JoBear Loc: Pacific Northwest

Going to this beautiful part of the country in about 2 weeks for 7-9 days or so. Been about 10 years since there and wondering if anyone has any suggestions on other "sights" in the region? Don't mind driving a bit out of the way and am very flexible.

I will do the obvious for sure - wildlife, landscapes, nature etc. Just looking for any other areas "I have to see and experience".
Any good sunrise spots you would recommend? Sunsets?
Thanks, John

Kuzano

Check all the entry points for Yellowstone.... NOW would be good.

Three times in the past few years, I have visited Yellowstone with two of those times finding at least one entrance/exit I wanted to use closed for some sort of highway or bridge repair. You can't believe how long it takes to use the highways around the outside of Yellowstone to get from one side of the park to another side of the park.

I lost over half a day on one such go back and around. In that case, I had to backtrack about 50 miles before going around since the posted close was fairly close to the park entrance.

Can't speak to the same potential problems at the Tetons.

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

Try this recent discussion.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-299431-1.html

JoBear Loc: Pacific Northwest

Thanks!
J

JoBear Loc: Pacific Northwest

Thanks, will keep in mind!
John

JoBear Loc: Pacific Northwest

Good info, thanks again.
J

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

Not possible to over emphasize thiscomment. My brothr an I nt earlu last year and the

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

There are two projected road closures this year,both with delays up to 30 minutes. One between W Thumb and Old faithful and the other between Norris and Mammoth Springs.

www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

I'll try this again. YNP is big--very big. Traffic is slow, with speed limits of 45 mph tops and as low as 25 mph in lots of places. There is considerable traffic, wildlife on the road and visitors--photographers!!--stopped by the side of the road to view/photograph the wildlife and other sites. We stayed at the Yellowstone Lake Hotel when we were there at the end of May last year, and found the road between Canyon and Tower Junction was still under 10+ feet of snow, so the road was closed. There was work ongoing on the road between Canyon and Norris, so there were delays. Getting to the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley took about two hours, if I remember correctly. In short, even when we had the best of conditions, it took a lot longer than we imagined to get from point A to point B. I'd go again in an absolute heartbeat, but I'll be better prepared for the transit time.

West Thumb Basin, Lake Yellowstone and Fishing Bridge were great for sunrise shots.

You'll love it and with patience, have a wonderful time.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I went about a year ago, and my main interest was the thermal areas. Fortunately, the tour I was on concentrated on them. It was a lot better than seeing them on TV.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

We spent 16 days there last May into June 12. Really ahead of the crowds,but still plenty of people. Tons of animals,including bear and babies. Hayden Valley was light on wildlife,but I would never predict what and where you would see the most. We're going back for 12 more days in later September into October 7. Fewer people and fewer animals than spring,but the personality of the park changes. Made a visit in September of 2012. I book in-park lodging the end of May for the following year.

We spend many hours preparing for Yellowstone trips. You-tube offers a lot as well as many other sites. The best single source we have found is "YELLOWSTONE EXPEDITION GUIDE" by Travelbrains,but we have probably a dozen or more books. It,as well as many other books offers many hikes from little to large and great maps and wildlife information. TRIP ADVISOR also offers some decent reviews,but there is also a lot of whining about the cost and quality of food and lodging.

Some stay outside the park entrances. One of the more viable would most likely be Gardiner or W Yellowstone. It depends on where you want to concentrate your efforts. The mileage is misleading,as someone pointed out,so to stay south or east of the park can eat up a lot of time. We've stayed in most areas with the exception of Grant,which is a little too removed for our desired areas of exploration. Look at XANTERRA.Com to see descriptions and pricing.

The long and short of it that regardless of how long you want to stay,do some research and the book I recommend is even sold in the park stores and we still refer to it. I would get it on Amazon a few months before the trip. If you're going to spend a few days and don't care to research,the "Loop" road will not disappoint.

You may opt to spend some lodging time at Grant to facilitate the Teton area,depends on your agenda! Enjoy!!

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I just noticed that you're trip is in a couple weeks,so much for my reading comprehension!

Most of Yellowstone is closed until well into May. The only road you'll have open is in thru the north entrance and out to Cooke City. Return via the same route. I don't think you will want to run the western boarder of the park up to Bozeman,pretty as it is.

Check www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm and you'll see conditions.

BullMoose Loc: Southwest Michigan

I see several replies have mentioned the probable closer of roads and gates this time of year. I visited the Tetons and Yellowstone about three years ago the last week of May and first week of June.

Some snow still in the Jackson / Tetons area with some roads and gates closed, but lots of picture possibilities. Yellowstone was the problem---once we got there, snow closed ALL gates in-and-out for two days. We stayed at the lodge, but couldn't do much else. Finally got out the North Entrance and around to Cody, Wy, but all other gates were closed with snow and avalanche chances.

If you're going anytime before that, make sure you're prepared for any weather condition.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Last year the roads opened up as scheduled in late May because of the donations from business that paid for state plows to aid. Remember, the Federal cutbacks also affected the park budgets last year. At any rate,the projections are available..

JoBear Loc: Pacific Northwest

Thank you Dave!