Yellowstone National Park reopened to the public last Friday and so at the weekend I took a leisurely drive from West Yellowstone into Old Faithful.

We still have lots of snow and most of the “side trips” such as Riverside Drive and Firehole Canyon are not yet accessible, but the main roads are clear and dry, and most importantly, as yet, un-crowded.

But it appears that someone forgot to tell Mother Nature that Spring was due to arrive a while ago and so the temperature isn’t great, and the occasional snow shower is still blowing through, so make sure to pack a sweatshirt and waterproof jacket.

But on the bright side, the unseasonable weather is not deterring the Wildlife who are out in abundance to welcome you.

Our drive through Madison meadows was slow due to large numbers of Bison with whom we were sharing the road, and if you’ve ever seen one up close, you’ll understand why they have the right of way!

There were also several small herds of Elk grazing along the Madison River intermingling with more Bison, Sandhill Cranes, Canada Geese, Ospreys and Bald Eagles.

Midway between 7 Mile Bridge and Madison Junction we were fortunate enough to spend some time watching a wolf through our spotting scope. He was far to intent on keeping tabs on the Bison to be aware of the small group of human visitors keeping tabs on him.

The visitors Center and some concessions are open at Old Faithful and we arrived just time to witness our first “eruption” of the season. After spending some time exploring the visitor’s center, we headed back to West, making several voluntary stops to watch Elk and a Coyote, and several more involuntary stops at impromptu “Bison crossings”.

And as an added bonus admission into Yellowstone National Park is free from 16th -24th April.

Mark Pearce

We left West Yellowstone and went to Canyon, then down into Hayden Valley where we watched a fox and took some incredible landscape photos. We then went back to see the Lower Falls with the green and blue ice and then made our way back into Hayden.

We spotted more foxes, several swans, Golden Eye ducks, bison, and coyote hunting for whatever they hunt for.  We spent about 2 hours in Hayden Valley. After visiting Mud Volcano and Dragons mouth we headed to Fishing Bridge for Lunch.

Driving past the Lake left us in awe of the stark winter beauty that is Yellowstone in Winter.  It is awesome to think the Lake has 3-4 feet of ice and another 3-4 feet of snow. After making several necessary photographic stops, we visited West Thumb Geyser basin and headed up and over Craig Pass to Kepler Cascades.  Some great photos at the Continental Divide too.

The bison are out in force between Old Faithful and West Yellowstone.  Two separate times we confronted bison on the road.  When you are on a snowmobile, they seem to grow a few feet.  One small herd of 12 or so didn’t budge after we rode up to them to pass. The one in front of me (only a few feet away) just perked her ears and wouldn’t move. It is important in situations such as these that you remain seated on the sled as they understand and are comfortable with vehicles. It is the flailing arms and legs of humans that frighten them.  After backing up to pull around they moved off to the side (barely).

Soon after this encounter, we came across two large bulls that cared nothing about us. One of them being the largest bison I have ever seen. His head seemed to be larger than my Yamaha Venture snowmobile. As we scooted past just feet away, I was glad they are vegetarians – I might have been an appetizer.

Topping off a phenomenal trip, we spotted a bison carcass along the Madison River with a coyote feeding on the left over’s. Makes you appreciate nature at a different level.

If you want to have an adventure that you will never forget, give us a call. If you are an experienced rider, ask for the Road-Less-Traveled tour. It is Yellowstone the way it was meant to be.

Clint

For the past twelve years, SnoWest Magazine has awarded West Yellowstone with a top position in the Top 15 Trails in the West. The Chicago Tribune has also rated West Yellowstone as the #1 Snowmobile Heaven location in the U.S. And, for good reason!
Situated high in the mountains, at an elevation of 6,667 feet, West Yellowstone has earned the reputation as one of the best of the best snowmobiling locations in North America. Here, the season starts early and ends late, averaging 143” of dry, powdery snow each year. So, whether you prefer steady, mellow cruising with few elevation changes, or you’re craving the powdery steeps, West Yellowstone is a snowmobiler’s heaven.

West Yellowstone is at the center of a 400-mile inter-connected snowmobile trail system that spans three National Forests and three states. Beginning December 1^st, groomers head out nightly in all directions to smooth trails for the next day’s riding.

Have you always wanted to try snowmobiling?  West Yellowstone is the perfect place to start. We have everything you need to match you with the right snowmobile and show you how to operate it.
You can snowmobile right from your lodging or snowmobile rental on most West Yellowstone roads to groomed snowmobile trails. The trails are also clearly marked with information and directional signs that also match an easy-to-read trail map. Expert guides can also be booked for a day to assist with riding and the trail system.

Many riders bring their own personal snowmobiles and equipment. (There is ample parking at most lodging properties.) On any given day, you might meet fellow riders from as far away as California or New York, or as close as your neighborhood back home. It’s fun to sit back after an exciting ride up Two Top Mountain and chat with fellow riders.

There are a variety of trails to choose ranging from easier rides to more challenging ones.  Details of these can be found on our snowmobile site www.yellowstonearcticyamaha.com/items-of-interest/trails/

We also offer daily trips over the snow into Yellowstone via snowmobile or snowcoach. Snowmobile tours also include all the equipment and clothing you will need for a day in the park.  Over the snow tours of Yellowstone begin on December 15^th and run through March 15^th, 2010.

Three Bear Lodge is the perfect base for any Yellowstone vacation.

