Bears in Yellowstone? Bear spray needed?
Jul 8th, 2011, 04:03 AM
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On sunny mornings the mist from the Canyons Lower Falls produces a rainbow. The time of the rainbows appearance, and its duration changes as the days progress through the year.
I've seen it from the bottom of the north rims Red Rock Trail.
On sunny mornings the mist from the Canyons Lower Falls produces a rainbow. The time of the rainbows appearance, and its duration changes as the days progress through the year.
I've seen it from the bottom of the north rims Red Rock Trail.
Jul 8th, 2011, 07:16 AM
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Jul 8th, 2011, 08:55 AM
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If you hike along the edge of GC of Y, there will be plenty of people in late Aug. - at least there were both time we were there in early to mid- Sept. "Fewer people" at Yellowstone is probably not so few as you'd notice much difference in May and Sept. But it's easy enough to get away from people without going into the real back country. A few years ago my husband and I did a hike along the canyon, then turned into the back country woods for a bit, then went past some fumeroles and other thermal features and ended up back in the parking lot - about 4 miles. I was nervous and might have felt better with bear spray, although I have never seen a bear in Yellowstone (in Sept., as I said). Felt like an idiot hiking along shouting out "Hey bear!" every minute but guess since we never saw anyone else, there was no one to hear me. It's suggested that people take these hikes in groups of 3, 4 or more; but since many visitors are just couples, that's not always possible. Our last trip there were 3 of us but we still turned back after seeing a notice about recent bear sightings at the head of a trail through the woods to Lake Yellowstone.
We did buy bear spray for Glacier last fall and did see bears there, though the only fairly close ones were along the road at Many Glacier and were black. But since it was only a few weeks after Hanna's encounter, that made up my mind to get the spray and most suggestions were that it was more practical to buy than rent at Glacier. I second the recommendation to get it outside the park if you decide to get some; and if you don't use it, make a contribution to the park service by giving it to a ranger when you leave. Be sure you get a holster and keep it on your belt. Hoping to visit Yellowstone in May sometime and will get bear spray then. Although the latest attack was rare for inside the park, there have been two attacks just outside the park (last summer or the year before?), one a rogue mother with 3 cubs that attacked campers in tents. So it can obviously happen.
Suspect your friend with the bells has already heard the bear joke, variations of it have been making the rounds for many years. I will have to say it's my favorite "ranger joke", though. Something else I read when I was checking posts myself on bear spray before the Glacier trip was that some of the shops outside Glacier sell huckleberry- scented sun screen. Now there's a great idea, huh? Or a bad, bad joke. Can't imagine what anyone is thinking to wear strong scents in parks with bears since they have an acute sense of smell and are curious - the main thought being, "That smells good, can I eat it?" The mosquitoes react the same way, of course.
You should also be aware of the dangers of bison and elk. Guess late Aug. will be the beginning of the elk rut and you should be cautious of the elk around Mammoth. Think the safety videos are still on the nps site; from the videos I saw you could get the idea the bulls only hate red pickups but it's not so. Last time we were there a ranger's car had had the back window taken out the night before. Better to park there and shoot photos from afar than to drive by and stop your vehicle for closer shots.
Yellowstone is by far my husband's and my favorite nat'l park of the 20 or so we've visited. Hope you'll love it like we do.
We did buy bear spray for Glacier last fall and did see bears there, though the only fairly close ones were along the road at Many Glacier and were black. But since it was only a few weeks after Hanna's encounter, that made up my mind to get the spray and most suggestions were that it was more practical to buy than rent at Glacier. I second the recommendation to get it outside the park if you decide to get some; and if you don't use it, make a contribution to the park service by giving it to a ranger when you leave. Be sure you get a holster and keep it on your belt. Hoping to visit Yellowstone in May sometime and will get bear spray then. Although the latest attack was rare for inside the park, there have been two attacks just outside the park (last summer or the year before?), one a rogue mother with 3 cubs that attacked campers in tents. So it can obviously happen.
