Jackson WY to West Yellowstone

2 gypsyes
Going to stay in Jackson at Virginian Lodge pretty much right in town, reason why after being on a long scenic trip weeks we will be ready to do a little town life and shopping ect. At West Yellowstone we will stay at Grizzly. Thanks for your interest and asking
Jeff

Since you've decided to just drive through both parks (highly recommended) I'd suggest you try to start out as early as possible in the morning (hookup and do most things the previous night). By leaving early you'll avoid the crowds and more importantly, you will have a chance to see many animals who haven't been scared away by the later traffic.

Where are you staying for these parks?

we just go through yellowstone park. not a big deal.

Thank You Thank You so much . We're retired from farming and Hauling my own grain and produce Semi and a 45 ft. trailer 80 thousand gross so very comfortable towing. Having the luxury of time we will just tow through the park slow and easy drive. This is the back end of our trip Having been to Glacier , Washington St., Oregon coast, Northern California to see redwoods , Crater Lake , Jackson WY. , YNP, Cody, Rushmore , Home almost 7 weeks Can,t wait it's been almost 30 years since I've been to the mountains
Thanks Jeff

I'll be the guy who just says it. I did take Teton Pass from Jackson over to West Yellowstone in the summer and didn't think it was a big deal. My loaded TT (30' point to bumper) is around 9,000 lbs and it is towed with a modern 1-ton diesel truck. However, I do tow frequently in the mountains and feel very comfortable doing so. My TT has very good brakes which were redone about two years before our Yellowstone trip. I had no concerns or problems towing Teton Pass.

You have a very modern truck (the diesel on order) and engine brake so personally, I would not think twice about pulling your combo over Teton Pass given summer conditions. I would not consider it if temps could reach or were just in freezing conditions.

I would just go through Teton NP then the parkway that links to YNP and on through YNP to the turn to W. Yellowstone. Unless you don't want to enter the Parks and pay the entrance. I think just about any rig would do fine with that drive. I've done it with our 30 ft. Class C towing a car with no concerns. You do have to pull some grades in YNP but traffic is slow anyway. Have fun.

Yes I've been over 20/Teton pass in a car and last summer I took the long way around in my MH instead of using 20...one of the few times I've ever wimped out. We go in the south entrance of Yellowstone on 191 to West Ystone. Takes you by Old Faithful and other than some slow traffic it's a very nice road. Taking 191 south out of Jackson to 89, 26, and 20 is way out of the way.

Coming from Ohio you should not have to cross the Teton Pass with your TT. I know the drive from Idaho in to Teton has high steep grades. I drove that route in a rented car and it was in low gear at times. INMHO, if you are on the Idaho side go up into Montana and come down into the park.

I have not driven the route you suggest, nor plan to. I would just drive thru the park. The reason why....

This from Mountain Directory.

"12. TETON PASS elev. 8429'
(on Wyoming Highway 22 west of Jackson, WY)

Teton Pass has sustained 10 percent grades on both sides of the summit. An unusual feature is that both runaway truck ramps on the east side of the pass can be used only if the runaway truck crosses the oncoming lane of traffic. There is a posted weight limit of 60,000 lbs. on this pass.

The westbound descent from the summit of Teton Pass begins with a 25 mph speed limit and a truck warning sign--"Steep grade--10 percent next 3 miles--use lower gear." This grade warning is repeated a mile later. About 2 1/2 miles down from the summit the grade eases to 6-7 percent and the speed limit increases. This grade continues for about 3-4 miles and eases near the Idaho state line.

The eastbound descent from the summit of Teton Pass starts with a truck warning sign--"Steep grade--10 percent next 5 1/2 miles--use lower gear." There are 20 mph curves near the top. About 1/3 mile down from the summit is a sign--"Runaway truck ramp--2 1/2 miles LEFT side." This warning is repeated several times as you approach the ramp. To use the ramp you must cross the oncoming lane of traffic. The ramp slopes uphill.

The second runaway truck ramp is about 1 mile after the first. It, too, is on the left side and is an upsloping ramp. At this point the grade begins to ease to about 6-7 percent and the speed limit increases. The hill continues to the town of Wilson, which is about 5 1/2 miles from the summit."