First Day the Road's Opened in Yellowstone

[Spud]

I rode through the Park this weekend. Some of the roads opened earlier, the road from Tower to Canyon is still closed and the Beartooth is still closed. The road up through Teton Park and into the South entrance of YNP opened May 11, so I rode in to check it out. I got through late Friday afternoon, was very weird as practically no traffic at all. Spent the night at Old Faithful and by Saturday the park was filling up. A few pics of my trip:

Teton National Park

South Yellowstone

Lewis Lake (still frozen)

Yellowstone Lake (ice just starting to clear around the edges...)

The parking lot at Old Faithful. This is not "high season..."

That dark spot in the center of the picture is a huge male grizzly. Watched him digging up ground squirrels--he was only about 150 yards off the road (my camera doesn't zoom much). I saw 3 grizzly and one black bear this day...

People watching a pack of wolves harassing the buffalo herds in the Lamar Valley. A ranger let me watch through a spotting scope.

Had to sit and wait these guys out. Being on a bike these guys are pretty intimidating when they start walking right toward you.

 

[zzzzip]

Interesting stuff. Wonder how much snow will still be around in a month?

 

[RPrice]

I've never seen a grizzly, and I can hardly wait. I'll have to make to Yellowstone in the next couple months.

Thanks for the report!,

 

[Greb]

Very nice! That's the way to see Yellowstone, no traffic and the Bears are out.

 

[TomInPA]

Thanks for the road trip report. Plowing is complete on Beartooth, and it should open soon.

 

[GeorgiaRoller]

Awesome! So crazy for us Southeastern's to see pictures in Mid-May of 4' of snow on the side of the road & still frozen lakes.

 

[Intech]

We will be out that way and will stay in Yellowstone probably the 19-20th of next month. Your pictures are such a tease!

 

[Denver_FJR]

...

Had to sit and wait these guys out. Being on a bike these guys are pretty intimidating when they start walking right toward you.

Nice trip and nice to be close enough to drop by before the crowds.

I don't know what's more intimidating (and belligerent), the RVs or the bisons!

 

[mikebike]

am I missing something.... I see Bison.... where are the bears??

 

[Old Michael]

Very cool, Spud. Thanks for the shots.

Had to be something seeing the wolves working.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Wolves? Bears? Last summer, Brodie, Dan (Glas1/2ful) and I had the best Yellowstone Wildlife visit EVER! :yahoo:

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Awesome! So crazy for us Southeastern's to see pictures in Mid-May of 4' of snow on the side of the road & still frozen lakes.

I envy them their mountains but they can have all that snow and ice!