I need a little travel help. In June my wife and I are traveling to Yellowstone National Park. We will be arriving in Jackson Hole and staying there a few days then staying in the park for several days. I know that is major Union Pacific territory so where can I go or where should I go to see some trains?
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Mr Union Pacific posted:I need a little travel help. In June my wife and me are traveling to Yellowstone National Park. We will be arriving in Jackson Hole and staying there a few days then staying in the park for several days.
How are you traveling there, i.e. flying into Jackson Hole? If driving, what would be your route?
I know that is major Union Pacific territory so where can I go or where should I go to see some trains?
Not many railroads around there, however the Powder River Coal Basin is east of there, with both the BNSF and UP serving there. North of Yellowstone at Livingston, MT is the Montana Rail Link.
Nothing near Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. Go south to I-80 and US-30.
Big lol on the driving thing. We live in Florida and I was actually all fired up to drive until I check how long the drive would be. Nah, we are flying into Jackson Hole. Well I'm going to keep my eyes open and hope for the best. Although, being that this is the first time that this 54 year old Florida boy has seen the Rocky Mountains, I may not have time to look for trains.
Honestly, if it is your first time there I would just worry about experiencing Yellowstone... Enjoy it!
If you are heading to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone let trains go on the back burner for this one. There is next to nothing in the area. Even in the old days passenger trains only came to the Northern entrance of the park. You can check it out on line.
Are you going there in the Winter? Brrrrrr!
Have a great trip.
Earl
We did a trip a few years ago. We flew into Denver and got a car. We drove to Cheyenne and there was train activity all the way.
There is tons of UP stuff at Cheyenne. We then drove to Rawlins by way of Laramie. There was a lot of UP activity along this route.
After visiting the parks we drove over to Cody and Powell. There was a little train activity in that area. Heading back towards Denver,we did an overnight in Casper where there was activity.
Have a great trip. I wish that I could talk my wife into spending more time there.
Take your fly rod.
Norm
How many days do you plan to be there? Livingston, MT is about 90 minutes north of the Gardiner entrance. Very cool old Northern Pacific station and museum there. Some of the most spectacular roads in the US are just east and northeast of the park. Beartooth pass (Hwy 212) and Chief Joseph Hwy are jaw dropping. Google the names to get an idea but the pics won't do them justice. Also Cody, WY which is just east of the south east entrance is worth a stop. Check out the Buffalo Bill museum there.
Pete
Clint: If this is your first time in the Rocky Mountains, enjoy every moment and "live in the now". Trains, real or model, will become secondary to you.
Spend as much time in Jackson Hole and Yellowstone as possible. Once you get familiar with where things are, try to leave the crowds and the tourists behind...as much as you can in the Summer, any way.
Try to make the trip as long as you possibly can. Pay attention to your Altitude and be aware that the wildlife is constantly changing as you climb up or down, things get warmer or colder, etc. Lastly, I firmly believe that you need to visit the Rockies (or the Wasatch or the Tetons) each of the four Seasons.
Travel safe....and enjoy yourself. It will be an awesome trip.
Pix are sister, bro-in-law, and nephew. Work kept me from joining them. The middle pix has a Grizzly in it....if you look close enough.
Conductor Earl posted:If you are heading to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone let trains go on the back burner for this one. There is next to nothing in the area. Even in the old days passenger trains only came to the Northern entrance of the park. You can check it out on line.
Are you going there in the Winter? Brrrrrr!
Have a great trip.
Earl
Not true. The Union Pacific has a historic station and Dining Louge at West Yellowstone that are worth checking out. My wife and I stayed at West Yellowstone in 08 and enjoyed the town.
Depending on the duration of your trip, you may consider this side trip that you can do in a day. Leave via the northeast corner of the park, and take Beartooth pass up and over to Laurel. At this point, you will parallel the MRL heading west on I90 to Livingston. At this point, you can make a side trip over Bozeman Pass (hopefully at the same time as a train) to Bozeman and back. When done in Livingston, head south to the north park entrance at Gardiner.
It's either down to the UP main across Wyoming, east to Casper, or up to the MRL in Montana if you want to see any trains in the "area". The MRL is easily the closest and can fit fairly easily into the park visit itinerary.
