CODY, WYOMING - Yellowstone National Park opened for its winter season Wednesday morning, with all gates, and all roads open for with all gates and all roads ready for snowmobiles, and snowcoaches.
Park officials say the East Gate may close Wednesday night due to avalanche danger on Sylvan Pass inside the East Gate. Snow was falling at Pahaska just outside the park's east entrance Wednesday morning. No snowmobiles, or snowcoaches entered the East gate on opening day.
However, Republican Presidential Candidate Hugh Cort plans to go into the park from Cody Thursday. That according to his campaign itinerary. His trip may have to be cancelled if park officials close the pass to clear the avalanche hazard.
Cody area elected officials met with a mediator and park officials in Billings Monday to try to keep the East Gate open during when the new winter use plan kicks in next season.
While the advocacy group "Shut Out of Yellowstone' was kept out of the Billings meet, they are optimistic, as is Wyoming state legislator Colin Simpson. Shut-Out Co-chair Tonia Grdina told KULR 8, "We believe that our elected officials will represent us well."
Wyoming State Representative Colin Simpson is part of the Sylvan Pass Study Group. He said Monday's meeting was just an organizational one. "No we haven't discussed the issues, and what we'll do is each of us will discuss individually we'll talk with Carl Moore, the mediator, and we'll talk about the important issues and that will set the table for the next meeting in January."
Wyoming's state attorney general filed a petition seeking review of Yellowstone's new winter use policy, which would close the East Gate if there is avalanche danger there, and not allow it to reopen until the pass was naturally cleared of that danger.