Suspect your friend with the bells has already heard the bear joke, variations of it have been making the rounds for many years. I will have to say it's my favorite "ranger joke", though. Something else I read when I was checking posts myself on bear spray before the Glacier trip was that some of the shops outside Glacier sell huckleberry- scented sun screen. Now there's a great idea, huh? Or a bad, bad joke. Can't imagine what anyone is thinking to wear strong scents in parks with bears since they have an acute sense of smell and are curious - the main thought being, "That smells good, can I eat it?" The mosquitoes react the same way, of course.
You should also be aware of the dangers of bison and elk. Guess late Aug. will be the beginning of the elk rut and you should be cautious of the elk around Mammoth. Think the safety videos are still on the nps site; from the videos I saw you could get the idea the bulls only hate red pickups but it's not so. Last time we were there a ranger's car had had the back window taken out the night before. Better to park there and shoot photos from afar than to drive by and stop your vehicle for closer shots.
Yellowstone is by far my husband's and my favorite nat'l park of the 20 or so we've visited. Hope you'll love it like we do.
Jul 8th, 2011, 10:44 AM
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polly, maj,
Glad to hear that both of you went to YS at the end of the summer and liked it. After reading all reports of May/June trips, with all the baby animals (which I would love to see, I have to admit), I was afraid that we made a mistake when picking the time of the year to visit. Good to know we’ll still have good chances for wildlife viewing.
We’ll get the bear spray, but honestly, I don’t think we’ll need it. I’m getting really excited about this trip.
Glad to hear that both of you went to YS at the end of the summer and liked it. After reading all reports of May/June trips, with all the baby animals (which I would love to see, I have to admit), I was afraid that we made a mistake when picking the time of the year to visit. Good to know we’ll still have good chances for wildlife viewing.
We’ll get the bear spray, but honestly, I don’t think we’ll need it. I’m getting really excited about this trip.
Jul 8th, 2011, 11:09 AM
#25
>>
A fellow is visiting an outfitter shop preparing for a hike in bear country.
"Is there anything I can get to keep the bears away?
"Sure, we sell these little bells to hang on your belt so the bears can hear you coming."
On the trail, he comes across an oldtimer and asks if he has seen any bears.
"Nope, I haven't seen any but just look for bear poop along the trail to know if there are any around."
"How can I tell its bear poop?"
"Easy, its full of little bells."
A fellow is visiting an outfitter shop preparing for a hike in bear country.
"Is there anything I can get to keep the bears away?
"Sure, we sell these little bells to hang on your belt so the bears can hear you coming."
On the trail, he comes across an oldtimer and asks if he has seen any bears.
"Nope, I haven't seen any but just look for bear poop along the trail to know if there are any around."
"How can I tell its bear poop?"
"Easy, its full of little bells."
Jul 8th, 2011, 11:30 AM
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xyz99
Thanks for the web site. DH said he happened to get a rainbow on one of our trips -- I don't remember (and it didn't look like that)so we will have to go through our pictures and see if we can figure out where we were. Thanks also to furledleader. DH loves tips on photo ops.
If you haven't found it yet, yellowstone.net has great information. I always read the trip reports for a month or two before we go. There are many more reports in the spring when most of the regulars on that forum go and report back but still good information at any time.
Spring is great for seeing the baby animals (and like I said bears are everywhere) but you run the risk of some of the roads not being open yet (like Dunraven Pass and Beartooth Hwy.) and alot of trails aren't passable because of snow or bear activity. I think the time you are going is great, especially for a first trip. There are always animals there.I'm getting really excited also.
http://forums.yellowstone.net/index....ee9635d3bc40d2
Thanks for the web site. DH said he happened to get a rainbow on one of our trips -- I don't remember (and it didn't look like that)so we will have to go through our pictures and see if we can figure out where we were. Thanks also to furledleader. DH loves tips on photo ops.
If you haven't found it yet, yellowstone.net has great information. I always read the trip reports for a month or two before we go. There are many more reports in the spring when most of the regulars on that forum go and report back but still good information at any time.
