My train trip to Montana & Wyoming In June is all set.(please pick it apart if you can). Thanks.

Plan at least 4 days for the area around Yellowstone. Besides the park itself visit the Grand Tetons, Cody, Wyoming, drive the Chief Joseph Hwy plus Hwy 212 though Beartooth Pass. Its a big loop that leaves and reenters the park.

Charles Kuralt called Beartooth Pass the most beautiful highway in the US. Not too many would disagree.

Edit, I missed the dates. Many of these roads will probably still be closed then. I was on Beartooth Pass in July once and it was still snowing.

I would suggest early September if you want to miss the crowds but still have access to everything.

Pete

Twice the Going To the Sun High way was blocked by snow when I was at Glacier, and l have been caught by snow both early and late in the season, and that might be a little early. Ghost towns and mining camps l seek out may not interest all, but Virginia City and Alder are two historical mining camps just north of Yellowstone in MT., and there is a tourist train out of VC, as well as a lot of old rolling stock in a roadside museum on the way to Alder. There are a number of other ghost towns.

Early for Glacier National Park.  Often the GTTS Road is not open until July.  You might find east Glacier a bit more accommodating.  The Lodge is within walking distance of the Train depot, and I believe there is the availability of rentals.   2015 photos.

East Glacier Station

East Glacier Lodge.

Though, I stayed at Apgar campground, which is West Glacier.  I travel light, in the Prius, with all my camping, hiking gear.   The highlight, of the 2015 Glacier visit, was a day hike, on Highline trail, to Granite Park Chalet, and then to the Loop pick-up point.  I took the Park  service shuttle, from Apgar, to Logan Pass, and from the Loop, back to Apgar.   Here is a slideshow of the hike.  Train related, you would find, the railroad follows one of the branches, of the Flathead River, along most of the southern border of Glacier NP.  Though there is south Glacier,(Two Medicine) a whole other experience.

Hike on Highline Trail,  late July 2015.  Click on the underline phrase for a slideshow.

Glacier, may be, the most beautiful spot, on this floating rock, in space.  IMO,  Mike CT. 

The full Going To The Sun road wasn't open until June 28 this year and the latest opening was July 13, 2011. They usually start plowing in April and open in mid-June, sometimes early June, but you can't plan for that. At the end of May, some of the road will be open, but you won't be able to drive through. You'll have to go as far as you can from each entrance, then turn around. I don't know for sure, but I assume US 2 is kept open all year to go from one entrance to the other if you still choose to visit that early. IMHO, if you can't drive the entire length of the road, it's not worth going. I had panned to visit around the same time in 2014, but I have a friend in Kalispell who warned me the road would still be closed, so we went at the end of August instead. I'll also suggest that no matter when you go, try to get up early to drive through the park because parking becomes a real problem as the day wears on. We had no problem going one way in the morning, but couldn't find parking at several of the overlooks on the way back later in the day.

I also highly recommend the Beartooth Highway (US 212) going to Red Lodge to the North Entrance to Yellowstone. In fact, that's the only reason we went back to Yellowstone that year. It's a slow drive with a lot of switchbacks, etc., but the views and mountain lakes are breathtaking. Of course that assumes you like to drive scenic roads, etc., and aren't pressed for time in Yellowstone.

One advantage of going in June, the daylight is really long that far north.

Eddie, I see that you live in Maine, so you should certainly have a better-than-average acquaintance with snow.  The main point to be taken from all the cautionary posts about certain roads staying closed well into summer is that parts of the western United States are still wilderness (and without cellular phone service), and nobody should begin a drive on one of the remote highways without a good blanket and several bottles of drinking water.  Some of the country is so remote and rough that, if an automobile slides off of the road, or a late snowstorm hits, you  may not be easily seen by others driving the highway (if it stays open).  If you let a real person know specifically where you are driving and ask them to send for help if you do not check in with them at your destination, then that will likely assure rescue, if required, and you can enjoy touring the area.  It sounds like excessive caution, but several people every year disappear in the wilderness, sometimes with fatal results.  

If you take reasonable precautions to be sure somebody will miss you and call for help, you can enjoy the scenery.  Personally, I have never been to Glacier, but Yellowstone was a spectacular vacation.  Glacier Park is on my bucket list.

