WY Mags - Request for a Little Info

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Thanks guys, appreciate all the advice so far. Tye - funny, didn't even cross my mind about fire season when planning this, but makes total sense (we have the same issues around Yosemite ever year, etc..).

Tye - what is the recommended topo for the GTNP zones you are referring to? Avalanche Peak sounds like something worth checking out. I assume the Jenny Lake rangers also have good recommendations? Thanks for the beta on down/weather days. Will also have to check out OARS, as some lake kayaking sounds pretty sweet.

dtown - Yeah flying, but good point nonetheless. I assume we can pick up bear spray at any outdoor store? What exactly should I be looking for?


Anyone have actual guide recommendations for (i) float trips around GTNP and (ii) wade trips in YNP?

For whitewater, are the river flows still high-enough that time of the year to make a day worthwhile? Sarah is pretty bent on doing this, so just want to ensure it is a go. I guess it depends if the Snake is dame controlled (or whatever other rivers offer WW rafting). Any particular outfitters that are good, or are they basically the same?

[sar13]

Two cents RE:Rafting - I'm sure someone will say one company is better than the the others, but I always tell folks to go with the one who will put you in the smallest boat. Fewer tourists and more fun especially if the water is low by the time you come. You might even look into a ducky trip - Just the two of you in an inflatable with a good kayaker as a guide. Rendezvous River Sports does them - not sure who else might.

[Tye 1on]

Two cents RE:Rafting - I'm sure someone will say one company is better than the the others, but I always tell folks to go with the one who will put you in the smallest boat. Fewer tourists and more fun especially if the water is low by the time you come. You might even look into a ducky trip - Just the two of you in an inflatable with a good kayaker as a guide. Rendezvous River Sports does them - not sure who else might.

Spot on, awesome advice. Snake is dam controlled, there will be water, not sure about a full day trip, you could raft the canyon in the morning then duckie it up close and personal in the afternoon tho...

Not sure of the topos, and Avalanche Peak is in YNP. Smith's grocery is selling bear spray for $20-30 less than some retailers.

[Donkey Punch]

Anyone have actual guide recommendations for (i) float trips around GTNP and (ii) wade trips in YNP?

Arricks Fly SHop in West Yellowstone. I have three good friends who work there, and all guide. They can all do float or walk trips, in the park and all the surrounding rivers. I would look into a float on the Yellowstone that time of year. It wouldn't be a terrible drive from OF, and you will catch more Cutties then you can shake a stick at. Depending on how the first few fishing days go, keep this in mind. Its a really fun float, and like I said you will catch a lot of fish, not many big ones (14+") but lots of fun fish, to keep the lady having fun.

[schwerty]

The fishing will be much different over labor day wknd than it is now. Due to the dams and uncertain
Summeqr weather patterns, there is no telling what that time of yr will hold. There will be fishing ! Small streams are likely gonna be done. Could be high water on influential dam flows. Low lakes will have big fish roaming the depths. But, there is almost always a good spot or two to fish.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

I figured as much.... Do you have any recs for guides around the Jackson area?

[schwerty]

Try calling Baker at Westbank Anglers. I'd be happy to take you down a river but not sure I can promise anything then.

[Mr. Mike]

regarding bear spray, I bookmarked tetonadventuregear.com a few weeks ago because they have a bear spray buy back program (obviously, a product you hope you don't use). I don't know if it was a better deal than buying something cheap and tossing or giving away, but the concept sounds good. However, that site won't load now. I'm not local, just bookmarked in preparation for my own September trip, so maybe some locals can comment on whether (1) it's a good deal, and (2) if those guys even remain in business.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Bump - as an update, this trip came out awesome and I thank everyone here for the great advice. I posted a bunch of pictures in the Picture of the Day thread here (http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...64#post3733364) as well as some panos here (http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...60#post3733360).

We ended up fishing with Westbank Anglers two days - the first we floated the South Fork and caught a lot of fish. Was a great intro to Sarah and the fish were very active. Bald eagles were everywhere as well - which was very cool for us being from NorCal. We fished a second day with Westbank on the Snake through the Park - putting in at Dorans and taking out in Wilson. Less active, but bigger fish (and I loved the braided river and scenery as well).

Great advice as well on doing the ducky on the WW portion of the Snake - we did the 2-person ducky on the WW portion with Jackson Kayaking School. Lots of fun - Lunch Counter and Big Kauna were a blast. I was pleased we were not in the big raft.

Tye - we did Oars on Yellowstone Lake in the West Thumb - was awesome. Thanks.

For hiking, we did Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes in GTNP (great hike). We had planned Avalanche Peak in Yellowstone, but that was the one day we got thunderstorms. So we drove up to Lamar Valley - which was awesome.

Some photos I didn't otherwise post in the links above:





















Oh, and we got engaged on the trip as well!

[DeathVan]

Congrats on the Keeper!

-looks like a great trip

[schwerty]

Nice work. Congrats !

[Meadow Skipper]

Looks like a great trip, and a good way to put a ring on it. Congrats.

[Lone Star]

nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!