Whatever time of year you decide to visit you are guaranteed to see something magical. In partnership with our sister companies SeeYellowstone.com,  Yellowstone Tour and Travel and Parade Rest Ranch we can assist you with all your vacation activities.

YELLOWSTONE IN WINTER

Our winter Snowcoach tours & Snowmobile tours & rentals allow you to play in the best powder in the west or to explore the wonderland that is Yellowstone in winter. The world renowned West Yellowstone Rendezvous Ski Trails our just a ski pole away from Three Bear Lodge. For those who want to try ice fishing or to take a shuttle to ski inside the Park, call and ask about our new SnoBear (pictured above).

And don’t forget the West Yelllowstone Snowmobile Expo – the biggest event of it’s kind in the West.

YELLOWSTONE IN SUMMER

Our Summer Van tours allow you to explore the wonders of Yellowstone, while learning about the Park from our experienced local guides without having to battle the traffic – we’ll even include a “Picnic in the Park” lunch or dinner.

Bearly Believable Deals

Located at the west gate of Yellowstone National Park the Three Bear Lodge is the ideal location for meetings and events for groups up to 125.

MAKE YOUR NEXT MEETING AN EVENT

All our meeting spaces have complimentary Hi Speed wi-fi, high quality audio visual equipment and choice of seating configurations customized to your requirements. Our Conference Service professionals are always on hand to support and assist you to ensure your next meeting is not just a meeting, but an event.

CLICK HERE for more conference information

At Three Bear Lodge, there is no such thing as a “standard” room. Every room features refrigerator, microwave, large flat screen TV, FREE wireless and wired internet. Some rooms feature private balconies.

AAA 3 DIAMOND LODGING

At Three Bear Lodge your vacation experience will be enhanced with the comfort of your stay. Our spacious Lodge rooms and distinctive layout offer a quality unsurpassed in the area.

THE LODGE

With unique handcrafted furniture from reclaimed wood, every room in the new Lodge has a unique feel. For an extra special stay, check out our themed rooms.

THE MOTEL

Our recently refurbished Motel sections provide a multi-level rate structure.

New Beds, updated furniture, drive up access and full use of the new Lodge common areas and amenities.

LODGE

MOTEL

CABINS

The long lines of summer traffic and masses of people at the most popular features have been replaced with quite roads and near deserted parking lots at Old Faithful. But while the crowds have disappeared the animals are still out in abundance, and of course the majestic sights and sounds of the landscape are always there to be enjoyed.

September is Elk mating season and now is the perfect time to witness the huge Bull Elk, with their magnificent Antlers and to hear the unique sound of their Bugling mating call.

The Bison have now dispersed from their breeding ground in Hayden Valley and can be found throughout the park. But please be very wary of these huge beasts and keep a safe distance. They may look slow and docile but they are anything but. As the people outside the Old Faithful Inn found out last Sunday, a 2,000lb Bison can easily vault a low fence!

Black and Grizzly Bears are venturing down from the high grounds where they spend their summers to stock up on food and search out a suitable spot to hibernate away for the winter.

For the best opportunity to witness wildlife, the early bird catches the worm, and the early visitor sees the most wildlife. Last weekend I was in the park by 7:00am. And was rewarded with seeing (and hearing)  several Bull Elk, numerous cow Elk, three herds of Bison, a Black Bear, a Bald Eagle, a Trumpeter Swan and a Sandhill Crane. All of which were seen in the 14 miles between the West Entrance and Madison Junction.

Yellowstone National Park is open until November 8^th, so make sure you don’t miss out on witnessing the spectacular and quiet wonderland that is Yellowstone in the Fall.

Most people who stay with us at Three Bear Lodge do so because they are coming to visit Yellowstone National Park. But probably 99% of our guests only get to see 1% of what the Park has to offer.

A guided tour is a good way to explore the area.  SeeYellowstone.com offer the most varied range of tours, with daily trips around the Lower Loop or Upper Loop Wildlife tours.  Their knowledgeable guides do a great job in explaining some of the history and features of the park.

But as good a job as SeeYellowstone.com do, they still barely scratch the surface of what Yellowstone has to offer. If you were to drive along every mile of paved road within the park, you would only see 2% of the 2.2 Million Acres the park covers.

To really see the Park you need to stop driving and get out and look around.  Take the time to go just beyond the road and you’ll be amazed and enthralled at what you find.

A good example of this can be found just a few miles in from the West Entrance. Most people who drive by are looking for Elk and Bison in the Madison Meadows and don’t even notice a sign for Harlequin Lake on the opposite side of the road.  Park opposite this sign and take the gently upward sloping trail for about 0.3 miles and you will come out at the beautiful Lilly pad covered lake. Usually the lake is home to several species of birds as well as brightly colored dragonflies.

Another simple walk can be found a little further in. Most people stop at Midway Geyser Basin to see the Grand Prismatic Lake. In the height of the season the area is VERY busy and the boardwalks only offer a limited view of the hot spring.

To get that picture postcard photo opportunity, drive past the Geyser Basin for about a mile and you will see a pull in on the right hand side for “Fairy Falls”. Park there and walk along the wide trail for just a few minutes until you see the Prismatic Spring on your right hand side. Climb up the fairly steep but not very high hillside on your left and from the top you will get to see the Grand Prismatic Spring in all its glory – and be able to capture a photo with the “wow factor”.

These are just two of the hundreds of short hikes that are very easy to do and offer exceptional hidden views of the true beauty of Yellowstone National Park.

$795.00 – 9 Passenger Van
$1095.00 – 13 Passenger Van
$1650.00 – 20 Passenger Van