Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1940-03-08
By DIR. H. F. TAvLN

Montana day in Yellowstone park
was first conceived by the Gardiner
Commercial club in cooperation with
Yellowstone park officials in the early
winter OF 1899. It was brought about
by legislation fostered by Senator B.
open road in Yellowstone in winter
between Gardiner and Cooke City.
Upon this provision being made eff
fective, and the roads cleared for
travel, ways and means to attract
tourists and sightseers had to be de-
vised, for certainly up to that time
the idea was prevalent over all Of
q season" and that one could only
visit it during the summer, all Of
which was mistake.
All roads in Yellowstone park are
open to motorists from May to Oct
is, and 1t is the early visitor who
sees the beauty of a budding spring,
while the late fall visitor sees the
wonders of nature unfolded in null
tiplicity Of color difficult to describe
as the late fall visitor, or those who
come in winter, who see the great
herds Of wildlife close to the roadside.
Thousands of elk, hundreds of deer,
antelope, mountain sheep, buffalo, and
much smaller game may be observed
at close range. Most of these animals
are not seen In summer because they
are high in the mountains.
On Jan. 10, 1899, Montana day in
Yellowstone was inaugurated at the
Buffalo ranch, some 40 miles from
Gardiner, in the park proper. At
tendance on that day was nearly 200.
Most Of these visitors were seeing Vel
lowstone In winter for the first time,
and their amaZement and wonderment
was exciting to observe. Here might
be seen a mountain sheep staring i'm
passiyely at a car near the roadside.
A short distance farther on would be
seen a small herd Of deer, curious but
unafraid, shy does, smaller fawns, all
to the delight of visitors. Soon after
passing Mammoth, great herds OF elk
were observed. big fellows with mag
nificient spreading horns, literally by
the thousands. So 1t went all day. with
this great panorama of unusual beauty
and nature unfolded to the uninitiated.
The winter snow scenes in Yellow
stone are difficult to describe, with
the traveller on cleared and safe roads,
supervised by an efficient ranger pa
troll, the ruthlessness Of King Winter
in the forest and mountains glimpSed
at a safe distance from the road
great piles Of snow, sometimes as much
as 20 to 30 feet drifted in. animals
Vallowing through it, trees snow-laden,
all make for a thrilling experience tor
the winter guest in Yellowstone park
Upon arrival at the Buffalo ranch,
all guests were furnished sandwiches
and coffee by the Gardiner organiza-
ton, which were free. Appetites MADE
keen by an exciting and active day
we're appeased, for there was more
than enough food, and 1t might pc
we'll to state that some 5000 sand
wiches were served, and gallons OF
coffee.
In addition to the scenery and WIG
life of Yellowstone. there Is another
outstanding feature of the park IN
Winter-the wonderful ski posslbllties
within its boundaries, slopes Tor the
novice or the expert, all arranged oy
park officials. Beyond doubt, the PARK
offers the greatest natural ski grounds
in America. When the snow is gone
from all other fields elsewhere ABOUT
the United States, Yellowstone park
skiing is at its best.
For those who prefer skating; tne
skating rink at Mammoth Is always
in excellent condition and is thorough
ly enjoyed by all. w.,
The camera hunter" finds n Yel-
lowstone in winter q wealth OF color
for outstanding pictures, aad some me
of the finest subject matter M Tile
world for colored stills and movies.
This year, Montana day was heio