Clark Resource Council: About the Area

About the Area

Looking north over the proposed lease area

The Eastern Front of the Beartooth Mountains is an area of unsurpassed splendor. Besides numerous recreational opportunities, it is home to many species of animal and plant life, some of which are considered rare and threatened (see a Landsat image of the Front Range from space).

In June the valley blooms with wild flowers like this Silky Phacelia

It provides wintering grounds for elk, pronghorn, mule deer, white tail deer, mountain goat and big horn sheep. It is home to bald eagles, golden eagles, mountain plover, long billed curlew, sage grouse and much, much more. Sego lily, harebell, Wyoming paintbrush, yucca and countless other species of wildflowers can be found here.

Five major trailheads are located in the threatened area: Clarks Fork, Little Rocky, Line Creek Robertson’s Draw and Hogan Reservoir all provide access to areas for hunting, fishing, horseback riding and hiking. Much of the area is also open to mountain biking, ATV’s and jeep enthusiasts.

The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone is Wyoming’s only "Wild and Scenic River," a designation that should afford it some protection from just such the threats it is now facing. Besides its natural beauty, it offers enjoyment opportunities for anglers, kayakers and canoeists.

Nestled into the Beartooth Mountains is the community of Clark, a classic example of the rural west at its finest. Historically a ranching area, many of the community’s citizens are ranchers making their living by raising beef or bison while others have moved here more recently, specifically to enjoy the Wyoming way of life. The big local event is the annual rodeo, held at the Community Recreation Center every June. It gives the children and adults of the area a chance to show off their talents on those skills that have been passed down in their families for many generations.

This unique area deserves to be spared from gas field development!

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