Jan 23 Snow Shoeing

Monday, January 23

We met this morning for breakfast at the Euro Cafe, a small local cafe where we took up all but 2 of the tables.

 We ordered from the menu today and received excellent Montana-size portions (large!)of various eggs, skillets, pancakes, french toast, potatoes, etc.  They also gave us a sample warm apple scone that was excellent.

From here we walked next door to the WYED, West Yellowstone Education Center where we had a room for our introductory class, presented by Heather Reiss.   Here is a photo of her (right) and Jen McKay, the group leader.

 Heather's degrees are in Agriculture Production and Wildlife Conservation and Geology. The topics this morning were geology of Yellowstone and Animals of Yellowstone.

Yellowstone is basically a very large volcanic area which is still active.  There are hundreds of features such as geysers, fumaroles, mud pots, and hot springs which are indicative of the hot magma which at some spots is only miles from the earth's crust.  Plus, there are an average of 3,000 earthquakes in this area per year, most of which are not felt by people.  Scientists continue to study the area and learn new things.  One interesting thing they discovered was a microbe called thermos aquaticus, which led to scientists being able to replicate and map dna.   NASA is now studying something called Chocolate Pots which they think may contain information to aid the search for life on other planets.

This huge icicle outside the building fell during class. There are icicles all over town.

We had a break for a lunch of salad, chili and biscuits, followed by a lecture on Residents of Yellowstone, which included discussion of habitats, populations, conservation efforts and other details on elk, bison, wolves, bear, moose, big horn sheep, antelope, beaver and others.  The effects of protecting species and re-introduction of wolves - pluses and minuses.  Very interesting.

Then it was back to hotel to dress for snowshoeing.  Lots of interesting snowy scenes around town.  They have had the most snow this year since 1958.  Many of businesses were closed for winter. We noted the snow here is very powdery - tried to make a snowball but it wouldn't hold together!  Someone commented that the poor kids here can't even build snowmen....maybe that's why they ski and snowshoe so often!

Roof Cleaning

 We walked 8 or 9 blocks to the rental shop,

then a few more blocks to the beginning of the Riverside trail where we put on the shoes.

 The trail was fairly compacted but was atop several feet of snow!  So those little snow-clad 3' trees along the trail were actually 7-8' or more!

We all had small headsets so that we could hear Heather describing things as we walked amidst a forest of lodgepole pine. Wonderful idea! Greg and I found snowshoeing a little awkward as it requires a wider stance than normal and were glad we had the poles.  But we all managed rather well, with brief stops every 1/3 mile or so.  Beautiful clear crisp walk!  The trees occasionally dropping some of the snow they were holding - occasional animal tracks -  beautiful drifts and swirls in the snow and hundreds of tall, straight pines. These trees were fairly young due to a past fire.

cross country ski tracks were alongside our trail.

 We walked a little over a mile till we could see the Madison river. The snow was deeper here and a little more difficult to maneuver in.

Beth, Elizabeth, Laura, Alan, AnnMarie, Carla, Heather and others.

We entered Yellowstone briefly on this trip and stopped here on the way back before heading back to town. This is the West Entrance to Yellowstone, which also has North, East and South entrances.

It was a beautiful day with temps up to the 30's by the time we finished and we stayed pretty warm with the exertion - plus toe warmers in the boots for most of us😊.

We dropped off the snow shoes and walked back to the hotel for some R&R, then met back at the WYED for dinner.  A  tasty chicken and pasta dish, salad and brownies.  We have been encouraged to drink lots of water because when it is very cold you don't realize you are perspiring, so Greg and I stopped at a convenience store across the street for some bottled water.

Processed pictures and watched a little tv before calling it a night.  Beds are comfy but it is a bit noisy beginning around 5:30 - lots of snowmobiles in the area and they are apparently early risers.  Outside of the park, many are 2 stroke machines that are quite noisy.  Inside the park only 4 stroke ones are allowed, which apparently are much quieter.