Yellowstone Snowmobile Tour

[Becky]

I'm super excited, our Christmas gift from my parents is a vacation! We're going to Yellowstone for 5 days (I think 5) on a snowmobile trip.  We're going through Two Top Yellowstone http://www.twotopsnowmobile.com/ has anyone gone ?? Any tips or reviews or pictures? "Old Faithful Geyser Basin Tour" and "Yellowstone Park Grand Canyon Tour" is on our list then I don't know for the other days. I am just geeking out in excitement so no real reason for this thread except for that never done anything like this.

[bowhunterforever]

Awesome

[jennabug]

Fun!

[Bean Counter]

Carry some extra batteries for your camera and keep them close to your body. The cold will eat them alive. Looking forward to the photos. Remember you'll need lots of +E.C. (exposure compensation) to properly expose a scene with snow.

[SniperDanWA]

Cool!  Enjoy trip. Never been into the park myself, so can't give guidance on that.  For the sled, make sure you have good boots and gloves.  I'm sure they will have the rest of the gear for you. 

[haugenna]

Cool!  Enjoy trip. Never been into the park myself, so can't give guidance on that.  For the sled, make sure you have good boots and gloves.  I'm sure they will have the rest of the gear for you.

I did it last year. It was a cool trip. The outfitter we went with had everything to rent, all I had to bring was base layers.

Lots of bison, a few elk, a coyote, and beautiful scenery. The elk migrated out.  The ones we saw were standing in the river begging to be put out of their misery. My guess is a predator of some sort close by.

[Rainier10]

We did this trip years ago and will probably do it again in the next few years with the keys.  Definitely one of my favorite vacations of all time.  Scenery was epic, lots of stuff to take photos of.

The crows are pretty crafty there.  Don't leave any food in the back of your snowmobile.  We watched them get into multiple snowmobiles and pull out everything to get to a bag of chips or a sandwich.

[cbond3318]

You guys are going to have a fantastic time. That place is heaven on earth if you love the outdoors and the wonder of relatively unchanged landscape!! I haven't done the snowmobile thing but spent a few weeks through there a couple years ago. Get a map and hit as much as possible. Bring a spotting scope or at least binoculars (unless your guide has them) When we were there, Lamar Valley held a pack of wolves and the grizzlies. We were self guided so I'm sure we missed a ton and can't wait to get back.
You should have a trip of a lifetime, bundle up!!

[Rainier10]

We had a guide with our trip and he was worth it for sure.  Tons of land and he spent everyday in the park so he knew exactly where the animals were.  We would just be bombing along on the road and all of a sudden he would slow down and point out animals.  He also knew what days to go where and the best routes to take to for less traffic at each viewing area.  Our guide was included in our snowmobile rental fee.

[cbond3318]

Oh and don't throw snowballs at a Bison, apparently they lose their sense of humor in the cold. 

[quadrafire]

Oh and don't throw snowballs at a Bison, apparently they lose their sense of humor in the cold. 

[luvmystang67]

We did this last year for a week over the period between Christmas and New Years.

It was spectacular and very cold.

Almost all of the animals are up around Lamar Valley.  You'll see an elk or bison here or there down by the geyser basins, but most critter things prefer Lamar valley.  If you get any chance to check out things on your own, the Lone Star Geyser was super cool and remote.  All of the hot springs are pretty neat to look at and walk around.  If you're going to stay in the park, bring some booze and food in with you if you want it because there's limited (expensive) availability inside the park.  There's a "Riverside" Geyser I believe its called that is also super cool.  There's an app that has the Geyser schedules on it so you can see when they're supposed to go off.  I'd get that if you have time to wait for Geysers.  We found cross country skis the best way to get around if you had to be on foot, for what its worth.

There's nobody around (virtually) in the winter.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  We have some amazing photos of wolves, fox, bighorn, bison, elk, geysers, and pools from that trip.  You'll have a blast. 

