses.
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While the numbers are striking, wildlife biologists
4:28
emphasize that the causes and what they mean
4:31
for the population are complex. The majority
4:34
of these deaths were human -related, reflecting
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increased overlap between people and a growing
4:39
grizzly population rather than a sudden ecological
4:42
collapse. The largest single category of grizzly
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deaths in 2025 was livestock conflict. Approximately
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20 to 21 bears were killed by wildlife managers
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after repeatedly preying on cattle, sheep, or
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other domestic animals. These removals typically
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occur after non -lethal deterrents fail and are
5:01
intended to prevent ongoing conflict with ranchers.
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As grizzlies continue expanding into lower elevations
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and human -dominated landscapes, these encounters
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have become more frequent. Another major source
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of mortality involved bears drawn into human
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-developed areas by attractants such as unsecured
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garbage, pet food, grain, or hobby livestock.
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An estimated 16 to 18 bears were killed after
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becoming food conditioned or showing behavior
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that posed risk to people and property. Wildlife
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officials stressed that many of these deaths
5:34
are preventable through better attractant management.
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Vehicle collisions also contributed to the high
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death toll with around eight grizzlies struck
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and killed by vehicles in 2025. As bears move
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into more widely populated areas and across the
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Greater Yellowstone ecosystem they're going to
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be crossing highways and secondary roadways.
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The risk of collisions continues to increase
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especially during peak feeding seasons. A small
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number of deaths were attributed to natural causes
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such as age, disease, environmental stress, with
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confirmed natural modalities numbering fewer
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than 10. In addition, a dozen or so deaths remained
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under investigation late into 2025 with causes
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not yet determined and potentially include illegal
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killings. Researchers with the Interagency Grizzly
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Bear Study Team note that while mortality numbers
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are high, they coincide with a large and slowly
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growing population. Estimated just over a thousand
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grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
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Still, the data highlights a clear trend. Most
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grizzly deaths in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
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are tied to human activity. That's kind of a
6:43
no -brainer. As bears continue to expand beyond
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park boundaries, Reducing these conflicts through
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proactive management may be the key to preventing
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future record breaking years. My experience of
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the week, sunrise or sunset at Slough Creek.
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Even though winter is sputtering and not covering
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the region in full Arctic bliss like we'd all
7:05
like, the experiences one can have in the park
7:07
are still truly incredible and worth taking the
7:10
trip. This week, I'm recommending one of my time
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-tested activities that might reward you with
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lifelong memories. Now I know waking up before
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sunrise sounds like a rough chore. I'm not really
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a morning person and when I have tours that start
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at 6 a .m. it is a struggle to get up but it's
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always worth it and plus right now sunrise or
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in Gardner is or at Slough Creek is around 7
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50 a .m. for this week so if you're staying in
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Gardner you can leave your hotel or wherever
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you're staying at 630 and be at Slough Creek
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around first light. So why should you wake up
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early like what's the benefit here simply this?
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Wildlife activity be it howls in the distance
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or animals roaming is fantastic at first light
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and sunrise When I'm in the park at this time
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like I was saying just earlier those 6 a .m.
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Tours I'll stop at a pullout and just listen
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and more often than not I'll hear coyotes howling
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or maybe I hear the deep howls of wolves in the
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distance I've also seen packs of wolves running
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near the road, watched as bison shake off the
8:17
snow and ice that blanketed them overnight, and
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even spotted foxes listening intently tilting
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their heads back and forth looking for those
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scurrying mice under the snow. The best part
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about this early in the morning is that depending
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on where I am, I might be the only person there.
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So why Slough Creek? There's lots of places to
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go. Slough Creek is a time -tested, guide -approved
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spot for wildlife watching. Not only do you have
8:42
some good vantage points to scan with binoculars
8:44
or a spotting scope, but it's also a region that
8:47
has a lot of animal movement all year long. It's
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also a spot that allows you to watch where other
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vehicles, including wildlife guides, are driving.
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If nobody is out at SLU, consider going to where
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all those cars are going, right? You get to see
9:01
where they're going. Now, I do want to let you
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know that just because nobody is there doesn't
9:08
mean that the animals aren't. just really close
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and nearby. Last winter stopped at a pullout
9:13
near Slough to do what I'm telling you to do
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and I watched as all those wildlife tour cars
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raced to Lamar Valley. They ended up seeing nothing
9:21
that day and I watched an entire pack of wolves
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trout by in the distance along the creek and
9:27
away from where everyone thought they would be.