Spring is great for seeing the baby animals (and like I said bears are everywhere) but you run the risk of some of the roads not being open yet (like Dunraven Pass and Beartooth Hwy.) and alot of trails aren't passable because of snow or bear activity. I think the time you are going is great, especially for a first trip. There are always animals there.I'm getting really excited also.
http://forums.yellowstone.net/index....ee9635d3bc40d2
Jul 8th, 2011, 11:51 AM
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Bear spray is like insurance, you buy it and hope you'll never need it.
You might still see young bison and elk, maybe not as cute as newborn but still cute. Yellowstone is our favorite park in large part because of the plethora of animals. Bison everywhere, loads of elk. Not as many moose as I might like (maybe more in Grand Teton) but saw wolves both times in Lamar Valley - far in the distance - and last time they made a kill illegally close to the road (meaning closer than people are allowed to get) around Madison, so close that people driving by saw the chase, pulled over and witnessed the kill. (Alas, not us.) Rangers put up "crime tape" about 15 ft. off the road and you could watch the pack of four adults and one younger one when they came to feed maybe three hundred feet away. (My husband says more like 200.) We stopped by three times, learned the first two times they had left an hour ago, so we left. Third time it had been 6 or 7 hrs., so we waited an hour and they came. A coyote who had stopped by for a snack got caught unaware and ran within a few yards of the crowds behind the tape - his choice was to run in the direction of the wolves or the people and he wisely chose the people. Have seen coyotes every time, fairly close, one fishing. Last trip saw sheep at Tower up on the mountain and pronghorns in Lamar Valley. Ask about wolf kills when you get there - all rangers and even at stores because we learned about the close-to-the-road kill from a volunteer at the Yellowstone Assoc. bookstore at Madison. Then don't do what we did our first trip and say, "Well, we'll be nearer Lamar Valley in a couple of days when we move up to Gardiner". In a couple of days they may be done with it. And keep asking daily about kills, including the people that line the road at Lamar with their spotting scopes every late afternoon and evening. Elk-watching at Mammoth during the rut is interesting because I understand that often there is a #1 buck with a large herd and a few lesser bucks trying to add some of his cows to their pitiful collection. Last time the king was referred to as #6 and we found out that meant he was the 6th animal to have to be tranquilized and have his antlers cut because he had done so much vehicular damage. In fact, #6 had been king for several years and had been de-antlered three times previously. (Not sure what the damage criterion is because he had had encounters with four vehicles in the previous 7 days.) Also watched a good-sized elk herd off the south side of the road to West Yellowstone. Love to hear them bugle, which you hear a lot in early Sept.
First trip we got lucky with geysers, too. The four biggest and somewhat predictable geysers on Geyser Hill (not including Old Faithful) were scheduled between 10AM and 4PM and we managed to see them all, starting with Castle and ending with Grand (the biggest), along with some smaller but more frequent ones, including cute little Anemone, that kind of "flushes" like a toilet every 10 min. Next morning we went to see Great Fountain and it erupted on schedule. Last trip the times were not as good and Great Fountain was 90 min. overdue when we left, though we did see White dome erupt in the distance 3 times while we were waiting. We're planning a Sept. trip to Mesa Verde, GC North Rim, Canyon de Chelly, etc., but after writing this I get to thinking maybe we should go to Yellowstone instead.
