Planning the Vacation Part IV – More into Yellowstone

Few things I have learned:

The Yellowstone Insider Web Site is a great resource.  The star ratings on this page is from this site, and I quote some of the text.  For more detailed information about things to see at Yellowstone you definitely want to go there. 

Jackson Hole is spendy.  We just picked up some hotel room reservations.  Ouch. 

We decided to spend the 4 hours to drive the Bear Tooth Highway.  It sounds spectacular, so much so we are going to drive back and forth on it.  Yeah, we do that sort of thing.

Official Yellowstone Trip Planner Link.  The maps on this site is from the official Yellowstone site.  Just click on the images it should take you there.  They have some great photo tours to check out there.

Now that we have most of our itinerary in place, we are working on reservations for our extra curricular activities… cross your fingers.  I think we have most of the hotel reservations in place.  Hot air ballooning near the Teton’s just sounds like a blast… and scary as all get out.

Itinerary:

August 5th – Yellowstone – North Entrance and Norris Geyser Basin (***)

Check out the Mammoth Hot Springs Welcome Center as we enter the park.

North Entrance Road (***)

Norris Geyser Basin Photo Tour

August 6th – Yellowstone – Old Faithful

(Road) Madison Junction to Old Faithful (One the way… Lower Geyser Basin (***))

Old Faithful Upper Geyser Basin (****)

Fire Hole River Walk (****)

The fire hole walk (from the Yellowstone Insider): “From Old Faithful Inn to Morning Glory Pool, passing by Grand Geyser–provides better chances to see a major geyser erupt (Daisy, Grand, Castle, Riverside, Giant, Grotto) along with the opportunity to see scores of other named thermal features.”

August 7th – Canyon Area (****)

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (from the Yellowstone Insider): “The Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. The Lower Falls (308 ft/ 94m) is the largest in the Rocky Mountains. The falls and the canyon can be accessed by either the North or South Rim Drive. If pinched for time, the prime view of the canyon and Lower Falls is from Artist Point on the South Rim Drive. If you have the time and physical strength, hike one of the “Brink” trails to stand at the very edge of either the Upper or Lower Falls, an unforgettable experience.”

(Road) Fishing Bridge to Canyon

South Rim Drive (****)

Artist Point (****)

North Rim Drive (***)

Inspiration Point (***)

August 8th -  Beautiful Ride, Rest or Random, and Maybe Some Laundry

Bear Tooth Highway (2 to three hours one way, call it 4 hours)

August 9th – West Thumb Geyser Basin/Lake

Geyser Basin Walk (***)

August 10th – Cody (Sunday)

To Cody

Buffalo Bill Historical Center (Open Daily August hours: 8 AM to 8 PM)

Wild west show and rodeo (Rodeo @ 8 PM)

Stay in Cody

Hour and a Half to Termopolis

August 11th – Dinosaur Center : Termopolis

Morning of…

Wyoming Dinosaur Center and Dig Site (Open Daily 8 AM to 6 PM)

Wanna do both Museum and Dig Site Tour (Tours conducted hourly)

Centennial Scenic Byway

4 Hours to Jackson Hole

Stay in Jackson Hole (Evening)

August 12th – Grand Teton National Park/Jackson Hole

(This day can be switched with the 14th in case of weather)

Horseback Riding ??

Stay in Jackson Hole

August 13th – Grand Teton National Park/Jackson Hole

Hot Air Ballooning ??: Jackson Hole

Grand Teton National Park, Teton Park Road

Stay Jackson Hole

August 14th – Grand Teton National Park/Jackson Hole

Spa Day ??, Shopping

Stay in Jackson Hole

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Heading back:

What to wear?

Sounds like mostly hot days and chilly nights.  During the days it could run 85 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  Sound like we will need sunscreen, shades, and sandals.  The nights can drop into the 30s and 40s and possibly a light freeze.  Lightning storms are common, and some say there has been snow in August there.  Sounds like we will need everything from shorts and t-shirts, to sweaters and possibly thermal underwear… nahhh skip the underwear. 

They say to bring a light jacket even when it is warm, because the cool can come fast and it can feel cool in the shade.  Rain gear sounds like a must. 

Basically, bring everything but a parka.  Packing should be interesting for this trip.  Feels like the jeep will be a little full.  Gonna need the thick sleeping bags…

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Got suggestions? Let me know. Plenty of room for suggestion as we are roughing out the details.

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