Grand Teton and Yellowstone trip Aug 4 to 16

I have been to these areas in the winter but not in the summer. I am familiar with the usual spots like Oxbow, Mormon Row, Shcwabackers etc. In Yellowstone the Canyon and Old Faithful area for scenics also Mammoth Springs terraces. Wildlife Lamar Valley etc.
Any other tips people can give on recent trips or perhaps trips during August. My daughter and wife will be coming also so maybe some nice wildflower fields with mountain backgrounds that aren't too strenuous since the wife can't hike past like 4 or 5 miles.
My daughter and I will be doing some early morning hikes in hopes of getting scenic and wildlife shots.
We have 4 days in Grand Teton, 3 at Old Faithful Inn and 4 up in the Lamar Valley area.

One of my favorite aspects of summer is the frequent afternoon thunderstorms, or at least clouds. When conditions are right for those to occur, you get double benefits: dramatic skies and light, plus most people tend to run for cover when the clouds start closing in. Without the weather, people are a dominent feature in the best known locations.

The mountain peaks can have some beautiful tiny little flowers, but beware of those thunderstorms. The lightening is deadly! Clear off the peaks by late afternoon. In Yellowstone my favorite things are the thermals, and then the waterfalls. There are many waterfalls there besides the really big ones. One of my favorites is Fairy Falls. The trail is level but sort of long. An easier one to get to is Tower Falls. Always ask rangers if the small falls are flowing. They should be--I see there's still snow there. Take mosquito spray--they will certainly be out now. If you want something truly different, spend a night at Chico Hot Springs, northwest of Yellowstone in Montana. It's a 100 yr. old original hotel with a natural hot springs. It's my wife & I's favorite hotel of all. Ask to stay in the haunted room if you want a chance at a really unique photo. www.chicohotsprings.com


Kent in SD

By August most wildlfowers won't be left down in the meadows and valleys. You'll probably need to hike up into the higher country to see'em. Also by August a lot of the critters have moved to the higher country to escape the heat down in the valleys. I expect Lamar Valley to be kinda quiet unless you are there at dawn. So far, Hayden Valley in Yellowstone has been real productive for bears and wolves. The only consistent wolf sightings I've heard about this summer in Lamar Valley have been the Druid pack in the Round Prairie area. It seems once Spring was gone the Slough Creek pack and the Unknown pack pretty much disappeared from the Lamar Valley. Good luck.

Here you go on the Hayden Wolves and bears,
http://www.forwolves.org/ralph/out-of-control-at-canyon.htm

i had to make an unexpected departure from YS last Sat,, but he flowers in the lake area and the upper part of dunraven were great,,reds, yellows, oranges, three different purple flowers, all inthe same 100'x100' areas,,

there were storms every afternoon, some with small hail, and all with lightning,, beware as Kent says

http://www.kimkaiser.com/draft/display_photo.php?i=397

Just a couple more weeks before our trip. I am still interested in any updates on wildlife sightings or areas of wildflowers still blooming in either Grand Teton or Yellowstone. Once again we head up there on Aug. 4th!

Thanks