[Skyvalhunter]

Well then

[luvmystang67]

Here's a couple...

[luvmystang67]

I even uploaded a geyser video for you guys....

[Becky]

Yeeeeee I'm super excited. Smossy is still eh, I think he's a robot in disguise with no emotions so pshh. I'm loving the tips and ideas, thanks all, keep it coming please!

It's a combined lodging, sleds, clothes, tour guide type thing. We choose what tours (I guess you HAVE to have a guide into Yellowstone?) or we can do free on our own trips but I don't know how that works.

Main thing I'm worried about is my body sucks at any acclimation to either direction of extreme weather (heat or cold, thank you MS) and I have something called Raynaud's syndrome. Basically an overreaction of my arteries in my fingers and toes, my hands completely seize up at any slight coldness or stress. I really want my own sled and not have to ride with Smossy, I haven't found good gloves yet though so if you know any amazing ones that keep heat best please let me know!

[quadrafire]

Probably Mittens with some hotties in them would be your best bet. Put them on top of your toes as well inside your boots. Amazing how that will keep you warm.

[dyhardhuntr]

Check with the place you are getting your snowmobiles. Most snowmobiles have heated grips on them. Wear good snow boots like sorel or kamik. Also your feet will stay pretty warm while riding just from the heat off the engine. I've ridden extensively and never had issues until I got off the sled. Most of all have a great time. Yellowstone is amazing!

[Buzz2401]

Wife and I have been talking about this for awhile.  Looks like a blast.

[Rainier10]

Probably Mittens with some hotties in them would be your best bet. Put them on top of your toes as well inside your boots. Amazing how that will keep you warm.

  Mittens for sure and hotties for your boots.


Your snowmobile will have heated hand warmers and a thumb warmer on your right throttle thumb.  You are better off driving a sled yourself, you will stay warmer driving, you will be closer to the engine with your feet as well and the windshield will keep you warmer.  Riding passenger isn't as much work so you get colder, no hand warmers for the passenger, you are more exposed to the elements as a passenger and farther away from the warm engine.

[luvmystang67]

I found high altitude to be more of a hindrance than the cold (headaches on the first couple of days).  Also, its very dry, so bring chapstick and drink lots of water.  If you're not on foot you require a guide.  The only road that is open is the one up north that takes you to lamar valley.  To get deeper into the park (where the Geysers are) you need to have a guide and/or stay at the lodge in the park.  From the lodge in the park you can go anywhere you can get on foot or ski, but any departure from that area by motor requires a guide/service.  So basically you're free to drive in from the north and see all of lamar valley and Mammoth Hot Springs and hike all of the trails off that road, but if you want to see Geysers you either get a guided tour or walk from the lodge inside the park (or ski).  If you're on sleds, you'll be on a tour.  If you're staying outside the park, you'll probably be on sleds on tour most all of the time you're in the park.  You can see more this way, but you have a little less freedom.  Still, the park will be mostly empty, which is awesome.  When I was there we walked around the main Geyser basin and saw 1-2 people a day.  Wolves were howling and hanging around the lodge because there were so few people around.

[DaveMonti]

Snowmobiling int he park is very limited relative to what it was 20 years ago.  The park allows only a limited number of sleds per day, and all must be guided with approved guide services.  Guide services are allocated permits.  They will take care of you, have good gear and be very aware of the elements and their patrons. 

SG, are you going out of West Yellowstone or Gardiner? 

[Grit dog]

Don't worry about cold hands. Good mittens and hand warmers on the sled will cook your hands.
Riding thru Yellowstone is phenomenal.
We did it a couple times back right before they closed it to snowmobiling. (Then it was opened back up to limited/guided/restricted access like it is now)
First trip was New Years, rode in East gate mid afternoon, banzai run to West Yellowstone for New Years eve party in West. 100mi ? Run in a few hours, in the dark!  Awesome and scary until you come around a corner doing 60 and there's a bison in the road!
Daytime is spectacular. Wildlife, geysers and other thermals.
Have fun. Lucky!

