Possible Yellowstone trip

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Dorothy
Posts: 201
Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2017 7:45 pm

Possible Yellowstone trip

Post by Dorothy »

We have a chance to make a quick trip up North next week and were hoping to get a glimpse of Yellowstone or Grand Teton (don't think we have time for both with the south entrance still closed). Has anyone been up to Gardiner and into Yellowstone (I believe that's the only Yellowstone road open at this time of year) or into Teton? If you have, are the roads decent or is everything still really snowcovered? And have there been any animal sightings in either area? We scheduled this quick time off for April because in the past, it's been pretty open up there this time of year, but it's been really snowy (which I'm fine with, as we REALLY need the moisture) and I'm not sure if we can get into either place very well. Looks like the snow's really high in the area (see Karen & Bill's moose report! :) ) but we would like to get into one of the parks if it's possible.

Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated.



RikWriter
Posts: 488
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 8:36 pm

Re: Possible Yellowstone trip

Post by RikWriter »

I haven't been there since February, but I have heard there's been a LOT of snow in the park. Not sure what the roads are like. They plow them, of course, but there could still be ice. Someone spotted the black bear and cubs peeking out of their den near Petrified Tree.



Dorothy
Posts: 201
Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2017 7:45 pm

Re: Possible Yellowstone trip

Post by Dorothy »

Thanks, that helps. I've been hearing that there's a bunch of snow up there. Not sure if we'll try going up around Lewiston to get the Gardiner or not. Will check weather when we get a little closer and make a decision. Do appreciate the response!



karenandbill
Posts: 209
Joined: Thu Apr 30, 2020 10:55 am

Re: Possible Yellowstone trip

Post by karenandbill »

Thanks for posting your reply about our moose. We went to the Tetons 3 weeks ago and the roads were fine, plowed and mostly dry with a wet or slick spot in the heavy shade. There was still a lot of snow and we did not see much wildlife or even tracks. We did see 2 moose, one on the edge of Wilson and one on the road between Jackson and Moran, one deer, an eagle, swans, and of course, lots of elk on the refuge. We drove Moose Wilson as far as it was open and saw some ducks, but that was it. We had the three moose and a coyote nipping at one of the yearlings in our yard before we left and probably should have just stayed home! It was good to get out though.

There has been some snow since, but not enough to really change things. There has been some melting over the last few days, but there is still a lot of snow here in Island Park. I read on Harriman's website that the snowpack was 70 inches on April 3. Yikes! We are down to 3-4 feet here by Henry's Lake. Roads are good, mostly dry and it is supposed to be good weather into next week. Yeah, Gardiner to Cooke City is all that is currently open in Yellowstone.

Hope that helps. Let us know which way you go and what you see. Thanks.

Karen and Bill



Dorothy
Posts: 201
Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2017 7:45 pm

Re: Possible Yellowstone trip

Post by Dorothy »

Never did get back about our trip -- we did make it to Grand Teton (didn't try Yellowstone). Had a great trip! Went to some wildlife and bird refuges one the way up (Antelope Island, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Hagerman wildlife refuge, Camas wildlife refuge on the way up, Seedskadee and Ouray on the way back home), and saw lots of great birds and small animals. And had an absolutely great time in Grand Teton. Saw tons of moose -- literally. Figured we saw at least 15-20 different moose, including a mom and second-year calf on Moose-Wilson that were really close! There was still a lot of snow up there -- Moose-Wilson was still pretty much lined with snow on both sides. Saw a skunk on several occasions walking down the road (or along side of the road) because there wasn't a place to walk elsewhere if it didn't want to be in the snow -- it would climb the snowbank to get back into the forest area, then come back down and walk along to road, foraging along the snow-free edge of the road. VERY cute! And another really cool moment was up at the Warm Springs. We watched several birds there for a bit, then headed up into the canyon a ways before turning and coming back. As we scanned the ponds/banks again, we spotted a couple of sage grouse males. They hadn't been visible before, but were now, and not that far away. And they were "practicing" lekking! It was so neat. Both were strutting a bit and swelling up, but one in particular went the whole hog -- spread its tail, puffed out its chest, etc. Never thought we'd see a sage grouse lekking that close. We were ecstatic. That, and the many, many moose with some beautiful scenery (snow, sun, clouds, etc.) made things really great. Also lots of mountain sheep (not the really big males, but lots of ewes, youngster and young males) over by Miller's Butte, and still LOTS of elk in the elk refuge. Herons, swans, various other neat birds ... just a fun overnight in the park. Saw lots of birds and some moose in Seedskadee and a BUNCH of porcupines and blue herons, among other things, in Ouray.

Outside of not seeing a bear (which, although there were a few out, we figured was likely not in the script), this was one of our really great wildlife viewing trips. And it was only a few days! Not much traffic in Grand Teton (actually had Moose-Wilson ENTIRELY to ourselves a few times, like nobody following us and nobody had passed us, so nobody coming down (it was closed at Death Canyon turnoff, still with quite a bit of snow on the road in the final bit up to that turnaround). An incredible experience!

We'll be heading back there (this time including Yellowstone) for a few days within the next couple of weeks and can't wait! If anyone's been to either park and can give us an update on what's being seen, we'd be grateful. If not, we'll just wing it and enjoy!

Happy Spring to everyone!



RikWriter
Posts: 488
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 8:36 pm

Re: Possible Yellowstone trip

Post by RikWriter »

Glad you had a good time!



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