Spring Comes to Yellowstone and Grand Teton · Spring Comes to Yellowstone and Grand Teton “Wilderness to the people of America is a spiritual necessity, an antidote to the high

Backcountry Journeys – Spring Comes to Yellowstone & Grand Teton 1

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Spring Comes to Yellowstone and Grand Teton

“Wilderness to the people of America is a spiritual necessity, an antidote

to the high pressure of modern life, a means of regaining serenity and

equilibrium."

- Sigurd Olson

Former council member, The Wilderness Society

Pricing, Dates & Booking

For current pricing, trip dates

& online reservations please

see our website.

Trip Packets

Our PDF Trip Packets are being

updated all the time. Ensure you

have the most recent version by

clicking here.

Last Published: April 9, 2020

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Trip Overview

Come explore and photograph the vibrant landscapes & thriving wildlife

populations of Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks in the

Spring. Many species of wildlife are calving this time of year such as

Elk, Bison and Pronghorn. You will have the opportunity to photograph

these incredible creatures as well as the possibility of seeing Wolves,

Bears, Moose, Bald Eagles, Fox, Osprey and more.

Yellowstone in known as the Serengeti of the West and for good reason.

At the time of this writing over 4,900 Bison roamed the park, 95

Wolves, 834 Grizzly Bears as well as thousands of Elk plus Big Horn

Sheep and Moose. There are 67 species of mammal living within the

park as well as about 300 species of bird. Lamar and Hayden Valley’s

teem with wildlife during the springtime and the opportunities to learn

how to properly photograph these creatures during a Yellowstone

Sundown or a Teton sunrise is absolutely spectacular.





We have been guiding, hiking and photographing Yellowstone & the

Tetons extensively for years and can show you areas of these parks and

wildlife spots that most people will easily miss. You will photograph the

best spots in the parks during the exact right lighting conditions.

Yellowstone is the World’s first national park and the Tetons may be

the most beautiful! Aside from countless wildlife opportunities they are

both full of beautiful mountain landscapes and Yellowstone contains

over 10,000 thermal features including over half of the world’s known

geysers. You will have the opportunity to photograph Old Faithful at

night, hike to Lone Star Geyser (Hiker tour), search for Grizzly Bears in

the Tetons and photograph the rising sun as it illuminates the

mountains from Oxbow Bend.

We will be staying in quaint Jackson Hole, West Yellowstone & near

Yellowstone’s Northern Range for close access to Lamar Valley. Each

day we will explore the parks via foot and vehicle to the best wildlife

and landscape photography spots. We will visit the iconic locales such

as Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, Grand Prismatic, Old Faithful and

Lower Falls but also seek out dramatic vistas teeming with mountain

wildflowers. This is an excellent time to visit the World’s First National

Park and Photograph its wonders alongside a professional photographer

who will be your guide and instructor for the duration of the trip.

Join us in Yellowstone & Grand Teton National parks this Spring for

the trip of a lifetime and leave with a plethora of excellent new

images for your portfolio!

Highlights

• Two of America’s most iconic National Parks in one trip!

• Photograph newborn wildlife

• Bears, Coyotes, Moose, Elk, Bald Eagles & possibly Wolves

• Photograph iconic spots such as Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic &

the Tetons

• Cozy lodges

• Learn from & shoot alongside a seasoned pro





Noteworthy Travel Logistics

• This trip begins & ends in Bozeman, Montana at:

Hilton Garden Inn*

Address: 2023 Commerce Way, Bozeman, MT 59715

Phone: (406) 582-9900

*Please note: Exact hotel is subject to change - equivalent hotel may be substituted.

If you are planning on arriving early or staying late please contact us.

• You can arrive at any time on Day One of the tour as long as you

arrive in time for the 5pm orientation meeting that evening.

• The hotel offers a complementary airport transportation

shuttle. Please contact them at least 24 hours before your

arrival to arrange your shuttle pickup. For the duration of the

tour we will provide ground transportation.

• We should be back in Bozeman about 12pm on the last day of the

tour.





Itinerary Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day One (Travel Day)(D)

Arrive in Bozeman, Montana by 5pm for a trip orientation as well as a

fantastic meet and greet dinner. We’ll go over camera gear and itinerary.

Our hotel has a complimentary airport shuttle.

Day Two (B,L,D)

This morning we will explore Mammoth Hot Springs and search for

wildlife along Yellowstone’s Northern Range. There are ample

opportunities for fantastic wildlife and landscape images along the

Gibbon River and the in upper Geyser Basins.

