Posts Tagged ‘yellowstone’

Wildlife Tours

Posted on: August 21st, 2019 by The Hole Concierge No Comments

Expert guides will lead you on the adventure of a lifetime. Their local knowledge is key to finding the wildlife and understanding how these animals move throughout and relate to this vast and varied ecosystem. These tours will also touch on Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, depending upon which type of wildlife tour you choose.

elk refuge winter 2

The best wildlife viewing can be found in the early mornings and evenings. One can anticipate seeing elk, moose, bear, eagles, big horn sheep, buffalo, coyotes, swans and pronghorn antelope. The guide generally chooses a tour route based on their knowledge of recent wildlife sightings and the groups interests.

yellowstone national park bison

Tours will additionally cover some of the areas history and geology to round out this educational opportunity.

Concierge’s Tip

Some local transportation services do have guides that can tour people through the valley for an hourly private driver fee starting at about $90/hr. This is great for people short on time. One can always combine a short tour with airport transportation to fill the void on your travel day. If you have a 1pm flight or later, get a guide for a few hours on the way to the airport. The Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park are on the way after all.

General Information

Pricing for the various trips range from around $100 a person for adding onto a group tour up to $200+ a person for private full day tours. Some guides supple snacks and water, for full day adventures lunch is usually included.

For more information on wildlife and other activities in Jackson Hole, please contact us.

Wildflowers are Blooming!!!

Posted on: July 22nd, 2019 by thcAdmin No Comments

The wildflowers are starting to pop all over the valley. Southern exposures in particular are showing color. Soon the bloom will be working its way North into Yellowstone. Truly amplifying the overall Park experience. The majority of the bloom is currently in the Southern end of the valley.  For optimal viewing I would suggest hiking or biking in the Munger Mountain,  Cache Creek, Game Creek or Snow King Mountain areas. All of these areas are starting to gain good color with a wide variety of species in bloom. The lower to mid elevations of  Teton Pass have been delightful to explore over the last week as the flowers have begun to show  their colors there as well.

Going into late June and early July the bloom should begin to work its way well into both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. It looks like it should be a good year for those seeking to take in the Western wildflower bloom while touring the area. Guided tours are a great way to gain some in depth knowledge of the area and can make it a pleasure to explore our vast ecosystem. Horseback riding, hiking and biking tours will allow a deeper immersion into this special time of year with a bit more solitude. Slow it down and enjoy what Mother Nature is sharing.

wildflowers jackson hole

Jackson Hole & Yellowstone Webcams

Posted on: April 2nd, 2019 by thcAdmin No Comments

Views from various webcams located throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Grand Teton from Teton Valley Idaho

Jackson Town Square

Grand Tetons from Lost Creek Ranch

Old Faithful

Grand Tetons from Dornan’s in Moose, WY

Jackson Hole Valley from the Snow King Mountain

Togwotee Lodge on Togwotee Pass

Cody, WY

West Yellowstone, MT

Other Informational Sites with Webcams Located throughout the area to assist in Travel Information.

Wyoming Department of Transportation

Yellowstone National Park Winter

Posted on: January 15th, 2019 by The Hole Concierge No Comments

Yellowstone’s Winter Season is mid-December thru mid-March

During the winter months the majority of roads within the park are closed to automobiles. Snowmobiles and snowcoaches are really the only two ways to explore the park. Check out the snowmobile and snowcoach pages for further information.

Once inside the park you can snowshoe and cross country ski from various lodges. Yellowstone is truly awesome in the winter time. With the varied geothermal feature’s steam accented by the crisp winter air. Animals are often found clustered in small herds throughout the park. There are far fewer people in the park during the winter season, making tours much more unique.

Do not miss out on this remarkable adventure. It is an encounter with nature on a level rarely seen or experienced in the lower 48 states.

Be prepared for a long day. Tours usually pick up between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. Breakfast and lunch are often included. The return time really depends on the weather, most tours generally arrive back in Jackson between 5 and 6 p.m.

