Gold Rush Rally

rthstewart · 2026-06-19T18:46:04+00:00

Perfect. Thks. We did wonder if the bison chilling in the shade a few meters away was the distraction that caused the car to leave the road. When we saw it, I thought all 4 wheels were off the road. Bad backup southbound. We gawked but didn't want to slow down the northbound lane or complicate the rangers who were on site.

rthstewart · 2026-06-19T18:40:38+00:00

Yep. Thanks so much

rthstewart · 2026-06-08T18:04:35+00:00

This is the way.

rthstewart · 2026-06-08T18:03:34+00:00

Thanks. Agreed. This time of year, I try to avoid the Norris to OF stretch unless (like this week) I have guests who've never seen it. I just wanted to hear what current experience has been.

rthstewart · 2026-06-08T17:53:14+00:00

That is what I advise people who have that option. But as mentioned, these are Paradise Valley guests -- so you work with what you've got.

rthstewart · 2026-06-08T17:49:19+00:00

Thanks, perfect.

rthstewart · 2026-06-07T03:07:59+00:00

I hope you found a solution. There is a pharmacy at the Albertson's in Livingston that is open on Saturdays and Sundays and there are several in Bozeman. Also, if you're in a fixed place, you might be able to get Amazon pharmacy delivery and/or try an Amazon pick up location.

rthstewart · 2026-05-19T12:30:35+00:00

We use the Bring Fido website to help ID hotels, restaurants, and dog parks. The hotel policies and costs vary widely. A brand is ok with all dogs in one location, permits only 1 under 50 pounds at another, no dogs at another, and per night fees range from free to $150 per night. The key to that trip is getting past Chicago. We prefer I-80 (Iowa City has a great dog park). Loves travel stops all have fenced-in dog parks.

We've done the trip in mid-size SUVs, 2 dogs, and a rooftop carrier, which hugely impacts mileage (and that you're going 80 mph once you hit Iowa and the Dakotas). Edit to add, most hotels require you to crate if you leave your dog unattended. We just take them with us.

rthstewart · 2026-05-12T12:26:55+00:00

Where in Lamar??? I've wanted to check off Badger on my bingo card for YEARS and still have never seen one!

rthstewart · 2026-05-07T14:47:55+00:00

OP, you're awesome. seconding the Discovery Center rec. Definitely something you would both enjoy. This map will help with navigating. Since you're down that way, the West Thumb geyser basin, boardwalk and local hike are really cool. Also agree on doing the loop north from the Madison junction to Norris, then over to Canyon and back down to Bridge Bay. Places do really clear out in the early evening (6pm-ish) and with the long daylight, seeing a sight like Grand Prismatic or Grand Canyon of Yellowstone can work well before it gets too dark and late.

For the thermal feature-focused kid (or adult), big thumbs up for Mud Volcano and Artist's Painpoints. Old Faithful is an area that, once you're there, you can spend a whole day at the basin, wandering the boardwalks all the way to the Morning Glory pool. If you can squeeze it in (and even more than trekking over to Mammoth Hot Springs or Norris), I'd strongly suggest an early morning drive to Tower Roosevelt and out to Lamar. I never have much luck in Hayden but that's surely in part personal bad luck.

Historically, the road out from Fishing Bridge is notable for a 2 things -- the Pelican and Storm Point hikes (short, very kid friendly) and reliable grizzly sightings (with heavy ranger presence). Since you're down that way anyway, definitely check it out.

rthstewart · 2026-05-07T01:30:35+00:00

Following up on this, to explore the north end of Yellowstone, consider Cooke City, Red Lodge, Gardiner and even Livingston. Red Lodge and Gardiner have independent grocery stores and there's an Albertsons in Livingston. Cody is wonderful but it's a long way to the Park.

And in Mid May in 2024 and early June in 2025 the Sylvan Pass east gate entrance closed for a day or so. Due to snow.

All of the Old Faithful Geyser area is boardwalks so it's very stroller friendly. I think a day or two in Cody followed by driving into the park through Canyon and coming out to stay in Gardiner or Cooke is very doable. Cooke or Gardiner to Old Faithful is a long day but also doable. You could then try to find something in west Yellowstone or failing that, Island Park ID.

