Environmental

Average daytime temperatures are in the 30’s to the 60’s and 70s by late May and early June. Remember that this is the "average." There is one word that perfectly describes weather in Yellowstone, UNPREDICTABLE. BE PREPARED!!!! Storms in late May and early June may result in significant accumulations of snow--up to a foot of snow in 24 hours is not uncommon. Always bring rain gear and warm clothing. It can snow any day of the year in Yellowstone. We recommend a warm jacket, thermal underwear and rain gear. Spring visitors should be prepared for any type of weather. Check out http://www.yellowstone-natl-park.com/weather.htm

Sun Rise/Set in Yellowstone Times:

May 22   Sunrise   5:49am                    May 31   Sunrise   5:42am

Sunset    8:52pm                                    Sunset    9:01pm

Twilight 10:12pm                                  Twilight 10:15pm (this when it is Dim or diffused illumination.)

Shabbat Candles 8:32pm                     Moon Phase: New Moon Occurs at 5:12am (Darkest Night)

Averages for the whole park for the whole month of May and June 

Between May 22 and May 31 historically between 1971 and 2000 the temperatures:

Lake Yellowstone (485345)

Average High                                       Between 53 and 56 Degrees

Average Low                                        Between 26.4 and 29 Degrees

Average Total Precipitation               0.076 inches/day and 0.079 inches/day

Lat/Long: 44.56194 / -110.39861 Elevation: 7870 Feet

Old Faithful Lodge (486845)

Average High                                       Between 57 and 60 Degrees

Average Low                                        Between 29.3 and 31.5 Degrees

Average Total Precipitation               0.093 inches/day and 0.095 inches/day

Lat/Long: 44.45694 -110.83278 Elevation 7360 Feet

Mammoth Lodge (489905)

Average High                                       Between 61.9 and 64.7 Degrees

Average Low                                        Between 36.6 and 38.8 Degrees

Average Total Precipitation               0.068 inches/day and 0.068 inches/day

Lat/Long: 44.97722 -110.69528 Elevation: 6230 Feet

Lamar Ranger Station (485355)

Average High                                       Between 61.5 and 64 Degrees

Average Low                                        Between 25.9 and 27.9 Degrees

Average Total Precipitation               0.034 inches/day and 0.043 inches/day

Lat/Long: 44.89556 / -110.235 Elevation: 6555 Feet

Yellowstone Visitor Precautions

Wildlife
One of Yellowstone’s greatest attractions is its diverse wildlife. However, wildlife is inherently unpredictable, and all species are capable of causing serious harm to visitors. Buffalo may appear to possess a relaxed, slow-moving nature, but they are actually very aggressive. Every year, tourists approach bison too closely, and as a result, severe injuries occur. Other large animals, such as elk, moose, deer, and bears, also pose a threat to your safety, and animals with their young in tow can be especially hostile. Never approach wildlife, and remember that park regulations prohibit advancing within 100 yards of bears and 25 yards of all other wildlife. For the safety of everyone, take wildlife photos from the protection of your vehicle.

Rattlesnakes
Park visitors rarely spot rattlesnakes, but the poisonous snake does reside in Yellowstone’s northwestern corner near Gardiner, Montana. Reaching up to four feet long with a rattle on their tale, rattlesnakes bear brown skin with dark splotches. Most rattlesnakes will retreat unless threatened, but a bite can be fatal to humans if not treated quickly and properly. Visitors should be especially careful near rocky areas, as snakes frequently sun themselves on rocky ledges. If you hear a rattle, stop and slowly move in the opposite direction of the sound. If you are bitten, immobilize the area, and immediately seek medical attention. All rattlesnake sightings should be reported to the nearest ranger station.

Other snakes in the park include the rubber boa, the valley garter, and the wandering garter. All of these snakes, which generally never exceed three feet long, are the most likely snakes to be seen in Yellowstone. They are all harmless.

