Along the Yellowstone

By Warren T. Planker

A crew from Nature and the Environment is closing out their summer along the Yellowstone River in Wyoming. The Yellowstone is the lower 48’s last major free-flowing river, America’s longest river without a dam outside Alaska.

The Yellowstone is one of the primary tributaries of the Missouri River, running over six hundred miles in the western U.S.. It begins where its North and South Forks meet in Wyoming, flowing through Montana to North Dakota.

The river has been carving Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon through rock for well over a hundred thousand years, creating one of America’s most iconic geological landmarks.

The Yellowstone begins at an elevation over two miles above sea level, where ice-cold snowmelt mixes with frigid runoff. Thermal water from hot springs mixes with the Yellowstone, changing the temperature and adding small quantities of arsenic, fluoride, and mercury.

Yellowstone’s Upper and Lower Falls roar with the raw power of thousands of gallons of gushing water per second.

Tim, Warren, TJ, and Maya at Yellowstone Falls

Yellowstone National Park is an ideal destination for backpacking, hiking, photography, wildlife watching, enjoying nature, and good old-fashioned relaxation.  The Yellowstone River is world-renowned for trout-fishing, kayaking (outside the park), and all sorts of adventuring. Our team is having a great time, and you would too.