Any advice for hiking Yellowstone or Grand Teton N.P.'s

[ednotmilkman]

I lucked out on finding time AND a cheap flight out to meet a fellow bicycle traveler that is starting a road tour from Moran Junction, WY on Aug 9.  This is just outside of Grand Teton and 50 miles south of Yellowstone.  I lucked out finding a one-way flight from BHM to Salt Lake City for only $116 that leaves this Saturday. Then with a $58 bus shuttle to West Yellowstone, MT -  I've got 6 whole days to spend day hiking or in the backcountry before joining the guy pedaling back to Kansas.

What I'm wanting to know is, what are the chances I'd be able to "hook up" with somebody just walking in by myself to go into the backcountry with (Q). Are there enough great spots to see within range of a dayhiker who's on a bicycle instead of a car, or do you recommend an overnighter out there (Q). I'm thinking it might not be wise to go out by myself unless they let me share a campsite with a stranger, and the permits are $20 (at Yellowstone at least) per party whether you are one guy for one night, or 8 people for a week.  I'll only have my smaller backpack anyway, although I'll still have lots of the gear that does double duty on bike tours.  Might bring my hiking boots and then mail them back after I hit the pavement.

I watched Old Faithful this evening on the nps webcam, so I'm getting "into it" now ! (Q) means my question mark key died.

Edwin

[PastorLarryT]

Edwin,

DW and I just got back from a great, extended trip out west, including Yellowstone.  I highly recommend it!  Glad you're getting an opportunity to go.

Don't know that I can definitively answer your questions but here are a few things to think about:

o Yellowstone is quite large and heavily visited.  Unless you have arranged to meet your friend at a certain point and time it might be difficult to hook up.  There are many road miles between "major points" in the park.  And some size-able elevation changes for cyclists!
o There are many trails that beckon the hiker and a few trails that are available for bikes.  Get a map and choose some beforehand if you can.  Plan as many days at Yellowstone as you can!  I believe you could stay a month in this huge park and still not see everything!  (BassPro shops carry NatGeo trail maps of Yellowstone and Grand Teton.)
o On a side note:  The main road going into Grand Teton from Yellowstone us under "HEAVY CONSTRUCTION".  The road is torn down to the road bed and is in extremely poor shape.  I do NOT recommend travel on this road with a bicycle!
o Plan your hikes carefully. 
o I did day hiking and recommend it -- we had a popup camper we towed to the area as our "base".  Chances of getting a campsite in Yellowstone may be slim.  Look at some of the areas near the park (like Henry's Lake ID State Park).
o Brush up on your "bear knowledge and skills" before heading into the backcountry at Yellowstone.  We saw a Black Bear but did not personally see a grizzly in the park.
o Be prepared to see lots of wildlife.  The elk, pronghorn, and bison are everywhere!  Keep an eye open for bald eagles as well.  Wolves are hard to see in the wild, but the Lamar valley area is supposed to be a "hot spot" for them.  (We didn't see a wolf in the wild either.)
o We did see several bicycle tourists at Yellowstone - complete with camping gear, etc.  I believe it would be a great way to see Yellowstone - just be prepared for the physical challenge of elevation gain/loss. 
o The thermal springs, geysers, mud-pots, etc. are exciting to see.
o The sweeping panoramic landscapes are beyond description.
o Don't get too close to the Bison - more people are injured by bison every year at Yellowstone than by bears!  Give them 30-40 yards cushion zone at least!
o If you have fishing gear, try your hand in the Firehole River or some of the other streams.  (Requires a Yellowstone fishing permit but no state license required.)

[ednotmilkman]

thanks Pastor Larry,

The reason you saw several "loaded" bicycle tourists in Yellowstone is because the road from West Yellowstone down through the park to  Moran Junction is on the TransAm bike route that is the oldest marked cross-country bicycle route in the US. I'd imagine over 300 people a year pass through this route from Oregon to Virginia.  It started as "bikecentenial" in 1976.  We'll be on that road too unless they advise us of an alternate.

http://www.adventurecycli...g/routes/transamerica.cfm