YELLOWSTONE RENDEZVOUS!

Northern Rockies Nature Journaling is so excited about journaling with you in Yellowstone National Park! We have a good deal of information to share so grab a beverage and make yourself comfortable. 

We will be gathering at the beautiful Yellowstone Overlook Keneda Field Campus on June 19, 2024.  The campus has stunning views to inspire your journaling well before we get into the park. And the deck chairs are a perfect spot to relax after a full day. Please visit https://www.yellowstone.org/experience/overlook-field-campus/ to get an idea of our accommodations.  Upon arrival to the campus, check in, get your information packet then get settled. Once settled, deeply inhale the fresh mountain air.  Need to stretch your legs? There are trails available at the campus to explore the local landscape. For safety reasons, we ask you to use the buddy system. 

 Directions to the Field Campus       

From Livingston, travel south on Highway 89 into Gardiner, Montana. Just before you cross the Yellowstone River, you will see the Conoco gas station on your right and 4th Street on your left. Turn left on 4th Street (you’ll see a green sign indicating 5 miles to Jardine) and go up the hill for 1.5 miles. Turn right on Above the Rest Lane at the sign for the Yellowstone Overlook Field Campus (by the mountain man carving) and follow the signs to the cabins.

From Yellowstone, leave the park through the North Entrance and go through the Roosevelt Arch. Turn left on Highway 89 towards Livingston. Cross the bridge over the Yellowstone River. You will see the Conoco gas station on your left and 4th Street on your right. Turn right on 4th Street (you’ll see a green sign indicating 5 miles to Jardine) and go up the hill for 1.5 miles. Turn right on Above the Rest Lane at the sign for the Yellowstone Overlook Field Campus (by the mountain man carving) and follow the signs to the cabins.

You will also see Northern Rockies Nature Journaling signs to help direct you to the cabins

 Schedule 

A more detailed schedule will be shared closer to the event but this is for your initial planning.

Wednesday 

4:00 PM - check in

Dinner on your own

7:00 PM - gather with chairs by the pond for opening comments and introduction to Yellowstone Forever Educators. Also, you will be selecting field trips which will customize your experience.  Please review the field trip descriptions below.

Thursday and Friday

Breakfast at the cabins, pack your field lunch at the lunch-packing station 

8:00 AM -4:00 PM Hop on the bus for your field trip and off we go! A day in the field viewing, learning and journaling the pristine landscape and wildlife of Yellowstone National Park.

Marcia, our Bus Mom, will help you get on the bus designated for the field trip you selected. 

Dinners on your own.

Thursday is the Summer Solstice and we will be honoring that special time in the evening at the cabins. Perhaps journaling the sunset? 

Friday evening may provide opportunities for pop-up tutorials

Saturday 

6:00 AM to 10:00 AM We have a very early departure and for good reason! We will travel as a group to the famed Lamar Valley in search of wolves and grizzly bears.

A tailgate breakfast will be served at the site. 

After our viewing,  we will return to the Yellowstone Forever Headquarters for closing remarks, a bathroom break and a bit of shopping.

Field Trips

Yellowstone National Park is an immense treasure that takes years to fully explore. Our stops have been carefully planned to provide the best variety in landscape and topics as well as allow as much time as possible for nature journaling. Unless indicated, the field trips are reasonably level walks from the bus with possibly a few stairs. 

Bison Bus - North Yellowstone Explorations. 

Start the day at Porcelain Basin, located at Norris Geyser Basin. In the afternoon, head north to spend some time at Swan Lake Flats area looking for wildlife and enjoying the mountain scenery.  

Raven Bus - Geology and Beyond. 

Start the day by heading directly to Artist Point to view Lower Falls.  In the afternoon, head up Dunraven Pass to enjoy a mountain’s point of view of
the caldera. With this field trip, one can stay in sight of the bus and for those who want to explore more, there will be an option to hike a bit. For a description of the hike (though we probably won’t go all the way to the top), visit https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/yell-trail-dunraven-pass-mount-washburn.htm   Experience flowers galore at the top of the pass.

Aspen Bus - Botany and Birds. 

Start the morning at Floating Island Lake, looking for birds and other wildlife. In the afternoon, focus on botany with the flowers at Geode Creek.  

What to pack?

The most important things are your sense of awe and your sense of humor!

Bed linens and a towel are provided in the cabins. 

