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Old 04-12-2019, 10:45 PM   #1
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Grand Tetons/Yellowstone

We will be going to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone in late May. We will be staying at the Flagg Ranch for a few days and West Yellowstone for a few days. I have been there twice before, but in August. Has anyone been there in late May? And what can we expect as far as weather?
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Old 04-12-2019, 11:00 PM   #2
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We will be going to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone in late May. We will be staying at the Flagg Ranch for a few days and West Yellowstone for a few days. I have been there twice before, but in August. Has anyone been there in late May? And what can we expect as far as weather?
We went to Yellowstone in mid May 2017. Stayed at Fishing Bridge RV park. The electricity was out due to the lines being down and the water was off due to freezing. We came into the park from Sheridan and as we crossed the mountain range going into Cody, we experienced whiteout snow with visibility of about 20 feet.

We drove down to the Grand Tetons after the snow plows opened the road south. The roads up to Canyon and Mammoth stayed closed during the time we were there. We did get to drive over to Old Faithful as our truck has 4 wheel drive.

It's interesting to see - the Yellowstone lake was frozen and there were 10 foot snow drifts. We stopped at Yellowstone on the way to the Escape rally. I would never do it again.

Chart of weather in May 2017
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/...th=5&year=2017

Chart of weather in May 2018
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/...th=5&year=2018

Pic below is from May 19, 2017
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Old 04-12-2019, 11:12 PM   #3
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Not in late May but we were there the second week in June 2014. Surprisingly (or not) many places in the park are closed until early to mid-June because of the bears coming out of hibernation. We were told by the Park staff that the bears, after awakening from their slumber, have set paths that they use to start searching for food and the Park doesn't want them crossing paths with tourists so they delay opening some areas. That said, you'll probably encounter cooler temps, maybe some snow on the ground (we had a light dusting) but a lot less people than you would in August. And, you'll be snug in your trailer when the temps drop.

Yellowstone was our first big 'foray' in our trailer after we picked it up and we stayed at Canyon Campground, Loop L, I think site 261. Our 19' just fit but we had to disconnect from our tow. No hookups but the sun shone on our solar panels most of the day so we always had power.
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Old 04-12-2019, 11:15 PM   #4
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We were there last year late May and first week of June, stayed at Colter Bay in Grand Teton and Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone. Both campgrounds have some left over snow on the ground but everything is working normal (water/electricity, dump.. etc) also some patches of snow on ground here and there..
temperature was low 30s for most nights but nice during the day (60s-70s), and Mammoth was even warmer at close to 90s (day time)
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Old 04-12-2019, 11:34 PM   #5
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May 2017 seemed to be unseasonably colder than it usually is - but you never know what it's going to be like until you get there. May is the transition month from winter to spring for Yellowstone/ Grand Teton. June is a lot better bet for having nice weather.
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Old 04-12-2019, 11:42 PM   #6
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Although just about any weather can happen there in late spring, normally late May is fabulous-mid-60's during the day, mid-30's at night. Usually lots of sunny days but rain/snow squalls may pop up.Dress in layers and you will be fine. The wildflowers should be glorious!
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Old 04-13-2019, 08:48 AM   #7
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When we had the fold down camper we were there with the kids in very late June or early July one year. We were not camped at an especially high elevation camp but made the memory of leaving a bucket of water for campfire dousing outside overnight and in the morning there was enough ice on top to keep the water in the bucket when tipped. That said, camping is about making memories for many people. Memories are good, roads closed due to snow are memorable although for us, not that positive. Good luck in your journey, take your bear spray along.
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Old 04-13-2019, 08:52 AM   #8
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Yellowstone in Spring

Dress warm. Expect anything weather wise. No, there will not be lots of wildflowers- too early. We’ve had a big snow year here. Best time of year to see wildlife as they are concentrated because of snow. Be sure to go to the Lamar Valley to see the wolves. Bring binoculars and spotting scope if you have one. Remember Beartooth Pass doesn’t open until late June. Buy bear spray, don’t approach the bison( they will kill you). Remember don’t stop in the middle of the road and be very patient driving.
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Old 04-13-2019, 09:01 AM   #9
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Dress warm. Remember don’t stop in the middle of the road and be very patient driving.
Good point! When the roads are all white, it's hard to tell where the road is. We had to follow the poles that the snow plows use to tell if we were still on the road at times.
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Old 04-13-2019, 10:01 AM   #10
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Spring weather prediction in the Wyoming mountains is always a crap shoot. The National Weather Service forecast site may help.
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClic...A#.XLH46ZNKhTY
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Old 07-09-2019, 11:10 PM   #11
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East of Moran WY in the Bridger-Teton National Forest

East of Moran WY in the Bridger-Teton National Forest on the way home we saw a mother grizzly and her cub.
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Old 07-10-2019, 07:12 AM   #12
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Wow!
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Old 07-10-2019, 09:31 AM   #13
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Nice photo , now that’s a memory. Hope you had a great time in Wyoming. Didn’t see Peter Styer with “Early Escape 21” out there did you?
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Old 07-10-2019, 10:29 AM   #14
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No, we did not see any other Escapes while in the area. We were parked next to an Oliver in West Yellowstone. I saw a 19 in Colorado about 70 miles north of the New Mexico border. We were heading south and the 19 was heading north. The bison was just 3 feet from the right side of my truck. Not the best picture of a black bear. We saw two others, but no pictures
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Old 07-10-2019, 11:30 AM   #15
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Those big buffalo are pretty impressive boys. I’ve had a few encounters of the
“Sure thought I’d need some bodywork kind”. But have escaped unscathed each time. I was in Yellowstone years ago and got stuck in a little traffic jam. A man had decided to get out of his car and take a selfie with a big bull buffalo. Viewing the aftermath, the bull had blood on his horns and the guy was laying along the road dead. That same week a guy poached an elk in velvet and drowned packing the antlers across the Yellowstone River and finally a man slipped into a paint pot ( boiling mud) trying to retrieve his off leash dog. Which was later rescued unharmed. Unforgiving Mother Nature teamed up with Darwin that week for sure.
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