Convertible in Jackson Hole/Yellowstone in late June?
Jun 7th, 2010, 12:20 PM
#1
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Convertible in Jackson Hole/Yellowstone in late June?
I'm visiting Jackson Hole/Tetons/Yellowstone later this month and I found out that the convertible rental is the cheapest, oddly enough.
My question is whether it is actually warm enough to have the top down on the convertible in Jackson Hole in late June. I've been looking at the forecasts and it seems the weather is quite unsettled (rain and 50's and 60's). Not good convertible weather, although one of the days hits upper 60's and sunny. My ideal convertible weather would be 70's and 80's and sunny for a reference point.
I guess I should get the convertible anyway since it's cheapest but I wanted to know what the weather is like there this time of year.
My question is whether it is actually warm enough to have the top down on the convertible in Jackson Hole in late June. I've been looking at the forecasts and it seems the weather is quite unsettled (rain and 50's and 60's). Not good convertible weather, although one of the days hits upper 60's and sunny. My ideal convertible weather would be 70's and 80's and sunny for a reference point.
I guess I should get the convertible anyway since it's cheapest but I wanted to know what the weather is like there this time of year.
Jun 7th, 2010, 02:06 PM
#2
Average Highs - Low 60s
Average Lows - around freezing
http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/WYNPYELL:13
Be sure to take fleece jackets, gloves and hats...even if you don't get the convertible. You'll never know what you'll get. It snowed on us at Glacier on July 4th one year.
Average Lows - around freezing
http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/WYNPYELL:13
Be sure to take fleece jackets, gloves and hats...even if you don't get the convertible. You'll never know what you'll get. It snowed on us at Glacier on July 4th one year.
Jun 7th, 2010, 03:43 PM
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starrs,
Thanks. The SUV upgrade is looking more palatable by the minute. I'll wait until I can see the long range forecasts for that area.
I was hiking in Switzerland one summer on July 4th and got snow so I'm well familiar with the mountainous climates. Oh well, it'll be a break from the 90-100 degree heat of TX.
Thanks. The SUV upgrade is looking more palatable by the minute. I'll wait until I can see the long range forecasts for that area.
I was hiking in Switzerland one summer on July 4th and got snow so I'm well familiar with the mountainous climates. Oh well, it'll be a break from the 90-100 degree heat of TX.
Jun 7th, 2010, 03:46 PM
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It may be warm enough to enjoy having the top down but there's no way to tell for sure. Our family has been several times and my husband has been an additional 10+ times. During all of our trips at least some of the days would have been good convertible weather, although we've had rain at least one day most trips. If it's cheapest I would definitely go for it.
Jun 7th, 2010, 05:34 PM
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We drove our convertible to Yellowstone a couple of years ago in June. We did put the top down, with jackets on part of the time. It did snow on the way in however. I was a bit taken aback when a bison ran out of the woods about six inches behind the car. DH just kept on going, thank goodness, but I did feel a bit vulnerable.
On the positive side it is great to be able to have a 360 degree unobstructed view. On the negative, when the top is up, the view is limited in the rear.
On the positive side it is great to be able to have a 360 degree unobstructed view. On the negative, when the top is up, the view is limited in the rear.
Jun 7th, 2010, 07:07 PM
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We're on our way home from Yellowstone as I type. If the weather is like it was last week, I can't imagine driving with the top down. I don't think you'll need a SUV either; we were fine with our Toyota Camry.
We had a fabulous time, though. I loved the cool, drizzly weather.
Lee Ann
We had a fabulous time, though. I loved the cool, drizzly weather.
Lee Ann
Jun 8th, 2010, 06:36 AM
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emalloy, thanks that gives me a little confidence. As long as it's not raining or snowing, even if it's cool we could have the top down but the windows up, the heat on, and our jackets/coats on and we should be fine, right?
The only thing I'm worried about is my "woman" may not like that. She's more into creature comforts I think. I think it would have to be 65+ degrees for her to even consider it.
Wow, I'm usually not this indecisive.
The only thing I'm worried about is my "woman" may not like that. She's more into creature comforts I think. I think it would have to be 65+ degrees for her to even consider it.
Wow, I'm usually not this indecisive.
Jun 8th, 2010, 10:34 AM
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bk,
One of the reasons the convertible option is less might be: you don't want to keep ANY food in your car even if the top is up. Bear claws go right through a ragtop! I am not joking and this is a very serious issue.
