Questions about Yellowstone

**schoeney** · 12-30-2010, 03:12 PM

In mid May my wife and daughter will be driving (car) through Yellowstone East to West from Cody to Idaho Falls on Hwy 14 + 20 which goes through the park.

I have never been through Yellowstone, what should I expect that time of year? Time is short so I was not planning to stop to see anythng in YNP but should I? Something significant and quick?

Will we see much (wildlife, natural wonders, etc) if we just stick to the highway?

Thanks

cactusjack · 12-30-2010, 03:58 PM

Well in May, you shouldn't have to deal with too many rented motorhomes driven by people who have never driven anything larger than a Volvo.

Traffic shouldn't be too bad. You should be able to see elk, bison and maybe if you're really, really lucky, a bear.

usranger74 · 12-30-2010, 04:01 PM

You may recall that in 1988 over one million acs of forest burned in YELL. Those fires started in mid-May. On the other hand, in 2003 I was in YELL around June 7 when we had 18" of fresh show.

You should see wildlife on your dive no matter which way you cross the park

If I only had one day this is the way I would go - - On US 14 at Fishing Bridge if you go South and take that Route to West Yellowstone, you will go past the Old Faithful Geyser and Lodge. On this route when you come to the confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers which forms the Madison River you are at the location where the idea of establishing YELL is a National Park was hashed out around a campfire. That idea was made into a law and in 1872 the Worlds first Nat. Park was established.

Enjoy the ride.

jasperboy · 12-30-2010, 04:37 PM

Oh wow, that is like saying "I have a layover in Washington D.C. what is there to see?" Or "I have 10 minutes to stop at the Louvre in Paris, what shouldn't I miss?"

If you are truley driving through East to West and can't spend much time you will begin in Fishing Bridge either way. If from there you go south, stop at the West Thumb Geyser Basin. It sits next to Yellowstone Lake and has a lot of active thermal features and is really pretty. You could spend an hour or a day. Next stop would be Old Faithful Area, the namesake geyser, the lodge, and the geyser basin are all deserving of time, but you could just hit Old Faithful and be on your way. Next up would be the Firehole Canyon Drive, beautiful but allow an hour, if in a hurry you could skip it. From there it is Madsion and then out to West enterance. This loop would take about a day if you spend a little time at each area.

If you head north out of Fishing Bridge you will drive through the Hayden Valley which is the best place to see animals. Expect bison, elk, mule deer, bear, coyote, wolf, eagles, etc... depending on the time of day, early morning and early evening should be most active. Your first stop would be Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Again you could spend all day, or an hour to see the upper and lower falls. Next stop would be Norris Geyser Basin, if skipping Old Faithful this is a must see for the thermal features. Again and hour or a day depending on schedule. From Norris it would be onto Madison and then out to the west entrance. This loop would also be about a day trip with a few quick stops.

My family and I spent almost an entire week in Yellowstone this past summer and only felt like we hit the highlights, to drive through in a day almost makes me sad. I hope you can find away to spend a little more time, but if not I hope this info helps a little.

**Cajunrider** · 12-30-2010, 08:54 PM

I haven't been in Yellowstone since 1983. Loved every minute I was there. We stayed at the Togwotee Lodge. Hope I spelled it right.

AlabamaNomadRider · 12-31-2010, 12:13 AM

Ranger pretty much covered it. There is always a possibility of a late snow in the mountains. If there was only one thing for me to see it would be Old Faithful. There is an abundance of wildlife to see.

tombstone · 12-31-2010, 02:48 AM

I always see more animals, and much less traffic on the northern loop. Driving thru in one day will make you heartsick when you see how beautiful it is. Good luck.

**schoeney** · 12-31-2010, 06:40 PM

Thanks everyone! That was the kind of info I was hoping to read.

elvis · 01-09-2011, 01:47 AM

Schoeney,

We spent 3 or 4 days in YNP two summers ago. We saw a lot of wild life
and thermal activity there, liked it so much, we want to go there again.

The predicted eruption times for the Old Faithful is posted, hope the timing will work for you (as you have limited time) and it'll put on on a good show.

