Hi All,Going to YS to work for the summer. We need to report on 4/17. We are in Florida and will be heading out about 4/1. MapQuest shows heading north through Nashville and St. Louis and then heading west. At some point I can either go over I-40 to Albuquerque or I-70 to Denver or take I-90 into S. Dakota and Montana.I have traveled west before but on the southern route I-10 and then I-15 north. I am concern about the weather on all these northern routes the first 2 weeks of April. The mileage difference between 40,70,90 is minor. I -10 to say Vegas and I-15 north is a lot.I would appreciate info from those of you who have taken these routes during this time frame. I will be pulling a 14K 36' 5er so road conditions and big climbs will also be considered.Thanks

Early April is always going to have some small risk for snow/ice anywhere north of the deep south especially getting into higher elevations. It sounds like you don't have a choice of starting date so just watch the weather reports, be prepared to stop and delay and stay south as much as possible.

I-40 was closed just west of Albuquerque for two days at the end of April one year for us. You can't count on weather. Just allow yourself more days than you think in case you have problems. April still brings snowstorms and ice. Be careful and monitor the weather as you travel. Good luck!

As stated, April is a very iffy month for travel. you're liable to see sleet or snow when you get close to the continental divide if you're north of I 10.OrYou might just sail right through without a problem. But Yellowstone doesn't open its roads until mid May as a rule.

April is the 2nd snowiest month here in Colorado. For all areas of the state, not just the mountains, March being the first. Storms can be frequent in early April, and usually heavy and wet snow, versus the more powdery snow earlier in the snow season. All of the interstates can be a challenge during a storm and immediately afterward. Eastern Plains/Colorado Outback blizzards can be common, with whiteout conditions and high winds. Timing is everything. If you're considering, for example, coming in on I-70 from Kansas and then heading north on I-25 in to Wyoming, and are prepared to hole up somewhere in the event of a storm and wait it out, then that can be a doable route. I-25 in Wyoming can be a real bear to drive, due to the prevailing wind direction (you'll be in a goodly head wind most of the time). Again, timing is everything.

Agree with others here on early season Yellowstone weather.I've been there the first week of June and had snow flurries hit. For the most part, you will be good travel weather, but as said previously, once you start into the higher elevations, almost anything can and probably will, happen.

Florida to Yellowstone early April | Good Sam Community

newk
Explorer
Jan 19, 2015
kcmoedoe wrote:
The west entrance doesn't open until Late April. Generally all training and orientation is done at the North Entrance that time of the year. That is probably where they will need to be if they are to report in early April.

The road between West Yellowstone and Madison is slated to open the same day as from Mammoth to Old Faithful and Norris to Canyon -- April 17. Of course that can change, but that's the current plan.

It's a flat and fairly straight highway from West Yellowstone to Madison as it follows the Madison River most of the way, on one side of the road or the other. It's the easiest road to Madison Campground -- by far.

So they'll probably want you to enter at Mammoth. :B
kcmoedoe
Explorer
Jan 17, 2015
kknowlton wrote:
Lurker, since you're working at Madison (I assume you'll be a camp host & have hookups??), getting there is a bit simpler than going in the north entrance - you will enter through the west entrance. (Good place to stay there, which may be open in April, should you need a spot the night before checking in for work, is Grizzly RV Park in "West" -aka West Yellowstone.) Best way to get to West is I-15 north to Idaho Falls, then US 20 northeast - goes all the way into the park through West. Madison is 14 miles east of the west entrance of the park.
The west entrance doesn't open until Late April. Generally all training and orientation is done at the North Entrance that time of the year. That is probably where they will need to be if they are to report in early April.
kknowlton
Explorer II
Jan 17, 2015
Dalenoel, if you're talking about US 93, how would that help the OP? He's heading northwest, and 93 goes from PHX to Calgary. Might as well take I-15; it would be faster and probably lower altitude.
kknowlton
Explorer II
Jan 17, 2015
Lurker, since you're working at Madison (I assume you'll be a camp host & have hookups??), getting there is a bit simpler than going in the north entrance - you will enter through the west entrance. (Good place to stay there, which may be open in April, should you need a spot the night before checking in for work, is Grizzly RV Park in "West" -aka West Yellowstone.) Best way to get to West is I-15 north to Idaho Falls, then US 20 northeast - goes all the way into the park through West. Madison is 14 miles east of the west entrance of the park.
kcmoedoe
Explorer
Jan 17, 2015
BillMFl wrote:
I've been in Yellowstone mid May and had snow quite often that week. There were three mornings that the park roads were closed until mid day. The park itself was nearly empty which was great compared to summer. Had trout streams all to myself and caught trout on a Dusty Miller fly while big heavy snow flakes filled the air around me. Hardly any cars. Had hiking trails to our selves. The only park facilities open were at the four main junctions. Snow was pretty deep on many of the trails but we had a great time. Been there other times when it was wall to wall people and not as much fun, but still great.
Fishing season in Yellowstone doesn't open until the Saturday of Memorial Day (some waters do not open until later). That probably explains why you had the streams all to yourself in Mid May. If your Dusty Miller had caught the attention of a ranger instead of a trout you could have also given us a Mid May occupancy report for the Yellowstone Park Jail.
dalenoel
Explorer II
Jan 17, 2015
Not to hijack this thread but wouldn't 93 be a good cut across the triangle to shorten the trip?
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jan 17, 2015
If I were you I'd take I-10 to I-15 even if it's more miles. Just allow more time.
The_Mad_Norsky
Explorer
Jan 16, 2015
Lurker52 wrote:
It is west of the Mississippi to Yellowstone area that concerns me.

The plains states (Kansas, Nebraska, both Dakota's) should be pretty problem free by first part of April.

Not saying there cannot be a late season snow there. It can and does happen, but usually of very short duration with heavy wet snow that turns to slop and melts in just a day or so.

Eastern Montana would also be about the same as the above mentioned places.

Now western Montana and Wyoming I am not so sure about. The low lying areas can be having a gorgeous day, while it is snowing up in the elevations.
Lurker52
Explorer
Jan 16, 2015
We will be at Madison campground. It is near West Yellowstone. We have not been told how to enter the park. Probable won't util closer to 4/17. That will make a difference on our route.

We have been to Jackson in early April so we know the area weather. It is west of the Mississippi to Yellowstone area that concerns me.
kknowlton
Explorer II
Jan 16, 2015
If you're working in April, I assume you will be working at Mammoth, which you will need to access through the north end of the park. I'd stay south as long as you can and head north on I-15; if the weather is mild enough you would probably be ok going via US 20 and 191 thru Bozeman, east to Livingston and down into the park from there. If it's still cold & snowy, stick to the interstates (I-15 and then east on I-90). Allow plenty of time in case weather holds you up for a few days. GOod luck and have a great season! :)

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