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By the time the tour groups arrived the wolves
9:32
were out of sight. Now if you are in a morning
9:35
person, sunset is obviously the easiest of the
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two options since it doesn't require you to wake
9:40
up early. However, know that wildlife activity
9:43
for whatever reason is typically less active
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in the late afternoon and early evening. That
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doesn't mean nothing's going to happen, it just
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means that in my experience it isn't as fruitful.
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No matter which option you choose, please remember
9:58
that driving in Yellowstone in the dark requires
10:00
your full attention. Animals can and will just
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appear on the road, and often they'll be walking
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on the road since it's the path of least resistance.
10:09
Always drive slowly, be extremely alert, and
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do not get distracted by your phone or camera.
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My tip of the week. Look for scavenging birds.
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Looking for birds, especially scavengers in Yellowstone,
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can add a whole new layer to wildlife watching.
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and it's something educators and biologists often
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encourage. Scavenging birds like common ravens,
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bald and golden eagles, and black -billed magpies
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are constantly on the move across the landscape,
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and they're tightly connected to what larger
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animals are doing. Research from Yellowstone's
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Wolf Project has shown that ravens are often
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among the first animals to locate wolf kills,
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sometimes arriving within minutes to hours. In
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the winter, studies have documented that more
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than a dozen bird species may feed at a single
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carcass, with ravens and eagles making up the
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majority of scavenger activity. For visitors,
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this means that spotting circling birds, perched
11:03
eagles, or noisy ravens can be a strong clue
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that predators or large mammals are nearby, or
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were very recently near there, and more than
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likely with a kill. Over this last weekend, I
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spotted five ravens swooping and flying around
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when I was driving through Little America. To
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myself, I said, I bet there's a carcass up nearby.
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And sure enough, I rounded a corner and saw a
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dozen cars pull off to the side of the road,
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all looking to the south. Out in the field, a
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few hundred feet away was a dead bison, being
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eaten by an eagle and a bunch of ravens and some
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magpies. A few hours later when I drove by again
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there were a few coyotes feasting on the ribs
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of the bison as all of the scavenging birds watched
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on in hungry jealousy. From a wildlife watching
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perspective scavenger activity acts like a kind
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of guide to the ecosystem. Biologists estimate
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that up to 70 to 90 percent of wolf kills can
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be consumed by scavengers over time especially
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during colder months when carcasses last longer.
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This creates predictable hotspots where multiple
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species gather, increasing the chance to see
12:07
birds, mammals, and interactions between them
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in one place. Instead of randomly scanning for
12:13
elusive predators, experienced observers often
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watch the sky first, birds soaring low, repeatedly
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landing, or calling excitedly. All of those can
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point to an important ecological event unfolding
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on the ground. Scavengers also help explain why
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Yellowstone is such a productive place for wildlife
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viewing compared to many other areas. Because
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the park still supports large predators, there
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is a steady supply of carrion that sustains birds
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year -round. In a handful of documents from the
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National Park Service, it is said that the availability
12:45
of food supports higher numbers of eagles and
12:47
ravens than in the surrounding regions, especially
12:50
in the winter when prey animals are more vulnerable.
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For visitors, This means that even when mammals
12:57
are hard to spot, scavenging birds can still
13:00
provide clear evidence of an active functioning
13:02
ecosystem as well as a potential indicator that
13:05
predators may be around. In a more practical
13:08
sense, watching scavenge of birds helps people
13:11
understand that wildlife viewing isn't just about
13:13
dramatic chases or rare sightings. It's about
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reading the landscape. When you notice where
13:18
the birds are gathering and how they're behaving,
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you're seeing the connections between life death,
13:23
and survival in real time. That awareness not
13:27
only improves your chances of seeing wildlife,
13:29
but also deepens your understanding of how Yellowstone
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works as a living system, one where nothing is
13:34
wasted and every species, including scavengers,
13:38
plays an essential role. My random Yellowstone
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fact of the week. A very brief history of the
13:44
elk population in Yellowstone regarding wolves.
13:48
Doesn't that title sound exciting? So when people
13:51
talk about elk in Yellowstone, especially older
13:53
people, one question always seems to come up.
