Desperate Times Demand Desperate Hikers

This is looking like a two days of hiking Memorial Day Weekend. NOAA is predicting progressively better weather as the weekend materializes. Since it is still May, we will be up north on the front end of the weekend. Saturday starts the weekend with the following weather forecast as of Monday evening: "A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Chance of precipitation is 50%." That's why we are staying up north on Saturday, where the elevation is lower and the climate is semi-arid. We may move south on Monday if the weather improves as predicted at present.

I have a number of potential itineraries in the hopper, keyed to potential weather scenarios. One wildlife-centric plan would see us starting the day along Crystal Creek covering some beaver ecology in an active colony, moving to the Mid-20th Century's sordid attempt by the NPS to manage Yellowstone's elk population through drastic reductions. Moving up onto Jasper Bench, we would move to bison and bear ecology, and the role that canid predators have played in the ups and downs of animal and plant organisms on the Northern Range. This exploration ebbs and flows from beavers to bears, and climaxes with a visit to a culvert trap used by researchers to further the state of knowledge of these apex predators. We would not dare go out on Jasper Bench of there is a high likelihood of encountering lightning, so we will be monitoring the daily weather and forecasts throughout this week.

The potential gem of the alternative itineraries would be a visit to the area we frequent often in autumn in our search for ideal fall color displays. A few years back, a large group of us went searching for an artifact from days gone by, and did not find it. Last September, on a warm weekday solo hike, I managed to find that temporarily "lost" objective. The emphasis in this exploration is more archaeology and anthropology. There is an additional surprise that I came upon out there that magical day, but I will not publicize its details in this space.

There are any number of other possible activities we can embark upon, depending on what the weather has in store for us on Saturday. Interested parties who RSVP "Yes" are invited to join us for a morning planning get together at the Wonderland Cafe in Gardiner. We will utilize the latest weather forecast to lay out our plan for the day, while enjoying the coffee and scones that this place is noted for.

It is prime tick season, so come prepared with insect repellent or tick spray. Also check your bear spray to make sure it didn't expire during the off-season. Dress for the vagaries of spring weather, meaning dress in layers and remember: "Cotton kills"! You'll want sun protection: hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

See you adventurous ones Saturday!

Ballpark