Posts Tagged ‘Yellowstone’

Backpacking in Yellowstone

Saturday, December 13th, 2008

With fresh air in the lungs and boots on your feet hike along…

Beaver Ponds
One of Yellowstone`s shorter loop trails then wanders through both meadows and forest. Black bears and Wild Flowers usually dominate the flora and fauna of this part of the world.

Fairy Falls
197-foot Fairy Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Yellowstone, The longest and most scenic route starts at the Fountain Flat Drive barricade.

Grebe Lake
A trail used mainly by fishermen and backpackers, the trail goes to Grebe Lake, which make up the headwaters of the Gibbon River system. Deer and moose are oftentimes spotted along the trail and at the Lake

Grizzly Lake
Starting out in a meadow, then climbing 250 feet up a ridge and traveling through burned forest, the route offers excellent views of Mount Holmes and the Gallatin Range.

Lost Lake
An easy trail, which starts behind Roosevelt Lodge (Tower Junction) then, goes into the forested hillside, coming to a fork, going westwards to the Lost Lake which is about quarter of a mile away.

Monument Geyser Basin
This is short but steep hike, where you can see the stunning view of Elk Park meadow and the wandering Gibbon River leading to Monument Geyser Basin, a small geyser basin.

Osprey Falls
Whether you start south of Bunsen Peak on the Bunsen Peak road or north of Bunsen Peak on the other end, you will be traveling about three miles along the road to reach the breathtaking Osprey Falls Trail

Specimen Ridge
This trail takes us to the lip of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at the one mile point, then to east reaching the top of 9614-feet Amethyst Mountain.

Storm Point
This trail offers a good view of Yellowstone Lake, off the beaten path.
Start from the Indian Pond parking area, then drops into the tree line until you reach Storm Point.

Yellowstone River
Starts at the Yellowstone River Picnic Area and rises up to the eastern lip of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. There are some spectacular views of the Canyon and River from this trail.

more travel facts here

Yellowstone National Park- world’s first national park

Saturday, December 13th, 2008

A beautiful natural landscape filled will an amazing terrain, geysers, hot springs and other natural thermal areas which surprise you with its innumerable natural assets on every step. That’s Yellowstone National Park for you. Welcome to the incredible land, welcome to the Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone National Park has a unique history. It is the world’s first national park which was given the status in the year 1872. To add to it the Yellowstone National Park is also a UNESCO world heritage site which boasts of its significance on the global map. In all the Yellowstone National Park is a great example of natural diversity and beauty. It is strikingly jeweled with geysers, hot springs, boiling mud pools, and other geothermal features along with an abundant wildlife which include grizzly bears, wolves and free roaming herds of bison and elks.

The Yellowstone National Park is a lively center of tourist activities which is on the rise every year. It is located in the western states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. People come to see the rare and unique geothermal activities happening in this area and moreover the innumerable holidaying options they get with the Yellowstone National Park. At Yellowstone National Park it’s a mixed feeling of adventure which one enjoys with natures uniqueness. While holidaying in Yellowstone National Park you can have many options at your disposal. You can mesmerize yourself with the unique shows going on this terrain which you won’t find anywhere else. Or you can go on camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, swimming etc. with utmost closeness to nature. But whatever you choose for, always remember you are in a national park and hence you must follow all the rules to practice maximum safety.

What to see is a debatable issue at Yellowstone National Park cause of the options. You can start your schedule with Mammoth, Norris, and Madison, Geyser basins including the Old Faithful, Grant Village, Lake Area, Canyon, and Tower-Roosevelt etc. You can also devote some time to wildlife seeing which is also aplenty in Yellowstone National Park.

The number of visitors in Yellowstone National Park is increasing every year and that is why the hotels in this area have increased. Now finding a good stay at the park area is not a problem unless you are here in the peak season without prior reservations. The hotels in Yellowstone National Park are suitable for almost every budget and it is hardly a problem if you are on a tight one. Moreover the restaurants in this region guarantee full satisfaction of the taste buds with the delicacies they serve. From whichever continent you are you will find the food appealing. Some of the regular facilities offered by the hotels in Yellowstone National Park include air conditioned rooms, car rentals, airport pick and drop facilities, swimming pools, health clubs, spas, restaurants etc.

For everyone at the Yellowstone National Park it’s a totally different experience of being. So why are you waiting, pack your bags and set out for the white sands of the Panama City and have an experience of a lifetime.

