Seeking advice on Yellowstone itinerary
Feb 28th, 2006, 05:38 AM
#21
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Hi! Did Grand Tetons and Yellowstone in a 6 day weekend trip in September a couple of years back and it was amazing. We stayed a night in Jackson Hole. A night in Colter Bay Cabins in the Tetons, and 3 nights in Yellowstone (Old Faithful Inn).
Seriously do not overlook Grand Tetons. I agree, the Jenny Lake/Inspiration point hike is fantastic. You can either hike around the lake (4 miles, I think) to get to the trailhead of inspiration falls or take a boat across. We stayed in Jackson Hole. A lovely little town. Had gone to a rafting trip during the day and since it was close to the end of the season, the rapids were not as scary but really fun. Went to dinner at Snake River grill that evening. Great food. Discovered J pinot noir there! Also, try and "get lost" on some of the long quiet highways. We did that and was awarded by happening on a herd of buffalos by the hwy to watch at a comfortable distance (about 200 ft!!!)
3 nights in Yellowstone wasn't enough. I wish I had planned it better and did one night in Old Faithful (must see. It's a beautiful structure and a short walk from it's namesake), 1 night in the middle area, and 1 night by Mammoth (sp?) Springs. The one thing you have to realize with Yellowstone is that it is so much bigger than it looks like on the map. The driving alone from one area to the next will take alot of your time and we never made it to the Lamar Valley where there is a better chance to see the wolves that has been released in Yellowstone. Neither did we have time to drive the beartooth hwy where it is said you seem to be driving through the clouds!
So we drove from SLC through Idaho also (which, at that time of the year is a beautiful drive with fields of yellow and hay stacks on either side of you on the frwy)going through the bottom through GTT then to Yellowstone. We got up at 4ish on our last day from Old Faithful and did the 5 hours or so through West Yellowstone back down to SLC (since it was fast hwy drive) for our 1-ish flight.
That trip was incredible. I didn't think we would see as many animals as we did. Severeal herds of buffalos then elk and moose and a couple of brown bears, one with a cub.
Yellowstone is gorgeous and seeing your post, I convinced my better half of going back and we'll try for April for his birthday to see the area in a different season.
Seriously do not overlook Grand Tetons. I agree, the Jenny Lake/Inspiration point hike is fantastic. You can either hike around the lake (4 miles, I think) to get to the trailhead of inspiration falls or take a boat across. We stayed in Jackson Hole. A lovely little town. Had gone to a rafting trip during the day and since it was close to the end of the season, the rapids were not as scary but really fun. Went to dinner at Snake River grill that evening. Great food. Discovered J pinot noir there! Also, try and "get lost" on some of the long quiet highways. We did that and was awarded by happening on a herd of buffalos by the hwy to watch at a comfortable distance (about 200 ft!!!)
3 nights in Yellowstone wasn't enough. I wish I had planned it better and did one night in Old Faithful (must see. It's a beautiful structure and a short walk from it's namesake), 1 night in the middle area, and 1 night by Mammoth (sp?) Springs. The one thing you have to realize with Yellowstone is that it is so much bigger than it looks like on the map. The driving alone from one area to the next will take alot of your time and we never made it to the Lamar Valley where there is a better chance to see the wolves that has been released in Yellowstone. Neither did we have time to drive the beartooth hwy where it is said you seem to be driving through the clouds!
So we drove from SLC through Idaho also (which, at that time of the year is a beautiful drive with fields of yellow and hay stacks on either side of you on the frwy)going through the bottom through GTT then to Yellowstone. We got up at 4ish on our last day from Old Faithful and did the 5 hours or so through West Yellowstone back down to SLC (since it was fast hwy drive) for our 1-ish flight.
That trip was incredible. I didn't think we would see as many animals as we did. Severeal herds of buffalos then elk and moose and a couple of brown bears, one with a cub.
Yellowstone is gorgeous and seeing your post, I convinced my better half of going back and we'll try for April for his birthday to see the area in a different season.
Feb 28th, 2006, 10:48 AM
#22
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sharondi,
I think I just about have it done. We got our permits for the Wave, so that's a biggie. I found a B&B about 13 miles outside Page called Dreamkatchers. Had great reviews on trip advisor. I called and talked to the owner. It's out far enough there's little light pollution which he said makes sitting in the hot tub really nice with all the stars overhead.
Still need to decide whether to rent a 4X4 or car. But other than that I think I have most of it.
If you have any suggestions beyond what you've posted here on Fodor's I'd love to hear them.
I'll find my notes on Yellowstone and Grand Tetons before you leave so I can give you more info on the hikes we did. Best advice I can give you though is to get up and out before the sun comes up and stay out until after it sets. You'll see more wildlife around dawn and dusk and fewer people.
One morning we were the only people at Norris Basin and this was in late July. I found if you just get away from the overlooks and parking areas the crowd thins considerably. And in September you really should be able to get away from people easily.
I'm sure you'll have a great time. My dream trip is to go to Yellowstone during the winter.
FF
I think I just about have it done. We got our permits for the Wave, so that's a biggie. I found a B&B about 13 miles outside Page called Dreamkatchers. Had great reviews on trip advisor. I called and talked to the owner. It's out far enough there's little light pollution which he said makes sitting in the hot tub really nice with all the stars overhead.
Still need to decide whether to rent a 4X4 or car. But other than that I think I have most of it.
If you have any suggestions beyond what you've posted here on Fodor's I'd love to hear them.
I'll find my notes on Yellowstone and Grand Tetons before you leave so I can give you more info on the hikes we did. Best advice I can give you though is to get up and out before the sun comes up and stay out until after it sets. You'll see more wildlife around dawn and dusk and fewer people.
