On the first night of our Y2Y traverse 2.0 - Bikes, we rode from the Deadwood Gulch Campsite (where we had been lounging for the past 3 days awaiting our bikes) back through Lima, to the Lima Reservoir. A pleasant 48km day interrupted by one aggressive snow storm. We thought about going further, but the grassy flats leading down to the reservoir, looking out onto rolling hills and snow capped peaks, were too idyllic to pass by. So, at an early 3pm, and with no real qualms about it, Heather and I set camp.
Amaya (left) & Heather (right) preparing to leave on this biking section of the trip.
Amaya smiling through the flurries of the snowstorm on the first day of biking.
After a long afternoon nap I wandered to a nice and secluded spot with a view to go pee. I have always preferred peeing outside. I grew up in a house with no running water where peeing outside instead of dashing all the way to the outhouse was the norm. My parents like to tell the story of how, when we moved to suburban Ontario for a year when I was 2, I pulled down my pants and peed on the neighbour's well manicured lawn. This pee by Lima Reservoir, however, was extra special; when I squatted down I spotted something shiny... part of an obsidian arrowhead in the dirt!
Fragment of obsidian arrowhead.
There is an abundance of obsidian in the Yellowstone region, resulting from the Yellowstone hotspot and local magmatism (more on this to come as we explore Yellowstone over the next few days). Obsidian occurs when magma is pushed to the surface and cools rapidly. The magma hardens and the elements within don't have time to form crystal structures, resulting in what is formally known as a glass. Due to this disorder in its atomic structure, obsidian doesn't fracture in any prefered direction. Instead, it fractures in a conchoidal manner (in curves). This fracturing allows it to be shaped to have extremely sharp edges. Indigenous peoples used obsidian to make weapons such as arrowheads and spearheads, as well as for making knives and other tools.
Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and the Greater Yellowstone Range has been an important area for Indigenous peoples for at least 11,000 years (15, 000 years ago the area was covered in ice). The Bannock, Shoshone, Nez Perce, Blackfoot, Crow, Salish and Kootenai (among others), all either resided in the area or passed through for hunting, and trade purposes. Many of the trails used in the park today, some of which we will hopefully get to hike, have likely been used since the Paleoindian period (12,000 - 10,000 bc, aka 12,000-ish years ago). Obsidian was a large part of the local trade and at least 50 prehistoric and historic obsidian quarries have been found inside YNP.
Since humans have existed here for so long, it almost goes without saying that as Native Americans occupied the Yellowstone Region they had a profound impact on its ecosystems and animal inhabitants. The paper "Human influences on the Northern Yellowstone Range" by R. Yonk et al. states, "For thousands of years before Yellowstone National Park was created in 1872, hunting and burning by Native Americans were fundamental components of the natural ecological processes on the Northen Range." If you are wondering what they mean by burning like I was, Indigenous people used to systematically start low grade fires to limit forest growth and maintain grasslands (I.e the habitat for the more hunted animals like Bison, Elk and other ungulates). As someone who grew up in the Boreal Forest and biasly thinks of woodlands as the epitome of biologically diverse landscapes, I was initially surprised by the concept of restricting forests to increase animal abundance. However, as we cycle through the Montana plains, I have been continuously reminded by pronghorns, birds of prey, wolf prints, and elk legs retrieved by my dog, that these grasslands are thriving and vital.
A Pronghorn amidst the grasslands.
An Elk and a Magpie relaxing after some snow/rain.
Later in the R. Yonk et al. paper, they criticize YNP management because it does not include or acknowledge the role Native Americans played in the natural ecosystem processes and maintenance of plant and animal abundance. They recommend increasing prescribed burning and greater control of the Bison and Elk populations to mimic the influence of Native Americans. This concept of Indigenous influence in park management isn't a new idea but, it also is not surprising that the park has had a hard time incorporating it. The idea of this Native American type of management kind of goes against what many of us think parks are - areas where wilderness can exist separate from, or despite, us. In some cases this is what's needed, even some Indigenous groups would set aside areas to leave "untouched" for future generations. However, It is refreshing and incredibly important to be reminded that we don't exist outside of nature and sometimes, when practiced correctly, our hunting, foraging and stewarding of the land can actually be of benefit.
Amaya riding into the sunshine in the grasslands at the foot of the Centennial mountains.
I left the arrowhead where I found it. I hope that some other person, maybe while squatting to pee, will find it and be inspired to learn a bit more about the Indigenous history of this region, the area’s geology, and/or how they intersect.
Much love, Amaya