Plan on heading West

[Ozarkridgerunner]

We are planning a trip out West next Fall. Long ways off I know but we have to save the pennies for awhile. Also lot of arrangements to make to be able to leave the ranch for any extended time. I figured there are some of you folks who live or have traveled a lot in the West. We are planning on staying around Cody, WY. Seeing the sights around there maybe take in the rodeo. From the rental cabin ,which looks like at least six month in advance booking , plan to go to Yellowstone. Hopefully a couple days up there at least. The cabin is closer to Clark right against the Shoshone Forest. About 45 min to one of Yellowstone entrances. Kinda use the cowboy cabin as a base camp and relax there too. Trout stream out the front door for some fishing. Would love to go on to Glacier. Don't know if we'll be able. We plan to book the cabin for a week. Coming back we would like to go through the Tetons and Jackson Hole. Anyone out there who have been to these areas have any advice or must sees while we there ? Be our first time. We will be driving an SUV , no RV.

[RanchRoper]

The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson Hole is fun to see. The Tetons are great and the Elk Refuge near jackson as well. There are several spots where the Oregon Trail is marked in Wyoming too. Wagon ruts still there. The Medicine Bow area near Cheyenne is some of the most beautiful country anywhere. Cody night rodeo is cool, and you can actually stay in the Irma Hotel!

http://www.irmahotel.com/

[Ozarkridgerunner]

Thank you much Ranch Roper. Appreciate the insight very much. Only been West once out to Colorado. Probably be a once in a lifetime trip for the family so we hope to make it count. The Lord willing and if the creek don't rise, we're planning on it. We'll keep Savin the pennies

[Mags]

Would love to go on to Glacier. Don't know if we'll be able. We plan to book the cabin for a week.

We rented a cabin last September right after labor day. Rationale was kids would be back in school so there would be fewer people. We had a wonderful time. Road to the Sun was closed for a couple days for snow. My favorite spot is Bowman Lake. There is a picture here on this forum of the lake. See if you can find it.

Going to Glacier later in the fall could be problematic. Road to the Sun gets closed for snow more and more frequently after labor day and closed for the winter likely sometime mid-October. Also a lot of nearby tourist amenities (nostalgic General Stores and restaurants) close for the winter one week after labor day. Otherwise other areas of the park are open year round weather permitting.

Some helpful information here:
https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/hours.htm

[Ozarkridgerunner]

Thanks a lot Mags. Appreciate you sharing your travel experiences. I kind of figured as much about the weather in Glacier at that time of year. We would love to go up there but maybe able to just take in the sights around Yellowstone. We'll see.

[Mags]

A story to tell about the cabin we stayed in. The cabin we stayed in is someone's family cabin. They rent it out during tourist season. Lot of their personal stuff in it. Anyway one time the owner's mother was staying there and a grizzly bear showed up outside. She grabbed her .45 to go scare it off and in her excitement shot a hole in the kitchen stove. The stove works. Looking into it, there were wiring repairs made.

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[Mags]

Picture of the cabin.

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[Mags]

Another human interest thing. Near the summit of Road to the Sun, we pulled over to see what a lot of other people were looking at. Turns out there was a grizzly bear mom and cubs quite a ways up the hillside. Too far even for the big zoom lens for my Canon camera. Anyway while standing there I noticed that shadows are very crisp and dark in the thin high altitude air.

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[ESquared]

It's all fantastic, but Jackson/Tetons and that part of Yellowstone is a must-do. You'll have a great time, no matter where you go or how you do it. But the cautions on the weather are good advice. Depending on how far into the fall season you plan to be there, access can be limited.

[Ozarkridgerunner]

A story to tell about the cabin we stayed in. The cabin we stayed in is someone's family cabin. They rent it out during tourist season. Lot of their personal stuff in it. Anyway one time the owner's mother was staying there and a grizzly bear showed up outside. She grabbed her .45 to go scare it off and in her excitement shot a hole in the kitchen stove. The stove works. Looking into it, there were wiring repairs made.

20160914_102811.jpg

Grandma got a little heavy on the trigger at the wrong time didn't she !! That's funny. Appreciate the story and the cabin pics.

[Ozarkridgerunner]

It's all fantastic, but Jackson/Tetons and that part of Yellowstone is a must-do. You'll have a great time, no matter where you go or how you do it. But the cautions on the weather are good advice. Depending on how far into the fall season you plan to be there, access can be limited.

Yes sir , we figure a person could drive their selves crazy trying to see and do so much. Want to relax too and enjoy it. My Dad used to Elk hunt out West when I was little and I know how many times in the fall up high they would get snowed in. We just ain't used to that kinda weather ! Person just has to be prepared and little more cautious I can imagine

[JEBar]

you are wise to book your cabin as far in advance as is possible .... we travel extensively in our camper and find that for areas with high tourist attractions, its critical to book early .... looking forward to following both your trip prep and the actual trip as well

[Ozarkridgerunner]

you are wise to book your cabin as far in advance as is possible .... we travel extensively in our camper and find that for areas with high tourist attractions, its critical to book early .... looking forward to following both your trip prep and the actual trip as well

Thank you sir , I will do that. We are hoping with school started that the fall will be less crowded. Have heard summer time in Yellowstone can get crazy with the crowds and traffic

[ESquared]

Yeah, just remember: Don't shoot the stove!

[Ozarkridgerunner]

That's right! Those rental cabins require a hefty deposit for damages and such. We will be careful if we have to sling lead at a bear !

[RanchRoper]

Just be aware that you can get snow in Wyoming anytime after August in some areas.

[Mags]

Yeah, just remember: Don't shoot the stove!

Nice, followup

[Ozarkridgerunner]

Just be aware that you can get snow in Wyoming anytime after August in some areas.

Yes sir, we will definitely be in a 4WD and pack some tire chains and winter gear. Us Deep South folks will have to acclimate for sure.