Yellowstone

[metallimonster]

So my GF and my parents and I have decided we want to take a trip to Yellowstone some time next year. I've done a little research but thought I would ask you guys too.

Best times to go?  I REALLY want an oppportunity to see wolves.
Things to do?
Places to stay?

Really just looking for some leads to research further.

[mitt]

It is awesome, my whole family-in-law went last summer around July 4th.  Tourist numbers have been down a bit with the economy, so that was nice, very few RV's driving around.

It sounds kind of corny, but one of the neatest things we did was an evening wagon ride with cowboy dinner out in the woods.  We saw some wild life, and had a very good meal with no work on our part. 

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/horseride.htm

mitt

[cyrus buelton]

I'd go to Glacier National Park instead.

[metallimonster]

Sorry,

Will never be willing spend money in a state that encourages wolf killing.  Will be doing our best to stay out of both Idaho and Montana and stay inside Yellowstone where at least there it is illegal to kill wolves.  

I really don't think anything in the world makes me more irrate than people killing wolves for doing what they were intended to do.

Lets not make this about wolf killing (I know I'm the one who started it).  Please stick to Yellowstone. 

[duqette]

I'd go to Glacier National Park instead.

I dunno about that. My son and I went to Glacier summer 08 (I got this crazy idea that I wanted him to see a glacier in person), and while we had a great time we both agreed that there are other parks we enjoy more. Like Yosemite, and Yellowstone (I've never been, but he has).

I'm having vague thoughts myself of maybe going to Yellowstone myself next summer. Very vague, so I'm interested in any feedback you get. 

[Autostrada Pilot]

I was there over the 4th of July as well.  We rode our bicycles from our campground to Old Faithful on the 4th.....I thought it was a very fitting way to celebrate the beauty of our country on its birthday.  Just riding/driving around we saw elk, deer, buffalo, bald eagle.  We heard the wolves  (and possibly coyotes) howling at each other one morning just before dawn.

Only thing we didn't see was any damn bears.  Ironically enough, some campers had to kill a bear that same weekend <10 miles from our home (while we were in Yellowstone).  Guess we should have camped closer to home if we wanted to see bears.


I think you'll love it there.  It rained every afternoon while we were there and the locals in West Yellowstone told us that it had rained everyday for at least a month prior.



Me and some of my in-laws are trying to take motorcycles up there next summer.  Roads have 35mph speed limits, but it is so beautiful and full of curvy roads.

[cyrus buelton]

Sorry,

Will never be willing spend money in a state that encourages wolf killing.  Will be doing our best to stay out of both Idaho and Montana and stay inside Yellowstone where at least there it is illegal to kill wolves.  

I really don't think anything in the world makes me more irrate than people killing wolves for doing what they were intended to do.

Lets not make this about wolf killing (I know I'm the one who started it).  Please stick to Yellowstone.  

Seriously?

Ok, I'll stay out of that.


btw, I'd probably stay out of Wyoming too.

They are about to pass wolf hunting legislation as well.

[cyrus buelton]

I dunno about that. My son and I went to Glacier summer 08 (I got this crazy idea that I wanted him to see a glacier in person), and while we had a great time we both agreed that there are other parks we enjoy more. Like Yosemite, and Yellowstone (I've never been, but he has).

I'm having vague thoughts myself of maybe going to Yellowstone myself next summer. Very vague, so I'm interested in any feedback you get. 

I was in Yellowstone during the winter and obviously Glacier in the summer.


different parks.

[akmnstr]

I haven't been to Yellowstone since the 70's but I hope to return soon.  If you want to see wildlife, particularly wolves, consider going in the winter.  Bears won't be out, but most of the other animals will be concentrated in known locations, more visible, easy to track, and there will be few tourists.  There is a classic episode of the PBS show Nature called Yellowstone in Winter that should seal the deal for you if you can find it on netflixs.  Also check out the PBS mini series on the National Parks.  Lots there on the history of Yellowstone.  

[metallimonster]

Seriously?

Ok, I'll stay out of that.


btw, I'd probably stay out of Wyoming too.

They are about to pass wolf hunting legislation as well.

I know that they are trying but Yellowstone will stay protected.  At least they don't have a governor saying that he will be the first in line to shoot one.  I understand they need to protect their herds but they are going about it all wrong. This surprises me since you are such a dog lover. You know I usually don't get all worked up about anything political or un-pc.

I just got a few brouchers ordered and am going to check on some of those DVDs. Thanks for the tips guys.

[cyrus buelton]

You have to control a population that is getting way out of control.

I guess you are anti-deer hunting as well.


Wolves are wolves.

They are wild animals.

They are not domesticated.


My neighbor almost got mauled the other night by a pack of Coyotes. He couldn't get on the phone quick enough to get me over with a gun to pop those make the beast with two backsers.

sorry man, wolves/coyotes aren't dogs.

[metallimonster]

I am actually very pro-hunting.  Just not any animal that you don't eat.  I get that there are a lot of sides to this and I do think the population needs controlled but there are plenty of deer and elk for everyone to share.  Its the hunters that have to have a deer stand right in front of them to shoot that don't want the wolves because the wolves make deer more cautious.  I get the side of the ranchers, I wouldn't want someone messing with my livelyhood either.  My problem is how they are going about it.  The three states mentioned basically wanting to destroy the populations all together.  That is not solving anything.  Not a lot of good options here for either side.  I just hate to see the see what happened in the late 1800's happen now.

Coyotes are a big problem- I get it, but can't we learn to share the world with animals?  Does it always have to be our will forced on everything else?

I don't like where this is going and mostly that is my fault so I'll stop ranting and wait for some more info on Yellowstone itself.  I apologize for thread jacking my own thread.

[DesmoLu]

Thanks for the inspiration! My mom and I were trying to think of an inexpensive, "local" vacation we could do next year while we try to save money for a trip to Australia. I hadn't really thought about Yellowstone but now it sounds wonderful! I think going in the winter time would be awesome.
Would you be doing any cross country skiing? That is usually the best way to see wildlife.
Another suggestion would be Banff in Canada. One of my best friends moved to Calgary and just keeps ranting and raving about it. Maybe I'll get a chance to visit soon.

If/when you go, don't forget to give us a write-up and let us know how it went!

In regards to the wolves issue, I can sympathize with both sides. I grew up on a ranch and while I had two dogs very dear to me shot and killed by fellow ranchers for being where they didn't belong, I also had my beloved cat eaten by a mountain lion - a mountain lion that plagued our neighborhood for two years before the Game and Fish department did anything about it even though none of us could shoot it because our back yard is a "protected area." As much as I love animals, wolves and dogs alike, that b*tch was not just a big kitty. There is a difference in killing for sport and killing to protect your well being and that of your live stock - a lot of those animals can't be eaten because they were messing with you for being hungry in the first place. Ranching is hard work and America's ranchers are, like wolves, integral parts of our culture that are worth protecting. Let the wolves have their areas (national and state parks, etc) and let the ranchers have theirs. That's just my 2c.

[metallimonster]

I don't know about a deep winter trip.  Not the biggest fan of freezing my balls off.  Most likely we are going in late September/October.  I know it is still cold then but really don't know much about how the seasons go there.

[mitt]

Most of Yellowstone is closed in the winter...

We saw 2 bears in July, one from the car and 1 off a hiking path.

Here are my pics:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/26466518@N02/tags/yellowstone/





mitt