Yellowstone closed for first time in 34 years amid flooding, mudslides

Reuters ^ | June 14, 2022 | Ruffin Prevost

[Twotone]

CODY, Wyo., June 13 (Reuters) - Record flooding and rockslides unleashed by an unprecedented burst of heavy rains prompted the rare closure on Monday of all five entrances to Yellowstone National Park at the start of the summer tourist season, the park superintendent said.

The entire park, spanning parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, will remain closed to visitors, including those with lodging and camping reservations, at least through Wednesday, as officials inspect damage to roads, bridges and other facilities.

The closures come as Yellowstone was gearing up to celebrate its 150th anniversary year, and as local communities heavily dependent on tourism were counting on a rebound following COVID-19 travel restrictions over the past two summers.

All five park entrances were closed to inbound traffic for the first summer since a series of devastating wildfires in 1988. The National Park Service said it was working to evacuate visitors and staff remaining at various locations, especially in the hardest-hit northern flank of Yellowstone.

[cornfedcowboy]

Charles Kuralt “On the Road” ranks the trip from Red Lodge, MY to the northeast entrance to Yellowstone the most beautiful drive in America.

[cornfedcowboy]

That’s probably not good to clog up all those vents on a mega-volcano that is overdue
———————-
Old Faithful might get some competition.

[BBQToadRibs2]

“I bet you will see makeshift campgrounds pop up.”

You mean like in LA, San Fra, Seattle? LOL

[ProtectOurFreedom]

How many here remember the August 17, 1959 M7.3 Hebgen Lake earthquake at Yellowstone? Thankfully it happened at 11:37 pm so most people were asleep and not on the roads.

Still, the earthquake caused 28 fatalities, with most of those as a result of a large landslide that was triggered in the Madison Canyon. That landslide carried ~50 million cubic yards of rock, mud, and debris down the south side of the canyon and half way up the north side, partially burying the Rock Creek campground on the valley floor. The landslide also dammed the Madison River, causing water to back up behind it creating Earthquake Lake.

More than 160 new geysers sprang to life. Even the park’s iconic geyser felt the quake. Before the quake, Old Faithful eruption intervals were between 60 and 65 minutes. Afterward, 85 to 95 minutes. The good news for tourists? Before the quake, those eruptions only lasted a 1.5 to 2.0 minutes; afterwards, 4.5 to 5.0 minutes.

If you want to see a long-lasting effect of the quake in Yellowstone, head to the Fountain Paint Pots area, in the lower Geyser Basin near Old Faithful and look for Clepsydra Geyser. Prior to that fateful night, it only erupted every two to three minutes. If you go now, you will see it constantly erupting - it hasn’t stopped since Aug. 17, 1959.

We took family driving trips through Yellowstone every couple years to visit my mom's folks and dad's brother and family in Idaho. I remember driving through a couple years after the earthquake and being awestruck at the damage still visible.

[TexasGator]

“The “high-minded” wildlife management people have fought continually to keep them from being re-introduced, going so far as to claim that beavers were never indigenous to the area, which is hogwash.”

National Park service lists beavers as native to Yellowstone.

Colonies are increasing in Yellowstone.

Wolves help control elk population allowing more saplings to grow allowing for more beaver colonies.

[Seruzawa]

I’ve driven motorcycles all over the intermountain west. There are a lot of nice drives. But the Chief Joseph Hwy gets my vote. I’ll have to try the drive to Red Lodge next time we go to Yellowstone.

The drive out the south ext along the Grand Tetons to Jackson Hole is well worth the trip too.

[dangus]

150th anniversary year? I thought Teddy made it a National Park. 150th anniversary of what?

[pingman]

Yes, they are coming around. Even at Gettysburg, where beaver dams are flooding sites where the monuments sit, the monuments are being relocated rather than the beavers.

[dangus]

Gardiner is FAR from Yellowstone, 73 miles. Do they somehow prevent businesses opening up much closer? I’m not writing to tell you you’re wrong, but to understand why you can’t stay near Yellowstone for less than thousands per week.

[dangus]

The pro-beaver folks won, I believe. I remember watching a show about the harm of ridding Yellowstone of beavers.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Correct you are sir. Good catch.

[ml/nj]

And West Yellowstone. There’s like a $25 tax per day city tax for rooms.

My family stayed in West Yellowstone on our 1991 trip around the country. I don't remember any unusual pricing.

ML/NJ

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

Bookmark

[TexasGator]

“150th anniversary year? I thought Teddy made it a National Park. 150th anniversary of what?”

150th anniversary of becoming a national park. Our first

[larrytown]

However the greatest drive in the USA is from the northeast Yellowstone exit down the Chief Joseph Hwy to Cody.

That is one of the great ones - almost like one is descending from a mighty mountain fortress.

[TexasGator]

usurper: Its wasn’t 34 years since the last shutdown.

“Correct you are sir. Good catch.”

usurper is correct but the article did not say 34 years since last shutdown.

[dangus]

So my schooling was wrong. They always credit Teddy with creating the first National Parks. Not only was U.S. Grant the first President to create a NP, but Lincoln sorta kinda beat him.

[Seruzawa]

Yes, well, 30 years have gone by. We last went in 2010.

[x]

Kevin Costner, Wes Bentley, Kelly Reilly most affected.

[cgbg]

Here is a Tripadvisor discussion of the West Yellowstone taxes:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g45399-i983-k13512821-West_Yellowstone_town_fees-West_Yellowstone_Montana.html