Motorcycle trip in Yellowstone

Sorry I didn't see this earlier, but for anyone reading in the future there's a network of unpaved roads in the southern end of Custer State Park near the Wildlife Center that provides wonderful remote views and up-close access to wildlife. In fact, sometimes too close, as we had at times buffalo less than 30' from our truck. The road is graded and covered with gravel so it is navigable by most any vehicles as long as you take it easy.

Preeb wrote in post #17627519
I'm sitting here in a motel in Cody tonight. Drove up from northeastern Colorado today, through Casper and Thermopolis. Tomorrow I'm going north into Montana, then through the Beartooths, through Yellowstone and Teton and ending up at my brother's place in Idaho Falls ID. I know it's a fast run, but my real reason for the trip is golf, getting a few shots is sort of a sidelight this time. I've never been through the Beartooths, despite living in Montana and Colorado since 1964, so I figured it's about time.

You will love the Beartooths! Beautiful scenery.

After a good night's sleep, here are my thoughts regarding our trip.

1) It is a long way from Kentucky to Wyoming! We stayed two nights at Custer, two in Cody, four in Yellowstone, and two in the Tetons. In hindsight, given the same number of days, I would probably trade-off a day in Yellowstone for an extra one in the Tetons. The Tetons are less crowded, and the scenery is outstanding.

2) We liked staying in cabins better than hotels. We stayed in a small cabin at Custer and it was cozy and secluded. Also stayed in a very nice cabin at Signal Mountain in the Tetons.

3) We liked the Tower/Canyon area of Yellowstone the best. Least favorite area of Yellowstone was around the lake and east entrance.

4) My 400 5.6 lens was plenty long enough for about all of my wildlife shots. In fact, sometimes it was too long, and I would have to switch to my 70-200 for the shot. I would think a 100-400 zoom would be ideal for the park. The only animals that were clearly out of range of 400 mm were the wolves. They were just too far away, but it was awesome to see them.

5) I am generally happy with my wildlife shots, except my grizzly pics. I had two golden opportunities of a mama grizzly with her cubs, but my pics turned out a little soft. And of course, the best poses were the softest! I think I was just too pumped when I was taking the pics of the grizzlies, and used poor technique. I should have slowed down, used my monopod, and watched my settings better.

6) A "photography" vacation can be exhausting! Getting up at the crack of dawn and staying out till dusk is tough on a middle-aged man. I was able to get a nap on some of the days, which helped.

7) We were able to ride the motorcycle on the Needles Highway, Iron Mountain, Chief Joseph, and Beartooth. All were great rides, but the Beartooths were the best.

All in all, it was an awesome vacation and I'm so glad we had the chance to go. I'll be happy to answer any specific questions about our trip. I'll start posting some pics now. Feel free to comment and critique them.

fishbio wrote in post #17627829
After a good night's sleep, here are my thoughts regarding our trip.

1) It is a long way from Kentucky to Wyoming! We stayed two nights at Custer, two in Cody, four in Yellowstone, and two in the Tetons. In hindsight, given the same number of days, I would probably trade-off a day in Yellowstone for an extra one in the Tetons. The Tetons are less crowded, and the scenery is outstanding.

We also found this to be the case on our first trip to the area of Yellowstone/Tetons and know, and now after repeated trips (4) to the area don't stay at all in Yellowstone. Much of Yellowstone is so readily accessible from the Jackson Hole area and really as you state there is much more beauty and things to do in the Jackson/Tetons area.

John from PA wrote in post #17627896
We also found this to be the case on our first trip to the area of Yellowstone/Tetons and know, and now after repeated trips (4) to the area don't stay at all in Yellowstone. Much of Yellowstone is so readily accessible from the Jackson Hole area and really as you state there is much more beauty and things to do in the Jackson/Tetons area.

How long did it take you to get into the park in the morning? Last I went I stayed outside the park and it was a long and tense drive in the dark before sunrise and after sunset, even with considerable auxiliary lighting on my truck to help show possible hazards in the distance. Then there were the delays at the park entrance getting in. As much as I enjoyed the amenities such as hot tubs and heated swimming pools, the photographer in me wished I had those extra two hours of driving time for sleep.

bumpintheroad wrote in post #17628290
How long did it take you to get into the park in the morning? Last I went I stayed outside the park and it was a long and tense drive in the dark before sunrise and after sunset, even with considerable auxiliary lighting on my truck to help show possible hazards in the distance. Then there were the delays at the park entrance getting in. As much as I enjoyed the amenities such as hot tubs and heated swimming pools, the photographer in me wished I had those extra two hours of driving time for sleep.

Hmmm...I must be going there at the best of times and that is usually the 4th of July +/- a few days as we enjoy the in town festivities. I have traveled the road from town (Jackson Hole) to Schwabacher Landing many times at 5 AM and actually never encountered any wildlife that I can remember. Heck driving here in Pennsylvania with the deer is more of a challenge. I'm sure they are out there, I just haven't seen anything on that particular main road. Usually after shooting sunrise at Schwabacher Landing I head to the opposite side of the road to shoot the houses at Mormon Row. That typically is about 6 to 6:30 AM. Almost certainly at that hour I see bison meandering about the Mormon Row homes.

As far as entering the park in the morning, that too hasn't been an issue. I have approached the gate when there are maybe 6 to 10 cars and the wait is no more than a few minutes.

Last I went was also around the 4th of July and remember how anxious I was driving back in the dark, tired but trying to keep alert for wildlife. On our second night I remember a moose started ambling across the road and I had to panic stop. That wouldn't have been a fun encounter in an SUV, let alone on a bike.

I'd love to take a bike cross country but the kids, even though in their 20's now, would never let me go without them.

we went to the rodeo in Jackson and afterwards drove back to Moosehead Ranch in the dark. Had to stop for a big herd of elk crossing that road. Lots of little ones in the herd too. We did not see any moose anywhere in the two weeks we were there, that and wolves were the animals that escaped my lens

fishbio wrote in post #17627802
You will love the Beartooths! Beautiful scenery.

With the several times I've been to Yellowstone, I think that although this may not be the shortest or easiest way to enter the park, it is easily the most spectacular. The drive over the Beartooth Mountains is simply amazing, and this from someone who has lived in Montana and Colorado since 1964, and has driven and hiked all over the Rockies. If you ever get the chance, don't miss the drive (and the photo ops) on highway 212 from Red Lodge, Montana to the NE entrance at Cooke City and Silver Gate.