Multi-day tours are also available through some vendors. These tours will venture into more areas of the park than the day tours. There is a much greater ability to see, know and understand this ecosytem and its inhabitants.

General Information

Be prepared. Dress warmly. Costs for these tours can be $300 or more per person, with peak season rates over $400.  National Park Entrance Fee – $20 per snowmobile.

Drivers in Yellowstone National Park must have a valid Driver’s License.

Bring your camera and enjoy.

For more information on wildlife and other activities in Jackson Hole, please contact us.

Stargazing at the Center For the Arts

Posted on: September 2nd, 2018 by thcAdmin No Comments

Every other clear Friday nights during the Summer season, Wyoming Stargazing is hosting free public stargazing events at the Center for the Arts in downtown Jackson.  The set up is on the large lawn right next to the Center.

stargazing at the center for the arts

During the stargazing events we will be using our giant Dobsonian Telescope with a 20″ primary mirror to look at planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and more! We will also bring several iPads with the Star Walk application installed on them so you can explore the heavens while others are looking through the telescopes.

No Need to RSVP. Feel free to show up for whatever portion of the program works for you.

These free public stargazing events have been made possible by a generous grant from the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium, NASA Grant #NNX10AO95H

Time: 9:30:00 PM – 11:30:00 PM
Event Cost: Free
Venue: Center for the Arts in Jackson,WY
Contact: Samuel Singer
Phone: (307) 413-4779
Email: Contact Samuel Singer via email

Spring in Yellowstone & Grand Teton

Posted on: April 9th, 2018 by thcAdmin No Comments

Winter’s grip on the National Parks is easing, roads are opening, for Current Road Conditions in Yellowstone.

If you are looking for a leisurely adventure, I would suggest touring Yellowstone and meandering up to Chico Hot Springs for a little R & R.

Grand Teton National Park has completed plowing and most roadways are currently open. Rent a bike if you are visiting the area and take advantage of this unique opportunity to explore the park. People from all over the local area look forward to this window of time each Spring. On a sunny weekend day the parking area will be overflowing as people venture forth.

After the park opens in early May, bicycles can still be used in the park utilizing the pathway system. The Jackson Hole valley has an extensive network of paved pathways.  As temperatures moderate and trails dry out, mountain biking is a popular activity. There are an abundant number of trail options throughout the valley.

bicycle path grand teton national park

Automobiles will be allowed on Teton park roads beginning May 4th, 2018. Don’t miss out on exploring the Tetons during this transitional season.

Jackson Hole Whitewater Rafting

Scenic raft trips are running if you feel like getting out on the water, spice it up with some whitewater action if you need to get the adrenalin pumping.

Solar Eclipse 2017

Posted on: August 7th, 2017 by thcAdmin No Comments

The solar eclipse of August 2017 looks to be quite an event here in Jackson, WY. With people booking rooms two years or more in advance of the event. The eclipse will occur on August 21, 2017 passing directly over the Jackson Hole valley. The phase of total eclipse will begin around 11:30am. The duration of the full eclipse will be for less than two and a half minutes. With the event’s totality lasting from 10:15am to 1pm.

Teton Eclipse official Site

Official Weather Page

Lodging seems to be the biggest dilemma. Some properties are already sold out over certain dates between August 19th and the 22nd. August is already one of the busiest times of year to be in the area, add on a major astronomical event, Good Luck!!! Most major hotel chains do not release rooms until about a year out, so there are still rooms available.

stargazing at the center for the arts

Many domestic travelers will be stunned to find that the majority of lodging will be booked up by the time most wake up to the fact that this is a big event.

The town of Jackson’s proximity the eclipse’s path makes it one of the more dramatic places to observe it from. The natural beauty of the area provides ample locations for amazing photo opportunities. Be prepared for large crowds to inundate the valley. The eclipse will pass almost directly over the Grand Teton itself. The best viewing being North of town from Gros Ventre Junction to the North end of Jackson Lake.

