Planning for The Grand Teton/Yellowstone Trip

[RUSSELL5000]

I am in the planning stages for a trip west from Northwestern Pennsylvania in the summer of 2015. Route will be out to South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and back. Idea is to see the Badlands in South Dakota, Black Hills, Devil's Tower, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and then return - a little over seven weeks. I have the campground reservations made. I am working my way through many other thoughts now. Some questions for those with more experience than this newby:

(1) I see that there are route "guidebooks": the Next Exit, the Good Sam RV Road Atlas, the Mountain directory, etc. Knowing when the next rest area is (we usually stop and eat lunch at a rest area), where the next station is that one can easily get around in to get fuel, etc., seems invaluable to me. What are others using - what have you found best, what do you recommend?

(2) What are others using for emergency road service - do you use one of the Good Sam offerings, do you use another plan, what have you found is best?

(3) I have blocking, a jack, safety triangles and flares, and 12V air compressor. I have a four foot 3/4" drive breaker bar, extensions, and sockets for lug nuts, as well as a 3/4" drive torque wrench for reinstallation. I have put together a couple of bags of tools should something go wrong with the travel trailer. What other "emergency tools" do you think I should carry?

There will be emergency gear in the travel trailer - hydration packs, water filtration, emergency food, first aid supplies, water, fire starting kit, etc. A emergency satellite beacon will be along (we take it for hiking).

Cell phones will be along. I wonder about a NOAA weather radio.

Would you recommend any other type of emergency gear based on your experience?

(4) Prior to the trip, will do the following maintenance (most before due, but nonetheless):

Wheel/Tire balanced
Front and rear differential fluid change
Transmission fluid change
Oil and filter change
Fuel filter change
Air filter change
Grease front u-joint

The truck will have less than 25,000 miles, and so assume coolant, hoses, belts, and batteries OK.

Am I missing anything?


Thanks much!

 

[BIGNASTY]

I wouldn't go thru Montana, bunch of Rednecks out there

 

[NC Hauler]

As far as an Emergency Roadside Service, I'd purchase either, Good Sams ERS or Coachnet, both will provide towing for your tow vehicle as well as what you're towing..Also will help with setting up your trip, (routing), will change flat's on TV and/or what you're towing...Will deliver fuel if needed and will help with unlocking camper should you lock yourself out...Both are good, can be purchased from $99 to $109 a year...I "wouldn't leave home without it".\

The "Next Exit" guidebook will come in handy...

Sounds like you got pretty much of the rest of it covered, (check air in spare tire for your RV as well as spare for your Tow vehicle...)...

 

[wyosteve]

Don't take this the wrong way, but I think you're way overboard on the 'emergency' food, water, etc. Most of the areas you mentioned are close to I-90/I-94 or other paved secondary highways. They are all close to towns, you're coming in the summer, so not likely to be stranded by a blizzard! I would leave all those things home to save weight. Just my .02.

 

[Jim W]

“There will be emergency gear in the travel trailer - hydration packs, water filtration, emergency food, first aid supplies, water, fire starting kit, etc. A emergency satellite beacon will be along (we take it for hiking).”

OK; I think you are over reacting just a little. We have traveled to Yellowstone and back using I80/I90-94 and as stated above there are plenty of service station on the road; it's not like you are traveling in a covered wagon in the mid-1800.

I carried my normal food supplies that we take on our camping trips and replenished as needed from Wall Mart and or grocery store chains like Kroger, Safeway. I do carry about 7 gallons of water for a one week usage and some bottle water for every day drinking as we do not drink or cook using the water in camp grounds. I carry no spare water in the holding tanks in fact I try to travel with empty holding tanks as to me this is unnecessary weight that just eats up fuel when towing. I do carry water filters as we use full hook ups in campgrounds for the shower and flushing of the toilets.

Tools I will carry as I carry them on all my camping trips such as a Multi-meter, fuses, roof repair tape and sealant, wire strippers and electrical connectors. Also I do carry tools in the truck all of the time for changing tires and small repairs. One Item I see that you should carry is a spare fuel filter for the truck. I carry one in the truck 100% of the time and rotate them out when I change the fuel filter every 15K miles.

We do use the Next Exit and also The RVer’s Friend our latest version is 2014. For road service I use my State Farm Insurance Co. and this has served me will.

Jim W.

 

[Tractorat]

Don't take this the wrong way, but I think you're way overboard on the 'emergency' food, water, etc. Most of the areas you mentioned are close to I-90/I-94 or other paved secondary highways. They are all close to towns, you're coming in the summer, so not likely to be stranded by a blizzard! I would leave all those things home to save weight. Just my .02.

Dont forget, you are going to Yellowstone, no Barrow Alaska. This is a leisurely drive you could make in your cadillac.

