Yellowstone Help
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 26
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From: North Jersey
Yellowstone Help
I'm planing a cross country trip and I'm starting to worry about the trip around yellowstone. I'll be coming off the west coast and will be pulling into Yellowstone via the tetons around May 30 and leaving June 1. Ive got a few questions.
1. What kind of weather should I expect? (I know cold)
2. Is everything going to be snow covered?
3. What are road conditions and closures?
4. What is the overall experience this time of year?
1. What kind of weather should I expect? (I know cold)
2. Is everything going to be snow covered?
3. What are road conditions and closures?
4. What is the overall experience this time of year?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 834
Likes: 3
From: San Diego
check the weather, and be prepared for down time. It could be great, or it could rain and snow. No way of telling. I would definitely be prepared for anything.
Have fun, budget enough time and it will be great
here is some info with last yrs temps at that time and averages
http://www.wunderground.com/history/...tename=Wyoming
Have fun, budget enough time and it will be great
here is some info with last yrs temps at that time and averages
http://www.wunderground.com/history/...tename=Wyoming
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,247
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Memorial Day WILL be crowded, plan on some extra time getting through the park.
Weather will be hit an miss, it always is. One day snow, one day clear, one day rain, usually how it goes. Prepare for everything.
Plan on slow moving traffic allowing for plenty of stops for photo opportunities of the wildlife.
Weather will be hit an miss, it always is. One day snow, one day clear, one day rain, usually how it goes. Prepare for everything.
Plan on slow moving traffic allowing for plenty of stops for photo opportunities of the wildlife.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 894
Likes: 3
From: Wyalusing, PA
I've ridden through Yellowstone several times. On the way to Sturgis, after Sturgis but never that early in the season. One thing always prevails, the tourista that feel compelled to slam on the brakes every time they see any critter that might present a photo opportunity. They are NOT looking out for you so you have to look out for them.
Some of the best wildlife I have seen there has been immediately before or right after all the cars are stopped in the middle of the road!!! Once a few folks start looking, all of them do and most of them end up missing golden opportunities because they're following the herd instead of heading out on their own!
Even in August the morning temperatures were really low, but I LOVE putting on the leathers and riding with that crisp air on my face...that's just how I roll!
Some of the best wildlife I have seen there has been immediately before or right after all the cars are stopped in the middle of the road!!! Once a few folks start looking, all of them do and most of them end up missing golden opportunities because they're following the herd instead of heading out on their own!
Even in August the morning temperatures were really low, but I LOVE putting on the leathers and riding with that crisp air on my face...that's just how I roll!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
I'm planing a cross country trip and I'm starting to worry about the trip around yellowstone. I'll be coming off the west coast and will be pulling into Yellowstone via the tetons around May 30 and leaving June 1. Ive got a few questions.
1. What kind of weather should I expect? (I know cold)
1. What kind of weather should I expect? (I know cold)
2. Is everything going to be snow covered?
Be wary when you are riding around the Divide. (The road in Yellowstone from West Thumb to Old Faithful crosses the Divide three times.) When you're messing around near the Divide, chances of snow are higher, while it might be rain 2 miles down the road.
Of course, I got 3" of snow this morning, and expecting 2" more tonight. And I don't live at high elevation (~5000')
3. What are road conditions and closures?
But if you have any moisture during the day, I would make sure to be off the road by 7:30pm (approx 1 hour before sunset). If the weather changes, and it will, the temp will drop and the wind will pick up and give you black ice. Not to mention that animals in the spring are still at lower elevations and tend to be more active around then.
4. What is the overall experience this time of year?
And if you're a fly fisherman.....well, the spring hatches are the best!
Just dress in layers and be prepared to add/shed as needed. Worry more about rain than snow. Bring a good rain suit, some good gloves, and you'll be fine.
Ask, if you have any other questions.
Last edited by faber; May 7, 2010 at 12:13 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 738
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Road construction is always a problem...came in the east entrance from Cody and delays were long even at 7:30 in the morning.
This site gives you construction delay times as well as location...even a hotline to call. As well as lots of other info including maps......
http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm
This site gives you construction delay times as well as location...even a hotline to call. As well as lots of other info including maps......
http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 26
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From: North Jersey
You covered it to a "T". Thanks I was starting to plan a possible change in route but not now. One more week and I'm OFF!!!!!
Stage II
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2
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There's good advice in this thread. Here's my two cents:
Watch your elevation. If it rained in Yellowstone, it snowed/sleeted in the higher elevations. If you're on Beartooth, prepare for 11,000+ ft of elevation, and top off your tank before getting on; the wilder parts of the road have no gas stations, are narrow and have almost no shoulder. Watch for cattle. If I remember correctly, some of Beartooth (HWY 212) is a free-range area.
Don't get sunburned: at higher elevations the UV radiation is intense.
Watch your elevation. If it rained in Yellowstone, it snowed/sleeted in the higher elevations. If you're on Beartooth, prepare for 11,000+ ft of elevation, and top off your tank before getting on; the wilder parts of the road have no gas stations, are narrow and have almost no shoulder. Watch for cattle. If I remember correctly, some of Beartooth (HWY 212) is a free-range area.
Don't get sunburned: at higher elevations the UV radiation is intense.
