4 days in YELLOWSTONE, 3 in GRAND TETONS too long?
Jul 3rd, 1998, 06:26 PM
#1
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4 days in YELLOWSTONE, 3 in GRAND TETONS too long?
need suggestions
is that too long to spend in yellowstone and grand tetons. would like to know trails, waterfalls.
any other kodak moments i don't want to miss????
will be there sept 9 - 20
staying at alpine house jackson, grant village yellowstone, lake lodge, comfort inn cody, signal mountain grand tetons, lodge at jackson hole.
have any info.?
is that too long to spend in yellowstone and grand tetons. would like to know trails, waterfalls.
any other kodak moments i don't want to miss????
will be there sept 9 - 20
staying at alpine house jackson, grant village yellowstone, lake lodge, comfort inn cody, signal mountain grand tetons, lodge at jackson hole.
have any info.?
Jul 7th, 1998, 06:29 AM
#3
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hello -- i believe that 4 days in yellowstone would be fabulous -- you'll have time to REALLY see parts of the park! -- one thing to be aware of is snow -- a couple of years ago we were traveling through on september 15th and it snowed -- just be prepared -- also, if you have the transportation and time, drive the cooke city highway heading out of the north park entrance to red lodge, montana -- it is a stunning drive and is considered one of the 10 most beautiful drives in the country....have a GRAND time....gloria 
Jul 7th, 1998, 09:40 AM
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I visited Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons about 15 years ago with my family, and we spent about that same amount of time there. I would have enjoyed spending more days in Yellowstone and only 1 or 2 in the Tetons...there is so much to see and do in Yellowsstone (especially if you have children!!!) There are more "Kodak" moments than you can count, but don't worry if you can;t stop for the first glimpses of wildlife you see; there will bbe plenty...get to your campsite, set up, and start enjoying everything at a leisurely pace...the stress just melts away!!!!! Enjoy!!!!
Jul 8th, 1998, 09:53 AM
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Hi! I worked for 2 summers in Grand Teton Park and feel there is plenty to do! I worked for Grand Teton Lodge Company and they have several "activities" that you can look into. There are scenic float trips, horseback rides (breakfast and dinner rides), cruises on Jackson Lake. For more info you might want to check their website (www.gtlc.com). Lots of nice hiking trails (the one around Jenny Lake is very scenic!!!) I haven't been back to Wyoming in 10 years...I am jealous!!!! Have a great time!!!!
Jul 9th, 1998, 12:41 PM
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Depends on how much hiking around on foot you want to do. If you are just into "windshield" visits, then yes, it is too long. If hiking is your bag, then no, it isn't nearly long enough. If you have small kids, they will probably get tired of looking at the buffalo and elk after the first day. Yellowstone has a tremendous number of short, relatively easy hikes. If you're into some very strenuous hikes, try the Surprise-Amphitheater Lake Trails in the Tetons. 11 miles with 2200 feet of verticle climb. Was there last week and the last mile is 100% snow covered.
Also did Yellowstone last week for a couple of days. Was most struck by the magnitude of fire damage remaining from the 1988 fires. Coming back slowly but the amount of acres impacted is mindboggling.
Happy Camping.
Also did Yellowstone last week for a couple of days. Was most struck by the magnitude of fire damage remaining from the 1988 fires. Coming back slowly but the amount of acres impacted is mindboggling.
Happy Camping.
Jul 9th, 1998, 12:41 PM
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Depends on how much hiking around on foot you want to do. If you are just into "windshield" visits, then yes, it is too long. If hiking is your bag, then no, it isn't nearly long enough. If you have small kids, they will probably get tired of looking at the buffalo and elk after the first day. Yellowstone has a tremendous number of short, relatively easy hikes. If you're into some very strenuous hikes, try the Surprise-Amphitheater Lake Trails in the Tetons. 11 miles with 2200 feet of verticle climb. Was there last week and the last mile is 100% snow covered.
Also did Yellowstone last week for a couple of days. Was most struck by the magnitude of fire damage remaining from the 1988 fires. Coming back slowly but the amount of acres impacted is mindboggling.
Happy Camping.
Also did Yellowstone last week for a couple of days. Was most struck by the magnitude of fire damage remaining from the 1988 fires. Coming back slowly but the amount of acres impacted is mindboggling.
Happy Camping.
May 15th, 2003, 10:21 PM
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I'm with Amy. I would spend more time in Yellowstone but maybe the day you head for the Grand Tetons you can spend most of that day in Yellowtone.
There are so many different areas of Yellowstone and you need a week to really see it all. The geyser areas, the lake, the canyon and waterfall, mud pots. Hayden Valley is a good place to be at dusk to see all kinds of wild life.
Utahtea
There are so many different areas of Yellowstone and you need a week to really see it all. The geyser areas, the lake, the canyon and waterfall, mud pots. Hayden Valley is a good place to be at dusk to see all kinds of wild life.
Utahtea
May 20th, 2003, 08:09 AM
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I have been to both parks quite a few times and find this a difficult question to answer. First lets consider the Tetons. What do you want to do after you get there? After looking at the mountains, the next activity to consider is a hike or two. If that interests you, then 3 days is fine. If hiking does not interest you, then I suggest spending the rest of the time in Yellowstone.
