And I’ll follow each shadow creeping

So silently on its way.

And then I’ll give thanks to God above

And in gratitude I’ll pause,

And I’ll love, not hate, each care that comes

In that great big home—Outdoors.

—FRANK L. OASTLER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE [Preface] 7 [Acknowledgments] 11 [Introduction] 13 [Poem “OUTDOORS”] 15 [Chapter I YELLOWSTONE—GEM OF THE MOUNTAINS] 23 [Chapter II JOHN COLTER’S FIRST DISCOVERY OF YELLOWSTONE] 30 [Chapter III INDIANS IN AND AROUND YELLOWSTONE] 59 [Chapter IV PORTRAIT OF A TRAPPER BRIGADE] 71 [Chapter V WERE INDIANS AFRAID OF YELLOWSTONE?] 84 [Chapter VI SECONDARY VISITATIONS BEFORE 1869] 92 [Chapter VII JIM BRIDGER: MAN AND LEGEND] 106 [Chapter VIII FINAL DISCOVERY IN 1869 AND 1870] 116 [Chapter IX CREATION OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK] 136 [Chapter X THE LAST ROUNDUP] 147 [Chapter XI CHIEF JOSEPH’S TRAIL OF BLOOD] 165 [Chapter XII TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS—NEW BUSINESSES] 192 [Chapter XIII “THE YELLOWSTONE IDEA”] 219 [Chapter XIV GENERAL ADMINISTRATION] 238 [Chapter XV THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE] 265 [Appendix I. YOUNG MEN CAMPING IN YELLOWSTONE] 281 [Appendix II. PROBLEM OF COLTER’S ROUTE IN 1807] 285 [Bibliographical Note] 299 [Bibliography] 301 [Subject Index] 310

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS