20 replies to this topic

[cmdr_disco]

I will be in Yellowstone in late April.  Can anyone recommend a good observing site?  Preferably a known site with other telescopes if they exist?  Or a convenient parking lot or campsite with a clearing?  I suppose I could drive around and fine a spot, but I might not have a lot of time for exploration.

 

Thanks!

[Tony Flanders]

I will be in Yellowstone in late April.  Can anyone recommend a good observing site?  Preferably a known site with other telescopes if they exist?  Or a convenient parking lot or campsite with a clearing?  I suppose I could drive around and fine a spot, but I might not have a lot of time for exploration.

You are aware that the snow at that time of year is typically many feet deep, right?

[harbinjer]

Only parts of the park roads are open. I think the northern most roads are open. If you're going after the 18th of April, almost half of the park will be open. 

 

https://www.nps.gov/.../parkroads.htm 

 

That said, I'd ask the rangers.  You can certainly pull off into a parking area.  I can tell you one we stopped at: Wraith falls trailhead. It's not much, but it has decent views, meaning no huge mountains blocking half your view.  Google has a street view of it.  We hiked to the falls, and I'm sure there are many other areas, but that one seems decent from my notes and memory.

 

I can tell you a few other things. The road from Madison to the west entrance is in a valley, so you'll get views east and west only.  Between Madison and Old Faithful, there are probably some good spots, as there are flat and wide open areas, but you'll have to be careful as there are lots of hots springs and geothermal features, but if you arrive before dark and use common sense, it shouldn't be a problem. There are areas to stop and park, but only open after April 18th.

 

You can only camp in the designated camping areas. You'll have to figure out lodging before hand. The park gets incredibly busy in summer, I imagine less so in April, but still, you can't just camp anywhere. So you'll want an observing spot close to your lodging I suspect.  

 

The park is mind-bogglingly large and mountainous. Larger than the state of Rhode Island.

Edited by harbinjer, 11 February 2025 - 09:59 AM.

[mountain monk]

The key is to get off the main highways onto the secondary roads leading to picnic areas and trail heads. The usual park road information does not track them, so it is important to call the park for a recent update. If you are coming into the park from Mammoth in the north, then go south on the way to Norris Junction. As you approach the Gardiner River there is a road to the left that leads down river to the Sheepeaters Cliff(?) Picnic Area. No one there at night. Past the Gardiner River turn right into the Indian Creek Campground—probably not many people there that time of year. If coming into from West Yellowstone, drive to Madison Junction and turn right toward Old Faithful. Turn off the main road at the Nez Perce Picnic Area but keep goin straight for a couple of miles to the end—a large parking lot that, again, will be empty at night. I’ve been stopping there to fish for seventy years. I fish until dark, take a nap, and get out my scope. Beware! There are lots of bison, elk, wolves, and grizzlies there, but they are not likely to bother you. I set up with my back to my SUV so if things go south you can easily get in your car. And pick up a can of bear spray before you enter the park and look at some videos on how to use it. Have fun with the really dark skies.

 

Dark, clear, calm skies.

 

Jack

[vsteblina]

Unless your staying in lodging within Yellowstone, it is doubtful that you will be able to observe from inside the park due to unplowed roads and snow conditions.  I am not sure how bad of a winter it has been in the northern Rockies.

 

Google says that Mammoth is the only campground open in winter.

 

You should call and talk to the Park Service about your plans.  

 

The other plan is to look at surrounding National Forests and paved, plowed roads in the winter time.  Snowmobile trailheads are plowed during winter and make good observing sites EXCEPT that they tend to be located on north slopes.  But they are usually large enough that you have horizons.  Trees are an issue.

 

Call the Forest Service and ask them the same question. 

 

It will be **** cold at night.  Really cold.  Cold like you have never experienced.  So be prepared.

 

I do know of a perfect fly fishing, astronomy, camping site out in the sagebrush on the Targee National Forest.  But that might be a bit far from Yellowstone.

Edited by vsteblina, 11 February 2025 - 09:01 PM.

[mountain monk]

The northern roads open on April 18, usually. No access from Cody or Jackson until later, but the NW corner roads are open to drive as far south as Old Faithful.

 

Dark, clear, calm skies.
 

Jack

Edited by mountain monk, 11 February 2025 - 09:09 PM.

