USA and Canada Rockies
Apr 22nd, 1998 | 11:51 AM
#1
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USA and Canada Rockies
We are a group of 4 spanish people that are planning a 3 weeks car tour through USA and Canada Rockies during next July. We are planning to start in Yellowstone-Teton N.P. and to finish in Jasper N.P. So I would appreciate very much suggestions on the most scenic drives, beautiful places, etc. (specially through Montana or Idaho). Any suggestion on what is the best city (with airport) near Yellowstone or Teton for starting the tour?
Apr 26th, 1998 | 01:24 AM
#2
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If you want to start your tour in the Yellowstone vicinity, youīll probably want to fly to Denver, Cheyenne or Salt Lake City. Itīs quite a drive from either city to the park so consider a connection flight to Jackson, WY just south of Grand Teton NP. Jackson is a good place to stay to discover the Grand Teton NP area. Move north to Gardiner / MT, West Yellowstone / MT or the lodges within Yellowstone NP to visit this huge park since itīs a long drive from Jackson to Yellowstone - not to mention the size of the park itself. Be sure to spend several days in Yellowstone NP - the 8-shaped loop road makes it fairly easy to cover the mayor attractions of the park.
From Yellowstone you shouldnīt drive into Idaho since the southeastern part of the state isnīt worth seeing it you donīt have so much timne so spend (my opinion). Instead drive through the mountains of western Montana all the way up to Waterton Lakes and Glacier NPs.
From Yellowstone you shouldnīt drive into Idaho since the southeastern part of the state isnīt worth seeing it you donīt have so much timne so spend (my opinion). Instead drive through the mountains of western Montana all the way up to Waterton Lakes and Glacier NPs.
Apr 26th, 1998 | 07:17 AM
#3
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Hi. If you want a very nice drive close to Yellowstone, take the road out of the northeast entrance over to Red Lodge Montana -- the Beartooth Highway. It is spectacular. I have driven it both ways and recommend it to all. It is not open when the snow comes, however. In the summer, you should have no problems.
Depending on how far up you are driving into Canada, you will find the drive from Lake Louise to Jasper awesome. But that is a long drive from Yellowstone.
That is a lot area to cover.
I love Yellowstone and if, like me, you fall in love with it, you can consume days wandering among the geysers and canyons. You cannot see the best parts from a car. Get out and walk the trails.
Depending on how far up you are driving into Canada, you will find the drive from Lake Louise to Jasper awesome. But that is a long drive from Yellowstone.
That is a lot area to cover.
I love Yellowstone and if, like me, you fall in love with it, you can consume days wandering among the geysers and canyons. You cannot see the best parts from a car. Get out and walk the trails.
Apr 26th, 1998 | 03:54 PM
#4
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I did the drive from Yellowstone to Calgary,it's a good two day drive. Jackson is nice and allow two full days doing Yellowstone itself. I'm from Canada and funny enough the trip from Jasper back to Banff is the most beautiful in the world. In the Lake Louise area don't miss Moraine Lake. In Jasper the drive up to Maligne Lake is worth it. Take the boat to Spirit Island. Of course for the highlight of your life take the Maligne River white water raft trip. There are several companies but the safest and most fun is Whitewater Rafting (Jasper) Ltd. They were the first and give a great run on the Maligne River. Reservations in Canada call 1-800-557-raft
or 403-852-raft. Becker Bungalows are nice (apprx 9 km from town as you approach from Banff). Take the quick drive up to Pyramid Lake (road leaves from townsite). Stop to read about the ice ship they built, the little lake just before Pyramid. If you like hot springs there is Miette about an hour east of Jasper. On your drive up to Jasper a good place to stop for a quick bite is Saskatchewan Crossing. At the ice-fields there are lots of washrooms in the new visitor centre. Also don't miss Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls as you get closer to Jasper. Depending on your route from Yellowstone also try to stop at Waterton Lake just on the U.S. border. Good place to stay in Waterton is Kilmorey Lodge.
or 403-852-raft. Becker Bungalows are nice (apprx 9 km from town as you approach from Banff). Take the quick drive up to Pyramid Lake (road leaves from townsite). Stop to read about the ice ship they built, the little lake just before Pyramid. If you like hot springs there is Miette about an hour east of Jasper. On your drive up to Jasper a good place to stop for a quick bite is Saskatchewan Crossing. At the ice-fields there are lots of washrooms in the new visitor centre. Also don't miss Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls as you get closer to Jasper. Depending on your route from Yellowstone also try to stop at Waterton Lake just on the U.S. border. Good place to stay in Waterton is Kilmorey Lodge.
May 17th, 1998 | 07:00 PM
#5
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I live in Michigan but have travel extensively in the west, especially in Wyoming. In my opinion, the best place to fly into is Salt Lake City, Utah. The city is easy to naviagate, car rental is reasonable
(you can rent a four-wheel drive car, which I recommend because 1). Extra baggage rack on top of roof 2). More people room 3). If necessary you can really load up the back with luggage and 4) you can see more countryside from a higher vantage point.