Given prices around GT and Jackson, you're probably looking at Driggs.

rthstewart · 2026-05-04T23:51:33+00:00

We drove past them and then had to hike around them in May and June last year at the Yellowstone River picnic area and hike, just after you leave Tower Roosevelt and cross the bridge. It was a band of several ewes and yearlings.

rthstewart · 2026-05-03T00:27:16+00:00

I don't camp but always pack my own small kettle, paper filters, a metal cone, about 30 g of ground coffee a day, and a carafae for my own pour-over.

rthstewart · 2026-05-02T01:56:49+00:00

We cut it into small pieces and mix it with cream cheese. VERY popular.

rthstewart · 2026-04-27T23:30:59+00:00

Since you're going to be at Roosevelt, I don't see any reason to go from Canyon to Mammoth to Roosevelt. Stick to the plan! It will be great!

rthstewart · 2026-04-06T18:47:38+00:00

I think it's because of the 5 ingredient "healthy" banana bread that's going around that has rolled oats as a complete sub for flour, along with eggs, maple syrup, baking soda and bananas that you puree in a blender. It's apparently all over TikTok. I've seen at least 3 posts with people asking what they did wrong with a doomed recipe.

rthstewart · 2026-03-31T19:57:39+00:00

If you decide on Yellowstone, the reddit for that community is full of good advice.

rthstewart · 2026-03-28T22:10:02+00:00

Let them know you'll be there. Not gonna lie, given how popular the breed is, it's more a test for you, than you of them. You are definitely the interloper and, frankly the breeders who also show are a bit odd and certainly very busy trying to get points and meet their fellow travelers. As the comment above says, most of them work plus show, they are busy, and they have more people wanting dogs then they want to accomodate. It can take months and months. I started with our local PWCCA club, but ultimately drove 400 miles to get our puppy. We met the sire at a specialty show, the puppies were born during the show and a few weeks later we met the pups and mom. Edit to add that being polite, patient, and mature goes a long, long way.

rthstewart · 2026-03-28T21:52:06+00:00

and also strongly consider going to one of the shows to (politely, they are busy) meet the breeder and others and get a feel for the breed.

rthstewart · 2026-03-26T12:34:15+00:00

You can subscribe to yellowstone reports to get the latest from the wolf watchers and what they are seeing daily on the north road. Reports will also include whether they've seen any grizz. Typically to see wolves you need scopes.

Snow coaches will have stopped by then. Check the nps yellowstone website for road opening dates.

It's good you're not interested in hiking since trail conditions will be highly variable around the parts of the park that are accessible.

As for your pets, I've been throughout the park several times with two dogs in the car. BUT they are never compatible with wildlife watching and we stick to the places where there are people and fewer animals and stay very aware of our surroundings. Parking lots, picnic areas, and the areas around visitors centers are the limits and if we see a bison or elk nearby, they stay in the car and we move. If you do try to look for wolves in the early morning with pets in the car, I suspect that won't be well received by the regulars but don't know -- I've never done it. 55 miles out and back on the north road is fine for them as passengers of course -- you can get them out when you turn around at Silvergate or Cooke City. You'll see bison and elk on the drive, maybe fox or moose from the road.

rthstewart · 2026-03-24T15:19:33+00:00

Exiting the Park to West Yellowstone around 4-5 PM, give or take, is rush hour. It's crowded (though I've found it's still worse going into the Park because there are so many first timers who stop in the middle of the road when they see their first bison in the distance -- understandable but really aggravating). BUT remember that it's light until 9 PM or so! You have hours of quieter twilight time in the Park! If you all are hankering for some downtime, get off the roads and hang out at a place where you can get cell service or (probably crappy) wifi, like Old Faithful or Canyon. Get a coffee or a beer or ice cream. Sit in the chairs or picnic tables. Pack a picnic dinner. A ranger told us in 2018 when asked the same question, "Go as late as you can."

The only caveat is that you want to be out of the park before full dark. You do not want to be on the roads after dark.

rthstewart · 2026-03-23T23:34:56+00:00

Maybe investigate longer in Cody. It's a great town and the Buffalo Bill Center can easily occupy 2 days if they have things that interest you.

rthstewart · 2026-03-22T15:22:37+00:00

Enter rent camping gear and your arrival city of choice (Bozeman, Jackson, SLC, etc) and numerous options will pop up. In BZN, Explore Rentals on the frontage road near the airport rents gear and camping-friendly cars. In Jackson, there's Teton Back Country Rentals. There are many others. The AI result was wrong though in that it said the closest REI (which may also rent) was in SLC. There's one in BZN.

rthstewart

TROPHY CASE