Yellowstone: the introspective landscape Part XIX

from the new book on Yellowstone NP-

Chapter 9-Chased by Maidens

One of the most picturesque valleys of the west is Lamar Valley. The 13 mile long broad sage covered valley sits at about 6,600 feet with mountains rising to 9,700 feet or more above it. A sinuous Lamar River divides it. Situated in an east-west position, storms are funneled up through it drop their loads as they slam into high peaks of the Absaroka mountains. These storms provide a generous annual rainfall water some of the most prodigious grasses and wildflower blooms in the park. Lamar Valley is the home of the Lamar Bison herd. One of Yellowstone’s largest and oldest reestablished herds, the Lamar bison roams freely throughout the valley and along its mountain sides. The oldest reestablished wolf pack resides here as well. Wolf feed on the bison and elk. Grizzly feed on the kills of the wolf. Fox, coyote and scavenger feed on the scraps. A cycle that is as old as the Yellowstone volcano. New to this cycle of life is the amassing along it roads of the wolf watchers- the interlopers.

to be continued...