Yellowstone in Fall

Also might want to look at this if you haven't already. Looks like the road from Tower to Canyon will be closed to through traffic. This means if you are doing the Lamar Valley and the Canyon area the same day you have to back track through Mammoth.
Road closures and other info you might want to know.
 
We'll be heading into Yellowstone from Grand Teton on Friday. With some rain and snow in the forecast that day, would we be best to go to Canyon and check out the falls or go over towards Old Faithful and check out geysers? Or does it matter?
 
Doesn't matter. Canyon is higher in elevation though so if it's snowing you probably won't get any good shots and the trails/lookouts might be icy. Plus driving in heavy snow sucks as they don't really plow much. For beauty I'll take Canyon because you can do the Upper and Lower Falls and as a bonus you can see/stop at, Yellowstone River (LeHardy Rapids), Hayden Valley, Lake , Fishing Bridge all on the way there. If you go to Old Faithful you can see some cascades and a portion of lake on the way there. Then you have all the geysers basins after Old Faithful, Black Sand, Biscuit Basin (Mystic Falls), Fountain Paint Pots, Grand Prismatic Spring (Fairy Falls), Firehole River Drive. It's 30 miles to West Yellowstone, from Old Faithful and almost 50 from Canyon.
 
I'm not sure about fall fishing, but in the spring and early summer it's pretty good over most of the park. If you have waders I'd give it a try, if not I would pass. There is a fly shop in West Yellowstone that can give you a fishing report also what is workin. I'm not sure of the name though.
 
rainy weather and overcast sky should be perfect for waterfalls if the clouds are not too low.
I'm not sure how much rain and snow will affect the geysers with an increased amount of steam.
Don't forget to get up the hill for a great view down to Grand Prismatic Spring.
 
nick said:
wes242, have any last minute recommendations or warnings since you've been up there?
Click to expand...
Bring you coat! Today was COLD with a few tiny snow flakes, however I saw more animals today the I have the past 5 days.
There are tons of people fishing all over so you might get something, but don't forget your waders.
FYI the road from Canyon to Tower is closed about 9 miles north from canyon Jct. We went that way today and then drove the dirt road to Mt Washburn and saw the biggest grizzly I have ever seen. There is still some nice colors around Mammoth too.
There are a handfull of Bull Elk along the Madison, but get to them just before sunrise if you want pictures, or in the evening too.

We are heading home tomorrow and going to hit Mesa Falls on the way. If you go home through Island park you might as well take the scenic route to see the falls if you haven't.
 
The closest I ever came to hiking the great big trail in the sky was while driving in the snow in Yellowstone. And it was the first snow of the year, so I didn't quite have my "snow legs" on, yet, which contributed to the problem.
 
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