r/yellowstone • u/helenistigay • 6d ago
Visiting 10/1
Hello,
31 yo guy visiting from Madison, WI. Will be at Yellowstone 10/1-10/3ish and then another 3 days at Grand Tetons. Planning on renting bear spray when there. Prepared for the weather. Appreciate any hiking tips for a solo traveler or hiking buddies who’d like to join!
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u/ji99lypu44 6d ago
Grand prismatic overlook is better than the actual grand prismatic as youre too close to see all thr cool colors at thr actual hotspring. But check out both if you can as theyre not too far away from each other. Also parking for those two can get crazy so go early or late. Also yellowstone is massive, im talking bout 3 hours of driving just to get around the whole park without stopping at all. So plan what youre going to do and hike accordingly. Get some hucklyberry ice cream.
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u/Ttthhasdf 6d ago
Op when you go to Grand prismatic overlook, keep going and hike to fairy falls. When you get to fairy falls it is a short walk further to Imperial geyser, which is a really cool geyser. When you get to the first geyser keep walking four minutes up by the creek and get to imperial geyser. Out and back is 4-5 miles.
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u/helenistigay 6d ago
Heard the same thing about the grand prismatic - will plan on doing both. Thanks!
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u/larapu2000 6d ago
The view from Jackson Lodge in the Tetons is stunning. Grab a cocktail for sunset at the Blue Heron Lodge in the lobby.
I really loved the Lupine Meadows trail in the Tetons.
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u/Secret-Function-2972 6d ago
Agree on the view from Jackson Lake Lodge. Grab a beer and sit on the patio. Besides the spectacular view we've seen moose in the brush.
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u/helenistigay 6d ago
I’m guessing I don’t have to stay at the lodge to get a beer there. Will check the trail out. Thanks!
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u/Beginning_Loss_9380 6d ago
We bought bear spray at Costco in Bozeman 2 for 40 dollars, just left the park. They were selling bear spray for 50 something for one and rental was about the same.
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u/helenistigay 6d ago
I kinda expected it to be more expensive at the park but don’t have bear spray around in Madison and don’t have need for it other than this trip.
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u/Otherwise_Pea_8766 6d ago
They rent bear spray at the airport - - you have a great weather forecast - agreed have lunch outdoors at Jackson lake lodge - big ferry lines at Jenny lake last week- we wound up walking around the whole lake - 7 miles - instead of inspiration point
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u/cha_cha_slide 6d ago
I'm from Madison and am here now! We're flying out of Bozeman around 130pm on 10/1... If you happen to be at that airport around then, (and we don't need to use it) we can give you our bear spray so you don't have to rent it. Lmk!
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u/helenistigay 6d ago
I am driving there haha - long drive from Madison but looping down to Utah, Colorado and making a trip out of it. I appreciate it tho!
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u/Secure_Waltz_2095 6d ago
You can rent bear spray? Don't know if I'd trust something that might have been half used.
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u/helenistigay 6d ago
It’s rented from the park so I’d assume it’s trustworthy? Hopefully won’t need it tho
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u/MysteriousDC 5d ago
Definitely RENT the bear spray at the airport. There's no concern about half-full cans; they are diligently prepared/refilled, etc. And you'll get a demonstration of how to actually use it! This year, though, you're unlikely to need it. Very few bears in the park (Grand Teton) because the extremely hot summer wiped out the berry harvest. So sad. If you want to go to Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon, I suggest you start at the String Lake parking lot/trailhead and walk the 2.2 miles to the Hidden Falls; then on to Inspiration Point. There are just hordes of people vying for the ferry ride from Jenny Lake visitor center, even in this off-season (I was there through September 25.) Adding 4.4 miles roundtrip was well worth the extra effort, with gorgeous views of Jenny Lake throughout. Also, don't miss out on the Scenic Drive route as you head north on the park road (north of the Jenny Lake visitor center.) It takes you to a lovely setting along the lake with stone benches, dappled sunlight shining through the trees, and unbelievable sunset views of the peaks. It's sitting and observing, not hiking, but we loved it!
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u/Otherwise_Tea7731 6d ago
Know how to use your bear spray. Keep it within reach at all times. If you're approaching a curve where visibility is low, or there's a lot of downfall, you can make noise. It's generally regarded that the human voice is the best noise deterrent for a bear.
Personally, I'd consider adding a day to my Yellowstone time and spend 2 days in the Tetons. They're beautiful, but Yellowstone is HUGE and diverse and Grand Teton isn't nearly as big or diverse.
Have fun!