Colorado/Yellowstone/Wyoming road trip - Aug 17?

Marmaduke123

You don't give your exact dates, but do bear in mind that there is a total eclipse of the sun across the US on 21 August this year

One of the favoured areas for viewing is the Jackson area, so you might find accommodation difficult to come by and expensive near to the date, and the whole area even more crowded than usual.

We were planning to view near Nashville, but unfortunately have had to cancel!

EssexExile

When we went to Yellowstone years ago you could turn up early in the morning & get cancelled accommodation. We spent the night in Cody then drove in the next morning & got a cabin fine. May be worth seeing if they still do that. Also remember most rooms in the park do not have "technology".

SandLake

I would advise against staying in the park. For one thing the prices are high because you are in the park and secondly they are very basic, maybe top notch a hundred years ago but (in my opinion) not now. I guess they are going for the quaint period feature look which is fine if you are looking at it in a museum but not if you are living in it. I appreciate some people may like it, all I am trying to do is tell it like it is.

To me, Yellowstone and the surrounding area is about the scenery, I actually drove from Seattle and the scenery thoughout Montana was fantastic. The drive out of Jackson over the Grand Teton Pass was mind blowing, mind blowing for my wife for other reasons as she doesn't like heights. The sights and viewpoints in Yellowstone are also spectacular - mind you it's funny how quick you get to the point of saying 'Oh, it's only another bison'!

jackieblack

SandLake wrote: »

To me, Yellowstone and the surrounding area is about the scenery, I actually drove from Seattle and the scenery thoughout Montana was fantastic. The drive out of Jackson over the Grand Teton Pass was mind blowing, mind blowing for my wife for other reasons as she doesn't like heights. The sights and viewpoints in Yellowstone are also spectacular - mind you it's funny how quick you get to the point of saying 'Oh, it's only another bison'!

Would you mind elaborating on this please?

I am in the very early stages of planning a trip for next summer but have absolutely no head for heights whatsoever. My worst fear is finding myself on a road that is too terrifying and freezing. I'd rather take an alternative route that I know I can drive safely than risk a spectacular but impossible (for me) narrow/windy mountain road.


e.g. I've driven the Sea-To-Sky Highway (Vancouver to Whistler) and the PCH (north to south) with absolutely no problem, but the SR120 into Yosemite from the west would be a complete non-starter (I spent the whole time as a passenger in a cold sweat and much of it with my hands over my eyes - which would be no good when I'll be travelling solo!)

John259

I've never stayed inside the parks for any of the national parks except once in Grand Canyon - too expensive and having to pre-book removes flexibility. I've stayed in Jackson for the Tetons, and because of the very considerable distances in the park the various towns on the periphery of Yellowstone.

In term of dropoffs, I'd rate the Teton Pass (between Jackson WY and Victor ID) as moderately frightening - more frightening than the Big Sur section of the Pacific Coast Highway in California, but less than the Million Dollar Highway in southwestern Colorado. Probably about the same as the Tioga Pass in Yosemite. In summer you're unlikely to encounter snow on the Teton Pass.

SandLake

Can't really elaborate as it is subjective. I can't really think of anywhere comparable. The road itself was never particularly steep but I do recall going around one large hairpin and seeing way off in the distance 'ants' moving along a line - then realised that that was where I was going to be in several miles time. I would do it again but my wife wouldn't or at least wouldn't choose to.
We did postpone our trip from May until June as I discovered that at these heights it was till snowy around that time and even in June we did see small amounts of snow

John259

You might like to virtual drive it yourself with StreetView:
https://goo.gl/maps/R1DyGX8sJmK2

PeacefulWaters

I don't recall anything too treacherous in Teton.

But I'd suggest the Beartooth Pass to the east of Yellowstone isn't for you Jackie. But it is magnificent. And gets July snow.

Search YouTube for any routes you're concerned about.

notanewuser

Marmaduke123 wrote: »

You don't give your exact dates, but do bear in mind that there is a total eclipse of the sun across the US on 21 August this year

One of the favoured areas for viewing is the Jackson area, so you might find accommodation difficult to come by and expensive near to the date, and the whole area even more crowded than usual.

We were planning to view near Nashville, but unfortunately have had to cancel!

I know. I didn't want to say in my OP that that was the purpose of the trip!

notanewuser

wdw2003 wrote: »

We did Yellowstone and Jackson for two weeks a couple of years ago, flying to/from Salt Lake City. It was a boring 5.5 hour drive through not very special scenery to West Yellowstone and we vowed that if we ever returned we'd fly direct into Jackson, but that would be pretty pricey for a family.

We stayed at a motel in West Yellowstone for about $95/night, which was fine, but the drive to and from the park each day was tedious. If humanly possible, I'd definitely stay a couple of nights at the Old Faithfull Hotel and visit the southern area from there.

Other than that, we liked West Yellowstone as a base, as the beers were cheap and the pizzas the best I've ever had. There's also a little life there, unlike in the park.

We visited the lake at the big hotel there, but felt that was a waste of time as it didn't offer anything you can't get elsewhere. For guaranteed great scenery, any of the geyser areas will be fine.

As for Jackson and the Tetons, it's about a 30 minute drive from the town to Jenny Lake. The view of the Tetons is fantastic from the main road and once you get in there, the mountain walking is magnificent, just like in the Alps.

Jackson itself is a lovely little town, with loads of bars, cafes and restaurants, with an upmarket faux cowboy feel to it. It felt like a proper resort, whereas West Yellowstone was just a staging post for the park. We stayed in a cabin at the Cowboy Village motel and really liked it there.

We loved that holiday and have wonderful memories. It's a bit awkward to get there, but well worth the effort. My advice would be not to try to cover too much outside of Yellowstone and Jackson/the Tetons, just immerse yourselves in the parks and experience as much of them as possible.

Thanks. We're not doing the trip for yellowstone itself though. It's a cherry on the cake but rather than the cake itself.