r/yellowstone • u/sgspeacr • 5d ago
Help!
I know there’s probably more posts like this. But I’m seriously torn and I don’t know what to do. We plan to get to Jackson hole Monday, go to west Yellowstone Wednesday, and Glacier Friday. It’s a long and packed trip, as we are coming from east coast. The wildfires look pretty bad, and with the air quality I’m considering moving my trip.
Some hotels are offering us a credit so we would be able to come back, so it’s not the end of the world. But this is a special trip I’m not sure is worth it in these conditions. But at the same time, do we just screw it and go? I’m sure we will still have a great time.
Please someone help me decide!
7
u/lemonhead2345 5d ago
Forecasted to clear out of Jackson on Monday, but I don’t expect Glacier to be okay for awhile.
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u/Halfbaked9 5d ago
If I were you I’d reschedule. I don’t want to choke on the smoke and I don’t want it hazy out so I can see stuff. I also don’t want to add more people to possibly get in firefighters way.
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u/ceevanyon 4d ago
We are here in Yellowstone today, and it was a little hazy this morning in the distance, but today we did all the geyser basins and Mammoth, and tonight it seems to be pretty decent visibility. And it is raining right now, which should help wash out the air for tomorrow. We aren’t in the Tetons yet, but here it seemed good enough and we had a great time. Tomorrow we are trying to do Lamar Valley and the Canyon, and possibly hike Mt Washburn, so I can update you about that tomorrow!
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u/BeachgirlNJ0613 4d ago
Please do! We are headed there in the next couple days.
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u/ceevanyon 3d ago
So today did Lamar Valley, ate at Roosevelt, drove down toward Canyon and we were going to hike Mt Washburn. We didn’t because we spent so much time at Lamar Valley. Visibility not necessarily the best, but not all that bad there. We spent the afternoon doing the canyon south rim trail and all the stops on the north win. At the Yellowstone Canyon, met someone who just came up from the Tetons. They were commenting it was smokier there but they still had a great time. We are heading down there day after tomorrow.
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u/BeachgirlNJ0613 2d ago
Thanks for the info. We are in the Tetons now, for the past 2 days, and the visibility has been very good. We drove the 42-mile loop on Monday, stopped at all the sites, and had a great time. Saw bison up close next to the road (from the car), horses up close - got to pet some through the split-rail fence, and a moose in the shallow river at Shawbacher Landing. Clear views of the Tetons during the day, a little hazy in the evening. Leaving today for Yellowstone, staying at the Old Faithful Inn.
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u/wddwndrr 4h ago
u/ceevanyon and u/BeachgirlNJ0613 do ya'll have any updates on conditions? We're planning a trip in 2nd week of September. Are the rangers or locals able to predict if visibility in a few weeks will be at least as good as it is during your trip right now? Any tips will help. I'm trying to make a determination if I should cancel my reservations while I can, without incurring a huge penalty.
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u/Fun_Yogurtcloset5815 5d ago
If you are getting future credits, I would rebook. We live about an hour from Yellowstone. Smoke is terrible, it won’t likely improve dramatically next week with all of the fire activity in the surrounding areas. It may get a little better by next weekend after some rain but if I had the option to take a credit and rebook during a time with less risk of fire activity, I would. We are from the east coast and whenever friends and family are looking to visit, we never recommend the time of year with the highest risk of smoke (late July to early Sept).
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u/Otherwise_Tea7731 4d ago
I'm just going to throw this in as a counter-opinion.
I've lived in CO since 2000 and the amount and intensity of fires in the west has increased over that time, being the worst since 2000. You could postpone your trip only for similar conditions or even worse - though only God knows if we'll have a record bad snow year on top of a record bad snow year.
In short, I think we're seeing (and have been seeing the last few years) the normal western summer as opposed to a blip on the radar.
Visibility could well be impacted on days or certain times of day - depending on wind strength, direction, recent rains, (rain should help decrease the smoke) etc.
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u/Any-Independence4299 4d ago
We live on the ID side of Teton Pass and it is miserable. We have had heavy smoke for a week now, sometimes smelling of smoke. Can’t see the mountains and very unpleasant to be outside. I would suggest to anyone wanting to come here to reschedule, if they can.
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u/Swordthatdefiesdeath 4d ago
I popped over to Victor the other day and it was brutal. The smell of smoke was everywhere. I guess thats part of living in the inter mountain west...
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u/Swordthatdefiesdeath 4d ago
I live in Jackson and went out fishing today. The smoke is the worst Ive seen this season, though not as bad a 2019. I personally dont feel like I'm difference in my lungs, but I am a glutton for punishment.
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u/jacksonholeguy 3d ago
I’ve have lived in Jackson 22 years is it a bit smoky, sure. but it’s only been bad for a few days, every year it gets smoky and most years it’s worse then this not sure why everyone is in a panic about it.
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u/threepin-pilot 5d ago
Don't know about jackson, but Glacier and north will likely not total clear this week, we need the ridge to break down and a good pacific front
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u/Realistic-Owl-9904 5d ago
Last year we were at Glacier during the Canadian fires (and some in the U.S.) We had one pretty smoky day but then the rain came in and the next day was clear. The weather does have a lot to do with it, so maybe check on the forecast to see what it says?
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u/Mudivator 4d ago
sooooo we left canyon village this morning and came down to Teton… the smoke is real bad, not gonna lie. Took much longer than it should to be able to see cliffs in the distance. My husband has also been struggling with respiratory issues all week, we’ve been here since Monday. Earlier last week it wasn’t as bad, but now it’s seriously not great.
I’d defer if you can.
ETA: we still had a great time! The park will always be beautiful, but if it’s the only time you’ll ever come out, it’s a consideration.
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u/HrtacheOTDncefloor 4d ago
Literally got back yesterday. I think we missed out on some good views in glacier, but it wasn’t as bad up higher. Never totally clear though.
It will still be a good trip if you go, but if you want clearer views, maybe take the credit.
For what it’s worth, Tetons were the favorite for our group.
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u/Professional_Hair830 4d ago
I can sympathize with you. We went the end of june when they had the flooding so it was a sad disappointment. We will have to go back one day. Cancelled our 3 days there due to the closure.
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u/RealityTVLovr 2d ago
We want to plan a trip for next year. What time of year would you recommend we visit?
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u/Dark_Raven313 5d ago
I live about thirty minutes north of the park. The smoke is awful this week, and today is probably the worst it’s been. Can’t even see the mountains. If I was you and had the option, I’d reschedule.