OK, so when is the best time to go? I am taking my daughter and my 20 year old grandson. He is  home from college from May 10th to August 27th.

Eddie,

July and August are the busy times for Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton because the snow has melted from the high roads and hiking trails.  Everything is likely to be open.  If you are going in June, Going to the Sun pass may be closed, but the trip up the East side to the visitor center is well worth it for easy day hikes and spectacular views.  Lodging is limited on the East side so reserve early.  You plan on starting from W Glacier, so explore that side of the park first, then drive to the East side (via Going to the Sun if open or Rt. 2), stay and explore for a couple of days at least.

Going to/from Yellowstone, Beartooth pass (Rt 212) is a spectacular scenic road as is Dead Indian summit (Rt 296) going towards Cody.  Last two times I drove Beartooth (June and September) was through snow squalls.  It's a long haul from Glacier to Yellowstone and I recommend doing that trip in two days so you are rested and have good light for driving over the passes.  Beartooth was closing at 8PM for construction work this year.

August and September were a severe fire season this year, burning down the Sperry Chalet in Glacier, closing half the park, and smoking up Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

I usually spend time in Jackson Hole either in June or September, but my trip was in August this year for the eclipse.  The popular GTNP and Yellowstone parking lots were always full and parking overflowed onto the roads.  Annoying and frustrating but an early start usually scored a parking spot at trailheads.   I recommend mid to late June for your trip to avoid the peak crowds and fire season. 

Cody is worth a day's stay to visit the museum and the rodeo if it fits your schedule.  The Chamberlin Inn downtown is my favorite lodging.

If you are planning to spend time in Jackson Hole, let me know so I can recommend activities, lodging, restaurants, etc.

John

If you want to avoid ANY risk of the road still being closed, probably after early-July. If you're willing to risk it or are not overly concerned about being able to drive all the way from west to east through the park, then like John says, mid-to late June. You can go in May, but the road will definitely not be open and I don't know about hiking trails, so it all depends on what you want to get out of Glacier. Unfortunately, you won't know when they anticipate the road being open until they start plowing in April. From what I've seen, they're pretty good at estimating, but they always have to allow for late snowfalls. I have no idea how far in advance you have to make train and lodging reservations or what the cancellation policies are.

The only real negative to going during peak season is the crowds you'll hit and parking problems. That's where early rising and a little patience will go a long way. Of course, that's true of most national parks in the summer. We went Labor Day weekend 2014. We started at the West entrance as soon as the park opened, had no problems with parking all the way to St Mary and then went up to Many Glacier. We had lunch in St Mary as we started back. By then parking was full at most stops, so we took our time and waited for slots to open where we wanted to stop for afternoon photos. To be fair, they were doing road work, so that may have contributed to the parking problems, but I assume they're always doing some road work throughout the summer.

Anyway, you could buy a few more days by reversing the trip so you visit Glacier after Yellowstone. I don't know the reason for going to Harve vs beginning and ending at West Glacier unless ticket prices are that much less or there's some other reason for going to Harve. I expect you'll be hit with a drop-off fee for the rental car, though that may not be a concern. It might save you 30-40 minutes over returning to West Glacier.

Google says it's 6:30 hrs/433 miles from West Glacier to West Yellowstone if you take Hwy 83. It's 5:50/376 from West Yellowstone to Harve. If you go to Jackson, it's 1:15 from the South Yellowstone plus any stops you make along the way in the Tetons. If you want to drive the Beartooth, I recommend starting on the Billings/Red Lodge side in the morning and driving east to west so the sun is behind you. It's 6:30/414 from West Glacier to Billings taking I-15 or 7:00/453 to Red Lodge, though Red Lodge may not have the lodging/dining options you want. From Billings, it's 3:45/181 to Tower Junction inside Yellowstone and from Red Lodge, it's 3:00/138. We opted for the Red Lodge Inn (a small local motel #2 on Trip Advisor, clean and comfortable, but with few amenities beyond wifi) and drove the Beartooth in both directions so I could get photos with the sun at morning and afternoon angles. We had been to Yellowstone before and driving the Beartooth was the only reason we went back.

