Get Dirty. Get Active. Give Back.
That’s the Greater Yellowstone’s mantra for its 2009 summer outdoor adventures and projects.
The conservation organization that has its home base in Bozeman, Mont., has a variety of outdoor opportunities, ranging from hikes to helping mitigate wolf/cattle conflicts on the Sun Ranch near Ennis, Mont.
The projects and hikes are based out of GYC’s offices in Bozeman, Jackson and Cody, Wyo., and Idaho Falls, Idaho. Members as well as non-members are welcome, and there is no charge to participate.
Following is a list of projects and how to get involved:
Jackson Area
Dog Creek Hike, Saturday, Aug. 1: The Dog Creek elk feed ground and the nearby Palisades Wilderness Study Area are within the home range of one of Wyoming ’s wolf packs. This area is important for connectivity to Idaho’s wolf population but lies within the 90 percent of Wyoming where wolves are classified as a predator. Learn about the importance of this area for wolves, conflicts and efforts GYC is making to change wolf management in Wyoming. For more information or to RSVP, contact Chris Colligan at 307-734-0633.
Bozeman Area
Snowcrest Mountains Hike, Saturday, July 18: The Snowcrest Mountains have been recommended as wilderness in the new Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest plan. Join us as we hike the Divide Creek trail, which begins at the upper end of the Ruby River on the east side of the Snowcrests. This will be an 8-10 mile round-trip exploring the scenic alpine mountains and rolling grasslands that characterize this remote range. For more information or to register, contact Barb Cestero at 406-586-1593.
Helping Wolves & Cattle on the Sun Ranch, Madison Valley , Monday, July 20: Help the Sun Ranch crew experiment with techniques to coexist with wolves on a working landscape. Activities will range from deploying and maintaining fladry – a management tool consisting of an electrified wire with strips of brightly colored flagging – to collecting data on wolf activity on the ranch and providing increased human presence around the ranch. We’ll celebrate our labor with a BBQ at the end of the work day. For more information or to register, call Barb Cestero at 406-586-1593.
Geo-caching with Kids, Sunday, July 26: Geo-caching is a great family pastime for all ages that provides exercise, builds relationships and creates fun while supporting exploration of nature! Geo-caching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure-seekers equipped with GPS devices. Learn how to use your GPS to track hidden outdoor containers and then share your experiences online. For more information and to sign up, call 406-556-2810 or email jmurray@greateryellowstone.org.
Cinnamon Mountain Lookout Tower, Saturday, Aug. 1: The Cinnamon Mountain Trail begins west of the Cinnamon Lodge on Highway 191 south of Big Sky. The trail offers moderate hiking through forested areas for the first half, then up through open meadows and steeper terrain to the top of Cinnamon Mountain . The summit provides the chance to check out an old Forest Service lookout tower and take in excellent views of the Taylor-Hilgard Peaks . For information, call 406-586-1593.
Southeast Idaho
Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area Adopt-A-Wetland Project, July 10-11: The Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area sits amid southeast Idaho ’s unique Basin and Range landscape and provides outstanding habitat for fish, birds, elk, deer and other wildlife. Don’t miss this chance to visit the WMA and improve the habitat on this historic property. Bring your camping gear and join us Friday night to make a weekend out of it. If you are feeling adventurous, bring a sleeping bag and stay in the old bunkhouse on the site. For information, contact our Idaho Falls office at 208-522-7927.
Palisades Creek Trail Hike, Saturday, July 25: Hiking to the Lower Palisades Lake , with the possibility of continuing on to the Upper Palisades Lake , depending on how the group feels. The hike to the lower lake is four miles, making for an eight-mile round trip. This hike presents the opportunity to see mountain goats, a Yellowstone cutthroat trout stream, and a variety of birds. For more information, call 208-522-7927.
Cody
Sunlight Basin Hike , Saturday, July 11: Caravan into the Sunlight Basin area northwest of Cody to learn about the ecological and economic benefits of wolves, and participate in a discussion on the area’s elk herds. For more information and to RSVP, contact Chris Colligan at 734-0633.
Hike to the High Lakes of the Beartooth Plateau, Saturday, Aug. 22: When the temperature climbs in Cody there is no better escape than the high lakes of the Beartooth Plateau. If you’re into fishing bring your rod. Please RSVP to Hilary Eisen, 307-527-6290 or heisen@greateryellowstone.org
Jeff Welsch is the communications director for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. |
