Yellowstone in Winter January 12, 2015
Just checking in to see if anyone scheduled for this trip is looking at the Travel Forum. It is still 3.5 months away but it is nice to see who will be with me. I have been to Yellowstone at least a dozen times, but never in winter. I have a couple of friends who have been there at that time (on their own; not with Tauck) and they say, "You've never been to Yellowstone unless you have been in winter." I figured I'd see if they are right.
I will be traveling solo. I did the African Safari to Kenya and Tanzania solo and had a wonderful time. I met some magnificent people there. They, combined with a great itinerary, made the trip special.
I am eager to talk to anyone who is going on this trip.
I am following this one with the Antarctica trip (I'll drop another note for that one).
I will be traveling solo. I did the African Safari to Kenya and Tanzania solo and had a wonderful time. I met some magnificent people there. They, combined with a great itinerary, made the trip special.
I am eager to talk to anyone who is going on this trip.
I am following this one with the Antarctica trip (I'll drop another note for that one).
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The weather was excellent throughout, cold but not unbearable, and we had some snow at the end of the trip.
Here's a link to my photos of the trip (you can view it as a slideshow):
https://picasaweb.google.com/115520979706388828246/60Yellowstone1221402?authkey=Gv1sRgCLywsOOn_bWVLg
If you have any specific questions, I'll try to answer. Have a great time!
Sergio
ndvb
I just reserved this trip for 2016 and look forward to your thoughts on the trip. I haven't been to Yellowstone in over 45 years, and it was summer then. I will also be traveling solo, but will be joined on the trip by a new friend from the Best of Ireland tour I recently completed. I agree with you that the people and the itineraries make these trips special.
Hope I can get some nice ones as well.
Still waiting to hear from anyone making this trip on January 12th. I am getting to Bozeman a day early. Not sure what I am going to do. I've read about dog sledding, snowmobiling (probably my favorite), horseback riding.....who knows. I am not sure yet. I am going to see if there is a helicopter trip around the area and over the northern part of the park. That would be great...maybe a puddle jumper fixed wing if I can't find a chopper trip.
Anyone else have any suggestions? Always looking for interesting, new things to do on a trip....before or after.
Hopefully some folks will drop in and let us know they will be on this trip. I am traveling solo. That always seems to make for interesting scenarios when going out on free time. Supposedly, there are at least three "soloists" taking this adventure.
Hear from you soon?
We are going, but our trip starts on Jan 3, 2015 . . . You are right - it is really quiet. We usually cruise, so am used to lots of communication preparing for the trip. However, given the trip is comprised of less than 20 on this trip vs 700 passengers on a cruise ship, guess statistically, it's understandable.
I do have questions regarding any additional expeditions to book, so if anyone can provide us with some guidance, would appreciate it much!
We are really looking forward to this trip. Being in a snow-filled environment without the skiers or boarders is very appealing! :-)
We are arriving at the Chico Hot Springs Hotel a day early and have arranged a half day dog sledding excursion through the company that is based at the hotel:
http://www.absarokadogsledtreks.com/
We have signed up for the half day Yukon Trek. I had a very short dog sledding experience at Girdwood, Alaska some years ago, and it was a blast! I'm sure that the longer dog sled trek at Chico Hot Springs will be even more fun!
Here is a link to the winter activities available at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge:
http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/things-to-do/winter-things-to-do/winter-activities-at-snow-lodge/
Last night we requested the half day Madison Wildlife Excursion for our free day at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Tauck's 2015 tour departures are on various days of the week, so this excursion will only work for some of the departures, since it is not offered daily.
Years ago I did a full day snowmobiling excursion at Aspen and it was a lot of fun. The Snow Lodge only offers full day excursions, but I wanted something shorter for this trip. Hence we signed up for the shorter snow coach tour that covers a different area than we will be visiting on the Tauck excursions.
We visited Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons in summer a decade ago and are excited to be returning for a winter adventure!
http://www.absarokadogsledtreks.com/
I am already shipping some summer clothes to Phoenix to use during that time and will probably ship my heavy winter coat that I will be using in Yellowstone home with the summer stuff, since we get a parka on the Antarctica tour. I can ship my hiking boots also if they would make a better shoe for the Wyoming trip.
I just know that the Argentinian flights are much more weight focused than my other flights. If anyone has suggestions, I am open to them.
I hope to see some of you on either of these trips.