I'm not sure if I posted this before, allow a few moments for the slide show to load, then it should run by itself.

http://kixtartone.net/pix/TheRideOfALifetime2009/

Cheers,

E.

**glwilson** · 01-09-2011, 10:34 AM

Great slide show Elvis... I enjoyed it. ;)

01-09-2011, 11:14 AM

What a trip and great slide show.

macmac · 01-09-2011, 11:36 AM

HUH? Oh man this is just so wrong..... I showed up there all friggin broken, and stayed 10 days in Cook City. Another guy there with a car and alone wanting company took us all over the place for those days. It was Sept and getting on into winter.

Don't screw with the buffers! Spend all the time there you can!

10 days wasn't close to enough either, and it was after tourista' season, so getting around was not a problem.

You pass thru there as fast as you can and you will forever eat your heart out.

cactusjack · 01-09-2011, 12:07 PM

About 15 years ago, the company I worked for in Salt Lake chartered a Lear Jet to fly a bunch of us to West Yellowstone, MT to attend the funeral of an employee. As we were leaving West Yellowstone, the president of the company asked the pilot if he could fly back over Yellowstone Park, and the pilot said he would. This was a year or two after the fire and you could see where the burned areas were starting to regrow vegetation. We happened to be flying by Old Faithful as it was erupting. After, we flew along the east side of the Grand Tetons, which was really amazing.

flavor · 01-09-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elvis

Schoeney,

We spent 3 or 4 days in YNP two summers ago. We saw a lot of wild life
and thermal activity there, liked it so much, we want to go there again.

The predicted eruption times for the Old Faithful is posted, hope the timing will work for you (as you have limited time) and it'll put on on a good show.

I'm not sure if I posted this before, allow a few moments for the slide show to load, then it should run by itself.

http://kixtartone.net/pix/TheRideOfALifetime2009/

Cheers,

E.

Great job on slide show. Very impressive. When I took a trip in '09 I thought about doing something like that but I don't have the knowledge or patience to learn.

tombstone · 01-09-2011, 09:22 PM

Elvis, awesome show and music!

12-30-2010, 03:12 PM	#1
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	Questions about Yellowstone In mid May my wife and daughter will be driving (car) through Yellowstone East to West from Cody to Idaho Falls on Hwy 14 + 20 which goes through the park. I have never been through Yellowstone, what should I expect that time of year? Time is short so I was not planning to stop to see anythng in YNP but should I? Something significant and quick? Will we see much (wildlife, natural wonders, etc) if we just stick to the highway? Thanks __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

12-30-2010, 03:58 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Questions about Yellowstone Well in May, you shouldn't have to deal with too many rented motorhomes driven by people who have never driven anything larger than a Volvo. Traffic shouldn't be too bad. You should be able to see elk, bison and maybe if you're really, really lucky, a bear. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

12-30-2010, 04:01 PM	#3
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	Questions about Yellowstone You may recall that in 1988 over one million acs of forest burned in YELL. Those fires started in mid-May. On the other hand, in 2003 I was in YELL around June 7 when we had 18" of fresh show. You should see wildlife on your dive no matter which way you cross the park If I only had one day this is the way I would go - - On US 14 at Fishing Bridge if you go South and take that Route to West Yellowstone, you will go past the Old Faithful Geyser and Lodge. On this route when you come to the confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers which forms the Madison River you are at the location where the idea of establishing YELL is a National Park was hashed out around a campfire. That idea was made into a law and in 1872 the Worlds first Nat. Park was established. Enjoy the ride. __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505
	0

