Posted by Amy Lindsey on September 18, 2011 at 2:01 PM
I'm contemplating a day trip (maybe an overnight) to the Sawtooth Range in Idaho on my Yellowstone/Tetons adventure starting next weekend. Has anyone ever done a short jaunt there from Yellowstone and is it worthwhile on a 1-2 day trip? Considering some fall color shots. I've already spent time in Tetons for fall color, so am considering cutting my trip there from 4 days to 3 and then over to Sawtooths (Sawteeth?!). Any advice?
The Sawtooths are beautiful, but I don't think it's a short jaunt over there. Whether you start from Jackson or from Yellowstone, you're going to have to go over and around a number of mountain ranges. I did some of the same route this past summer. It took about half a day to get from Stanley ID to Jackson WY, maybe six hours or so. I would imagine going from Yellowstone to Stanley would be an hour longer or so. To me, that sounds like too much driving time and not enough time for photography.
I'd suggest looking at mountains closer to Yellowstone: the Absarokas, the Gros Ventre range, or perhaps the west side of the Tetons (coming in from Driggs, ID). If you want something a little farther afield, try the Beartooths or the Wind Rivers. All of those are fantastic mountains. The Beartooths probably have the highest chance of fall color, but I don't have any hard data on that.
Where are you coming from or going before and after?
Posted by Amy Lindsey on September 18, 2011 at 6:23 PM
Thanks Mark. Sounds like I'll have to save that for another trip. I'll be flying into Bozeman on Sat. 9/24 and back out on 10/3. I've been through the Absarokas, but perhaps going in from Driggs is a good idea to try. I was reading issue 74 of Photograph America and it got me all excited to visit the Sawtooth area! Maybe next summer....
I don't mean to be discouraging, but I'd rather photograph than drive... The Sawtooths are beautiful, but part of their attraction is that they're quite isolated. Unless you're already in central Idaho, they're just not near anything. They're definitely worth a trip at some point, though! If you're at all a backpacker, be sure to spend a night at Alice Lake for sunset and sunrise photography.
If you're coming in and going out of Bozeman, I'd try the western Tetons, the Gros Ventre mountains, or the Beartooths. The area near Island Park might be another option.
The Forest Service's Fall Colors Page isn't showing any useful information yet, but you might ask around in Bozeman and the rangers in Yellowstone once you're on the ground.
Posted by Amy Lindsey on September 18, 2011 at 7:47 PM
I appreciate the feedback. I'd hate to drive 6 hours and not get in much photo time. I'll continue to research and pick another year to visit!
Discussion
4 repliesThe Sawtooths are beautiful, but I don't think it's a short jaunt over there. Whether you start from Jackson or from Yellowstone, you're going to have to go over and around a number of mountain ranges. I did some of the same route this past summer. It took about half a day to get from Stanley ID to Jackson WY, maybe six hours or so. I would imagine going from Yellowstone to Stanley would be an hour longer or so. To me, that sounds like too much driving time and not enough time for photography.
I'd suggest looking at mountains closer to Yellowstone: the Absarokas, the Gros Ventre range, or perhaps the west side of the Tetons (coming in from Driggs, ID). If you want something a little farther afield, try the Beartooths or the Wind Rivers. All of those are fantastic mountains. The Beartooths probably have the highest chance of fall color, but I don't have any hard data on that.
Where are you coming from or going before and after?
I don't mean to be discouraging, but I'd rather photograph than drive... The Sawtooths are beautiful, but part of their attraction is that they're quite isolated. Unless you're already in central Idaho, they're just not near anything. They're definitely worth a trip at some point, though! If you're at all a backpacker, be sure to spend a night at Alice Lake for sunset and sunrise photography.
If you're coming in and going out of Bozeman, I'd try the western Tetons, the Gros Ventre mountains, or the Beartooths. The area near Island Park might be another option.
The Forest Service's Fall Colors Page isn't showing any useful information yet, but you might ask around in Bozeman and the rangers in Yellowstone once you're on the ground.