Yellowstone Summer 2021
Yellowstone
June 2021
As we travel we focus on the best time to go to certain areas and the best time to go during the year. We have been to Yellowstone two times now and we like to go when it is less crowded and the animals are just starting to wake up. This has proven to be June for us. Safety is our priority for us and the animals.
As we planned for Yellowstone Jr puts together our itinerary with weeks and weeks of research. He checks for Refrigerators and microwaves. This allows us to spend as much time as we can in the areas we want to discover. He researches grocery stores as well as a few restaurants with high reviews. Coffee is usually on the list. On our shopping list is a small cooler for easy travel lunches and easy breakfast as many of the hotels do not have breakfast. We also usually leave our hotel before dawn. This is the best way to see the animals coming out before the people. We did see a few Grizzlies crossing the road at 4 am. Make sure you watch the road very carefully. It can get very dark with just headlights. My part of the plans are to make sure the house is closed before we leave and to plan to have a few people watching over our cat at home as well as charging all the batteries for my camera so we can take thousands of pictures. I think it was over 5,000 this trip. (We did travel for 14 days)
This trip we flew in to Jackson Hole . This is a beautiful airport, inside and out. We did fly American Airlines as we usually do. The view coming in is so beautiful. This is the beginning of the Tetons. We did stay there a few days but that is in a different blog link you can click on to get that information there. We knew we were going to return in several days so we did a quick trip through.
The view from the plane is amazing.
Jackson Hole is a beautiful Downtown area. There are many things to do and see. It does get very busy in the middle of the day. Go early or later but know that many shops do close early.
After getting groceries from the store as well as a cooler and our rental car with a full tank of gas we headed to our cabin. We stayed on the north side of the Tetons so we could wake up early to the rising sun to get some beautiful views coming into Yellowstone Park. Headwaters Lodge & Ranch was a beautiful place to stay and is quiet but full of Mosquitos. It is in the tree line and near the water but they have a wonderful restaurant and small shop on the premises. (Bring your bug spray)
This was our refrigerator for most of the trip. Plan ahead if you have a special diet and sometimes there isn’t a store very close.
It was a mile from Yellowstone South entrance and since we left early we were able to beat the lines at the gate and were able to see the beautiful sunrise without people in our way.
It helps to have a remote on your camera so you can get those group shots when you get out early.
It is hard to not stop and take all open the pictures of the rising sun. I may have filled my camera up with everything I saw.
The road was filled with beautiful calm as we came in.
We decided to start early as we knew many of the sights get packed early. We had a plan for Yellowstone. We were going to stay in West Yellow stone for 3 nights while we discovered all of the Southern and Western part of the park. Then we moved to Gardiner for 3 days in order to discover the northern and eastern part of the park. We did see there was construction in the middle of the park that did not allow us to travel readily. We were heading through Gardiner to head to Glacier in a few days. This was a big help with our park navigation.
GO EARLY!
It gets packed with people and we decided later in the day to try to get a sunny shot and we waited an hour to get in to the parking lot.
It gets packed with people and we decided later in the day to try to get a sunny shot and we waited an hour to get in to the parking lot.
We were able to see some wolf footprints in the mud. Do not step off the trail. It is very sensitive bacteria.
We did see on the map that there was an over look so we decided to head over there. This was a must visit. It is another small parking lot so again go early. It is called Grand Prismatic Spring overlook. The hike is not very long but it is a good uphill hike. This view was definitely worth it. The sun also decided to come out for a little while.
This was the shot from the ground on the walk way
After the overlook there is a hike to Fairy falls. This is on the same trail. It is full of mosquitos. Bring your bug spray but was so beautiful and if you like to hike a must do.
Part of it is paved but there is a section where a person may have to climb over some fallen trees. It is a longer hike so bring some water as well and a few snacks.
Biscuit Basin was an Easy walk on a boardwalk. It is a great view of some more Geysers. If there is a ranger there make sure to talk to them about the history of the area and look at the mud for bison and wolf foot prints.
