Yellowstone Honeymoon!!

[Slayerz]

Just a few questions for other members out there.  My Fiance and I are getting married on September 17, then heading for Yellowstone on the 18 for the week, it will be our first time to Yellowstone.  I have been shooting a Nikon D90 for the last couple years and have spent some time researching this forum for photo tips and such.  I believe it was Pope who mentioned renting lenses and I think that is the way I will go for this trip as currently I only have a 200mm lens. My main question is, would anyone be willing to share their locations for taking good elk pictures?  I would like to find a spot that has less people and more wild elk, the ones in the parking lots and lawns are not that appealing to me.  Also is there any areas that are a must see that are off the beaten path.  Any info and tips would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance!!

[huntnnw]

Sept wedding WTH?

[jrebel]

Obviously not a bow hunter.   

[predatorpro]

its not just the wedding you will miss hunting every year now thanks to anniversarys.....unless she goes hunting with you....

[RadSav]

The squaw and I did our honeymoon there in June '94.  There seemed to be elk everywhere we went.  Not so sure about September, but you should be able to bugle a few if you get off the beaten path.  I'm sure a quick talk with one of the rangers and you'll be put on just what you are looking for. 

Although if Yellowstone is anything like Idaho now you will get one response and then the wolves will chime in and the elk will bug out.  If there are any elk left away from the parking lots the wolves haven't eaten.

[wadu1]

If you go into the Park via the North entrance you will see a bunch of parking lot elk at Mammoth hot springs. The area I have seen the most wild elk is off the road between Norris basin and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 

[CAMPMEAT]

Isn't Gardner Montana on the north end of Yellowstone a migration route for elk ? Maybe that would be the best as wadu1 says.

[elksnout]

If you end up in Mammoth have the park information desk point you to the Beaver Ponds. Or look for the trail head just behind the hotel. it climbs right up from there. it's about a 5 mile loop. Lots of grass and ponds, marshy areas, stands of aspens, etc. Good place to check out. You won't see many people.

[CAMPMEAT]

...........and don't forget about Grizzly Bears too.

[Wea300mag]

The areas I remember seeing the most elk were Hayden Valley and the North Entrance.

[Hungry Horse]

Slayerz:  First, congratulations on your upcoming marriage. Wishing you have a happy marriage.  Yellowstone is a wonderfull NP  for wildlife viewing.  I am suggesting these locations based on my late Sept early Oct vacation there in 2007.   I saw my most elk in the Mammouth Hot Springs area.  If you position yourself  you can capture elk photos without people and parking lots or buildings in your photos,  but not always. Near Roaring Mtn which is south of Mammouth approaching Norris basin area  I saw many elk in the evening.  Also as you drive towards West Yellowstone from Madison Junction you will see many elk in meadows along the Madison river. The Lamar River valley  past Pleasant valley provided me with 49 photos of a grizzly. I also saw a bull moose there,  but no photo. I saw 1 wolf as I approached Canyonlands, maybe 2 miles west of Canyonlands standing in a meadow mid day. Coyotes and Bison are everywhere. I saw 2 red  fox, and many mule deer, as well as antelopes and a ewe, female bighorn.  Grand Teton NP south of YNP near Jackson/Moose Wy  offered me more elk and moose sightings  than YNP. I saw 10 different moose in that area, and hundreds of elk,  bulls sparring one time. The rut will be on,  a great photo opportunity.  ps  Talk to folks about recent kills lying in the park near roads, wolves and grizzly  maybe nearby for photos.  Have fun but be wise and carefull. A bull elk attacked our SUV at Mammouth Springs seeing his reflection in the mirrored glass of the SUV, it happens fast !!!!  HH in Pa

[bearbait]

Been following this thread as I will be going there Sept 5-9, about two weeks before you.  Was there a few years back and had no trouble finding Elk.  Don't know what has transpired since then though.  Will try to get you a report when I get back.  Gongrats. & good luck.

[Tom Reichner]

The folks who have suggested the area around Mammoth Hot Springs (just 5 miles for the North Entrance) are correct - this area holds a lot of elk, but in this area you will have the manmade elements to contend with, which is just what you said you didn't want.

Another good area, especially in September, is the area along the Madison River on the West Entrance Road, between West Yellowstone and Madison.   

You guys may want to take a drive over the Beartooth Highway - the views are absolutely gorgeous, with many alpine lakes and tarns.  It starts west of Cooke City, on the eastern side of the park, and continues over the mountains to the town of Red Lodge. 

[ghosthunter]

Whoa Whoa Where"s the photos of the bride to be.
Everything you catch ,capture or kill needs a photo posted.

[Hungry Horse]

I will second the suggestion to drive over Beartooth Pass  Hwy 212 from Cooke City to Red Lodge Montana, absolutely beauitiful drive and tremendous mountain scenery.  Also the drive from Yellowstone Lake area to Cody Wyoming is beautiful, rugged country.  Many folks see grizzly on that stretch of road .  HH in Pa