No guidebook exists for reopening Yellowstone National Park after cataclysmic flooding, but things ran smoothly today as 10,000-12,000 returned to the park Wednesday for the first time since flood waters ravaged northern sections of the park.

Yellowstone National Park will partially reopen on Wednesday, with traffic allowed in through the West, South and East entrances with access to Madison, Old Faithful, Grant Village, Lake Village, Canyon Village and Norris, the park announced Saturday. Who gains access will be determined by the last numerical digit on license plates.

Issues ranging from supply chain woes to a lack of contractors has forced Grand Teton National Park to put off planned work on the Moose-Wilson Road.

Washed away roads, damaged water and sewer systems, and other significant infrastructure and unknown trail damage from what might have been a "once-in-a-thousand-year-storm" greatly complicates how soon Yellowstone National Park can reopen, and in what condition, and the odds are long that it will fully return to normal this year, Superintendent Cam Sholly told a national audience of journalists Tuesday during an hour-long Zoom call.