Looking for more information on Yellowstone Hotels check out Yellowstone-Hotels.net your guide to Yellowstone Hotels

Yellowstone Super Volcano Is A Sight That Many Visitors Find Very Interesting

Saturday, December 13th, 2008

When you are wandering through any park you will in general look at the different nature trails and animals that you will find. While these are the usual items that can be found in national and state parks there is one park which can offer you more. This park is Yellowstone national park. At this park you will find the Yellowstone super volcano.

This interesting volcano is a sight that many visitors to the park find very interesting. You can find where the super volcano is by looking at the map which is generally displayed at the entrance to the park. You will also find that you can buy park maps. These maps will help you to find the path to the Yellowstone super volcano.

When you are going to the site of the volcano you will need to make sure that you are following the various guidelines which have been stated for the protection of the visitors to the park. At the site of the volcano you will find information about the volcano itself. You can look for information about the Yellowstone super volcano is various books and other places before you start your trip to this national park in California.

The various facts about the Yellowstone super volcano makes it apparent why this particular volcano is very popular with various people. With this volcano one such interesting tid bit of information is that unlike other volcanoes this one is for the moment dormant.

As the interest in volcanoes is well known you can expect that many people are interest in learning more about the Yellowstone super volcano. One such party that has shown interest is that of the Discovery channel. The facts which they provide informs us about the different aspects of this volcano. Now even though the Yellowstone super volcano is at the moment dormant there is evidence that it may be on the verge of erupting.

Should this even occur most of Yellowstone National park will be under massive damage. As a result of the documentary park officials are keeping a close watch on the Yellowstone super volcano. And at the first sign of impending disaster the visitors to the park and everyone who is in the vicinity will be asked to move to safety.

Regardless of all of this potential disaster Yellowstone National park and the Yellowstone super volcano are objects of interest to many people. And so long as the volcano is asleep the visitors will keep pouring into the park.

Muna wa Wanjiru is a Web Administrator and Has Been Researching and Reporting on National Parks for Years. For More Information on Yellowstone Super Volcano, Visit His Site at YELLOWSTONE SUPER VOLCANO

You May Want To Consider Staying In A Yellowstone National Park Lodging

Saturday, December 13th, 2008

In general taking a vacation for many of us means visiting other countries. It is however possible to enjoy a relaxing vacation in a location that is closer to home. You will find that as nothing can compare to becoming one with nature there are lots of national parks which you can have your holiday in. Of these many national parks you might want to consider visiting Yellowstone national park and staying in a Yellowstone national park lodging.

To help you have a great time at this national park you will find many different types of lodgings. Each of these will have amenities which will fit well in your budget. Some of the Yellowstone national park lodging will have executive style rooms, wet bars, solariums and other facilities.

There are also some lodgings which resemble hotels but on a scaled down size. All in all you will discover that you have a wide choice of different places where you can stay in. These holiday Yellowstone National Park lodgings will provide you with all of the needs that many people look for when they are going on holiday.

Of all of these holiday facilities you will find that the some lodgings are more requested and highly popular than others in Yellowstone national park lodging. You will need to see if these various national park lodgings are ones that you will be able to afford. This is vital as you will need to stay in these places while you are in the park. Once you have found the lodging which is most appropriate you will need to check out other facts.

These facts will be ones like how far away from food stores are the lodgings located. Additionally you will need to be able to reach the various sights with ease. since the main reason why people visit national and state parks is to see the various sights of interest that can be found it is best if the Yellowstone National Park lodging is not too far.

Now once you have found out all of this information you will need to see if there are any vacancies available. You should think about coordinating your vacation time along with that of the free days. By planning ahead with this fact in mind you will be able to choose where you are going to be staying.

This is a boon as you will need to see all of the sights in the park. By choosing to stay at a Yellowstone National Park lodging you will have the best of both world. Comfortable facilities and nearby sights all within easy reach.

Muna wa Wanjiru is a Web Administrator and Has Been Researching and Reporting on National Parks for Years. For More Information on Yellowstone National Park Lodging, Visit His Site at YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK LODGING

Yellowstone National Park

Friday, December 12th, 2008

2.2 million acres of perfect vacation destination, that’s the Yellowstone National Park for you. This northwestern corner of Wyoming has a little bit of everything – history, geology, natural beauty, bird and animal watching and photographic thrills. Yet, many people who come here return even without tasting a half of the rich and variegated fare on the Yellowstone menu.

