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Advanced Nature Photography in Yellowstone and Grand Teton

Program Number: 4531RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/27/2013 - 6/2/2013; 9/15/2013 - 9/21/2013; 9/22/2013 - 9/28/2013;
Duration: 6 nights
Location: Jackson, Wyoming
Price starting at: $1,498.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Photography; National Parks
Meals: 17; 6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners    

Wyoming's Rocky Mountains provide a perfect setting to study advanced nature and wildlife photography. Explore Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks pursuing themes of wildlife, spectacular thermal features and dramatic seasonal color. With the seasons in change, the weather can bring brilliant sun and/or showers and snow; photographic opportunities abound, giving a menu of light, mood and artistic expression.




Highlights

• Survey the amazing scenery of Grand Teton National Park and hunt for a photographer's favorite location.
• Improve nature photography skills with expert field instruction in digital techniques and film technology.
• Discover the unique geothermal features and scenery of Yellowstone National Park, with exciting opportunities to capture the dramatic landscapes and fauna.



Activity Particulars

Walking 1-3 miles daily on varied terrain. Elevations of 6,000-9,000.



Bring camera equipment, batteries, and tripod.




Date Specific Information

5-27-2013

This program will focus on natural landscape photography in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks with opportunities for wildlife photography in the field. Robert Winslow will be the instructor on this date.



9-15-2013

This program will focus on natural landscape photography in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks with opportunities for wildlife photography in the field. Dan Peha will be the instructor on this date.



9-22-2013

This program will include a visit to world famous Earthfire Institute (www.earthfireinstitute.org) for intimate viewing and photography of wildlife including wolves and other large mammals. Grand Teton National Park will only be visited on last full day of the program. Robert Winslow will be the instructor on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Jackson, 2 nights; Yellowstone National Park, 3 nights; Jackson, 1 night; departure.



Coordinated by Mountains and Plains Institute.




Jackson (Wyoming)

Jackson is a major gateway for visitors to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks as well as a world-class ski resort. Located in Jackson Hole Valley, near the Idaho state line, the town has a strong western character and is surrounded by scenic beauty. Big game such as elk, moose and bison are a common sight beyond the town limits.
Accommodations
Jackson, Wyo.: Centrally located hotel. Yellowstone: Comfortable cabin.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Robert Winslow
Robert is an internationally known nature photographer with thousands of published images and numerous awards. He holds a master's in biology and taught at Idaho State University for six years. Since moving to Durango, Colo., Robert has been a full-time freelance photographer, and his work has appeared in many books, magazines and in over 20 different calendars in one year. You can view his photos at www.robertwinslowphoto.com.
 
Dan Peha
Dan Peha is a professional photographer living in Durango, Colo. Dan studied under Ansel Adams and participated in an Adams Yosemite photo workshop. For many years, Dan has collaborated with his wife Maureen to publish popular guidebooks on hiking with children in Colorado and Utah. Dan’s "star trails" photographs have been published in print media, calendars and puzzles. An avid musician, Dan plays banjo in his spare time with a bluegrass group in Durango.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   49'er Inn and Suites
  Jackson, WY 2 nights
   Old Faithful Western Cabins
  Yellowstone National Park 3 nights
   49'er Inn and Suites
  Jackson, WY 1 night
 49'er Inn and Suites
Type: Motel
  Description: Set amid Jackson's wonderful restaurants, shopping, art galleries, and nightspots. - One block South of the Town Square - Within "crawling" distance from the World Famous Cowboy Bar!
  Contact info: 330 W. Pearl Ave.
Jackson Hole, WY 83001 USA
phone: 307-733-7550
web: www.townsquareinns.com/49er-inn/
  Room amenities: Spacious room with 2 queen-sized beds, color cable TV with HBO, touch dial telephone, and wireless internet access.
  Facility amenities: 35 person indoor hot tub 12 person outdoor hot tub Fitness room Sauna Wireless Internet access
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Call for information Book directly with hotel
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Call for information Book directly with hotel
  Check out time: 11:00 AM

 Old Faithful Western Cabins
Type: Cabin
  Description: Western Cabins Western cabins are simple yet comfortable, roomy motel-style units with a shower, sink and toilet. No telephones. Two double beds are included..
  Contact info: Old Faithful-Snow Lodge
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168 USA
phone: 307-344-7311
  Room amenities: Spacious but simple Cabins, no telephone or Internet connections
  Smoking allowed: No


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Motel Check in 4 PM. Required orientation at 5 PM in Motel Meeting Room You will be staying at 49'er Inn and Suites that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after breakfast. Check-out 11 am. You will be staying at 49'er Inn and Suites the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Assumption of Risk/Liability Release Photography Questionnaire
  Parking availability:
No charge
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Jackson, WY
  Nearest city or town:  Jackson, WY-Flagg Ranch is located between the Nat. Parks
  Nearest highway: US 89/191
  Nearest airport:  Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)
  From End of Program
  Location: Jackson, WY
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Jackson, WY

