To Yellowstone and Gr. Teton from SLC-please help plan!
 

Hi All,
It is that time again - I need help! We are planning a trip for May 2005 (pre-kid/family crowds) to Yell. & GT out of Salt Lake for about 7-10 days. Thinking about flying into SLC -

1. don't know if we should visit SLC at start or end of trip? Leaning toward end of trip. Maybe we'll fly into SLC, drive to Yell. and S. to GT and end in SLC, then home.

2. Best/most scenic route to Yell and GT - from/to SLC is requested

3. Best place to stay in SLC, GT and Yell.?

4. Should we stay in 2 different areas/places at Yell.? Old Faithful Inn - yay or nay?

6. Other must sees on the way?
Jackson, etc..

We are in our 30s, no kids yet, love hiking, nice places to stay, sunrises, sunsets, cold beers after a long day hiking and some delicious, fresh food. We love authentic/local, not touristy.
This summer, thanks to Utahtea and MANY others, we had a FABULOUS and authentic time in Zion, Bryce and Cap Reef. I am trying to replicate that here....maybe fit in some first-timer fly fishing for hubby. He has been wanting to do it!

Let me know! Thank you!

topping
thanks

utahtea - any thoughts on this? you are always full of the best advice. would love to find another "desert pearl" like experience, if possible!

We just got back from Yellowstone and Grand Teton in early August and had a great time.
We flu to Idaho Falls and drove to Yellowstone (west entrance) and stayed at Old Faith Snow Lodge. It is right across the street from the Old Faithful Inn. We like the lodge a lot better simply because it was built in 1999 (a lot newer) and just nicer in many ways. We went to Grand Teton and stayed in Jackson Hole area (outside of Grand Teton National Park). For us, the best part of the Teton park is around Jenny Lake, which is only about 20-30 mimute drive from Jackson Hole. There aren't many lodging and dining choices in Grand Teton so we find it much easier to stay in Jackson Hole (We stayed at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole in Grand Teton Village).

We did your option number one and were happy with that. The lodging in the national parks is a bit rustic so we wanted to end our trip at a nice hotel with all the amenities. At that time the Little America Hotel was very nice.

I believe that we drove up 89 to the parks. I'm no good at remembering route numbers, but I do know that we went through Afton. We enjoyed stopping at one the trout farms and also the overlooks to watch the river rafters. The scenery along the way was okay, but nothing compared to the parks. We drove back to SLC via Idaho--long, flat and boring!

I highly recommend Signal Mountain Lodge in the Tetons; rustic log cabins in an incredibly beautiful setting on Jackson Lake. When you first enter Teton National Park, immediately start looking for the Episcopal chapel--the view from the altar breath taking. I also recommend taking the launch across Jenny Lake and hiking to the top of Inspiration Point. IMHO, we've been to many places in this country and abroad and nothing can beat the Tetons for scenery.

We stayed at the Yellowstone Lodge. It was a good location for us in the center of the "figure eight". We did a quarter of the loop every day. I found the Old Faithful Lodge very congested and I don't think we would have enjoyed staying there. However, you will beat the tourist season by visiting in May so it could be a good option. The hiking trails seem endless. The major ones not to miss are the ones to the upper and lower falls.

Jackson is quite a contrast to the parks. It's very commercial and expensive. We only stayed two days and that was plenty.

We did this trip five years ago and it is still one of my favorite vacations.

Jayne,
Thank you for this very useful info!
Zacky

Hi Zacky,

We also did this trip in July 2004, and thanks to good advice we received here, had a great time. Our interests and ideas sound similiar, especially after reading about some of your other trips eg: Utah and Switzerland. So I'll make a few comments.

We had planned to stay in SLC, but thanks to Dayle, chose to spend the first three nights in Park City. We were very pleased with that choice as it gave us a chance to aclimate to the altitude, plus we did some lovely hikes.

