Yellowstone/Teton Touristy Trip

[Jammer]

I'm getting ready to head to Grand Teton and Yellowstone in a few weeks with some friends for a short trip. It'll be the first time for everybody (except me) and I'm trying to come up with the itinerary. I'm really planning on it primarily being a "touristy" trip because I think the main sites deserve a visit at least once and think everyone would enjoy that. But, I'm also looking for any other suggestions to make the trip unique. Short hikes (1-3hrs) are fine, but nothing too long.

The trip shapes up like this so far:

Day 0
Drive SLC to Jackson

Day 1
Fun in the Tetons: short mountain hike? Lakeside lunch? Kayaks?
Stay in Jackson

Day 2
Drive to Yellowstone
Old Faithful/Upper Geyser Basin
Grand Prismatic and Fairy Falls
Stay in West Yellowstone

Day 3
Drive the Grand Loop
Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Falls, Yellowstone Falls, Wildlife in Hayden Valley (or Lamar?)
Back to West Yellowstone

Day 4
Drive back to SLC.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[mak1277]

Wife & I did a trip to Jackson two years ago. Couple thoughts...

1) We did a sunrise float down the Snake River which was excellent. No whitewater, just lazy floating, awesome sunrise views and a moose sighting. Finished with breakfast at Dornan's.

2) Canoe/kayak rental on Jenny Lake was a lot of fun.

3) Good short/easy hike from Taggart Lake Trailhead to Taggert Lake (~3 mi out/back or 3.9 mi loops) which can be extended to go to Bradley Lake. Limited elevation change, very pretty.

4) Boatride across Jenny Lake and (1 mi.) hike up to Inspiration Point. This will be crowded but qualifies as touristy I think.

 

[scatman]

Yellowstone part looks doable to me.

 

[Jammer]

And this might be the height of tourist trap items to put on the agenda, but...

...any recommendations for cowboy/chuckwagon dinner outdoors around Jackson?

Other good food recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[mak1277]

And this might be the height of tourist trap items to put on the agenda, but...

...any recommendations for cowboy/chuckwagon dinner outdoors around Jackson?

Other good food recommendations?

Thanks.

The only chuck wagon dinner I saw was at dornans but didn't eat there.

Jackson seems to have a ton of good burger places. The best we had was (I think) called The Bird. That would also be a good place to put back a few beers.

 

[Nick]

I dug the Artists Paint Pots when I went. I'd definitely make that a stop when you head up toward Mammoth. In fact, I think I started a similar thread like this back then. I'll see if I can't find that link. Here's the link to my TR's from that trip though. Total tourist goodness with my wife: http://backcountrypost.com/threads/grand-teton-national-park.1409/

 

[Joey]

Another idea for the Tetons is to take the tram up to the top. I've never done it, but everyone else has, and they seem to love it. Plus you don't have to climb up the elevation.

If you eat in the Tetons, definitely eat at Signal Mountain Lodge.

any recommendations for cowboy/chuckwagon dinner outdoors around Jackson?

If @Absarokanaut is around, he may have something to suggest.

There isn't too much to do in West Yellowstone, other than eat and sleep. (Bullwinkle's has the best burgers). You might already have hotels booked, but another option is staying up in Gardiner. There isn't that much to do up there either, but you are much closer to the Lamar Valley. The northern section of the road, from Mammoth all the way across to the North east entrance is worth seeing. So it the route from the Tower junction, down to Canyon, and down through Hayden Valley. Just riding through those areas could take a while if wildlife is out and about. Plus you have numerous waterfalls and thermal areas along the way.