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Yellowstone Trip Planned, just need some detail help, please!

Yellowstone Trip Planned, just need some detail help, please!

Old Jul 21st, 2009, 12:53 PM
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Yellowstone Trip Planned, just need some detail help, please!

My wife and I are flying towards Yellowstone on Sept. 5th, by way of Salt Lake City. We don't land until around 4 so with the drive, I see Saturday as pure travel, check in and go to sleep. From reading the other post, I'm sure we will stop before entering the park to pick up a styrofoam cooler and some food to put in it. From there, here's where we will be staying:
Days 1&2: Old Faithful Inn
Days 3&4: Yellowstone Lake Inn
Days 5&6: Signal Mt. Lodge
Days 7&8: Grand Teton Lodge

Day 8 will be spent driving back to SLC to catch our flight at 3:00.

Here are some questions I still need to find answers for:

I made dinner reservations for Old Faithful Inn Restuarant for our second day staying there, about 8:30 I think, so we could watch the sun go down before dinner. Do I need to make reservations for some place to eat at the Lake Inn? We will be on some what of a budget so we won't be looking to eat nice dinners every night, but we do need to eat.

Also, with consideration of where we will be on each given day, can you recommend places that aren't as obvious (like Old Faithful itself) that we should make a point of seeing while we are in each area. If it helps to know, I am a photographer and would like to get as many amazing photographs taken as I can, so with that in mind, where should we go?

For the trip back to the airport, we will be leaving the Grand Teton Lodge, I'm expecting about a 6 hour drive. So if we leave by 7 in the morning, should we be okay for a 3:00 flight out of SLC?

Also, knowing we will be driving up for SLC, are there good grocery stores closer to Yellowstone, that people would recommend? So we can fill up the cooler without paying a premium for standard groceries or having to keep things on ice for the whole day while driving...

I'm sure I will have more questions as we get closer, but help with these for now would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Dave
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Old Jul 21st, 2009, 01:05 PM
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Here are a few thoughts...Jackson is the best bet for groceries before you get to the parks. They have regualr supermarkets in town.
At the right time of day look for great photo ops in Lamar Valley, evening or early morning, Yellowstone Falls, Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, the Paint Pots and of course Old Faithful.
In GTNP. I love hiking around Jenny Lake. Also the Cascade Canyon Trail and the Paintbrush Trail. Also, the view across the valley to the peaks is great at the Cunningham Cabin site.
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Old Jul 21st, 2009, 07:36 PM
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We made a similar trip in June, you have a good 6 hour drive the first day. I don't know what route you are planning on taking from SLC to Old Faithful but I would take I-15 to US-20. The highways cross in Idaho Falls and that is where I would shop. The Lake Yellowstone Hotel restaurant is very expensive, but there is a cafeteria not far away. Our favorite area is the Hayden Valley for wildlife viewing, it is not far from the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. We enjoy visiting the visitor's centers, each is different and has something unique to offer. The rangers are wonderful and can tell you not only when to expect that the geysers are likely to go off, but also where the bear have been seen that day. Be aware that there will be road closures and plan on construction. I am sure you will have a wonderful trip
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Old Jul 21st, 2009, 11:15 PM
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Days 1&2: Old Faithful Inn
One day do the Firehole Lake Drive, Lower Geyser Basin & Fountain Paint Pots, Midway Geyser Basin, Biscut Basin and Blank Sand Basin. The other day do the Old Faithful area and if time permits on one of these days do the 5 mile round trip hike to Lone Star Geyser or Mystic Falls. Check the visitor center for estimate times of geysers and plan your day around those.


Days 3&4: Yellowstone Lake Inn
On the way to Yellowstone Lake stop at Keplers Cascades and the West Thumb Geyser Basin. After checking in continue north to Mud Volcano, Hayden Valley and the falls at Canyon. On the second day do the upper loop of Yellowstone. Back up to Canyon, over to Norris Geyser Basin, up to Mammoth Hot Springs, the Petrified Tree, Tower Falls and back to the Lake. Because of the road will be closed from Madison to Norris by the time you come, you can't visit Norris from the Old Faithful area or I would have suggested you visited here from Old Faithful.

Utahtea
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Old Jul 22nd, 2009, 12:24 PM
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Thanks for the leads so far. What about the reservations situation, I don't think we'll be springing for the meal at the Lake Hotel restaurant. So the cafeteria sounds good. I assume we can walk up to any of the cafeteria's?

What about eating near Signal Mt Lodge and/or GT Lodge? Should I make any reservations in that area?