If you don't have an extra day to spare, then stick to the park. Even if you stayed there for two weeks, you'd only be scratching the surface. If you like, I could try to find our itineraries from the pair of trips we did in the past 5 to 10 years and email them to you. They're nothing amazing, but did a good job of hitting the obvious highlights as well as a lot of the less visited parts of the park.
And plan for at least a day in the Teton area too.
Jim
We drove from Amarillo to Yellowstone a few years back. To do that, we first had to drive to Denver, which is only eight hours and we do it at least once a year. But, from there, we did take in some railroad locations that have always had interest to me:
I would have gone to Archer, east of Cheyenne, and to Sherman Hill, west of there, but this was a family trip.
Wouldn't air fare to Denver be somewhat less than to a small airport like Jackson Hole? Then you would be able to get out onto the UP main line for lots of western railroad action. Big - I mean big - HO model rail railroad at Greeley, between Denver and Cheyenne.
There is a book, "Yellowstone By Train", which describes the various RR services that used to serve the park. Not much left now except the UP structures at West Yellowstone, MT. The old NP grade between Gardiner, MT and Livingston, MT is easily visible from the highway.
Flying into Jackson Hole saves two days of driving as opposed to Denver, one each way. Depends on how much time one has for the trip, and what the trade off is on cost.
Any of the triple track through Nebraska is fun. You can drive 85 mph on the interstate and cover a lot of ground. Crawford Hill is my favorite spot. The small towns in western NE and WY offer lots of possibilities too. Will also mention there is an observation tower by the big UP yard in North Platte NE that would be interesting. Other than that, there are no trains right around Yellowstone I'm aware of. We go to Yellowstone every five years or so, and I very rarely photo any trains. The park is world class cool and is enough for me.
Kent in SD
Mr Union Pacific posted:Big lol on the driving thing. We live in Florida and I was actually all fired up to drive until I check how long the drive would be.
Few people from back East seem to have any concept of the distances here. The MacDonald restaurants are an hour apart, and west of SD that can become 2-3 hours apart. Most of the cool railroad action is in Nebraska and Montana. I would suggest flying in to Salt Lake City. There is more RR action out that way. I wouldn't short time in YNP to see that, though.
Kent in SD
Outstanding pix, Kent.
The Grand Tetons are beautiful, at different times of the day and in the fall. View them at the Church of the Transfiguration, where my brother said he was going to get married, but didn't. Livingston, MT is my base for Glacier Nat. Park, so if you go there hit the park and Going To The Sun highway. BUT in June there can still be deep snow there and elsewhere in the Rockies.
colorado hirailer posted: BUT in June there can still be deep snow there and elsewhere in the Rockies.
True. You will need to check the status of the Beartooth Highway for snow if you choose that route.
First thought, how good of shape are you in? Can you walk a ways? Anything you do there outside of your car takes more energy because of the elevation. In Jackson hole make sure you ride up the Snow King ski lift on the south edge of town. Stop at Jenny lake campground and take a boat tour across. You can do a hike from there up to hidden falls. Or horseback ride. If you can get a room, stay at the Old Faithful Lodge a night or two.Must book months in advance. Do not fail to stop at the Midway geyser basin, (See two 23's pic) Then you could swim at the firehole river canyon in warm water on a good day. Climb Mount Washburn, pretty easy. The road from Mamoth to Cooke City is your most likely drive to see a bear. You should stay in Cooke City at least a night. If you like you can hike up to either Daisy Pass or Lulu Pass just outside of Cooke to see where snowmobilers get buried by avalanches every year. Beartooth pass is a must but early June may have snow issues.
I am also thinking about a Yellowstone trip in June or July. What is the closest you can get there by train?
See, I knew I would get great information and advice from all of you. We are going in June, so I hope snow is not an issue. Me and snow don't mix. I can handle high humidity and 100 degree temps, but snow...no way.
Clint: FWIW, it will take a "flat lander" 24-48 hours to acclimate to the Altitude....based on where you are at and what kind of shape you're in. During the time, it's probably best to avoid alcohol, if at all possible. After that time, knock yourself out. (I've had a number of buddies over the years wake up to very rough mornings in Breckenridge, CO after only three beers the night before....b/c you're at 9,000 plus feet of elevation.)