13:56
Did the wolves cause elk numbers to crash? If
14:00
you visited the park in the 70s and 80s and even
14:03
into the early 90s, there were a ton of elk in
14:05
the park. Now, there's not a ton of elk in the
14:08
park comparatively, and a lot of people are like,
14:10
is that because of the wolves? The real story
14:13
of this is very interesting to me, maybe to you,
14:17
and it's very complex. So today I'm going to
14:20
be briefly talking about the northern Yellowstone
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elk herd, which is one of the most closely studied
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wildlife populations on the planet, and what
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decades of research actually tells us about predators,
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climate, and survival. The source I'm using for
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this is a paper titled, Northern Yellowstone
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Elk Resilience and Adaptation to Changes in Management
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Policies and the Ecosystem. Another great title,
14:44
right? The link to this is going to be in the
14:47
show notes and please know that this is a very
14:49
brief and quick summary. If you're interested
14:51
in this topic, I strongly suggest you read the
14:53
whole thing. Again, the link is in the show notes
14:56
to this episode. Now let's start with some history.
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In the early 1900s, elk numbers across the American
15:02
West were low because of decades of unregulated
15:05
hunting. Yellowstone National Park became a refuge,
15:09
and once predators like wolves and cougars were
15:11
eliminated, elk numbers rebounded quickly. By
15:14
the mid -20th century, the North Yellowstone
15:17
elk herd often exceeded 15 ,000 animals. At the
15:20
time, this was widely viewed as a conservation
15:23
success, but there was a downside. With no major
15:26
predators, elk spent long periods browsing willow,
15:29
aspen, and cottonwood, especially along rivers
15:32
and streams. Over time, those plants struggled
15:35
to regenerate. Park managers responded by actively
15:39
reducing elk numbers through culling and removals.
15:42
This approach lasted for decades and reflected
15:44
the belief that humans needed to carefully control
15:47
wildlife populations to protect the landscape.
15:50
By the late 1960s and 1970s, that philosophy
15:53
began to change. Yellowstone adopted a management
15:56
approach known as natural regulation. Instead
16:00
of directly controlling elk numbers in the park,
16:02
the park would allow weather, food availability,
16:05
predators, and hunting outside the park to shape
16:08
the population. That shift became especially
16:11
important in the mid -1990s when gray wolves
16:15
were reintroduced to Yellowstone after nearly
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70 years of absence. After wolves returned, elk
16:21
numbers declined, but wolves were not acting
16:23
alone. Several severe winters in the late 90s
16:27
and early 2000s played a major role. Deep snow
16:30
and prolonged cold dramatically increased the
16:33
energy elk need to survive, while also limiting
16:36
access to forage. Research consistently shows
16:39
that winter severity is one of the strongest
16:42
predictors of elk population change. In harsh
16:45
winters, calf survival drops and adult elk, especially
16:49
older individuals, are more likely to die. In
16:52
milder winters, Survival improves. Nutrition
16:56
is another critical piece of the puzzle. Elk
16:59
depend on high quality summer forage to build
17:01
fat reserves. These reserves determine whether
17:04
cows become pregnant and whether they can successfully
17:07
raise calves the following spring. When summer
17:09
conditions are poor, fewer calves survive, regardless
17:13
of predator numbers. Predation does add another
17:16
layer though. Wolves tend to prey on calves and
17:19
older, weaker elk, especially during winter.
17:21
Cougars hunt elk year round, often in forested
17:24
terrain. Grizzly bears and black bears are major
17:27
predators of newborn calves in the spring and
17:29
early summer. While all of this is important,
17:33
what's really important here is that no single
17:36
predator accounts for most elk deaths. Instead,
17:39
mortality is spread across multiple predators
17:41
and seasons. This shared pressure creates a stable
17:45
system and influences elk behavior as much as
17:48
it affects the numbers. Elk today move differently
17:51
across the landscape than they did decades ago.
17:54
They spend less time lingering in risky areas
17:56
like open valley bottoms and river zones. The
18:00
shift has had visible effects on vegetation.
18:03
In some areas of the northern range, willows
18:05
and aspens have begun to recover, improving habitat
18:08
for birds, beavers, and other species. In other
18:11
areas, recovery has been limited by factors like
18:13
soil condition, hydrology, climate, and browsing
18:16
by bison. Yellowstone scientists caution against
18:20
this simple cause and effect explanation that
18:22
you may have seen, emphasizing that ecological
18:25
change is complex and highly variable. By the
18:29
2010s and early 2020s, the northern yellowstone
18:33
elk herd generally stabilizes between 4 ,000
18:36
and 6 ,000 animals. While this is lower than
18:39
the mid -century highs, research shows that this
18:41
level is consistent with the ecosystem's current
18:44
conditions, like this is a good number to have.
