Join The Wilderness Center's Executive Director, Gordon Maupin and Naturalists from Teton Science School on The Wilderness Center’s popular trip to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem on February 2-9, 2008. This “vacation with education” will take you to the breathtaking scenery of the world’s first national park. There is unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. On every trip the group sees Bald Eagles, Elk, Big Horn Sheep, Mule Deer, Bison, Coyotes, Moose, Trumpeter Swans, and many other magnificent species. On many trips the group views Wolves, Golden Eagles, River Otters, Trumpeter Swans, and a host of birds and other wildlife.

   The scenery of the Grand Tetons has made this area the backdrop for dozens of Hollywood films. The unique geology of Yellowstone National Park’s thermal features inspired the creation of the the world’s first National Park. In winter, geysers blow hot water and steam on to the surrounding landscape creating spectacular hoarfrost on the surrounding landscape. Enjoy this crystalline beauty while learning from expert naturalists along the way.

“Grand Teton National Park is a place of unparalleled beauty at any time of year,” Maupin says, “but in winter the place is absolutely breathtaking everywhere you look.” There is over 6,000 feet of  relief in one step from the top of Grand Teton to the Snake River in Jackson Hole.

   “In the background are the snow-covered mountains, in the foreground there may be bull elk with magnificent racks,” he said. The group will take the famous horse drawn sleigh ride on the National Elk Refuge where thousands of elk gather during the winter. In addition, bison, mule deer, coyotes, and potentially wolves or mountain lions visit the refuge.

   After a few days in the Jackson Hole area, the trip will head north into Yellowstone National Park where they will be transported to the Old Faithful Snowlodge via classic snowcoaches. From the Old Faithful area, the group will tour the geyser basin and take the “grand tour” of Yellowstone in a daylong trip visiting the spectacular features of the park.

   Some folks are concerned by the cold weather of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks in winter. “The thermometer is very misleading. Although the temperature may be cold, the dry, thin mountain air keeps it from penetrating. It can be amazingly comfortable especially in the sunshine,” Maupin said. “Usually I’m more comfortable in Wyoming winters than Ohio winters,” he said.

   A winter visit to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most people. Nowhere else in the world is there such a concentration of natural beauty and wildlife.

   Cost of the trip is $2,209 double occupancy. A pre-trip meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, October 6 at The Wilderness Center. For information and a detailed itinerary contact Gordon Maupin at The Wilderness Center. Call toll free 877-359-5235.

Download a brochure

Report from the Dry Tortugas Trip April 14-18, 2007

 5-14: After a long flight delay and an extra layover, 11 travelers arrived in Key West in time to have dinner at Red Fish, Blue Fish.We got our fill of the local protected Roosters, Chickens and chicks. A few joined us for dinner! We then traveled to Stock Island to meet our boat.

 5-15:  At 5 a.m. our boat (The Playmate) headed for the Dry Tortugas Islands. We had a storm moving in and we dealt with strong winds and 8 ft. waves.

  We arrived right 8 hours later, right before the storm hit and we ate a hearty meal on the boat and went to shore to bird. The sunset over the island, especially with the fort in view, was spectacular. Seas were still rough and we were rocked to sleep in our small cabins.

5:16: Pre-breakfast at 6 a.m. Boat docked on the Dry Tortugas Island (only able to dock big boat 2 hrs. a day), we had two hours of great birding that started with the spotting of a Short-eared owl (West Indies species) right in the middle of the fort in the top of a tree.

  Met for breakfast at 8 a.m. and back to the island for more birding. Record cold at 61 degrees and 40 m.p.h. winds. Everyone dressed in sweatshirts and pants, and of course, binoculars. Excellent birding day with warblers landing in grape trees right in front of our eyes. Other highlights were the Wimbrel, the Merlin, the Peregrin Falcon, Ruby Throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern and Gray Kingbirds,Short-billed Dowicher, Bank and Barn Swallows, Purple Martins, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, a Sora (right inside of the fort.) A Yellow-billed Cuckoo,Orchard and Baltimore Oriole, Summer and Scarlet Tanager, an Indigo Bunting,a Lincolns Sparrow, a Willet, a Black-bellied Plover, Laughing Gulls, Herring Gulls, Brown Pelicans, Northern Mockingbirds, Gray Catbirds, White-eyed vireos and more. AND the warblers!!!!: Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Cape-May Warbler, Hooded, Worm Eating Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm and Prairie Warblers, American Redstart, Prothonotary Warbler. There were all so close and by the end of the day we were saying, just another warbler? Also another favorite was the Blue Grosbeak that seams to stay in the same spot for all to see.

   Because of the rough seas, we didn't get to snorkel, but the ferries and sea planes couldn't come in and we had the island all to ourselves.

   The sea calmed by the end of the day and groups were taken in a skiff to see the nesting Brown Noddies and Magnificent Frigate Birds. Also spotted were the Royal, the Sandwich and the Roseate Turn. There was also a 5-6 ft. American Crocodile on the island. Everyone got a good look.

  Dinner (another culinary delight) was full of laughter and fun and followed by everyone filling out there trip bird lists. What a happy birding group!!!

5-17-07: Last morning on the island for birding. Lots of favorites seen again! We headed back for Key West as the first Sea Plane was coming into the island.

  The seas were calm and blue and the temperature quickly came back to the normal 75-80.

  We saw mating Loggerhead Turtles, Dolphins playing, more turns, Ruddy Turnstones and Brown Noddies, Egrets, Frigate Birds and much more.

   We arrived back at the boat dock at 3:30 and our shuttle took us to our hotel in Key West.

   We met for the sunset party and then spend the evening on our own (most had dinner and went to bed).

5-18-07: Many walked to the beach, or downtown Key West and we spotted more Hooded and Yellow Warblers by our pool. We also got our Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collar Dove, Hummingbirds and more.

   We ended our trip at 10 a.m. at Key West airport for our return flight. It was the most beautiful weather day, of course!!!