BTW: there is no way to know what the snow will be like in June. Depends on how snow much falls between now and April....and how fast it melts in May and June. Not everyone knows this but the Colorado River is the primary water source for most of the SW United States, in one form or another. That water source starts (roughly) in places like Rocky Mountain National Park, West of the Continental Divide. Much of this water is runoff from melted snow. Every spring thaw is different. But the higher you go, the more likely you are to see snow in June. The lower you are, the less likely you are to see meaningful snow. However, just because there is snow on the ground, doesn't mean it will be "cold" where you are at. In June, it could easily be in the 50s or 60s or warmer out.....and you'll still see snow. Don't be scared.....you won't freeze. 
Eddie: I truly don't know the answer to your question....but you will definitely want to get a car to travel around in once you're there. The distances that you'll have to (and want to) travel are......very, very vast. Cars and trucks are your friend out there.
Wow... now that is a trip I really enjoyed! If you can make it to Helena and drive up Mullan Pass to Butte Montana you will be well rewarded... if you are into Hiking or biking in the summer, you can follow the Milwaukee road trail as well. Take lots of pictures... I went to Lombard with the rental car and almost never made it back out! 
Ron Nixon and Warren Mcgee published tons of photos of the NP, GN, and Milwaukee in Montana... There is a Museum in Livingston Montana that has boxes and boxes of Warrens photos that have never been published... still in the basement today!
Awesome pictures, J Daddy. Thanks for sharing.
eddie g posted:I am also thinking about a Yellowstone trip in June or July. What is the closest you can get there by train?
Eddie, It looks like you have two choices but both would require a good drive from the closest stations. The Empire Builder crosses northern Montana with stations at East and West Glacier, MT and few more. The California Zephyr will get you to Salt Lake City. Probably the closest stop to Yellowstone. Either way the drive could be spectacular. Lots to see between your station and the Park.
Pete
Well I'm in excellent shape and my wife and I don't drink, so bring on the fresh thin air. I am beginning to see that this will be nothing like the Great Smokey Mts. National Park.
As previously stated, Cheyenne, Sherman Hill, &c, are great for UP action. However, the old "NP" is closer and had a branch running from the main at Livingston to Yellowstone at Gardiner, a stub of which remains at Livingston. The drive from Gardiner to Livingston is gorgeous and Livingston is located at the foot of Bozeman Pass. If you like high drama the NP might be the better choice. The highway parallels the railroad all the way from Livingston to Bozeman and there are several roads accessing the RoW en route. This is Montana Rail Link (BNSF) territory and the land of screaming helpers. Helena and Mullan Pass are just down the road. Rumor has it that MRL will quit and the line will revert to BNSF within the next year or two, therefore, this may be a unique opportunity to see the MRL in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5Rg-_SDn3k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...pWXCtWZJQ&t=123s
Best wishes for a great trip!
Clint, based on you sig line and pseudonym you should consider taking your Harley to the Park via US 30. US 30 parallels the UP mainline going through both Cheyenne and North Platte. Close to heaven for UP fans.
Taken on our MC trip in 2015.
Pete
Rapid Transit Holmes posted:As previously stated, Cheyenne, Sherman Hill, &c, are great for UP action. However, the old "NP" is closer and had a branch running from the main at Livingston to Yellowstone at Gardiner, a stub of which remains at Livingston. The drive from Gardiner to Livingston is gorgeous and Livingston is located at the foot of Bozeman Pass. If you like high drama the NP might be the better choice. The highway parallels the railroad all the way from Livingston to Bozeman and there are several roads accessing the RoW en route. This is Montana Rail Link (BNSF) territory and the land of screaming helpers. Helena and Mullan Pass are just down the road. Rumor has it that MRL will quit and the line will revert to BNSF within the next year or two, therefore, this may be a unique opportunity to see the MRL in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5Rg-_SDn3k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...pWXCtWZJQ&t=123s
Best wishes for a great trip!
That is some great video... other great excitement is the reopening of Stampede Pass in Montana... its on the way to Butte (a great copper mining town). It has one of the steeper climbs vs the prefered journey through Mullan Pass.... and much sharper turns. It laid dormant when I visited in 2002... now I have seen video and pics of Amtrak test runs... with BNSF using it as well...
Mt. Evero is the location of the one and only derailment of the North Coast Limited...
