Big Trip - Lat Minute Advice

T - minus 8 days and counting. I am set to leave for a trip to Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Yosemite in 8 days. I've been planning for a year - but I have to ask. Any last minute advice on these three parks?

Sorry to say but Yosemite=smoke. And lots of it. For many areas around the SJ valley and in the foothills they've posted health advisories due to heavy smoke. I talked to my brother in Modesto today, and he says it's so heavy between him and the coast that it's dangerous to drive.

James, if you do not have reservations in Yosemite area, you might just plan to make the best out of the Teton and Yellowstone stay. 8 days would really make that a nice trip in that area for sure. All accounts right now, as Hank has mentioned, there is heavy smoke and bad air quality throughout the Yosemite and Sequoia areas. Additionally, there are many more Nor Cal areas that are heavy with fires and smoke too.

I think he said he was leaving in 8 days, and no mention of how long the trip was.

You could probably a lifetime in Yellowstone, and Yosemite is not too desirable during the summer. fires, too crowded, no waterfalls, hot.

A big high pressure dome is forming over CA right now. The forecast is for very hot and dry weather for the next seven days for inland NorCal. These domes tend to trap smoke; and that is evident as I write this. While many fires have been contained, and progress is being made on the three large fires currently active, conditions are still pretty disappointing from a photography (and breathing!) standpoint.

In light of this, I think Paul's suggestion for you to spend your time in Yellowstone and the Tetons is a very good one.

Its beauty notwithstanding, summer is really not the best time to photograph Yosemite Valley. The best times to photograph Yosemite are Fall (October-November), Winter, and Spring (before Memorial Day).

If you are locked in to Yosemite, head to the Sierra High Country around Tuolumne Meadows/Tioga Pass, etc!

I hope you enjoy your trip!

-PB

I am leaving in 8 days and have a 2 week trip planned between the three parks. I do have reservations in the lodge at the falls in Yosemite - although this is the shortest stop on my trip. I'm flying to Salt Lake City and driving up to Teton and Yellowstone. Then back to Salt Lake for a jump to San Fran. with a drive up to Yosemite. Flying home from San Fran. And I just finished reading Firestorm by Nevada Barr (a mystery about a fire in Lassen).

Keep the advice coming. Thanks.

Was in Toulomne all day today and was clear. Who knows what the smoke will be like in 8 days?

Glad to hear that Toulomne was clear - I hope is is good when I am there. Yosemite is at the end of my trip, so it will actually be a little over 2 weeks before I am there. I know that summer is not the best for photography in Yosemite - but I always wanted to go and figured I may as well go while I'm in the area - more or less. Don't know when I would get back - I'm a Long Island school teacher.

I'm hoping for some good wildlife in Grand Teton and Yellowstone. My plan is to be up before sunrise to hit a photo opportunity in the morning - then meet my wife for breakfast - then do the tourist agenda - early dinner - and try to be someplace good for sunset.

We did get to Alaska 2 summers ago - but ran into lots of rain - I know it's the rainy season - but there was tons - then because of a last minute change in transportation provided by our hotel - I didn't get the chance to follow the advice provided by many members of this group to get into Denali and off the road on my own.

I appreciate everyone's advice - I'm open to more.