Yellowstone Camping Trip

rdinatal

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My wife and I are planning a one week trip to Yellowstone in October next year. So far we are flying into Bosemon, MT and renting a mobile camper/van unit to drive around.

We are in the process of where to camp and what to see when she started in on bears. :eek: I've read bears should be considered when camping/hiking. Since we like to hike and such I started to think about protection. She will have bear repellent. I will have a shotgun in the camp but what about hiking?

My available choices are:
9mm, not acceptable!
357 M19 snub, maybe?

Other choices? (Don't hold back :cool:)
 
Borrow a dog from a local animal shelter as early warning device?;)
Mossberg Shockwave?
 
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Can't take dogs on the trails. If your going to be doing some serious hiking (the non tourist areas) I'd want a 44mag.

In camp, there are bear boxes for food ,and food storage is strictly enforced. All food must be stored the boxes or in vehicles.
 
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I went last year to the Tetons and Yellowstone in July/August. It’s gorgeous...I’d love to go back

There are Black and Grizzly bears in Yellowstone; both behave differently. Learn how to react to both

A .357 is likely useless as well. I’d take nothing less than a .44 with some serious ammo for penetration.

There are also wolves but it depends on what part of the park you’re in.

If you’re going in October, be advised that some roads/passes will be closing due to snowfall already. A main road between Tower Fall and Canyon village closes early to mid October which really divides the park and adds a TON of drive time to get around

The park is broken up into different areas, as it’s so large the geological features and elevations. I don’t think there was an area I didn’t like but others I absolutely loved. Lamar Valley (upper right area of the park) was my favorite terrain. Lots of Bear, antelope, and buffalo, rolling hills and mountains

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This is Soda Butte Creek with the Thunderer peak on the right about halfway back (10,550ft) and Abiathar peak (10,928ft) at the furthest part in the middle. This is near the north east entrance to the park
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I took this picture around the Washburn range and Dunraven pass:
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And the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with the Yellowstone river running through. At this overlook (not pictured) there is an active osprey nest that, at the time of my visit, was on like the double-digits of familial Osprey generations to use it due to the prime location for safety and hunting etc. Really cool

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I could post pictures for days and days.

Yellowstone is a must-see for everyone. Just hold on to your hats and belongings around all the hot springs and mineral formations; people are ruining these thousands of year old geological treasures because they’re stupid.
 
We stayed at the norris campground (first come, no reservations, no power, no showers), it's a great central location to head out to see everything.

And yes the bears are pretty dang smart, saw plenty of them, but none in the campground while I was there.
 
There's always a .458 AR pistol. Doesn't weight much more than a 6" .44 mag in a shoulder rig.
 
A few years ago the wife and I went camping at elk lake right outside of Yellowstone with her folks. It was an awesome trip. They had campers but we slept in a tent beside the lake. It was the week of July the 4th but the water was cold as ice.
 
Yellowstone has been on my bucket list for awhile, and I've finally just started planning a trip sometime next year. @Diablos and @11B CIB - besides the regular tourist type stuff, what are other good "off the beaten path" type things to see and do in Yellowstone? Is any particular timeframe optimal for avoiding crowds of tourists?
 
Yellowstone has been on my bucket list for awhile, and I've finally just started planning a trip sometime next year. @Diablos and @11B CIB - besides the regular tourist type stuff, what are other good "off the beaten path" type things to see and do in Yellowstone? Is any particular timeframe optimal for avoiding crowds of tourists?


I didn't get a chance to get out and hike much as we brought my mother in law with us. but a good example is the overlook trail to view the great prismatic spring. Most will take the quick and easy boardwalk viewing that is accessible by pulling right into a parking lot. However, if you're willing to hike a couple miles in, you'll be rewarded with a spectacular view that far fewer trek to, and that's how many of the trails are set up.

As to timing, early June the park is just opening back up for the season (so some facilities/campgrounds aren't open yet, but they'll be "less" people. I've also been told latter in the season is a good time to go, I after labor day. Either way, be prepared for cold weather (30s are very possible with snow), with warmer weather during the day.
 
I know someone who spent two weeks all over the area. He said the Grand Teton were ok but he wished he would have concentrated the north Yellowstone and other parts of Montana.