Also, I dont know where you usually hike. But you wont have any need of the satellite beacon thingy either.

 

[Bill Stockard]

“There will be emergency gear in the travel trailer - hydration packs, water filtration, emergency food, first aid supplies, water, fire starting kit, etc. A emergency satellite beacon will be along (we take it for hiking).”

OK; I think you are over reacting just a little. We have traveled to Yellowstone and back using I80/I90-94 and as stated above there are plenty of service station on the road; it's not like you are traveling in a covered wagon in the mid-1800.

I carried my normal food supplies that we take on our camping trips and replenished as needed from Wall Mart and or grocery store chains like Kroger, Safeway. I do carry about 7 gallons of water for a one week usage and some bottle water for every day drinking as we do not drink or cook using the water in camp grounds. I carry no spare water in the holding tanks in fact I try to travel with empty holding tanks as to me this is unnecessary weight that just eats up fuel when towing. I do carry water filters as we use full hook ups in campgrounds for the shower and flushing of the toilets.

Tools I will carry as I carry them on all my camping trips such as a Multi-meter, fuses, roof repair tape and sealant, wire strippers and electrical connectors. Also I do carry tools in the truck all of the time for changing tires and small repairs. One Item I see that you should carry is a spare fuel filter for the truck. I carry one in the truck 100% of the time and rotate them out when I change the fuel filter every 15K miles.

We do use the Next Exit and also The RVer’s Friend our latest version is 2014. For road service I use my State Farm Insurance Co. and this has served me will.

Jim W.

We've been traveling to Grand Teton NP and Yellowstone NP since 1970 in travel trailers, fifth wheels, and truck campers as early as May and as late as October. I agree, you are taking too much emergency stuff that only adds unnecessary weight. We travel about like Jim W; however, we carry only enough fresh water in the tank to flush the potty while traveling and drain the waste water tanks each day at the dump station when leaving our overnight stop. In all our travels over the years, we've needed a tow only one time and it wasn't a problem with the truck or trailer. It was caused by a "sloppy" installation of an auxiliary in bed fuel tank that I should have checked before we left on the trip after it was installed. I should have known better...

Bill

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Thanks, all.

I don't think my words convey what I mean by emergency gear. I have always carried a water filer and purification tablets, triangular cloth, space blanket, plastic rain poncho, knife, whistle, signal mirror, fire starting kit, some nylon rope, fish line and hooks, and a day or two of emergency food beyond what I will eat that day in my hiking pack - with a full water bladder and food for that day the pack is around 15 lbs to 20 lbs. I guess I'll add "dinner bells" and pepper spray for out west (only black bears here in northwestern PA so I have never carried those before). I added the SPOT when I fell one day in January of this year when I was out with my dogs - I was only about a mile and half from the truck, and it looked OK when I went in all the way to my hip - had a hard time getting back upright, it hurt, but no big deal when all was said and done. It occurred to me one could get hurt not that far away from the world and not be able to make it back. At any rate, the packs will be packed and along so if we did have a problem that is taken care of. That is all I meant by emergency gear. I have never used anything in my pack other than the water filter when I have been hiking; I suppose since I have it then I never will (fine by me).

Back to trip...

NC Hauler - I'll evaluate Good Sam and Coach Net, and thanks for pointing out the air in the spares - I am fanatical about the truck and trailer tires, but for some (seems really dumb now) reason I have never checked the spares. Seems overwhelmingly obvious now, but glad to have it pointed out.

Jim W. - I do have the electrical tools and appropriate fuses in my tool bags, but will add the multi-meter and a variety of crimp-on connectors, as well as a roll of Eterna-Bond tape and rollers. I'll also carry a spare fuel filter. I assumed I would travel with empty tanks in the travel trailer and maybe have a couple of jugs of water for the toilet in case my wife needs an "emergency" break. I'll look into "RVers Friend" - never heard of that before.

Others - thanks for looking over.

Finally, BIG - sorry, I already know how great Montana is. There is only so much time, and the family voted for this route for this year. Montana is in the future.

Thanks, all.

 

[B.G. Smith]

I'm sure you will enjoy the Badlands but don't miss the big store at Wall, I think they call it Wall Drugstore, has fantastic breakfast buffet and spend enough time around Rapid city to visit the Crazy Horse monument. You wil also be near/going through Sturgis if you are into that ype thing. The Blackhils tour is nice with a big casino up there somewhere. bg

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Thanks much to all. I have made reservations for everywhere we are staying. We are staying at Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone and Colter Bay Village in Grand Teton; other than that we are staying at a KOA (usually when travelling) or a park highly rated by Good Sam.

Here is the actual plan. My idea is to pretty much stick to the interstate where possible. If someone has been this way and is aware of a problem towing then please let me know. I know that one wants to avoid the Big Horn mountain range when towing. I think the route below is friendly for towing, but if anyone sees a problem then please let me know.