Most of the tourists who come to the Park indulge in ‘car-watching’. They look at rustic wildlife, the amazing geothermal phenomena and exciting waterfalls through the tinted glasses of their air-conditioned car! However, to really enjoy your vacation at the Yellowstone, dump your car and bring out your hiking shoes. Get adventurous!

One of the greatest attractions of the Yellowstone for the adventure-minded is its vast array of trails suitable for every skill level. Hiking through these verdant woodlands is a great way to enjoy the rich beauty of Yellowstone’s natural environs. Many of the trails have wilderness camping shelters which makes it easier on hikers.

The bulk of visitors who visit the Yellowstone National Park come to witness the glory of one of its most popular and commonly viewed phenomenon – the Grand Canyon. A huge gorge carved out of the earth’s bowels, the Grand Canyon is a magnificent caldera consisting of many awesome mountains. You can hike from rim to rim or just sit at the tip and ruminate. Either way, you’ll love it at the Canyon.

The Yellowstone offers more geothermal activities than the rest of the world combined. Take the Old Faithful, for instance. Neither the biggest, nor the tallest, but the Old Faithful is the most impressive geyser in the area with its gushing spout shooting water in one foamy spray.

If you’re a fishing enthusiast, the Yellowstone won’t disappoint. Fly fishing is particularly popular in this belt. From the last week of May to the first week of November, people come to the Park with their tackles and lines to catch trout, shrimps, salmons, minnows and other varieties of native fish, Of course, the increasing number of anglers has led to the formation of stringent regulations. But what the heck, you’re here for fun, not survival! So, just follow the rules and have a blast.

If kayaking is your weakness, visit the Shoshone-Lewis Lake route. Or go canoeing in the Yellowstone River. The water is flat, but moving nevertheless. If you’re into camping and backpacking, you can make use of the dozen or more campgrounds within the Park. Watch out, though. In summers, these grounds tend to get pretty crowded.

In the winter months, the Yellowstone undergoes an unbelievable metamorphosis. From sun-baked to surreal is the only way to describe it. Snow covers the area and your only access to the place is through snow mobiles, snow coaches and skis.

The Yellowstone National Park is really too vast and variegated to bottle into a single trip. Instead, you need to take one piece of the Park in isolation and enjoy its unique flavor before moving on to the next section. That way, you can really enjoy a treat that indulges each of your senses.

Adventure-Crew.com is your online resource for information & pictures of the famous Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, USA for FREE!!

Finding Peace and Quiet in a Yellowstone National Park Lodge

Friday, December 12th, 2008

Are you looking for a relaxing vacation that is secluded in a wilderness environment? If so, Yellowstone National Park is the perfect location. There are many cabins and lodges that you can choose from to help provide a serene atmosphere. Whether you are visiting in the summer or winter, a Yellowstone National Park lodge is a great way to spend time with your loved ones or to simply have a personal retreat.

History of the Park

The Yellowstone National Park is a large landscape of over 2.2 million acres with geysers and hot springs. The park has a very interesting history. It is known as the world’s first national park, which was founded in 1872. To add to this monumental date, the Yellowstone National Park is also a world heritage site that has a significant amount of respect on the map.

The park takes up the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Visitors flock to the location everyday in order to see what special geothermal activities are taking place, as well as to see some of the interesting wildlife. While vacationing in a Yellowstone National Park lodge, you can take part in all types of adventures, such as camping, swimming, fishing, and hiking. However, no matter what you choose to do while staying in the park, make sure that you follow all of the rules in order to maximize your safety.

Accommodation

The number of visitors in the Yellowstone National Park increases every year, which is why the accommodation choices have doubled in size. Fortunately, this means that finding a nice lodge to stay in is not a problem, unless you visit during the peak season without a reservation.

All of the lodges are affordable for every type of budget, and it will hardly put a dent in your wallet. In addition, the restaurants that are located in the lodges have delicious western cuisine that will provide you with full satisfaction. Some of the amenities offered by the most popular lodges in the park include air conditioned rooms, spas, health clubs, swimming pools, car rentals, and airport transportation.

Other than a cabin, a Yellowstone National Park lodge is one of the most sought after accommodation choices by the visitors. There are popular choices that many guests return to each year, such as the ‘Old Faithful Inn and Snow Lodge’, or the ‘Roosevelt Lodge’.

