ECOTOURISM

Big Horn Sheep of Whiskey Mountain

Travel into the heart of this rugged country by four-wheel drive vehicles and on foot. Surrounding wilderness and wildlife management areas offer endless trails for exploring. The tour will be accompanied by the top wildlife biologists, guides, and naturalists from the area. This trip has been designed for the true adventurer with a desire to learn about wildlife ecology, native history, and geologic processes which have shaped this fantastic landscape.

Highlights:

• Visiting the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center and local museums.
• Traveling through an awe-inspiring region of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
• Hiking to ancient petroglyphs left by prehistoric Native Americans, the Sheepeaters.
• Daily hiking trips allow for seeing a wide diversity and abundance of wildlife up close.
• Learning about basic geology and the processes which have shaped this dynamic region.

  Tour Details

Day 1: Jackson Hole to Dubois, Wyoming
An EAC guide will meet you in the heart of the magnificent Teton Valley. You will spend the afternoon taking in the grandeur of the Grand Tetons and then transfer to Dubois, Wyoming. Visit the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretative Center and local museum for an introduction to the area. Enjoy an evening program from local wildlife biologist on ecology and management of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep.

Overnight: Twin Pines, Dubois, Wyoming (D)

Day 2: Flora, Fauna, and Geology in Dubois Wilderness
After breakfast, take a moderate hike into the Dubois Badlands Wilderness study area, a dynamic geologic region, to see the entire wildlife migration corridor from Yellowstone National Park to the Wind River Basin. You will be provided with a sack lunch on the trail this day. Enjoy natural history interpretations of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem while photographing spectacular scenery.

(B,L,D)

Day 3: Bighorns and Native Culture
After breakfast, you will be driven into the Whiskey Basin wildlife habitat area to hike up an exquisite valley to observe the bighorns and their largest remaining winter range and migration corridor. Here, you can also see signs of prehistoric Native Americans who occupied this area, in the form of ancient petroglyphs along the valley rocks.

(B,L,D)

Day 4: Hiking and Wildlife
No trip to the Wind River Valley is complete without a hike up the East Fork Elk Winter Range. At the head of this immense U-shaped valley, you’ll see remnants of past Yellowstone volcanic eruptions in the petrified wood and fossils. Now the winter range for thousands of wildlife, this land exchange and management plan of the East Fork has now become Wyoming’s conservation success story of the century.

(B,L,D)

Day 5: Dubois to Jackson, Wyoming
After breakfast, travel back over Togwotee Pass to Jackson Hole. (B)

Luggage
It is requested that luggage be kept to a minimum of one large (preferably soft-sided) suitcase and one carry-on/backpack per person.

Physical Activity
Most everyone in a reasonably good physical condition can participate in this tour offered by the Environmental Adventure Company. The activities will include some hiking in conditions ranging from snow and mud to dry conditions. Standing and observing for periods of time and kneeling or squatting to examine wildlife tracks or signs, are part of the activities. Consult with your physician if you have questions about the program. It is your responsibility to let the tour operator know of any complications that may be associated with traveling under any of these conditions.

Pre-Departure Information
When you sign-up for an adventure, you will receive a detailed Pre-Departure information packet prior to your trip which will help you prepare. This packet will help you make decisions about what to bring – and what not to bring! It includes a reading list, a clothing recommendation page as well as information on what to expect the weather to do while you are at the destination! There is also information about necessary documents, health issues, and even photographic tips. Feel free to contact EAC for more information.