If someone has experience and can think of something we are clearly missing then please let me know.

The idea here is to allow plenty of time for simply walking and being outside.

Day 1: Leave northwestern Pennsylvania and head west on I-90/I-80 through Ohio and on into Indiana.

Day 2: Continue west across Indiana and Illinois on I-80 into Iowa.

Day 3: Continue west on I-80 across Iowa and then north on I-29 to South Dakota.

Day 4: Continue on west in South Dakota to see the Corn palace and rest for the night.

Day 5 through Day 7: Continue west across South Dakota on I-90 to badlands area, staying for three nights. See Wall Drug, MinuteMan Silo, Badlands National Park, Buffalo Gap National Grassland, and Wounded Knee.

Day 8 through Day 13: Continue west on I-90 and then US 16 south to Black Hills. See Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Black Hills National Forest, and Wind Cave National Park.

Day 14: Go north on US 16 and then west on I-90 and north on US 14 to Devil’s Tower, Wyoming; see Devil’s Tower and stay the night.

Day 15: Go south on US 14 back to I-90 west out of Wyoming and on in to Montana, staying on I-90 to avoid the Big Horn mountains.

Day 16: Continue west across Montana on I-90 and then south on US 191 to the West entrance to Yellowstone.

Day 17 through Day 22: Western half of Yellowstone from west entrance.

Day 23: Relocate to Fishing Bridge inside of Yellowstone.

Day 24 through Day 30: Eastern half of Yellowstone from Fishing Bridge and Cody, Wyoming.

Day 31: Relocate to Colter Bay Village in Grand Teton.

Day 32 through Day 44: Southern part of Yellowstone from Colter Bay Village, Grand Teton, Jackson, Wyoming, Snake River Canyon.

Day 45: Leave Grand Teton south on US 191 to connect with I-80 going east across Wyoming.

Day 46: Continue east across Wyoming and into Nebraska on I-80.

Day 47: Continue east across Nebraska and into Iowa on I-80.

Day 48: Continue east across Iowa and into Illinois on I-80.

Day 49: Continue east across Illinois and Indiana and into Ohio on I-80/I-90.

Day 50: Continue east across Ohio and return to home in Northwestern Pennsylvania on I-80/I-90.

Thanks!

 

[richardcoxid]

Whatever time you think that you will need to see Y’stone NP you better double it!

Remember that Y’stone Park itself is about 50 miles E/W and 70 miles N/S (2.2 Mil Acres) and the Grand Loop (figure 8) road is about 140 miles around. With a 45mph speed limit (radar controlled) and the thermal attractions and the Bison think that they own the road they will sometimes back up traffic for 1/4 mile or more and the altitude (Canyon Area is 7918 ft, Old Faithful is 7365 ft and Mammoth Area is ONLY 6239 ft) it will take a full day for each loop. When walking take it easy, carry/drink lots of water as it can be very exhausting, then you will only see the highlights. If your luck is like mine I guarantee that Old Faithful will have gone off just minutes before you arrived and will have to wait about another hour and 10-15 minutes for it to go off again kill time by walking around the upper geyser basin. When you are at Old faithful be sure to go into the Old Faithful Inn and look up when inside. When in the visitor center, Inn, Snowlodge etc they will have a sign displaying approximately when the next eruption will occur (+ or – about 10/15 minutes)
We have lived about 110 miles from the West Y’stone entrance for 50 years and go there a couple of times each summer and I still haven’t seen everything yet.

We day trip it to Old Faithful a couple of times every summer just to have lunch in the Old Faithful Inn. (the O/F INN is highly recommended to see)

I see that yo have planed on almost 3 weeks in the YNP/Gtnp areas Good! You will see about 1/2 of what you planed on/day. All the above information to one extent or another goes for GTNP also.

In Jackson The Bar J Chuckwagon dinner/show is high on our list. We see them 3-4 times every summer! Get RESERVATIONS and be there EARLY to pick up your tickets! Tim, their fiddle player has won the Idaho State fiddle championship 8 times and the US open championship 2 times!

http://www.barjchuckwagon.com/Chuckwagon.html

 

[RUSSELL5000]

richardcoxid - thanks for the tips. I think we just added the chuck wagon to the list.

I am sure you are correct - whatever time we have will only be enough for a small portion of what we would like to do. One thing I would like to do when I retire is spend an entire season in Yellowstone.

 

[Cooper_D]

Went west back in 2000 & reading this reminds me of that trip.

Still brings a smile to my face !

When in Jackson eat at Bubba's Restaurant! I hope it is still as good as it was back then.