One of the reasons the convertible option is less might be: you don't want to keep ANY food in your car even if the top is up. Bear claws go right through a ragtop! I am not joking and this is a very serious issue.
Jun 8th, 2010, 01:50 PM
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It could be absolutely wonderful weather, but it could be snow, too. 
Lee Ann, you didn't have very good weather, did you? It's been so gray and rainy in most of MT and that part of Wyoming. We've had one week since April that has been beautiful. The rest have been mostly in the 50's and rainy (or snowy like two weekends ago).
Lee Ann, you didn't have very good weather, did you? It's been so gray and rainy in most of MT and that part of Wyoming. We've had one week since April that has been beautiful. The rest have been mostly in the 50's and rainy (or snowy like two weekends ago).
Jun 8th, 2010, 03:17 PM
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Grateful to hear that we should be bringing gloves/hats! Will be there from the 19th for a week. Will be quite a departure from the heat/humidity here in Charleston, SC. Anyone know if there's cell phone service in the area?
Jun 8th, 2010, 05:36 PM
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Just got back a couple of weeks ago. It was beautiful, and our SUV was totally unnecessary. We got lucky and the weather was gorgeous! I'd have preferred a convertible to the SUV we had - but you never know with weather. We used fleece and gloves in the AM and evening, but afternoons were just about t-shirt weather. LOVED IT!! Go for the convertible. If it's crappy, you just put up the top. The speed limit is just 45 - and that's too fast with the animals crossing the roads - so down with the top, up with the windows, crank the heat. I'd have loved it! And there's no off-roading, just a few gravel roads if you choose, which the convertible will handle just fine.
Totally agree with Dayle, but that goes for any kind of car. No food - not even in the trunk - when parked. Please protect the bears from us.
There is cell phone service in most of the Tetons and around Old Faithful. But is it that important? No Wi-fi unless you can bribe an employee and we found them unbribable.
Hints: Saw a young moose in stream by road to petrified tree, grizzly east of Fishing Bridge at Mary's Bay and wolves west of Old Faithful. I hope you get as lucky as we did. Ask the rangers about locations of animals you might want to see. Sometimes they'll give you some hints. The recovery from the 1988 fires is REMARKABLE!! Take good binoculars.
Totally agree with Dayle, but that goes for any kind of car. No food - not even in the trunk - when parked. Please protect the bears from us.
There is cell phone service in most of the Tetons and around Old Faithful. But is it that important? No Wi-fi unless you can bribe an employee and we found them unbribable.
Hints: Saw a young moose in stream by road to petrified tree, grizzly east of Fishing Bridge at Mary's Bay and wolves west of Old Faithful. I hope you get as lucky as we did. Ask the rangers about locations of animals you might want to see. Sometimes they'll give you some hints. The recovery from the 1988 fires is REMARKABLE!! Take good binoculars.
Jun 9th, 2010, 02:10 PM
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christabir,
Thanks, that's what I was thinking. If the weather is nice there is nothing better than a convertible. If the weather is bad, as long as it's clear we probably will be okay. We used to go out in the convertible in clear and cold weather and just closed the windows and cranked the heat. We also would go out in super hot weather and crank the A/C. The only time it was uncomfortable was if you were going fast when it was really cold (or if you're stuck in the back seat) or stuck in city traffic when it was really hot with the sun beating down and the pollution.
I did have a question about precipitation. Does it rain daily there? It looks as if the weather is unsettled. Rain is a definite no-no, especially for insurance reasons (the rental car companies don't want to have to deal with drying a car out) not to mention comfort reasons.
The other issue is the bears which I think needs some consideration.
Dayle,
Thanks for the info on the bears. I hadn't thought about that. I hope insurance covers any bear related damage? I'll be sure to not leave any food in the car.
This is making me seriously reconsider a convertible.
Thanks, that's what I was thinking. If the weather is nice there is nothing better than a convertible. If the weather is bad, as long as it's clear we probably will be okay. We used to go out in the convertible in clear and cold weather and just closed the windows and cranked the heat. We also would go out in super hot weather and crank the A/C. The only time it was uncomfortable was if you were going fast when it was really cold (or if you're stuck in the back seat) or stuck in city traffic when it was really hot with the sun beating down and the pollution.
I did have a question about precipitation. Does it rain daily there? It looks as if the weather is unsettled. Rain is a definite no-no, especially for insurance reasons (the rental car companies don't want to have to deal with drying a car out) not to mention comfort reasons.
The other issue is the bears which I think needs some consideration.