The Roosevelt Lodge Cabins

The lodge is located near President Theodore Roosevelt’s favorite campsite while visiting the park, and he was also the inspiration for the name of the lodge. This Yellowstone National Park lodge has numerous rustic cabins with a family-style dining restaurant. You can relax on the front porch and rock away any problems. The staff offers horseback rides, an Old West Dinner Cookout, and stagecoach adventures. There are two types of cabins available: frontier cabins and roughrider cabins. The cabins are open from June 6th until September 1st, therefore the lodge is known as a summer lodge.

Old Faithful Inn and Snow Lodge

The Old Faithful is considered to be one of the largest log structures in the world, and is located right beside the well known Old Faithful Geyser. The lodge and cabins are open from December 17th until March 15th. You can take a snow coach tour, like the one to the Canyon area where you can see the famous frozen falls. There are also options to rent skis and snowshoes, which you can use to explore numerous trails. If you prefer a more relaxing activity, sip hot chocolate by the fire in the lounge. You can choose from a lodge room, western cabin, or a frontier cabin.

After staying in a Yellowstone National Park lodge, you will have many memories to bring back home with you. The scenery alone is enough to bring relaxation and refresh your mind. After experiencing a Yellowstone National Park lodge, you will see why so many visitors return year after year for their holiday.

Spend a Day Fishing Yellowstone National Park 

Friday, December 12th, 2008

Spending a relaxing day in a park is a great way to connect with family or to simply be by yourself. Considered to be one of the most beautiful parks in the United States, Yellow Stone National Park tops the charts. Despite the fact that it is considered a super volcano crater, it is still a wonderful location for fishing, camping, or other nature-seeking activities.

When it comes to fishing Yellowstone, there are numerous fishing techniques and species of fish to catch. On the other hand, if you are fishing Yellowstone, you also have to remember that there are specific regulations and fees associated.  

Popular Fish 

As you probably already know, it is tempting to walk up to a body of water in the Yellowstone National Park and cast your fishing line. However, you have to remember that the lakes in the park are not stocked yearly. This means that the rangers are very strict about people following the specific rules and helping to maintain the fish stock. The most popular fish when fishing Yellowstone is trout.

This is the target fish for both fly fishers and traditional fishing. Some experienced visitors say that you can find a trout that is over 15 inches, which is a great catch for the day.  

The Yellowstone cutthroat is another popular fish that many wish to find. It is a very beautiful fish with amber and orange stripes at the gill plates. You can catch one that is up to 16” or 18” in total. The only problem is that they are helpless when it comes to trout, which prey upon the cutthroats. For this reason, if you do catch a trout, you are required to keep it or to puncture its air bladder and let it sink to the bottom of the lake.
 
Regulations, Fees, and Seasons 

As mentioned above, the park has specific rules when it comes to fishing Yellowstone. Regardless of the updated regulations, you will still need a fishing permit. Fortunately, they are affordable, with a 7 day license costing around $5 and a season permit running around $10. In addition, the park has a strict policy about toxic fishing gear.

All gear has to be lead-free, and this also includes any lead weighted ribbon for nymph fishing. Motor boats are also not allowed in the Yellowstone river or any fishing Yellowstone inlet waters. You can, however, use a boat on the Yellowstone Lake.  

Other restrictions include: 

1. Each fisherman can only use one rod or line at a time, and it has to be attended at all times. 

2. You can only use artificial lures or flies. Absolutely no natural or organic bait, such as worms, insects, salmon eggs or other food. Scents to attract the fish are also not allowed. 

3. Lures can only have one hook, and no fish snagging is allowed.
 
4. Fishing flies can only have one hook as well, and up to two flies can be used on any line.  

5. The maximum number of fish that a visitor can keep is 5 per day. Three of those have to be brook trout. The only exception is lake trout.  

6. Fish that do not meet the size restrictions have to be returned to the waters carefully. In addition, all unintentionally killed fish have to be returned to the water so that they can be consumed by the other wildlife.
 
7. Fishing is banned from road bridges and boat docks.  

The official fishing Yellowstone season begins on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, and it lasts until the first Sunday in November. The Park is open everyday during the season from 5:00AM until 10:00PM. There are specific exceptions that are listed in the rulebook.

You should also be aware that there are certain areas in the park that are closed to all visitors all year round. In addition, you will find areas with daylight restrictions and a limited number of party size or guests. The rangers have the right to close streams temporarily on short notice during the fishing season due to low water levels.  