Ticks
Ticks and tick-borne illnesses are rarely reported in Yellowstone, but visitors should still be aware of ticks, the diseases they carry, and protection methods. Ticks carry and transmit Lyme disease, which can create severe problems when the disease is advanced. To protect yourself from ticks, spray an insect repellent containing DEET directly onto your clothes. Wear light-colored clothes so as to easily spot ticks, and frequently check for ticks on your clothing, skin, and scalp. Remember that ticks’ primary habitats are grassy areas situated at 4,000 to 6,500 feet above sea level. Although ticks are most commonly found between March and mid-July, a few do linger into fall. Practice precaution in all seasons.

Thermal Pools and Geysers
Every year, a few reports stream in about careless or foolhardy Yellowstone tourists tragically burned in the park’s thermal pools. Do not join the ranks of these headlines! Yellowstone’s thermal pools and streams are extremely hot and are generally acidic or alkaline. The park’s thermal features also often contain microscopic organisms capable of causing infections or even death.

To avoid an untimely fate, always stay on the park’s boardwalks and trails. Never attempt to step on the ground surrounding these pools as the crust is generally thin and may break, plunging you into a pool of boiling water. Due to the park’s high elevations, frost is a common occurrence year-round. Use extreme caution during frosty conditions as the wooden boardwalks become slippery.

Sun Exposure and Illness
Due to the park’s high elevations, Yellowstone visitors are more susceptible to high levels of ultraviolet rays, which may in turn lead to heat-related illnesses. Visitors should take every precaution to avoid over-exposure to the sun, no matter the season, and should be careful on summit hikes and near water bodies where rays are especially intense. Protect your eyes with sunglasses, and wear sunscreen and hats at all times. Those pursuing highly active activities, such as hiking, paddling, or bicycling, should use caution to avoid dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Stop for regular water breaks, and carry salted snacks and liquids to help replace electrolytes lost through perspiration.

High-Altitude Illness:

 How to Avoid It and How to Treat It

Every year millions of people go to the mountains for backpacking, skiing, mountain climbing and other activities. If you're planning a trip to altitudes over 8,000 feet, talk with your doctor about high-altitude illness (also called mountain sickness or altitude sickness). This Yellowstone trip will spend most of the time between 6200 and 8000 feet, but parts of Yellowstone does get up to 11,000 feet.

 What causes high-altitude illness?

The higher you climb above sea level, the less oxygen there is in the air. The oxygen level becomes very low at altitudes above 8,000 feet. This causes problems for people who normally live at lower altitudes because their bodies aren't used to working on so little oxygen. If you stay at a high altitude for a long time, your body gets used to the low oxygen level, and you don't get sick from it.

The following are the 3 main types of high-altitude illness:

• Acute mountain sickness
• High-altitude pulmonary edema (also called HAPE), which affects the lungs
• High-altitude cerebral edema (also called HACE), which affects the brain

These illnesses can be serious, but they can also be prevented.

How can I prevent high-altitude illness?

You can do 2 important things to prevent high-altitude illness:

1. Take your time traveling to higher altitudes. When you travel to a high altitude, your body will begin adjusting right away to the lower amount of oxygen in the air, but it takes several days for your body to adjust completely. If you're healthy, you can probably safely go from sea level to an altitude of 8,000 feet in a few days. But when you reach an altitude above 8,000 feet, don't go up faster than 1,000 feet per day. The closer you live to sea level, the more time your body will need to get used to a high altitude. Plan your trip so your body has time to get used to the high altitude before you start your physical activity.
2. Sleep at an altitude that is lower than the altitude you are at during the day. For example, if you ski at an elevation of 10,000 feet during the day, sleep the night before and the night after at an elevation of 8,500 feet.

 How do I know if I'm getting high-altitude illness?

Some of the first signs of high-altitude illness are headache, lightheadedness, weakness, trouble sleeping and an upset stomach. If you have these symptoms, stop going up or go back down to a lower altitude until your symptoms go away. More severe symptoms include difficulty breathing even while you're resting, coughing, confusion and the inability to walk in a straight line. If you get these symptoms, go to a lower altitude right away and get help from a doctor.

