Climate and Weather Conditions
Average temperatures in Yellowstone Park range from 22ºF (Night) to 53ºF (Day) at this time of year. Half a foot of snow is average for the month of October in this region. During two of the last Fall trips (2007, 2009) to Yellowstone Country in EOS 403, we had about 6 inches of snow each trip. In 2015 we had temperatures in the 70s during the day and 30s at night, and in 2017 we had temperatures in the 40s to 50s during the day and well below freezing at night.
Our packing list is heavily influenced by the variations in weather conditions typical for Western Wyoming. We will NOT have time or the means to do laundry.
WHAT TO BRING (ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED)
-
- warm winter jacket
- pair of gloves
- warm hat
- scarf
- water-resistant (water-proof is better), warm hiking boots
- long underwear
- wind and water resistant pants
- any medications you need (be sure to pack extra separately in case your luggage goes missing)
- valid driver’s license and/or passport
- clothes you can layer on and off (enough for the duration of the trip)
- water bottle (2 liters)
- sunscreen (although it is winter you are at high elevation, and you also might experience snow reflection)
- day pack
- light raingear or small travel umbrella
- bathroom utensils, NO HAIR DRYERS or CURLING IRONS (they are a fire hazard in motel rooms)
- field notebook
- hand lens (will be provided)
- hazard vest (gave you this in class)
- sturdy closed-toed, water proof or water resistant shoes – hiking boots preferred
RECOMMENDED BUT NOT REQUIRED
-
- swimwear and large beach towel (there is a chance that we might get to try out a hot spring: yes, legally)
- comfortable pair of sneakers to wear out on the town, to dinner, in the hotel etc. (this IS hiking boot country so no one will fault you for showing up to the bars and restaurants with heavy boots).
- binoculars
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
- YakTrax – many of the geyser basin trails in Yellowstone Park are wooden boardwalks that can readily ice over and make walking difficult. Although the park tries hard to keep paths ice and snow free, they have limited people-power in the Fall. I have used Yaktrax there in the past and found them to be extremely useful. Not required but it does make walking a lot easier. Also great when Duke gets hit by an ice storm!
- Gaiters – these cover your hiking boots and help to keep out moisture and snow. They come in full length and ankle length. I have used ankle length gaiters and they are sufficient (although with higher snow your pant-leg might get wet).