This evening we will photograph Geyser Hill where (time permitting) we

will walk the boardwalk and attempt to catch a lesser known geyser

eruption. We will visit the historic Old Faithful Lodge as well as the

famous Old Faithful Geyser itself.

Day Three (B,L,D)

Total walking about 1.5 miles in short stints along boardwalks.

Our morning shoot will be at Grand Prismatic and the Midway Geyser

Basin. We’ll have an opportunity to photograph several different

geothermal areas including Black Sand Basin and the Fountain Paint

Pots. This evening we will explore the Firehole and Madison River areas

looking for wildlife.

Day Four (B,D)

This morning we will rise early in search of wildlife then visit the Grand

Canyon of the Yellowstone. We will explore Hayden Valley for wildlife





viewing and then make our way to Grand Teton National Park for our

evening shoot.

This evening we will setup for some dramatic back-lighting and the sun

sets behind the Teton Range! After dark we will settle into our

accommodations and go out for a fantastic dinner in Jackson Hole!

Day Five (B,L,D)

This morning we will arise early as we set out to photograph the Teton

Range before sunrise at one of the iconic locations. Later we’ll grab

breakfast in town and then cruise for wildlife.

We’ll take a midday break to rest and go over photos and then head back

into Grand Teton National Park for more wildlife and mountain

photography this evening.

Day Six (B,L,D)

We’ll arise early again to photograph the Tetons from another location

before heading back to our lodge, grabbing a quick breakfast and then

making the drive up through Grand Teton National Park towards

Yellowstone.

This evening we’ll have a great dinner in town and then head out for

wildlife photography along the Blacktail Plateau.

Day Seven (B,D)

This morning we will arise early as we set out to photograph wildlife

along the Blacktail Plateau and in Lamar Valley before sunrise at one of

the iconic locations. We’ll spend the day exploring the “American

Serengeti” as we look for Wolves, Bison, Coyote, Big Horn Sheep,

Pronghorn & more.





We’ll take a midday break to go over our images and get some rest and

then once the light is good again, we’ll head right back out! Today is a

wildlife bonanza!

Day Eight (B)

We will do one more morning wildlife shoot through Lamar Valley before

saying good-bye. We will be back in Bozeman, MT by 12pm for flights

home. After the trip we can deliver you right to the airport if you want!

Please Note: Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The

goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires,

national park closures, road closures and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and nature photography we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions regarding wildlife or natural

phenomena.





Trip Details

Physical Requirements

All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability

to hike/walk with camera equipment and essential hiking gear. For

example, tripod, camera, lense(s), sunscreen, water (up to 2 liters

person), snacks, and extra layers (if necessary). The weight of your pack

largely depends on what gear you choose to bring on each outing.

Typically backpacks weigh between 15 and 20 lbs. But remember the

choice is yours

Group Size

We keep groups small to maximize your one on one time with the

guide/instructor.

Trip length

8 days





Fitness Level

Approximately 3 miles along boardwalks and sidewalks for the duration

of the trip.

Meeting Time and Place

5pm on Day One at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bozeman, Montana.

Trip Conclusion

Bozeman, Montana. We can either drop you off directly at the airport or

anywhere in Bozeman at approximately 12pm on Day Eight.

Price/Start Dates

Spring comes to Yellowstone and Grand Teton

Pre and Post Trip

Recommended lodging Hilton Garden Inn – Bozeman, Montana

Accommodation

We will be staying in West Yellowstone as well as the quaint mountain

towns of Gardiner, Montana and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Meals

Most meals are included during the trip dates and we typically eat at

handpicked local restaurants. We often eat snacks and prepare lunch on

the trail. We typically return for a late breakfast or eat breakfast on the

road during photography trips as we are often out early to capture the

morning light. There will be one evening with dinner on your own.

Weather

Expect warm pleasant days with cold mornings and nights. The

weather can prove unpredictable in the Northern Rockies and can

change on a moment’s notice. Remember some of the best photographs

are made before, during and immediately after a storm cycle. There is

no such thing as bad weather just poor layering and gear choices –

please plan accordingly! Make sure you are prepared for rain and snow!





General Links to Weather Conditions: Teton National Park Weather

Conditions and Old Faithful Yellowstone National Park Weather

Conditions

We recommend checking these weather links prior to your trip departure

to plan your gear and clothing packing accordingly.

