An Introduction (Cheyenne: power lines, snow, wife)

[Phil306]

CptnRn,

Yes, I know the problems, etc. I'm not a total virgin to icy, snow covered roads. I've driven them quite often. Believe it or not, it actually does snow, quite heavily in fact, here in sun drenched California. The reason for November is exactly as you describe. Can I handle it? If I can't handle it in November, geez, think about January or February? I have several years to go, before I hang up my hat, so I have time to figure out exactly where/what I can handle to go. Wyoming is my first choice. However, I am also a realist and understand, I might not be able to handle it. But, I need to know. I'm also quite stubborn in these regards and I need to know myself.

I've read several aspects of Yellowstone Park in the winter. Yes, most passes are closed and you generally have to enter from the Montana side. However, its supposed to be beautiful that time of the year with not alot of people. And, where I am from, I don't want alot of people. The county I live in, in California, has more people in it, then the entire state of Wyoming.

[jody_wy]

My wife grew up in truckee, She still laughs when w talk aboult alot of snow, but there it was wet and deep, ours is more powder

[Phil306]

Exactly Jody. Its amazing how many people think it doesn't snow in California. Shocking to be exact. I remember visiting a friend in Red Deer, Alberta. And before I went, she kept saying, "I don't know Phil. The roads are going to be terrible. Its snowing." I got there, there was a pasting of snow on the highway. I laughed at her and said, "What snow? This isn't snow?" My mom lives just north of Truckee and she gets 20 ft+ of snow, every winter. Her house is literally encased in snow and she has to tunnel her way out. Not all of California is Santa Monica :-)

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by Phil306

CptnRn,

Yes, I know the problems, etc. I'm not a total virgin to icy, snow covered roads. I've driven them quite often. Believe it or not, it actually does snow, quite heavily in fact, here in sun drenched California. The reason for November is exactly as you describe. Can I handle it? If I can't handle it in November, geez, think about January or February? I have several years to go, before I hang up my hat, so I have time to figure out exactly where/what I can handle to go. Wyoming is my first choice. However, I am also a realist and understand, I might not be able to handle it. But, I need to know. I'm also quite stubborn in these regards and I need to know myself.

I've read several aspects of Yellowstone Park in the winter. Yes, most passes are closed and you generally have to enter from the Montana side. However, its supposed to be beautiful that time of the year with not alot of people. And, where I am from, I don't want alot of people. The county I live in, in California, has more people in it, then the entire state of Wyoming.

I'm glad you know what you are getting into. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip. I didn't mean to imply you can't handle Wyoming. But most natives don't think of driving across Wyoming in winter as a way to have a good time.

The average temperatures in Yellowstone for November are Low 10 degrees, High 30 degrees and 25" of snow for the month.

[jody_wy]

Drive across the state all winter, to go to Cheyenne for legislature, Casper for conventions, different area for board meetings. Trip for HS wrestling tournaments say Eveanston one week end and Gillette the next... , basket ball games indoor track, maybe a college game in Laramie or cutter race in Dubois. Not uncommon to do an 800 to 1000 mile weekend any winter week in Wyoming, granted there are some cancellations. But snow doesn’t always shut down the whole world.

[Ann the Artist]

LOL, you're right Jody! I grew up in Ohio and for about 25 years bred and showed horses there. I've hauled a full 4 horse trailer in some conditions not unlike some of Wyoming's. But when I moved to Texas some 30 years ago I discovered that at that time, not very many folks here had driven on snow and ice. Even today if there is a hint that it might "snow" (meaning a dusting that is generally gone the same afternoon) the grocery stores are packed, the shelves end up looking like a plague of locusts hit, and schools are closed!

The way I look at moving to rugged Wyoming is this: Yes, I can drive in those conditions, but have reached the age where so long as I have a well stocked freezer, a pellet or other type of heater and a full tank of propane plus a generator, I have the luxury of watching the beauty of snow falling from the comfort of home.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by jody_wy

Drive across the state all winter, to go to Cheyenne for legislature, Casper for conventions, different area for board meetings. Trip for HS wrestling tournaments say Eveanston one week end and Gillette the next... , basket ball games indoor track, maybe a college game in Laramie or cutter race in Dubois. Not uncommon to do an 800 to 1000 mile weekend any winter week in Wyoming, granted there are some cancellations. But snow doesn’t always shut down the whole world.

Those are the easy routes. How often do you drive through Yellowstone on those trips between Nov. and Feb.?

[jody_wy]

Yellowstone is close in the winter unless you go thru a little bit of Idaho on the west , or in from the north gate So yellowstone not a issue till usually in May and then the east gate might be slid in. , Togwotee pass, south pass, powder river pass , snake river canyon those are problem
Well you can ride into Yellowstone in the winter in a snow coach or on a 4 cycle sled with a guide

[jody_wy]

Yellowstone Net Calendar (http://www.yellowstone.net/calendar.htm - broken link)

[Phil306]

I'm actually watching, right now, World's Toughest Fixes, on National Geographic. They are building a ski lift in Cody, Wyoming. They have been showing some of the town, the famous Rodeo, fishing, etc. Extremely beautiful area.