What's New in Yellowstone?

Finally, after cancelling three previous attempts, we are again

traveling to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone this Fall. I can hardly

wait!! Since it has been 4 years since I've returned to this

beautiful area, I would appreciate any current news: new hot viewing

areas, wildlife updates, new publications, etc. I have been to both

parks three other times and have my list of "must see" spots. Mainly

I'm wondering about how things may have changed. We are going in the

middle of September which is earlier than my last trips. I know that

it will be difficult to predict the color but have the last few

winters been mild or severe?

We are camping the first few days in the Grand Tetons and then moving

up to Old Faithful. This might also be my first time to do some

additional hiking. Any "secret" trails that you might recommend?

Thanks for any tips and updates.

I haven't been to the area since 1995. From what I've heard, you can expect to see a LOT more people tromping all over the place, generally making a mess of the place. However, my father-in-law just came back from a week there and said it wasn't crowded at all. *shrug* <p>

The NPS has a decent press-release web page you might be interested in:

<a href="http://www.nps.gov/yell/press/">http://www.nps.gov/yell/press/</a>.

There are some new blades of grass grass growing over by the elk refuge. Better hurry because I saw a moose eyeing it :-)

... sorry... I had to, you know.

I went last year, for the first time EVER, for the first week in September. We were actually in the Tetons on Labor Day - no doubt one of the busiest times of the year. There WERE people around. We did the Cascade Canyon and Death Canyon or something trails. You'd pass a few people here and there, but for the MOST part we were alone on the hikes. Now, at Hidden Falls in the Tetons, there was a MASS of people. That and the Lower Falls at Yellowstone were really the only "crowded" places.

DEFINATELY do all the hikes you can in the tetons. take a drive, if you have a suitable vehicle, up the Gros Venture slide area, East of the Tetons. Well worth it, and I don't think a lot of regular people go there.

Were were in the Tetons for 3 days, then in the middle of the week (after Labor Day) we were in Yellowstone. Never had any traffic problems or gridlock. A few times there were cars 3 or 4 deep letting a moose walk by.

We were told that Labor day was the last big push of tourists, so I guess we hit it at the tail end. Jackson the TOWN was always packed.

I remember each day at dusk we'd drive through the Tetons to wildlife-watch, and I remember being surprised at the LACK of people. Granted, I live in Orlando, so I'm used to tourists and masses of people. So maybe it's all relative.

But you should be good with not having too many people, and hopefully you will be there before all the roads close for winter.

Heather--you beat me to that one--:)

Jackie, when you are in the Tetons, stop in at the main visior center and ask for Ranger Dr. Dave. (Dave Smalldone) he can point out the hot spots--Dave, if you are reading this . . . .

Er, pardon my macabre response, but apparantly the water's still hot in Yellowstone:

http://www.local6.com/news/2373865/detail.html

"A 5-year-old girl is burned after falling into 160-degree water near a geyser in Yellowstone National Park."

We had a amazing time last June in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. We were there towards the end of the month and we actually were covered with snow for a little bit. I posted pictures in my <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=318726">photo.net

gallery</a>. I also have more pictures posted in my "Recent" Gallery on my site at <a href="http://www.goodmanlife.com">www.goodmanlife.com</a>.

Hayden Valley was by far my favorite. Dramatic panoramas and plenty of wildlife. Email me if you want to know about specific locations of my shots (although most should be familiar to anyone who has visited the park before).

-Greg