Rare Indeed

SIGHTS TO SEE

Asphalt In February

vehicles with skies locked out

WEST ENTRANCE ROAD: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK.

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.. Despite rumors to the contrary; Yellowstone National Park is open year 'round. Access varies with the season and transportation varies with the snow conditions.


ROOT OF THE GALLATIN MOUNTAIN RANGE

.. Currently the west entrance is only allowing vehicles to enter that have motive power presenting "Rubber To The Road".
.. This means that snowmachines, and other vehicles with metal skis, grousers, or cleats cannot enter the west entrance. Those vehicles, on the other hand, can enter the south and east entrance where snow still covers the road.
.. Snowmobiles, van conversions, and vintage tour vehicles with skis are parked at Madison Junction for those visitors that prefer those modes of transport to Canyon, Norris, Lake, and other points in the interior of the park.

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..  Depending on the mountain range and exposure of our neighborhood snowtel stations we're showing somewhere between 70% and 84% of our seasonal mean snow pack. Not too terrible considering the warm spell we just endured.

ELK AT 7-MILE BRIDGE

.. Fishers and foresters are keeping a close watch on weather systems. Should Springtime bring warm rains in the coming weeks the snowpack will diminish considerably. Should the grasses grow rapidly in the absence of snow and should the Summer dry out there could be a precarious fire season. Fishers are constantly concerned about runoff, stream flow, and discharge rates. We'll keep you informed.
.. These mild winters are easy on most wildlife. There are not too many elk with prominent displays of ribs, nor too many bison with slow gaits. Both predator and prey seem to be doing well. There are fish rising in the west side rivers and so far the shallows look to be deep enough to allow hatching and nursery habitation.
.. We're headed up the road. It looks like some of the estuaries are open enough to allow legal fishing. If not then dances between the lakes will be entertaining.

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WALLPAPER: HOE CAKES, HAM STEAK, BLACK EYED PEAS