You might still see young bison and elk, maybe not as cute as newborn but still cute. Yellowstone is our favorite park in large part because of the plethora of animals. Bison everywhere, loads of elk. Not as many moose as I might like (maybe more in Grand Teton) but saw wolves both times in Lamar Valley - far in the distance - and last time they made a kill illegally close to the road (meaning closer than people are allowed to get) around Madison, so close that people driving by saw the chase, pulled over and witnessed the kill. (Alas, not us.) Rangers put up "crime tape" about 15 ft. off the road and you could watch the pack of four adults and one younger one when they came to feed maybe three hundred feet away. (My husband says more like 200.) We stopped by three times, learned the first two times they had left an hour ago, so we left. Third time it had been 6 or 7 hrs., so we waited an hour and they came. A coyote who had stopped by for a snack got caught unaware and ran within a few yards of the crowds behind the tape - his choice was to run in the direction of the wolves or the people and he wisely chose the people. Have seen coyotes every time, fairly close, one fishing. Last trip saw sheep at Tower up on the mountain and pronghorns in Lamar Valley. Ask about wolf kills when you get there - all rangers and even at stores because we learned about the close-to-the-road kill from a volunteer at the Yellowstone Assoc. bookstore at Madison. Then don't do what we did our first trip and say, "Well, we'll be nearer Lamar Valley in a couple of days when we move up to Gardiner". In a couple of days they may be done with it. And keep asking daily about kills, including the people that line the road at Lamar with their spotting scopes every late afternoon and evening. Elk-watching at Mammoth during the rut is interesting because I understand that often there is a #1 buck with a large herd and a few lesser bucks trying to add some of his cows to their pitiful collection. Last time the king was referred to as #6 and we found out that meant he was the 6th animal to have to be tranquilized and have his antlers cut because he had done so much vehicular damage. In fact, #6 had been king for several years and had been de-antlered three times previously. (Not sure what the damage criterion is because he had had encounters with four vehicles in the previous 7 days.) Also watched a good-sized elk herd off the south side of the road to West Yellowstone. Love to hear them bugle, which you hear a lot in early Sept.
First trip we got lucky with geysers, too. The four biggest and somewhat predictable geysers on Geyser Hill (not including Old Faithful) were scheduled between 10AM and 4PM and we managed to see them all, starting with Castle and ending with Grand (the biggest), along with some smaller but more frequent ones, including cute little Anemone, that kind of "flushes" like a toilet every 10 min. Next morning we went to see Great Fountain and it erupted on schedule. Last trip the times were not as good and Great Fountain was 90 min. overdue when we left, though we did see White dome erupt in the distance 3 times while we were waiting. We're planning a Sept. trip to Mesa Verde, GC North Rim, Canyon de Chelly, etc., but after writing this I get to thinking maybe we should go to Yellowstone instead.
Jul 8th, 2011, 01:00 PM
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xyz99,
I'll echo maj's thanks for the link to the photo. I've added it to my notebook for our trip to Yellowstone in September.
Since we're going to Glacier before we get to Yellowstone, we'll have bear spray with us. Before our first trip to YS in Aug., 2002, we bought bear spray at Scheels Outdoor Store in the Rim Rock Mall in Billings. I don't know if they're still there, but it was a huge place and we picked up some other great things, too.
We did quite a bit of hiking away from the more crowded boardwalk and view areas, but nothing that was true back country. We did do the hike polly229 mentioned along the canyon rim, then back to the parking lot via some thermals and an Alpine Meadow. Didn't see anyone after got about 200 yards or so from the canyon rim, until we got back to the parking area. Didn't see any bears, either, but I sure kept a watch for them. It seemed like a likely place to see them.
In fact, we didn't see any bears at all during our time in YS. But that doesn't mean you won't. It's not that expensive, so if I were you, I'd get some spray. And, as polly229 said, get the holster. Bears move too fast for you to have time to get it from anywhere else you might have it.
Since we couldn't carry the spray home with us, we gave it to a ranger as we were leaving. They can always use it when they have to go out where they know a bear encounter is more likely.
Yellowstone is an absolutely amazing place. This will be our third trip, but I know it won't be our last. There's just something about YS that calls us back. After this trip we'll have seen it in all but Spring. Maybe next year for that one.
Enjoy your trip.
I'll echo maj's thanks for the link to the photo. I've added it to my notebook for our trip to Yellowstone in September.
Since we're going to Glacier before we get to Yellowstone, we'll have bear spray with us. Before our first trip to YS in Aug., 2002, we bought bear spray at Scheels Outdoor Store in the Rim Rock Mall in Billings. I don't know if they're still there, but it was a huge place and we picked up some other great things, too.
We did quite a bit of hiking away from the more crowded boardwalk and view areas, but nothing that was true back country. We did do the hike polly229 mentioned along the canyon rim, then back to the parking lot via some thermals and an Alpine Meadow. Didn't see anyone after got about 200 yards or so from the canyon rim, until we got back to the parking area. Didn't see any bears, either, but I sure kept a watch for them. It seemed like a likely place to see them.