18:46
Today, Yellowstone managers focus on monitoring
18:49
rather than manipulating elk numbers. The goal
18:52
isn't to maximize elk populations. It's to maintain
18:55
a resilient, functioning ecosystems where predators,
18:59
prey, weather, and vegetation interact naturally.
19:03
So when people ask whether wolves caused elk
19:05
to decline, the best answer is this. Wolves are
19:08
a part of the story, but they're only one chapter.
19:11
The full story is about balance, adaptation,
19:14
and what happens when natural processes are allowed
19:16
to shape a landscape. The weather for the coming
19:20
week. Lamar Valley. On Thursday the 8th, there
19:24
will be a high of 25, a low of 8, with about
19:27
1 inch of snow falling. On Friday, high of 22,
19:31
low of 14, 38 % chance of some snow, about a
19:34
quarter inch if it falls. On Saturday, high of
19:37
29, low of 8. On Sunday, high of 34, low of 14.
19:42
On Monday, high of 34, low of 22 with snow showers
19:45
in the evening. On Tuesday, snow, high of 35,
19:49
low of 24. About an inch of snow is expected
19:52
to fall. And Wednesday, high of 37, low of 19.
19:56
The weather for Gardner, Montana. On Thursday,
19:59
high of 28, low of 12. 40 % chance of some snow.
20:04
On Friday, high of 28, low of 16, 19 % chance
20:08
of some snow. Saturday, high of 34, low of 15.
20:11
Sunday, high of 37, low of 18. Monday, high of
20:15
37, low of 26, about a 50 % chance of a half
20:19
inch of snow in the evening. Tuesday, high of
20:22
40, low of 28, 50 % chance about three quarters
20:25
of an inch of snow. And Wednesday, high of 42,
20:29
low of 24. The weather for Cook City. On Thursday
20:33
the 8th, high of 22, low of 7, about an inch
20:36
of snow. Friday high of 18, low of 12, about
20:40
an inch of snow. Saturday high of 27, low of
20:43
11. Sunday 32 and 16. Monday 32 and 22, with
20:49
about an inch of snow in the evening. And Tuesday
20:51
high of 34, low of 25, with 2 inches of snow.
20:55
Wednesday should be about 36, with a low of 20.
20:58
The snowpack update. This is probably the most
21:01
contentious thing. I'm going to talk about all
21:03
week If you live in the West especially around
21:07
the Yellowstone area You probably live in a lower
21:10
elevation and you're wondering where the snow
21:12
is more than likely the conversation has been
21:15
We're having a terrible snow year and that is
21:18
very true for the low elevations However, the
21:21
upper elevations where the snow sensors are are
21:24
getting some good snow currently as of January
21:27
6th The snowpack is around 120 % of normal for
21:32
this time of year. Last year on this date, we're
21:34
around 80 % of our normal level. So the snowpack
21:37
in the mountains is better than it was last year.
21:40
However, it has been ridiculously warm and not
21:43
very snowy in the lower elevations, which helps
21:47
make everyone feel that there's no snow anywhere.
21:50
The snow in the high mountains is good. That
21:53
being said, Snowmobile tours in the park are
21:56
currently not happening as of the time of this
21:58
recording. There's not enough snow on the roads
22:00
in the park to have snowmobile tours happen.
22:03
It's been snow coaches only. This could change
22:06
by the time you hear this as it's currently snowing
22:08
as I look outside in Livingston Montana right
22:11
now, but it might not. Again, that is because
22:14
the snow at the lower elevations is not as good
22:17
as the snow at the higher elevations. Road conditions.
22:21
There's only one road open and that road has
22:24
been doing pretty well as it hasn't been really
22:27
snowing on that road. I expect that to happen
22:30
to continue this coming week. The only road open
22:34
that you can drive is between Gardiner and Cook
22:37
City. So please be aware, like I said, this road
22:40
can close at any time due to inclement weather.
