Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:35:24 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Olson <jjolson@GWTC.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Olson <jjolson@GWTC.NET>
Subject:      Re: roadtrip - Yellowstone/Tetons
In-Reply-To:  <586a66171001190512h68f4a4dfhbcd812027214cb8b@mail.gmail.com>
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Having lived in the bay area, Seattle and Laramie, WY - and backpacked
throughout the west, I would NOT recommend Yellowstone in the summer.
Campsites are really close together in my experience.   The Tetons are
close in being crowded, but not quite as bad.  For Wyoming camping and
day hiking I would recommend the Green River Lakes at the north end of
the Wind River Range or Big Sandy (and its lodge) at the south end.
Both have numerous day hikes and horseback riding.  Both have big views
as well, something Yellowstone really doesn't.  Both are reached by dirt
roads.

But the best kept secret in Wyoming is the Snowy Range an hour west of
Laramie.  Campgrounds at 10,000' and above, right at timberline, with
numerous hiking trails through spectacular meadows by numerous lakes
with big trout, all at the feet of spectacular 12,000 Medicine Bow Peak
and its miles of 11,000 foot plus ridges.  You can be at the top of the
peak after a 3 hour hike on a safe trail.  Almost everything is within a
couple hours hike of a trailhead.  ON the backside of the Snowys is an
elk heard 100+ strong.  Hike past Shelf Lakes cross country...  It's all
above timberline and the trail is always visible a half mile and 300
vertical feet below down the meadows.

As an aside, it is said that 99% of the people never get off the road in
Yosemite, and of those that do, 99% never get more than 100 yards from
the road.  Yosemite valley has lots of hiking that is people free.  You
just have to get away from the road...

Jeffrey Olson
Martin, SD

Bob Stevens wrote:
> Dixie,
> Please don't take this as the "wet blanket" on your Yellowstone plans ....
> all the advertising and online pix reveal the scenic and pristine nature
> of that VERY interesting area. I'm fairly close to it (salt lake) so have
> been several times and never get tired of it. The thing to be prepared
> for, that Karl already mentioned, is the hordes of other people and
> subsequent "reservations" for whatever you're going to do while there.
>
>