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
See below
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Travel Time:

 

30 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

15 miles
   

Because of flight schedules into JAC, many participants prefer to fly in a day early. Shuttle from airport by Taxi or JACKSON HOLE AIRPORT SHUTTLE SERVICE: "Alltrans" Reservations:US Toll-Free 1-800 443-6133 or 307-733-3135; online reservations at www.jacksonholealltrans.com/

 
Driving Directions
  Denver Take I-25 N to Cheyenne WY In Laramie, turn onto I-80 W Take I-80 to Rock Springs Go North on US-191 Becomes US-191/ US-189 at Daniel Junction Becomes US -191/ US-89 at Hoback Junction. This same road becomes Broadway in the town of Jackson The 49'er Inn is located one block South of Broadway and the Town Square or Highway 89\26\191 on Pearl near the corner with cross street Jackson.
  Salt Lake City Take WY-89/ WY-16 North at Evanston Bear right (East) continuing on WY-89/ WY-16 at sage Creek Junction The road will end at US-30 where you will turn left Continue north through Cokeville to Border Junction. At Border Junction, Turn right onto WY-89/ WY-61 This road joins with US-89 in about 10 miles Continue North on US-89 through Thane, near Freedom. Bear right at the US-26/ US-89 junction continuing North to Jackson on US-89 Bear left at Hoback Junction continuing North on US-89/ US-191 This same road becomes Broadway in the town of Jackson The 49'er Inn is located one block South of Broadway and the Town Square or Highway 89\26\191 on Pearl near the corner with cross street Jackson.
Elevation Note: 5,000-10,000 feet

Equipment Requirements: Digital SLR or Camera with manual settings, adequate media storage (laptop computer strongly recommended); extra batteries, tripod See attached Photography Supply List
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival 4 pm, Welcome and Required Orientation 5 pm, Motel Meeting Room
(Monday, May 27)

Note: Welcome to Jackson Hole, Wyoming! From the legacy of the fur trappers and explorers who discovered this valley nestled beneath the grandeur of the Tetons. One trapper in particular, a man named David E. Jackson, named this area as his favorite trapping ground. Soon after, in about 1829, this area was named for him.
   
 Arrive To: Check-in 4 pm. We will gather at 5 pm sharp for our required orientation. Please check with the motel front desk to find our meeting room. We will have an informative overview of the program to come plus an opportunity to talk with program staff and your fellow participants during an introductory get- acquainted session.
 Dinner: Vans will depart in front of the motel to travel to the beautiful valley of the Tetons and Jackson Ski Resort for our dinner at a favorite local restaurant.
 Evening: Wrap up of introductions and travel information for next day following our return from dinner in the motel meeting room.
   
Accommodations: 49'er Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Day long photography excursion in Grand Teton National Park
(Tuesday, May 28)

Note: The following photographic locations for each day are scheduled to be included during the program but may change due to unforeseen circumstances like weather. We will also take opportunities to photograph wildlife within reason and in accordance with National Park regulations.



   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be an enhanced continental buffet in the motel breakfast building. Breakfast will follow our sunrise photo shoot.
 Morning: We rise very early. Vans depart from in front of hotel lobby for sunrise photography at Oxbow Bend on the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park. Return to hotel for breakfast. Following our breakfast break, vans depart for more photography in Grand Teton National Park with potential stops: the amazing Schwabacher's Landing, Cathedral Overlook and opportunities along String Lakes Trail.
 Lunch: Stop for box lunch at String Lake Picnic Area.
 Afternoon: Our afternoon photographic adventure continues in Grand Teton National Park with possible stops at Jenny Lake Overlook, Teton Chapel, Menor’s Ferry, Moose Visitor Center We return to the motel in late afternoon.
 Dinner: We walk from our motel to a popular local restaurant where we will order off of the menu.
 Evening: After a very long day, free for relaxation.
   