In fact, we didn't see any bears at all during our time in YS. But that doesn't mean you won't. It's not that expensive, so if I were you, I'd get some spray. And, as polly229 said, get the holster. Bears move too fast for you to have time to get it from anywhere else you might have it.
Since we couldn't carry the spray home with us, we gave it to a ranger as we were leaving. They can always use it when they have to go out where they know a bear encounter is more likely.
Yellowstone is an absolutely amazing place. This will be our third trip, but I know it won't be our last. There's just something about YS that calls us back. After this trip we'll have seen it in all but Spring. Maybe next year for that one.
Enjoy your trip.
Jul 8th, 2011, 01:26 PM
#32
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polly,
I totally agree, I hope we will not have to use it. Honestly, I don’t think we’ll venture anywhere too far from roads and people (I just read this http://forums.yellowstone.net/viewto...p?f=15&t=10980) but just in case…I think if we ever see a bear, panic would set in and we’d totally forget we had the spray. Or fire it when the bear is still too far, and have nothing left in the can when the bear gets close. City people should not be allowed in the wilderness…we can defend ourselves against cars and bicycles, rude pedestrians, and other dangerous “creatures”, but not wild bears.
Oh well, I know we’ll love it. Our best vacation so far was Costa Rica, for its wildlife abundance, so I am sure YS will not disappoint. And I’m getting a new camera for it
Floridafran, we considered adding Glacier to this trip, but we do not like rushing it, so that will have to wait for another year. I saw pictures, it looks amazing…is this your first trip to Glacier?
I totally agree, I hope we will not have to use it. Honestly, I don’t think we’ll venture anywhere too far from roads and people (I just read this http://forums.yellowstone.net/viewto...p?f=15&t=10980) but just in case…I think if we ever see a bear, panic would set in and we’d totally forget we had the spray. Or fire it when the bear is still too far, and have nothing left in the can when the bear gets close. City people should not be allowed in the wilderness…we can defend ourselves against cars and bicycles, rude pedestrians, and other dangerous “creatures”, but not wild bears.
Oh well, I know we’ll love it. Our best vacation so far was Costa Rica, for its wildlife abundance, so I am sure YS will not disappoint. And I’m getting a new camera for it
Floridafran, we considered adding Glacier to this trip, but we do not like rushing it, so that will have to wait for another year. I saw pictures, it looks amazing…is this your first trip to Glacier?
Jul 8th, 2011, 01:45 PM
#33
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This is a day old but in case you didn't see it. They apparently weren't carrying bear spray.
They also said that this year with the snow still covering the high elevations so the bears are forced to stay lower down for food (and with the summer crowds), it is a crowded situation between bears and people.
http://www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/11075.htm
Floridafran, we finally went on that trail last year (you had told us about it about 10 years ago but it was closed one year because of snow and another because the south rim was closed). It is the Clear Lake -- Lily Pond trail. We are kind of planning to do the other loop there (Ribbon Pond and Sublime Pt) this year. We actually walked to the trailhead near where they were attacked. It really isn't that far from the South Rim. We didn't have bear spray with us and were alone pretty much of the trail. Just realize how lucky you can be. Can I email you sometime about your trip to the Wave in Arizona? Don't have anything planned, but am thinking about it in the future (have to go soon or we'll be too old).
They also said that this year with the snow still covering the high elevations so the bears are forced to stay lower down for food (and with the summer crowds), it is a crowded situation between bears and people.
http://www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/11075.htm
Floridafran, we finally went on that trail last year (you had told us about it about 10 years ago but it was closed one year because of snow and another because the south rim was closed). It is the Clear Lake -- Lily Pond trail. We are kind of planning to do the other loop there (Ribbon Pond and Sublime Pt) this year. We actually walked to the trailhead near where they were attacked. It really isn't that far from the South Rim. We didn't have bear spray with us and were alone pretty much of the trail. Just realize how lucky you can be. Can I email you sometime about your trip to the Wave in Arizona? Don't have anything planned, but am thinking about it in the future (have to go soon or we'll be too old).
