Immerse yourself in the habitat of this secretive animal with an expert who has been tracking and filming cougars for over a decade.

Cougars (also known as mountain lions) are among the most secretive animals in North America. The best way to learn about them is to search for their tracks in the snow and other sign that they leave behind as they live out their mysterious lives in this wild place called Yellowstone.

Cougar country is rough, steep country. While we can somewhat tailor your experience to your physical ability levels, we are beholden to the territory that cougars call home. Therefore, you should expect to hike or snowshoe (depending on conditions) off-trail over steep terrain with uneven footing.

The reward for your efforts will be a day spent in the beauty of the wild, for cougar country is also some of the most beautiful country to be found. We probably will not spot the elusive predator, but our goal will be to find their tracks and read the stories of their lives in the footprints and other sign left behind. Along the way, you can learn about tracking, cougar behavior and ecology, current research, and the geology and ecology of the landscapes cougars call home.

Duration

Full day (6 - 8 hours)

Includes

• A full day (approx. 6-8 hours) with your private, expert naturalist guide who has been tracking and filming cougars in the Yellowstone area for over a decade
• Transportation in our touring vehicle
• High-powered, high-quality binoculars and spotting scopes
• Hot beverages (coffee, tea, hot cocoa)
• Light snacks
• An engaging, educational experience in Yellowstone
• Snowshoes may be available upon request

What to bring

• Your park pass.
• Warm, layered clothing that can be adjusted to varying temperatures and activity levels. Temperatures during your tour may vary from -20 degrees Fahrenheit to 30s Fahrenheit. Our guides often wear or carry the following layers: Lightweight long underwear shirt (fleece, polypropylene, or wool), heavy fleece or wool sweater, fleece or down vest, medium-weight down jacket, heavy-weight down parka with hood, windproof/waterproof outer jacket; lightweight long underwear (fleece or wool), heavy fleece pants, windproof/waterproof snow pants; warm hat; heavy gloves or mittens (mittens are warmer than gloves); lightweight silk or wool socks, 1 pair of thick wool socks, warm boots (see below). Please avoid cotton, as it holds moisture against your body which can make you dangerously cold.
• Warm winter boots. It’s important to have boots that will keep your feet warm yet are also comfortable enough for extended hiking over rough terrain. Insulated hiking or hunting boots are often the best solution for most people. Mukluks can work well, but they are less sturdy and have limited support.
• Snowshoes may be required depending on conditions and may be available to borrow upon request.
• Trekking poles. Even if you don't normally hike with poles, a pole can come in handy to maintain balance in the steep terrain that is cougar country. We have some trekking poles to lend upon request.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen. The sun is intense at these high elevations, and it is exacerbated by the white snow all around us.
• Hand- and toe warmers.
• Food. We provide hot beverages and light snacks. Please bring your field-friendly lunch to be enjoyed on our hike.
• Reusable water bottle. Consider an insulated bottle to prevent the water from freezing while we're hiking. Hydration bladders generally don't work well in the winter because the hoses and mouthpieces freeze.
• Camera (if desired).
• Backpack to carry water, food, and clothing layers.
• Age-appropriate child car seats or booster seats for any children in your party.
• Lots of questions, enthusiasm, and curiosity!
• Gratuity is not included in the price of your tour. If you would like to recognize your guide for great service, gratuity at your discretion is permitted and appreciated.

A Note About Safety:

We take safety very seriously on all of our tours. While cougar attacks are extremely rare, they can occur. We follow best practices while traveling in cougar country in order to minimize the risk of an adverse encounter. Your guide is trained in first aid, carries bear spray (which works on all mammals), and will brief you on safe travel in this predator-rich ecosystem before and throughout your tour so you can relax and enjoy your experience.