Anyway, if you fly into Salt Lake, head southeast to Vernal, Utah, then north and west up the western side of the Flaming Gorge. If you are careful, you can see wild horses in this area - also pronghorn antelope and mule deer. When you reach the Green River/Rock Springs area, continue to head north toward Yellowstone. The best kept secret about Wyoming (in my opinion) is a hot spring pool south of the Jackson Hole area. About 20 miles s/e of Jackson Hole is a town called Bondurant. There is a river that crosses under the road, it might be one of the branches of the Hoback River, it might be called the Granite Creek - I can't remember. Just to the north of it is a gravel road with a sign "Campground - #? Miles". If you go back this gravel road heading east, you will be in the Gros Ventura Valley. It is a beautiful setting, a wide valley with tall mountains all around, a beaver creek running through it, and best of all - at the end of it is a very secluded, very private hot springs swimming pool. There is a slight charge to go in it but well worth the trip. It is aproximately 20 by 30 feet, about 10-12 feet deep at one end. It is where a hot spring mixes with a cold mountain stream. The temperature is between 95 and 104 degrees F. It is wonderful.
Be sure to go to Yellowstone. It is totally different from anything you can imagine. It is full of wildlife, moose, elk, buffalo, bear and very scenic. Not at all commercial.
After Yellowstone, head east to Cody. This is also very scenic, but in a different way. You travel along the bottom of a valley with majestic cliffs on both sides. The road travels next to a river all the way to Cody.
The road to Sheridan is nice but I prefer the southern route to Buffalo. It goes through the BIG HORN Mountains. If you are observant, you may see Big Horn Sheep in the area. They are brownish/grey and may blend with the rock, but they are definately in the area.
My last don't miss tip is to go to THERMOPOLIS. This is in central Wyoming. The towm is built on a hot spring bed and around town you will see mineral deposit cones. Some of them are 10-12 feet high. If you go back into the state park, you may well see buffalo. This area was important to the Indians as they considered the waters in the area to be holy and came here to be cured of their ills. When it became obvious to one of the Indian chiefs that it was going to be driven out of the area, he wisely agreed to cede the entire territory if the waters would "remain open to all men for all time." The entire area of the hot springs is now a state park and you can go swimming in these spring pools. There is no charge, but you can rent towels and swimming suits if you wish. I don't know if they truly are healing waters or not, I can only say that when I got out, I felt wonderful. Totally relaxed but not wiped out.
I envy you your trip. I hope you have a wonderful time. Any feedback or requests for details are welcomed.
K.
(you can rent a four-wheel drive car, which I recommend because 1). Extra baggage rack on top of roof 2). More people room 3). If necessary you can really load up the back with luggage and 4) you can see more countryside from a higher vantage point.
Anyway, if you fly into Salt Lake, head southeast to Vernal, Utah, then north and west up the western side of the Flaming Gorge. If you are careful, you can see wild horses in this area - also pronghorn antelope and mule deer. When you reach the Green River/Rock Springs area, continue to head north toward Yellowstone. The best kept secret about Wyoming (in my opinion) is a hot spring pool south of the Jackson Hole area. About 20 miles s/e of Jackson Hole is a town called Bondurant. There is a river that crosses under the road, it might be one of the branches of the Hoback River, it might be called the Granite Creek - I can't remember. Just to the north of it is a gravel road with a sign "Campground - #? Miles". If you go back this gravel road heading east, you will be in the Gros Ventura Valley. It is a beautiful setting, a wide valley with tall mountains all around, a beaver creek running through it, and best of all - at the end of it is a very secluded, very private hot springs swimming pool. There is a slight charge to go in it but well worth the trip. It is aproximately 20 by 30 feet, about 10-12 feet deep at one end. It is where a hot spring mixes with a cold mountain stream. The temperature is between 95 and 104 degrees F. It is wonderful.
Be sure to go to Yellowstone. It is totally different from anything you can imagine. It is full of wildlife, moose, elk, buffalo, bear and very scenic. Not at all commercial.
After Yellowstone, head east to Cody. This is also very scenic, but in a different way. You travel along the bottom of a valley with majestic cliffs on both sides. The road travels next to a river all the way to Cody.
The road to Sheridan is nice but I prefer the southern route to Buffalo. It goes through the BIG HORN Mountains. If you are observant, you may see Big Horn Sheep in the area. They are brownish/grey and may blend with the rock, but they are definately in the area.
My last don't miss tip is to go to THERMOPOLIS. This is in central Wyoming. The towm is built on a hot spring bed and around town you will see mineral deposit cones. Some of them are 10-12 feet high. If you go back into the state park, you may well see buffalo. This area was important to the Indians as they considered the waters in the area to be holy and came here to be cured of their ills. When it became obvious to one of the Indian chiefs that it was going to be driven out of the area, he wisely agreed to cede the entire territory if the waters would "remain open to all men for all time." The entire area of the hot springs is now a state park and you can go swimming in these spring pools. There is no charge, but you can rent towels and swimming suits if you wish. I don't know if they truly are healing waters or not, I can only say that when I got out, I felt wonderful. Totally relaxed but not wiped out.
I envy you your trip. I hope you have a wonderful time. Any feedback or requests for details are welcomed.
K.
