Yellowstone Wolf and Bear Adventure A Wildlife Tour for Wolves and Grizzlies

Join wildlife biologists Nathan Varley and Linda Thurston as they journey through Yellowstone National Park’s famous wildlife sanctuary observing gray wolves, grizzly bears, moose, and a host of other wildlife species. Enjoy comfortable accommodations in picturesque settings, great outdoor picnic meals, as well as, fine dining in historic locations. Learn from the experts who have spent their lives studying wildlife and teaching about the dramatic ecosystem that Yellowstone Park was created to protect.

“For the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”

~ Inscription on the Roosevelt Arch

North Entrance, Yellowstone National Park

The timing of this spring trip is ideal. Wolves are out searching for prey for their young pups and grizzlies are visible foraging in the meadows and valleys like no other time of the year. Newborn elk calves are hiding in the grass and sage while young bison calves are kicking and bucking as they follow the herds. This burst of new life is all around!

On a typical trip we see many wolves from several packs and dozens of grizzlies. We have witnessed amazing behavior, too, including both grizzlies and wolves chasing their prey. Being a resident of the Yellowstone area for nearly his entire life, Nathan specializes in the out-of-the-way places that few visitors get to enjoy. Short walks will put us into amazingly scenic spots that abound with wildlife or colorful hot springs. Don’t miss this opportunity to watch wolves on the move as the sun sets, grizzly bears bird-dogging through the sage hunting for elk calves, vast herds of bison stampeding across open valleys, and bighorn sheep walking precariously along narrow cliff walls. While we may emphasize the “charismatic megafauna,” we don’t ignore the “enigmatic microfauna” either. We will also look for birds of all sizes and color, and small carnivores like otters, coyotes, foxes, badgers, and weasels.

Following each exhilarating day filled with wildlife viewing, we stay at some of the most famous lodges in the park and alternate great outdoor picnics with dining at exquisite restaurants including Montana's historic Chico Hot Springs and the famous Lake Yellowstone Hotel. Finally, you will see many of the locations that have made Yellowstone world famous, including the Mammoth Hot Spring Terraces, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Old Faithful Geyser.

The Adventure in Brief:

2008 JUNE 2~7

Guides: Dr. Nathan Varley & Linda Thurston, wildlife biologists

Outfitters: A Naturalist's World

Group Size: 12

SOLD OUT

Inquire for 2009

Cost: $2290/person/double occupancy w/ $300 single supplement

Deposit of $500 per person due at time of booking.

The Lamar Valley by Nathan Varley

E-mail Nathan Varley or call 406 223 2152 for information and reservations

Yellowstone Spring Wolf and Bear Adventure Schedule:

June 2, 2008 Rendezvous with Nathan and Linda at the Bozeman airport (BZN) between noon and 2 PM. We will load our minibus and leave the city behind en route for the wilds of Yellowstone. Hearty snacks will be provided on the drive. Our first stop is in the picturesque Paradise Valley, just north of the park. We will visit the Pine Creek overlook and talk about wildlife issues in the valley including what efforts Linda has been involved with to address wolf predation on livestock in the largely private, agricultural lands of the valley bottom. Our destination is the Absaroka Lodge in Gardiner, Montana, where views of the Yellowstone River and its rolling green hills are crowned by stunning snow-clad mountains. A welcome dinner will consist of grilled game meats, salads, and bread. Vegetarian and special diet options are available.

June 3, 2008 We wake early, as we often will for a good start on our first trip to the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone. We will tour through most of the park’s northern range where wildlife abounds in the spring, from bison to bears, from badgers to bald eagles. We will search the Blacktail Plateau, Slough Creek, and Lamar Valley for the resident wolf packs often teaming up with rangers, scientists, and the eclectic wolf-watching faithful in our combined effort to find and observe wolves. Hearty picnic breakfast and lunch will be on-the-go to maximize our field time searching and observing. We will return in the afternoon for a break at the lodge, and then go for an early dinner at Pedalino’s restaurant in Gardiner, known for large cuts of Montana beef and savory pasta dishes with rich, tasty sauces.

