Yellowstone/Grand Tetons (Oct 2016)
May 13th, 2017, 09:35 AM
#21
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Just seeing this because I'm in the process of planning a Yellowstone/Teton trip for early Sept., so appreciate the info!
Roads with dropoffs weren't on my radar--this might be more of an adventure than I expected.
Roads with dropoffs weren't on my radar--this might be more of an adventure than I expected.
May 15th, 2017, 08:02 AM
#23
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I envy those planning a trip to the parks--I would love to go back!!
Thanks for topping the thread. Just realized I never finished.
Day 10: The last day when we returned to our cabins after breakfast the elk herd was out in full force. It s so difficult to keep the recommended distance when the animals are laying or standing everywhere. We kept rerouting ourselves, only to encounter more elk. As I turned one corner, my son stopped me to point out the bull elk headed on a collision course with me. Another reroute and then finally home.
We took off down the road to Norris Junction, which had finally opened up, although with some construction delays. We stopped at the Norris Basin, which has an eerie beauty. It was in one of these pools that a young man died the previous summer. A sad reminder of the awesome power of this place.
Our plan for the rest of the day was to show our younger son some of the highlights that he had missed on the earlier part of the trip. We were fortunate that, as the day warmed up, all roads opened up and it was clear sailing to Grand Teton and then Jackson Hole.
Thanks for topping the thread. Just realized I never finished.
Day 10: The last day when we returned to our cabins after breakfast the elk herd was out in full force. It s so difficult to keep the recommended distance when the animals are laying or standing everywhere. We kept rerouting ourselves, only to encounter more elk. As I turned one corner, my son stopped me to point out the bull elk headed on a collision course with me. Another reroute and then finally home.
We took off down the road to Norris Junction, which had finally opened up, although with some construction delays. We stopped at the Norris Basin, which has an eerie beauty. It was in one of these pools that a young man died the previous summer. A sad reminder of the awesome power of this place.
Our plan for the rest of the day was to show our younger son some of the highlights that he had missed on the earlier part of the trip. We were fortunate that, as the day warmed up, all roads opened up and it was clear sailing to Grand Teton and then Jackson Hole.
May 15th, 2017, 08:24 AM
#24
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Day 10 (Cont'd): Next stop was the Grand Prismatic Spring. It was a gloriously clear day and the boardwalk had defrosted (less treacherous!). There were busloads of tourists though and I was tempted to knock a few of those jamming things up with their selfies into the springs.
Hit Old Faithful in time for a very fine eruption then stopped for a coffee in the Inn. Continued on our way south, stopping for a photo at the Continental Divide. A relaxing lunch at Jackson Lake Lodge and then onto Oxbow Bend for some more pictures. Interesting to see how much further a long the leaves were after the cold snap and snow.
We had hoped to do a short hike and chose one of the trails near the southern end of the park. But parts were closed due to construction, so our walk was curtailed.
We checked into the Parkway Inn in Jackson--a nice homey place with large rooms and a fine breakfast. Our last night we dined at the Gun Barrel, which satisfied my meat lovers. DH and DS1 had the elk medallions, which were really delicious. A nice spot for celebrating the two October birthdays.
Day 11: Departure.
Hit Old Faithful in time for a very fine eruption then stopped for a coffee in the Inn. Continued on our way south, stopping for a photo at the Continental Divide. A relaxing lunch at Jackson Lake Lodge and then onto Oxbow Bend for some more pictures. Interesting to see how much further a long the leaves were after the cold snap and snow.
We had hoped to do a short hike and chose one of the trails near the southern end of the park. But parts were closed due to construction, so our walk was curtailed.
We checked into the Parkway Inn in Jackson--a nice homey place with large rooms and a fine breakfast. Our last night we dined at the Gun Barrel, which satisfied my meat lovers. DH and DS1 had the elk medallions, which were really delicious. A nice spot for celebrating the two October birthdays.
Day 11: Departure.
May 15th, 2017, 08:37 AM
#25
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Parting thoughts:
Whenever possible, I would choose to stay inside the national parks. We've enjoyed the tent cabins at Curry Village in Yosemite, the cabins on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and the lodging mentioned in this post. The lodging can be expensive and not always luxurious but the experience of having the park at hand is very special.
A tour guide or ranger led hike can really add to your enjoyment. We learned a lot about the geology and wildlife in the area through our guide.
Be prepared. Always amazing to me to see people hiking without water. Good shoes, hats, bear spray...you are not in your local county park.
Consider the weather. Late in the season, you avoid some of the crowds but you also are more likely to experience inclement weather. The snow did force us to reroute but it also brought a different beauty to the park.
The National Parks might be the best thing about the U.S. Those busloads of foreign tourists did add to the congestion, but I am glad they got to see the best we have to offer.
Whenever possible, I would choose to stay inside the national parks. We've enjoyed the tent cabins at Curry Village in Yosemite, the cabins on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and the lodging mentioned in this post. The lodging can be expensive and not always luxurious but the experience of having the park at hand is very special.
A tour guide or ranger led hike can really add to your enjoyment. We learned a lot about the geology and wildlife in the area through our guide.
Be prepared. Always amazing to me to see people hiking without water. Good shoes, hats, bear spray...you are not in your local county park.
Consider the weather. Late in the season, you avoid some of the crowds but you also are more likely to experience inclement weather. The snow did force us to reroute but it also brought a different beauty to the park.
The National Parks might be the best thing about the U.S. Those busloads of foreign tourists did add to the congestion, but I am glad they got to see the best we have to offer.
