D GARDINER, MONTANA JEAN MODESETTE
HEAD OUTDOORS! Depending on what you have decided — either skiing or snow- shoeing in the Gallatin — drive up the Jardine road to the BEAR CREAK WINTER RECREATION AREA for your choice of skiing or snowshoeing at BEAR CREEK, LITTLE TRAIL CREEK, PINE CREEK TRAIL, SCHULTZ, ROLLERCOASTER, LOBO, and LOBO CUTACROSS trails. Or, if today's adventure is in the Park, drive through historic ROOSEVELT ARCH and into Yellow- stone. Head up the hill towards Mammoth Hot Springs. From here you have several choices, depending on what your plans are — skiing/ snowshoeing or wildlife watching/photography. The road along the Northern Range of Yellow- stone is the only one open for year-round access to wheeled vehicles in the Park. Turn left across from the Mammoth hotel to take the road to the famed LAMAR VALLEY — America's Serengeti. Keep your camera ready for wildlife as you drive. Once you are in the heart of the Lamar Valley you may see others pulled over at the turnouts scop- ing for elk, wolves, and bison. The occasional fox
By scope, binoculars or the naked eye, there's an abundance of winter wildlife viewing in northern Yellowstone National Park.
or more plentiful coyotes can be seen jumping through the snow, hunting for a meal. Don't forget to look up, as owls and other birds of prey can fre- quently be seen soaring the skies. Please be sure to use pullouts for stops or be well off the roadway in order not to create a dangerous traffic situation.
www.distinctlymontana.com 21
BRAD OMSTED
