11 June 2002 - Tuesday

We were headed into the park today at about 11:00 am. The crew consisted of our son John, his wife Dawn and our grandchildren, Hayden and Cheyenne. We had planned to drive out to Lamar Valley and do some possible bear and wolf watching. As we were driving past the stone chapel in Mammoth, I noticed that the sign was posted that the road over Mount Washburn and the Beartooth Highway were closed. So we went back to the Albright Visitor Center to check on the road status. Both roads were still closed due to snow and they did not know when they were going to be open. So we changed plans.

John and Dawn were headed south to Utah and home. So we turned both cars south and up and over golden gate. Swan Lake Flats was beautiful and green. We saw bison and elk out in the valley enjoying the spring day. We also looked for bears and Sandhills but did not see any.

As we drove south we encounter a bear jam just before the Moose Exhibit area. There was a large grizzly on an elk calf kill about 500 to 600 yards off the road to the west. It was right on the Obsidian Creek bank and it was a great view. We slowly made our way through the crowd and stopped. John saw the bear but the others hadn't. They thought there was too much traffic to turn around an go back. So we went down the road just a bit and got out and looked for any beavers or otters that might be in the area. No luck.

We said our goodbyes and the kids headed south and we headed north. We had watched the grandchildren for about a week and we had fun together.

Carlene and I parked the van and grabbed the camera and spotting scope when we got back to the bear. It was still on the kill and a large crowd had gathered. We set up the scope and gave folks a nice clear view of the grizzly. Once the bear was done feeding, it slowly meandered south along the creek into some nice meadows. Some of the crowd moved south with the bear as it was still out in the valley away from us.

The bear then turned east and slowly headed towards the road and the crowd and two rangers. The rangers backed the crowd up and moved the vehicles that were parked near where the bear was headed. One guy stopped his truck in the zone and decided to get out and take some photos. The rangers got his attention and told him to get back in his truck and move out of the area. He did so.

The grizzly slowly and cautiously moved east towards the road. It was hidden from view for a little while when it headed into some brush. The next thing we knew he was up at the road edge. It looked both ways and then took off at a run across the road. We could hear the bears claws on the pavement as it made its way across. We were behind the ranger who was blocking traffic and would of been the first one eaten... ha! Only Kidding!

Talk about a bunch of thrilled Yellowstone Visitors and bear watchers. What a great sighting and experience, I am sure it is one that will be talked about for a long time. It created great memories for all who were able to experience it.

The bear crossed the road at a dead run and continued to run up the steep hillside to the east. It was a pretty heavily forested area so we soon lost sight of him. We all just stood there for a while savoring our good luck and opportunity to view one of the Great Bears in Yellowstone.

We slowly packed up the scope and camera and headed north to Mammoth and then on to Gardiner. What a great day! These bears are magnificent creatures and it is a great joy, pleasure and thrill to see one in Parkadise.

We drove out Tower to see if any black bears were out making money for Kodak. No bears but there was a young big horn above the towers of Tower Falls on the east side of the road. That was a first for us to see on that side of the road. We watched and took some photos and then it was time to head to Gardiner and home.

Another great day in Parkadise. Carlene and I enjoyed ourselves tremendously sharing the scope and watching the grizzly along with other wildlife.

Wildlife Seen on This Trip

Antelope, one young big horn sheep, one grizzly bear, bison, ducks, elk, geese, magpies, and ravens.

Take care my friends until next time!

Lamar Valley Sunset by John W. Uhler ©

Back to the 2002 Trip Report Page.