Need information on driving in Tetons and Yellowstone
 

I am trying to plan a trip to Tetons and Yellowstone for next summer. I have decided to make reservations for 2 nights in Jackson Hole, 2 nights at Signal Mt. Lodge and 3 nights at Old Faithful Inn. My question is how high is the elevation driving between these places? My husband gets very lightheaded in elevations over 12,000 and I was wondering if I would have any problems in these areas. Are the roads between these destinations easy to drive? I would appreciate any information so as not to be surprised when we actually get there. We plan to fly in and rent a car. Thanks

Sheila, we are just back from a similar trip but including Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. My husband got a little sick at the top of the Old Trail Road in Colorado, but he did not have a problem at Jackson Hole or Yellowstone. The elevation is less there. The Old Faithful Inn was charming. My best meal was at The Bunnery in Jackson, but I thought Bubba's was overrated. However, I'm from Kentucky where Owensboro is the barbecue capital of the world and biscuits and gravy are an art form. E-mail me if you want more information.

I think your husband will be safe in the Jackson/Yellowstone/Tetons area. It's a far cry from Rocky Mt. NP, whose elevation is over 15,000 feet in some somes. (Most of us are affected at that height!) <BR>As for driving, the road conditions are fine. The only snag you may hit is heavy traffic in the summer, especially in Yellowstone. <BR>Your choices of hotels in both parks is fine. Make reservations now!

Thanks Carolyn and Howard. Carolyn we are neighbors, I am from TN. My husband did fine in the Smokey Mts. but when we went to Maui this April, he could not breathe at the top of the crater. He said he felt lightheaded as we were driving up and really bad at the top so we could not stay long. I just wanted to know what to expect before I got him there. Also Carolyn where did you stay in Jackson? I have not decided on a place yet but want to make my reservations soon. Thanks

Sheila, <BR> <BR>As said above, elevations in and around Yellowstone and the Tetons are relatively low, especially at road-level. (This list of campgrounds in Yellowstone includes elevations: http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/services/campgrnd.htm). <BR> <BR>One exception to this: <BR>If you are entering or leaving Yellowstone via the NE entrance to Red Lodge, Mt. The Beartooth Highway tops out just under 11,000ft. This is an incredibly scenic drive (I prefer it to Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mt NP), but for someone who suffers from altitude sickness or acrophobia it might not be much fun. <BR> <BR>Dave <BR> <BR>

Thanks Dave.

We did this trip a few years ago. Same itnerary. The restaurant in the main lodge at Old Faithful is very nice. Make your reservations there now if you think you'll want to eat there. You'll love Signal Mountain Lodge. The sunsets from your porch are beautiful. The grill at Jackson Lake Lodge is good for a quick and tasty meal. I don't think that altitude will be a problem. Our son has the same problem and he did fine. We stayed at the Cowboy Village in Jackson. It was walking distance to the rodeo. The roads are very easy to drive. In yellowstone they can be a little rough and narrow, but you won't run into a whole lot of curves accept for the area around Roosevelt (highest altitude too).

Sheila, we stayed at the Flat Creek House in Jackson, phone 800-438-9338. It is several blocks out of town on the way to the Tetons and across from the winter elk range. It offered a complimentary breakfast. We also did the Bar-T-Five Cookout while there, and that was fun. Got my information from the Triple A book. The motel was fine but not a luxury facility.

<BR>There is no mountain peak in the contiguous 48 states that is highter than 14,500 feet. The summit of Mount Whitney, where no road goes, is the highest in the lower 48 and it falls short of 14,500 by 6 feet. There are two mountain top drives in Colorado that go over 14,000 feet: Pikes Peak and Mount Evans. <BR> <BR>As for Yellowstone, the highest highway point that you might reach is over Dunraven Pass between Canyon and Tower juction. The elevation there reaches 8,859 feet above sea level. The ascent, however is relatively gradual. The Beartooth Highway does indeed go over a high point that reaches an elevation of 10,947. <BR>This pass is considerably higher than the Teton Pass, which is on the highway between Jackson and Idaho Falls. That pass, while very steep in places, reaches an altitude of 8,429. <BR>If you happen to visit Glacier National Park, Logan Pass is less than 7,000 feet and it is the highest pass traversed by a highway in the park. <BR>Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain NP, which I presume is the Old Trail mentioned earlier, reaches an altitude of about 12,000 feet, and the climb up there from Estes Park gets quite steep. I think people often feel light headed on that particular drive because the ascent can be quite rapid if you don't stop to adjust. <BR> <BR>To be honest with you, altitude problems are said to begin around 7,000 feet. <BR>I felt out of breath at Bryce when coming out of the canyon at about 8,500. <BR>If you don't exert at first, and achieve the altitude gradually, you should be ok. <BR>The only place in Yellowstone that should carry a warning is the Uncle Tom Trail that leads down to a great view of the upper falls of the Yellowstone River. The trail is nothing much but steps, and the elevation is greater than 8,000 feet. Unless you are in top shape, and have had a chance to adjust, you will feel the steepness and the altitude on the way up from the lowest view point. If you go down there, take it easy coming back. <BR>

Hey, I'm from SC and laughed when I saw your travel plans--We're planning the same trip! Have you already got for res. for Old Faithful Inn? They told me yesterday that they are completely booked for the entire week of our travel next june! i was SHOCKED! Hope you had better luck. Have you heard anything about Jackson Lake Lodge?Have a great trip and please e-mail me if you have any tips. We've never been out West before and I'm incharge of this vacation--LOTS of PRESSURE!!!