Grand Tetons in May? Curious if May is a good time for the Tetons and Yellowstone to get shots of snow on the mountains, roads open etc. Thought about flying into Salt Lake. This is...

Bud S Loc: Logan Ohio

Curious if May is a good time for the Tetons and Yellowstone to get shots of snow on the mountains, roads open etc. Thought about flying into Salt Lake. This is early thinking for a trip, nothing set in stone. Thanks

Talyhoe

Hello I have been over at the grand Tetons in a semi, it was absolutely beautiful; it was early spring, right around May, although that year there wasn't much snow when I got to the top of the day Don's as you look north you can literally see almost to Western quarter I believe it was Montana. With a fairly large ones that would serve for some very very good pictures. I have not been through Yellowstone and many many years as trucks are not allowed through Yellowstone while I was still driving, but in a car I can tell you it will be absolutely glorious .

Quixdraw Loc: x

Some years ago, end of May drove over Beartooth Pass into Yellowstone. Quite a scary trip. Snow, whiteout, etc. Fabulous scenery! Lucky I had plenty of gas, food, etc. Everything was closed. The park was great once I got there. Lots of animals few tourists. If I did it again, I would have a 4wd or Awd in addition to supplies just in case.

Bud S Loc: Logan Ohio

quixdraw wrote:

Some years ago, end of May drove over Beartooth Pass into Yellowstone. Quite a scary trip. Snow, whiteout, etc. Fabulous scenery! Lucky I had plenty of gas, food, etc. Everything was closed. The park was great once I got there. Lots of animals few tourists. If I did it again, I would have a 4wd or Awd in addition to supplies just in case.

I'll need to check when everything is open, and I'm sure it can vary year to year. I just wouldn't want to miss snowy peaks. thanks

Bud S Loc: Logan Ohio

Talyhoe wrote:

Hello I have been over at the grand Tetons in a se... (show quote)

thanks for the input!

Kuzano

Bud S wrote:

thanks for the input!

Are you a gambler? May in mountains in the WEST and NW, down to and including No Cal is a crap shoot.

The only thing in your favor is bad levels of snow in the recent Winters and one year that's going to bust loose in a big way.

Is this the Winter? No according to the meteorologist who are saying look for poor snowfall again this year.

Every park, Yellowstone and Tetons has a web site with projections on snowfall, and estimated open dates which are fairly correct. I've lived life in Oregon and Idaho up in the panhandle.

I've been to Yellowstone often. I don't think I'd chance that part of the country in Spring, but..... there are some poor winters snowfalls, and we have been experiencing them.

http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/hours.htm

2016 is the Centennial of the National Park Service. Watch for crowding.

MtnMan Loc: ID

quixdraw wrote:

Some years ago, end of May drove over Beartooth Pass into Yellowstone. Quite a scary trip. Snow, whiteout, etc. Fabulous scenery! Lucky I had plenty of gas, food, etc. Everything was closed. The park was great once I got there. Lots of animals few tourists. If I did it again, I would have a 4wd or Awd in addition to supplies just in case.

Beartooth pass is very high (11,000 ft.) and far north of Teton Park. Teton valley is an entirely different climate. It will be open in May. The valley floor is about 6,00 ft.

Yellowstone roads may not be open in early May. They usually have them plowed by Memorial day. Yellowstone is mostly over 7,000 ft.

In the west it is all about elevation.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Bud S wrote:

I'll need to check when everything is open, and I'm sure it can vary year to year. I just wouldn't want to miss snowy peaks. thanks

You'll have snowy peaks in May.

It is one of my favorite times of year because the tourist crush hasn't started yet. While the Asians now invade in September so far they seem to eschew spring.

TalonFangClaw Loc: Provo, Utah

Hi Bud S,
Late May is a great time to go to Yellowstone and the Tetons.
Besides just beautiful spring scenery, the bears are out and the foxes, coyotes and wolves still have their winter furry coats. The ungulates have scraggly coats and have little or no antlers but it is a great time to see many animals. Not all things are open but most are. I think you would really enjoy it.
Doc Hansen

MtnMan Loc: ID

TalonFangClaw wrote:

Hi Bud S,
Late May is a great time to go to Yellowstone and the Tetons.
Besides just beautiful spring scenery, the bears are out and the foxes, coyotes and wolves still have their winter furry coats. The ungulates have scraggly coats and have little or no antlers but it is a great time to see many animals. Not all things are open but most are. I think you would really enjoy it.
Doc Hansen

In early May the elk might still have antlers. Be sure to check out the refuge just north of Jackson as you drive towards the park.

PS: Idaho Falls is a lot closer and a nice drive over Teton pass or up the Snake River Canyon. (I lived there for 30 years). Although the tickets are more expensive than SLC (and you have to fly through SLC) maybe not more than an extra two days car rental.

Bud S Loc: Logan Ohio

Kuzano wrote:

Are you a gambler? May in mountains in the WEST an... (show quote)

Bud S Loc: Logan Ohio

MtnMan wrote:

In early May the elk might still have antlers. Be sure to check out the refuge just north of Jackson as you drive towards the park.

PS: Idaho Falls is a lot closer and a nice drive over Teton pass or up the Snake River Canyon. (I lived there for 30 years). Although the tickets are more expensive than SLC (and you have to fly through SLC) maybe not more than an extra two days car rental.

thanks so much for the info

Bud S Loc: Logan Ohio

Thanks for all the helpful info, much to consider.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Bud S wrote:

Curious if May is a good time for the Tetons and Yellowstone to get shots of snow on the mountains, roads open etc. Thought about flying into Salt Lake. This is early thinking for a trip, nothing set in stone. Thanks

You are taking a gamble on the weather. You can count on the road from the north west gate at Gardner to the north east gate near Cooke City. The park service is required to keep that road open from 8:00am to 4:00pm every day of the year. It is the only form of communication between the folks around Cooke City and the rest of the world. The rest of the roads are as risky as the weather. The rangers will tell you that the animals will be actively moving through the park at that time. Take your beach attire and your parkas, you may need either, or both. Weather is unpredictable and the park's topography make it even worse to guess. Good luck and have fun.

Bud S Loc: Logan Ohio

davidrb wrote:

You are taking a gamble on the weather. You can c... (show quote)

Thanks, sounds like Ohio weather except more extreme. Just planning now, we'll see if we really make it. Would June be a better choice and still get snow on the mountains?