Mammoth in Yellowstone National Park in Park County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Forces of the Northern Range Self-Guiding Trail
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
1. Forces of the Northern Range Self-Guiding Trail Marker
A Special Place
Yellowstone’s northern range is home to a large variety of plants and animals. It is unique – different from other areas in the park. What makes it different?
• Elevations are 5,200 – 7,000 feet – lower than anywhere else in Yellowstone
• Annual precipitation is less than 15 inches – drier than the rest of the park
• Soils formed from many kinds of rock - rhyolitic soils are found elsewhere in Yellowstone
• Winter wind and sun reduce snow depths in this open landscape – winter grazing is easier here
Sagebrush, shrubs, and grasses grow abundantly in these conditions. This habitat is perfect for large grazing animals, whose presence supports a variety of predators.
Welcome to the Trail
Forces of the Northern Range Self-Guiding Trail is a ½-mile accessible loop. Benches along the trail provide a place to rest and enjoy the view. Please preserve the area by staying on the boardwalk.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 44° 57.564′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Bighorn Basin and in Greater Yellowstone. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wolf Tracks (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Wildlife Paradise (about 300 feet away); The Forest that Needs Fire (about 400 feet away); Fire – A Fundamental Force (about 500 feet away); Trembling Aspens (about 500 feet away); Seasons of the Range (about 500 feet away); Glacial Boulder (about 600 feet away); What’s Blooming? (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
2. Forces of the Northern Range Self-Guiding Trail Marker
More about this marker. A map of the Northern Range Trail appears on the bottom of the marker.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
3. ALong the Forces of the Northern Range Self-Guiding Trail
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
4. Mountain View Marker
This marker on the Forces of the Northern Range Trail identifies the mountains that you will see as you walk the trail.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 778 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 24, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
