yellowstone

has anyone gone to Yellowstone in winter to photograph? i have not seen it mentioned anywhere. if so any info would be help full as i am visiting friends 2 hours away on their ranches. also any thoughts about shooting in the cold w a 4x5 .
mitch

I have been by Yellowstone in the winter. I did not photograph. A fellow photographer froze his fingers making a winter exposure with an 8X10...it can get cold there.

If your gear can travel on a snowmobile, and it not too cold for you, then do it. I use to live in Montana, it gets very, very cold. The camera can take it, but make sure you can.

West Yellowstone in the winter can get down to minus 60°F due to the altitude.

I went in January about 13 years ago. With temperatures around 20F, they were having a heat wave. Temperatures were about 50F above normal. We travelled by snowmobile and cross-country skiis. It was very nice and the only downside was the sound of snowmobiles everywhere, all the time. The photography was fun, but much of it I could have done any snowy place.

Morning Glory Pool!

dmr said:

Morning Glory Pool!

Click to expand...

Yes Morning Glory Pool is certainly a beautiful site in the park.

And yes, it can be extremely cold in West Yellowstone. A friend finally moved because it got so very very cold in the winter.

Rich

Yellowstone is wonderful or terrible depending on the conditions. I live 90 miles from Yellowstone or Jackson depending on which way I turn out of my drive way. I never tire of both and may even spent too much time in them. There is no real bad time if you are prepared. If you are not prepared it can be a live changing experience. UM Mm maybe even if you are prepared.

The days of renting a snowmobile and heading to the park are over. Now you must take a guided trip or hire your own guide. For a quick trip you can catch the 8:30 shuttle to Old Faithful. The cost is around $100. There are deciated Photo trips which are productive. They usually last 5 to 7 days.

Good luck and have a great trip.
Hint, don't exhale under the dark cloth
jess

A wonderful place in winter. It does get a bit nippy though so dress appropriately. Coldest day I had was minus 40 (C or F, same at -40).
Snow coach trips mean you have to abide by their schedule, unless you hire one yourself - about $900 a day I think!
If you go just before entry by car closes on the monday after the 1st w/end in November you can still drive in, which means you can get in place pre-dawn.
The weather can be varied at that time but often very cold and snowy - especially on the high elevations. Well worth doing. I may nip back for a week or 10/7 next year, closing date is Nov 5th, after which you can still get into Mammoth by car, and all along the north road.
Tim

I grew up in SW Montana and there is a reason that West Yellowstone regularly claims the dubious distinction of being the coldest place in the lower 48. If I were you I would photograph ranch life on your schedule with your 4x5. The daylight hours are already short this time of year and not having your own vehicle and being in charge is not a good situation.

If you are going to make the effort to bring the 4x5, you may as well use it.

Cheers!