Links for further information regarding the eclipse:

Wyoming Stargazing

Jackson Hole Astronomy Club

Great American Eclipse

Eclipse2017.org

JH News & Guide Article I

stargazing at the center for the arts

There are tours which you can sign up for as well:

MWT Associates, Inc.

Tropical Sails Corp.

TavelQuest International

Locations that could provide dramatic views of the eclipse in the Jackson Hole area:

Munger Mountain

Jackson Peak

Top of the Aerial Tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Cascade Canyon in Grand Teton National Park

Shadow Mountain

Snake River Overlook

Top of Snow King Mountain

Sleeping Indian

Black Tail Butte

Potential viewing locations in Teton Valley Idaho:

Various points in the Big Hole Mountains

Top of Grand Targhee Resort

Top of Snow King Mountain

Sleeping Indian

Black Tail Butte

More information will be added as it is gathered.

 

 

Grand Teton & Yellowstone Open

Posted on: May 10th, 2016 by thcAdmin No Comments

Spring is an adventurous time of year to visit the area. Weather can be unpredictable, but wildlife is on the move! The snowpack provides a beautiful contrast between the valley floor and the high peaks of the surrounding mountains. This year is the centennial for the National Parks System, come out, celebrate and enjoy these national treasures. Exploring Grand Teton and Yellowstone during the Spring months is a great time to be here. Before the Summer crowds hit, there are great dining deals to be had around Jackson. Wildlife viewing can be a much more natural experience than at busier times of year.

Yellowstone is currently open from Mammoth to Old Faithful; Madison to West Entrance; Norris to Canyon. The South Entrance is currently scheduled to open on May 13, 2016. The South entrance to Yellowstone National Park, which is the nearest to Jackson Hole, will soon be ready to accept visitors.  

Grand Teton National Park is currently open from Moran to the South Entrance of Yellowstone; Moose to Taggart Lake Parking Area. The park’s interior roads are scheduled to open on May 1, 2016.

elk refuge sleigh ride jackson hole wy

Most animals in the area will follow the receding snow  line into the high country surrounding the valley. Elk in particular migrate in large number in and out of Yellowstone, wintering in and around the National Elk Refuge. You may see large numbers of animals still on the refuge or just a few stragglers, depending upon the snow depths and migration patterns.

yellowstone national park bison

 

Yellowstone Road Information

 

Zipline Adventures

Posted on: June 23rd, 2015 by thcAdmin No Comments

Zip Yellowstone operates out of two area. Gardner and Big Sky. Combination packages such as the Zip n’ Dip are quite popular.

The Gallatin River ZipLine is located between Bozeman and Big Sky, Montana, right off highway 191, just over an hour drive North from West Yellowstone. The dramatic scenery includes towering limestone cliffs, pine forest and a rushing river. This is the area where the movie A River Runs Through It was filmed. On these tours, you start by ascending sky bridges to a tree platform 55ft in the air! Both tours have two Zips across the Gallatin River! The Super Zip adds to the experience with more adventure elements. Test your balance on our swaying wooden swings or try our optional cargo net climb.

Yellowstone Ranch ZipLine is located on the historic Stermitz Ranch in the mountains bordering Yellowstone Park, just outside of Gardiner, MT. The tour will take you up a mountainside and then soaring back down. Gaze at the gorgeous pristine vistas, listen to the gurgling mountain stream and watch for wildlife on this remote and scenic property. To add to the thrills, go for the Grande Tour. Two of these zips are a breathtaking 1200+ft and take you flying ridge to ridge, 200ft above Cinnabar Creek! The trips meet in Gardiner and we shuttle you to and from the zip line course.

I have been receiving very positive reviews from guests touring the area. If you are in Gardiner or West Yellowstone take a sometime to include Zip Yellowstone into your vacation.