Jul 8th, 2011, 08:08 PM
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xyz99,
Yes, this is our first trip to Glacier. We had wanted to go there when we made our first trip to Yellowstone. But, like you, we decided that would be too rushed. We're really looking forward to it.
maj,
E-mail me any time. If you don't still have my address, let me know and I'll post it for you. I do understand about doing things before you get too old. That's why Tom retired early when the college offered a buy-out for higher paid faculty so they could replace them with "cheap young labor". There are just too many things we still want to do and time is running out.
Yes, this is our first trip to Glacier. We had wanted to go there when we made our first trip to Yellowstone. But, like you, we decided that would be too rushed. We're really looking forward to it.
maj,
E-mail me any time. If you don't still have my address, let me know and I'll post it for you. I do understand about doing things before you get too old. That's why Tom retired early when the college offered a buy-out for higher paid faculty so they could replace them with "cheap young labor". There are just too many things we still want to do and time is running out.
Jul 8th, 2011, 09:09 PM
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Carry bear spray if you like, but the best thing you can do is talk. Tell jokes, sing, recite portray, or whatever it takes to keep the sound of the human voice flowing. You want to avoid surprising the bear. That is the key.
Jul 9th, 2011, 05:01 AM
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The Vt Dept of Fish and Wildlife recommends this website for information
http://www.centerforwildlifeinformation.org/B
eBearAware/bebearaware.html
We live in an area with black bear which are far less dangerous than grizzlies, but it is important to know basic safety precautions for them, too. Recently neighbors and I have seen a black bear on our road during the day which is rather unusual.
http://www.centerforwildlifeinformation.org/B
eBearAware/bebearaware.html
We live in an area with black bear which are far less dangerous than grizzlies, but it is important to know basic safety precautions for them, too. Recently neighbors and I have seen a black bear on our road during the day which is rather unusual.
Jul 9th, 2011, 08:26 AM
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Floridafran, glad you guys can enjoy an early retirement. We were hoping for that, too but current economic conditions don’t seem to cooperate…oh well, let’s hope we’ll stay healthy long enough to do everything we want to do. Enjoy Glacier, we’ll get there someday. This time, it’s 8 days YS and 3 days GT for us.
Enzian, thanks for the advice, I heard that before, and it makes sense. I think you were one of the posters here who helped me a few years ago to plan a Switzerland trip. That was fantastic, so thanks!
Vt, great site, thanks.
maj, the link to the article you posted made me think…what is “close range” when it comes to a bear? Apparently 100 yards is too close. But in the woods, you can’t even see that far, because of the trees and bushes…
Enzian, thanks for the advice, I heard that before, and it makes sense. I think you were one of the posters here who helped me a few years ago to plan a Switzerland trip. That was fantastic, so thanks!
Vt, great site, thanks.
maj, the link to the article you posted made me think…what is “close range” when it comes to a bear? Apparently 100 yards is too close. But in the woods, you can’t even see that far, because of the trees and bushes…
Jul 9th, 2011, 10:35 AM
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xyz99
When the bears are near the road the rangers keep everyone back at a safe distance, but if you are the only one there (not likely, but it does happen) I just wouldn't get out of my car. We've been at bear jams before the ranger arrived and it is amazing how people will follow the bears at a short distance. The bears tolerate pretty much from us, but you never know what will set them off.
Like Enzian said, just be sure and make noise, especially when you don't have a view of what is ahead of you. They apparently surprised the bear coming out of the trees when they walked into a meadow. Not sure what the man did, but it was somewhat reassuring to find out that when she played dead the bear left her alone.
A bear was apparently close to us when we were on a trail in Sequoia because we heard him loudly running up the hill away from us. Also, at Trout Lake we saw a couple on the other side of the lake walking by a group of bison that were hidden from their view. The bison were ignoring them. Don' get overworried about it. Just be informed. And have a good time.
Floridafran
I don't want to keep hijacking this post, but I have your Four Elements Arts homepage if it is ok to use that one. Your email address got lost in my first computer crash (before I learned to backup).
