Wednesday, 20 September 2017

Wyoming

I'm in love with Yellowstone and we haven't even been there yet. I have watched the BBC programme Yellowstone every time its on, and its been on every Christmas since it was first produced in 2009! It's just a magical place like no other and I can't wait to see it in person.



Whilst researching Wyoming, I was surprised to find another National Park which often sits in the shadow of Yellowstone yet has just as much to offer. Grand Teton National Park is located south of Yellowstone National Park and includes 40-mile-long Teton Range peaks, the Snake River and a number of scenic drives, hikes, lakes and vista's to find and enjoy.



The final place we are visiting in Wyoming is somewhere Lee has been on about going every since I met him 13 years ago! Lee doesn't like mash potato,  but he does love Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Its his favourite film and like any CEOTTK super fan, he has to go just to make sure there are no aliens visiting so we're off to Devils Tower for a night.




State:Wyoming
Towns of Interest: (FB) = FirebreakN/A
National Parks:Grand Teton National Park
Yellowstone National Park
State Parks of Interest:N/A
Places of Interest: (N) = Night StayJackson Hole Aerial tram (10 minute ride up to the summit of Rendezvous Peak)

Grand Teton National Park (N)Gros Ventre Loop
Teton Point Turnout
Snake River Overlook
Cunningham Cabin Historic Site
Oxbow Bend Turnout
Signal Moutain
Cathedral Group Turnout
String and Jenny Lakes
Teton Glacier Turnout
Taggart Lake Trailhead
Menor's Ferry Historic Site
Jenny Lake Excursions (offers small, passenger shuttles across Jenny Lake at the base of Mount Teewinot. The shuttle runs to Inspiration Point every 10-15 minutes during the day, and the Cascade Canyon trailhead can be found on the west side of the lake)
Yellowstone (Nx3)
Mammouth Hot Springs
Obsidian Cliff
Norris Geyser Basin
Viringia Cascade
Firehole Canyon Drive
Fountain Flats Drive
Firehole Lake Drive
Midway Geyser Basin
Old Faithful
Yellowstone Lake
Fishing Bridge
Hayden Valley
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Mt. Washburn
Tower Fall

Pahaska Tepee (Built by Buffalo Bill, its a hunting lodge)
Route 14A (Modeled after routes in the alps and the most expensive stretch of highway ever built, its slithers around cliffs, slices a few feet away from seemingless bottomless drops and is a 10% gradient)
Big Horn Medicine Wheel (A short trip through an unpaved forest road takes you to this landmark. It is America's version of Stonehenge)
Devils Tower Area
Belle Fourche River (The town of Hulett sits next to this river. It is a good place for services and supplies)
Devils Tower National Monument
(N) (Two hikes - the Tower Trail and the Red Beds Trail, loop around the base of the monolith. Try to visit in the morning or the evening when the effect of the light are at their best)
Sundance (Town the Sious Indian dance is named after. Follow Route 14 to the north where a paved spur road leads visitors to the Warren Peak Lookout. The fire tower offers a great vie of Devils Tower off to the North West and the Black Hills)
Routes of Interest: Route 14A - Most expensive Highway ever, goes to Big Horn National Forrest
Where to Stay:Yellowstone There are 12 park campsites - 5 are reservation and the remaining are FCFS:

Reservable Sites:
Bridge Bay ($25)
Canyon ($29)
Fishing Bridge RV Park ($48)
Grant Village ($29)
Madison ($25)

FCFS:
Indian Creek ($15)
Lewis Lake ($15)
Mammoth ($20)
Norris ($20)
Pebble Creek ($15)
Slough Creek ($15)
Tower Fall ($15)

Guide to the campsites: https://www.justahead.com/where-to-camp-in-yellowstone/
Grand Teton National Park All campgrounds are FCFS and $31:

Colter Bay Campground
Gros Ventre Campground
Headwaters Campground and RV sites at Flagg Ranch
Jenny Lake Campground
Lizard Creek Campground
Signal Mountain Campground
Devils Tower National Monument Belle Fourche River Campground ($20) - No reservations are available for this campground FCFS
Useful Links: http://www.travelwyoming.com/things-to-do



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