07-08-2020, 09:57 AM
|
#16
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,599
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,599
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RnrVA
I agree would love more time but with my job never going to get more than this - would rather get out there with more limited time than not at all. Will make sure it’s a great experience regardless. The 8-9 days is once we are actually in CO / WY region. If we drove it would be added on either side given I could take work calls from the rode / switch off driving when needed. All depends on if still working remote, not going to sacrifice days in the parks to drive if I can’t take the extra days.
|
Well, hopefully you can someday get into a situation where you can take bigger chunks of time. We can hope, eh?
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-08-2020, 10:34 AM
|
#17
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago's NW Suburbs
Posts: 232
|
|
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago's NW Suburbs
Posts: 232
|
As a bit of veteran of those parks, I'll echo the sentiment that 8-9 days including travel isn't enough time for those 3. RMNP is a haul from Yellowstone/Grand Teton. I would definitely leave RMNP off the list and focus on the other two. Even just those two are a challenge to fit into a 8-9 day week with travel.
I would 100% drive the 4Runner if possible. There might not be trails you can drive in the parks, but there are outside, and it just 'fits'. Hell, the entire reason I bought this instead of a crossover/SUV that does 90% of the things better than a 4Runner is to take it to that part of the country.
__________________
RCI Sliders & TRD Integration, Transmission and Transfer Case Skids
Eibach TRD Pro Lift, 285/70/17 KO2s
TRD Intake, ARB Breathers
Pioneer 8500NEX
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-08-2020, 11:27 AM
|
#18
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Fraser, CO
Age: 43
Posts: 603
|
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Fraser, CO
Age: 43
Posts: 603
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sp00ner
As a bit of veteran of those parks, I'll echo the sentiment that 8-9 days including travel isn't enough time for those 3. RMNP is a haul from Yellowstone/Grand Teton. I would definitely leave RMNP off the list and focus on the other two. Even just those two are a challenge to fit into a 8-9 day week with travel.
I would 100% drive the 4Runner if possible. There might not be trails you can drive in the parks, but there are outside, and it just 'fits'. Hell, the entire reason I bought this instead of a crossover/SUV that does 90% of the things better than a 4Runner is to take it to that part of the country.
|
Personally disagree. The drive from the Grand Lake side of RMNP up to Yellowstone is absolutely beautiful. Take 125 through Jackson County, Saratoga WY, Lander, Dubois, then Jackson WY. You'll get to see a lot - North Park, Wind River, Bridger-Teton on 26. A few ghost towns. Good food in Lander.
Stay the night in Grand Lake or somewhere that side of the park and you can make the drive in less than a day the next morning. You'll be able to roll in to the Tetons and set up camp well before sunset.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-08-2020, 11:33 AM
|
#19
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,599
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,599
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CO-Cygnus
Personally disagree. The drive from the Grand Lake side of RMNP up to Yellowstone is absolutely beautiful. Take 125 through Jackson County, Saratoga WY, Lander, Dubois, then Jackson WY. You'll get to see a lot - North Park, Wind River, Bridger-Teton on 26. A few ghost towns. Good food in Lander.
Stay the night in Grand Lake or somewhere that side of the park and you can make the drive in less than a day the next morning. You'll be able to roll in to the Tetons and set up camp well before sunset.
|
OP has a 1700-mile drive just to get to RMNP. 2100 miles to Yellowstone. I think the point here is that he will only have time for a meaningful visit in one of them.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-08-2020, 11:41 AM
|
#20
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Fraser, CO
Age: 43
Posts: 603
|
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Fraser, CO
Age: 43
Posts: 603
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by thennen
OP has a 1700-mile drive just to get to RMNP. 2100 miles to Yellowstone. I think the point here is that he will only have time for a meaningful visit in one of them.
|
8-9 Days once he's in the Rockies is plenty of time to see it all. 1 Day in RMNP, 1 Day to Yellowstone, 6-7 days in Yellowstone. And yes, it's going to be a lot of driving but you're going to go through a lot of beautiful country that most people don't ever see.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-08-2020, 11:52 AM
|
#21
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,599
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,599
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CO-Cygnus
8-9 Days once he's in the Rockies is plenty of time to see it all. 1 Day in RMNP, 1 Day to Yellowstone, 6-7 days in Yellowstone. And yes, it's going to be a lot of driving but you're going to go through a lot of beautiful country that most people don't ever see.
