GYC Staff Picks | June 2022
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is an incredible place to live, work, play, and explore. Our staff, dispersed across the region, know this firsthand and are excited to share some of their favorite things in this new blog series, GYC’s Staff Picks. Each month, we’ll be sharing Greater Yellowstone favorites from all of our staff – favorite trails, books, gear, artists, places and much more – that help GYC staff members make the most of this remarkable place. This month, acquaint yourself with the region’s wildflowers, discover new music, learn about one of Montana’s iconic non-native species, feed your podcast addiction, and experience new heights in Grand Teton National Park.
App: Wildflowers of Montana
A botanist once told me that going into an unfamiliar landscape where you don’t know the names of any of the plants can feel like walking through the door of a party where you don’t know any of the guests. It can be overwhelming, and even a little intimidating. But what began as a sea of unfamiliar faces slowly gains familiarity when you start introducing yourself, learning people’s names, and hearing their stories. As those names become imbued with meaning, they become easier to remember. The next time you are invited over for a party, you may recognize a few of the faces, and begin to learn a few more. And so it goes until you are in a room full of friends.
The abundance and diversity of plant life in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem means walking into that party can feel more like walking into the crowd at a concert. Nevertheless, it brings me great joy to slowly get to know the names of some of my fellow party-going flora. For those initial introductions, I often turn to the Wildflowers of Montana App. The app is a project of wildflowersearch.org – itself a great resource – and allows the user to hone in on a plant or flower by selecting known features, such as color, number of petals, or habitat. Nice to meet you, little-leaf alumroot. (Photo caption: The Wildflowers of Montana App is free to download and can be used anywhere you wander, on- or offline.)
— Kristin Oxford, Communications Coordinator | Livingston, Montana
Music: Lord Huron, Phosphorescent & Gregory Alan Isakov
I love these albums while driving to and from any destination throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Thought-provoking, ethereal, soulful…perfect background music for taking in the pure magic of this landscape. At home we listen to all these albums on vinyl!
Lord Huron – Lonesome Dreams (listen to Ends of the Earth!)
Phosphorescent – Muchacho
Gregory Alan Isakov – That Sea, the Gambler
— Shana Drimal, Senior Wildlife Conservation Associate | Bozeman, Montana
Non-Native Species: Mountain Goat
Photo Jack Charles/Unsplash
Generally, there are few things to enjoy about non-native species; however, the global exchange of everything including plants and animals has been going on since 1492, often blurring the lines between what is acceptable or truly invasive. This is epitomized by the majestic mountain goat, a non-native species in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Perhaps I’ve enjoyed mountain goats since a young boy listening to my father tell stories about watching goats being released for the first time in the meadow at East Rosebud Lake during the mid-1950s. Later as a teenager roaming the peaks, I knew encountering them meant I was someplace high and someplace special. Their tufts of snagged hair often act like beacon lights for the path through otherwise impenetrable krummholz.
My favorite memory was of this lone individual that followed our group starting at 4 a.m. from Avalanche Lake up miles of moraines and technical terrain (we were using ropes and protective gear) to within 50 feet of the summit of Granite Peak, Montana’s highest point. Known for a thirst for salt found in human urine, they have been known to get aggressive in popular spots like Granite. Fortunately, this one kept a distance and was a welcomed fellow traveler until he abandoned us for a more hydrated group headed up as we were descending. Photo Joe Josephson. (Photo caption: A curious mountain goat on Granite Peak in the Beartooth Range.)
— Joe Josephson, Senior Montana Conservation Associate | Bozeman, Montana
Podcast: Mountain & Prairie
Hosted by Ed Roberson, Mountain & Prairie has become one of my favorite podcasts in recent years. I appreciate his eclectic list of guests, genuine interest in storytelling, and appreciation for the American West.
“Guests include writers, ranchers, athletes, artists, adventurers, conservationists, entrepreneurs—anyone who’s doing inspired work that contributes to the region’s evolving and complex cultural fabric.” - Mountain & Prairie
— Teddy Collins, Western Wyoming Conservation Associate | Victor, Idaho
Trail: Teton Crest Trail
The Teton Crest Trail is approximately 40 miles of the Teton Range at its finest. Beginning at Teton Village or Granite Canyon Trailhead and traversing the Teton Range to Jenny Lake, this iconic adventure showcases the best of Grand Teton National Park, including spectacular views of peaks, canyons, glaciers, and lakes. With myriad route variations and campsites available, you can easily choose your own new adventure each time you trek this trail. This limitless trail also offers the potential to see some of Grand Teton National Park’s most beautiful wildflowers like lupine, paintbrush, and elephant’s head, as well as some of the park’s most incredible wildlife such as moose, elk, deer, Teton Range bighorn sheep, black bear, and grizzly bear.
— Allison Michalski, Senior Idaho Conservation Associate | Driggs, Idaho
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 49+ Indigenous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more.
