yellowstone

bigdogger wrote:

vikrv wrote:
If folks are looking for a less crowded Yellowstone experience consider visiting in the winter using snowmobiles. Of our 3 Yellowstone visits 2 have been in the winter on snowmobiles. We were skiing in Big Sky, Montana and did Yellowstone as a day trip. Our shuttle bus dropped us off in West Yellowstone for snowmobile gear and then we drove through the streets of W Yellowstone into the park entrance. The first time started out a bit cold at -20F and snowing but warmed up to 0F and the sun came out. The upper geyser basin was even more surrealistic with all the snow. Our 2nd trip on snowmobiles we headed up to Mammoth Hot Springs. Great wildlife viewing with bison and elk as they are hanging around the thermal features.

About 40X more visitors in the summer months than the winter: stats

If you haven't been recently, be aware there have been major changes in the rules regarding snowmobiling in the park. You are now required to be part of a guided tour and the machines are required to be "Best Available Technology" which means 4 stroke engines, which are quieter, cleaner and much less powerful by weight. For an adrenaline junkie like me, worthless. Might as well take a snowcoach tour if all you can do is be part of a group where the slowest person controls what happens. If you get stuck with a person who has to stop and photograph every raven, chickadee or pine tree, the trip closely resembles a trip to a dentist who doesn't believe in novocaine. Thankfully, you can still ride the hundreds of miles of trails outside the park unmolested.

The new rules allow for one unguided group of 5 snowmobiles per day in addition to guided tours.

That said I'm glad adrenaline junkies like you are no longer interested in going into the park and passing other people at 80 MPH. You wreck it for others who want to have a relaxing time. The park rangers were out with their radar detectors even in winter.

You are not entitled to be there, there is plenty of raceway for you elsewhere.