Price Includes

Most meals, ground transportation, accommodation during the trip

dates: from the evening of Day One through the morning of Day Eight,

professional photography instruction, park entrance fees, medically

certified wilderness guide, & gratuities for service personnel such as

drivers, pilots, captains as well as hotel & restaurant staff.

Price Does Not Include

Airfare, alcoholic beverages, accommodations before or after the trip

dates, one meal on your own, souvenirs & trip leader gratuities

(industry standard is typically 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your

experience)

Lodging & Meals

Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours & Workshops include most

meals, lodging from day one through the morning of the last day of the

tour, ground transportation while on the tour, National Park entrance

fees, guide fees and other items essential to a successful trip – meaning

that once your there all you will have to focus on is your photography.

We can accommodate most special diets so please let us know if you

have any dietary restrictions.



Teton%20National%20Park%20Weather%20Concitions

Teton%20National%20Park%20Weather%20Concitions

Old%20Faithful%20Yellowstone%20National%20Park%20Weather%20COnditions

Old%20Faithful%20Yellowstone%20National%20Park%20Weather%20COnditions



Gear List

This gear list should answer a lot of your gear questions so please read

through this carefully. If you still have questions, please give us a call.

Your clothing should be a system of layers that you add and subtract

according to the weather and temperature. A good pair of good synthetic

“Smartwool” type socks under sturdy boots works well. Clothing should

be light-weight nylon pants (maybe base-layers), a polypro shirt and

either a sunhat or warm hat depending on the weather. As weather

conditions change add insulating and waterproof layers to your base

setup. Don’t bring any cotton clothing. Cotton is not a good insulator and

once it gets wet it takes forever to dry. Absolutely no jeans!





Photo & Field Gear

Recommended Camera Gear:

• DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic etc.)

• Telephoto Lenses (ranging from 100-600mm approximately)

• Wide-angle Lens (10-20mm, 16-35mm or equivalent zoom)

• Normal Lenses (ranging from approximately 35mm to 100mm)

Sturdy but lightweight Tripod (must be able to carry this for

hikes)

• Memory Cards

• Batteries & Chargers

• Filters such as a circular polarizer and neutral density.

• Lens cleaning pen & cloth

• Camera Day Pack (this should appropriately carry all your camera

& hiking gear and have a rain cover)

• Camera Rain Sleeve

Optional (but recommended) Camera Gear:

• Back-Up Camera Body

• 1.4x tele converter

• Laptop Computer with Lightroom / Photoshop Pre-Installed(for

personal use in hotels for downloading images while on tour)

• External Hard Drives

• Bean bag

• Remote Shutter Trigger

• Camera’s Instruction Manual

Suggested Field Gear & Clothing:

• Personal Field Clothing (think layers)

• Warm top, such as a long-sleeved sweater or fleece jacket

• Long pants, or convertible hiking pants, one pair of leggings or

lightweight trousers to block sun and give warmth at night

• Warm Hat & Gloves (This is a Must!)

• Down Jacket (My favorite piece of gear in Yellowstone!)





• “Softshell” Jacket lightly insulated windproof/breathable jacket for

layering and protection from wind

• Long Underwear (synthetic top & bottom)

• Shorts & T-Shirts for on the trail during warmer months

• Hiking Socks (Smartwool, Darn Tough etc.)

• Brimmed Sun Hat

• Sunglasses

• Good walking or tennis shoes

• Casual wear, for your evenings off the trail

• Rain shell, waterproof/breathable jacket

• Rain Pants

• underwear

• Shooting Gloves

• Headlamp

• Binoculars (optional)

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Knee pads (for low-angle shooting)

• Personal toiletries & medication

• Money, for tipping your guide (industry standard is generally 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your experience) and for any

personal expenses not included in the tour package such as

alcoholic beverages, a few of the meals, souvenirs, etc.

This is a general list. Please Call with any questions!

Note on Packing for the tour:

Please pack your extra clothing, toiletries, extra camera gear, and other

travel items into a suitcase, duffel or travel bag. You will not bring all your camera gear on every hike or outing. Each evening you will be briefed on which lenses, filters, etc. you will need to carry the following day on the scheduled tour or hike.



Documents

Spring Comes to Yellowstone and Grand Teton · Spring Comes to Yellowstone and Grand Teton “Wilderness to the people of America is a spiritual necessity, an antidote to the high