From Yellowstone to Glacier in a week

Elk and bison graze together in Yellowstone Park

Katie and I at the Travertine geyser at Mammoth

Bison everywhere in Yellowstone

 

We went in and out of the forest into open parks and through the burn

Looking into Glacier Park from the Badger Two Med

A glorious day in the Badger with new snow and sunny

We covered the state north to south with trips to Yellowstone and Glacier national parks this week.

Our first stop was Yellowstone for a two night stay at the Mammoth Hot Springs Lodge to celebrate Katie's 62nd birthday (she bought her forever pass!) and the park's 150th birthday.

Then, four days later I joined a Glacier Two Medicine Alliance group for a cross country ski trip in the Badger Two Medicine area of the Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest, just across U.S. 2 from Glacier Park.

Our trip to Yellowstone was sparse on snow, although we got in a snowshoe to Wraith Falls, but large on wildlife.  We saw innumerable bison, tons of elk, two moose, several wolves, and got a glimpse into a bear den where the bears were stirring.

We were pleasantly surprised with how well the lodge and its restaurant were Covid-managed --- masking, distancing, reduced seating.  The rooms had been modernized since our last visit several years ago, making the stay even more pleasant. The restaurant offered several delicious vegetarian entrees that suited us well. 

For late February, the roads to and from the park via U.S. 89 were clear, and there were only a couple of patches of ice on the road between Mammoth and Cooke City.  Cooke City area had the most snow by far.

The lodge was busy with guests, but the park seemed empty, with very little traffic except where there were "wolf jams" of tourists who had spotted wolves.

With the increased park guests I'm sold on going to Yellowstone when their numbers are fewer. 

The snow in the Badger was heavenly, and those in our ski group tell us it was the best snow of the ski season.  We started the day in bright sunlight that made the snow covered mountains in the Two Med valley gleam. 

We did a 5.56 miles loop up the Pike Creek Road that gained and lost about 1,000 feet.

Gordon Whirry and I were the only in the group of 10 who wore backcountry, telemark boots and skis.  I was impressed with how well the rest of the group did on their skinny skis.  

The trip reminded me how incredible this area is with its views into Glacier and its empty, wild quiet.

I fervently hope this area, sacred to the Blackfeet, can be saved from development.