During the winter season, only the road between Mammoth and Cooke City (just outside the NE entrance) is open to private cars. We spent Sunday and Monday driving this area, visiting the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs and viewing wildlife in the Lamar Valley. We saw elk, bison, bighorn sheep, bald eagles, golden eagles, coyotes, and wolves. Getting to see wolves was a thrill - we were able to see the Druid pack, the Slough Creek pack, and a beautiful lone gray from the Hellroaring pack.
Locals said that this winter is considered to be a "low snow" year, but to us Texans there was still plenty!
Early morning along the north road.
Sunrise in Yellowstone
Temps this morning hovered around zero
The first of many bison ...
The Lamar Valley
Carol is looking for wildlife
Steve with Mammoth Hot Springs in the background
This bull elk was browsing beside the road
He wasn't interested in anything except his snack
The coyotes in Yellowstone are really large
Bison have a tough time in the winter
They use their heads like snowplows to forage
Hope he doesn't get an ice cream headache!
This coyote had places to go ...
... and he was in a hurry to get there
Soda Butte
Looking west along Soda Butte Creek
Steve and Carol
At least they're staying in their own lane
Bighorn sheep
Liberty Cap at Mammoth Hot Springs
Minerva Terrace is covered with snow
New Blue Spring
Carol at Mammoth
Sunlight and steam at Mammoth
Looks like this guy just finished lunch and is headed home
Common Goldeneye
Magpies, a raven, and a coyote all sharing a meal together. Mmm - fresh elk!
Look how fat he is after his feast
Probably headed off to see what else he can scavenge
Where you see this, you will likely see wolves ...