Posted by Carey Closs on February 12, 2014 at 6:22 PM
It's time to start making plans for this years travel destinations and 2 places that have made the short list are Yosemite and Yellowstone. I have some long stretches off, (varies from 2-3 weeks) in March, May, July, Aug/Sep, and Oct. I'm wondering what would be the best time to visit these locales, in terms of landscape/wildlife photograpy, road access, crowds, camping/accommodations, etc.
At the moment I am kind of leaning towards March and or October for Yellowstone and May for Yosemite and reserving the summer months for other destinations but nothing is set in stone.I've heard Yellowstone is quite nice in the winter and the crowds are all gone but I'm not sure how easy it is to get into the park at that time of year(I'd be coming from the north west), how easy it is to get around or how pricey accommodations are etc,.
Your thoughts and suggestions on the subject are appreciated.
Posted by Max Waugh on February 13, 2014 at 1:54 AM
Carey, May would be your best bet for wildlife in Yellowstone, unless you're specifically interested in something like the elk rut (which would be best in September). Late September/early October would offer a good mix of wildlife and landscapes if you include the Grand Tetons. The autumn colors there usually peak around the last couple days of September into the first days of October.
July will be crowded and the further you get into summer, the more scarce wildlife sightings become. March isn't a great time to go. Many of the park roads will still be closed.
Yosemite will be real nice in early May. The activity of the falls and the river will be greatly influenced by CA's drought. If we do get decent snow pack and rain for the remainder of the winter, the Valley should be very nice.
Accommodations in Yosemite Valley fill up very quickly, so reserve as soon as possible. The Valley gets nuts, crowd-wise, from Mother's Day weekend onward, so the first week of the month is best for a spring trip.
If the Tioga Pass road (CA 120) is open, you'll have access to the high country, Mono Lake, and the East Side of the range. It's a crap shoot as to whether or not the road will open in early May.
--P
Posted by Carey Closs on February 15, 2014 at 10:37 AM
Thanks for the tips gentleman, I appreciate it.
Posted by Mark Seaver on February 17, 2014 at 9:36 PM
Carey, March is still winter in Yellowstone, with the only road open to the public being the route across the Northern section of the park between Gardner and Cooke City. It can be a great time for wolf watching as they hang out along much of that road and you might get an early bear sighting. Access anywhere else requires hiring a snowmobile or snow coach. Mid-Sept. through Mid-Oct. can get you anything from early fall to early winter depending on weather conditions (and those can change daily or faster), with good Elk rut action. The wolves are usually still in the back country, so sightings tend to be at a distance. In addition to the Tetons, there's some excellent scenery along the roads heading east from Cooke City, but the Beartooth Highway can close for the season by mid-Sept. if there's heavy snow at higher altitudes.
Mark
Posted by Carey Closs on February 19, 2014 at 12:27 AM
Thanks Mark. I will have to check the prices for snow coaches to see if it's a viable option for going in March.
Discussion
5 repliesAt the moment I am kind of leaning towards March and or October for Yellowstone and May for Yosemite and reserving the summer months for other destinations but nothing is set in stone.I've heard Yellowstone is quite nice in the winter and the crowds are all gone but I'm not sure how easy it is to get into the park at that time of year(I'd be coming from the north west), how easy it is to get around or how pricey accommodations are etc,.
Your thoughts and suggestions on the subject are appreciated.
July will be crowded and the further you get into summer, the more scarce wildlife sightings become. March isn't a great time to go. Many of the park roads will still be closed.
Max
Yosemite will be real nice in early May. The activity of the falls and the river will be greatly influenced by CA's drought. If we do get decent snow pack and rain for the remainder of the winter, the Valley should be very nice.
Accommodations in Yosemite Valley fill up very quickly, so reserve as soon as possible. The Valley gets nuts, crowd-wise, from Mother's Day weekend onward, so the first week of the month is best for a spring trip.
If the Tioga Pass road (CA 120) is open, you'll have access to the high country, Mono Lake, and the East Side of the range. It's a crap shoot as to whether or not the road will open in early May.
--P
Mark