Here is a pic. from Warren Mcgee of it being re-railed... I believe a little girl was killed in this incident... very sad.
There likely will be snow around the later part of June, and definitely some the early part. There is a lot of snow this year:
http://www.intellicast.com/Tra...ther/Snow/Cover.aspx We were last there first of August 2015 and there was snow at higher elevations. In June, the land is still emerging from spring. There are few flowers and things are still greening up. I would bring clothing for 40--70 degrees. The best things to photo will be the geothermals (e.g. geysors) and the waterfalls. The waterfalls will be going like crazy due to snow melt. Do be very careful to not slip and fall into the river--it's certain death.
I gave a presentation to my camera club about YNP, focusing on the history of photography there. I go into it here just a little. There was an extremely interesting guy named F. Jay Haynes who moved to Fargo ND in 1876. He became the "official photographer" for Northern Pacific Railroad in 1877. His job was to take photos of the huge (70,000+ acre) farms there, and also "scenic views" along the NP tracks. The idea was to entice Easterners out to buy farms or simply visit the region. Both activities would generate revenue for the railroad, which it badly needed. Haynes had a free pass and traveled the entire length of the line for months at a time, taking photos. Most photos were of the railroad, which makes me think Haynes was the greatest foamer photographer of ALL TIME! From Glendive MT he traveled to YNP, and his photos from there over the next 30 years are considered the best ever. He died in 1921, establishing an empire of sorts within YNP. There is a mountain in YNP named after him. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Jay_Haynes Here's some of his photos:
https://www.google.com/search?...Vh54MKHd4BDZoQ7AkIOA
My wife & I's favorite place in YNP is Old Faithful Lodge. It was built about 1904, and is still the largest log structure in the world. Inside, the place feels timeless! It also puts you deep inside the park so you avoid the long morning lines at the park entries. I highly recommend staying there at least one night, and having dinner & breakfast there. The place just reeks of history and you will never forgot your stay there. I would start booking a room today--it's popular with tourists from around the world. If they tell you they are already booked, start calling them every day, asking if anyone cancelled. My wife actually got us two nights there by doing that just three weeks before we went. Don't be discouraged, and it is worth the effort.
There is a famous barn (Moulton Barn) in Tetons NP that has become a cliche photo. It's a morning shot, but we ended up going there in afternoon. My wife was all over me to get a shot of the thing, but I just didn't see any shot that would really work considering the light's direction and the crummy sky. She then issued the challenge: "A really good photographer can get a shot no matter what!" OK, challenge accepted. I brought out my Nikon F3T loaded with b&w film, and took a shot that shows how the barn REALLY looks today. She fussed about me using "that old camera" and b&w, but in the end she did like the result. It's not a cliche.
Kent in SD
Since I'm home sick today, I have a lot of time on my hands. Might as well tell my bear story. We were staying at Old Faithful Inn, and one night around 10pm we watched Old Faithful go off in the dark. I took some photos under a clear sky. I then told my wife that the Castle Geysor was due to go off in half an hour, and I wanted to catch it too. It's actually more impressive. It was a half mile hike down a dark path. OH NO, she wasn't going out there. We might get et by a bear! I told her I'd just go alone. OH NO--YOU'LL GET ET BY A BEAR! I ended up snagging a couple of young guys with cameras and asked if they wanted to go photo Castle Geysor with me. They did; my wife was still apprehensive but signed off on it. She still wasn't going though. She's had this big phobia about being et by a bear ever since watching the documentary on Timothy Treadwell and his girlfriend (Grizzly Man, 2005.)
The guys and I walked down the path until we left the open area and came to the woods. About then there was a loud crashing noise out in the trees. The guys stopped dead in their tracks and one asked, "What was THAT?" The other said, "I think it's a BEAR!" I said, "I think it was a chipmunk. Whatever it was, it ran away. Let's go--we're going to miss the geysor!" But they were still gripped with panic and decided to turn around. I shook my head and kept going. I'm used to the dark.
I arrived at the geysor in plenty of time, and in fact had to wait nearly an hour. It was worth it! The geysor went off and sounded like a jet airplane. It went on for at least 15 minutes. It was magnificent! An experience I'll never forget. I took photos of it with the Big Dipper in the background, but mostly just sat on the ground in awe. I had the whole thing all to myself. When it was over I packed up and left, went back to the hotel, went to bed. It was after 1am. My wife stirred and asked, "Did you see a bear?" No.