John & Dave, thanks much, your posts will be a big help to me. I think we will go in late June. Dave, you were a BIG help to me on the trip to Arizona, & Utah in May. Thanks again.

eddie 

                july and august are best , before you go / go to the national park service online and buy a life time pass for twenty dollars ,for anyone over 62yr old , you get free entrance to every nation park in the u.s it covers the vehicle you're in and the passengers   ,there is also a separate line to enter for  pass holders. Stay in  Gardner ,it is the futurist entrance the north gate , and least used, about 45 min to park entrance. By doing this , you will be avoiding the crowd ,they are all driving north, from the west gate ,only 6mi from town.When you return the will going in the opposite direction. Plan on one week to see the park ,there are 350 miles of paved road .

I also found , that packing , a cooler for a picnic lunch , and lite supper , this allowed me to stay in the park until dusk before returning to your lodging. ALSO BRING PLENTY OF FLUIDS WITH YOU ,TOO PREVENT DEHYDRATION, CAUSED BY DRY CLIMATE AND HIGH ELEVATION.

Always fill up your gas tank  when you're at half a tank ,at the first station you come by in montana , this state is sparsely populated, this is ranch country and open range , and you can drive long distances before seeing signs of civilization. When going through indian reservations you are on sovereign land,and there laws and customs are the laws in force ,technically you are in a foreign country.

Look for family dinners with lots of cars in the parking lot  ,best food for the money , just like small towns in maine  ,above all be very flexible in your itinerary , this is not apart of the country you want to rush ,just like northern maine . Yellowstone and surrounding area, is a vacation of a lifetime , you will love it and have a great time, I have not been to Glacier yet , but have been to North and South Dakota

HAPPY TRAILS TECHMAN 

There are many ways to plan your time around Yellowstone. One way, given you are coming down from Glacier is head for the Gardiner entrance on the northwest side. Take the western north/south road through the park, then head east towards the south east entrance which will take you to Cody. That road outside the park is spectacular in itself. Plan two nights in Cody. Then ride north on WY 120 to WY 296, aka Chief Joseph Hwy which will take you to US212, aka Beartooth pass, then east to Red Lodge and back to Cody taking MT 308 to Belfry and MT 72 which becomes WY 120. 

We did this route in half a day with many photo stops and dinner in Red Lodge.

Its true this is very wild country and needs to be taken seriously but I have taken these roads 4 times on a motorcycle with not much more than a bottle of water or canteen and snack bar. These roads are well traveled and help will not be far away assuming you don't drive over a cliff.

Pete

Don't forget if you get into West Yellowstone, MT to eat at the Gusher.  Great hamburgers and Pitza.  WIFE and I had part of our honeymoon in Yellowstone backpacking around Shoshone Lake 45-50 miles, and was told to go to the Gusher on our ventures.  We weren't disappointed.

Eddie, you're welcome again.

You've got a lot of useful info to work with and I hope you'll post your tentative itinerary when you get that far.

Since we had been to Yellowstone before, we only spent the 1 day driving the Beartooth into Yellowstone, went over to the Old Faithful again, then out the east entrance to Cody for dinner and back to Red Lodge. We stopped in Missoula because there is a National Bison Range a little north on Hwy 93 that we wanted to drive through.

We went through all of Glacier once, drove the Camas & N Fork Road (very rough) and a friend drove us around Hungry Horse Reservoir for a day of photo ops. We also had a friend to visit in Coeur d'Alene, so we stayed at Fairchild AFB and spent a day with them. When we go back, we want to spend a little time in Whitefish. We only had time to drive through, but it looked like it might be worth a longer visit.

When we went to Yellowstone the first time, we stayed in the park (1 night at Grant Village and another at Canyon Village), so when we visited Jackson, we didn't spend the night there. If I remember correctly, when we left Yellowstone, we drove along the Tetons to Jackson where we had lunch and did some sight-seeing before heading on to Rock Springs WY and back to Colorado Springs.

