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In early June few places in the world match Yellowstone National Park’s Lamar Valley for viewing the dynamics of large predators and their prey. Snow in the high country keeps herds of elk and deer in the valleys. Predators – particularly bears and wolves -- take advantage of this, often in numbers that create real pressure between species. At the same time, their prey species are raising young, which are abundant and a joy to see.
We focus mainly on wildlife viewing in the dawn and dusk hours, while mid-day we offer excursions to the interior of Yellowstone to explore the geyser basins, Hayden Valley, and the dramatic Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. Our route to and from Billings lets us cross the dramatic, 10,000-foot mountain pass of the great Beartooth Plateau to see some of North America’s finest mountain scenery, with a good chance of spotting Mountain Goats, Clark’s Nutcrackers, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels, Marmots and Pikas. We stay one night at a historic hotel in Red Lodge, with a fine view of the Beartooths, then four nights in the small mountain town of Cooke City, rimmed by spectacular peaks, the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. With full field days, we aim to see a lot of birds and wildlife, but also make forays to some of the park’s signature thermal areas and the unforgettable Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
ITINERARY
Sun., June 10 Billings / Red Lodge, Montana
Those staying on from our Montana Prairie Spring journey can enjoy lunch at your leisure, and perhaps time to see the Yellowstone Art Museum or a bit of downtown. The airport pick-up for those arriving is at 2:00PM; afterwards we drive a ways west along the Yellowstone River, then turn south towards the Beartooth Mountains. Today’s drive is through lush agricultural areas, mainly hay crops grown to feed livestock. This is classic Big Sky scenery. Sometimes we spot raptors, Bobolinks or Common Snipe which like to sit on fence posts this time of year as they are courting. Pairs of Sandhill Cranes or White-tailed Deer may be feeding in the meadow. We stop a few places along the way and arrive in time for you to look around this quaint mountain town. Enjoy historic accommodations and a fine dinner tonight.
Accommodations at the Pollard Hotel, Red Lodge. (D)
Mon., June 11 Beartooth Plateau / Cooke City
After looking for American Dippers in the local creek at Red Lodge, and scanning for hummingbirds at a local resident’s feeders, we head off for an extraordinary drive; one Charles Kuralt has called the most scenic in North America. Even in June we may have walls of plowed snow near the upper reaches. If we can tear our eyes away from the stunning views of both the Beartooth and Absaroka Mountain ranges, we’re likely to see montane and alpine species such as Black- and Gray-crowned Rosy Finches, American Pipits, Horned Larks, Northern Goshawks, Yellow-bellied Marmots, Pikas and other species. Clark’s Nutcrackers and a herd of Rocky Mountain Goats frequent the rest stop at Rock Creek.
We descend through lush forests broken by meadows and with luck we may spot a Moose and her calf. The pointed peaks of Pilot and Index mark our arrival to the mountain town of Cooke City, where we stay the next four nights. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a favorite local restaurant.
Accommodations at the Alpine Motel, Cooke City (B,L,D)
Tues., June 12 - Thurs., June 14 Lamar Valley, Yellowstone
We have three full days to survey wildlife of the Lamar Valley in search of wolves, Black and Grizzly Bears, and all of the hoofed mammal species upon which they prey. At no time is the drama more intense, because snow on the mountains keeps the large herds down in the valley during their most vulnerable time: during the birth of calves. The predators search the sagebrush flats, new-leafing aspen groves, and sheltered pine and Douglas Fir forests for their prime targets, elk, as well as other prey.
We should have close looks at Bison, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Elk, and Pronghorn, all of which should have young. We hope to see wolf activity as well: hunting, traveling, and possibly feeding young. We review the entire history of wolf reintroduction, a highly successful program that began in 1995.
By using a spotting scope at the edge of the road, we also hope to observe both Black and Grizzly Bears in great detail at a safe distance.
One afternoon we’ll venture over Dunraven Pass to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its dramatic Upper and Lower Falls, a scenic highlight for many. En route we may see active Peregrine Falcon or Osprey nests, fascinating to watch from above as they occur in the canyon below us. Bison herds with calves often create “road blocks” in Hayden Valley beyond the Falls, much to viewers’ delight. In the vast open hills of Hayden Valley, we may see Coyotes, Northern Harriers, and possibly Harlequin Ducks at LeHardy Rapids. We enjoy an early dinner at the historic Lake Hotel (or nearby Lake Lodge if you prefer the cafeteria) and return to Cooke City during prime wildlife watching hours.
If there is interest, we can send a guide and vehicle over to the Upper Geyser Basin, home of famous Old Faithful Geyser one afternoon. Here boardwalk trails wind through geysers, fumaroles, mud pots and colorful hot springs en route down to Morning Glory Pool, passing many of the major thermal features for which the park is known. Bison seem attracted to the basin at this time of year; watching their calves is a delight. The Firehole River is a good place to watch for Dippers, Barrow’s Goldeneyes, and even River Otters. En route home it’s up and over Dunraven Pass, watching for wildlife (especially Grizzly Bears) as we head back through the Lamar Valley to Cooke City.
On Wednesday and Thursday you are free to enjoy dinner on your own in Cooke City; on Friday we enjoy a final meal together at the delightful Log Cabin restaurant in nearby Silver Gate.
Accommodations at the Alpine Hotel (B,L each day and D, June 14)
Fri., June 15 Departures from Billings
Today we have breakfast, pack up and then drive over Beartooth Pass, with its vistas and wildflowers, back to Billings. Please plan on flights out after 1:00PM. (B)
“It is beautiful country and everything was so well organized.” - Christel Fliss
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COST OF THE JOURNEY
Cost of the journey is $1695 per person, based on double occupancy, from Billings, MT. This cost includes: accommodations for 5 nights, most meals as specified in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), airport welcome and transfer or hotel shuttle, land transportation during the journey, professional guide services, park and other entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses.
Single supplement is $265.
When booked with our MONTANA PRAIRIE SPRING immediately preceding, save $200 on your combined journey.
Cost does not include: round-trip airfare to and from Billings, items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone, drinks from the bar, and gratuities for luggage handling or personal services. With fewer than 6 participants, a small-group surcharge (typically $100-200 per participant) may apply, or we may request that you pick up the cost of a few additional dinners in lieu of this surcharge.
Group Size: This is a Sampler trip, maximum of 12 and minimum of 4 participants.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
The airport for this journey is Billings, Montana (BIL). Plan on arriving in Billings no later than 2:00PM on June 10, departing after 1:00 PM on June 15.
If you wish to arrive early the Crowne Plaza is located in an interesting area of downtown Billings, and has an airport shuttle. We can help with other recommendations if you want to spend more time in Montana or Yellowstone.
Naturalist Journeys, LLC works in Yellowstone National Park in partnership with The Wild Side, LLC, a permittee of Yellowstone National Park.
Naturalist Journeys, LLC is an equal opportunity service provider and committed to the goal of ensuring equal opportunity for all in employment and program delivery.
Photo Credits:
All photos by Peg Abbott. |
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