I plan on spending about 10 days with family in yellowstone/grand Tetons/ glacier park. In late August. I know parks will be crowded but only time we can go. I'd like to break up trip into maybe 3 three day stops. We like day hiking more adventurous stuff (not resort type people). I know nothing about this area at all. Any one have any ideas on things we should definitely include in our plans. Will likely fly north then rent a car, probably look for VBRO homes to stay at. Thanks!

Go through the forums at Yellowstone.net. There is tons of information there for the asking. I would not wait much longer to find lodging. We will be there in June to photograph the baby bears. We found the quad mom last year and hoping to find her again. The folks on that forum post the locations of the many wildlife sighting in both parks.

http://forums.yellowstone.net/

Gig 'em Aggies!

Mike 073, Great link! That's just what I was looking for, I may not get much work done the next couple of weeks reading through all the information and planning trip. I know it's probably too late to rent something inside the park, so I was looking at VRBO homes/cabins either at Gardiner or West Yellowston (or maybe both) but most require at least 3 night stay, some 5 night minimum. Might just wind up in a hotel.

loved yellowstone

For YS/GT, I stayed a Jenny Lake. For Glacier, I usually camp at Two Medicine or Lake McDonald. Yellowstone was so busy, I didn't do too much in the park, except the "must see."

A few hikes off the top of my head (it's been two years, so I'm fuzzy):

Paintbrush Loop (GT) - I backpacked for the whole loop, but you could do this one up toward Paintbrush Divide with a reasonable turn around spot.

Death Canyon (GT)

Avalanche Peak (YS) - Awesome view!

Mt. Brown Lookout (GLA) - Lots of gain, but worth it.

Iceberg Lake (GLA) - Crowded, but good for photos.

Cobalt Lake (GLA)

HTH

Here are the little guys we saw last year and hope to find again this summer.



Turns out they are from the same mom and two different dads. They do DNA on the scat.

This was a different mom and cub we saw out near the Lake Hotel:





Gig 'em Aggies!

I forgot - call the number for park lodging. They many times have space the web does not show. Don't be afraid to move several times around the park if you can stay inside.

Gig 'em Aggies!

I would start making reservations for Glacier soon. Campsites are starting to fill sooner than normal.

mike,

awesome pics! what area of the park were you in that first picture?

99 - The quad mom hung around Swan Lake flats most of last summer. You could pretty much count on seeing them if you waited around - or looked for the traffic jams.



Gig 'em Aggies!

Mike,

Good info to know. Thanks! We didnt have a chance to venture into that area of the park. We just explored old faithful and canyon areas. I did see what looked to be a bear and cubs far off in the distance in the canyon area. But alas no visual evidence. We did see a few coyotes, elk, plenty of bison, and these guys...going up the mt washburn trail.




[This message has been edited by Bachelor99 (edited 3/29/2011 1:50p).]

This family of gray wolves was in Lamar Valley on the West side of the road. The three kids played with each other for over half an hour. Thrilling to watch.





Gig 'em Aggies!

Wow Mike. Did you check in with Park Rangers or frequent the forums mentioned above right before heading to Yellowstone (to get an idea where to spot the wolves and bears)?

I was there for around 10 days, hiked @ 10 miles a day and didn't get to see a single bear. I know that wolves are notoriously reclusive so I would think that those would have been even harder to spot.

Sure those aren't coyotes?

Those are 'yotes.

quote:

---

Those are 'yotes

---

Yep.

Wow, were to start!

I second the Tetons and paintbrush divide for an overnight unless your are in great shape.

The scenic float trip on the snake is always good, I like the evening one, you will see beaver and eagles, possibly moose and bears.

Schwabacher landing is also a nice area in the early evening, there is a beaver pond with a very active beaver population.



Yellowstone, my favorites are mostly around Lake Yellowstone lodge, they did not get as much of the fires of 88. There is a great trail that starts at fishing bridge and goes all the way to lowe falls through Hayden valley.

Slough creek is also a great hike if you fly fish. Lone star geyser is any easy hike. Heart lake another good one.

If you have mountain bikes you can follow the old railroad track bed at Mamoth and go for miles, we saw ton of pronghorn and elk doing that.

Nez perce trail has historical significance without much eleveation changes.

Get a couple of falcon guide books they will help out alot!

August is the perfect time to go and the crowds really are not bad. I hiked through Pelican Valley for 5 days in August and did not see a single person!

Blitz - we followed the forums before going and once there talked to anyone we saw with a camera what they had seen or photographed the past few days. Also around at the ranger stations. Some people take a scanner to listen in to park chatter.

Gig 'em Aggies!

I also suggest you not be a dunce like this guy when you see coyotes, wolves, bear or any other wild animals:



Gig 'em Aggies!

make reservations now

http://texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?topic_id=1456218&forum_id=54

http://www.vrbo.com/169165

Stayed here on our Yellowstone visit. /Sigh. Damn you for reminding me of this trip.



[This message has been edited by Philip J Fry (edited 4/13/2011 11:26p).]

We're doing three days in the Lamar Valley in early July. I'm incredibly excited.