We went to Old Faithful. This is an easy walk but this is the busiest area in the whole area.
Go EARLY.
Check the schedule for the Geyser. It only goes off certain times of the day.
We headed too many falls of Yellowstone near Norris. There are seven of them. We went early in the season so the snow melt helped them with their beauty.
Gibbon Falls is nestled in a quintessential Yellowstone environment of rocky cliffs and scrubby pines.
People want to get closer to the falls but stepping back and enjoying the view is just as beautiful.
The most famous waterfall in Yellowstone National Park is the Lower Yellowstone River Falls with an impressive 308-foot drop.
Waterfall rainbows are sun mesmerizing. We wanted to stop and watch so we stayed with our lunch.
Driving around the Park was fun but exhausting. Since we started early we learned to stop for a nap in a beautiful spot. We found Yellowstone Lake and decided the quiet lap of the water was a great way to relax. After our nap we were able to out in the park late.
Don't forget to take pictures of yourselves in front of the scenery.
(Jr does most of the driving so I can take thousands of pictures and help with the navigation)
The deer will hang out in the Road.
When we woke up we decided to drive Towards the East Entrance. This was the best way to see the park. As we came around a corner we came upon a Grizzly bear foraging in the grass along the bank.
We learned very early to not only look at the edge of the Greenery but to look for people.
A few miles down the road we came across another one looking for lunch.
Mom and one cub group
One mom and two cub group.
As we drove back into the park we found a large group of people waiting for a mother and a cub to come over the hill. We should have stopped to tell them there were a few down the road.
Elk are abundant especially in the grass around the Mammoth Hot Springs. There are herds of Elk as well as people. Again have I told you to do things early? Watch the roads do not take your eyes off the road.
This is a pretty area and is worth stopping the see the Upper and Lower Terrance. It is a good climb of stairs and can take a little while. Start with the top Terrace.
When we decided to come back into the park we headed South west on 20 and had some amazing views along Yellowstone lake. However since it was still during some covid outbreaks many of the old hotel amenities were closed. But this is a beautiful drive. Take time to make this drive and enjoy the scenery. On a clear day you can see the Tetons and beyond.
We did this over two days.
ay three we decided to move to the North entrance but we woke up at 4 am to drive to the Wolves den. We saw a grizzly crossing the road. This is a big reminder to always pay attention to your surroundings as animals will dart out whenever they want.
This is where the Wolf Den is at the entrance of the campground. Look for all the photographers by the bathroom. They are very nice and will let you look through their camera at the den. We showed up at 4 am. I needed to walk up the road to use the facilities. The whole time we planned and got ready for the trip my husband wanted to see a wolf so this was the main he was looking for. He sat watching and waiting for the cubs and mom to wake up. I decided to walk back to the road to use the restroom, by myself. Well on the way back I saw 2 dogs crossing the road. 2 very big German Shepherds. (So I thought). They stopped, turned and looked at me. One had a tracking collar on. When my brain started working again I realized they were most likely wolves. I grabbed my camera that was hanging around my neck and snapped a few pictures as they ran off. My heart was pounding and I started to walk fast as I realized everyone had their back to me as I was at the den was more north and they were all waiting for them to appear. I ran up and asked some of them to look at my camera to tell me what I took a picture of. They said they were the 2 wolves they lost track of. They should of told me they lost a few before I left. Jr was not very happy that I was within 50 feet of the one animal he wanted to see.
This was very early in the morning as the wolves were going on their hunt. I was told by a few of the men that have been following this group that the one with the collar was one of the more senior of the group and he has been taking the younger males out hunting to teach him how to do it.
There was a kill the day before in Lamar Valley and they were heading that way.
We did make our way down to Lamar Valley where there are many Bison and Elk as well as Coyotes. There are usually many people sitting along the road with spotting scopes looking for wolves or hungry bear. Again ask if they can show you. They are usually very knowledgeable and are willing to help teach you about the area. If you have time pull over and relax. It is very fascinating to watch all the animals and people.