|
He has 8-9 days total, I believe. He has 5 days minimum just driving there and back.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-08-2020, 03:03 PM
|
#22
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago's NW Suburbs
Posts: 232
|
|
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago's NW Suburbs
Posts: 232
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CO-Cygnus
8-9 Days once he's in the Rockies is plenty of time to see it all. 1 Day in RMNP, 1 Day to Yellowstone, 6-7 days in Yellowstone. And yes, it's going to be a lot of driving but you're going to go through a lot of beautiful country that most people don't ever see.
|
8-9 Days total was my understanding, and he's coming from quite a distance.
You've got at ~2 days each way depending on your drive, which leaves 5 days for 3 parks. I just cant agree that 5 days split among those 3 parks (assuming you haven't been there before) is anywhere close to enough time to have a meaningful visit at any one of them, let alone all three.
Especially with RMNP being full 500 mile day away from YS or GT. If it's his first time in Yellowstone, 5 days is barely enough as it is.
__________________
RCI Sliders & TRD Integration, Transmission and Transfer Case Skids
Eibach TRD Pro Lift, 285/70/17 KO2s
TRD Intake, ARB Breathers
Pioneer 8500NEX
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-09-2020, 05:41 PM
|
#23
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 24
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 24
|
Just to clear things up. Plan is below:
Optional leave two days early to drive.
Night 1: Jackson or Jackson Hole regardless of drive or fly
Night 2-3: Stay in Grand Teton
Night 4-6: Stay in Yellowstone (potentially Jackson on last night)
Night 7-8: Stay in Rocky Mountain NP
Night 9: Flex day to stay in Rocky Mountain NP, Denver, or push later part of trip back a day and incorporate this day into Grand Teton or Yellowstone
Day 10: Fly back from Denver or begin drive back to VA. Driving would push out arrival to VA by an extra day
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-09-2020, 06:56 PM
|
#24
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Fraser, CO
Age: 43
Posts: 603
|
|
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Fraser, CO
Age: 43
Posts: 603
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RnrVA
Just to clear things up. Plan is below:
Optional leave two days early to drive.
Night 1: Jackson or Jackson Hole regardless of drive or fly
Night 2-3: Stay in Grand Teton
Night 4-6: Stay in Yellowstone (potentially Jackson on last night)
Night 7-8: Stay in Rocky Mountain NP
Night 9: Flex day to stay in Rocky Mountain NP, Denver, or push later part of trip back a day and incorporate this day into Grand Teton or Yellowstone
Day 10: Fly back from Denver or begin drive back to VA. Driving would push out arrival to VA by an extra day
|
Just make sure you get entry reservations for the National Parks. Not sure about Yellowstone but RMNP is definitely on a daily quota.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-09-2020, 07:05 PM
|
#25
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 24
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 24
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CO-Cygnus
Just make sure you get entry reservations for the National Parks. Not sure about Yellowstone but RMNP is definitely on a daily quota.
|
Thanks that’s good to know!
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-09-2020, 07:08 PM
|
#26
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,599
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,599
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RnrVA
Just to clear things up. Plan is below:
Optional leave two days early to drive.
Night 1: Jackson or Jackson Hole regardless of drive or fly
Night 2-3: Stay in Grand Teton
Night 4-6: Stay in Yellowstone (potentially Jackson on last night)
Night 7-8: Stay in Rocky Mountain NP
Night 9: Flex day to stay in Rocky Mountain NP, Denver, or push later part of trip back a day and incorporate this day into Grand Teton or Yellowstone
Day 10: Fly back from Denver or begin drive back to VA. Driving would push out arrival to VA by an extra day
|
So you have two extra days at the front, and one extra day at the back? 13 days total?
Like a couple others on here, my wife and I have done this same trip, essentially, about 10 times (we actually do Yellowstone and Glacier). We're in Ohio, so a tiny bit closer.