Accommodations: 49'er Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Photography Field Sessions in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks
(Wednesday, May 29)

Note: Today we travel through Grand Teton National Park, the John D. Rockefeller Parkway and enter Yellowstone National Park, our oldest National Park.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be an enhanced continental buffet in the motel breakfast building. Breakfast will follow our sunrise photo shoot.
 Morning: We rise again very early. Vans depart from in front of hotel lobby for sunrise photography at “The Barns” at Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park. This abandoned colony is the picturesque foreground for the magnificent Teton Range. Often bison are in this area. We return to the motel for breakfast and packing. After our breakfast beak we load luggage and depart for Yellowstone National Park.
 Lunch: Picnic box lunch in field
 Afternoon: Afternoon photo stops in Yellowstone National Park at West Thumb, Lake Yellowstone and Isa Lake on the Continental Divide. We arrive late afternoon at Old Faithful where we will spend 3 nights in modern and roomy cabins. Chance to view our first eruption before dinner of Old Faithful Geyser! (every 90 minutes approximately)
 Dinner: Tonight we dine in the Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria. Located in the Upper Geyser Basin, participants will want to take advantage of the extensive trail-boardwalk system to photograph evening light and the extensive geyser and thermal features.
 Evening: Self guided exploration of the Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin area. Optional evening Ranger Talk in the Visitor's Center. Instructor will meet by appointment with individuals to review photos if desired.
   
Accommodations: Old Faithful Western Cabins
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: All day photography expedition to Middle and Norris Geyser Basins, Mammoth Terrace Hot Springs
(Thursday, May 30)

Note: We will explore each day a different section of Yellowstone National Park. The Park is 3,468 square miles or 2,219,823 acres. For perspective, the state of Rhode Island is 1,545 square miles. We will see and photograph as much as possible in the three days we are in the Park. The roads are all two lane, and traffic jams are common especially when wildlife appears alongside the roads.
   
 Breakfast: Early morning-independent sunrise photo walking opportunities. Full breakfast buffet at the Snow Lodge restaurant.
 Morning: Vans depart Old Faithful for photography in Yellowstone NP. Today we will concentrate on Midway Geyser Basin (Grand Prismatic Spring), Gibbon Falls, Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, if time permits lower Lamar Valley
 Lunch: Picnic box lunch in field
 Afternoon: Continue morning photo shoot with hopeful wildlife sightings. Possible wildlife are Pronghorn, Bison, Elk, Deer and rarely Bear, Wolves, and Coyotes.
 Dinner: Tonight we dine in the Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria.
 Evening: Self guided exploration of the Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin area. Optional evening Ranger Talk in the Visitor's Center. Instructor will meet by appointment with individuals to review photos if desired.
   
Accommodations: Old Faithful Western Cabins
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: All day photographic expedition to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River north and south rims, plus the mighty Upper and Lower Waterfalls.
(Friday, May 31)

Note: The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is the first large canyon on the Yellowstone River downstream from lower Yellowstone Falls. The canyon is approximately 24 miles long, between 800 feet and 1,200 feet deep and between one quarter of a mile and three quarters of a mile wide. Lower Falls plunges 308 feet into the Yellowstone River, almost twice as high as Niagara. Upper Falls, just upstream of Lower Falls, cascades 109 feet into the canyon.
   
 Breakfast: Early morning-independent sunrise photo walking opportunities. Full breakfast buffet at the Snow Lodge restaurant.
 Morning: Vans depart Old Faithful for photography in Yellowstone NP. Today we will concentrate on the canyon area almost in the center of the Park. We will drive along both sides of the canyon making several stops in scenic locations for various views of the spectacular canyon and waterfalls. Likely stops, are brink of upper Falls, Upper Falls view, Artist Point, Lookout Point, and Grand View. We will also stop at the Canyon Visitor Center.
 Lunch: Picnic box lunch in field
 Afternoon: Continue morning photo shoot and return to Old Faithful through Hayden Valley to look for wildlife.
 Dinner: Our dinner this evening is in the historic Old Faithful Inn Main Dining Room.
 Evening: Free for packing or relaxation. Optional Ranger Talk in the Visitor's Center. Instructor will meet by appointment with individuals to review photos if desired.
   
Accommodations: Old Faithful Western Cabins
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Depart Yellowstone National Park and return to Grand Teton National Park
(Saturday, June 1)

Note: Today we will journey all day back to Jackson. Opportunities will exist to search for wildlife and stop and photograph features not yet visited.
   
 Breakfast: Full breakfast buffet at the Snow Lodge restaurant.
 Morning: We load luggage after breakfast and drive through Yellowstone National Park with potential stops at Black Sand Geyser Basin, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Lake Yellowstone then entering Grand Teton National Park for lunch.
 Lunch: Picnic box lunch in field
 Afternoon: We stop in Grand Teton National Park at viewpoints including Snake River Overlook and Jackson Lake. We return to Jackson Hole by late afternoon.
 Dinner: Van or walk from motel to Jackson Town Square where we dine at a local restaurant for our closing meal.
 Evening: Short gathering for farewells and to debrief our photo adventure.
   
Accommodations: 49'er Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Departures
(Sunday, June 2)
   
 Depart From: Check-out 11 a.m.
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be an enhanced continental buffet in the motel breakfast building.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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