Two groups -One Forum Adventure in Yellowstone NP UPDATE 5
Oct 5, 2019 6:52:05 GMT -8
kayman likes this
Post by rangewalker on Oct 5, 2019 6:52:05 GMT -8
November 15 - CLOSED SIGNUP. Between Forum Members and rascally locals, allowing for some attrition, we have reached a reasonable pool level for now. feel free to keep commenting and poking.
December 2 - Group emails sent out on trek options for consideration. January 15, treks will be selected.
YNPTREKS shareable Campsite Options; Newer updated information from the National Park System
Campsite Lists
YNPTREKS shareable maps: Campsites do not always match the TI Maps.
YNP Area Maps
Actual trip options, with campsites selected, elevations, rest day suggestions, and trail miles, are being prepared and should be out before Thanksgiving. The entire group will get to weigh in, and we should have a consensus by January 1. Jan-Feb, we work on logistics. March 1. Leaders talk with TNP Backcountry office and get final consensus from group to submit a reservation application for each element. The dates fro the hikes are set.
I have scanned two parts of the park for us to consider with both elements. Both have long and short-range options.
Dates have been set; longer duration group starts August 20 with Element 1. The shorter duration and distance group Element 2 Starts August 24. Last day for both is August 28, 2019.
Element 1. Longer distance and deeper traveling team, 6-7 bag nights. Focus on wildlife viewing. Think hike a day, day two, a day hike into a viewing area possible, on day three, move again to another area and repeat. Not thru-hiking though by group consensus, the last two days maybe be back to back on exit.
Element 2. Intermediate distance group, enough to get wild, 3-4 bag nights but more hang-out time and around one wildlife management area. Think hike in, base camp, day hike or lounge and then out.
Staggered, so we all end on the same date and meet in/outside NP for last night. Right now the vote is for West Yellowstone, MT. So Element 1 would start in the park 3-4 days before Element 2. Some of the folks in E2 that have time hang in YNP and play in the NP or Jackson can show early. From up and backpack later.
I would like to see the elements or teams of no fewer than three and no more than eight. Eight would be two squads of four. Of course, couples that operate as a unit are both understood and welcome. I am counting human heartbeats. All participants should be responsible for themselves. Even though some may share transport, we should have coordination if someone has a reason to leave early, that no one is left stranded. Everyone should be certain of their ability to stay within the itinerary of the element they join. And everyone who joins in should be willing to follow the NPS guidelines and rules for the safety of themselves and others.
Safety in numbers. I love solo hiking and have done it in Yellowstone, but hiking in groups is the best way to be safe in the wilderness with both NPS training and protocols. A group would provide support to folks that might not want to take a trip to Yellowstone otherwise. I am starting with this forum as it is easy to vet the others, though we will eventually expand outside this group. Two different groups offered in the forums is better than trying to hammer together one trip to please everyone.
The first con that comes to mind, when the dates start to narrow, as they have (October 21) it is not all going to work for everybody. If the dates are too out a hand for some, consider forming another group. Or join this faction in 2021 that may have a different focus. Organizing two different groups can be clumsy.
Trip planning: Both groups will file reservations in March 2020. The Backcountry office is manned by March 1st, so we will have a two week window to talk to before the April 1 the lottery will begin and we will know shortly after our itinerary, if it is acceptable. Plan on at least ½ day to take the orientation to convert reservations into actual permits. I would like to see both elements in the same travel corridor. There will need to be a coordinator for each element. They are not a guide but the name on the permit that has everyone's information. It would be good for each to have a sat messenger for emergency use. We will probably have a closed FB page and email list to keep updated throughout the year. Life happens, so even if a coordinator goes down, the trip lives and goes on.
Transportation Planning:
Air Travel: Salt Lake City Airport, Utah is 4 hrs 36 minutes to West Yellowstone – Google says there are shuttles from SLC to West Yellowstone. There is dispersed camping and campgrounds in the SLC to West Yellowstone Corridor [10 Hours 11 minutes from Denver]. Sheridan WY 5 hrs 33 minutes via I-90 to Gallatin Valley.
