WY/MT/ID trip recomendations

[Forester]

I hope this is not so far off topic as to need to be deleted..if so my apologies.

My fiancee and I are kicking around the idea of a honeymoon in this general area because it is a part of the country we both have wanted to see for a long time. I have spent a lot of time in northern New Mexico and Colorado hiking and working in the Sangre de Cristo range but I would like to see areas farther north.

Our current thoughts center around trying to see some of Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National park. We are planning to fly out to the area, rent a vehicle and drive from there. Staying in 2 or 3 different places depending on what makes sense.

Because we are flying out, camping probably won't work but for those that live anywhere in this area, are these two parks up to their reputation, and for two people that are not crazy about big crowds and "touristy" places are they a good choice? What else should we consider seeing while we are there or instead? Should we just pick one and spend more time there?

We will probably have 6 or 7 days to be there and will be there in late May or early June next year.

Thanks for your suggestions, we have some time yet to do the planning but it never hurts to get an early start.

[MT Gianni]

Yellowstone is best before Memorial day or after Labor day IMHO. It may have a little snow on the ground but tht's life inthe Rockies. I would fly to Jackson Hole or Idaho Falls, if the South entrance is open drive through seeing Old faithful, Firehole basin, Upper and Lower Falls, and a few more sights depending on what time permits. Look for Elk, Bison and Moose calving and perhaps hit the Lamar Valley. At West Yellowstone drive North up the Gallatin Canyon, Bozeman to 3 Forks on to Great Falls for the Charlie Russell Museum. Hit Glacier and spend time hiking at Many Glacier, Two Medicine and go over Going to the Sun Highway facing West and on the Inside for your first time, unless 500' straight down with no shoulder does not intimidate your wife. Spend time at Apgar, drive back on Hwy 2 and visit Goat Haunt, which is the best kept secret in the park. You can spend 10 days on theis itinerary or God forbid, as little as 5. Stop at the Nation al Bison Range going south from Kalispell and fly out of Missoula or return to Kalispell and fly out of there. If you have to fly to big citys go to Spokane and leave out of Salt Lake but you will spend most of 2 days driving to save that money and be onery besides. Feel free to Pm if you want more.
Bring clothes for 3 seasons and GOOD binos for each of you. If it were me I would try to book now for at least one night in the Many Glacier Hotel or the one in Waterton, I believe it is the Prince Rupert. I think they are booked at least a year out. Gianni

[waksupi]

Glacier Park is just north of me, and yes, it is worth seeing. As a rule, it won't be as crowded as Yellowstone this time of year. Sometimes Going to the Sun road isn't open until mid June, due to snow removal. There was more snow here this last Friday, so I don't know if it is open right now. Spring does come slow in the Rockies!
The old rail hotel at Essex on the south edge of Glacier may be a nice place for you to stay, if you like hiking. I will suggest some pepper spray or a heavy caliber revolver if you do much hiking here.

If you have passports, you could also drive north from Kalispell a couple hours to old Ft. Steele in British Columbia. A bit touristy, but neat. .

[clodhopper]

Those are fall, winter, spring, last year summer was on a Tuesday. If you follow MT. Gianni's dierctions you will pass within 2 blocks of my humble abode west of Bozeman. Late May yellowstone can be very snowy.
Norris Mt. ( 25 miles west of Bozeman.) has a Hot Spring, out door pool, Music on weekends. I do not hang out there anymore, but if you are advertureous you might have some fun. At the Norris bar you can get a large cheeseburger with veggies de jour for 8 bucks.

[Old Vic]

clodhopper,

I've heard that this year the Govenor has declared that summer will be on the afternoon of August 14th.

[runfiverun]

don't forget the gun museum in cody wyo at the east entrance to y- stone.
and a car rental is a must out here.
in the spring all the buff and elk are at the west entrane,don't expect to see any bears.

[manleyjt]

The above have given you good insight. Make sure you check for available room sor bring yoru own place to stay. And by all means make sure you visit the museum in Cody, there is more than a firearms museum I am told, last time I was there I spent a day in the firearms section but I am a nut according to most.

[Forester]

Thanks!..this is all exactly the kind of info I was looking for. the more I read the more I think we would be better to spend our time in or around one park or the other, plus that gives a great excuse to come back another time! It seems like there is enough to do and see that I would hate to rush through.

Glacier seems to appeal to me more right now just because it seems less "touristy", that may not be true but its the impression I get. Maybe a "drive through" at Yellowstone on the way to Glacier?

Is there much to be seen hiking in Glacier or Yellowstone on day hikes? I am concerned with flying out all the extra equipment for overnight.

MT: I may send you a PM in a few days after we have talked it over and researched some on our own. Thanks for the offer!

Edited to add: She will likely carry pepper spray...I will be somewhat better prepared. Both for hiking in the backcountry and more dangerous areas like any cities we pass through.

[waksupi]

There are a couple backcountry chalets in GLacier you can reach in a day hike. You would need to contact the park as to availability, and what you need to haul in. Lots of hiking opportunities.

[The Nyack Kid]

I'm going to state my 2 cents worth on GlacierNP , seeing how i might know a thing or .... eight about GNP . The best kept secret of GNP is ..... i aints telling ,if i did it wouldn't be a secret ,now would it .
Acutelly the secret is the fishing . Glacer has many , many fine lakes that are wonderful to fish .

also if one stayed in Kalispell , it is a reasonable drive to GNP ,Flathead Lake , Big Mountain Ski Resort , Hungry Horse Reservoir, the Jewel Basin the Swan Vally , the Yaak and , and , and .dang i'm getting very homesick right now.

[Swagerman]

I fished one of the northern most lakes in Glacier Parl back around 1977, had a motorized inflatable and trolled for killer land lock lale salmon...at least I think that what they were. The fish flesh was firm and redish orange, and they fought like tigers on the line.

Wonderful fishing, but the only thing they responded to was putting a carnal of corn on a hook behind a flashing spinner leader and trolling with it...slightly illegal to use that arrangement. That information was given to me by a gent from Seattle Washington, while at the lake shore.

The old ranger back then came around to warn the campers about the Grizzly bears, keep all foods stuff locked up and out of reach. Hiking you are on your own with the Grizz.

That area is the kind of trip that will make memories stay with you forever. That little lake was about 3 miles from the Canadian line.

Dang, can't remember the name of it...might have been Henderson lake???

Jim

[454PB]

Try to drive the Beartooth hiway, it's the east entrance to Yellowstone Park. We're supposed to get up to 2' of new snow in the mountains today.....so bring your coat next year!

[waksupi]

Still not spring here....

[Forester]

Still not spring here....

I will take that any day over the heat here!

Are there any Forestry related jobs out there? It has been approaching 100 degrees here for the last couple weeks, I shot a USPSA match Sunday and it was 102. Maybe instead of a honeymoon we should just move. The better half to be is a Veterinarian, she can get a job anywhere.

I am going to make reservations at Glacier in the next few days. We decided we would rather see more of one park than a little of both.