And visitation is anticipated to continue to increase through the summer as the National Park Service is offering 3 FEE – FREE visitation weekends in Yellowstone and other National Parks!  The Fee – Free weekends for Yellowstone are:

• June 20-21
• July 18-19
• August 15-16

Last month, the Yellowstone Association had a grand opening of their new headquarters.  The Association refurbished the building that was originally the town merchantile in the late 1800′s.  The entrepreneurwho built and owned the merchantile, also built for his family the house that is now known as Yellowstone Suites B&B.  I had the priviledge of meeting WA Hall’s extended family and gave tours of the house to his great great grandchildren.  The family shared many stories about the house and the town, including confirming the folklore that the 2nd story rock used to build the house was indeed leftover rock from the Roosevelt Arch.  I hope to continue a relationship with the Hall family and continue to learn more about this old stone house in Gardiner, MT.

Lastly, on an afternoon drive through the Lamar Valley yesterday, I was fortunate enough to encounter two black bear sightings, one was a sow and her two cubs born just this spring.  And I got some amazing pictures.  If anyone is looking for a good, simple to use camera, I highly recommend the Nikon D90.  More photos of my bear encounter as well as the B&B and the seasons of Yellowstone, can be found on the photo gallery tab at www.yellowstonesuites.com. 

1) How many acres does Yellowstone cover & where does it rank in size among the largest National Parks?

2) What is the fastest mammal in Yellowstone National Park?

3) What is the most common tree found in Yellowstone?

4) What is the oldest man-made landmark in Yellowstone?

5) What is the most abundant fish found in Yellowstone waters?

6) Name the igneous rock type that makes up the vast majority of the Yellowstone plateau?

 7) Name the highest peak in Yellowstone National Park.

What are the 2 most common causes of death to tourists at Yellowstone?

9) Name the tallest erupting geyser in Yellowstone.

10) What is the largest backcountry lake in Yellowstone?

Bonus Question:

11) What historic home in Gardiner, Montana was built with leftover rock from the Roosevelt Arch? 

Answers:

1. 2,219,790 acres, 8th largest
2. Pronghorn
3. Lodgepole Pine
4. Lake Hotel
5. Cutthroat Trout
6. Rhyolite
7. Eagle Peak at 11,358 ft
8. Traffic accidents & heart attacks/strokes
9. Steamboat Geyser
10. Shoshone Lake
11. Yellowstone Suites Bed & Breakfast

On May 1 the road from Canyon to Lake, and Lake to the East Entrance is expected to open.  And on May 8, the West Thumb and South Entrance is slated to open. 

Construction projects for 2009 include Norris to Madison through the Gibbon Canyon.  Delays of 30 minutes are expected April 17-May 22.  This section of the road will be closed nightly at 10pm until 8am beginning May 26-August 16.  On August 17 this section of the road closes for the rest of the season. 

It’s always a good idea before you head out to check the 24 hour Current Road Report Hotline at (307) 344-2117 for the latest information on conditions affecting roads within the Park.