22:42
This week doesn't look like that's going to happen,
22:44
but these snow totals could be way wrong and
22:46
it could dump snow. Who knows? Now, since we
22:50
don't know the best way to get up -to -date information,
22:53
there's two ways. You can call 307 -344 -2117
22:58
for recorded information, or you can do what
23:00
we all do and sign up to receive Yellowstone
23:02
Road Alerts on your cell phone by texting the
23:05
number 82190 to 888 -777. Camping Information
23:12
There's only one campground open in the park
23:15
right now, and that's the Mammoth Campground,
23:17
which is open year -round. So if you want that,
23:20
have fun. Now that leads me to the wildlife watching
23:23
update. So wildlife watching has been hit or
23:27
miss. As I mentioned earlier, there were a few
23:31
carcasses around that were being eaten pretty
23:34
well by some birds and by some coyotes so that
23:37
was really cool to watch one of those was right
23:39
near slew creek so it's still going to be being
23:42
picked apart near there probably could also be
23:45
completely gone because everything's just feasting
23:47
like crazy um definitely drive out there as the
23:50
further east you drive toward cook city especially
23:53
when you get to round prairie there's a good
23:55
chance you're going to see some moose out there
23:57
If you go all the way to Baronette, you might
23:59
even see some mountain goats up on the mountain
24:02
if you scan for them. Baronette's also just really
24:05
cool just to hang out. There's a couple bison
24:07
hanging out in the field there the other day.
24:09
By Pebble Creek Campground, I've been seeing
24:12
a fox recently, so that's been nice. Coyotes
24:15
are kind of everywhere. It's been good for that.
24:18
Wolves have been spotted near the black tail
24:23
area. So as you're headed up blacktail, you're
24:26
gonna get to like the forces of nature trail
24:28
and That's a big parking area. There's there's
24:31
a guided boardwalk tour trail there It's it's
24:35
it's a nice little stop But if you get there
24:37
early in the morning people have been hearing
24:39
wolves howl I've had a good wolf howl encounter
24:42
there recently where in the evening I Parked
24:45
there just to kind of check out that trail. Just
24:47
wanted to know how far it was answered. Not very
24:49
long. It's like quarter to half mile. And I heard
24:53
wolves howling way off in the distance and that
24:55
was really cool. I was the only person there.
24:58
That's a good place. Elk have been hanging out
25:00
way down in the Hellroaring Valley and also out
25:02
of the park. Pronghorn are on the move out of
25:05
the park. Bison are on the move out towards Mammoth.
25:08
They're going to be leaving the park potentially
25:10
soon, which we'll talk about in a later episode.
25:14
And also bighorn sheep have still been hanging
25:15
out by the Yellowstone Hot Springs and Devil's
25:18
Slide area. Drove by the other day and they're
25:20
about 30 out there. Been bald eagles hanging
25:23
out in trees golden eagles circling and Lamar.
25:26
So all in all it's a good time Wolf sightings
25:29
have been you know few and far between and when
25:31
they do happen they're way off in the distance
25:33
But that could all change right now. It could
25:36
change tomorrow. So Drive back and forth. Make
25:40
sure you stop when you think you see something
25:42
scan. Well talk to other people and Above all
25:47
else just enjoy the day and you're gonna see
25:49
what you see Come in with no expectations. Enjoy
25:52
what you see, because end of the day, you're
25:54
seeing animals in Yellowstone, and that's awesome.
25:58
Trail alerts and updates. There are no official
26:01
trail alerts this week. Haven't heard of any
26:04
bear sightings, but still have your bear spray.