One activity I recommend highly is to leave Yellowstone via the northeast gate, drive to the crest of the Beartooth Pass, retrace your steps, and drive the Chief Joseph Highway through the Absorakas to Cody.
It is a very spectacular drive.
One caveat on my remarks is this: If geysers do not interest you, then you don't need much more than a day or two in Yellowstone. I personally baby sit the big geysers like Castle and Grand and wait for them to show off. Nothing like an eruption of Grand by moonlight.
Unfortunately during the summer you get people who are totally ignorant of what a geyser is, don't want to know, and voice disappointment at that stupid water squirting out of a hole in the ground. I hear comments like "How come the Park Service cannot schedule geyser eruptions better? I had to wait 2 hours for that stupid thing."
For hikes in the Tetons, try Amphitheater Lake, if you are up to it, Indian Paint Brush Canyon and Death Canyon.
In Yellowstone, you will walk enough in the geyser basins and at the falls of the Yellowstone river. My favorite one of them all, however, is the trail to Lone Star Geyser. The walk is through unburned areas and the geyser itself is no slouch. Mount Washburn is also intersting and the view from the tower is excellent. You can often see 50 miles or more.
The other neat little falls are Osprey Falls and Tower Falls. Tower is unusually crowded.
One activity I recommend highly is to leave Yellowstone via the northeast gate, drive to the crest of the Beartooth Pass, retrace your steps, and drive the Chief Joseph Highway through the Absorakas to Cody.
It is a very spectacular drive.
One caveat on my remarks is this: If geysers do not interest you, then you don't need much more than a day or two in Yellowstone. I personally baby sit the big geysers like Castle and Grand and wait for them to show off. Nothing like an eruption of Grand by moonlight.
Unfortunately during the summer you get people who are totally ignorant of what a geyser is, don't want to know, and voice disappointment at that stupid water squirting out of a hole in the ground. I hear comments like "How come the Park Service cannot schedule geyser eruptions better? I had to wait 2 hours for that stupid thing."
For hikes in the Tetons, try Amphitheater Lake, if you are up to it, Indian Paint Brush Canyon and Death Canyon.
In Yellowstone, you will walk enough in the geyser basins and at the falls of the Yellowstone river. My favorite one of them all, however, is the trail to Lone Star Geyser. The walk is through unburned areas and the geyser itself is no slouch. Mount Washburn is also intersting and the view from the tower is excellent. You can often see 50 miles or more.
The other neat little falls are Osprey Falls and Tower Falls. Tower is unusually crowded.
May 20th, 2003, 08:16 AM
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I also agree that I would try to spend more of your time in Yellowstone. We were there last summer and spent 3 1/2 days in Yellowston, 1 day in Jackson/Tetons, and 1 day rafting. I was wishing when we left that we would have had more time in Yellowstone! A definite do not miss site in Yellowstone is the hike to Lower Falls (I can't remember the name possibly Lower Falls??) but it is so beautiful, you are literally standing right over the waterfall! Our kids loved it! We had one of our best vacations there! We had also taken them to Disney World for the first time that winter and they thought it was as great as Disney!!!
Have a super time.
Have a super time.
May 20th, 2003, 10:19 AM
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bob_brown,
You made me laugh with the comment about waiting 2 hrs for a geyser. The last time we were in Yellowstone we went to the visitor center at the Old Faithful area to check the "window" of time that the different geysers are expected to go off. (BTW, for others, these windows can be hours or days but it gives you an idea whether or not you should spend time waiting for geysers.) We noticed Grand Geyser was due within a hour or two so we thought we would check it out since we had never seen this one.
We were on the path and walking up to Giant Geyser just as it started to go off. I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures. The guy next to me said I had perfect timing...he had been waiting 2 hours! What a great display.
Utahtea
You made me laugh with the comment about waiting 2 hrs for a geyser. The last time we were in Yellowstone we went to the visitor center at the Old Faithful area to check the "window" of time that the different geysers are expected to go off. (BTW, for others, these windows can be hours or days but it gives you an idea whether or not you should spend time waiting for geysers.) We noticed Grand Geyser was due within a hour or two so we thought we would check it out since we had never seen this one.
We were on the path and walking up to Giant Geyser just as it started to go off. I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures. The guy next to me said I had perfect timing...he had been waiting 2 hours! What a great display.
Utahtea
May 20th, 2003, 01:21 PM
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Hasn't anyone noticed that this question was posted in 1998 and the trip has been history for a long time? Still interesting to read about this great part of the country but the poster no longer needs the info.
May 20th, 2003, 03:25 PM
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Here's a vote for the Grand Teton. We are returning to the area this summer for the second time and may not even get to Yellowstone...and we're only moderate hikers. Oh, we enjoyed Yellowstone, but the Grand Teton is our favorite.
May 20th, 2003, 04:49 PM
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I spent about the same amount of time there two years ago. This area is one of the most magnificant places i've ever been. Check out the ranger led hikes at the visitor centers in Yellowstone. Enjoy.
