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Northeast Entrance
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Northeast Entrance Station
Northeast Entrance Station is one five historical buildings in Yellowstone National the others being Old Faithful Inn, Madison Visitor Center, Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Norris Museum. The Entrance Station was built in 1923 and is still being used for the same purpose and in the same way that it was intended for.
Now with the reintroduction of the wolves in 1995 this has become the place to watch the wolves. The main three packs that are spending the time in the Lamar Valley are the Soda Butte Pack, Druid Pack and the Rose Creek. And now people are seeing "more" grizzly bears in Lamar Valley as well. This might only be due to the fact that people are now looking for the wolves that they are also seeing the bears. Lamar Valley has always been a great place to view the bears there are just more people seeing them so the visitors believe that there are more bears here now then there was before.
Lamar Valley is also where the bison were raised like cattle to bring them back. It was in 1894 or so when the lowest count of the bison was 24 individuals. So the inital bison ranch was built in Mammoth but that was soon outgrown and a new ranch had to built and the location that was choosen was in Lamar Valley. The herd was kept at the ranch and when they were let loose the park rangers tried to keep the herd size around 800 bison. This was done up until the late 1960's. So that when the Park Managers decided to close the garbage dumps the decision was also made not to control the Elk and Bison herds in the Northern Range and in the park. By doing this the Elk herd on the northern range was able to increase from about 5,000 animals to about 12-14,000 elk. And the bison in the park were able to increase from about 800 to almost 4000 animals. But the winter took a toll on the bison in 1996-97 in the fact that it was a harsh winter in that it snowed then rained for three days then went to sub freezing temperatures and the animals were not able to get to the grasses to feed and started to move out of the park and to starve to death in the park. Some of the ones that left the park 1081 (by my last count) had been shot by the Park Rangers and Montana State Game and Fish because they are suspected in carring Brusilosus. Which if cattle were to get a different strain then the bison have that could cause the cattle to abort their fetus and could cause ungulate fever in humans if they happen to drink unpasterized milk.
What to see near the Northeast Entrance
Lamar Ranch - This ranch was built in the early 1900's as a bison ranch. Due to the fact that the ranch that was set up in Mammoth was too small. This ranch was the one is responsible for the recovery of the Bison in Yellowstone National Park. Today this ranch is where the Lamar Rangers are stationed out of as well as the Yellowstone Insitute is located here. The Institue offers varrious classes dealing with the natural history and animals that inhabit the area. Classes are anywhere from a one or two days to week in length.
Wolves - This is one of the best areas to see the Wolves in Yellowstone National Park. They tend to be most active in the early morning hours (before 8 am) and in the evening (after 6 pm) until dark. The best way to spot the wolves is to drive through Lamar Valley and where a bunch of people are stoped get out and ask them what they are looking at. This year there are 40 some adults and over 50 pups born this year. There may be as many as 75 to 100 pups born this year (1997) We just do not know how many pups there are in Yellowstone yet.
Bears - Lamar is another good area to see the Grizzly Bears in Yellowstone. They are most visable in the early mornings (before 8 am) and in the late evening (after 6 pm) til dark. They are most active in Lamar during the early part of the summer when they are feeding on the Bison and Elk Carcuses and on the Elk Caves when they are born in the spring. Now it seems where you see a bear you will also see a wolf if it is in Lamar Valley. It seems that the wolves take down an elk and the grizzly bears take the elk from the wolves.
Soda Butte - This is a extinct geyser cone loacted on the far end of Lamar Valley. It is unique in the fact that it is located well away from any of the other geyser thermal areas. But it is still active in the sence that you can smell sulphur from the vents but it no longer erupts.
Ice Box Canyon - This is a neat canyon where ice can be seen in there are year round due to the location of the canyon and the trees provide shade and cool temperatures that does not let the ice melt.
Silver Gate and Cooke City - These are old mining comunities that now have pretty much gone to the tourist route. Though Cooke City was proposed to have the New World Mine President Clinton steped in and put a halt to the mine due to the fact that the EIS was not being completed properly and that if the mine did leak it could leak into the Soda Butte River and even into the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone Wyomings only Wild and Scenic River. Now I understand that Silver Gate is the only town in the world that requires all of the builds to be built out of logs. These are both great places to visit while one is the Northeast Corner of the park.
Hikes in the Northeast Corner of the Park
Pebble Creek - This is a great trail to take in the Northeast Corner of the park. The trail either starts at Pebble Creek Campground or at Warm Springs. I prefer this trail head. It starts with a good healthy climb of about 1200 feet but once you get over the hill it is all down hill from there. Then you travel down Pebble Creek crossing it 7 different times. So you can expect to get your feet wet. This trail also will lead to the Bliss Pass trail which goes over Bliss Pass and leads to Slough Creek.
Cache Creek - This trail starts at the Lamar River Trail head and follows the Lamar River Trail for about two miles where it then splits off up Cache Creek. This trail then leads to Wahb Springs then can be combined with the Thunder for a loop hike.
Lamar River Trail - The Lamar River Trail starts near Soda Butte in Lamar Valley. This trail follows up the Lamar River with numerous trails going off of it. This is a good place for horses to go in that there is alot of country to travel. If one wants a good 4 tto 5 day trip this is the place to do it for the most part.
Specimen Ridge Trail - This is a 17 mile trail that starts near Tower Junction and ends up at he Lamar River Trail. This hike takes one up on Specimen Ridge though no peterfied trees can be found along this trail. There are no campsites so it has to be a day hike. One thing is that plenty of water should be taken and a map and compass and a knowlege of how to use them together . As this is an easy place to get going the wrong direction and not be able to find the trail. The 1988 fires burned up the grasses in the area allowing the animals to start making new trails which in some cases are better then the main trail. This trail though has some great views once you are on the ridge.
Services in the Northeast Corner of the Park
Pebble Creek - NPS - Open Summer only
Ranger Station / Entrance Station - NPS - Open all year
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Remember...
- If you have the time make sure to take the drive to over the Beartooth Mountains even if you are not going to be leaving to go Billings.
- If you are leaving or coming in from Cody the Chief Joseph Highway is a great way to get in or out of the park.
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Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
307-344-7381
Entire contents & copy;1997-2001 David Rothenburger (Parkee@worldnet.att.net).
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