[Rainier10]

Snowmobiling int he park is very limited relative to what it was 20 years ago.  The park allows only a limited number of sleds per day, and all must be guided with approved guide services.  Guide services are allocated permits.  They will take care of you, have good gear and be very aware of the elements and their patrons. 

SG, are you going out of West Yellowstone or Gardiner?

It was about 20 years ago that we did it.  I got a headache on the way out at night from all the exhaust fumes.  They were talking about closing it down soon or switching to 4 stroke snowmobiles only in the park.  I think there were snocat tours at the time also.  Tracked vehicle that could haul like 15 people at a time.

[DaveMonti]

As Grit dog said, they closed it to the general public and only allow commercial guided tours.  I'm sure there is a ban on 2 strokes as well.  Several studies indicated tens of thousands of gallons of unburnt 2 stoke oil and fuel was being dumped into the ecosystem each year by the snowmobiles, and the noise was scaring a lot of animals at a time when they were vulnerable.  There were multiple lawsuits from conservation groups to snowmobile manufacturers and businesses around the park.  I think the end result of a limited number of daily trips through commercial tour operators using their approved equipment is a pretty good way to manage things.  At the peak before the limiting regs, there were 750 to 1000 sleds in the park per day on many of the peak winter season days. 

Of course, you had yahoos chasing wildlife, sledding off the roads in places that were illegal, and general poor behavior from only a few, coupled with the pollution, it's probably a good thing that it's so limited these days.

[Dan-o]

We did it about 20 years ago - before you needed a guide.

YOU WILL HAVE SUCH AN AWESOME TIME!!!!!!!!!!

[Skyvalhunter]

Do this while you can as the tree huggers are out to restrict people in the park during the winter season. There is a yearly effort by them to ban snowmobiles in the park. Have fun and take lots of pictures

[Elkaholic daWg]

 

[Becky]

Thank you all for the information, I've been making a shopping list and a packing list based on a lot of what's written here.

We have our dates set!! Sooo excited, and Smossy finally is as well  .. We are staying in West Yellowstone, the hotel is a Best Western right outside of the park entrance.

Feb 12th: Drive
Feb 13th: Check-In
Feb 14th: Old Faithful Geyser Tour
Feb 15th: Grand Canyon Yellowstone Tour
Feb 16th: Private tour to Mammoth Hot Springs
Feb 17th: Off on our own into the national forest
Feb 18th: Check-Out and start the trip home

It seems as though all the gear is included for the cold weather, we will for sure bring some hotties, is there anything that seems to be missing that we need to bring?

Snowmobile rental includes: 600cc snowmobile with electric start and reverse, 1 tank of fuel (from our gas pumps only) per rental day, complete set of our high quality outerwear rental clothing (HJC helmet with full face visor, Polar Tech face mask, mittens, one-piece FXR or Cabela’s suit and the warmest Sorrel Caribou boots).

[Becky]

As Grit dog said, they closed it to the general public and only allow commercial guided tours.  I'm sure there is a ban on 2 strokes as well.  Several studies indicated tens of thousands of gallons of unburnt 2 stoke oil and fuel was being dumped into the ecosystem each year by the snowmobiles, and the noise was scaring a lot of animals at a time when they were vulnerable.  There were multiple lawsuits from conservation groups to snowmobile manufacturers and businesses around the park.  I think the end result of a limited number of daily trips through commercial tour operators using their approved equipment is a pretty good way to manage things.  At the peak before the limiting regs, there were 750 to 1000 sleds in the park per day on many of the peak winter season days. 

Of course, you had yahoos chasing wildlife, sledding off the roads in places that were illegal, and general poor behavior from only a few, coupled with the pollution, it's probably a good thing that it's so limited these days.