Dayle,
Thanks for the info on the bears. I hadn't thought about that. I hope insurance covers any bear related damage? I'll be sure to not leave any food in the car.
This is making me seriously reconsider a convertible.
Jun 9th, 2010, 02:37 PM
#14
A friend who plans to land in Jackson on Saturday says snow is in the forecast.
Grizzlies will tear through anything to get to food. I'm wondering how the car rental agency would handle the torn ragtop. Double check with YOUR insurance company to see what coverage they offer to damage to a rental car. It may be worth taking out the additional insurance at the rental counter.
Grizzlies will tear through anything to get to food. I'm wondering how the car rental agency would handle the torn ragtop. Double check with YOUR insurance company to see what coverage they offer to damage to a rental car. It may be worth taking out the additional insurance at the rental counter.
Jun 9th, 2010, 06:55 PM
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I've backpacked a lot so here's the deal. Bears can and do rip off car doors and rip out car windows to get to food in your car or trunk. The bears in the CA Sierras have been taught by humans that cars = food. That's why the CA Natl parks and other rec areas are so strict about food storage. A fed bear is a dead bear. They become dangerous to people and have to be destroyed.
Yellowstone has had such good success with teaching PEOPLE not to feed the bears, that if you see a bear in Yellowstone you are lucky. Usually they stay in the backcountry and away from people, especially during the hotter summer months.
However, if you leave any type of food, including even just chapstick or a cough drop many animals will try for it. A bear will rip open whatever, even squirels and mice will chew through your tent or pack if they have the chance.
And - don't for get about the birds!
Last time I was in Yellowstone I saw a bunch of ravens going through the saddlebags on a Harley!!! They had actually pulled open the zippers on the saddlebags and were pulling out baggies, clothes, tissues, everything! It was all over the parking lot.
I gathered it all up, put it back and got a wire twisty out of my camping gear. I had to aggresively shoo the ravens away the whole time! But the twisty fixed 'em. They couldn't figure that one out. I left the people a note so they wouldn't be awake all night wondering what the hell happened to their stuff.
Yellowstone has had such good success with teaching PEOPLE not to feed the bears, that if you see a bear in Yellowstone you are lucky. Usually they stay in the backcountry and away from people, especially during the hotter summer months.
However, if you leave any type of food, including even just chapstick or a cough drop many animals will try for it. A bear will rip open whatever, even squirels and mice will chew through your tent or pack if they have the chance.
And - don't for get about the birds!
Last time I was in Yellowstone I saw a bunch of ravens going through the saddlebags on a Harley!!! They had actually pulled open the zippers on the saddlebags and were pulling out baggies, clothes, tissues, everything! It was all over the parking lot.
I gathered it all up, put it back and got a wire twisty out of my camping gear. I had to aggresively shoo the ravens away the whole time! But the twisty fixed 'em. They couldn't figure that one out. I left the people a note so they wouldn't be awake all night wondering what the hell happened to their stuff.
Jun 9th, 2010, 09:50 PM
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Well, I went ahead and got the convertible. I looked at the extended forecast and I saw low to mid 70's two weeks out so I'll hope for the best. You only live once...
I may get the extra insurance, not sure though.
The thing is, I will be staying at Jackson Hole at night and mainly just driving through Grand Tetons and Yellowstone the next couple of days while my girlfriend is attending a conference. I need to be back for dinner I presume. So unless a bear can run 45 MPH I feel safe! Hopefully there will be other cars that the bears are more interested in when my car is parked at night ...
I may get the extra insurance, not sure though.
The thing is, I will be staying at Jackson Hole at night and mainly just driving through Grand Tetons and Yellowstone the next couple of days while my girlfriend is attending a conference. I need to be back for dinner I presume. So unless a bear can run 45 MPH I feel safe! Hopefully there will be other cars that the bears are more interested in when my car is parked at night ...
Jun 9th, 2010, 11:24 PM
#19
or maybe just google to see how FAR it is - especially if you have to be back for dinner in Jackson.
You'll have plenty of time to explore GTNP. If you drive all of the way to Old Faithful in Yellowstone, you'll have to turn around to head back before dinner.
Are you going to have time after her work in Jackson to explore Yellowstone together? If so, have you thought about hotel reservations for that partof the trip?
You'll have plenty of time to explore GTNP. If you drive all of the way to Old Faithful in Yellowstone, you'll have to turn around to head back before dinner.
Are you going to have time after her work in Jackson to explore Yellowstone together? If so, have you thought about hotel reservations for that partof the trip?