Personal items-

Medications (if needed)

Alarm clock or a phone with an alarm feature

Comfy camp shoes

Clothing:  The weather in the area can vary greatly, even in a single day. Be prepared for chilly temperatures at night. Temperatures in June can range from 77 degrees (high) to 45 degrees as a low. Rain is a possibility any time. Variable weather clothing that can be layered is best: Consider long pants, long-sleeved shirts, warm sweater and jacket, t-shirt and shorts, sturdy walking/hiking shoes. Be sure to pack rain gear, warm socks, warm hat and gloves. Plan to dress in layers for the change in temperatures throughout the day.

Field gear for everyone:

Day pack

Sunscreen, insect repellant

Water bottles

Reusable containers for packed lunches

Hiking poles (if you like) 

Sun hat

A small camp stool, folding chair or sit pad

You might also want to bring:

Camera

Binoculars

Hand lens

Phone/camera battery charger

Yellowstone field guide

Non-perishable snacks and a container to keep them in that is labeled with your name (such as a small cardboard box, shoebox, ziploc container, etc). These will need to be stored on shared shelves in the kitchen, so please make your container as compact as possible. NOTE: There are shared refrigerators with very limited space if you need to bring any refrigerated food. Please also bring it in a compact bag or box with your name on it.

Flashlight or hands-free light, such as a headlamp

Wine or beer if you’d like it. There is no alcohol provided or available for purchase at the field campus. 

Journaling Supplies: 

Bring your favorite tools–journal, pencils, pens, color medium of choice,  a filled water container appropriate for your medium, small towel, ruler, magnification as well as things that make you comfortable in the field–journal bag, something to sit on,  etc. 

Bring watercolor brushes #8, #6, #4 and/or a fine detail brush if you have them. 

NOTE ON VALUABLES:

The Yellowstone Forever Campus is a safe area and thefts are extremely rare. However there is no secure storage on the field campus, meaning nothing under lock and key (other than in your car), it would be best if you left irreplaceable valuables at home or keep them always on your person or in the trunk of your car. Northern Rockies Nature Journaling and Yellowstone Forever are not liable for any losses you experience at camp.

Zoom with John Muir Laws

John Muir Laws is helping us prepare for our trip! Did you see his Zoom session on drawing bears?  Well, he is doing another Zoom session and this time it's drawing wolves! Join in at https://johnmuirlaws.com/event/the-nature-journal-workshop-43/  on May 23, 2024 at 10:00 am PT to learn some nature journaling skills we (hopefully) will use in the field.

Waivers

At a later date, you will be receiving two waivers, one from Northern Rockies Nature Journaling and one from Yellowstone Forever. They are to be signed and returned electronically prior to your arrival. If they are not received prior to arrival, Yellowstone Forever will not permit you to participate.

Kindness of others

We are blessed that the practice of nature journaling attracts such kind and generous people. These individuals are offering assistance with logistics to anyone who is interested. . 

-Christy in Bozeman is offering carpooling from Bozeman  to Gardiner. Christy has also generously offered to organize some events for those arriving early or leaving late in Bozeman (journal with the animal ambassadors at MOSS, tour of the Wetlands, etc).  Contact Christy at bibliosnark@gmail.com to make arrangements.

- Suzanne in Missoula has offered to help with carpooling from Missoula to Gardiner. Please contact Suzanne at suzhendric@gmail.com if you are interested. 

- Pat has offered to provide pick-up at the airport, housing for the night before (June 18) and the night after (June 22) as well as carpooling from Bozemen to Gardiner to Yellowstone June 19. Contact Pat at hedpat@gmail.com

Too much beauty to leave.... 

On Saturday, June 22, it will be difficult to leave the beauty of Gardiner and Yellowstone. Katy Fast, Institute Outreach Coordinator of Yellowstone Forever has offered individuals the opportunity to stay the night of June 22, 2024 at the campus for an additional fee which is quite reasonable. Of course, no meals are provided. Please contact Katy at kfast@yellowstone.org,  406-848-8007 to make reservations. 

Refunds If you have registered and have to cancel prior to June, 1 2024, your registration fee will be refunded minus $150.00 cancelation fee. If you cancel after that date, there will be no refunds unless we are able to fill your spot with someone form the wait list. If so, we will refund your registration fee minus the cancelation fee of $150.00.

Travel Insurance We suggest all participants purchase travel insurance that includes cancelation and medical evacuation. There are many providers of travel insurance such as Travelguard but it’s best to look around and find a carrier that you are most comfortable with. The cost of coverage varies but it’s usually quite affordable and most policies can protect you financially if you experience illness before departure, canceled flights, lost baggage, or a medical incident during the event OR if we have to cancel the event due to local emergencies such as wildfire, flood, or global health crisis.