Still with me? Please send me through a pm your interest, email and whether or not you are on Facebook. I need the email so I can link you to maps, a calendar, and shared information through a listserv.
December 2 - Group emails sent out on trek options for consideration. January 15, treks will be selected.
YNPTREKS shareable Campsite Options; Newer updated information from the National Park System
Campsite Lists
YNPTREKS shareable maps: Campsites do not always match the TI Maps.
YNP Area Maps
Actual trip options, with campsites selected, elevations, rest day suggestions, and trail miles, are being prepared and should be out before Thanksgiving. The entire group will get to weigh in, and we should have a consensus by January 1. Jan-Feb, we work on logistics. March 1. Leaders talk with TNP Backcountry office and get final consensus from group to submit a reservation application for each element. The dates fro the hikes are set.
I have scanned two parts of the park for us to consider with both elements. Both have long and short-range options.
Dates have been set; longer duration group starts August 20 with Element 1. The shorter duration and distance group Element 2 Starts August 24. Last day for both is August 28, 2019.
Element 1. Longer distance and deeper traveling team, 6-7 bag nights. Focus on wildlife viewing. Think hike a day, day two, a day hike into a viewing area possible, on day three, move again to another area and repeat. Not thru-hiking though by group consensus, the last two days maybe be back to back on exit.
Element 2. Intermediate distance group, enough to get wild, 3-4 bag nights but more hang-out time and around one wildlife management area. Think hike in, base camp, day hike or lounge and then out.
Staggered, so we all end on the same date and meet in/outside NP for last night. Right now the vote is for West Yellowstone, MT. So Element 1 would start in the park 3-4 days before Element 2. Some of the folks in E2 that have time hang in YNP and play in the NP or Jackson can show early. From up and backpack later.
I would like to see the elements or teams of no fewer than three and no more than eight. Eight would be two squads of four. Of course, couples that operate as a unit are both understood and welcome. I am counting human heartbeats. All participants should be responsible for themselves. Even though some may share transport, we should have coordination if someone has a reason to leave early, that no one is left stranded. Everyone should be certain of their ability to stay within the itinerary of the element they join. And everyone who joins in should be willing to follow the NPS guidelines and rules for the safety of themselves and others.
Safety in numbers. I love solo hiking and have done it in Yellowstone, but hiking in groups is the best way to be safe in the wilderness with both NPS training and protocols. A group would provide support to folks that might not want to take a trip to Yellowstone otherwise. I am starting with this forum as it is easy to vet the others, though we will eventually expand outside this group. Two different groups offered in the forums is better than trying to hammer together one trip to please everyone.
The first con that comes to mind, when the dates start to narrow, as they have (October 21) it is not all going to work for everybody. If the dates are too out a hand for some, consider forming another group. Or join this faction in 2021 that may have a different focus. Organizing two different groups can be clumsy.
Trip planning: Both groups will file reservations in March 2020. The Backcountry office is manned by March 1st, so we will have a two week window to talk to before the April 1 the lottery will begin and we will know shortly after our itinerary, if it is acceptable. Plan on at least ½ day to take the orientation to convert reservations into actual permits. I would like to see both elements in the same travel corridor. There will need to be a coordinator for each element. They are not a guide but the name on the permit that has everyone's information. It would be good for each to have a sat messenger for emergency use. We will probably have a closed FB page and email list to keep updated throughout the year. Life happens, so even if a coordinator goes down, the trip lives and goes on.
Transportation Planning:
Air Travel: Salt Lake City Airport, Utah is 4 hrs 36 minutes to West Yellowstone – Google says there are shuttles from SLC to West Yellowstone. There is dispersed camping and campgrounds in the SLC to West Yellowstone Corridor [10 Hours 11 minutes from Denver]. Sheridan WY 5 hrs 33 minutes via I-90 to Gallatin Valley.
Still with me? Please send me through a pm your interest, email and whether or not you are on Facebook. I need the email so I can link you to maps, a calendar, and shared information through a listserv.