Seeing yellowstone on foot?

Naio wrote:

Campfire Time wrote:
I'm curious, why the aversion to driving to trail heads in the park?

I just don't like to take down and set up camp every day. The van is small, so when I am camping I put stuff in the drivers seat and in front of the windows, which I have to move again in order to drive. I keep some equipment outside locked to the van, so I have to move that. I have to level the van again before sleeping. It's just a lot of bother.

As someone said earlier, Old Faithful isn't near campgrounds.

Maybe you could plan the first and last days of your trip to park at a trailhead and explore nearby trails when once you are setup? There are tons of geysers in the Old Faithful area. The day you break camp, do so early and drive to Old Faithful and spend the day hiking that area. Pick something else for day you setup allowing time to get setup before dark.

Ah! That makes sense. Here's an idea, get a scooter and a carrying rack.

Campfire Time wrote:
I'm curious, why the aversion to driving to trail heads in the park?

I just don't like to take down and set up camp every day. The van is small, so when I am camping I put stuff in the drivers seat and in front of the windows, which I have to move again in order to drive. I keep some equipment outside locked to the van, so I have to move that. I have to level the van again before sleeping. It's just a lot of bother.

I'm curious, why the aversion to driving to trail heads in the park?

Oakman wrote:

It’s obvious that you are inexperience with dangerous animals and true wilderness.

Oh, my goodness, no.

I grew up in a remote area in the west, farming and ranching, and wildernss camping. That is where I learned how easily large herbivores can injure humans, even when they do not intend to (let alone when they get annoyed).

I am not planning to do any backcountry (= roadless areas) overnights on this trip. I was thinking to play 'city person' and just camp in the campgrounds and see the sites that have paved trails. Ok, maybe not paved, but you know what I mean :). After I leave Yellowstone/Tetons I will be in wilder places for a few months. I figured Yellowstone would be the tame part of the trip.

But, I dunno, maybe I should reconsider. Maybe I SHOULD go into the backcountry?

As said, you will end up driving to trail heads. Unless you backpack overnight, there's no getting around that. You will also see some amazing sights on the drive. What's more important is that some of the best stuff to see in Yellowstone is in the back country. Lots of waterfalls and geysers that can only be seen in the back country.

Since your trip is far in the future, keep doing your research. The NPS has a ton of great info online. Additionally I would search for trail books that give detailed information about the trails, elevations, length, difficulty of hike, features, etc. Get more than one book and compare them. Carry them with you on the hike along with dedicated trail maps. Read these thoroughly then chose the ones you want to do most. You'll have a rough plan when you get there which will save you wasted driving and hiking time. See the quote in my sig? You want to enjoy the trip, not have an adventure.

It sounds like this is going to be a new experience for you. Get good hiking shoes, NOT sneakers. Been there, done that. Sneakers are bad in the back country. Get something along the lines of Merrells or Solomans. I'm on my second pair of Merrells, they are nothing short of excellent. Also hiking socks and hiking pants. None of this stuff is cheap but your feet and body will thank you for it later.

Regarding wildlife, the park has guidelines on that too. Something like no more than 25 ft from bison. It's unlikely you will encounter bears on the trails, but it's possible. If you are with a companion, keep talking, make noise. That will warn bears, they are actually frightened of people and will leave the area before you see them. You can get bear bells, but "word on the trail" is that they are not all that effective. And, yes, carry bear spray.

I wish you well, that's a great place to hike!

4runnerguy wrote:
I've seen several posts talking about a permit needed for backcountry hiking, but unless I'm missing something, I think a permit is only required if you are camping overnight in the back country. Am I wrong?

I was just looking to comment on this too. You are not wrong. We've day hiked the back country in several NPs. For day hikes, no permit is needed. Only for back country camping. We've run into rangers on the trails and have never been stopped or questioned.

Naio wrote:
I've been reading the past threads on Yellowstone here, and people keep talking about long scenic drives. But I don't like to do that -- I like to drive to where I am camping, and then leave the van at the campsite for however many days I am there, with awning out and all, and do my sightseeing on foot.

Can I do that at Yellowstone? I made reservations for a week each at Grant and Canyon, based on reading the threads here. But are those too close together? What can I do/see from each base? My trip is far enough in the future that I can probably move reservations if you folks think I oughta.

I realise there may be a shuttle bus, but I prefer to avoid those, too :). On the plus side, I don't mind missing some 'important sights' -- just being in a beautiful place is good.

And are the buffalo going to gore me if I am not in a vehicle? I will keep my distance, of course, but if they are on the road and headed my way...

It’s obvious that you are inexperience with dangerous animals and true wilderness.

If you are taking about hiking the established trails in Yellowstone, go for it. There is plenty of beauty to be seen and as others have said bring Bear Spray.

On the other hand, if you are considering trekking the backcountry, off-trail, in the mountainous/hilly terrain with all the blowdowns and at elevation then you are being foolhardy. If you plan to do this alone there is an excellent chance you’ll be mentioned of the next edition of the book Death in Yellowstone.

You may be right, 4runnerguy, but whether a permit is required or not, it's essential for one's own safety to check with rangers before heading out on a trail. Not only will they be aware someone is there should there be an emergency of the person gets lost, they can advise if there has been bear activity or other reason the trail is closed, or extra caution is advised. As for pepper spray, etc. - it may not be allowed to use it on wildlife who are not bears. And pepper spray won't faze a charging grizzly. Bear spray may. (Never a guarantee of safety anywhere in Yellowstone.)

I've seen several posts talking about a permit needed for backcountry hiking, but unless I'm missing something, I think a permit is only required if you are camping overnight in the back country. Am I wrong?

Probably but the Park is bigger that our 2 smallest states combined.