Thanks again for the help!
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Old Jul 22nd, 2009, 02:43 PM
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Unless things have changed this year the only places you can make reservations are at Old Faithful and Yellowstone Lake (for dinner). There are cafeterias (that are all run by Xanterra and very similar) at Lake, Canyon, Old Faithful. These areas also have a Soda Fountain in their General Stores (also a coffee bar and great ice cream) that we really like for breakfast, sandwiches, etc. We would stop there for lunch as we were out and about in the park during the day and we passed through the areas. There are also places in these areas where you get picnic lunches made for you. The General Stores also are pretty well stocked if you run out of things. At Tower Falls there is a sandwich bar where you can get something to eat and sit outside to enjoy. Mammoth has a restaurant and also a fast food type place. Old Faithful area also has a fast food type place, a deli type place in the Old Faithful Inn and Snow Lodge has a restaurant (I don't think they take reservations). There is also a restaurant at Canyon (no reservations). Roosevelt has food available also, but you may have to be staying there (and it will probably be closed when you go). Even though you are staying at Lake and Old Faithful you can eat in any of these other places. I'm not sure when any of these areas close for the winter, but you can check that out on the .gov web site -- other than Roosevelt I think they should all be open when you go. Also, you shouldn't have to face the crowds that they say appear near dinner time during the summer months. When we stayed at Old Faithful around Memorial Day last year we could have eaten at the Old Faithful Inn even though we didn't have reservations, but you can't count on that.

We stayed at Signal Mountain Lodge and there is a restaurant, casual fare restaurant and a bar/lounge type place there. I don't think you can make reservations there. I don't know where Grand Teton Lodge is. There are places to eat at Jackson Lake Lodge -- a restaurant, soda fountain and bar/lounge (may be more, but that is where we have eaten). Also, do not have to be staying there to eat at these places (and the view from the Lodge is worth the stop). Jenny Lake Lodge has a very nice, expensive restaurant -- probably need reservations for that. There is also pizza etc. available at Colter Bay.

There is also Dornan's which is near the Visitor Center. Have been told their pizza and breakfast is good. Barbecue is fair. Great view of the Tetons while you eat.

If you are near the southern end of Grand Tetons near dinner time, you can actually go into Jackson to eat. Lots of places there -- one of our favorites is the Gun and Barrel Restaurant.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there are lots of options, but we always take water, pop and snacks with us each day -- it's a big park and other than these areas there aren't places along the way to buy drinks, etc.

If you haven't found this web site yet, it is great, especially for photography.

http://forums.yellowstone.net/

It crashed last year and they have been redoing it -- if you have trouble finding it go to www.yellowstone.net and click on discussion forums. We love photography (and Yellowstone) -- definite amateurs. If you have a 500mm lens or spotting scope and are interested in animal pictures -- take it with you. You won't believe the equipment people have there.

Have fun -- it is a great time to visit!
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Old Jul 23rd, 2009, 06:05 AM
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You will be arriving in the early stages of the elk rut. Use caution as they don't tolerate people well especially this time of year. Use a long lens and don't follow the idiots who keep walking closer and closer towards them with the mentality that they are tame since they are in a national park. Might want to read what happened to this woman. http://www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/09045.htm.

Visit the Lamar Valley very early am or late afternoon to dusk for better chance of viewing wolf packs in action. As you drive along will usually see a number of cars pulled over and people up on the hillsides. Will need a long telephoto to get them usually.

In the Tetons the Oxbow is good area to check in morning or dusk for moose and bald eagles. Schwambachers Landing and Mormon Row both off US191 offer great photos as well.

Try getting the moon in some night time photos. It is full on 9/4. Can also take a time exposure without including the moon and get some nice effects of the moon light alone lighting up the mountains.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2009, 10:35 AM
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Photodog- the woman in the articles sounds to have had some bad luck. The others who creep up towards the animals, especially these people I hear about approaching the bison deserved to be thumped.

To specify more, though I'm excited to see the wild animals (I've always wanted to see a bear in the wild) I'm more interested in shooting landscape images. I guess it stems from being an avid Ansel Adams fan since I was in high school. So, when I'm looking for tips, I guess I'd like to hear about places with the best views, not necessarily the most animals.

And I like the idea of the moon shots, I just saw the night shot of Old Faithful on the other forum that was inspiring (Thanks Maj for sending me that link). I will plan to shoot some night stuff.

Another trivial question: How can I get my hands on a good map of Yellowstone before my trip? I'm debating buying a Delorme Topo & Gazetteer of WY but not sure it's worth the investment as it could be a while before I get back there. Thoughts?
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Old Jul 25th, 2009, 12:31 PM
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One of the better maps on market in my opinion are Trails Illustrated now sold by National Geographic on their website and also available in many camping & sporting goods stores. They are on tear resistant paper. Here is the Nat'l Geo site: www.natgeomaps.com/ti_wyoming. They offer an overview map #201 or detailed sections of the park. Grand Teton Nat'l Park is also on this page if interested.