My plans are to fly in and explore the northern areas.
 
We went 1st week of june and I really didn't think it was too bad. Go see things early before the crowds get there.

I have some maps a coworker gave me I'll scan in and upload to help ya plan your adventures.
 
I didn't get a chance to get out and hike much as we brought my mother in law with us. but a good example is the overlook trail to view the great prismatic spring. Most will take the quick and easy boardwalk viewing that is accessible by pulling right into a parking lot. However, if you're willing to hike a couple miles in, you'll be rewarded with a spectacular view that far fewer trek to, and that's how many of the trails are set up.

As to timing, early June the park is just opening back up for the season (so some facilities/campgrounds aren't open yet, but they'll be "less" people. I've also been told latter in the season is a good time to go, I after labor day. Either way, be prepared for cold weather (30s are very possible with snow), with warmer weather during the day.

Here is the view he is talking about:

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From the perimeter board walk, you can see this overlook up in the trees:

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@Railsplitter , @Diablos had some great points. Be prepared for shifts in the weather: temps (cool in the early AM/late PM) and warm enough for shorts mid day (I was there July and August for reference) as well as sporadic rain fall.

There were several things we went to see that weren’t crowded; I’ll have to look back at my trip log for the names. But they were off the beaten path type deals. Tourists are fat and lazy; distance and difficulty keep them away from cool stuff.

We were the only ones on the whole path to see Wraith falls. Take the spur road up Dunraven Pass to the top of Mt Washburn and you’ll get some awesome 180-270 degree views (depending on where you’re standing). We took a little picnic snack and sat up there and enjoyed an overcast 65 degree day...nice breeze...it was great.

The picture I post up there of Soda Butte Creek....we found a pull off by the side of the road that was empty and got out. The creek was low-ish and no fishermen were out so my son could throw rocks in the water til his arm fell off. It was a really cool place walking in the creek bed (looks like a river to me) but it’s not a big time attraction like the geysers or the springs etc

I’ll ask my wife about some others. There was one unpaved scenic road you could take that was really out of the way but promised views and wild life. I got out of the car a lot to take pictures...really worth it
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I know someone who spent two weeks all over the area. He said the Grand Teton were ok but he wished he would have concentrated the north Yellowstone and other parts of Montana.

My plans are to fly in and explore the northern areas.

The northern portions were my favorite.

If you go out the North Gate into Gardiner, Montana, you can see all these mountain goats on these sheer vertical cliffs. Also, the little “town” around Park HQ at mammoth hot springs had a ton of elk just roaming around. We also saw a ton of Pronghorns around that part of the park

There’s also a cool fly fishing shop in Gardiner, MT worth checking out if you’re into that stuff
 
Definite bucket list item for me. As a Boy Scout, I was fortunate enough to spend 12 days, backpacking 75 miles at the Philmont Scout Ranch in northern NM. A definite once in a lifetime experience.
 
In August I took my family on a 2 week camping trip in Canada. We flew to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory where we picked up our rented F350 truck campers with 2 other families. We drove from Whitehorse to Tuktoyatuk on the Arctic Ocean camping all along the way. It was an amazing trip, but I would do things a little differently if we ever do it again.

Bears were definitely a concern that I took very seriously. I began researching protection, prevention, behavior, and proper reaction plenty ahead of the trip. I found tons of information. I don't remember where I found this, but it is my favorite piece of advice regarding bears...

KNOW YOUR SCAT... let me explain.

This applies to both black bears and grizzly bears. Bears generally avoid people if they know you're there. Wear little bells on your pack, belt, shirt, and/or jacket. The noise will give them warning that you are in the area.

Never hike alone or leave the campsite alone. Each person in your party should carry a can of bear spray at all times and know how to use it. Do not spray at a bear unless they are approaching and within 25 feet. Be aware of wind direction should you decide to use the spray.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times while hiking and observant of signs of bears in the area paying particular attention to scat. Know how to identify which type of bear is in the area by examining their scat. Black bear scat will contain mainly berries and small bits of fur and bone. Grizzly bear scat will contain berries, bits of fur and bone, little bells, and smells like bear spray.
 
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