Distinctly Montana Magazine

EXPLORE NORTHERN YELLOWSTONE PARK ON SKIS OR SNOWSHOES BY PHIL KNIGHT ust down the road from Bozeman is one of the planet's greatest winter recreation destinations. Yellowstone National Park offers world-class winter fun, with access to match. From groomed ski trails and easy snowshoeing to ski mountaineering and ice climbing, Yellowstone provides. And you don't need a snowcoach to get there. J Open year-round, the North Entrance road leads five miles to Mammoth Hot Springs. From there, the possi- bilities for winter fun are endless. The 45-mile winding, scenic, snowy drive to the Northeast Entrance is also open year round. Along the way you may encounter wintering bull elk, bison herds, coyotes stalk- ing mice in the snow, eagles and rough legged hawks hunting and, with some luck and a spotting scope, you might get to watch Yel- lowstone's famous wolves. However, you don't have to go far beyond Mammoth to play. Drive to the end of the plowed road at Upper Terrace, where a groomed ski loop follows the one-way summer road through a bi- zarre landscape. Hot springs gush over travertine terraces and clouds of steam coat stunted junipers and pines with rime ice. This easy loop connects with the more difficult Snow Pass ski trail, an ungroomed but well-used route to Gardiner's Hole, a vast, snowy pla- teau at the foot of the Gallatin Range. Snowcoach shuttles are available to Swan Lake Flat and Indian Creek in Gardiner's Hole. Established ski trails include the Indian Creek and Bighorn Loops. You can break your own trail through the drifts of this wide-open landscape, or opt for the downhill run to Mammoth via Snow Pass or Bunsen Peak Trail. The vast Blacktail Plateau opens up a few miles east of Mammoth. This is a fantastic area to blaze your own trail, as it is mostly open and not too mountainous. You can also ski the six-mile Blacktail Pla- teau road, ending near Petrified Tree. But be sure to arrange a car shuttle, or leave time to ski back. The Tower Falls trail follows the unplowed road from Tower Junction three miles to Tower Fall. This popular op- tion may not be passable this winter since the road is under construction. But you can ski from Petrified Tree to Lost Lake and Lost Creek Falls. Both Slough Creek and Lamar Valley offer wide-open exploring in the snow. There are no groomed trails here but plenty of room to ramble. Make sure you don't approach any wildlife, especially wolves. Near the Northeast Entrance the snow piles up deep and soft. Ski through quiet, snowy woods below the massive East Face of Baronette Peak on the five-mile Baronette ski trail. Or head out from the Northeast Entrance on the easy Bannock Trail following a historic Indian migration route. Cozy cabins are available just two miles from the park entrance at Silver Gate. Three miles further, the road ends during winter at the snowmobil- ing mecca of Cooke City. Plan your winter getaway to Yellowstone now. Christmas week is very busy, as is President's Day weekend, but any other time, you can have this incredible park almost to yourself. The Mammoth Hotel is open from December 20 to early March (ask about special Packages), and the Bear Den ski shop rents skiing and snowshoeing gear, arranges snowcoach shuttles and provides local knowledge. Find printable ski trail maps of Tower, Mammoth, and the Northeast Corner at www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/skiyell.htm Follow fresh Grizzly tracks in the spring snow. Don't go into the woods for a closer look! DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL Snowshoe with the Yellowstone Institute. Go to: www.distinctlymontana.com/yinstitute131 www.distinctlymontana.com 25 PHIL KNIGHT

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