Oh, Ranger!
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Yellowstone is a magical place!
Those were my thoughts as my parents took me through Yellowstone National Park when I was six years old. The geysers, mudpots, hot springs, and steam vents still stir my memory like the swirling colors and vapors I witnessed on that autumn day many years ago.
The primary focus of my job as Park Geologist is the protection of Yellowstone's spectacular 10,000 geothermal features, including the world's largest concentration of geysers. Protection of Yellowstone's thermal features involves allowing the thermal features to evolve and change solely due to natural processes, unaffected by humans. This type of protection requires careful, scientific monitoring of the geothermal features in an effort to document natural processes and to detect unusual changes. Remote sensing of geothermal heat using satellites and aircraft, field studies of groundwater flow, temperature and chemical measurements of individual geothermal features, measurement of surface water flow, and collaborating with many accomplished researchers are all part of the Yellowstone's geothermal monitoring strategy.
Yellowstone is also one of the world's largest active volcanoes. A team of superb, world-class scientists from the United States Geological Survey and the University of Utah monitor the Yellowstone volcano in cooperation with Yellowstone National Park. Information about the Yellowstone volcano, including real-time monitoring data, can be found at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory website at www.volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/.
An important part of my job as Park Geologist is common to all Rangers—to answer visitor's questions, assist my fellow Rangers, and work diligently to protect the unique resources of the amazing, magical place called Yellowstone National Park.
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yellowstone wolves
I appreciate the answers on how to see wolves. But, those given are only marginally successful. All the tours take off too late. And, the tours I've seen spend minimal time watching the wolves. You can sign up for one of the Yellowstone Association weekends and get a good introduction. The winter weekends are really nice.
First, get ready and on the road before daylight. Wolf activity drops off dramatically after about 7:30AM. If you see wolves mid day, it is very unusual, or they are a long way off. We are usually out with the spotting scope by 5:00AM....that's when we have best success. (virtually 100% in the past year.)
The most frequent recent sightings are in Lamar, though there is a pack that is hanging out in the black tail plateau area which have been very visible at times. You will want to concentrate in the area between wrecker pull out and soda butte. The Druid pack den is in the Soda Butte area. Slough creek area is also generally a place to look for wolves though the Slough creek pack broke up a year ago. There is a single black and some others that frequent the area.
Look for people with spotting scopes lined up along the road or up on a hill with spotting scopes all pointed in the same direction. If people are looking all directions, there's probably not much going on.
Find Rick McIntyre. He drives a Yellow Xterra and is a 365 day a year wolfer. If he is there, you will see wolves....nearly guaranteed.
www.yellowstone.net has good resources and trip information in the forums.
Here's a link with photos of a wolf kill we watched a couple weeks ago. http://brianbastinelliphotography.blogspot.com/
Enjoy.
best place to find wolves
Best Places to See Wolves in Yellowstone
Hi jsparks,
Your best opportunity to see wolves in the summer will be in the northern parts of the park, especially the Lamar Valley.
We recommend ranger-led interpretive walks that explain the wolf reintroduction program and may facilitate sightings. Check at visitor centers for locations and times.
You can also sign up for the Lamar Valley Wildlife Excursion, operated by Xanterra Parks and Resorts or participate in a field seminar led by the knowledgeable folks at the Yellowstone Association.
Before your trip, download the wolf fact sheet and the wildlife-watching guide and map from the National Park Service to help guide your exploration.
We hope you get a glimpse of these beautiful creatures. But remember to stay safe and be aware of how your actions can affect the animals. Always stay at least 100 yards away from wolves and other large mammals, and remember never to feed them!
Good luck! Please stop back and let us know about your trip.