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I'm thinking of doing a quick trip to Yellowstone on MLK Weekend or Presidents Day Weekend. Yes, I will be a windshield tourist and hang out in the Lamar Valley looking for wolves. Does anyone know if one month tends to be better weather-wise and wolf-wise? Thanks.

How are you getting there? Which airline do you prefer to use?

Would you have to take a snowmobile to get in there at that time? Or would the roads be open?

I'll fly to Billings or Bozeman, probably by United, rent a car, and stay at Mammoth or in Gardiner. The road between the North Entrance and the Northeast Entrance is open all year so people in Cooke City and Silver Gate can get out (Beartooth and Dead Indian Highways close for the winter).

Salt Lake City would be a last resort, and probably cheaper, but that makes it hard for a three-day weekend, or four if you consider I'll probably fly out on a Friday.

While I've seen wolves near Soda Butte and the confluence of the Lamar and Soda Butte Creek, I haven't been there in winter. I think they stick to a certain territory year round so they should be there in Jan or Feb. Plenty of sites on line offering everything from tips to guided tours. Park Service in Mammoth should be a good resource. Cooke City folks could also be a good source of info, if you can figure out who to talk to.

Don't think there's a whole lot of difference in the weather between January and February up there.

Sorry I don't have anything better for you. I'll think on that Cooke City link a little and see if I come up with anything.

February is generally colder. But both can be bitter. I've seen wolves from the road in winter, usually not many people up there mid week. There are modest but nice enough cabins at Silver Gate if they are still open, You don't have the snowmobile noise of cooke city. If it's not blizzarding, ther are good x-country ski trails in that area.

Howdee Bob!

WADR January is not warmer than February sans an unusualy warm January thaw. Here's a table fore the park:

http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?wyyell

There was no thaw of consequence last year, and La Nina could very well make sure it happens again this year.

Bob, I'd post this question on forums.yellowstone.net. I saw LOTS of wolves and grizzlies on the Lamar the first week of October. As good a vehicular safari experience as I've ever had in North America or Africa since cats aren't terribly special to me like most people.

Wish I could join you but its too darn nice farther South then.

Checked around and didn't come up with alot. Best source of info on where and when to see the wolves at that time of year would probably be anyone driving between Mammoth and Cooke City regularly and unfortunately I don't know any.

Did come across this website: http://www.yellowstonewinterguide.com/w ... wolves.php

Definitely take your long johns.

You know bob you could blow off the Lamar this winter and come by the Ranch mid Juneish and head up the creek with snow shoes and a pork chop around your neck.

Doublecabin wrote:You know bob you could blow off the Lamar this winter and come by the Ranch mid Juneish and head up the creek with snow shoes and a pork chop around your neck.

How about I do that but someone slower than I am wears the pork chop? I'll have my camera and can get some National Geographic-worthy shots.