B Bar Gazette – February 2024
| B Bar Gazette |
| Issue #9 February 2024 |
| Hi B Bar Family,A topic of seemingly eternal interest, the weather is much on our minds these days. Statewide, we are experiencing the lowest average snowpack since 1991 according to data from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Upper Yellowstone watershed is 63% of normal. |
| Challenges resulting from low snow totals span the state. Teton Pass ski area North of Great Falls is experiencing a 55-year moisture low and decided to suspend operations for the remainder of the season. Here at the B Bar, we were forced to cancel our Avalanche Course earlier this month. |
 The Skully tent this week after fresh snow. |
| However, this week in Tom Miner Basin over a foot of powder blanketed B Bar Ranch. Cross-country skiers flocked to our trails to enjoy groomed runs under sunny skies on Saturday and Sunday. With temperatures hovering in the upper twenties, high water content snow established a decent base. We are very grateful that winter has shown up, with more snow on the way this week. |
| Even with the recent precipitation, we are experiencing a moisture deficit this season. Warm surface water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean have caused an El Niño weather pattern which typically means warmer and drier conditions in Montana. On the other hand, during a recent presentation with Western Sustainability Exchange, Don Day Jr, president and chief meteorologist at Day Weather, Inc., signaled that Montana might experience a colder and wetter end to the winter as the El Niño pattern ends. Only time will tell. |
| In the meantime, let’s take advantage of this wonderful winter season and ski freshly groomed trails up Skully and out to the Anderson Cabin. Your senses find unexpected peace at this time of year. Ice crystals sparkle atop pastures, and forest sounds are insulated to the occasional bird call, coyote yip, and wolf howl. Deep breaths are crisper. Connectedness to nature is heightened. |
 Wolf tracks on top of a freshly groomed trail. |
| Treating all parts of the ecosystem as equal, we find guidance from nature's ebb and flow of an unusual winter season. Cattle and horses have been obliged to graze open land and will now transition to supplemental feed. Elk and bighorn sheep herds venture to the valley floor to find food and greet you on Tom Miner Creek Road. A cow moose and her calf have found solace among the willows between the Reed place and headquarters. Wolves have ventured out of Yellowstone National Park and onto B Bar where we observe fresh tracks. We add wood to fires, plow roads, and savor the tranquility. More than anything, we look forward to welcoming you to our slice of paradise. Stay tuned for new opportunities for involvement at our guest ranch this summer. Sincerely, Maryanne Mott Owner and General Manager |
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| Our B Bar Family Maryanne Mott- General Manager and OwnerAmy Berndt- Administrative AssistantKenney Berndt- Maintenance Foreman Troy Lerwill- Maintenance Technician Mark Rose- Land & Livestock ManagerTrina Smith- Guest Operations ManagerEl Stone-BookkeeperWillie Stewart- Business OperationsJackson Stewart- Marketing & SalesMihail Kennedy- Production ManagerShea Kennedy- Cattle & Grazing CoordinatorNina Jenson- Ranch Hand |