Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: GordonMcGregor on May 09, 2005, 04:11:16 pm

Title: Grand Tetons/Yellowstone in May
Post by: GordonMcGregor on May 09, 2005, 04:11:16 pm
I spent a couple of days in Yellowstone last week.  
All of the roads around Yellowstone Lake were still closed but expected to open some time in May.  The road through to Grand Tetons was closed too.

From the North entrance, you could get to Old Faithful and the Canyon to the South, or East as far as Cooke City.  The roads were still closed beyond that to the South and East.

There was still a lot of snow at higher elevations, but very little around Mamoth Springs and in the Lamar Valley (mostly in shaded areas - very little snow on the valley floor at all)

It can be quite variable from what I read, with occasional snow falls up until mid-June.  Temp was about 20F over night, to mid-50Fs during the day in the park.

If you are interested you can see a few pictures at this link (http://www.pbase.com/gordonmcgregor/yellowstone_05)

The bison were just starting to have young, there were bears out on the roads and I saw a couple of coyotes and wolves feeding on elk.  The bull elk's horns were about 2 ft long and growing fast.
Title: Grand Tetons/Yellowstone in May
Post by: GordonMcGregor on May 10, 2005, 04:13:31 pm
Quote
Gordon,
Thanks for the information and sharing your pics!

Do you know if the road from yellowstone to Grand Teton was closed because of the weather conditions when you were there, or if the road closures are dependent on the date.
The roads are (were?) blocked with snow.
Title: Grand Tetons/Yellowstone in May
Post by: larkvi on May 11, 2005, 10:22:20 am
Keep in mind that even wehn the roads are blocked with snow, Yellowstone can be quite warm. I was in Yellowstone in May two years ago and it was extremely hot for much of one day, but the exit from the park I originally planned to use was nevertheless closed due to some residual snow (and, perhaps more importantly, because of fallen trees and the like).

I suppose May weather anywhere is more or less a crapshoot, but it would be well to be prepared for Summer weather, as well as Winter.
Title: Grand Tetons/Yellowstone in May
Post by: Khurram on May 08, 2005, 05:50:35 pm
I'm planning a last minute trip to Grand Tetons and possibly Yellowstone from May 18 to May 23.  with two days gone for travel time to and from Calgary and Jackson/West Yellowstone, that really only leaves 4 days of actual time at either grand Tetons and or Yellowstone.

I wanted to find out what the weather is usually like during this time period at these two parks.  I know that here in Canada most lakes are still frozen in Banff and Jasper until June, and some access roads are closed until Mid-June.

Are places like Ox-bow bend, and snake river still frozen over during this time of the year?  Are access roads open in Grand Tetons and yellowstone during this time period?
Title: Grand Tetons/Yellowstone in May
Post by: Khurram on May 10, 2005, 01:05:40 pm
Gordon,
Thanks for the information and sharing your pics!

Do you know if the road from yellowstone to Grand Teton was closed because of the weather conditions when you were there, or if the road closures are dependent on the date.
Title: Grand Tetons/Yellowstone in May
Post by: KMOlender on May 10, 2005, 05:26:53 pm
Try Yellowstone seasonal road schedule (http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/orientation/travel/roadopen.htm)