Yellowstone/Grand Tetons trip

So it looks like I'm doing a very non-traditional "bachelor" party and heading up with her and a bunch of friends to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons area for a week or so. Anyone been and have recommendations? We're looking at late April/early May if that helps. I know not everything will be open by then, but as long as we can get some major sights (ol faithful, etc) and avoid huge crowds it'll be worth it. It also looks like fishing in Yellowstone is nixed (doesn't open til Memorial weekend) but things in the Grand Teton park looks somewhat promising. I'm not sure if I'll be swinging flies or just having fun with an ultralight spinning setup but I'll at least wet a line. Float trips for strictly fishing are also a no-go.

Let me know if you have any thoughts (not about the wedding  ) and cheers all. Glad we're getting some rain finally.

If this winter keeps up it'll still be frozen solid...that's a cold little area.
There are some spring creeks that open early and would probably be clear enough. Full on melt might not be happening quite yet then.
Flat Creek in the elk refuge might be worth it then.that place has some fuckING honkers, but it can be super frustrating too!
Add Granite hot Springs to your list, nice hot springs that bubbles into an ice cold creek, you can choose your temp. Also not usually totally touristed out.
Definitely drive the moose-Wilson road runs right under the southern edge of the tetons, and you always see moose and beaver in there. Go early, dawnish. In Wilson have breakie at NoraS fish creek inn. I still dream of their huevos ranchers and breakfast burritos.
Hike around Jenny lake...even if there's a million people it is worth it for the views.
Not sure if the tram would be open yet for hiking, but taking the tram to the summit at the ski area is pretty cool.
You could ski the pass, Teton pass, if you want to do something adventurous. Pm me on that if you want info.

Not sure about the early season trip but I have done the trip a couple times during the summer and it has never been that bad with crowds. Everything is so spread out compared to Yosemite that it's not bad at all. 

There are a lot of places to just pull over and wade around so a fly rod with a mixed assortment of flies is a must. 

Even if there is still snow around the scenery would be amazing. 

Flat Creek in the elk refuge might be worth it then.that place has some fuckING honkers, but it can be super frustrating too!

In Wilson have breakie at NoraS fish creek inn. I still dream of their huevos ranchers and breakfast burritos.

spent many a day casting from my stomach in the refuge  and Noras b-fast is the best

Grand Tetons are the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. Enjoy!

Flat Creek in the elk refuge might be worth it then.that place has some fuckING honkers, but it can be super frustrating too!

In Wilson have breakie at NoraS fish creek inn. I still dream of their huevos ranchers and breakfast burritos.

spent many a day casting from my stomach in the refuge  and Noras b-fast is the best

Did you live out there?
I lived out past Red Top meadows for years, in my grandfather's place after he passed, so had to pass NoraS to get anywhere. I worked down at pearl street bagels in town, Teton rock gym, and JD sports in the village.
Your experience on flat creek is similar to mine...damn fish!

Flat Creek in the elk refuge might be worth it then.that place has some fuckING honkers, but it can be super frustrating too!

In Wilson have breakie at NoraS fish creek inn. I still dream of their huevos ranchers and breakfast burritos.

spent many a day casting from my stomach in the refuge  and Noras b-fast is the best

Did you live out there?
I lived out past Red Top meadows for years, in my grandfather's place after he passed, so had to pass NoraS to get anywhere. I worked down at pearl street bagels in town, Teton rock gym, and JD sports in the village.
Your experience on flat creek is similar to mine...damn fish!

yeah lived in JH for a few years(96-98 and again for the 99-00 winter) was the sous chef at the wort hotel and also worked at the amangani used to hit pearl st bagels all the time, loved the veggie smear on a super onion.

I did that trip a few years ago best vacation I ever had but it was in late August and early September also went into South Dakota that to the Black hills. You'll have a fine time.

Wife and I were just talking about this as a possible summer vacation with the kids.  Realistically, will 9 days be enough to drive it from the bay?  How about towing a travel trailer to camp?  Also considering flying in, renting a car and VRBO a cabin then drive the car home, so we'd have more time there but still get the "road trip" aspect on the drive home. 

Wife and I were just talking about this as a possible summer vacation with the kids.  Realistically, will 9 days be enough to drive it from the bay?  How about towing a travel trailer to camp?  Also considering flying in, renting a car and VRBO a cabin then drive the car home, so we'd have more time there but still get the "road trip" aspect on the drive home.

When you going Nate?  I've been looking into it as well ...

-Allen

Wife and I were just talking about this as a possible summer vacation with the kids.  Realistically, will 9 days be enough to drive it from the bay?  How about towing a travel trailer to camp?  Also considering flying in, renting a car and VRBO a cabin then drive the car home, so we'd have more time there but still get the "road trip" aspect on the drive home.

When you going Nate?  I've been looking into it as well ...

-Allen

We were looking at the july 4th week, or the week after.  But we have a few other trips we've been invited to but working on getting lodging squared away.  If those don't happen then this trip happening is a much higher possibility.  I may even make the scope of it bigger by driving south through Utah then NM before circling West.  Just me and the kids for part of it. 

It's 17 hours and 998 miles from my driveway to the square.
Easiest is to drive to reno day 1, then beeline across nevada uber early,hang a left in wells, then come over the pass. With a travel trailer don't go over the pass, go up snake river canyon.
Avoid Mid August the total eclipse is going right thru town, so will be a zoo I'm sure.

There is also awesome camping and decent fishing in a small cirque above wells, just 10-15 miles outside of town, but 5k up. Wells is almost the midpoint from the bay.
If you're going in full summer let me know and I can give you some skinny, nearly untouched water places to go...assuming you don't mind hiking a bit