In your case, driving from Richmond, you have about 2200 miles to Jackson/Yellowstone. You also have 2200 miles back (maybe a little more via RMNP). So you're at 4400+ miles (63 hours of driving at 70mph average, which is difficult to do) without doing any sightseeing. Once there, I bet you burn at least 1000 miles sightseeing amongst the parks (Yellowstone is huge, 9 times the square miles of RMNP. And it has 250 miles of roads). So you're at 5400 miles minimum for the trip, I'd guess. Likely closer to 6000. Average of 600 miles/day for 10 days. I love driving, but at that rate, fatigue will set in, ruining 1-2 days of your trip.
I'm trying to be helpful. I've done the 5am-11pm runs twice. You can get to Yellowstone or Glacier on day 2, but you're burned out. You think you're buying days in the parks, but they're not quality days.
Here's what I would do if I had 10-12 days: I'd drive to Yellowstone/Tetons, allowing at least 3 days to get there. South Dakota is worth slowing down for. Allowing for 3 days' return trip, that will leave me 4-6 days to chill and explore Yellowstone and the Tetons (plus a ton of territory right next door if you want to explore). I still wouldn't be able to see it all, but I wouldn't feel rushed, either. Personally, I would save RMNP for another trip.
That's me. Best wishes to you!
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-09-2020, 07:15 PM
|
#27
|
Banned
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 2,247
Real Name: Mark
|
|
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 2,247
Real Name: Mark
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RnrVA
Just to clear things up. Plan is below:
Optional leave two days early to drive.
Night 1: Jackson or Jackson Hole regardless of drive or fly
Night 2-3: Stay in Grand Teton
Night 4-6: Stay in Yellowstone (potentially Jackson on last night)
Night 7-8: Stay in Rocky Mountain NP
Night 9: Flex day to stay in Rocky Mountain NP, Denver, or push later part of trip back a day and incorporate this day into Grand Teton or Yellowstone
Day 10: Fly back from Denver or begin drive back to VA. Driving would push out arrival to VA by an extra day
|
OK, now it makes more sense. You want to do a drive-through, stopping at the scenic overlooks, walking a short distance, snapping a few pics, get in the truck and drive to the next location. This is what most tourists do, as well as the bus loads of foreigners you’ll encounter. That’s OK.
But if you really want to “explore” as you originally said, you will need more time or slim down your ambitions. I spent 2 days hiking in Grand Teton and 13 days hiking in Yellowstone. And that was still not enough. It’s just incredible, so much to see, but you have to walk and hike to see the best and get away from crowds. Yellowstone is huge with long drives between major scenic areas. Plus you may get caught in traffic jams of cars watching roadside bears, or bison.
I would also recommend you concentrate most of your time on GT and YNP. Plan out your days of travel, lodging, sights to see, hikes to take. Your base lodging could be Jackson, Old Faithful Inn, Canyon Village, West Yellowstone. Or campgrounds nearby. Make reservations. Research what is open and closed. The winters are so severe that there is usually roadway reconstruction every year. Delays happen. Plan it out in as much detail as you can, it will be so rewarding.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-09-2020, 07:17 PM
|
#28
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 24
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 24
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by CO-Cygnus
Just make sure you get entry reservations for the National Parks. Not sure about Yellowstone but RMNP is definitely on a daily quota.
|
Looks like just RMNP at this time but worth monitoring
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-09-2020, 07:30 PM
|
#29
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Martinsville, IN
Posts: 388
|
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Martinsville, IN
Posts: 388
|
Ever thought about having your 4R trucked out to a central location and flying out and picking it up? save you a few days of driving, but's you'd still have your own vehicle.
__________________
2014 4R SR5 - 3" Dobinsons, 285/70 Wild Peak AT3, RCI Skid & Sliders, CBI Bumper, Firewire light bar, Diode Dynamics Fogs
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
07-09-2020, 07:34 PM
|
#30
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 24
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 24
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ogre75
Ever thought about having your 4R trucked out to a central location and flying out and picking it up? save you a few days of driving, but's you'd still have your own vehicle.
|
Yes definitely looked into it - seemed a bit expensive. Think I was seeing $1,000+ for one way
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
|