One morning we were the only people at Norris Basin and this was in late July. I found if you just get away from the overlooks and parking areas the crowd thins considerably. And in September you really should be able to get away from people easily.
I'm sure you'll have a great time. My dream trip is to go to Yellowstone during the winter.
FF
Feb 28th, 2006, 04:47 PM
#23
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Much thanks to you both. Maria - so glad to hear you're going back! And glad that we decided on 6 nights in the park. Just wondering if instead of 3 at OF and 3 at Canyon, we should do 2 at OF, 2 at Canyon, 2 at Mammoth. Probably doesn't really matter that much - any thoughts anyone?
Floridafran - I went back and read old posts about your upcoming trip to remember your itinerary. You're going to have an amazing trip! I'll be sure to send along info if I think of anything else. There are so many great backroads, it's worth it to us to have the option of 4WD. And we had to change our itinerary on our last 2 Utah trips because of weather (rain) and 4WD helps a lot. You are exactly right, Fran, about losing the crowds just getting away from the overlooks. We noticed that in most of the national parks. Thanks again for all the help.
Floridafran - I went back and read old posts about your upcoming trip to remember your itinerary. You're going to have an amazing trip! I'll be sure to send along info if I think of anything else. There are so many great backroads, it's worth it to us to have the option of 4WD. And we had to change our itinerary on our last 2 Utah trips because of weather (rain) and 4WD helps a lot. You are exactly right, Fran, about losing the crowds just getting away from the overlooks. We noticed that in most of the national parks. Thanks again for all the help.
Feb 28th, 2006, 05:51 PM
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sharondi,
We split our lodging between Mammouth and Canyon. But I think you should be okay with OF and Canyon. As long as all the roads are open and there is little or no construction you can get around fairly well. That is until you come upon a bison jam. But then you really don't care that you're stuck in traffic because they're so great to see in a herd.
Don't know if your trip coincides with a full moon but some of the geysers are supposed to be spectacular by moonlight.
FF
We split our lodging between Mammouth and Canyon. But I think you should be okay with OF and Canyon. As long as all the roads are open and there is little or no construction you can get around fairly well. That is until you come upon a bison jam. But then you really don't care that you're stuck in traffic because they're so great to see in a herd.
Don't know if your trip coincides with a full moon but some of the geysers are supposed to be spectacular by moonlight.
FF
Mar 1st, 2006, 02:51 PM
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We went on that GTT and Yellowstone trip on a full moon, our first full moon trip to the Ntl Prks, and trust me it is more spectacular. Imagine arriving after dusk at OF Inn and as you enter the area, there's these spindles of smoke coming out of the ground with the full moon as it's backdrop and all of a sudden a geyser, one of many close to the famous old faithful, errupts. We had to stop the car, get out and just stare in awe. It was so beautiful ...and coupled with the noises that moose makes, it was eerie to boot. Ever since then, I've tried to schedule trips to the national parks in a full moon. I've even travelled to just north of San Fran to do a moonlight kayak on the Gualala River then turn around and drive the next day to Yosemite and arriving at midnight with El Cap's steep wall illuminated by the light of the full moon. These are the times that I think all my hard crazy days working are worth it to be able to see such amazing beauty.
I guess what I'm saying is, if you can manage a full moon, do so.
Going back to your question on lodging, I like your idea of the sets of 2. It would cut your travelling time alot which would allow you to have more time to soak everything in.
I'm so jealous, I wish I was coming with you but soon enough. It's now March! ..and we've scheduled it to go during a full moon weekend (well, the end of since the actual full moon is on that Thursday).
Floridafran: You're right. I loved watching the herd of Bison. I imagine it can get tiring if you lived there and see it all the time but trust me, I didn't leave that easily!
I guess what I'm saying is, if you can manage a full moon, do so.
Going back to your question on lodging, I like your idea of the sets of 2. It would cut your travelling time alot which would allow you to have more time to soak everything in.
I'm so jealous, I wish I was coming with you but soon enough. It's now March! ..and we've scheduled it to go during a full moon weekend (well, the end of since the actual full moon is on that Thursday).
Floridafran: You're right. I loved watching the herd of Bison. I imagine it can get tiring if you lived there and see it all the time but trust me, I didn't leave that easily!
Mar 4th, 2006, 04:05 AM
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Sharondi--
Thought I'd weigh in here as you were helpful to me with our SW Utah trip in 2004 (I think!). Like you plan. When we did this trip, we flew in and out of Jackson and did 3 nites Jackson Lake Lodge (beautiful spot, fun diner restaurant, nice pool, rooms at ends had mini-fridge and great space), 2 at OF, 2 at Lake Yellowstone and 1 in Jackson. Jackson is worth seeing for a few hours but I wouldn't base there.
A crazy highlight of the trip for us (and I mean crazy--we still talk about it), was the Bar T 5 Chuckwagon dinner in Jackson. Covered wagons up to a barbecue with very kitschy but hysterical audience-involved entertainment.
You'll love this trip. Different than the Zion/Bryce thing but equally aweinspiring.
Thought I'd weigh in here as you were helpful to me with our SW Utah trip in 2004 (I think!). Like you plan. When we did this trip, we flew in and out of Jackson and did 3 nites Jackson Lake Lodge (beautiful spot, fun diner restaurant, nice pool, rooms at ends had mini-fridge and great space), 2 at OF, 2 at Lake Yellowstone and 1 in Jackson. Jackson is worth seeing for a few hours but I wouldn't base there.
A crazy highlight of the trip for us (and I mean crazy--we still talk about it), was the Bar T 5 Chuckwagon dinner in Jackson. Covered wagons up to a barbecue with very kitschy but hysterical audience-involved entertainment.
You'll love this trip. Different than the Zion/Bryce thing but equally aweinspiring.
