Canyon's a perfect central location so if that's your fallback you're in good shape. You'll undoubtedly want to explore sites to the south (Hayden, Lake), so there's nothing wrong with being based there at that time of year.

Max

Statistics: Posted by Max — Fri Jan 18, 2019 5:30 pm

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I have all of my stay at Yellowstone booked. At reserved campsites.
Here's the itinerary:
May/30-6/4 Grand Teton...so you Know where I'm coming
June/4-10 Bridge Bay Campground
June/10-12 Red Lodge Pollard Hotel
June/12-17 Canyon Campground*****
June/17-23 Madison
June/23-29 Canyon
June/29 Three Forks, MT heading to Glacier.

The first Canyon campground stay(*) is a fall back in case I can't get a first come first camp site after my stay in Red Lodge. I'm guessing it might be tough seeing it's the middle of June and I'll be getting there mid day at the earliest. I'd like to get one of the sites near Lamar Valley for some early morning photography. Which is your favorite? I will try to get a a cabin In Roosevelt for 6/12 just to get a jump on the first come sites early on the 13th.

Any thoughts on this?
thanks,
Dave

Statistics: Posted by dads2vette — Fri Jan 18, 2019 2:02 pm

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Brad summed it up pretty well.

You're not going to see nearly as much if you concentrate mainly on hiking, but you may luck into some species that may not otherwise be found from the road. As mentioned, Trout Lake (otters) and the meadows around Canyon (Great gray owls) are two possibilities, though in either case it's not necessarily "prime time" in those areas (peak activity for otters starts around mid-late June, closer to the trout spawn... and at Canyon the meadows may still be waterlogged).

Definitely bring bear spray and have it on you at all times.

Max

Statistics: Posted by Max — Wed Jan 16, 2019 11:30 am

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It’s always fun to take a hike or two or three but if your main intent is to focus on animals then I’d stick with the car. Many of the trails will be closed because of bear activity. I’ll be in the Park the same time you are and I’ll hike trout lake, buck lake trail. I’ll walk around Canyon junction looking for owls, and probably take the new grand prismatic trail. Never go out without bear spray, never. Spring is baby time and you will be awarded for going this time of year. Bring clothes for all weather because you’ll need winter weather wear, as well as spring attire. Best time of year to go I go several times a year and have been going for 40+ years. Have fun.

Statistics: Posted by obradallen — Wed Jan 16, 2019 10:14 am

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Hi!

My girlfriend and I visited the park at the end of september last year and booked another trip for june this year. We both have big telephoto lenses to take our pictures from a distance and not disturb the animals.
Last time we drove through the park by car, but this time we would also like to go hiking. Can anyone recommend places and routes where animals can be seen?

what do you think about bearspray?

Does it make sense to have a radio?

Thanks,
Marc

Statistics: Posted by MSN — Wed Jan 16, 2019 4:55 am

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For the longer backcountry hike you may want to check the Trip Reports forum. There are a few hike-centric reports in there... it may even be a good idea to PM the authors directly for suggestions in case they don't see your post here. Scatman is one person with a lot of backcountry experience who comes to mind.

When you're not on the trails and are looking for wildlife, definitely get out pretty early. In summer it gets hot quickly, so you want to beat the heat in order to increase your chances of seeing wildlife--and that's before the roads get really crowded with tourists.

One shorter hike to consider is Mt. Washburn, since you have an interest in wildlife. Start at sunrise and go up the Chittenden Road side. Of all the hikes I've done in the park, this one has offered up the greatest variety of wildlife. Again, best to start first thing in the morning to avoid the heat until you're heading back down. There's a good chance you'll have it to yourself or only a couple other people on the way up too.

Max

Statistics: Posted by Max — Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:22 pm

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This July I will be in the park from July 17 - July 25 with my 9 year-old son. We're looking to do some backpacking, day hiking, animal watching, and fishing. I'm looking for any hidden gems that would be great for me and my son since we have so much time. With 8 days, I'm assuming we will be able to do hit all the main attractions and still have time to explore.

One thing we do want to do is is a 3-4 day backpack trip. This will be his first backpacking adventure (not mine, I've done many). Having never backpacked Yellowstone, I'm looking for any recommendations on routes. One route I've been eyeing is the Bliss Pass route. I would prefer not to do an out and back, but also am not sure how shuttling/hitchhiking works in the corner of the park. If there are other options that would be suitable for a 9 year-old, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks!

Statistics: Posted by napid79 — Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:14 pm

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Sharon, the timing for the colors varies. Traditionally, the end of September/start of October was peak, but in recent years it's been all over the place. I believe a few years ago, the colors peaked 2 weeks early, then 1 week early... and then the third year they peaked a few days late. This year on my fall tour (Sept 22 - 29), Yellowstone color was the best I've ever seen, but the Tetons had not peaked yet on the second half of that trip.

I would aim for the fourth week of September this year, and then keep your fingers crossed.

Max

Statistics: Posted by Max — Sat Jan 12, 2019 12:29 pm

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Dorothy, the cinnamon cub was across the road from Rainy Lake. The pouncing coyote was in almost the same place. I think the cinnamon was a 2-year-old, as is the black in the first picture, which was taken on the road east of Hellroaring a bit.
Thank you for liking them!

Statistics: Posted by lah — Wed Jan 09, 2019 10:31 am

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I've been there several times in the fall and had various luck with leaves -- some years it's been really great in the first couple of weeks, but my best luck has come in the final week-and-a-half of September and first week of October. The Snake River Canyon heading into Grand Teton can be spectacular, by the way. Good luck!

Statistics: Posted by Dorothy — Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:32 pm

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Wow -- thanks to all for posting these photos! I'm in a "winter Yellowstone homesick funk" and these really helped (both abate it and exacerbate it!). What fun they are. Loved the pouncing coyote, the black bear closeup, the GGO, the black-billed magpie flying, the moose "nosing" the other moose, the "reflecting" fox ... and everything else.

Linda -- was the cinnamon bear walking down the road near Sheepeater Cliff? Of course, most all cinnamon bears look alike, but it bears a striking resemblance to a cinnamon my sis and I saw "up close and personal" at Sheepeater.

Anyway, again thanks to all of you for posting photos!

Statistics: Posted by Dorothy — Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:29 pm

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Here some of the non-Yellowstone shots that made my Best Of 2018 list:

My family in Ireland.


Channel-billed toucan and the moon in the Brazilian Amazon


Alaska Peninsula brown bear


You can see the full list of my favorite images from the year here.

Max

Statistics: Posted by Max — Tue Jan 08, 2019 3:53 pm

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Here are my Yellowstone shots that made my Best Of 2018 list:







You can see the full list of my favorite images from the year here.

Max

Statistics: Posted by Max — Tue Jan 08, 2019 3:50 pm

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Thank you!! Sounds like a plan.

Statistics: Posted by Fancyhen — Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:45 pm

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Second to third in week in September would be best.

Statistics: Posted by RikWriter — Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:10 pm

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