[triplemon]

Well, looks like a nominal winter so far.
https://www.wrds.uwy...ap/snowmap.html

The Snotel automated snow reporting sites are very good all over the PNW to gauge when it melts out, i.e. when places become useable for other than snowsports.

https://www.wrds.uwy...es/meltout.html

Here you can see, in the PNW peak snowpack continually accumulates into April in higher places, heavily depends on elevation and rapidly melts after that.

https://www.wrds.uwy...wstoneElev.html

Edited by triplemon, 11 February 2025 - 10:24 PM.

[cmdr_disco]

Thanks folks. I’m dropping off a aspiring park ranger and that’s when the training starts. Supposed to be just as the park opens up. I do believe the date can change due to weather though.

Sounds like it will be very very cold still. I may end up not too far from where ever I’m staying then. I’m sure it will still be plenty darker than I’m used too.

[City Kid]

I can't offer any suggestions on a nighttime observing site but the last full week of April I will be in and around Lamar Valley every morning with a scope, doing some wildlife observing. Feel free to join. 

[JimMo]

Yes, for that time of year I was going to suggest the Lamar Valley, too, and also much closer the boiling river parking lot on the 45th Parallel in between Gardiner, MT/north entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs.  

 

City Kid: I'll bet the Lamar Valley with be teeming with wildlife in April. I've only been there in the summer and saw lots of buffalo and a few Elk.

Edited by JimMo, 12 February 2025 - 11:58 AM.

[cmdr_disco]

The key is to get off the main highways onto the secondary roads leading to picnic areas and trail heads. The usual park road information does not track them, so it is important to call the park for a recent update. If you are coming into the park from Mammoth in the north, then go south on the way to Norris Junction. As you approach the Gardiner River there is a road to the left that leads down river to the Sheepeaters Cliff(?) Picnic Area. No one there at night. Past the Gardiner River turn right into the Indian Creek Campground—probably not many people there that time of year. If coming into from West Yellowstone, drive to Madison Junction and turn right toward Old Faithful. Turn off the main road at the Nez Perce Picnic Area but keep goin straight for a couple of miles to the end—a large parking lot that, again, will be empty at night. I’ve been stopping there to fish for seventy years. I fish until dark, take a nap, and get out my scope. Beware! There are lots of bison, elk, wolves, and grizzlies there, but they are not likely to bother you. I set up with my back to my SUV so if things go south you can easily get in your car. And pick up a can of bear spray before you enter the park and look at some videos on how to use it. Have fun with the really dark skies.

 

Dark, clear, calm skies.

 

Jack

Thanks Jack for this!  And everyone for the links and charts.  I've carried bear spray before, in my other life I hiked a good portion of the PCT, through California and Oregon.  Never in brown bears territory though, let alone wolves and elk!  Fear of nature is what's kept me alive so far.  I'm excited just to be in that area, and the dark skys are gonna be a bonus.  

[cmdr_disco]

Yes, for that time of year I was going to suggest the Lamar Valley, too, and also much closer the boiling river parking lot on the 45th Parallel in between Gardiner, MT/north entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs.  

 

City Kid: I'll bet the Lamar Valley with be teeming with wildlife in April. I've only been there in the summer and saw lots of buffalo and a few Elk.

Hi!  Thanks for the recommendation of Lamar Valley.  It look pretty amazing in photos.  Any reason in particular why you would recommend it?  Is it easier to traverse during that time of year (less snow, better roads?)  Also, if there are people around the parking lot I wouldn't mind.  Its a new area to me and sometimes I feel safer with folks around in a new place.  Although I doubt they would stay around late?

[12BH7]

There are dozens of pull outs along the main roads. 

 

What part of the park are you going to be at? It's a BIG place!!!

 

I've been to YS several times and It's one of my favorite places.

[12BH7]

Yes, for that time of year I was going to suggest the Lamar Valley, too, and also much closer the boiling river parking lot on the 45th Parallel in between Gardiner, MT/north entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs.  

 

City Kid: I'll bet the Lamar Valley with be teeming with wildlife in April. I've only been there in the summer and saw lots of buffalo and a few Elk.

The last time I was at Lamar valley a white buffalo calf was born. I didn't see it and I don't know if it survived.

