Headed West!!

[100Acre]

Delorme is no longer making states atlases. Order this; From Benchmark.

 

[100Acre]

The yellow line is 191 north of Pinedale where the Mountain man museum is . Orange line is 352 towards Green river and lake with lots of dispersed and nice CG's along the river and tons of wildlife and the remains of the Gros Ventre hunting lodge. Little blue line is Granite Creek CG and the Granite Creek Hot springs on Bridger Teton NF road 30500. A little hike from the CG there are falls and a hot spring just below the falls on the other side of the river.

 

[Plumber32]

@JTW I think you have found your source for everything west of the Mississippi! @100Acre

 

[JTW]

@JTW I think you have found your source for everything west of the Mississippi! @100Acre

I think you’re right!

 

[100Acre]

1st pic is at the main hot spring. Pix of the falls there and hot spring in river. Lots of Moose and Beaver in the area.
Side note; if you're going to more than one NP on this trip, I'd suggest buying a NP's pass for $80 at any NP entrance. Most entry fees are about $25 plus camping in np CG's and boating and or fishing licenses. You can get a fishing license just for the parks as opposed to state permits. They get you at every turn being a captive audience. Also expect long delays on the roads due to Bear Jams and tourists galore. Try to get out early to see the sights. there is one off road road in the Tetons NP. It's not marked but I know how to find it and its not hard if you know where to look. this road gets you a bit away from the crowds. 4x4 only. See lots more wildlife.
I have lots of suggestions for the sights and camping in the Tetons as well as Yellowstone. Carry Bear spray.
Bridger-Teton National Forest - Granite Hot Springs Pool

 

[100Acre]

@JTW I think you have found your source for everything west of the Mississippi! @100Acre

Like the Beach Boys song; Get Around, Get Around, I Get Around...

 

[100Acre]

Bring Binoculars

 

[gullyjumper]

Sure is some pretty pictures.

 

[100Acre]

Camping in the Tetons, I believe Jenny Lake is Tent Camping Only. It may be 1st come 1st serve and no Reservations. The hike around Jenny lake is nice but you can take the fast boat across the lake and then theres a 1+ mile hike to Jenny Lake Falls thats pretty spectacular. I like to camp at Signal Mountain CG. There are lots of nice secluded sites and both laundry and showers at the entrance. This CG is right on Jackson Lake and has amazing views! Fishing across and below the Dam at the Jackson Lake Dam is phenomenal! Last time I was there I caught a 21.5" lake trout and a few more! Damn Fine eating! Coulter Lake CG is much larger and has paid showers and more camping sites than all the other CG's in the Tetons. Drive to the top of Signal Mountain!

Side Note; You can always score campsites at reserved CG's by stopping and asking if there are any cancellations. I did this last time I went through Yellowstone and got a spot at Madison CG which although is somewhat dense as far as tent and RV pull through sites being fairly close to one another. I was exhausted from driving all day then dealing with slow traffic through the park. Madison is also centrally located near the west Yellowstone entrance and the is a fair amount of wildlife in this area. I worked an archaeological dig and stayed in Gov housing in Madison back in the fall and winter of 1995. It was a soldier fort that burned down in 1902 in the Lower Geyser basin. All of the artifacts are stored in the Yellowstone Archival museum at the North end of the park near Mammoth Hot Spring.

Also all NP entrances typically close at 5pm although they leave all gates open. This is a way to gain entrance to the NP's without having to pay an entrance fee. Camping is always a separate cost in the NP's. There are some NF CG's just outside of park entrances and backroads worth exploring too. Like Atherton Creek CG and beyond. That road sucks but theres lots or dispersed camping up past it along river . the road is part of the Gros Ventre Slide area. Geologic history...

I should start my own version of Marty Stoufer's Wild America...
I have 1,000's of pix...
Be the Adventure.

View attachment 76424

 

[100Acre]

This is why I hate the East...

 

[DG Rider]

This is why I hate the East...

This?

 

[100Acre]

This?

View attachment 76434

Everything is overpopulated and paved and yes, too many road closed signs.

 

[elkguide]

My wife and I piled all 4 of our kids in a full size Dodge van and headed west three different times. Spent about three weeks each trip and lived out of the van. Definitely couldn't afford to do it but it is some of the best memories we ever made with our children.

Most of the parks are great. You'll definitely have to endure lots of tourists and other annoying issues. Others have mentioned some great parks but like 100 acre has mentioned, some of the smaller off the beaten track, like Jenny's Lake are spectacular. If I were to pick from all of the parks, I would put Glacier at the top, followed by the Arches, Bryce Canyon and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Each time we took our trips we did not have an agenda and definitely flew by the seat of our pants. The most important thing to remember about a road trip like that is...………. YOU CAN DO IT AGAIN!!!!!

 

[100Acre]

Grand Canyon

Parissaswampitts in Kaibab NF just off the North Rim is an awesome place to ride and explore. I'll take the north rim anyway over the south.

 

[NTCPrezJB]

Parissaswampitts in Kaibab NF just off the North Rim is an awesome place to ride and explore. I'll take the north rim anyway over the south.

Any particular reason why the north rim over the south? I’ve not yet been to either. It is on my to do list thought.

 

[DG Rider]

Any particular reason why the north rim over the south? I’ve not yet been to either. It is on my to do list thought.

The north rim is a bit more out of the way, and as such, tends to be less crowded.

The GC is cool. The biggest hole you will ever see. That said, you can only look at a big hole so much. Now...riding down in it on a mule ride...that would be interesting.

 

[NTCPrezJB]

The north rim is a bit more out of the way, and as such, tends to be less crowded.

The GC is cool. The biggest hole you will ever see. That said, you can only look at a big hole so much. Now...riding down in it on a mule ride...that would be interesting.

Less people makes sense being that Vegas and AZ seem to be the common tourist starting points for it.

I’ve flown over it (commercial planes not sight seeing) many times and am always amazed at how big it is. Used my air miles and hotel points to send my parents there on their one and only ever vacation 5 or so years ago. Planning a big riding trip for my sons 16th birthday and Utah and surrounding area (GC would be included for sure) are high on the list of possibilities for the trip.

 

[JTW]

Less people makes sense being that Vegas and AZ seem to be the common tourist starting points for it.

I’ve flown over it (commercial planes not sight seeing) many times and am always amazed at how big it is. Used my air miles and hotel points to send my parents there on their one and only ever vacation 5 or so years ago. Planning a big riding trip for my sons 16th birthday and Utah and surrounding area (GC would be included for sure) are high on the list of possibilities for the trip.

We did Moab a couple times when I was that age. He won’t forget it and neither will you! We went around the first or second week of June. Hit the La Sal mountains while you’re there!

 

[NTCPrezJB]

I want to ride at Moab some day as well for sure. Saving up and hoping I can make it a three week epic adventure.

 

[Gator]

Especially since its a girl.

OH... OOPS