While visiting Yellowstone National Park this past weekend, I wanted to spend an entire day in the Lamar Valley, something I realized I actually hadn’t done before. It payed off because while I was there bright and early, a few hours later a grizzly bear came out and walked along the Lamar River. I followed him, along with others, as he made his was up the river through the Lamar Valley and eventually even got some great shots of him as the river came closer to the road.
It turns out that this isn’t just any grizzly bear. This is the renowned bear nicknamed, Scarface. At roughly 25 years old, he got the name from a fight most likely with another grizzly that left a large scar on the right side of his face and even mangled a bit of his right ear. He’s an extremely powerful and resilient bear and has been spotted in most locations on the eastern side of Yellowstone National Park, so seeing him in the Lamar Valley was certainly a nice surprise!
Too cool! Lamar Valley is great. I’ve only been there once, but I’d love to return there.
Thank you, Jim! The Lamar Valley instantly became my favorite part of the park when I first visited it. Definitely an amazing place. Let me know if you ever do head back up this way!
Thank you, Jim! The Lamar Valley instantly became my favorite part of the park when I first visited it. Definitely an amazing place. Let me know if you ever do head back up this way!
Mike, just saw Scarface a couple miles east of the Roosevelt Lodge between the Yellowstone bridge and the Lamar River bridge. He just ambled from southeast to northwest, not a care in the world. What a beautiful animal!
Sighted June 10th, 2012.
Thank you for the update! He’s got nothing to fear, as you noticed.
I saw scarface at the Yellowstone River Bridge just down the road from Roosevelt on June 10, 2012. He crossed on the bridge and I was just behind him. Big Grizzly!
Excellent! Thank you very much for the update!
We saw him when we were on our way from Canyon to Mt. Washburn.
Excellent! Thank you for the update! Glad to hear he’s still around.
We happened across some people watching a bear 7/13. The lady had a spotting scope and said the one that they were watching was Scarface. I have some pictures that show the gash on the right side of his face, but they are nowhere near clear enough to be certain.
That’s great news! Thank you for the update! I’m willing to trust people with scopes. They typically put in a lot of time and know the wildlife well.