Overview

• The Yellowstone geology team has also cleared 4,000 rocks and sticks and recovered more than 300 hats valued at nearly $6,000.
• Cleanup crews have walked over 1,300 miles of boardwalks and trails and driven more than 11,000 miles to monitor hydrothermal areas.
• Specialized tools such as 30-foot grabber poles, fishing rods and extra-long slotted spoons are used to retrieve items from boiling pools.
• Rangers say most losses are accidental due to strong winds and heavy visitation of about 4.7 million last year, though some dumping occurs.
• Trash can cause lasting damage, exemplified by Morning Glory Pool’s color shift, and officials urge visitors to secure hats and dispose of all waste in bins.