Help!! Ideas for national parks full of mountains
Jan 29th, 2011, 08:10 AM
#22
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If you have 2 weeks, then Rocky Mtn, Grand Teton and Yellowstone would be doable.
If I had to choose only one, I would choose Yellowstone because it is more unique than Grand Teton, Glacier, and Rocky Mtn, all of which are somewhat similar to Switzerland which you are probably more likely to visit again rather that the western US.
If I had to choose only one, I would choose Yellowstone because it is more unique than Grand Teton, Glacier, and Rocky Mtn, all of which are somewhat similar to Switzerland which you are probably more likely to visit again rather that the western US.
Jan 29th, 2011, 09:04 AM
#23
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Gardyloo- here's to blossoming flowers!and...
WOW!- what beautiful scenery and an amazing mountain!! I think your suggestion is going to be more practical for us considering our limited timeframe. Thanks for all of the info-i'll look into that more!!
Everyone,
I was checking out the flight details last night for Yellowstone and Grand Tetons NP's and it'd mean that we'd have to get two different flights from the UK, which if i'm being realistic could spoil the experience. We were thinking last night about doing a separate road trip next year over a longer period where we could camp and explore both Yellowstone and Grand Teton's instead of just seeing the surface, which considering how amazing these are would be a shame!!!Thanks for bringing our attention to these-we're determined to see them.
WOW!- what beautiful scenery and an amazing mountain!! I think your suggestion is going to be more practical for us considering our limited timeframe. Thanks for all of the info-i'll look into that more!!
Everyone,
I was checking out the flight details last night for Yellowstone and Grand Tetons NP's and it'd mean that we'd have to get two different flights from the UK, which if i'm being realistic could spoil the experience. We were thinking last night about doing a separate road trip next year over a longer period where we could camp and explore both Yellowstone and Grand Teton's instead of just seeing the surface, which considering how amazing these are would be a shame!!!Thanks for bringing our attention to these-we're determined to see them.
Jan 29th, 2011, 10:09 AM
#24
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As if this isn't enough, one of my favorite Mountain Experiences was at Lassen National Park this past year. Yellowstone and Yosemite cannot be beat. I am going to Glacier this year, so can't rate it. Oregon is a fantastic trip as well. I do think that some of these would be better in July than June. We loved Yellowstone in June a couple of year ago.
Jan 29th, 2011, 04:11 PM
#25
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Rocky Mtn. NP and Glacier NP are more alpine in looks. The Sierra (Yosemite, Sequoia, Lassen) look different. The northern Cascades have a similar alpine aspect.
The last half of this set, starting with D01, is of Glacier NP (probably best seen as a full screen slide show):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623117942088/
Camping: I think that it is possible to pick up basic car camping equipment (tent, sleeping bags, air mattress, cooking material) for about $300 at Target, K-Mart, Sports Authority and other similar stores. A week might just be the break even point compared to hotels and motels. Hotels and motels would probably asverage $80 per night with tax, and a dubious breakfast. To this one would have to add the evening meal ($25 minimum per person with tax and tip). When camping, the cost of the campsite would be cheaper than the hotel, as would the meals. I left out lunch on the assumption that it would be a picnic lunch in both cases. Assuming 10 days of travel, a campsite would probably cost about $25 per night (but not in California State Parks where it is much higher), for a total of $250 + the $300 for the camping equipment, which would make it a cost of $550 for the ten days. By my estimate, a hotel would cost $800 for the same period of time without factoring in the differential between self-cooked meals and restaurant meals. But all this assumes that one is used to car camping and takes pleasure in it. At the end of the trip, one would donate the camping equipment to Goodwill or a similar organization.
The last half of this set, starting with D01, is of Glacier NP (probably best seen as a full screen slide show):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623117942088/
Camping: I think that it is possible to pick up basic car camping equipment (tent, sleeping bags, air mattress, cooking material) for about $300 at Target, K-Mart, Sports Authority and other similar stores. A week might just be the break even point compared to hotels and motels. Hotels and motels would probably asverage $80 per night with tax, and a dubious breakfast. To this one would have to add the evening meal ($25 minimum per person with tax and tip). When camping, the cost of the campsite would be cheaper than the hotel, as would the meals. I left out lunch on the assumption that it would be a picnic lunch in both cases. Assuming 10 days of travel, a campsite would probably cost about $25 per night (but not in California State Parks where it is much higher), for a total of $250 + the $300 for the camping equipment, which would make it a cost of $550 for the ten days. By my estimate, a hotel would cost $800 for the same period of time without factoring in the differential between self-cooked meals and restaurant meals. But all this assumes that one is used to car camping and takes pleasure in it. At the end of the trip, one would donate the camping equipment to Goodwill or a similar organization.