12-30-2010, 04:37 PM	#4
jasperboy Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wadsworth, OH Posts: 1,238	Questions about Yellowstone Oh wow, that is like saying "I have a layover in Washington D.C. what is there to see?" Or "I have 10 minutes to stop at the Louvre in Paris, what shouldn't I miss?" If you are truley driving through East to West and can't spend much time you will begin in Fishing Bridge either way. If from there you go south, stop at the West Thumb Geyser Basin. It sits next to Yellowstone Lake and has a lot of active thermal features and is really pretty. You could spend an hour or a day. Next stop would be Old Faithful Area, the namesake geyser, the lodge, and the geyser basin are all deserving of time, but you could just hit Old Faithful and be on your way. Next up would be the Firehole Canyon Drive, beautiful but allow an hour, if in a hurry you could skip it. From there it is Madsion and then out to West enterance. This loop would take about a day if you spend a little time at each area. If you head north out of Fishing Bridge you will drive through the Hayden Valley which is the best place to see animals. Expect bison, elk, mule deer, bear, coyote, wolf, eagles, etc... depending on the time of day, early morning and early evening should be most active. Your first stop would be Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Again you could spend all day, or an hour to see the upper and lower falls. Next stop would be Norris Geyser Basin, if skipping Old Faithful this is a must see for the thermal features. Again and hour or a day depending on schedule. From Norris it would be onto Madison and then out to the west entrance. This loop would also be about a day trip with a few quick stops. My family and I spent almost an entire week in Yellowstone this past summer and only felt like we hit the highlights, to drive through in a day almost makes me sad. I hope you can find away to spend a little more time, but if not I hope this info helps a little. __________________ Current Bike - 2011 Victory Vision Tour Previous Bike: 2006 Nomad Original Nomad: 1999 G/G Nomad VBA #931R VROC #16379R
	0

12-30-2010, 08:54 PM	#5
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Questions about Yellowstone I haven't been in Yellowstone since 1983. Loved every minute I was there. We stayed at the Togwotee Lodge. Hope I spelled it right. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

12-31-2010, 12:13 AM	#6
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Questions about Yellowstone Ranger pretty much covered it. There is always a possibility of a late snow in the mountains. If there was only one thing for me to see it would be Old Faithful. There is an abundance of wildlife to see. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
	0

12-31-2010, 02:48 AM	#7
tombstone Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Utah Posts: 437	Questions about Yellowstone I always see more animals, and much less traffic on the northern loop. Driving thru in one day will make you heartsick when you see how beautiful it is. Good luck.
	0

12-31-2010, 06:40 PM	#8
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	Questions about Yellowstone Thanks everyone! That was the kind of info I was hoping to read. __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
	0

01-09-2011, 01:47 AM	#9
elvis Sr. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 1,785	Questions about Yellowstone Schoeney, We spent 3 or 4 days in YNP two summers ago. We saw a lot of wild life and thermal activity there, liked it so much, we want to go there again. The predicted eruption times for the Old Faithful is posted, hope the timing will work for you (as you have limited time) and it'll put on on a good show. I'm not sure if I posted this before, allow a few moments for the slide show to load, then it should run by itself. http://kixtartone.net/pix/TheRideOfALifetime2009/ Cheers, E.
	0

01-09-2011, 10:34 AM	#10
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Questions about Yellowstone Great slide show Elvis... I enjoyed it. ;) __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
	0

01-09-2011, 11:14 AM	#11
Guest Posts: n/a	Questions about Yellowstone What a trip and great slide show.
	0

01-09-2011, 11:36 AM	#12
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Questions about Yellowstone HUH? Oh man this is just so wrong..... I showed up there all friggin broken, and stayed 10 days in Cook City. Another guy there with a car and alone wanting company took us all over the place for those days. It was Sept and getting on into winter. Don't screw with the buffers! Spend all the time there you can! 10 days wasn't close to enough either, and it was after tourista' season, so getting around was not a problem. You pass thru there as fast as you can and you will forever eat your heart out. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

01-09-2011, 12:07 PM	#13
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Questions about Yellowstone About 15 years ago, the company I worked for in Salt Lake chartered a Lear Jet to fly a bunch of us to West Yellowstone, MT to attend the funeral of an employee. As we were leaving West Yellowstone, the president of the company asked the pilot if he could fly back over Yellowstone Park, and the pilot said he would. This was a year or two after the fire and you could see where the burned areas were starting to regrow vegetation. We happened to be flying by Old Faithful as it was erupting. After, we flew along the east side of the Grand Tetons, which was really amazing. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

01-09-2011, 09:22 PM	#15
tombstone Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Utah Posts: 437	Questions about Yellowstone Elvis, awesome show and music!
	0

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