Andre

I realize this is very similar to other posts, but how does this sound:

8/29 Drive from SLC to GTNP, overnight Jackson Lake Lodge

8/30 Explore GTNP, overnight Jackson Lake Lodge

8/31 Explore GTNP(?) Drive to YNP, overnight Old Faithful Snow Lodge

9/1 Explore Old Faithful area, drive to Canyon, overnight Canyon Lodge (Dunraven/Cascade)

9/2 Explore Canyon area, overnight Canyon Lodge

9/3 Explore Hayden Valley, Lake Yellowstone (will have driven through on 9/1, but probably no time to stop / already dark). Overnight Canyon Lodge

9/4 Explore Tower Falls area. Overnight Canyon Lodge

9/5 Drive to Mammoth via Norris. Overnight Mammoth Springs Hotel or BW Mammoth Springs (still trying to get a room w/bath at MS Hotel).

9/6 Drive Beartooth Highway to Red Lodge. Overnight BW Lupine Inn.

9/7 Explore Red Lodge. Overnight BW Lupine Inn.

9/8 Drive to Billings to catch 1PM flight.

How does this sound?

Ideally, I would cut 1 night from Canyon and stay 2 nights at Old Faithful, but no availability (at this point at least).

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Andre

bob_brown

You don't need a full day to drive from Mammoth to Red Lodge. Just what all do you intend to do that day?

Given that Mammoth is usually hot this time of year, I hope you are not disappointed or uncomfortable.

Andre

Bob,

Thanks for the feedback!

I thought driving through Lamar Valley & along the Beartooth Highway would take about 4 hours at a leisurely pace - we would definitely like to make some stops and take at least 1 hike along the way.

When you say Mammoth will be hot - what approx. temps are we talking about and why is it hotter than the other areas of the park? Why would we be disappointed?

Andre

Andre

Shamelessly topping

utahtea

Your itinerary sounds good.

When we were there in June, it was the hottest at Mammoth but then we were only talking in the low 80's. We just carried a lot of water on the hike...it amazed us to see that most people weren't carrying water, but when they saw ours said "we should have brought some".

I love the Mammoth area. The hot Minerva Hot Spring isn't active at all, but there are others like Carnary Springs and Palette Springs that are. Palette Springs is so active that they had to close down part of the path. Make sure you go over towards the Liberty Cap area and check out Palette Springs from there...it's so beautiful and so interesting!

I can certainly see spending a day making your way from Mammoth to Red Lodge. Lots of wildlife viewing on that route!

Utahtea

Andre

Thanks for reassuring me, Utahtea!

Andre

BayouGal

Thanks, Utahtea! I am so glad you clarified those things. I was wondering along with Andre. And thanks for the persistence, Andre, shameless or not!;-)

sharondi

Andre,
We're planning our YNP/Tetons trip for early Sept (just when you're leaving, we'll be getting there) and thinking we might do part of the Beartooth Hwy as a day trip after an early morning in Lamar. We're staying 2 nights in Mammoth so we'd be heading out from there. I haven't been yet but your itinerary sounds great - pretty similar to ours. Can't wait!

Andre

OK - was able to shift my nights around: now have 2 nights at Old Faithful Snow Lodge and 3 nights at Canyon. That will give us a full day to cover the Southwest of the park, and a full day to drive from Old Faithful to Canyon, via Yellowstone Lake and Hayden Valley.

Looking forward!

Andre