Of course, you never have enough time, but 2 full days in both Glacier and Yellowstone was enough to do what we wanted at the time. We already have plans for return visits to both, perhaps next summer. We are planning to drive our Prius to Anchorage/Fairbanks and would stop on the way back. Like I said, the biggest hassle in both places was parking as the day went on. In Glacier, many of the stops, especially along the river, where we had no trouble with parking going in were full on the way out. And we really enjoyed the stops along the river, the water flows and is so clear. Yellowstone wasn't quite as bad because you often park along the roads, especially if you see another car stopped.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that while we had no problem getting gas, I tend to fill up each night so we're ready to go in the morning. I did fill up in Red Lodge the morning after we got there and had to fill up again that night when we got back. We had driven 415 miles just driving the Beartooth and through Yellowstone. If we had started from Billings, we would have had to stop for gas in Cody if we were going back to Billings. That's why I'd be interested in seeing your itinerary as you move forward, especially how long you expect to be in Glacier and Yellowstone, if you plan to drive the Beartooth, etc. Like we said when you started planning the AZ/UT trip, distances and time in the West can fool you.

Since you will have a rental around Yellowstone, you might wish to consider driving east to Graybull and following the BNSF south thru the Wind River Canyon. Beautiful area.

Take your time there is a lot to see.   Oxbow Bend, Snake River, Grand Teton National Park.  The railroads never made Jackson (Hole) WY.  Over Teton Pass to Victor, Idaho, the closest railroads ever got to Jackson, WY. 

I HAVE A SENIOR PASS, PAID $10. It's the best buy I ever made.

When I was stationed at Fairchild AFB, it was called Spokane AFB. They changed the name around 1951 I think.

eddie g posted:

When I was stationed at Fairchild AFB, it was called Spokane AFB. They changed the name around 1951 I think.

I didn't know that, but then I was never stationed there. We just made the decision to postpone our cruise to Alaska to 2019 and with it our trip back to Glacier. It now it looks like we're going to drive to Alaska next year and even though we may go through Kalispell, we won't be stopping long enough to visit Glacier. We'll drive the interior next year and do the ports the following year as part of a round-trip cruise out of Seattle/Vancouver.

Eddie, been to Yellowstone a number of times. My favorite is first week in june. Rates are a little cheaper yet in places. Lots of water. This year we spent a week. A few 20 foot cuts on Beartooth hiway, road was clear. Watched the day skiers (no lift) up top. Think of things the kids will enjoy. Snake river rafting in Jackson. Small RR museum in West Yellowstone at old UP depot. Stay in the Park at Mammoth near Gardiner, elk will be at your back door (cabins). Stay in Old Faithful lodge and and see the geysers early in the morning.  Stop in Cooke City for lunch. I think kids get bored pretty quick at museums. Let them walk down to the base of the big falls.  You can stay with the car. Watch your lunch or the Ravens will steal it. They actually unzipped my windshield bag on my sled one time at the falls and stole my appricots!  Oh, Charlie Russell studio in Great Falls. Cheers.

The Northern Pacific station at Livingston should be on your list as well as the Union Pacific station at West Yellowstone.

Love these topics. I'm getting some good ideas for our return trip in 2019.

Jackson, WY (Teton Village) at the base of the Teton Mountains has an amazing aerial tram that will take you to the top of the mountains.   A different type of railroad.

Jackson Hole airport, upper left, is in Grand Teton National Park. Snake river middle of picture. Top, distant in this picture, is the Gros Ventre wilderness.  Pronounce Gravant.  

Distant picture is the southern section of the Bridger Teton Wilderness. Snake River and Jackson Hole.  The Grand Teton, Right center of picture. The tram via the US Forestry Service, Dept. of Agriculture, is a 50 million dollar investment for the Jackson Hole community.

