Running in Yellowstone

Spent two days in Yellowstone late last May. Went out there from Ohio in shorts and t-shirts thinking it was summer and it snowed a ton. Was so pissed. Got some trail miles in, but was damn cold. I wouldn't worry too much about bears unless you do some long runs that take you pretty deep into the woods. It is pretty scary though running along the trail and coming upon huge piles of animal shit, not knowing what the hell it is.

I worked in Yellowstone(at Canyon Lodge) in the summer of 2003 and it was the best thing that I have ever done.

The running was good with lots of hills. On some of the trails there are fallen down trees, which will most likely be removed by the middle of June. The roads by Canyon were really narrow (I think there are wide shoulders around Grant) which can make it tough when there is heavy traffic. I also came pretty close to some large animals (bison, moose, elk) both on the trail and roads. It is scary especially when you are coming around a blind corner and are right there, or if a bison starts to run at you in the road when there are ten cars trying to get pictures of it. Most of these animals are fairly "tame" and used to people, so if you just stop and slowly walk around them there shouldn't be a problem. These things were by no means a common occurrence (maybe 6 times the whole summer). You will not have a problems with bears if you stay off the trails that closed because of bear problems.

Take advantage of the three day weekends you'll get in the middle of the summer to go on back packing trips. Find somebody with a car to become friends with so you can go explore other parts of the park with. Make it down to the Tetons too and go hike the Teton Crest Trail. If you have time head into Idaho to the Sawtooth Mountains. Have fun this summer, it will be one of the best things you ever do, and you will meet some fantastic friends.

Worked the Old Faithful area many years ago. Fantastic trailrunning everywhere in the park. Stay off the roads if you can. Do as much backpacking as possible. There were even some small races held on some trails. Have a great time.

I'll also be working at grant village this summer from may 21st-aug 11th. Someone told me to just get a bell to put on my shoes when running to warn any bears. Anyways I’m pretty psyched up about heading out there and getting in some good training and having some fun.

Yellowstone grizzly bear notice

In light of the rising frequency of human-grizzly bear conflicts, the Montana Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the field.

We advise that outdoorsmen wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle bears that aren't expecting them. We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear.

It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear droppings. Black bear droppings are smaller and contain lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear droppings have little bells in it and smells like pepper.

It is incredible!

Be careful around Grant Village ... there can be quite a bit of bear activity in that particular area. Make a lot of noise and if you can run with someone else and chat it up the whole time. Also be aware of the elk, bison and especially moose. Just try not to do anything too stupid and you should be fine.

Head up to Canyon and run the Rim of the canyon - incredible.

As someone mentioned, keep in mind that it is really f'ing cold at the end of May and again in late August.

Hike your buns off too, it will be great. The only drawback is the EDR (Employee Dining Room) - remeber to eat the hash browns at breakfast, or else you will be eating hash brown caserole for dinner! ;-)

I woked at Canyon Lodge in '89 and '90 ... eons ago.

I went out there 2 years ago for 12 days on vacation. I stayed at several different ares in the park.

Running was fine, ran into a bison once, but he was as shocked as i was.

The altitude was a little bit of a shock, but i wasn't in very good shape when i got there.

The trails in YNP are awesome, but you should carry bear spray (get one with a hand strap).

Drive to Mammoth Hot Springs and ask the other Park Employees about Boiling River, it's worth it.

Don't believe the hype about Firehole river ... it is just warm enough to swim in ... barely.

Drive to West Yellowstone and look for Eino's, it's a mom and pop bar on Hebgen Lake where you cook your own steak on a grill out back.

There are some really nice dirt ... sometimes muddy trails around Canyon Lodge. Running around the Rim of the Canyon is pretty cool - especially if you get there before all of the tourists.

Ran into a Grizzlie on a path down by yellowstone water fall. Was not the funest experience but im still alive.

How bad is the bear situation out there? I have a job out there this summer and I'll be running. Is bear spray really effective if you bump into a grizzlie? Do you really need it if you're running near the tourist areas?

If you can get over to West Yellowstone for a day, run on the Rendevous xc ski trails.

http://www.westyellowstonetraveler.com/features/rendez.shtml

...really, really nice. I ran on them last summer on vacation. Soft surface, winding, lots of small hills, pine trees. Kind of what I've always imagined running in Finland or Norway would be like.

If you make a normal amount of racket, you're not likely to see any black bears. Bells may make you feel stupid, but the idea behind them makes sense. Black bears are not into seeking out encounters with people. (Unless they've been fed by people.) Bison are kind of spooky though. They fairly regularly gore and trample tourists who get too close. They don't get out of your way when you approach, like most wildlife will. They just stand there and watch you. If you encounter them on a trail (usually in open areas) I would give them a very wide berth, or else turn around.

Check out this bison getting pissed and flipping this dude into a tree:

http://www.nps.gov/yell/kidstuff/testknow/images/bisongor.htm

I'm amazed no one has mentioned the geyser problem yet. BE INCREDIBLY CAREFUL AND AWARE WHILE RUNNING THE TRAILS THERE! One must understand that, although it is rare, geysers can form at any time, especially in an area filled with them.

Running into geysers is incredibly dangerous and stupid. I was there about 8 years ago, and I remember that some idiot (who didn't listen to the tour guide) tried going for a "swim" in one - not so much a swim, but pretty much a boil. He almost died, and I'm sure is still completely hideous from all the burns.

You will become stew if you step off the trails.

Nice! BTW - I was almost gored by a bull elk when I was working in Gardiner, MT (North Entrance to YNP) when I worked up there in the fall. I thought that I was a goner. Long story short, it was just before dark, I was cruising along and more or less right into a middle of a bull and his harem.A week or so later, I was doing striders on the HS track in Gardiner and had a really weird run-in with a male pronghorn antelope. I was doing my striders up and down the field, and I think the pronghorn either thought that I was a "challenger" for his ladies or, he thought that I would fit into his harem. ;-)

Wolfgang Grajonca wrote:

Check out this bison getting pissed and flipping this dude into a tree:

http://www.nps.gov/yell/kidstuff/testknow/images/bisongor.htm

Sure, the spray is effective. Apply immediately with a direct spray to the face once the bear begins to charge. You won't see or feel a thing when it mauls you.

Unbelievable, everyone referring to the "bear PROBLEM," and the "geyser PROBLEM," etc. You shouldn't be running in such beautiful country if you can't appreciate it more than that. If you're afraid of stuff like that run just about anywhere else in the country

"I was doing my striders up and down the field, and I think the pronghorn either thought that I was a "challenger" for his ladies or, he thought that I would fit into his harem."

-you sure got a purdy mouth, boy.

;-)

Guy with Question wrote:

So I got a job as a waiter in a lodge in Yellowstone. I want to know how the running is there. I'll be working at Grant lodge. I was hoping that someone could enlight me on their experiences in Yellowstone.

I guess I'm worried about bears. Does anyone know if this is a problem? I'll be there from may 21 to august 21.

Thanks

Bears...mmm...with a wacking great volacano sitting underneath you..maybe bears are the least of your problems !!