Little America, Yellowstone National Park

Copyright © Ralph Maughan
Winter at Little America.

"Little America" is the informal name for the area of potholes and glacial erratics just east of Junction Butte. The name is derived from one large pothole pond with the general shape of the United States.

Little America, at the western end of the lower Lamar Valley, has always been a good place to see wolves, elk, bison, and (in the summer) pronghorn .

In the winter of 2002-3, wolf packs became especially common and competitive with each other in Little America. The same has held true ever since. In 2004 the Slough Creek Pack, Agate Creek Pack, Geode Creek Pack, Specimen Ridge Pack, and Druid Peak pack all contested the area.

The 6-year drought has dried up many of the lovely ponds that used to characterize the area.

Hopefully they will return in 2006.

Summer at a Little America pothole pond
 Copyright © Ralph Maughan