 

[wyosteve]

Just a couple thought-- If it was me, I'd pass on the Corn Palace. Way overrated, basically just an old arena with some corn cobs on the wall made into a few designs. Use that time for something else. Bubba's in Jackson has really gone downhill and I'd skip that as well. They moved out of their old location a few years ago and it's not been the same. There is also a Bubba's in Cody which is better, but you can get better food elsewhere. Also, you've listed staying at Fishing Bridge and apparently going into Cody. Just realize, it's not a real quick or easy day drive. It's about 100 miles from Fishing Bridge to Cody, roughly half of which is in the Park. All of the drive is slow, winding road. I assume you'll be going to the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, if it's not on your list, it should be. But, the museum is really too much to do in a day, so would be better to spend at least 2. Finally, don't be too afraid of going through the Bighorns if you felt like it. I'd just suggest taking the southern Bighorn route through Buffalo, WY. and not the Sheridan-Shell Canyon route. I pull my horse trailer that way frequently and it's likely heavier than your camper. Regardless, you're doing it right by not rushing things. Enjoy.

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

Day 15: Go south on US 14 back to I-90 west out of Wyoming and on in to Montana, staying on I-90 to avoid the Big Horn mountains.

US-14 from Buffalo to Worland isn't that bad and you can tell your friends that you conquered the Big Horns and avoid venturing to Montana all together... Just remember that you have already been warned about the Redneck thing lol!!

I wouldn't go thru Montana, bunch of Rednecks out there

If you feel the need to "stick to the plan" and stay on I-90, you NEED to stop and check out the Little Bighorn Battlfield.

http://www.nps.gov/libi/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Bighorn_Battlefield_National_Monument

 

[Jim W]

Russell,
Whatever you do plan on filling up in Ohio and not Indiana since you will be on the Indiana Tollway I80. The fuel stations there in Indiana when using the truck lanes will not let you fill up your truck since you are not commercial carrier. I have tried several times and I keep forgetting this issue in Indiana, you need to fill up in the passenger vehicle lanes which usually have only one diesel fill up pump and sometimes the nozzle is on the incorrect side of the truck.

I would also get an Ezpass for travel through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois to make it easier to get through the tollbooths and somewhat less costly. I used my Ipass all along the toll roads when I traveled out east to Ohio, Mass., New York, Maine and NH in the fall of 2014.

Now there are some KOA’s in Indiana but I do not remember if they are real close to I80/I90. The nearest KOA once you cross the border in Illinois is near Utica IL and about 5 miles off of I80 going north. Not very big and I have been there; I would recommend that you try to pull thru Indiana and Illinois without stopping for camping until you reach Moline area or Iowa on the west side of the Mississippi River. Starve Rock Illinois is very pretty along the Illinois River which is in Utica but camping is slim for overnight camping. There is a campground right off I80 near Utica; but you will hear the truck and car traffic all night long the campground is about 1/2 mile off of I80.

Jim W.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

wyosteve and Mikey-KE7LBB: I have gotten a couple of comments no on the Corn Palace - I think I will drop that from the routing and use that day to go to the Little Bighorn Battlefield. That may be very nice as we have a stop at Wounded Knee previously.

In preparation for the trip I avoided roads across the Big Horn mountains and going into Yellowstone from the east entrance because of towing the trailer. What I had read was that grades on the western side of the Big Horn mountains on either US-14 or US-16 were long and steep (grades of 10%). I also read that the road into Yellowstone from the east entrance was quite narrow, lots of sharp turns with significant drop-offs at the edge of the road. Thus, the thinking was to stick to I-90 with the wider roads and more mild turns and grades and go down US -191, which I have read is quite mild and scenic. I have never been that way and so I only know what I have read. The simplest, easiest roads are going to be the priority for this trip - why I mapped everything to stay on the interstate as much as possible.

Jim W. - thanks for the tip on the I-80 travel pass. It looks like it is only 200 miles or o across Indiana, and so we should be able to fuel in Ohio and scoot across to Illinois. A KOA in Indiana was the stop at the end of the first day travel and then on across Illinois and into Iowa for the second night.

Thanks all!

 

[RVTRKN]

I wouldn't go thru Montana, bunch of Rednecks out there

Don't worry Big, I won't feed the Rednecks.

 

[kcv67]

Russell out of Cooke city Mt there are two great passes Dead Indian pass then you end up in Cody or Beartooth pass 10947 ft top of the world pass goes into Red lodge Mt. I have pulled both passes with my old light fifth wheel it was fun. The traffic is not in a hurry because everybody is looking at the scenery and they both have awesome views.

Also be sure you have your winter coats/clothes with you it can snow/ freeze any time of the year in Yellowstone.

Casey

 

[RVTRKN]

I'm planning a trip in June 2016 to tour the NP's in Wyoming & Montana, I'm going to pull doubles with the second trailer being my 2011 Harley Davidson. I still haven't figured out where my Base camp/camps will be. But I'm looking forward to the trip.