Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton

A quick post to let readers know I’ve added a Books section to this site, with my picks for the finest books to Yellowstone, Grand Teton and around. There’s been a wealth of books written covering the region, from recent history to its geological beginnings, and those highlighted are well worth checking out before, during or after a visit. I have short stack of books waiting to be read as well, so check back for updates – and, of course, let me know if you have a book or two that deserves to be added.

How hot has it been in and around Yellowstone this summer? Unfortunately, there isn’t a punch-line to end here, but instead two updates detailing  how high temperatures and the lack of rain in recent weeks are affecting both fishing and fires.

Fires

As of today, there have been ten fires in Yellowstone so far this year. Most areas of the park have received minimal rainfall dating back to early June, and fire restrictions have been in effect in the park since July 3 (four out of the ten fires have been human-caused). Up to this point, all of the fires save one have been tiny, with only the still active Raven fire spreading across 20 acres. Firefighter numbers for this  blaze have been limited, as it’s in the heart of grizzly country some nine miles east of Fishing Bridge, but the blaze is nonetheless over 75% contained. Conditions in Grand Teton to the south are similar, with heavy fire restrictions in effect as well.

All of this doesn’t mean massive fires are on the way, but conditions are prime for such an occurance. All visitor services, park entrances and park roads are open throughout both parks, but we’ll continue to update conditions here as temperatures continue to rise.

Fishing

Minimal snowfalls from this past winter combined with below average precipitation this spring and early summer have begun to take their toll on fish populations throughout the region. The combination of low flows, geothermal heating and high temperatures have raised water temperatures to sometimes deadly levels, and fish have been spotted floating along both Pelican Creek due east of Fishing Bridge and in the Firehole River.

How low are some of the rivers running? According to recent story in the Billings Gazette, last week the Lamar River near Tower Falls had about 27 percent of its normal flow for July 10 compared with records going back 67 years. And along the Firhole River, flows last week were lower than the previous record set in 1988.

To help the already stressed fish populations, park officials have asked that anglers not fish between noon and 6 p.m. on most streams below 7,000 feet. The advisory includes Gardner River below Osprey Falls, the Lamar River below Cache Creek, all of Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek below Amphitheater Creek, the Yellowstone River below Seven Mile Hole, the Gibbon River below Gibbon Falls, and all of the Madison and Firehole.

A man jogging in Grand Teton was attacked by a grizzly yesterday, making this the second bear attack in the region this year. According to the Jackson Hole Daily , Dennis VanDenbos took a break from jogging on Wagon Road by Jackson Lake Lodge at 6am to watch an elk when a sow grizzly with three cubs, who were feeding on an elk carcass in the area, approached:

“Park officials said VanDenbos tried yelling to frighten the bears away, then lay down on his stomach in a submissive posture. One of the bears then attacked, inflicting lacerations and puncture wounds. Park officials aren’t sure if the bear that attacked was 399 or one of the cubs. A nearby Grand Teton Lodge Co. employee frightened the bear away.”

Thanks to his proper response – instead of trying to fight the 350-pound bear, he assumed a submissive position after his yelling didn’t scare the bear away – VanDenbos is in stable condition. However, he was warned of bear activity in the area, and – in my opinion– should have been carrying bear spray while jogging, especially alone. In any case, park officials are currently stating the bear will not be put down as it was only displaying “normal behavior” for a feeding bear. Lets hope this lucidity continues as the story gains more notice.

Regarding the first attack in the region this year… well, check here for an update. Photographer Jim Cole was mauled by a grizzly back on May 23rd while taking photos in Yellowstone’s Hayden Valley. Unlike the incident in Grand Teton, Cole was in the backcountry and actively searching for bears – he has published several books on grizzlies. Plus, this wasn’t the first time he’d been attacked. Cole was also mauled in 1993 by a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park. Once bitten, twice shy? Apparently not, and Cole has been taking perhaps deserved heat from various commentators such as this – though I’m holding back on judgment until hearing from Cole himself, whom I’d have to guess holds no ill-will towards the bears, nor would absolve himself from blame.

To update the recent history of attacks, according to the park service there have been eight minor bear-caused human injuries in Yellowstone since 2000.  The last bear-caused human fatality in Yellowstone occurred in 1986.

Seasonal employment, foreign workers and the best time to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton…

Here’s a interesting story in the Casper Star Tribune on why both Yellowstone and Grand Teton end up hiring out of country workers to fill the nearly 5000 open positions needed each summer. With colleges starting earlier and ending later, the traditional Memorial Day to Labor Day break is no longer an option for many US students, meaning they can’t sign on for a full summer of work. I’ve met workers from Poland, New Zealand, Australia, Columbia and more, and have had nothing but great experiences – save for the lingering melancholy that I never was fortunate/lucky/driven enough (or allowed, in some cases I imagine) to do a similar exchange in one of their countries.

Incidentally, with so many schools – from grade schools through to colleges – starting classes before Labor Day, the week before the classic “end of summer” weekend isn’t the park logjam it used to be, and can make for a great time to visit with all attractions still open and crowds lessened.

For listings of jobs in the area, see the Links page.