26:06
Have it readily accessible and know how to use
26:08
it. Just carry it all the time. It's smart. And
26:12
so honestly, the snow in the park is pretty awful,
26:15
which makes recommending anywhere to go. snowshoeing
26:19
or skiing, less than ideal. I say it's awful,
26:22
it's snowing right now, it could be better, but
26:24
we still need more to make it really good to
26:26
go on trails. Skiing is better on the further
26:30
east you get, so once you get out toward Baronet,
26:33
past Pebble Creek, you're gonna have some good
26:35
time skiing. Other than that, it's just eh, you
26:38
know, so do what you can. Now because the snow
26:43
is kind of man like I just said my trek of the
26:46
week is Lost Lake and Lost Creek Falls view and
26:50
The trail to Lost Lake in the upper viewpoint
26:52
of Lost Creek Falls are often overlooked much
26:55
like many other trails I feature in my guidebook
26:58
I have a guidebook to the region highly recommend
27:00
picking that up if you love hiking it has 50
27:02
of my Over 50 of my favorite hikes in the region
27:05
in and out of the park. It is Labor of love just
27:09
like this podcast those who have picked up a
27:12
copy love it So you should pick up a copy too,
27:15
but back to the trail so This starts at the petrified
27:20
tree area and while the petrified tree area remains
27:22
a popular destination Few individuals venture
27:25
beyond the well trodden paved path and fewer
27:28
still do this in the winter. So You know usually
27:32
people do this in the spring or fall and just
27:35
walk the closed road and go to the go to the
27:38
petrified tree in the cage and call it a day
27:41
and walk out and it's a great little trek. But
27:43
if you go further, if you do decide to make your
27:46
way to the caged tree in the winter and have
27:48
an opportunity to expand that adventure and step
27:51
off the beaten path to experience what's kind
27:55
of hidden in that area, then you get to experience
27:58
the tranquility of Lost Lake and then a chance
28:01
to go look down at the frozen over Lost Creek
28:05
Falls. Probably never heard of that. and you
28:08
know that's why I think Lost Creek Falls is a
28:11
good name. Some people do go to Lost Lake in
28:15
the winter and that remains a pretty popular
28:17
snowshoe ski area, but few make this longer trek
28:21
and I highly recommend it right now. The trail
28:25
to the lake is very easy to follow. You walk
28:27
the road to the tree in the cage and then you
28:30
pass you drop down you pass through a narrow
28:32
gap between the hills and you arrive in an open
28:34
area that houses the lake. In the winter the
28:37
lake is frozen and covered in snow creating a
28:39
wide open expanse for you to wander and look
28:41
for animal tracks. I've seen most of the major
28:45
animal tracks here in the snow including wolves.
28:47
It's a little wonder why the route is gaining
28:49
popularity. I mean there's a chance to see cool
28:51
things. You probably will have some bison up
28:54
there, so just know if you see them you have
28:56
to walk clear around them. Stay at least 25 yards
28:59
away from them at all times, even if they're
29:01
on the trail or by the trail. Walk clear around
29:04
them. It will be extra work, but you need to
29:06
do that. Beyond the lake, the trail crosses a
29:09
quaint little bridge over the creek and then
29:12
enters a forest and darts toward the top of a
29:14
canyon. Keep your expectations of walking atop
29:17
a canyon low. as the forest keeps it mostly hidden
29:21
as you traverse around it. After you cross another
29:24
small bridge over the creek, you'll head along
29:26
the opposite side of the canyon. The trees remain,
29:30
but more glimpses of the canyon begin emerging
29:32
to your left. Keep an eye out for clearings as
29:35
you near the end of the canyon. From a few spots,
29:39
you're going to be able to walk a short boot
29:42
path to the canyon rim and see the majestic Lost
29:44
Creek Falls. Now be cautious of cornices on the
29:48
canyon rim as the drop could kill you and I say
29:51
this in all seriousness, but If you stay away
29:55
from the edge, you'll still be able to see the
29:57
falls and you'll be perfectly safe I just want
29:58
you to know don't get right on the edge. It could
30:01
crumble To get to this viewpoint and back is
30:05
5 .5 miles and that is about 200 feet of elevation
30:09
gain and loss if you need information on this
30:12
contact me I'm happy to share this Or I'm happy
30:16
to take you on a snowshoe tour with me. Like,
30:19
I love this area. I know a lot about it. There's
30:21
some cool things to point out, and it's honestly
30:24
cool. If you want to find all this information
30:26
out on your own, you can just pick up a copy
30:28
of my hiking guidebook, Beyond the Boardwalks
30:30
Yellowstone National Park, and you can find your
30:33
perfect hike in the region. Please consider buying
30:36
the book directly from me as I make nothing when
30:39
the books are sold on Amazon. All right, that
30:42
is it for this week. In the next episode, I will
30:47
return with all the information you need to have
30:49
a good week in the park, including that wildlife
30:51
update, weather, and trail updates. Until then,
30:55
book a tour with me, pick up a guidebook of mine,
30:58
and happy trails. This week in Yellowstone is
31:12
brought to you by the Outdoor Society. That's
31:14
my company. It's just me. I do this. It's a labor
31:17
of love. If you like it, tell your friends, rate
31:19
and review it. Shoot me a message. Otherwise,
31:23
keep listening and I hope to see you in Yellowstone.
31:26
Copyright 2026, baby.