The following are the fees associated with fishing Yellowstone waters: 

$15.00 for three days(visitors 16 years of age and up)
$20.00 for seven days
$35.00 for an annual permit

Youth who are 11 years of age and under do not need a permit or entry pass if they are supervised. All youth ages 12 to 15 do need a fishing permit but they can fish for free. 

When you are fishing Yellowstone, it is fairly difficult to have a bad experience. Even if you are unable to catch any fish, the scenery alone will be enough to please you.

The only way that you would walk away with a bad experience is if you do not follow the regulations and you get in trouble with the park rangers. The fines associated with breaking these regulations are large, so make sure that you familiarize yourself with all of the details before your visit.
 
To check the water flow for the Yellowstone National Park in real-time date, you can visit the following link: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow. 

The Ins and Outs of Hiking Yellowstone National Park 

Friday, December 12th, 2008

With over 2.2 million acres in wildlife, Yellowstone National Park is one of America’s leading nature locations. Much of the park is managed as a wilderness and backcountry, with over 1,100 miles of hiking trails maintained.

On the other hand, hiking Yellowstone National Park does present certain dangers. These include unpredictable weather, wild animals, turbulent streams, and loose mountain rock. Visiting the park means experiencing the area on its terms. If you do choose to hike the park, you need to be prepared for all situations, and know that there is no guarantee for your safety. Most of all enjoy the scenery and research all of the regulations and precautions.  

Hiking Yellowstone National Park during the spring is a great way to see and enjoy all of the attractions of the park. This time of the season allows visitors to enjoy the roads without the intrusion of motorized vehicles. All hiking, jogging, roller skis and blades, as well as bicycling are allowed between the Mammoth Hot Springs and the West Entrance.

This is only if the conditions are favorable from March through the third Thursday in April. The reason for the area restriction is because of the fact that the East Entrance all of the way to the east end of Sylvan Pass has limited access during this time of year.  

The best option when you arrive at the park is to visit the ranger station or the visitor center before starting your hike. This is so that you can get any information involving which trails are closed and which areas are the best for hiking Yellowstone National Park. This is due to the fact that trail conditions change suddenly, especially with rain, bear activity or sudden fires.

Be prepared by bringing a raincoat, plenty of water, a warm hat, first aid kit, sunscreen, and insect repellent. It is also recommended that you not hike alone. Having another person with you will ensure your safety, and the company is pleasing on a hike. Contrary to fishing, there is no permit required to take a day hike in the park.  

It is important to remember that you should not drink the water from any of the streams or lakes in the park. There are intestinal infections associated with drinking untreated water, and the cases are becoming very common. The reason being that many of the waters might be polluted by human wastes or animal wastes.

Always bring a large supply of bottled water so that you can protect yourself from the harmful infections, and to also stay hydrated. If you do have to drink the water from the lakes or streams, be sure that you boil the water for an appropriate time or use a water filter.  

If you are hiking on a trail that is far away from a visitor center or ranger station and a lightening storm occurs, you need to immediately get away from any water, ridges, isolated trees, or exposed places.  It is common for a sunny day to immediately become fierce with storms, wind, sleet, rain, and even snow. 

This is one of the main reasons that you should pack enough supplies in the event of any sudden weather changes.  You can use the map at the bottom of this article for reference when you take your trip hiking Yellowstone National Park.   

For more information go to http://www.fishing-yellowstone.com

A Unique Overview of Yellowstone National Park

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

When it comes to national parks, it is hard to imagine a more famous one than Yellowstone National Park. Here is a quick introduction to this amazing park.

A Unique Overview of Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is unique in many ways. One that most people do not realize is its place in history. Yellowstone was the first national park ever established in the United States. The park was established on March 1, 1872.

Yellowstone is a fairly large national park. It covers 2.2 million acres. Although located primarily in Wyoming, the boundaries of the state also extend into Idaho and Montana. The name of the park derives from the Yellowstone River, and is a twist on the name French trappers gave the river. While rumor has it the name refers to yellow stones in the river basin, the truth is it refers to the yellow color in the bluffs abutting the river.

One of the stunning things about Yellowstone is its geological nature. It has always been noted as a place of significant geological activity. From daily earthquakes to the major Old Faithful Geyser, the park seems to constantly move to and fro. Only in the last 30 years have we really begun to understand what is going on in the park. It all started with the lakes.

