Rocky Mountains questions

[angoro02]

Hello!!

We are four people that the next summer are going to make a loop in Yellowstone National Park. We are starting in Jackson Airport, and we need to know a couple of importants things for us:

1.- Are there "Camping Gas" in America? Camping gas is a kind of stove, very popular in Spain.

2.- Are there heavy traffic in Yellowstone in June and July?

I'm sorry, my English is very poor.

Salud

Antonio

[angoro02]

I forget other important thing:

- Where Can I find maps about Yellowstone or Rocky Mountains? I have the ACA maps, but I like to have more general maps.

Thanks.

Antonio

[FredHiltz]

1. Can you tell us what is in camping gas? This might be the "white gasoline" sold here for camp stoves, a highly refined petroleum product. Unfortunately, it is usually sold in one-gallon (four-liter) cans for car camping. You might be able to organize a joint purchase with other cyclists at the campground.

Or this might be butane, a gas compressed into a liquid and sold in cylinders of many sizes that attach to stoves of many sizes.

Both are available at stores near parks and campgrounds.

2. Yellowstone traffic will be heavy. The scenery is wonderful but the crowds dampen the experience for many. The principal risk comes when elk or bears are around. Not from the bears, but from distracted drivers who do not see you.

3. Filling stations sell state road maps that give a good general view. They do not show the small roads, but in this region of the U.S. we almost always ride roads that appear on those maps. Off-road riding on mountain bikes is another story, of course. Filling stations and stores also sell more detailed maps bound in a large paper-back book, often called a road atlas. These are too large to carry on a bike, but some of us tear out pages to take when we leave the main roads.

When you enter the national park, you will be given a good map of roads and facilities within the park. This is also available on the park's web site for download.

Your English is clear and well written. I wish everyone expressed themselves that well. Have a wonderful time!

Fred

[staehpj1]

1.- Are there "Camping Gas" in America? Camping gas is a kind of stove, very popular in Spain.

Would I be correct in guessing that you mean the gas cartridges for the stove?  If so there are several types sold in the US.

The most common are the ones that MSR and others sell that the stove connection screws on:


The next most common snap on and are a lot less commonly available.


Then there are the ones that puncture the cartridge.  They are sometimes called "Camping Gaz".  These might be fairly hard to find here.


Lots more info at http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/Canister%20Stands/Canister%20Stove%20Stands.html

[valygrl]

Maps

This map is a good one, you will probably be able to find it in a book store or gas station in Jackson Hole.  If not, just get any state map.  There's a Montana version too.  THe site below says they ship anywhere, you could also just order it now.  The good thing about this map is that it shows all the forest service camp locations.
http://www.maps2anywhere.com/Maps/Wyoming_road_map.htm

The Wyoming Department of Transportation has a good state-wide bike map, that shows the shoulder and traffic information for major roads in the state.  The first link below has contact information, you may be able to ask them to mail a map to your starting hotel or "General Delivery" at the post office (they hold for you to pick up)
http://www.dot.state.wy.us/wydot/safety/pedestrian_bicycle
http://www.dot.state.wy.us/webdav/site/wydot/shared/Wyoming%20Bike%20Route%20Map.pdf
http://www.dot.state.wy.us/webdav/site/wydot/shared/Planning/Wyoming%20Bike%20Route%20Road%20Grades.pdf

When you ride into Yellowstone, they will give you a free map of the park.  You may NOT camp outside of campgrounds in the park.  Yellowstone has a couple of hiker/biker camp sites (http://www.yellowstone-natl-park.com/bike.htm)  Thie hikder/biker at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton is very very nice.  You'll need to educate yourself about bear safety, there are a couple of different kinds of bears in the area, you must practice proper food storage.

Recommended road:
If you can, I would recommend riding this road, if it makes sense with your other plans: http://tinyurl.com/27ee4wv  - it's really nice and has almost no traffic.   

[geegee]

Yellowstone traffic will be heavy. The scenery is wonderful but the crowds dampen the experience for many. The principal risk comes when elk or bears are around. Not from the bears, but from distracted drivers who do not see you.

And then there's the bison. Sometimes herds would be blocking the road for a long time. Not quite sure if I would like to ride between these 1000 kg creatures.

[angoro02]

Thanks for your answer...!!! but with every answer, I have more question...

1.- I hope to find gas compressed in Jackson, do you know any store in the city or around?

2.- I will buy maps that you recomended me, specially http://www.maps2anywhere.com/Maps/Wyoming_road_map.htm I think is a great map for our trip in Yellowstone.

3.- At the end of this trip, other friend and me are travelling to the Rocky Mountains National Park in Colorado, following the ACA routes. We hope to arrive to Pueblo or Poncha Springs, and will comeback to Salt Lake City Airport on August 21th. In Pueblo or Poncha Springs we probably will  take a bus (Greyhound?) for to return to the airport, it's possible to take a bus with bycicle? will we need bike's box?

