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Tetons and Yosemite
Tetons and Yosemite
Ok...our travel pals want to go out that way in early June of 2010. They're starting out in EWR. They're looking at about 9 days. I don't have a budgetary number yet.
On quick glance, I think they may want to fly into Jackson Hole WY and avoid the long drives from SLC or Denver.
Their question is: How much time do we need? I know one could spend a lifetime at either place and never see enough, so what do you all suggest?
Places to stay?
Things to do/see?
I do NOT think they're in favor of a bus tour (something I'd suggest and did when I was a kid)
Thanks!
On quick glance, I think they may want to fly into Jackson Hole WY and avoid the long drives from SLC or Denver.
Their question is: How much time do we need? I know one could spend a lifetime at either place and never see enough, so what do you all suggest?
Places to stay?
Things to do/see?
I do NOT think they're in favor of a bus tour (something I'd suggest and did when I was a kid)
Thanks!
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Randy in MD
- Posts: 395
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:04 am
- Location: Shady Side, MD
About a dozen years ago I spent 10 days in the Tetons and Yellowstone. First 6 nights were in the Tetons and I stayed at Colter Village, a large group of cabins on the shore of Jackson Lake. It was perfect for me but if you want to go a little upscale try Jackson Lake Lodge or Jenny Lake Lodge. All these are within the National Park. The hiking there was magnificent. Most of the RV folks would walk the 1st half-mile from the various parking areas but once you got beyond that you could go for hours and not see anyone. Enjoyed the Tetons so much that I actually found Yellowstone to be a bit of a letdown but others look at me like I'm crazy when I say that. I stayed at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge there, and if I had to do it again I'd go to the Old Faithful Inn which was nearby. You can roam in both of these parks for days and not see the same sights twice. Jackson Hole is very near Grand Teton NP and you could stay there for more nightlife and still visit the park by day.
We did an 8 day trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton with our semi-grown children this past summer, and I hit the jackpot on this one! It was the most surreal experience of my life and one of our best family vacations ever. Maybe it's because we have a looming empty nest ahead of us, but it was really the perfect vacation to do with our now young adult children. The trip was nothing short of magical.
We flew into Jackson Hole and spent the first four nights in Yellowstone, 2 at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and 2 at the Dunraven Lodge near the Canyon. Both hotels were extremely nice for being National Park goods and staying in the park is really a must to get the full experience. Being in Yellowstone 24/7 was like being sucked into some other worldy vacuum. Walking amongst the geysers in the moonlight is just so WOW! Each day we did some tourist attractions, a hike and some animal watching (we brought a scope) to break up the monotony of the park. A nice hike was the easy walk along Lake Yellowstone which is a bit reminiscent of Ram Head on St. John. After 4 days, we were ready to leave but I boohooed for a day (maybe it was the experience with our kids that did it to me, I don't know). Either way, Yellowstone is a must do at least once in your lifetime.
The last four nights we spent in a swanky condo (Love Ridge Condos - booked on Orbitz for about 50% off) in Jackson Hole which a friend highly recommended. While it was nice and the teens loved the creature comforts, it was an assault to my senses after experiencing the raw natural beauty of Yellowstone. If we ever go back, we will stay in Grand Teton instead of Jackson Hole and maybe do 7 nights total instead of 8. We spent the next few days hiking in the Tetons (the 9 mile portion Cascade Canyon was probably the best hike of the trip), rafting and horseback riding south of Jackson.
The Frommers guide book is great and so are the online message boards for planning.
Hopefully it is Yellowstone that you're seeking info on and not Yosemite, but either way, Yellowstone is a great place and I could go on for days about it. I laugh just thinking about the bison jam we got into, the awe of seeing the coyote and wolf compete for their kill, the mama bear and her cubs and the entertainment my kids provided with the way they reacted and interacted. Sorry, I didn't mean to go all sappy on you but the trip was really that good.
If you need more info, I'd be happy to help~
We flew into Jackson Hole and spent the first four nights in Yellowstone, 2 at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and 2 at the Dunraven Lodge near the Canyon. Both hotels were extremely nice for being National Park goods and staying in the park is really a must to get the full experience. Being in Yellowstone 24/7 was like being sucked into some other worldy vacuum. Walking amongst the geysers in the moonlight is just so WOW! Each day we did some tourist attractions, a hike and some animal watching (we brought a scope) to break up the monotony of the park. A nice hike was the easy walk along Lake Yellowstone which is a bit reminiscent of Ram Head on St. John. After 4 days, we were ready to leave but I boohooed for a day (maybe it was the experience with our kids that did it to me, I don't know). Either way, Yellowstone is a must do at least once in your lifetime.
The last four nights we spent in a swanky condo (Love Ridge Condos - booked on Orbitz for about 50% off) in Jackson Hole which a friend highly recommended. While it was nice and the teens loved the creature comforts, it was an assault to my senses after experiencing the raw natural beauty of Yellowstone. If we ever go back, we will stay in Grand Teton instead of Jackson Hole and maybe do 7 nights total instead of 8. We spent the next few days hiking in the Tetons (the 9 mile portion Cascade Canyon was probably the best hike of the trip), rafting and horseback riding south of Jackson.
The Frommers guide book is great and so are the online message boards for planning.