This was one of 5 Coyote that were taking advantage of the kill further north in Lamar Valley. They able to follow a large Bison heard with their young.
There were many Bison with their young but make sure to watch the road as they will just wander out without seeing any of the cars.
When we went there was a Badger den on the side of the road and she would come out to hunt at certain times of the day. There were babies in the den and many of the people that were waiting have been watching this group for a while. Remember to ask questions. They are all knowledgeable and very nice. They did have cones out to keep the visitors aware.
Just north of the Slough creek we did come across a single bull moose. This was what I wanted to see. He was very young but on the side of the road. The rangers and the area coned off so people did not stop and bug him.
This is the only moose we spotted in Yellowstone but not the only one we saw on our 2 week adventure.
In the same area we were able to witness a Pronghorn giving birth. That was amazing to witness. Again there were rangers on hand to make sure the visitors did not disturb them.
We found ourselves saying what we wanted to see and saying it out load.
We would then see it. The amount of animals during this 2 week adventure was amazing.
More north from the Moose we found a male bear foraging around in a clearing. He kept walking around getting closer to a female Black bear and her cub. We stayed there for several hours. Again the Rangers showed up very quickly to make sure everyone and animal were safe.
Black Bears and cubs on side of road. We did get out of our car and walked up the road to the parking lot. As we turned around to get back to the car the male bear beat us to where we parked and cut us off from our car. Many of the visitors were very nice and offered us a ride in their car.
As we went along with our days we did get up before 4 am and would take a nap in the middle of the day so we could avoid the crowds and the heat in several cases. This then allowed us to see the animals come back out in the evening.
As we headed to our hotel one day we came across a bridge on the north side of the park and many rather large Bison. We tried to cross the bridge before them but if you have seen Bison before they always win. Always let them go ahead of you. This group would walk and then stop and then walk again. There was a rather long line of cars waiting behind us. But if you get behind them just wait for them to let you go. Do not try to pass them they will win if they decide to ram you.
The last day in the park we decided to do a little driving so we headed to the Northeast entrance at Cooke City-Silver Gate (Montana). We had not made it that far yet. There is a beautiful river that runs along the road. At the end of the road before the exit there is a rest area where a visitor can rest and have lunch with a beautiful view of the water flowing. If you wait long enough you may see a few Moose.
On our way back we came across a cute little Fox that tried to smile for the camera as much as he could.
The last place we stayed was Gardiner. This was a cute little town with the oldest gate to the Park. This is a must see.
The river along this road has a beautiful walking trail that we caught at just the right time as the sun was coming down and a mother Elk was walking across the road with her very new born calf.
My advice for the trip
*Plan a few extra days if you just want to go out in the middle of the day, because It gets very busy. We have gone twice and have seen so much of the wild life. We took our time and relaxed because we knew it would take time.
*Be safe and know to be loud as you are on the trails. You do not want to sneak up on an animal in his/her own territory. This can be dangerous.
* Bring bear spray. It is expensive but can give you security just in case. Pass it on to someone else before you get on the plane.
*Listen to the Rangers. If they say the area is too dangerous they are the expert. They work in the area all the time. You are just the visitor. The animals live here, you are the visitor.
I am not an expert just a traveler. My husband and I have been traveling for over 12 years now and many of our friends want our itineraries. This was the best way to think to make our travel map easier to read along with some tips we have learned. Now this was June of 2021 so some things may have changed. The one thing I know that has not changed is the rule to be safe around the wild life. We need to give them their room. This is their home and we are visitors. Let them be and watch from afar. I have a zoom lens on my camera so those pictures that make me look close means I had the lens all the way out. As for the Wolf I was unharmed because they did not see me as a threat and I stood still while they crossed the road. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Travel together. I had paired up with two high school kids that were scared to walk back from the restroom by themselves.
This was our last day in Yellowstone but not our last day of our trip.
On to our next destination.
Comments
Post a Comment