JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Glacial Geology Underfoot

Glacial Geology Underfoot

$502.50
Dates:
July 24 - 25
Location:
Lamar Buffalo Ranch
Meals Included?:
No
Instructors:
Karen Williams, Ph.D., William Locke, Ph.D.
Audience Type:
Adult
Program Type:
Field Seminars
Program Subject:
Geology
(Activity Scale)
Register Now

Yellowstone’s ice cap, which was a kilometer thick at its maximum, left a uniquely accessible glaciated landscape in its wake. In this field seminar, we will see and hike the glacial features of Yellowstone. Yellowstone ice flowed into the Paradise Valley from the Beartooth Plateau; we will visit the outer limits of glacial ice and then work our way back up to the ice cap interior.

About the instructor

Karen Williams is a geomorphologist with a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from Montana State University. She has taught geomorphology at Montana State and led field trips and geology hikes for MSU, Montana Wilderness Association, and Yellowstone Forever. She has worked in glaciated landscapes ranging from the Yukon to Yellowstone. She also has over twenty years of experience in stream restoration and serves on the board of directors of the Clearwater Resource Council, the watershed conservation group of the Clearwater River in western Montana.

Bill Locke earned a Ph.D. in Geology from University of Colorado-Boulder and is Emeritus Professor at Montana State University where he taught glacial geology and geomorphology for 30 years. He has studied geomorphology, glacial geology, and paleoclimate from Baffin Island to the Rockies.

 

Download Program Information:

Glacial Geology Underfoot Course Letter

More Information:

Lodging | Audience Descriptions

We are continually updating and refining our COVID-19 mitigation measures to ensure the health and safety our guests, staff and volunteers. Read our COVID-19 guidelines for program participants.

SUMMER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

  • Be prepared to hike up to 1 mile per day, comfortably, through relatively flat terrain on maintained trails.
  • Be prepared to hike up to 3 miles per day, comfortably, with elevation gains up to 600 feet. Some off-trail hiking possible.
  • Be prepared to hike up to 5 miles per day, comfortably, with occasional elevation gains up to 1000 feet in undulating terrain.
  • Be prepared to hike up to 8 miles per day, at a brisk pace, comfortably, with climbs up to 1500 feet on dirt trails. Loose rocks, uneven footing, and off-trail hiking are possible. Good coordination is recommended.
  • Be prepared for brisk aerobic, destination-oriented hiking up to 12 miles a day. You should be physically conditioned to do these hikes comfortably. Elevation changes up to 2000 feet on dirt trails or off-trail. Loose rock, uneven footing, steep hillside traverses, and stream crossings are possible. Good coordination is required.

WINTER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

  • Leisurely hikes up to 1 mile per day through relatively flat terrain on maintained or snow-packed trails.
  • Hikes on snow-packed trails, or snowshoe or ski trips, up to 3 miles per day with climbs up to 250 feet.
  • Brisk hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing up to 5 miles per day with climbs up to 500 feet, including some trail-breaking in snow.
  • Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 8 miles per day with climbs up to 1000 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.
  • Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 12 miles per day with climbs up to 1500 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.