4.- I know bears...two years ago I saw bears, elks, wolf and coyote in Canada, close the road from  Jasper to Banff. It's wonderfull!!! and very dangerous... But I think the Spanish driver are more dangerous than the any wild animal...

Thanks a lot.

Antonio

[cycletwerp]

http://www.jacksonholetraveler.com/shopping/outdoor-gear-equipment.php

Hope this helps

[indyfabz]

3.- At the end of this trip, other friend and me are travelling to the Rocky Mountains National Park in Colorado, following the ACA routes. We hope to arrive to Pueblo or Poncha Springs, and will comeback to Salt Lake City Airport on August 21th. In Pueblo or Poncha Springs we probably will  take a bus (Greyhound?) for to return to the airport, it's possible to take a bus with bycicle? will we need bike's box?

According to this, bikes do not have to be boxed when riding Greyhoud:

http://www.greyhound.com/travel_information/baggage.shtml

Where in Spain do you live?  Ten years ago I spent two months cycling around Andalucia.  Had a blast.

[valygrl]

I think you *do* have to have a box or bag for your bike on Greyhound.  Can you fly out of Denver instead, it is much closer.

That map page I linked, I meant the first map on that page, the "Wyoming Road and Recreation Map", i think you knew that, but just wanted to make sure.

Rocky Mtn National Park in August is PERFECT!!!!

I still don't think we know what kind of gas container your stove needs, but there are camping stores in Jackson.  I usually carry a stove that takes the MSR style propane/butane cannister, carry 2 cannisters, and when I run out of the first one, start looking for somewhere to buy another.  I haven't had any trouble with that strategy.

Your trip will be fantastic!!!

[angoro02]

Cycletwerp: I didn't find Camping Gaz CV270 fuel canisters in your link. Anyway, when we arrive to Salt Lake City, we think will be easier there than Jackson.

Indyfabz: What did you happen in Andalucia?  I live in Madrid. I had seen the rules for bikes in Greyhound, but it's not clear. I don't know where I need a bike's box... I hope to find box in Pueblo or Poncha Springs, maybe I will can find box in any Bike's Shop.

Valygrl: Denver is much closer, it's true. And there is train for to go to Salt Lake City. But we don't know when we will arrive to Denver, so we don't buy ticket in advance. Anyway, it is a possibility. And it had a mistake about my trip's date: June 17th to July 21th. Will July be perfect too?

Thanks again...

[valygrl]

July will be almost as perfect, but there is a higher chance of afternoon thunderstorms on the high passes.  On days where you are going up very high (Rocky Mountain National Park) it is worth getting started as early as you can, and trying to be off the top of the pass by mid day.

The June/July weather pattern in the mountains is beautiful calm cool early morning, warm mid morning, then as the temperatures down below increase, thunderclouds build rapidly over the mountain tops.  It might take as little as an hour, to go from totally clear sky to big storm clouds.  The clouds can produce heavy rain and hail, and lightning, and strong wind can come out from the cloud.  The storms happen most often between 2-5 in the afternoon, and then stop, leaving the rest of the day beautiful again.  It usually only lasts an hour or so.

Take lightning seriously, if you are caught out on top of a pass and there is lightning around you, seek shelter in a building or car and wait for the storm to pass. 

In July, this happens almost every day, but if you are down on the side of the mountain instead of the top, it's not a big problem.  I toured in CO in July a few years ago, riding almost all the high mountain passes, and I only got really rained on once - just try to get off the top early.

As to the Camping Gaz, I'm not an expert about this, but I kind of think we *don't* have that product in the US.  You'll have to do your own homework.  There is a big out door store in Salt Lake City (and lots of other places) REI (www.rei.com) and camping stores in Jackson, so you might end up needing to buy a new stove here.

[staehpj1]

As to the Camping Gaz, I'm not an expert about this, but I kind of think we *don't* have that product in the US.  You'll have to do your own homework.  There is a big out door store in Salt Lake City (and lots of other places) REI (www.rei.com) and camping stores in Jackson, so you might end up needing to buy a new stove here.

I have seen the Camping Gaz name on more than one type of cartridge, but mostly on the ones that have no fitting.  I have seen those and the snap on ones with that name on them in the US but only rarely.

[MrBent]

Jackson has a high-end mountaineering/skiing/backpacking shop that will almost certainly have the "snap" type gas containers, which I think are the same as "Camping Gaz"  Do a search for retail shops in Jackson, and you should be able to contact the store directly.  Check out Steph's pictures.   REI and pretty much all high-end mountain shops will have the blue snap canisters.  If the shop in Jackson has what you need, I would pay for however many canisters you require ahead of time with a credit card and have them set aside so you don't arrive and find they've sold out!   The shop employees should be able to help you out.  They get plenty of world travelers through Jackson Hole every year.

Have a great trip!

[angoro02]

Thanks MrBent: we are thinking about to visit Rei in Salt Lake City. I knew this store in Seattle, and I think it's a wonderfull place for to buy.... everything.

I have a last question, I hope: What's about the helmet? In Spain, Ciclyst  must put on.