Took 80 to 89. We've traveled alot, and seen lots of different scenery, but being from NJ, we found the trip to be interesting (not "Oh my gosh!" outstanding) but just "different" from what we see the rest of the year. You MUST stop at the cheese factory in Thayne for the thickest shake you'll ever have.

We had a full two weeks for our trip, so stayed two places in GT and two in Yellowstone. With less time, I'd suggest one place in each park, especially if you want to hike. Although accomendations within the parks aren't luxurious, the scenery and being right there, are much more important IMO. You also don't waste time driving, if you want to be hiking.

As others have said, Signal Mt is nice, but rustic. Had good meals there at the better restaurant. I don't know if this has happened to others, but not to me before. We filled in lots of comment cards as we traveled through the parks, and just yesterday, I received a thankyou note from Signal Mt for giving them comments.

We stayed 4 nights at Old Faithful Inn, and thought it was an excellent location. Stay in the new wings which have baths ensuite rather than shared. Since we hiked during the day, we weren't bothered by the crowds that congregate when OF erupts. The location however was superb for moonlight walks through the geyser basin and also getting out very early in the morning.

We would give Jackson a BIG NAY. Only drove through it twice, and it was very crowded. To some people, the shopping, restaurants and better hotels may be more important, but we thought sipping wine on our own porch gazing at Mt Moran or having early morning coffe on the deck at OFI entranced by the steam of a "thousand" thermal features was much more impressive.

If you're interested in much more detailed (lengthy) info, let me know how to contact you. You'll have a great trip!

Hi - we just got back from a trip to Yellowstone and GT. Fantastic. Like you, we love to hike and did several while there. Lots and lots of wildlife. One thing - my daughter went in early June and had a blizzard. Be prepared. We stayed at the Snow Lodge - OK place but not a favorite. Then cabins at Mammoth - don't do this - they are old and worn and thin walls! Then cabins at Canyon - these were really nice. Bright, clean and big with a woods view out the back. More facilities there, too. Our favoite was Signal Mt. Lodge in GT at one of their lake front retreats. It had a living room, kitchen and big bedroom and a balcony overlooking Jackson Lake and the Tetons. Thought the food there was very good, too.

Hikes: In Yellowstone - Bunson Peak on the way up to Mammoth was excellent if you like elevation hikes. Fun hike with great views. Beaver Pond Loop near Mammoth also great. Mt. Washburn had wonderful views but was more boring as you walk up a road. Be sure to go to Canyon. Fabulous. We loved doing the South Rim Trail combined with a loop to Clear Lake. Just ask in the Visitors Center. Storm point at Lake. Not hard but very scenic. And lastly, hike up to inspiration point at Jenny Lake and then continue up Cascade Canyon as far as you like. Some of these took energy but not so long that you didn't have time to do other things with your day.

Go to Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley to view wildlife - you will see plenty at that time of year.

I loved the parks so much that I wouldn't spend any time in Salt Lake City other than to sleep, but that's just me.

Have a great trip and hope this isn't more info than you wanted! Sue

We stayed in Jackson for two nights and loved it. While it is touristy, after touring the national parks for a week, it was a nice change of pace. But as someone else said, two nights were enough. Easy to get to the Tetons from there and more economical for us. And BTW, three full days in the Tetons were just enough, to hike, take the boat ride on Jenny Lake, the climb to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Lake is very cool.

Had dinner at the Million Dollar Cowboy Saloon & Steakhouse where you can "belly up to the bar" sitting on a saddle! Also fun Cowboy Gift Store.

We spent four days in Yellowstone and saw and did everything. Also stayed at Old Faithful Lodge in a room with three beds and sink, but used the common bathroom just a few steps away. Next time would stay in Snow Lodge. IMO all the cabins everywhere looked deplorable. I don't need the Ritz but I'm not into roughing it on vacation. JMHO.

Have a great trip.

We love the cabins at Jenny Lake Lodge. We have stayed there a couple of times over the last several years. Dinner is quite enjoyable in the lodge and the food is very good.