June 4, 2008 We will leave early for an encore trip to Lamar Valley. This area is one of the best in the park for wolves, bears and many other species. The sheer abundance is what gives this area its well-earned nickname, “The Serengeti of North America.” We will return to the lodge after the morning wildlife watch, and get back on the road for a big day of touring Yellowstone’s famous sites. Picnic lunch will fuel us on the way to erupting geysers and colorful, burping mud pots. We will go to Old Faithful for the timeless tradition of witnessing an eruption of the world’s most famous, and faithful, geyser. Our evening meal will be picnic style on the way to the Dunraven Lodge at Canyon Village. The evening drive through Hayden Valley will offer chances for more wolf and bear sightings .

June 5, 2008 In the morning, we return to Hayden Valley where we search the rolling hills and sweeping bends along the Yellowstone River as it makes its way through one of Yellowstone’s most lush and scenic mountain valleys. The area is known for its high grizzly bear density and large bison herds reminiscent of the old Great Plains. In the afternoon we proceed to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone where we will enjoy a great hike along the south rim, marveling at the scenery while keeping watch for ospreys and peregrine falcons. For lodging we transfer to the tranquil elegance of the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and dine with remarkably picturesque views of the lake. An optional sunset excursion wraps up another big day.

June 6, 2008 We search Hayden Valley, Mount Washburn, and Antelope Creek on our return journey from the park. This area is passage over some high mountains where snow still lingers from the previous winter. This area also has wolves, bears, moose, or other wildlife to add to our sightings. By early evening we will have arrived and settled into our final lodge, the rustic and comfortable Chico Hot Springs lodge north of Yellowstone. Soak in the therapeutic waters of the pool prior to a gourmet banquet dinner in honor of the adventurers at Chico’s private wine cellar.

June 7, 2008 After a leisurely breakfast at Chico Hot Springs, we will transport 1 hour to Bozeman airport for departures no earlier than NOON. If you have any questions about this itinerary, just let us know!!

Cost: $2290/person/double occupancy. $300 supplement for singles requesting own room.

Price includes all lodging, transportation, park entrance fees, meals, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks to/from Bozeman, Montana, BZN. We can accommodate special dietary needs, let us know. A deposit of $500 per person reserves a space.

Local Outfitters: A Naturalist's World LTD, Gardiner, Montana

Small Groups!! Maximum number of trip participants: 12

For reservations, contact Nathan at nathan@wolftracker.com

Or phone: 406 223 2152

Policies:

Deposit: A deposit of $500 per person reserves a space. The balance is due sixty days prior to the trip.

Cancellation Penalties: A full refund of the deposit will be given for all cancellations more than six months before the trip. For cancellations three to six months prior to departure, we will refund $250 of the initial deposit. For cancellations less than three months before departure, the deposit is non-refundable.. For cancellations one to two months prior to departure, 50% of the total trip cost will be refunded. Refunds will not be made for cancellations made less than a month prior to departure. We cannot refund money for missed meals, missed portions of the trip or any other unused portions of the tour. Cancellations must be submitted in writing and are effective upon date of receipt.

Insurance: Trip cancellation and medical insurance is highly recommended. We suggest you use CSA Vacation Guarantee (800-348-9505) for trip insurance. Trip participants must fill out a participant waiver and a medical release.

Health and Safety: The trip requires average physical fitness and is suitable for people of all ages. If you have health questions, consult your doctor for more information. The tour leaders must be advised in advance of any special health needs. Weather conditions can change without notice and it is the responsibility of the traveler to have proper clothing and equipment. Please contact our office for assistance in what to bring on the trip.

Responsibilities and Conditions: We act only in the capacity of agent in all matters of transportation and tour operation. We are not responsible for delays, inconveniences, accidents, expense or mishap of any kind whatsoever resulting entirely, or in part, from the negligence of others or from causes beyond our control. We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the participant, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. The right is reserved to substitute accommodations or modes of transportation and to make any changes in the itinerary where deemed necessary or caused by changes in transportation schedules. we take no responsibility for special arrangements or problems incurred by persons physically unable to participate in the planned activities. No refund can be made for absence from the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of the booking. The right is reserved to decline, to accept or to retain any person as a tour member for any reason which affects the operation of the tour or the rights and welfare or enjoyment of the other tour members. We will not discriminate against any individual because of race, sex, creed or nationality.

Cancelled Trips: We reserve the right to cancel any trip should an inadequate sign-up make the trip economically unfeasible for us to operate or should conditions arise beyond our control that adversely affect the well-being of the trip members. In such a case, a full refund of the trip cost is given, but we are not responsible for additional expenses incurred by members in preparing for the trip.