[mountain monk]

The Lamar… another one of my favorite places, but that early in the year they may not yet have plowed the secondary roads, e.g. into Slough Creek. Yes, there are many turnouts but they won’t get you off the road. Best place in the park to see wolves.

 

Dark, clear, calm skies.

 

Jack

[12BH7]

The Lamar… another one of my favorite places, but that early in the year they may not yet have plowed the secondary roads, e.g. into Slough Creek. Yes, there are many turnouts but they won’t get you off the road. Best place in the park to see wolves.

 

Dark, clear, calm skies.

 

Jack

Some of those pullouts have a short road to a larger parking lot That late I don't think there's that much headlight traffic that would  make much of a difference. 

 

Many of the dark sites I go too are just off Hwy 87. Sometimes easier access is better than going to a problem area The other dark sites I go too require a bit of real off roading. Something I do NOT prefer to do with my larger (heavier) 12" SCT,

[harbinjer]

The Lamar valley should have no problems with mountains or trees unlike many other areas. The bison will not be on mountainsides or in the forests, so where they are, will probably be fine.  

 

As vsteblina suggested: the cold may be your biggest worry. If you have electric socks or vest or gloves, you'll want that. Wear several layers and dress for 30° colder than it is, as you'll be sitting still.  You'll probably emergency equipment too. 

[City Kid]

Hi!  Thanks for the recommendation of Lamar Valley.  It look pretty amazing in photos.  Any reason in particular why you would recommend it?  Is it easier to traverse during that time of year (less snow, better roads?)  Also, if there are people around the parking lot I wouldn't mind.  Its a new area to me and sometimes I feel safer with folks around in a new place.  Although I doubt they would stay around late?

I've only been there once but Lamar has reasonably wide open skies. I wasn't there after dark so I can't comment much more than that but it certainly looks like it would be a good place to observe from.

 

I'm going to be in Lamar Valley strictly for the purpose of wildlife viewing. According to the park's website grizzlies emerge from their dens in March and they are still down at lower elevations in April. That is why I chose to go there in April. The pullouts in the valley will likely start filling up with wildlife watchers before dawn in the morning and in the late afternoon before sunset. My plan is to be out at least an hour before sunrise every morning to listen for wolves and figure out where to go. That will make it tough for me to do any nighttime observing but if you end up observing in Lamar I may join you one night. I'll be staying in Cooke City so Lamar Valley will be a short, easy drive for me. When the trip gets closer and you have a better idea what you're doing, PM me if you're interested in meeting up. 

 

And saying the park is big is a huge understatement. I had read plenty about how big the park is prior to going there but reading about it is a lot different than actually driving around in it. For example, if you're staying in West Yellowstone, Lamar Valley is probably farther than you would want to drive just to observe unless seeing Lamar Valley is the goal.

[JimMo]

Hi!  Thanks for the recommendation of Lamar Valley.  It look pretty amazing in photos.  Any reason in particular why you would recommend it?  Is it easier to traverse during that time of year (less snow, better roads?)  Also, if there are people around the parking lot I wouldn't mind.  Its a new area to me and sometimes I feel safer with folks around in a new place.  Although I doubt they would stay around late?

It's in the north part of the park that will be open in April, depending on the snow fall.

Edited by JimMo, 13 February 2025 - 07:48 AM.

[Jon Isaacs]

The Lamar… another one of my favorite places, but that early in the year they may not yet have plowed the secondary roads, e.g. into Slough Creek. Yes, there are many turnouts but they won’t get you off the road. Best place in the park to see wolves.

 

Dark, clear, calm skies.

 

Jack

 

For what it's worth:

 

Jack is a long time resident of Jackson Hole area.. Before he retired, he was the president of the oldest mountain guiding service in north America.. He has been to the top of Grand Teton over 400 times and their service trains the Navy Seal teams.. 

 

He's a good resource for the area.. 

 

https://exumguides.com/

 

Jon

[City Kid]

For what it's worth:

 

Jack is a long time resident of Jackson Hole area.. Before he retired, he was the president of the oldest mountain guiding service in north America.. He has been to the top of Grand Teton over 400 times and their service trains the Navy Seal teams.. 

 

He's a good resource for the area.. 

 

https://exumguides.com/

 

Jon

And his books on Grand Teton and the Yellowstone area are great!