Grand Teton and Yellowstone Open

Posted on: May 4th, 2015 by thcAdmin No Comments

The South entrance to Yellowstone National Park, which is the nearest to Jackson Hole, is ready to accept visitors. Spring is an adventurous time of year to visit the area. Weather can be unpredictable, but wildlife is on the move! The melting snowpack provides a beautiful contrast to the local mountains.

elk refuge sleigh ride jackson hole wy

Most animals in the area will follow the receding snow  line into the high country surrounding the valley. Elk in particular migrate in large number in and out of Yellowstone, wintering here on the National Elk Refuge. You may see large numbers of animals still on the refuge or just a few stragglers, depending upon the snowpack.

yellowstone national park bison

 

Yellowstone Winter Use Update

Posted on: November 24th, 2014 by thcAdmin No Comments

December 18, 2014 thru March 1, 2015

Officials in Yellowstone National Park have determined new winter use limits for the 2014-2015 season. The new plan continues guided snowmobile and snowcoach tours in the park. Winter Season 2014/2015 will run between December 18, 2014 and March 1, 2015. The park is accessible as it has ever been during the Winter months. Book early as these trips are quite popular especially during peak periods of visitation. An experience not to be missed. Prepare for a long day filled with adventure.

The park service has also allows unguided individuals back into the park during the winter season. It has been years since private individuals have been allowed to explore the park on their own during the winter months. One group of up to five persons may be permitted into the park each day.  These numbers could grow as technological advances continue to allow vehicles to run cleaner and quieter. It seems as though this decision reflects the park’s desire to provide the public with desired uses in a sustainable way.

The Hole Concierge believes this decision is a step in the right direction. Greener technology has made vehicles, snowmobiles in particular, much cleaner and quieter than in the mid 90’s when studies regarding winter use and the future of snowmobiling in particular were strongly examined. Exploring Yellowstone in the winter is a magical experience. There are a very small number of people exploring the park each day in comparison to the  summer months.

I would be happy to help you coordinate your adventure into the world’s first national park.

Boiling River

Posted on: July 16th, 2014 by thcAdmin No Comments

If you are looking for an interesting side adventure, maybe try a trip to soak in the Boiling River. Located between Mammoth and Gardiner. There is a short hike of about .6 miles from the parking area to where you venture into the soaking area. The Boiling River merges with the Gardiner River creating a comfortable soaking area near the North East entrance to Yellowstone. In the Spring the Gardiner River flows are high with snowmelt, this is more of a mid to late Summer activity.
boiling river yellowstone national park

***Warning***

“Many of Yellowstone National Park’s thermally-influenced waters contain organisms that are known to cause serious skin rashes, infections, and/or primary amoebic meningitis, which can be quickly fatal. The thermal waters of Boiling River have been shown to support the organisms that can cause Primary amoebic meningoenchephalitis and Legionnaire’s disease. Avoid submerging your head and inhalation of thermal steam. If you have any signs of symptoms of irritation or disease seek medical help immediately. Swim at your own risk.” Hundreds of people swim in Boiling River each day. While the dangers are minimal, precautions should be taken. As a precaution it is recommended that you do not put your head below the surface.
boiling river yellowstone national park

Yellowstone Winter Season

Posted on: December 2nd, 2012 by thcAdmin No Comments

Yellowstone National Park is due to open for the 2012/2013 on December 15. The park service has determined that 318 commercially guided “Best Available Technology” snowmobiles and 78 commercially guided snowcoaches will be allowed access to the park on a daily basis. The Winter season will close to over snow travel on March 15, 2013.

Experiencing the park during the Winter months provides a thrilling adventure.

Yellowstone Summer Season Ends

Posted on: November 2nd, 2012 by thcAdmin No Comments

November 5, 2012

All park roads will close to the public at 8 a.m. The exception is from the North Entrance to Mammoth and onto the Northeast Entrance and Cooke City(this section of road remains open year round). Roads will reopen in mid-December to over snow vehicles, ski and snowshoe travel. Take advantage of the remaining time and get into the park and take advantage of the diminished crowds to observe animals getting prepared for the coming Winter.

Exploring the park during the winter months provides a much more serene experience than during the Summer months.