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Posted by Granite Head (209.252.34.55) on 19:30:19 06/07/2010
In Reply to: 2 days in YNP 1 night at Yellowstone Hotel posted by Peggy
Yellowstone is more than seven times larger than Grand Teton, so you'll have a difficult time seeing a lot of it in two days; it's also extremely varied geologically/ecologically from quadrant to quadrant, with very different features and things to do in each.
Having said that, definitely stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin on your way to Lake or on your way back to the Tetons. From the Lake Hotel area it's an easy drive to Hayden Valley, good for wildlife watching early and late in the day (take binoculars!), although in August, the elk, bears, coyotes, wolves, etc., may be hanging out at higher elevations. There should be bison around though, the bulls may be in rut, which makes for some great head-butting and dust-kicking action.
Head north through Hayden to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for lots of terrific scenery and fabulous waterfall views, and a few not-too-strenuous walks along the rim. If you're up to it, take "Uncle Tom's Trail" (stairs) down into the Canyon. Well, the getting down is easy, it's the getting up that's a little harder! Also stop in the new Visitors Center at Canyon and enjoy excellent geology exhibit. You can do all that using Lake as your base.
Next day drive north up and over Dunraven Pa ss/Mt. Washburn - continue north to the Tower Falls area. It's a short walk to a good overlook of the falls, but what is nicer, I think, is to keep going to the edge of the Yellowstone River, very pleasant down there. Of course, once again, getting back is uphill the whole way, but it's not far. The area around Tower Falls is a good place to look for black bears, though in August, they may have moved to higher, cooler elevations.
On your second day, go back up to Canyon, head west to Norris Geyser Basin, another place where you need your sunscreen and hats. From there, head south to the Old Faithful area - plan to spend some time walking around the Upper Geyser Basin, see if they're running the tours of the Old Faithful Inn, which is worth peeping inside even if you can't tour it formally.
You can then make your way back from Old Faithful to West Thumb and back down to the Tetons.
Because you're based at Lake and have so little time, the sights easiest for you to see just happen to heavily favor the thermal features. Next time you're in the area, plan a little time in the northern part of the park. The best wildlife watching is in the area between Roosevelt Lodge and northeast entrance. And speaking of Roosevelt, next time, too, plan to take the girls on the cookout. You can go in a horse-drawn wagon or ride your own horse. It's great fun.
Of course, the other great way to see Yellowstone is on foot. There are SO MANY hikes, long and short, steep and flat, shaded and wooded, you get the idea. Save that for next time, when the girls' legs are a little longer and you have more time!
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