Re: Yellowstone
[Re: Don Carter]
#6940
03/02/07 05:00 PM
03/02/07 05:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Manhattan, New York, New York
James Morrissey
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I
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Feb 2005
Manhattan, New York, New York
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"I know this varies from year to year but when is the best time for color? I am planning to be there around the 15th of September and stay for 3 weeks."
Hi Don,
Congrats on your upcoming trip. Yellowstone is one of my favorite places on earth. As to your question about when is best to go Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park for folliage, the answer is it really depends. I think that any time from late September to Mid October is excellent.
Yellowstone, being higher up typically goes a few days prior to Grand Teton. When the folliage goes, it goes very quickly. When the leaves really start to turn, my experience has been that you have about a week (sometimes less) to get your photographs.
I prefer the Tetons for folliage and Yellowstone for wildlife. The elk are generally prolific by the West Gate. If you are interested in a greater variety of colors, you might want to ride to the other side of the Tetons. There are lots of reds mixed with the yellows.
Have you determined where you are going to stay? I can definitely recommend a few affordable places if you are interested.
Cheers
James
Last edited by James Morrissey; 03/03/07 12:30 AM.
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Re: Yellowstone
[Re: James Morrissey]
#6941
03/03/07 11:00 AM
03/03/07 11:00 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Manhattan, New York, New York
James Morrissey
I
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I
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Feb 2005
Manhattan, New York, New York
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The Tetons have several classic places to photograph. Some of these include:
Mormon Row Schwabacher's Landing Snake River Overlook
There are also a great number of places that you can go to do hiking. Jenny Lake, for example is a great place to day hike. There are also many trail heads between Grand Teton and Jackson (such as the Death Canyon Trail Head). It has been my experience that moose are more abundant around the Tetons than in Yellowstone (though they are abundant in the Park as well).
To me, when you talk about Yellowstone, you mean 'wildlife' though there are great landscape opportunities as well. For example, the hotpools are a treat, particularly on a nice overcast day so the colors get nice and saturated. I find the Lake Region, off by Sylvan Pass, to be very beautiful. Going up towards Mammoth also yields many opportunities.
James
PS As I write this, I keep thinking of all the many places there are to photograph. There are almost too many, which is why after over 10 trips to Yellowstone that I am still enchanted with the place.
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Re: Yellowstone
[Re: James Morrissey]
#6942
03/03/07 11:05 AM
03/03/07 11:05 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
austin
wapiti
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
austin
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Don, I have been to Y/GT many times during the fall. It has been my experience that the Aspen along Oxbow Bend hit peak a few days either side of 10/1. Of course, this has many variables as you said. You will definitely hit the elk rut, which of itself is worth the trip. There is a book by Joseph Lang, Photographer's Guide to Yellowstone and the Tetons which will pay dividends. I'm sure that it is available at Amazon. Check this out.http://wyofoto.com/Teton_Photo_Map.htm Regardless, you can't miss with a fall trip to these two wonderful parks.
Bill in Austin
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Re: Yellowstone
[Re: Don Carter]
#6944
03/03/07 10:45 PM
03/03/07 10:45 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Manhattan, New York, New York
James Morrissey
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I
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Feb 2005
Manhattan, New York, New York
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Hey Don,
Have you figured out where you are staying yet (not the hotels, but the locations)? Depending on what you are looking for, there are a lot of great places.
I typically stay at a place called "The Buckrail Lodge" in Jackson Hole. It is very affordable and in the heart of Jackson. There are no phones in the rooms, but I always found that to be one of the nice things about the place. The rooms are spacious, they have wireless internet and jacuzzi. The woman who owns/operates the place is Janet Colonel. A wonderful human being, by my lights. It has been my place of choice when staying in Jackson for nearly 10 years.
If you are looking for something more upscale, there is a nice B&B that my wife and I stayed at a couple of years ago called the Grand Victorian. The proprietors are Tom and Nancy. The rooms are very nice, and one of the owners (Tom) makes the nicest pastries. I could get very fat there.
In the Park itself, I prefer Mammoth Hotsprings and Grant Village to stay in. As you move later in the year, only Mammoth and Old Faithful are open. I have never had a positive experience in Old Faithful - the last time they totally glammed our reservations, and honestly, they were so unhelpful that I will never stay there again. Mammoth, while looking like an old hospital out of the 20s is nice, and very close to the action. Two years ago, I woke up to the sound of wolves. It was magnificent. Last time we were there in September, we heard mountain lions (though we could not see them).
If you are looking to stay towards the West Gate, I have a new favorite place. It is called the Hibernation Station. I would NEVER stay at this place as based on the outside look of the grounds. In my opinion, the outside decor borders on really gauche. However, do not let this dissuade you. The rooms are magnificent. I mean this - absolutely magnificent. The prices are also very affordable. For 119 per night (I am not sure if these were 'off season' rates), my wife and I stayed in a deluxe suite. It had cathedral ceilings, a huge bed, fire place, etc. When we left Old Faithful Lodge in a huff, we stayed there. For significantly less money than we were going to pay for a room at Old Faithful, we got a significant upgrade. There are other places in West Gate that are more affordable, however, I would not hesitate to go there again - and again - and again. How is that for a plug?
Last edited by James Morrissey; 03/03/07 11:15 PM.
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Re: Yellowstone
[Re: James Morrissey]
#6945
03/05/07 02:41 PM
03/05/07 02:41 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
USA
Krey
Wanderer
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Wanderer
Joined: Aug 2005
USA
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Mammoth ,Roosevelt Lodge or even Cooke City would definitely be worth a few nights stay as a base for exploring the Lamar Valley , Tower and Canyon areas of the park .Besides the Hot Springs and scenery there's lots of consistent wildlife on the Northeast side as well . We always joke the animals have union jobs .And if you have time make sure to drive the Beartooth .
Pbase.com/krey
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Re: Yellowstone
[Re: Don Carter]
#6947
03/06/07 08:34 AM
03/06/07 08:34 AM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Tennessee, USA
RichardR
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2005
Tennessee, USA
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I second the recommendation for the Mammoth Hotel. It's old but comfortable and the surroundings are unique, with the old Fort Yellowstone buildings and nearby terraced hot springs. It's also a mecca for herds of elk that sometimes surround the hotel! Riding stables are there, too. I also liked it for access to the Lamar Valley, a great area for wildlife, Tower Falls, and Mt. Washburn. We also spent a night at Grant Village but I liked Mammoth best.
One of the terraces at Mammoth:
Mama and her calf trotting across the grounds of Ft. Yellowstone at dusk.
After a Summer shower in Lamar Valley:
Hope you have a great trip.
Dick:)
Every day is a good day.
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