What should I do if I get high-altitude illness?

The best treatment for any of the 3 high-altitude illnesses is to go down to a lower altitude right away. But if you only have mild symptoms, you may be able to stay at that altitude and let your body adjust. If you do this, don't exercise at all--just rest until you feel better.

If you have severe symptoms, go down 1,500 to 2,000 feet right away to see if your symptoms get better. Keep going down until your symptoms go away completely.

Medicines that may be used to prevent or treat the symptoms of severe high-altitude illness include acetazolamide (one brand name: Diamox) and nifedipine (one brand name: Procardia).

Don't ignore signs of high-altitude illness. People can die of this if they don't recognize the signs or if they don't believe their illness is caused by the high altitude. When you have signs of high-altitude illness, don't go higher until you feel better and your symptoms have gone away completely.

 Is it safe to go to a high altitude if I have a chronic illness like heart disease or lung disease?

It depends on the type and severity of chronic illness you have. Most people who have a chronic illness, such as heart or lung disease, can safely spend time at a high altitude if their disease is under control. People who have coronary artery disease, mild emphysema or high blood pressure aren't at greater risk of high-altitude illness than people who don't have these diseases. They also don't risk making their disease worse by traveling to a high altitude. In addition, being overweight does not increase the risk of getting high-altitude illness.

Some diseases make going to a high altitude very dangerous. People who have sickle cell anemia shouldn't go to a high altitude. A high altitude is also dangerous for people who have severe lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or severe emphysema, and for people who have severe heart disease. If you have a chronic disease, ask your doctor if it's safe for you to travel to a high altitude.

 Daily life involves following a basic set of precautions to ensure longevity, but a visit to Yellowstone comes with its own set of safety rules. Always be aware of the dangers described below, and know what to do in hazardous situations. It could mean the difference between a memorable vacation and one you would rather forget!

Yellowstone Dollars, Xanterra, Food:

What are the restrictions for Yellowstone Dollars?
These Yellowstone Dollars may only be used for payment at facilities operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts at Yellowstone National Park. They are not valid for National Park Service operations including park entrance fees; Yellowstone Association Stores; Yellowstone Institute classes; Yellowstone Park Service Stations; Delaware North or any other concessionaire that may operate in Yellowstone National Park.

What is Xanterra?
Xanterra Parks & Resorts is your direct in-park source for national park reservations at Yellowstone. We are the primary in-park concessionaire for Yellowstone, offering accommodations, dining, gift shops and activities throughout the entire park.
http://www.travelyellowstone.com

What time is Breakfast?
Most locations in the Park serve Breakfast from 6:30am to 10:00am


What if I have more questions?
Contact the trip Leader or Co-Leader at
Marsha Zellner:     (H) 203-393-2816 trips@mosaicoutdoors.org
Brian Horowitz     (C) 908-625-4916 trips@mosaicoutdoors.org

Misc.

What if I miss the MOCA Bus or Van?
Check out the transportation page for more info

What if I can't make it in on Friday, or need to leave early?
We will try to accommodate you if possible. There are no discounts for a shorter trip without prior arrangements before April 20th.

What are the GPS coordinates for Yellowstone National Park?

Lake Lodge - 44° 33.300 N   110° 23.729 W

Lake Yellowstone Hotel - 44°32.987 N    110° 24.21 W

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel - 44° 58.572 N   110° 42.098 W

Old Faithful Inn - 44° 27.605 N   110° 49.881 W

Old Faithful Lodge - 44° 27.561 N   110° 49.584 W

With Airlines now charging for baggage, what is the address if I need to ship a package?
For standard mail:
Guest's name  
Dates of stay
c/o Name of hotel/lodge (ex: Yellowstone Lake Lodge)   
PO Box 165
Yellowstone National Park WY 82190

For UPS and FedEx:
Guest's Name  
Dates of Stay  
Name of hotel/lodge (ex: Yellowstone Lake Lodge)   
One Grand Loop Road  
Yellowstone National Park, WY  82190