Not YNP, but we do have Wyoming tags.
These two characters, part of a group of five moose, turned up in our front yard the morning after we got home from a late Oct camp.
And these two were having a dust-up one summer afternoon. In our backyard. Part of the town's local resident herd.
These two characters, part of a group of five moose, turned up in our front yard the morning after we got home from a late Oct camp.
And these two were having a dust-up one summer afternoon. In our backyard. Part of the town's local resident herd.
I mentioned in my post way back in this thread that we were at Yellowstone in June 2016. I'm going to make a suggestion that you consider taking your birthday trip early, leaving home in time to get to Yellowstone by June 1st. We prefer to be in that area in the late May to late June time period for a number of reasons, including:
- In the Spring the grasses are green and the flowers are in bloom. Lots of new Bison calves around.
- In addition to Yellowstone, we like to spend time at Grand Teton NP and in June the mountains are still beautifully snow capped, rather than just gray rock. Also, the streams and waterfalls are running high due to the snow melt.
- Forest fires in the west are more prevalent in the Summer and Fall, with hazy smoky skies making for poor photo conditions.
- The Summer solstice is in June, so June has more hours of daylight than September, which contains the equinox. For example, the Google assistant on my phone says that the sun sets at 9:12 PM tonight in West Yellowstone. On September 15th the sun sets at 7:35 PM. In our experience the crowds in Yellowstone dissipate about dinner time when people head back to their lodging or campsites for the evening. Visiting in June provides an extra two hours of daylight to explore the Park when it is much less crowded than during midday.
Teton Mountains from Schwabacker Landing - mid-June 2005
Teton Mountains from Schwabacker Landing - mid-September 2007
- In the Spring the grasses are green and the flowers are in bloom. Lots of new Bison calves around.
- In addition to Yellowstone, we like to spend time at Grand Teton NP and in June the mountains are still beautifully snow capped, rather than just gray rock. Also, the streams and waterfalls are running high due to the snow melt.
- Forest fires in the west are more prevalent in the Summer and Fall, with hazy smoky skies making for poor photo conditions.
- The Summer solstice is in June, so June has more hours of daylight than September, which contains the equinox. For example, the Google assistant on my phone says that the sun sets at 9:12 PM tonight in West Yellowstone. On September 15th the sun sets at 7:35 PM. In our experience the crowds in Yellowstone dissipate about dinner time when people head back to their lodging or campsites for the evening. Visiting in June provides an extra two hours of daylight to explore the Park when it is much less crowded than during midday.
Teton Mountains from Schwabacker Landing - mid-June 2005
Teton Mountains from Schwabacker Landing - mid-September 2007
Been there three times in the winter and only once in the summer, something to consider if you want a totally different experience.
profdant139 wrote:
We were at YNP in Oct. of 2010 -- there were some folks, but not too bad. If you have a few minutes, scroll through this blog post to get an idea of what's available:
October in Yellowstone
I do understand about avoiding crowds -- we usually boondock and hike in the national forests for exactly that reason. But sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet. To quote Yogi Berra, "Nobody goes there anymore -- it's too crowded."
Anyway, here is an inducement for someone who is reluctant to visit YNP:Click For Full-Size Image.
As usual Great Images -
Thanks for sharing,
Bill
We were at YNP in Oct. of 2010 -- there were some folks, but not too bad. If you have a few minutes, scroll through this blog post to get an idea of what's available:
October in Yellowstone
I do understand about avoiding crowds -- we usually boondock and hike in the national forests for exactly that reason. But sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet. To quote Yogi Berra, "Nobody goes there anymore -- it's too crowded."
Anyway, here is an inducement for someone who is reluctant to visit YNP:
Click For Full-Size Image.
October in Yellowstone
I do understand about avoiding crowds -- we usually boondock and hike in the national forests for exactly that reason. But sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet. To quote Yogi Berra, "Nobody goes there anymore -- it's too crowded."
Anyway, here is an inducement for someone who is reluctant to visit YNP:
Click For Full-Size Image.
derouen6 wrote:
We have been to YNP 5 times, first in 2005 last 2016. My favorite park hands down , after the last visit, not so much for DH. Each visit has been arriving second week in September with a 2 week stay. I am asking for a return trip in 2019 for my birthday. DH has acquiesced reluctantly.
The crowds the last 2 trips were jaw dropping compared to years past. My question is if we wait until first 2weeks in October will there be a significant difference? I know it will never be light, maybe lighter. Opinions please.
Thank you,
Sherry
Sherry,
Just a thought, if September is your time, and Memorable sites are the Mission, but Crowds are not desired, then think about sliding up to Yellowstone from a different direction and catching Colorado, either coming or going. Even if just as the route to with little time spent other than the drive, as the scenery is Spectacular.
Try putting a few of these into your Itinerary on the drive to or from.
Salida/Buena Vista
Gunnison
Crested Butte
Lake City
Ouray
Silverton
Telluride
Ridgway
Colorado National Monument
Dinosaur NM
Flaming Gorge NRA
Wind River Canyon
Cody
MAP - Possible route
Especially if you can be in Colorado in the Last Two Weeks of September - Aspen in Colorado, in September
Nothing against Yellowstone, but I like your DH Hate Crowds, Having my first visit to Yellowstone some 60 years ago I have seen even more changes than you, still a favorite and our last visit was in late October, during an Indian Summer, more animals than People, but that was over 10 years ago, and we did it because the weather was Perfect. We have now discovered Colorado, Just as Beautiful, almost as Diverse, and in September, if you choose the locations correctly, not nearly as crowded, and OH those Aspen, just eye Candy in Late September.
Just a suggestion, as timing is everything.
Best of Luck,
derouen6 wrote:
Madison CG does not close till October 14 or there about. Cold, snow, YEA!!!
Careful what you wish for. A couple of years ago, first week of October deer hunting season, we had a foot of snow in camp. Wyoming Range, way south of Yellowstone. In fact there have been years I’ve had to chain up the camper to get safely off the mountain. Think trailer brakes on ice and snow packed National forest roads 😉
FWIW, there are lots of places to camp in the National Forests, Utah and Wyoming. Check the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Highway 150 between Evanston, Wy, and Kamas, UT. Nice campsites and hiking. Third week of September is the peak for Quaking Aspen colors.
Wife, Dogs and I will be camped on the Ham’s Fork river scouting deer and elk for the October hunt.