Yellowstone is full of lakes and one in particular has drawn much attention. Yellowstone Lake has become a gathering point for geologist. The reason? It has been shifting to and fro for some time. In the early part of this decade, scientist realized the shoreline was moving substantially. When data was reviewed back to the early 1950s, they realized the shoreline had advanced and receded with regularity. What could be causing it?

After a couple of years of confusion, scientist discovered that vast amounts of the park were heaving and depressing in elevation. As the land rose and fell, the lakes would be moved. The only answer could be volcanic activity of some sort, but nobody could identify anything that looked like a traditional conical volcano in the park. The problem was eventually solved by satellite imagery, which revealed the park is actually a series of giant volcanoes!

Simply put, the volcanoes at Yellowstone are huge, extending as far as 60 miles in diameter. There consist of a series of “calderas” that form when a hot spot when a hot spot in the crust of the planet breaks through the ground. The explosions occur about once every 600,000 years. In fact, we are just at the end of another 600,000 year cycle, which makes people a bit nervous and movie producers happy to exploit the situation.

Yellowstone is an amazingly beautiful national park. A visit to the park should be on your list of things to do in your life. Just try to get there before it blows again! When it does, much of the Midwest and East Coast of the country will be devastated from the ash fallout.

John Grimes is with All Terrain – makers of natural products for the outdoors.

Kiwi Invader New Zealand Mud Snails Endanger Yellowstone National Park

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

What, you may well ask, do 13 foot-tall New Zealand birds that have been extinct for 500 years and modern Wyoming trout species have in common? And what, you may also ask, since you`re in the asking mood, do snails have to do with any of it? Well, the answer is “quite a lot, really”. It`s a bit complicated, but bear with me.

In something like the year 1500 C. E. the Polynesian ancestors of the Maori peoples arrived in what is known today as New Zealand. They were a brand new species to the islands, with no previous place in the ecosystem. As a result the local prey species, most notably the enormous native birds called Moa, had no natural defenses against them. Moa were not only flightless, they were completely wingless. Their only natural predator on the island was a 30-pound eagle (also later hunted to extinction by the proto-Maori), so the weren`t that fast on their feet, since there`s not much point in running from an 80-MPH flying killing machine. Their only defense against ground-based predation was their great size, which humans have traditionally not given much of a damn about (island peoples can hunt whales in wooden canoes; over-grown chickens are hardly scary to them). The end result is that all of New Zealand`s giant flightless birds are currently on display at several fine natural history museums around the world.

But what`s that to do with snails?

Enter Potamopyrgus antipodarum, the New Zealand Mud Snail. These tiny, aquatic, freshwater mollusks are migrating out of New Zealand, not into it, but their impact on an ecosystem they had no previous place in could have similar repercussions for native species. Carried by us world-trotting humans, these critters made their North American debut in the 1980`s in the Snake River, and have been drifting west ever since. They are now present in Wyoming`s Yellowstone National Park.

How do these diminutive invaders hop from river to river, lake to lake, establishing an almost unshakeable presence as they go? Humans again, I`m afraid. The New Zealand Mud Snail is prone to hitchhiking on boats and fishing gear. So a careless or messy angler on an extended fishing trip can spread the little devils far and wide.

Mud Snails are quite hardy enough to make the trip as well. They`re so small ( 6mm long, maximum, and sometimes as small as a grain of rice), and they so much resemble tiny flecks of mud, that they often go undetected. They can survive out of water for several days, and can live in many kinds of freshwater environments. They`re even resilient enough to handle low temperatures (anything above freezing) and can pass unharmed through the digestive tract of most fish. Moreover, they reproduce asexually, and are “livebreeders”, meaning they produce a number of perfectly formed little clones, so even one can spawn a colony.

New Zealand Mud Snail densities of more than ½ million snails per square yard have been found in Yellowstone Park. With no natural predators to keep it in check there`s every possibility native snail species will be out-competed into extinction and native plant species overwhelmed. Such an unbalancing presence can decimate other species, such as trout, something that gives the Colorado Fish and Wildlife Department and dedicated Wyoming fishing enthusiasts reason for pause.

Efforts are being made to curb the New Zealand Mud Snail invasion. Let`s hope the trout have more luck than the Moa.

Looking for more information on Wyoming Rivers check out visitusa.com your outdoor adventure travel guide