If you just want very basic maps can log onto the park webpage at www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/maplist.htm

A different view of Tower area can be seen by parking at the picnic area just after crossing the river on the way to Larmar Valley and taking the trail which parallels the river. Will not be able to see Tower Falls however. Lamar Valley will be a golden brown when you arrive but is excellent area for elk and bison herds as is Hayden Valley.
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Old Jul 28th, 2009, 03:26 PM
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I love the Hayden valley area of Yellowstone. You can almost always see some big herds of bison and the colors are amazing. Deep blue river, green and yellow grass, brown earth. It makes for some great photos.

I have eaten dinner at the Lake lodge. It was very good but it is pricey.

I agree with another poster. If you are around GTNP for breakfast, Doornan's is my favorite. The food is cooked outside and you sit on picnic tables overlooking the Sanke River and the Tetons. The views are awesome.
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Old Aug 22nd, 2009, 07:08 AM
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The trip is getting closer! Thanks for the tips, we're going to start putting a list together of things to see...

I could use more info on Grand Teton's but it might be better to start a new post for that?

Thanks again for the help!
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Old Aug 22nd, 2009, 08:25 AM
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In Yellowstone, some hikes for greta scenery :
-south rim of the canyon with possible loop to Ribbon lake and back by cristal lake;
-brink of the lower falls;
-fairy falls and imperial geyser + polychromatic springs.
-and evidently the geysers(both the greta bassin and the norris one).
-the hike to cascade lake is nice with meadows+++ and so
nice flora.
-the ice lake loop with little gibbons falls is easy and has good spot for pictures.
There is not resrvation at the obsidien dining room at the old faithfull snowinn and it's good, not too expensive.
Waiting time is correct(not more than 15 mn)...
The restaurant in Canyon is basic, good but the wait can be long(we were there in August, so perhaps less crowd for you...) : it has been as long as 45 mn(and some people have had a waiting timeproposed at 1h and 10 mn...)They give a biper..
The restaurant(not the fastfood) in Mammoth is good;
In GT, The peaks restaurant at Signal is good and the view is terrific...
Erik
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Old Aug 23rd, 2009, 01:02 AM
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An error in my ikes: the back way from Ribbon Lake is by Clear lake(and not cristal Lk).
The hike is : south rim from the bridge to artist point, then take the way to point sublime(but you can skip the point itself...It's not so sublim...).Take the trail to Ribbon lake and here, go to the overlook to see the silvercord cascade.
Then back via clear lake and you go through some muddy
"marmit" before the Lk.You come back to the parking lot near the bridge.
Sometimes bisons are here, but the trail is a must for pictures.
Erik
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Old Aug 25th, 2009, 04:23 AM
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Photo ops. At the Midway Geyser Basin, take the Fairy Falls trailhead. Right before you get to Grand Prismatic Spring there is a small hill (on the left)that is popular with photographers to climb up to take a picture looking down on the Spring. Goggle it to see photos of it. We stopped there as we started the hike in the AM and there was nobody there -- also there was too much steam rising to get a really good picture. On the way back there were quite a few people climbing up and the steam had lifted. If you want to continue on that hike, go past Fairy Falls to Imperial Geyser. We climbed the smaller Butte -- great view looking down on the Geyser and back at the Midway Basin. Not sure what the view is from the larger Butte -- probably similar.

Also, at Old Faithful, you can take the trail to Observation Point where you look back (and down) on Old Faithful with the lodges in the background.
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Old Aug 27th, 2009, 08:24 PM
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If you can fit it into your time schedule you should try to take the Beartooth Hwy many great photo ops. getting out and walking even a short distance on the trails will give you many great shots. On most any of the back country hikes check with the rangers first for bear and other critter activity. There is a large suspension bridge across the head of the black canyon of the yellowstone that doesn't show up on most maps unless you get a good one. can find it by walking down the yellowstone river from tower jct about 3 miles. its a horse and foot bridge on the old trail from Rosevelt lodge to Gardner, MT
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Old Aug 31st, 2009, 05:41 AM
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I second Beartooth Hwy if you can fit it into your plans.

Be aware of the road closure in Yellowstone between Norris and Madison. That will slow your drive times to points from OFI down quite a bit, but you will still have a wonderful time in "the Yellowstone" [be sure to add that John Denver tune to your trip music! ;-) ]

I've topped an old thread, Fodorites' Recommendations for Yellowstone & GTNP, for you that might offer some helpful ideas.
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Old Aug 31st, 2009, 11:27 AM
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Cool! Thanks again, I'll look up these places.

5 days till the trip!
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