Fall plans- Yellowstone/Tetons

Hi ya'll,

I"m planning a fall visit to Yellowstone and the Tetons for about 10 days. My tentative plans are for Yellowstone 9/24-9/29ish and heading to the Tetons 9/30-10/4ish. While I realize Yellowstone isn't known for gorgeous fall trees, i'm more concerned with some intimate landscapes there and then head to the Tetons to get my fill of pretty trees. I know many of you have visited both in the fall and am hoping you can remind me of peak color times. Will i be too late going these dates? I've got plenty of vacation time and not much on the work calendar so i'm pretty flexible at this point.

Anyone else heading there? Would love to meet up. I'll have a couple days with family, but the middle of the week will be just me.

Amy, I was at the Tetons last fall Sept 23 & 24. The aspens were not peak yet at Oxbow, nor the trees along the Snake. One week later would have seemed better.

Amy,

The weather is fairly unpredictable at that time of the year, but it should work out well for you. The trees near the Southern entrance to the park (Schwabacher) will definitely be past peak by that time. Oxbow bend should be about close to peak and you might see snow. To error on the side of caution - you might consider bumping the trip by one week, unless you are specifically hoping to see snow at either park. Personally, I wouldn't split time equally between the two parks as Yellowstone is 5 times as big and better in my opinion.

Amy, I think the color came on a little latter last year, maybe a week. Tetons are usually the best 3rd week of September. Seems you are right in the ballpark on times. One area that is overlooked by most photographers coming to the Tetons is the Snake River Canyon between Hoback Junction and Alpine. It does peak earlier but the canyon is filled with scrub oak and aspens. Great for mid range stuff. So if you are a little early I would check the canyon. For Yellowstone Moose Falls is great, just inside the southern park border. The ground cover has brilliant colors this time of the year along the Lewis River on the Southern road into the park. As far as trees go, Lamar Valley is best. Alot further away though. The aspens are in decline but the cottonwoods in the valley are healthy. Cottonwoods were best the first week of October last year. West Thumb would be great to this time of year for an early morning shot, lots of steam.

Bret Edge is gonna be in the Tetons this fall. I may be able to get away. Let me know as the time gets closer. I've got a few images of Yellowstone on my website you can check out for some ideas. Here is a shot of some cottonwoods in the Lamar Valley.

Amy, your timing should be good at one of the two parks. If it's too early in the Tetons, Yellowstone's higher elevation may make it just right and visa versa. If you can be flexible in your schedule, check out one and be ready to go to the other for best colors. Of course, there are lots of neat photos in either place at any time. Yes, you could see snow, particularly in Yellowstone, but that's not bad either. Here's a shot from Oct. 8 2009 in the Lamar. I'm expecting to be at our home just north of Yellowstone Sept. 26.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Do you think i'd be better off switching locations and doing Tetons 1st, Yellowstone 2nd? I'd normally be pretty free, but i have a couple family members (non-photogs) joining me and need to set the dates for their visit (need to get plane tix). They only want to see Yellowstone and only for 3-4 days. Other than that, i'm free to roam the rest of the trip.

Folks,
I live in the Tetons. Controlled burns have made a mess of the last two years. Check before you come. Last fall Yellowstone had a huge fire that was a problem.

Lots of Grizz have bear spray IN HAND all the time your out walking around. Two bear events so far. One dead without bear spray. One with bear spray attacked 3 times and turned the bear with spray each time. Unharmed. His dog kept bringing the bear back to him. Leave your dog home.

GTNP has a daughter of 399 showing off 3 new cubs. Many have seen her.

Yellowstone is full of bears. I witnessed 19 bears last year.

Be careful out there.

As Rohn said there has been controlled burns the last couple of years right during the peak weeks. I've been going to the Tetons/YNP for the last 25 years and have found the last week of September is usually when the Oxbow turns. I've also noticed over the past few years that the Elk rut has been running later in YNP and there's been fewer herd bulls. Between 399 and her offspring there has been a total of 7 grizzly's hanging out in the Tetons and probably more. If your going to shoot wildlife and want more information send me an e-mail.

One more thing- I'm thinking of staying at the Jackson Hole Hostel. Anybody ever stayed there or know if it's decent? Clean, bug-free, safe, etc.