When the bears are near the road the rangers keep everyone back at a safe distance, but if you are the only one there (not likely, but it does happen) I just wouldn't get out of my car. We've been at bear jams before the ranger arrived and it is amazing how people will follow the bears at a short distance. The bears tolerate pretty much from us, but you never know what will set them off.
Like Enzian said, just be sure and make noise, especially when you don't have a view of what is ahead of you. They apparently surprised the bear coming out of the trees when they walked into a meadow. Not sure what the man did, but it was somewhat reassuring to find out that when she played dead the bear left her alone.
A bear was apparently close to us when we were on a trail in Sequoia because we heard him loudly running up the hill away from us. Also, at Trout Lake we saw a couple on the other side of the lake walking by a group of bison that were hidden from their view. The bison were ignoring them. Don' get overworried about it. Just be informed. And have a good time.
Floridafran
I don't want to keep hijacking this post, but I have your Four Elements Arts homepage if it is ok to use that one. Your email address got lost in my first computer crash (before I learned to backup).
Jul 9th, 2011, 12:21 PM
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xyz99,
That's about how long we'll be in YS and GT. You said you'd be in YS late Aug/early Sept. We don't arrive until the 8th of September so it sounds like we'll just miss each other.
As owlwoman said, the Beartooth is beautiful. And Red Lodge is a cute little town. I'm sure someone already mentioned it, but early morning and late afternoon are your best times to see lots of animals. It's also less crowded then. The tour buses don't seem to start pulling in until mid-morning and then are mostly gone by 2:30 or 3:00. The dawn and sunset hours are also your "golden light" time for photos.
As for retiring early. We hadn't planned it that way, but it has worked out for us. If we had known how bad the economy would get, he might not have taken the buy-out offer - so I'm glad we didn't know. I just tell Tom I'll go to work as a Wal-Mart greeter if we go broke traveling. ;-)
And I promise the message below is our last hijacking of your post.
Fran
maj,
Tom has been fiddling with that website so I'm not sure if that email is working. Just use this one - [email protected]
Fran
That's about how long we'll be in YS and GT. You said you'd be in YS late Aug/early Sept. We don't arrive until the 8th of September so it sounds like we'll just miss each other.
As owlwoman said, the Beartooth is beautiful. And Red Lodge is a cute little town. I'm sure someone already mentioned it, but early morning and late afternoon are your best times to see lots of animals. It's also less crowded then. The tour buses don't seem to start pulling in until mid-morning and then are mostly gone by 2:30 or 3:00. The dawn and sunset hours are also your "golden light" time for photos.
As for retiring early. We hadn't planned it that way, but it has worked out for us. If we had known how bad the economy would get, he might not have taken the buy-out offer - so I'm glad we didn't know. I just tell Tom I'll go to work as a Wal-Mart greeter if we go broke traveling. ;-)
And I promise the message below is our last hijacking of your post.
Fran
maj,
Tom has been fiddling with that website so I'm not sure if that email is working. Just use this one - [email protected]
Fran
Jul 9th, 2011, 01:25 PM
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Floridafran,
We’ll just miss each other, we’ll return home on Sept 3. We’re landing in Billings and spending the first night in Red Lodge, just to have enough time and day light (the next day) to enjoy the Beartooth, about which I read a lot.
I have a lot of notes of generally best times and places for wildlife, will get a new camera, so I am all set. Let’s hope the wildlife shows up, and for me, that includes the birds
Maj, don’t worry about high jacking the thread. Hope you get to the Wave.
We’ll just miss each other, we’ll return home on Sept 3. We’re landing in Billings and spending the first night in Red Lodge, just to have enough time and day light (the next day) to enjoy the Beartooth, about which I read a lot.
I have a lot of notes of generally best times and places for wildlife, will get a new camera, so I am all set. Let’s hope the wildlife shows up, and for me, that includes the birds
Maj, don’t worry about high jacking the thread. Hope you get to the Wave.
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fabija01
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Jun 27th, 2011 09:19 PM
