DATES: JUNE 21 – 24, 2025
TUITION & LODGING: $1,062
LOCATION: LAMAR BUFFALO RANCH
GROUP SIZE: 12
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 2
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Why is Yellowstone National Park on so many people’s “bucket list?” Where else in the world can one look in one direction and see boiling water erupting from the ground while avoiding the nearby grazing bison herd, see a wolf pack stalking an injured elk, look further and see a grizzly browsing in a beautiful high-altitude meadow, look down and see a living rainbow of microbes in thermal runoff, and then rig up a fly-rod and chase some of the best trout fishing in the world? There is one Yellowstone on this planet, and this illuminating field experience will help participants understand why. What is seen today in Yellowstone began millions of years ago with a plume of heat from the Earth’s interior that uplifts the Earth’s crust to > 8,000 feet altitude, and “ends” today with the charismatic “megafauna” that so many equate with the Yellowstone experience. On this excursion and tour, participants will visit sites not seen by most visitors, but more importantly, learn the secrets those places reveal.
DAY 1
WELCOME & ORIENTATION
The program starts with an evening orientation. Participants will get to know one another and be introduced to the program. Throughout the evening, the itinerary and seminar key concepts will be discussed, as well as what to expect to pack for the field each day.
DAY 2
The Big Picture: Yellowstone’s Continental Hotspot Volcanism—the world’s largest active volcano
The Big Picture: Old volcanism, Landscapes and landforms, The Northern Range
Forest systems: Washburn Mountains
Glaciation in Yellowstone: Lamar Valley, predators and prey
DAY 3
The Big Picture: Landscapes and landforms, Gallatin Mountains
Forest systems: Central Plateau (Solfatara)
Canyon Area–The Caldera and resurgent Domes
Valleys and meadows: Hayden Valley, Charismatic Megafauna
Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone River
DAY 4
The Big Picture: Yellowstone Lake
Thermal Basins: Hydrothermal habitats and extremophiles
DAY 5
CHECK OUT & DEPARTURE
Dates & Times: The program begins at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, and goes through Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Lodging Check-in & Check-out: Lodging check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, and lodging check-out is at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
Meals: This course is not catered. Participants will need to bring their own food; lunch should be able to travel in the field.
ACTIVITY LEVEL 2
- Be prepared to hike up to 3 miles per day, comfortably, with elevation gains up to 600 feet. Some off-trail hiking possible.
- For more information about our activity levels, please visit our Activity Level webpage here.
- Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
- To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
- All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
- To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.
EQUIPMENT SPECIFIC TO THIS COURSE:
Suggested Packing List located in General Information document under the ‘Whom to Contact’ tab.
- Notebook and magnifying glass if desired
RECOMMENDED READINGS
- J.M. Good and K.L. Pierce (1996) Interpreting the Landscape of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks: Recent and Ongoing Geology: Grand Teton Natural History Association.
- W.J. Fritz and Thomas, R.C. (2011) Roadside Geology of the Yellowstone Country: Mountain Press Publishing Company.
- R. B. Smith and L. J. Siegel (2000) Windows into the Earth: The Geologic Story of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks: Oxford University Press.
Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information please contact the following:
Program itinerary, health forms, payment, and general program questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3
Road updates, park conditions, and general park information please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm
If running late for a program, please contact 406-641-2185.
General Information: For general information about the facilities, preparation for classes, what to expect, cancellation policies, and more, please see the Lamar-Based Field Seminars – General Information document.
Cancellation Policy: Review our Cancellation & Refund Policies here.
BOOK THIS FIELD SEMINAR NOW
Paul Doss, Ph.D.
Dr. Paul K. Doss served as the Supervisory Geologist for Yellowstone National Park from 2000 – 2001, and currently teaches Environmental Geology at the University of Southern Indiana. Paul has also conducted research and trained staff in Indiana Dunes, Acadia, Mammoth Cave, and Everglades National Parks. He’s taught field geology, conducted research, and completed geologic mapping in the Rocky Mountain Region and the Yellowstone Plateau for over three decades, and is tireless in his efforts to help people see the wonders of how our Earth operates…and to learn the secrets of fly-fishing in Yellowstone.