Re: [SilverStreak] results of the Yellowstone trip

["Ralph Cooke" <rcooke@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for your description of your trip to Yellowstone.  I don't know about 
the rest of those on the SSLIST, but I really enjoy seeing "Travel Logs" 
from those taking trips to interesting destinations.  Your "Bear" encounter 
makes one appreciate our Silver Streaks, I would not want to be "Tent" or 
"Pop-Up" trailer camping when there are bears around.  Your description of 
your views of the wolves has me planning a trip to Yellowstone for the last 
week in May, or the first week in June next year, depending on the snow 
conditions in the park.  The last time I was there the wolves had just been 
reintroduced into Yellowstone, and we did not even catch a glimpse of one.

In my opinion you picked the best time of year.(Except for fishing).  I have 
been to Yellowstone 11 times over the years, and it's my belief the best 
time to see wildlife is in early June.  The snow has melted off of the 
meadows, so there is good grazing for the large animals, and the bears are 
filling out from their hibernation, so are more visible.  From the 4th of 
July weekend on until September, the park is jam packed, and many of the 
"critters" have retreated up into the high country.  I also found the park 
excellent in October and even early November, but an early snow will often 
close some of the entrances by mid November.

You noted the camp grounds are full by mid-afternoon.  Would spending the 
night, before entering the park, in a commercial RV park near by, then 
entering Yellowstone around 9:00AM and proceeding to a camp ground be the 
best way to get a spot?

Regards,

Ralph

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <joepatwink@netscape.net>
To: <sslist@tompatterson.com>
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 7:14 AM
Subject: [SilverStreak] results of the Yellowstone trip


> We got back from Yellowstone Wednesday and I thought I would write up a 
> quick note on how it went. We got a campsite at Pebble Creek, which is 
> small and designed for tent camping and rigs (automobile and trailer 
> combined) under 30 foot. You can drop off your trailer and park in a 
> parking area within sight of the camp if you wish. We managed to squeeze 
> our 19 foot Sabre and the pickup into our site so we were lucky. They 
> do?not allow you to have anything outside your vehicle or trailer except 
> lawn chairs and lanterns. This is for a good reason, a black bear walked 
> right by us while we were eating supper on Sunday at the picnic table. We 
> dashed in the camper and watched it slowly wander through our part of the 
> campground, cross the creek on the footbridge, and melt into the trees. 
> They have had to kill a female grizzly sub-adult because she started 
> raiding the campground, so keeping all food, dishes, and everything else 
> in the bear proof bins at the campground or your car is a very good idea. 
> We saw bears four days in a row, and wolves three days, including eight 
> wolves in the Druid pack feeding on a fresh killed bison.

The Old Faithful area was packed, but in my opinion it is worth?that to see 
the geyser. Gas was 4.20 a gallon for 87 octane. The average early morning 
temperature was 34 degrees, if you are going to see wolves or bears you will 
have to be out late or get up early so bring a jacket and binoculars. A 
spotting scope, if you have one is good to bring too. There is a lot of snow 
still on all the mountain tops, lots of snow.?Most of?the rivers were 
running in spring flood from snow melt so the fishing is not very good. Most 
campsites were full by mid-afternoon. It was a great trip.