Yellowstone

[jage]

Originally Posted by TexGX

How are the showers there?

Better than it seems from the outside. Big locker room style with two bay shower stalls (dressing room, curtain, shower each). No coin-feed-guess-how-many-minutes-to-rinse, you're in you're in. Just show up at least 40 minutes before the showers close- if you get there at 29:59min til close they will not let you shower. Otherwise it's one of the best NP facilities I've showered in.

[TexGX]

jage,

Thanks for the info. That will make her feel better.

TexGX

[TexGX]

The trip went great. The Yeti was the perfect way to see the park. We camped in it for 5 nights then had two nights in the lodge in GTNP. Wife did ok, not great, but ok. The van ran great. The only issue is I think my battery is not up to snuff. I will be replacing it soon and looking into a permanent solar solution. I am not sure the 1500w is able to fully run the 1300w micro, but seemed fine when the van was running. Saw 2 grizzlies, moose, elk, black bear, bison and a lone white wolf. A big thanks to Mike and others for the info on the park. Canyon campground is by far the best place to stay.

TexGX

[BrianW]

That's funny, I hated Canyon CG when we were there last year. A lot of sites are heavily sloped, way beyond the normal "need a few leveling blocks" sort of deal. Well, at least many that we saw. It is nice and wooded and many sites are private, but the CG is so spread out and hilly that it doesn't make for easy access down to Canyon Village, the office, showers, etc. The showers were good there, though, as I recall.

Grant CG was less private (sites aren't as wooded), but I liked it better than Canyon. Also nice to be able to walk down to the lake and watch the sunset. Showers there are a bit up the road, back toward Grant Village. A longish walk or an easy bike ride, but the road can be busy. I don't get why they put the shower building so far away from the actual CG. Annoying.

My two favorite Yellowstone GCs are Slough Creek and Pebble Creek, although they are first-come, first-served. Much more "rustic" and they make great jumping-off bases for before-dawn wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley. From Pebble Creek you can do a hamburger run to Cooke City for dinner, too!