CHOCOLATE_WATER_ICE

I am thinking of going to Yellowstone and Glacier.

If I go, I will fly into SLC.

Driving wise, which park to see first?

I am not a real hiker, more of a walker. Long walks are fine (1-3 hrs each way). I do not have wilderness training or knowledge. I don't want to be a treat for a bear.

Are good tennis shoes okay for easy trails at either park? I don't have or really want hiking boots (will get only if essential). If essential, any really comfy ones with no "break in" time?

Lime ticks a problem? I will take head covering, anyway. I like to wear long pants & sleeves (hate that greasy SPF lotion).

Is an electric cooler (travel type w/ indoor & vehicle adaptor) a good idea?

The rooms at YNP & Glacier don't have refrigerators (I always try to get rooms with them for drinks & cold snacks). The food at YNP does not get rave reviews. I might want some bologna & cheese sandwiches?


I have done a search here on lodging (lots of good info).

Any other advice is welcome.

Thanks, for any help.

sharondi

This past Sept, we drove from SLC to Jackson for one night, then did a leisurely drive thru the Tetons the next day to the south entrance of YNP. Spent 2 nights each in Old Faithful, Mammoth and Canyon.
We typically do a good deal of hiking but in YNP, we did lots of short walks on the boardwalks through the amazing thermal features and lots of driving and wildlife spotting. Sneakers are fine if you stick to the boardwalk trails. In Glacier though, I'd wear boots. We always bring a large soft-sided cooler (mostly for drinks); we just buy ice.
The food varied greatly in YNP; Canyon was pretty blah, but Lake was really good, as was Mammoth. Old Faithful was okay. It was all edible though and by far the equivalent of a bologna & cheese (yuck!).
We loved Signal Mtn Lodge in the Tetons and the food at the onsite restaurant was excellent!
The parks are so incredible that the lodging and food are really secondary to the abundant wildlife, unique thermal features and scenic beauty. You'll be blown away.

RedRock

Yellowstone is the closest Park so why not start there. Exit the NE entrance and drive the BearTooth Highway and then on to Glacier. In YS there a plenty of walks that would be fine for tennis shoes. Not as much so in Glacier but you will be ok with them there ... Ticks will not be a problem, nor will the bears, consider yourself lucky to see a couple. I doubt you will be in a true Wilderness area of either park unless you are a serious hiker or head off in to the back country........ Ditch the portable electric cooler, it will run the battery in your car down, use block ice in a regular cooler it will last longer no matter where you are... That is what we do.. We also prefer bologna & cheese sandwiches to most of the food offered inside the park, besides it more convenient....... You did not say when you planned on making your trip but if this season it may be difficult to get a place to stay inside the Parks. They book early and unless you catch a cancellation you may have to stay elsewhere.

rm_mn

Both of the parks you named are at higher altitude and Glacier is higher latitude also. The time of year you are going will tell you which to see first as Yellowstone's roads will be open before the Going to the Sun road in Glacier. Before making too many plans, check when the various roads will be open. I've see the Beartooth Highway be closed until mid-June due to the snow depth and the Going to the Sun road may close for short periods due to snow in what in most area is mid-summer.

justme22

Glacier has a lot more rugged hiking but that doesn't mean it doesn't have pleasant walks, or not too difficult walks as well. you can do lots of short hikes (just go as far as you want and turn around...) in the logan pass area, lake mcdonald and many glacier. you dont' have to do any of the "killer" hikes to get great scenary.

the trip between parks will take all day driving but you can do it. i would head to east glacier or st. mary st. mary is where going to the sun road starts on the east side and it is best access to many glacier area without staying in many glacier.

the amazing thing about glacier is, that you see these mountains in the distance and the surrounding areas is rather barren, and bamm you are in the park and things are just spectacular.

look for other threads on glacier and yellowstone to get more information

CHOCOLATE_WATER_ICE

Thanks for the good advice.

I am really looking forward to seeing the parks.

I am planning a fall trip.

I will be ordering info from the parks.

Are there any great hiking books with details of the hikes (easy & maybe a little harder)?

Thanks, again.

RedRock

"I am planning a fall trip."

~~

Don't make it too late in the season, the winter snows can come early in the Northern Rocky Mountains. Things in Yellowstone start to close after Labor Day and services can be limited.

justme22

that's right esp. glacier, lots closes after labor day. you just never know about the weather. but it didn't stop me from getting anywhere i wanted, i just had limits on where i could stay. in the fall the elk are something else and so i say it shouldn't be missed. you just have to keep on top of services and road conditions. color is on its way out the first week of october....