Logistics and Transportation
By air
You are responsible for your transportation to and from Bozeman. Fly into Bozeman, MT (BZN) via Delta, Northwest, United or Horizon Airlines. Plan to arrive on Wednesday, May 12 no later than 5:00 PM (earlier if at all possible). Vans will shuttle participants from the airport to Chico Hot Springs (about an hour's drive in good weather).
For your return trip home, schedule your flight for Sunday, May 16. A free shuttle service will be available from Saturday night's lodging to the airport.Airport information.
Surface Transport
We will meet you at the airport (by the large grizzly bear statue) and provide shuttle service to and from Chico in 15-passenger vans. We will most likely have an early afternoon and later afternoon shuttle to Chico, depending on flight schedules. The field trip to Butte will also be in vans, and we'll deliver you to dinner and the hotel on Saturday night. We will be a bit cramped for space with luggage for 30+ folks. So please bring what you need, but it would help to keep baggage at a minimum.By car
From Interstate 90, take exit 333 in Livingston. Take highway 89 south toward Yellowstone National Park. Proceed on highway 89 for approximately 22 miles. Turn left (east) at the blinking light in Emigrant. Follow signs to Chico Hot Springs, it is well marked.About Chico Hot Springs Resort
Chico Hot Springs is nestled in the scenic Paradise Valley, and is located just 30 miles north of Yellowstone National Park, in the foothills of the Absaroka Beartooth Mountain range. The main lodge building was built in 1900 and newer rooms and conference facilities have been constructed recently. The resort features two pools fed by water from natural geothermal mineral springs. Trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, mountain biking and horseback riding surround the resort. There will be some free time during the workshop to allow for swimming and exploring the surroundings. Bring a swimming suit!Room reservations have been made for everyone attending the workshop. Each participant will have a private room, some rooms may have shared bathroom facilities.
Communications
In more ways than one, Chico is far away from the fast-paced world. The rooms at Chico do not have telephones, but there is a telephone in the hotel lobby. Cell phone service is intermittent. There are 4 internet connections in the hotel lobby, but you must have your own dial-up ISP, a cable modem, and the connections are low-speed. There is also one dial up line in the conference room. Remember—this resort is truly a retreat, so take this opportunity to enjoy life at a slower pace!Meals
Chico is renowned for its outstanding cuisine. Breakfasts and lunches will be served in the Chico dining room or the poolside grill, where you will have a choice of items from the regular menu. Buffet dinners will be served in the conference room. For the field trip, we will pack lunches and eat on the road. Saturday night's dinner will be at a local restaurant in downtown Butte. All meals will include vegetarian offerings. Please provide information on the registration form if you require special meals. If you choose to eat other than the planned meals, you will be responsible for the costs.The price of all meals and gratuities during the workshop is covered. However, the NSF grant does not cover alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase during mealtimes.
What to wear
The dress code will be decidedly casual, but you should be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. May in Montana is renowned for its variable and changing weather. Possible weather conditions range from cold (20-30 degrees) and snowy, to wet and blustery, to mild (up to 80 degrees) and sunny. Make sure to bring a warm waterproof jacket for the field trip, as well as hat, gloves and sturdy boots. Dressing in layers will give you the best flexibility to adjust to the changing weather. Of course, don't forget your bathing suit! The hot pools are sure to be one of the highlights of the trip.Other things to bring
There is a gift shop at Chico that offers a few last-minute supplies, but there are no nearby stores. So try to bring everything you'll need for the trip. Some things to remember are:- Bathing suit for the hot pools
- Camera (and film if you have one of those old-fashioned cameras)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen, just in case the sun does shine.
Contact Information
Chico Hot Springs
Phone 406-333-4933
Fax 406-333-4694
E-mail: chico@chicohotsprings.com
Web: www.chicohotsprings.com
Montana State University
Earth Science department office 406-994-3331
Dave Mogk 406-994-6916
Other useful web links
Bozeman, MT
Montana State University (more info)
Dept. of Earth Sciences, MSU