With significant snowfall throughout the park over a period
of 48 hours last week, Yellowstone
National Park rang in the
New Year by transitioning fully to oversnow travel beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday,
Dec. 31.
Rubber-and steel-tracked guided snowcoaches and snowmobiles are
allowed to travel on all interior park roads, with the exception of the road
between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Junction, which is restricted to
rubber-tracked guided snowcoaches only until snow conditions improve.
The East Entrance road through Sylvan Pass
also remains closed due to avalanche danger.
The road from the park's North Entrance at Gardiner,
MT, through Mammoth Hot Springs and on to Cooke City, MT,
outside the park's Northeast Entrance is open to automobile travel all year.
Over the past two days, interior areas of the park have received
up to 12 inches or more of heavy wet snow along with strong winds, increasing
the danger of avalanches on steep slopes. Storms and adverse winter weather
conditions throughout the park have also caused poor visibility due to blowing
and drifting snow. Visitors traveling oversnow with guides or driving on open
portions of park roadways are cautioned to remain alert for rapidly changing
road conditions and other hazards. It is also strongly advised to carry
emergency items such as drinking water, an extra blanket or warm clothes, and
remain flexible with alternate travel plans.
Park staff members will continue to closely monitor road conditions
and weather forecasts and are working to reopen Sylvan Pass
as soon as the avalanche danger has been mitigated.
Updated park road information is available 24 hours a day by
calling (307) 344-2117. For information on roads outside of the park travelers in
Wyoming may dial 511; those outside of Wyoming may call (888) 996-7623
or visit the Wyoming Department of Transportation website at http://www.wyoroad.info/.
Travelers in Montana may
dial 511; those outside Montana
may call (800) 226-7623 or visit the Montana Department of Transportation website at http://mdt511.com/.