Jan 30th, 2011, 06:48 AM
#26
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Micheal- like the photos. Thanks for the cost weigh up. We've got camping equipment we'd bring (don't think we could afford to get more to be honest, though I like the idea of donating). Lunch would definitely be picnic option- we like eating with scenery around us
Spiro- let me know what Glacier's like after you've been; you're good with your descriptions from what I remember from last years info. I'l have a look at Lassen NP- be intetresting to compare.
Spiro- let me know what Glacier's like after you've been; you're good with your descriptions from what I remember from last years info. I'l have a look at Lassen NP- be intetresting to compare.
Jan 30th, 2011, 08:42 AM
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One thing to consider, in the Sierra's (Yosemite, Sequoia/Kings Canyon) you could see the Giant Trees,which are just as amazing as any mountain, IMOP. You really can't go wrong with any of the above, but you would need to be some of them later in July rather than June.
Jan 30th, 2011, 12:02 PM
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We did the North Cascade Loop last summer (Washington State, fly into Seattle) - we enjoyed some pretty amazing sights, waterfalls, hiking (Washington Overlook, Rainy Pass, Mount Baker), interesting towns (Bellingham, Leavenworth, Winthrop), wine tasting (Lake Chelan), great pie everywhere we stopped; and you could tack on a few days in Seattle, including a day trip or overnight to Mount Rainier.
The summer before that we did the Olympic National Park (on the Washington State Peninsula) and that was amazing too. The rainforest was really beautiful and we loved the rocky ocean beaches.
The summer before that we did the Olympic National Park (on the Washington State Peninsula) and that was amazing too. The rainforest was really beautiful and we loved the rocky ocean beaches.
Jan 31st, 2011, 01:50 PM
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Kittys69: Sorry for the delay... If you're still considering Tetons and Yellowstone for your 1 or 2-week adventure, I can say that when I did that trip, it was a 1-week roadtrip from Seattle in early June. We stayed in a hotel in Jackson for our touring of Tetons and then only spent a long day in Yellowstone en route to Cody, WY. (Since you won't need to visit YOUR relatives in Cody, 
those days can be spent in Yellowstone!)
I would recommend flying into Billings or Bozeman, MT, and out of Jackson, WY (or vice versa). However, if you only want a direct flight from the UK, then you'd probably need to go elsewhere for that trip.
Don't forget, I also said I'm partial to Mount Rainier, like a lot of folks in this forum seem to be!
those days can be spent in Yellowstone!)I would recommend flying into Billings or Bozeman, MT, and out of Jackson, WY (or vice versa). However, if you only want a direct flight from the UK, then you'd probably need to go elsewhere for that trip.
Don't forget, I also said I'm partial to Mount Rainier, like a lot of folks in this forum seem to be!
Feb 1st, 2011, 12:31 PM
#31
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And very beautiful a mountain it is too- definitely one to see!!
All- thanks for all of your feedback, ideas and reality checks- we're really grateful
Just to let you all know we decided to go with Gardyloo's idea of flying into Seattle and spending the trip exploring the cascade range- we decided it was more feasable for our time-range as we wanted an experience that wasn't spending too many days travelling- there's lots more fun in exploring!! Yellowstone and The Teton's is another trip we've got an idea about for next year, and money prevailing we want to do Glacier too in 2012. Thanks again everyone!!!
Spiro- we'd be really grateful for your feedback on Glacier, have a great time.
All- thanks for all of your feedback, ideas and reality checks- we're really grateful
Just to let you all know we decided to go with Gardyloo's idea of flying into Seattle and spending the trip exploring the cascade range- we decided it was more feasable for our time-range as we wanted an experience that wasn't spending too many days travelling- there's lots more fun in exploring!! Yellowstone and The Teton's is another trip we've got an idea about for next year, and money prevailing we want to do Glacier too in 2012. Thanks again everyone!!!Spiro- we'd be really grateful for your feedback on Glacier, have a great time.
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