Yea I think you have to have the 4 stroke engines, it reads that way all over the websites anyway.. not specifically saying it's required but it says "Guided Trip into Yellowstone National Park Includes: Guided group tour and upgrade to 4 stroke snowmobile."

[Thumper81]

You're going to absolutely love it! I worked in Yellowstone for 5 years. Def going to need good gloves/mittens and handwarmers, layer-up, and drink lots of water. I know a lot of the guides out of Old Faithful and Snow Lodge and they're extremely knowledgeable. Yellowstone is a place you won't forget for the rest of your life!

[Timberstalker]

What an awesome looking trip Smossy's G.  Hope you have a blast.

[Grit dog]

If you get 600cc 2 stroke machines when you are riding out of West, not in the park, they will be about twice as powerful as the 4s sleds.
No worries on the groomers in the park, but if there's decent snow, get some tips on how to get a sled I stuck in different situations or you'll wear yourself out pretty quick if you get a machine or both stuck and don't know how. Seriously. Could turn a fun day into a "took 3 hours to get unstuck twice and made for a shatty day".
Probably 100 u tube videos on it.
Basic tips. If stuck going straight up hill, usually easier to flip the sled over, basically barrel roll it out.
Stuck anywhere else, it's easier to move snow than the machine. Dig out plenty under the front and stomp down a launch pad in front so it doesn't have to "climb" out of the hole as much. Clear a little snow to one side, 2 people, pick up the back end, toss it over onto fresh packed snow.  If it's still sketchy, 1 person pull on a ski while the other rides it out. Start off easy, don't just spin out, but once it begins to move, hammer the throttle.
Also, full face helmets with shields pretty much suck, IMO. Fog up a lot quicker.
Moto X helmet with a breath box or a good baclava and goggles + spare pair will keep u going all day.
When you stop if goggles are snow covered, wet, fogged or iced up, put them under the hood right away, NOT on the exhaust. 5-10 min later they will be dry and clear.

[Grit dog]

Park tour and wildlife is awesome. Bucket list type of trip. Enjoy!

[Becky]

It's INCREDIBLE so far!!!!

[Becky]

.

[DaveMonti]

Great Pictures!  Have a great time!  Weather looks perfect!

[Rainier10]

Heck yeah! Looks like great weather too.

[Becky]

still can't believe we're down here!

[cbond3318]

Way cool!

[BULLBLASTER]

  looks like a fun trip!

[SniperDanWA]

Looks like great fun, Becky.  Great to see you and Shaun smile too

[Timberstalker]

Awesome time!  Can't wait to see more pictures.

[smittyJ]

We did this trip years ago and will probably do it again in the next few years with the keys.  Definitely one of my favorite vacations of all time.  Scenery was epic, lots of stuff to take photos of.

The crows are pretty crafty there.  Don't leave any food in the back of your snowmobile.  We watched them get into multiple snowmobiles and pull out everything to get to a bag of chips or a sandwich.

They're really good at getting those heavy zippers open aren't they!

[Becky]

I'll post more pics later  man it was incredible!! ... Felt like so many miles we covered for never having ridden a snowmobile, our bodies are beat, hands and face chapped, soooo worth every second. The trail groomer has been broken the entire time so the roads in there were more ice than anything, the signs in there said "snowmobile conditions poor" lol. Yesterday we did a private tour of just the 4 of us and our guide up to Mammoth Hot Springs, not a main tour for any of the companies so the roads were way less used. We got to really feel what the machines do on fresh/softer powder and it was a huge difference. It was really fun being the only ones around for hours and hours.

Oh and yes, the ravens destroyed a couple people's belongings that weren't in our group. Our guides were really good about making sure we grabbed our things at the long stops.

[Becky]

Now our last day, off on our own doing some trails in the forest.

[NOCK NOCK]

Glad you guys got to do this trip, winter is the best time to visit jellystone.
Looks like ur staying in West Y. That's a fun town too. Looking forward to more pics