Next morning I got up before my wife did, dressed, went down to eat breakfast in the famous dining room. I picked up a local newspaper and opened it. The headline read, "Missing Park Employee Found--ET BY A BEAR!" Oh no!!!! Can't let my wife see THAT! I ditched the paper on the other side of the room, and drank a cup of coffee while I waited for my wife to join me.
Kent in SD
Two23 posted:
Next morning I got up before my wife did, dressed, went down to eat breakfast in the famous dining room. I picked up a local newspaper and opened it. The headline read, "Missing Park Employee Found--ET BY A BEAR!" Oh no!!!! Can't let my wife see THAT! I ditched the paper on the other side of the room, and drank a cup of coffee while I waited for my wife to join me.
Kent in SD
An employee was killed by a bear within a day after I took the pic of the buffalo above a few miles from that location near the Lake Lodge. That danger is not to be dismissed.
Pete
Timothy Treadwell practically asked to be killed by grizzlies. His poor girlfriend should have had better taste in men. Their story is tragic.....but completely preventable and sadly, just plain stupid.
If you're in the backcountry, bear/pepper spray is a must. Be mindful of your food. Be mindful of the wind. Thousands of people spend a lot of time in the backcountry with ZERO bear issues.....but that's because of their respect for the animal and their awareness of it. You're on their turf.....and they are the apex predatory.
IMHO, bears should not keep you from going "off the beaten path". But you need to know how to act/behave accordingly.
Things have to be put in perspective. I was more worried about being hit by a car in the parking lot. Bears are rarely seen in the geysor areas--there's not much for them to eat.
From the YNP website:
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/injuries.htm
More apt to be hit by lightning than hit by a bear in WY:
https://www.google.com/webhp?s...ning+deaths+by+state
Know the dangers, but keep them in perspective.
Kent in SD
Berkshire President posted:Timothy Treadwell practically asked to be killed by grizzlies. His poor girlfriend should have had better taste in men. Their story is tragic.....but completely preventable and sadly, just plain stupid.
If you're in the backcountry, bear/pepper spray is a must. Be mindful of your food. Be mindful of the wind. Thousands of people spend a lot of time in the backcountry with ZERO bear issues.....but that's because of their respect for the animal and their awareness of it. You're on their turf.....and they are the apex predatory.
IMHO, bears should not keep you from going "off the beaten path". But you need to know how to act/behave accordingly.
I still cannot believe the craze to take a selfie with a bear! Yes, know your area. Do not hike alone. Also watch for rattle snakes... they like to layout on the trail in the middle of the day...
East of Yellowstone is the famous American Battlefield monument at the Little Big Horn River. If you think about it, the best American General at the Little Big Horn was not George Custer, it was Crazy Horse, he won. (and yes I know that after the civil war custer was back to Colonel. But I use the term in the sense that these men were the leaders on the field for their sides.
prrjim posted:East of Yellowstone is the famous American Battlefield monument at the Little Big Horn River. If you think about it, the best American General at the Little Big Horn was not George Custer, it was Crazy Horse, he won. (and yes I know that after the civil war custer was back to Colonel. But I use the term in the sense that these men were the leaders on the field for their sides.
Crazy Horse led a great victory for his side that day....but your post is extremely lacking in proper, historical context....IMHO.
The battlefield is absolutely worth visiting, though. But I would visit it more with the mindset that many Americans died that day, with each side fighting for what they thought was right. Like Gettysburg, that sight is Holy Ground.
Edit: BTW - were it not for Custer, the South almost assuredly wins at Gettysburg. (I'm by no means in love with Custer, but he deserves serious respect.)
This is a mountainous area, with only one east/west four lane. Travel is slow. Distances are great. Yellowstone to Little Bighorn is a 3.5 hour trip one way. There are active BNSF tracks along I-90 there.
Kent in SD
.......and not a single picture of a jackalope....sigh.
keep in mind that in this part of the country you will more than likely encounter a constant wind. Not necessarily strong, but constant, usually only dying back at sundown. That can turn a 65 degree day into something that feels a lot more like 45 or 50. Always keep that jacket handy.
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