The AMTRAK stop for Glacier Park is in Essex, MT. There is an Enterprise car rental location (they bring the car to you). The Essex station happens to be the same stop for the Izaak Walton Inn.  It is a former Northern Pacific Crew house.  It is a wonderfully rustic inn right on the railroad tracks!! My wife and in-laws took me there for two nights for my 50th birthday.  It was great to lay in bed and watch the trains go by all night.  You can also stay in the cabooses across the tracks, but they have a minimum number of nights.  One caution, this is a really rustic hotel.  If you need constant connection to internet and cable TV, do not stay here because you will get frustrated.  They have a wonderful dinning room over looking the tracks.  The pedestrian bridge to the caboose lodging even has holes in the chain link fence for rail fans to take pictures. With ten to 15 minutes of driving, there are train bridges across deep gorges and snow sheds.  All can be seen from the roadway right of way so you do not need to enter railroad R/W.  There are a few really nice mom and pop diners near the park entrance about ten minutes to the west of the Inn.  Plan a full day to drive each direction from Essex to Yellowstone.  It is not interstate.  Have fun!!

Would heartily recommend the Isaac Walton Inn/Amtrak stop/Essex, MT.  It was a former Great Northern crew hotel for helper and snow fighting crews. Helper locomotives for Marias Pass are based there and it is not uncommon for the crews to come into the restaurant for a meal or coffee. Very good chance that an occaisional bear will stroll through the yard, and it is a short walk up to a snowshed.  Some serious railroading !

Also would work in Whitefish, MT for a visit. Still a crew change point and the site of a Swiss chalet styled depot, plus a Great Northern NW3 locomotive on display, in GN colors. The roundhouse and TT are still there from steam days. And do recall that the entirety of Glacier National Park was developed by the Great Northern Ry.

Take the boat across Jenny Lake to do a short walk to see Hidden Falls, the boat pilot will give you a lot of history.  Or hike all the way from the Jenny lake visitor's center.  We saw a couple of moose hanging out close to the boat dock at the visitors center.

We went the last week in August 2015 just to Glacier Park. We spent Labor day in Waterton, Canada the northern part of the park. All the lodges were closing within a few days after we left. East Glacier Lodge is spectacular and fun to walk over and see the trains come into the station.  Izac Walton is a must see for Train buffs.  It wasn't crowed but enough people to make it fun. Our weather was beautiful. Enjoy

If driving at night, be aware that some large wildlife may launch unannounced across the highway any time. Dually with a horse trailer locked up in front of me when a herd of antelope did not look both ways. Years ago elk hung out at my camp space at Jenny Lake. They tend to close the roads at night for construction.  I spent most of a night in my car at a bridge project on the east side of Yellowstone, finally getting back to Jackson beat about 2 AM.  Fires have chased me around, too. Fantastic country...l never have enough time there. Advice above about water, food, and blanket is good idea.  Have a blast!

wb47 posted:

Take the boat across Jenny Lake to do a short walk to see Hidden Falls, the boat pilot will give you a lot of history.  Or hike all the way from the Jenny lake visitor's center.  We saw a couple of moose hanging out close to the boat dock at the visitors center.

Hidden falls.

The boat ride across Jenny Lake also leads to Cascade Canyon, an adventure hike between the mountains. The trail eventually goes up, up. 

Even late July these trails were restricted by snow.

Jenny lake from Cascade Canyon.  A bit of a climb.  Once to the canyon it levels out until you reach the fork pictured above, Up-up

There are remote camp sites along the mountain trails, which require Park Service permits.  A late day visitor at my Jenny lake camp site.  A very blonde Black bear. 

I have the trip started. June 16th, Train from Boston to Whitefish, MT. Arriving in Whitefish at 8:23 PM if it is on time, Stay there at Hampton Inn. In the morning take cab to Kallispell to pick up enterprise car.

Of course If you are the real adventuresome type you can go in the winter, I enjoyed it, first time on snowshoes.

Clem 

Anyone know anything about the Izaak Walton Inn?

Eddie I never stayed there, but I will on my next trip.

Clem

Hi Dave, I misplaced your phone number. Would you email it to me again. Thanks Ed  edgoldman@maine.rr.com

Done.

eddie g posted:

Anyone know anything about the Izaak Walton Inn?

Went there one Winter.  Never again! 

"Here's Johnny!" 

One visit to Yellowstone.  Arrived early July after watching July 4 fireworks in San Fran in the fog.  Discovered that the road had only opened the day before.  Weirdest experience was hiking across a glacier to use a restroom.

Farmer Bill, What was bad about the Inn?

Oops, wrong location. That happened at the Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood, Oregon.