Oops, I meant Inspiration"Point", not Lake.

wow! you all rock! thank you for this terrific info. clousie - the shake sounds fantastic! now - let's slow down a bit so i can take this all in. i am using a map, so bear with me

based on your wonderful advice, i am leaning toward the following -
fly into salt lake
-then drive to yellowstone for 3-4 nights (is this enough to see highlights?) - stay at OFI ( I know, old, busy, etc. but we will only be there in early AM and late PM, post hikes, etc - and we want to be near the geysers. we are in Yell. after all; i loved staying at el tovar to see everything late and early. when we were there, we saw a meteor that lit up the entire canyon at 10pm and in the early AM, i saw 12 deer outside the tovar door as i left to catch the sunrise)
- then drive to grand tetons for 2-3 nts. - stay at mt. signal lodge or 4 seasons GT Village
- then drive to Jackson, WY - spend a night, check it out
-struggling with this part-
1. checking out cody, jackson hole, jackson,etc. instead of SLC?
2. hubby and i like to kick back, drink beer, soak in the pool/hottub after hiking all day, live music, eat great food, have a bottle of wine now and then. we like to break up our trips (i.e., Paris and Alsace countryside; Vegas/Bryce/Zion to hike)
In order to do this - what is best option/itinerary if you had 7-9 nts.?
hubby does NOT like to rough it while sleeping. :)the nicer, the better.

There are several routes to take from SLC to Jackson-Yellowstone.
1) Exit airport North on I-15, Exit I-15 to I-84 Eastbound. Exit I-84 at Mountain Green up and over "Trappers Loop" to Huntsville. Turn right and take US39 up an over Monte Cristo area to Woodruff. Left at Woodruff to Sage Junction. Left at Sage Junction to Afton/Star Valley/Alpine. Right at Alpine up the Grand Canyon of the Snake River to the Holback Junction. Left at Holback Junction 14 miles to Jackson.
That to me is the most scenic route.
Another alternate I-15 North past Tremonton(don't miss the turn off at Tremonton to contniue on I-15) north past Malad, Idaho and exit thru Lava Hot Springs and Soda Springs. Soda Springs to Star Valley over the Tincup Pass. Left at US89 to Alpine and up the Grand Canyon of the Snake River to Holback Junction and left to Jackson.
3)I-15 North to Brigham City/Logan and up Logan Canyon to Bear Lake.Left thru Montpieler.
4)I-15 North to Idaho Falls to Swan Valley. Left at Swan Valley to Driggs and up an over the Teton Pass into Wilson and Jackson Hole.
All are quite scenic drives. I prefer the first one. Other may or may not agree.
May nice hotels of all price ranges in SLC. While in SLC you may want to consider taking time to visit Park City, Sundance, and/the surrounding ski areas. All quite scenic.
Old Faithful Lodge is one of the Grand Ole Lodges. Very rustic and nastalgic,but nice and modern in ain't. However, they just built some new accomodations a few years ago, that are probably not bad.
Hope this helps.

Topping for plumeria

zacky, I did Firstmate's Route #4 from Jackson, Wy to Idaho Falls (Leaving Yellowstone/ Grand Teton)this early September. This is a scenic route. I went into Yellowstone through the Bear Tooth Highway from Red Lodge, Mt. This is a very scenic highway and a lot of pictures taken opportunity.

I stayed in LaQuita Inn near the SLC airport. I paid $59 a night. I was off to Yellowstone the next morning. We visited Temple Square at the end of our trip. We went up to the 26th fl observation deck of the Church Office Building. We had an amazing view of Salt Lake City.

The weather may be a factor in Yellowstone in May. It can still snow in this area in May. The average high temperature is 58 and the average low temperature is 29. So it can be cold early in the morning and at night.

The Bear Tooth Highway and some other roads in Yellowstone may or may not be open in May due to Snow from the Winter. There is Road Construction on some roads in the Park. Make sure you check the National Park Website before you go and plan accordingly. If you can move the trip to Mid June, I think the weather will be better.

Have a great trip!