After munching on the carcass of a winter-kill bison half submerged in Blacktail Pond in the northern part of Yellowstone National Park, an impressive grizzly boar moved to open water for a morning soak in the icy bath. Meanwhile, a lone greater sandhill crane moved in for a closer look.

The same crane pitched a fit when two coyotes came to the shore of the small pond and kept its distance while scolding the pair shortly before sunrise. Yet, the presence of the bear didn’t seem to rankle its feathers as warming golden light poured in from the east.

The mature crane stood on one leg as the bear walked past on the way to its bath and they spent several minutes just feet from each other, seemingly enjoying the company. Maybe the crane was fortunate there was plenty of meat left on the bones of the bison. Or maybe the bear had tried crane previously and the feathers upset his stomach.

Male grizzlies come out of hibernation in early March. Females with cubs emerge in April and early May. When bears emerge from hibernation, they look for food and often feed on elk and bison that died over the winter. Sometimes, bears will react aggressively while feeding on carcasses, according to park officials.

Sandhill cranes, including their eggs and their young, are prey for a number of different animals and may be killed and eaten by such predators as wolves, bald eagles, large owls, ravens, coyotes, big cats and bears. Considering the speed at which a grizzly can attack — park officials claim the apex predator can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour — and the short distance between the crane and the bear, onlooking park visitors were amazed by the relative calm between the odd couple.

However, Grizzly Bear 769, a 14-year old male who frequents Blacktail Pond and the likely culprit to be attending to the carcass, according to park officials, is already surprisingly plump for early spring. Watching him toddle around the pond with his ample haunches makes it hard to believe he can hit the top speed for his species.

National Park Week

Currently, to get in the park visitors must drive to the north entrance near Gardiner, Montana and can only travel through to Cooke City, enjoying the dramas of spring unfolding and the majestic landscapes along the way. That is, until the first Friday in May, when (weather permitting) the East Gate will swing open to motorized travel for the 2023 season.

But the entrance’s opening is a couple weeks too late to celebrate National Park Week April 22-30. Admission to all national parks is free next Saturday, but Powell’s park enthusiasts will need to make the three-and-a-half-hour drive to the North Entrance to enjoy the benefit. Once you arrive, there will be little fanfare.

“We’ll mostly focus on social posts and staff have been invited to participate in Earth Day events in West Yellowstone and possibly Gardiner,” said Linda Veress, public affairs officer in Mammoth Hot Springs. “Since most of the park is still closed and seasonal staff are just arriving and in training to get ready for the summer season, we generally do not have many in-park events for National Park Week.”

Through recent floods and global pandemics, Yellowstone National Park officials have persisted. But this year they are keeping their fingers crossed and hoping for a “quiet season,” Veress said.

Gates set to open

Beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, April 21, 2023, select roads in Yellowstone National Park will open to the public, weather permitting, according to a Thursday press release from the Public Affairs Office. The West Entrance traditionally opens the third Friday in April. Once through the open gates, there may be a chance to explore areas outside the Lamar Valley, which is plowed through the winter season to give residents of the Silver Gate/Cooke City access to Gardiner and all points north and is the only entrance open until Friday.

Late April and early May typically has relatively light traffic throughout the park and wildlife, avoiding deep snow at higher elevations, are often close to the trail. Few out-of-state tourists will risk scheduling their vacations for opening day — so many things can go wrong, including the chance of getting snowed in (or out).

To be sure, there will be a long line waiting for the official opening of the East Entrance, no matter when it actually happens.

It’s a festive atmosphere, with well-coffeed visitors eager to head through the entrance, over Sylvan Pass (elevation 8,524 feet) and into the world’s first national park. Visitors typically mill about, reconnecting with friends and getting group shots with park officials prior to the 8 a.m. start.

Stacy Boisseau and her crew — Kiya, Grace and Hailey McIntosh and “the fourth sister” McKenzie Clarkson, have been the first in line to cross the park’s border on opening day for the past four years. They’re willing to forgo sleep in their warm beds at home for a day in their attempts to claim the title each year.

Staggered openings

Some areas will remain closed after May 5. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel spring 2023 opening has been delayed until the wastewater treatment system in the area is completed and operational. Due to the heavy winter and difficult construction conditions, the new system will not be operational by April 28 as originally planned. The park is working closely with contractors to complete the project as quickly as possible. The hotel closed immediately after the 2022 historic June flood because of damage to the area’s wastewater system.

“Although the hotel will be closed to overnight guests temporarily, the hotel’s gift shop, coffee and beverage service, and lobby will open as scheduled on April 28. Overnight accommodations will reopen immediately after construction of the wastewater system is completed. The hotel dining room and Terrace Grill will be temporarily closed and regularly scheduled tours departing from Mammoth Hotel will not be available,” park officials reported last week.

The South Entrance, near Jackson, opens May 12 (weather permitting) and the Northeast Entrance traditionally opens just before Memorial Day, May 29. Cooke City and Silver Gate are still buried in several feet of snow and expecting more this month. Snow is in the forecast every day through at least next weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Bighorn Canyon

One place you can celebrate National Park Week in person without the long drive is Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. The park will be celebrating with several activities that have been scheduled for the special celebration.

Junior Ranger Day is April 22. Park staff have three planned activities, including joining Ranger David Moore to learn about how to read a map at 9 a.m. at the Lovell Visitor Center. Then, Ranger Richard Olsen will be at the Ewing/Snell Ranch for an introduction to archeology tools and the importance of maps in the field. Finally, using new map skills, Ranger Zach Hubbard will be stationed at a little-known spot not far from the Ewing/Snell Ranch to hand out NPS stamps. Participants can return the stamp to the visitor center for a Junior Ranger badge.

April 26 is the Arbor Day event in Lovell. Lovell’s fifth grade students designed and submitted original posters that were judged by Tree Committee members and representatives from the Town of Lovell and the National Park Service. Students will find out the winners in each class and will work with the Town of Lovell to plant trees at the Lovell Community Center. The public is welcome to join from 12:30-2:30 p.m.

On April 28, Bighorn Canyon has partnered with Just Serve and will be one of the Community Volunteer Day sites. Volunteers are invited to help clean flowerbeds, rake leaves, cut old flowers and pull weeds. If the weather is bad, participants will help by dusting and wiping down walls in the auditorium and art gallery to refresh for the summer season.

“Bring snacks, water, work gloves, work boots, and wear clothing appropriate for the weather,” park officials said.

Work will be completed between 9 a.m. and noon.

May 1 will the mark the first day of artist Toni Bergeon’s gallery show. The show will be on exhibit in the Lovell Visitor Center until Aug. 1.

“Her quilts look like paintings. You won’t want to miss it,” said Christy Fleming, chief of interpretation at the park.

For a complete list of activities, contact Christy at (307) 548-5406 or email her at Christy_Fleming@nps.gov.