Hopefully it is Yellowstone that you're seeking info on and not Yosemite, but either way, Yellowstone is a great place and I could go on for days about it. I laugh just thinking about the bison jam we got into, the awe of seeing the coyote and wolf compete for their kill, the mama bear and her cubs and the entertainment my kids provided with the way they reacted and interacted. Sorry, I didn't mean to go all sappy on you but the trip was really that good.
If you need more info, I'd be happy to help~
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Teddy Salad
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:05 am
- Location: Colorado
Cindy and Randy have made good suggestions. I agree with Randy about Teton NP being superior to Yellowstone for pure scenery. Of course, the geothermal features of Yellowstone are otherworldly and are not to be missed.
Nine days sounds good. If you want to take a couple of trips off the beaten track a bit, a trip into Idaho over Teton Pass and north to Driggs and then to the Grand Targhee Ski Resort affords views of the Tetons from the back side that are spectacular in their own right. My sister used to live there when I was in college and I went up every chance I got. Great skiing in winter and hiking in summer.
Another suggestion is to go north of Yellowstone Lake and then east toward Cooke City which has IMO the best scenery in Yellowstone and has a lot less traffic. Nothing really in the way of geysers and such that way, though.
Have fun, it's a great place.
Nine days sounds good. If you want to take a couple of trips off the beaten track a bit, a trip into Idaho over Teton Pass and north to Driggs and then to the Grand Targhee Ski Resort affords views of the Tetons from the back side that are spectacular in their own right. My sister used to live there when I was in college and I went up every chance I got. Great skiing in winter and hiking in summer.
Another suggestion is to go north of Yellowstone Lake and then east toward Cooke City which has IMO the best scenery in Yellowstone and has a lot less traffic. Nothing really in the way of geysers and such that way, though.
Have fun, it's a great place.
Here are the issues with any "off the beaten path" stuff. 4 people might be going. Ages 45, 60 and 2 nearly or over 80. There's not going to be a lot of walking done by any of them.
although, I know that all you need to do is go like a mile inland off the path to find all the good stuff (Thanks to Bill Bryson I know this)
Keep the suggestions coming
Thanks!
although, I know that all you need to do is go like a mile inland off the path to find all the good stuff (Thanks to Bill Bryson I know this)
Keep the suggestions coming
Thanks!
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Teddy Salad
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:05 am
- Location: Colorado
In addition to what others have mentioned which I generally agree with, I will add my $.02.
First, early June is early enough in the season that it may affect access, though that's probably mostly on trails that are not treated and your party sounds like they won't be influenced by that so much.
Yellowstone is unique and would get my preference for time over Tetons. Yes, the Tetons are beautiful, but they are "just" mountains like many other parks. Probably depends on how much time they've spent in mountainous parks. Yellowstone offers thermal features, geysers, etc., that are in a quantity not seen elsewhere in one place in the world.
From a practical standpoint, bear in mind that Yellowstone is BIG, speed limits are low, and staying outside the park limits access, particularly at early/late times of day for the average person. I strongly suggest staying in the park. The accommodations are rustic, limited, and book up well in advance. I booked one of our stays almost a year in advance for a trip several years ago in order to stay in high season and go from one place to the next in order. If they're interested in staying in the park, I'd look into availability ASAP as this may influence decisions. Consider dining reservations now as well as rooms if they want some of the nicer places.
My personal favorites... Staying at Old Faithful Inn for the convenience of checking out some of the less well known but somewhat regular geysers. One of my best memories is watching Grand erupt close to midnight under a full moon with about 20 other people. The Yellowstone Lake Hotel with views of the Lake, dinner in the dining room, and listening to the string quartet in the lobby. Had some relatives who went late last year and had a room but didn't book dinner reservations ahead and complained the only choice was either 5 or 10 when they arrived.
In the Tetons we had a nice dinner at Jackson Lake Lodge with two story picture windows looking across the lake at the mountains, awesome. Not sure what's available now, but years ago we had a hotel type room away from the main lodge for a reasonable price. Not luxurious, but good location.
First, early June is early enough in the season that it may affect access, though that's probably mostly on trails that are not treated and your party sounds like they won't be influenced by that so much.
Yellowstone is unique and would get my preference for time over Tetons. Yes, the Tetons are beautiful, but they are "just" mountains like many other parks. Probably depends on how much time they've spent in mountainous parks. Yellowstone offers thermal features, geysers, etc., that are in a quantity not seen elsewhere in one place in the world.
From a practical standpoint, bear in mind that Yellowstone is BIG, speed limits are low, and staying outside the park limits access, particularly at early/late times of day for the average person. I strongly suggest staying in the park. The accommodations are rustic, limited, and book up well in advance. I booked one of our stays almost a year in advance for a trip several years ago in order to stay in high season and go from one place to the next in order. If they're interested in staying in the park, I'd look into availability ASAP as this may influence decisions. Consider dining reservations now as well as rooms if they want some of the nicer places.
My personal favorites... Staying at Old Faithful Inn for the convenience of checking out some of the less well known but somewhat regular geysers. One of my best memories is watching Grand erupt close to midnight under a full moon with about 20 other people. The Yellowstone Lake Hotel with views of the Lake, dinner in the dining room, and listening to the string quartet in the lobby. Had some relatives who went late last year and had a room but didn't book dinner reservations ahead and complained the only choice was either 5 or 10 when they arrived.
In the Tetons we had a nice dinner at Jackson Lake Lodge with two story picture windows looking across the lake at the mountains, awesome. Not sure what's available now, but years ago we had a hotel type room away from the main lodge for a reasonable price. Not luxurious, but good location.