I've been to both Yellowstone in winter and the Antarctic...the Antarctic is MUCH warmer. The waterproof boots could work in Yellowstone if they are loose enough for multiple pairs of wool socks. In the Antarctic, you have wet landings and temperatures near freezing...in Yellowstone, the temperatures are likely to be (well) below zero (Fahrenheit...i.e., much colder than the Antarctic). In Yellowstone, you won't need to trek through deep snow. If you are off of more-or-less plowed walks, you'll be on snowshoes (optional, but which won't work particularly well with the rubber boats). I understand your desire to pack once for both trips, but they are way different. You'll need serious cold weather clothing for Yellowstone, but in the Antarctic you mostly need good waterproof boots, waterproof pants (for the Zodiac rides) and a good parka (provided). Hiking boots are essentially worthless in the Antarctic...even for the shore hikes, I just wore the rubber boots (with good socks).
Hope this helps.
RLMSLL and DMM, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow or Monday. Travel safely.
GO BUCKEYES!!!!!
I got there a day early and spent the evening checking out Chico Hot Springs facility. Day 1. The first actual day of the trip, I went dog sledding with the Absoroka Dog Sledding group (Mat and Hannah). It was great. I thought we might not have enough snow but once we went up a bit in elevation there was plenty on the trail. The dogs were so excited and are treated fabulously. It was interesting to see them being hooked up to the sled and how excited they were to go for a run.
I missed the opening meeting because I was in the saloon (there are no TVs in the rooms--which is a good thing) watching the Buckeyes win a National Championship. Jim came by, introduced himself, and gave my any relevant information I needed.
Day 2. We again met the dog sledding group and they showed the entire group a Dog Sled 101. After lunch, we went out into the park for some views of the beautiful landscape and animals--which we found many. After the trip along the Yellowstone River, several "pit stops," and some great Kodak moments, we stayed that night at the Mammoth Hot Springs hotel. It isn't the Ritz, but for a National Park property it was nice. The food was good but the service leaves a bit to be desired. We had a nice presentation by Bob Landis on wildlife.
Day 3. This morning we went into the Lamar Valley looking for wolves and other wildlife. The prey come down from the heavy snow banks of the mountains and the wolves follow. We had lunch in Cooke City. Dinner and hotel were again in the Mammoth Hotel.
Day 4. Off to the Old Faithful in the tracked vehicles. More bison and other animals and enjoy a boxed lunch. This was a "thermal features" day, and are they something. They effect the entire look of the area, including the trees, roads, pathways, etc. Of course, we saw Old Faithful blow its stack. Some of us went out that afternoon and with the clear weather and blue skied backdrop--it was great.
Day 5. A morning walk around the Old Faithful grounds was a great way to use the free time. Jim discussed the various features in the area. It got a little slippery on the frozen surfaces, but there were no issues. Jim took a group out snow-shoeing later that day.
Day 6. We took the "Bombardiers" over the snow for a look at the interior of the park. They are loud and cramped, but served us well. More great opportunities to see animals. Box lunch. Great photo ops.
Day 7. Bombardiers again for the drive to Jackson Hole. Not the most comfortable ride, but it is what it is. We stopped along Lake Yellowstone and in the West Thumb basin. We ate at Dornan's restaurant on the way. Good homestyle food and beer. It would have been great views of the Tetons, but it was overcast. We took a horse drawn sleigh through an Elk Refuge. It was raining, but it was interesting to see hundreds of elk around the creek area. Next stop, the Wort Hotel in Jackson Hole. Nice hotel. Lots of places to eat on our own. A lot of shopping areas.
Day 8. Free Day. Wandered around town, looked in a few shops, bought some souvenirs, ate at the Liberty Burger restaurant for lunch, went for a taxi ride with some others to see if we could get some views of the Tetons. They were a bit clearer, but still somewhat overcast. On the drive back to Jackson Hole we stopped for photos and got some close ups of a couple of moose that walked in front of the car. We also saw a large elk standing on top of a hill in the skyline--good pictures again. Dinner at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Nice place with some grand artworks. The food was very good and it was a nice farewell for everyone on the trip.
Day 9. Up before the crack of dawn and off to the airport.
Any questions?
It sounds like you had a fantastic time!
-Tim
Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.
We are just finishing the last trip of the season and are waiting for our transfer to the airport. It is a fantastic trip and far exceeded our expectations!
We did not have any issues with our digital camera batteries. We recharged them each day and never had to switch them out with our spares during the day. This year has bern warmer than typical, so future years may be colder and harder on the batteries.
We did the Absaroka Yukon dogsled trip, which is the intermediate length trip, and highly recomment that trip. Those that took the shorter Tenderfoot trip wished they had taken the longer Yukon trip. The full day Denali trip is more physically demanding. The Yukon trip is the perfect length for most people.
Wildlife sighting were amazing on the trip! We saw two packs of wolves and heard them communicating. We saw coyotes, ravens, and an eagle feasting on a carcass on the shoreline of a river. We saw a red fox at the top of a snow covered hill pouncing on a rodent under the snow! This was beside our road, and National Geographic would have loved to get that footage.
It is a great trip!