Finally - some snow!! The past week or so we have been getting at least a few inches each day. It is not a whole lot, but it is a lot better then we had. Hopefully it will continue so that winter travel and sight seeing is great for all and so that this summer doesn’t end up being way too dry!!
I had the chance to travel to the Lower Geyser Basin by snowmobile last week. While I didn’t get to see too much in the way of geysers, it was some great sight seeing. It was the day of the first big snow of this current winter activity and it truly added to the experience. The ride was very bumpy and it was a challenge to hold on, but I was able to do a bit of looking around on the way there. Near the Midway Geyser Basin, there were a few fairly good sized herds of Bison. They were mainly passive, but a few of the ones closest to the road were a bit spooked by the snowmobile traffic. Near Fountain Paint Pots there were a couple of bison using the road as means to move from field to field. Talk about a close call! After a bit of sight seeing in the Fountain Paint Pots area, we decided that the storm was getting a bit severe and it might be best to get back to Old Faithful. The ride back was even bumpier because road conditions had become poorer. The ironic thing was that when we got back to Old Faithful the skies were blue because the storm hadn’t even hit hard here yet! It was a great trip and nice to get away from Old Faithful again for a bit.
Now, considering my adventures to the Lower Geyser Basin and the fact that we are reaching the height of winter travel season, I feel like addressing an issue that is on the minds of many winter travellers: snowmobiles. Now, this might be a good time to say that the next few statements reflect my views and not the views of those publishing this article. I hope, though, that what I have to say is more thought-provoking and informative than it is controversial.
All I can say is what I see and how it makes me feel. I have seen families enjoying themselves snowmobiling. I have been annoyed by the sounds and smells of 2 stroke snowmobiles. I have enjoyed riding a snowmobile and the freedom it gave me to visit other parts of the park. I had someone intentionally switch sides of the road so that they could ride as close to me when I was walking as possible. I have seen people enjoying Yellowstone on snowmobiles in a responsible fashion.
So, what does all of this tell me? Snowmobiling is like anything in life - it has both good aspects and bad aspects. There are always a few bad apples who ruin it for the bunch. But, I also think it is a thing some people don’t truly understand. I refused to make an opinion on it until I truly witnessed it for myself. I wanted to make an educated statement when I had learned more first hand. Now, I think I can do that.
Snowmobiles are loud and smelly - but that is the nature of the two-stroke. Perhaps four-stroke machines would be a positive solution to this. They don’t go as fast, but who needs to go too fast when you are trying to make sure you see all the wonders of Yellowstone.
Snowmobiles are a great way to see the park if used responsibly. Hopefully if people lead by example, everyone will follow suit and use them right. Many of the problems I see with traffic jams in bad spots and spooked animals are the same ones I see in the summer with cars. Acting properly in any moving vehicle while near animals and while using a major road in the park is a necessity and something that must be done in both the summer and the winter.
So, while the impending ban might be a bit extreme, I think it is important to make a few changes and increase awareness to make sure that everyone can view the Yellowstone winter wonderland in the safest and most enjoyable manner. If these things were done, hopefully all sides would be a little more pleased with the compromise.
Just to let you know, I do plan on trying to get a four-stroke for the last year before the ban because I want to enjoy all the park has to offer. I also plan to be responsible, respectful, and careful with it. I hope everyone else does the same.
Well, off the soap box! I never realized that winter travel could be such a complicated thing. I really hope that maybe in the future it doesn’t have to be. Maybe it is too late for that . . .
