My sailing buddy and I would like to sail Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park next summer. I would like to talk to somebody who has sailed on Yellowstone Lake recently. I am curious about the permitting, spending the night on the lake, etc, the things that you wish somebody had told you before you went. My sailing buddy and I live in southeastern Wyoming.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mark Rehwaldt
xxx-xxx-xxxx xxxxxx@xxx.xxx
!
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I have redacted the phone number and email address, as they are not allowed in posts on the open forum. Please contact the member using the PM, or email functions under their profile.
I've been in the park many times, just never in the Summer. Too many people. Weather is the big issue. That lake can kick up pretty bad. Thunderstorms can get nasty and it's a DEEP lake with big waves. There are many regulations in the park.
We spent a week sailing on Yellowstone Lake in July, 2003. It was a great experience, but somewhat complicated by Park Service rules and procedures. Not sure if they've changed since then. There are two places where you can put in, Bridge Bay and West Thumb. Bridge Bay is complicated by the bridge, which is too low for the mast. If you launch there (not recommended) you must raise the mast while on the water after passing beneath the bridge. If you are doing anything more than day sailing on the lake, you'll need a back country permit. The Park Service is clearly oriented toward hikers and kayakers when it comes to backcountry permits for the lake. You'll need to figure out your itinerary in specific detail, and you'll be issued a permit which places you at specific backcountry campsites for each night. This makes perfect sense for hikers and kayakers who are camping on the beach at designated campsites. It makes no sense for someone anchoring out and sleeping on the boat but rules are rules. You may want to be in a particular area on a particular day, but if the campsites are filled, you can't stay the night near there. Also, the campsites don't relate at all, in most cases, to protected places for anchoring a boat. Yellowstone can be treacherous, and sheltered places are scarce. All that said, we really enjoyed our time there. The Southeast Arms are a designated non motorized zone, marked with buoys out on the lake. We approached them, shut the engine off and tipped it up, then sailed on, while the power boats turned away. It was way cool. Also a big challenge maneuvering without aid of engine, getting into anchorages, setting anchor, and getting off anchor all with the engine off. One time Sandy had to get into the dinghy and tow the boat out into the lake, to a place where we could pick up a breeze. Very old fashioned, but fun. There is one great sheltered spot to spend the night in a small lagoon which adjoins the lake. Entrance too narrow to sail into, but I dropped anchor at its mouth, then rowed ashore with a bow line and hand lined the boat into the lagoon entrance. We shore tied to each side of the lagoon entrance and listened to elk bugle and wolves howl as it got dark. Another favored spot was near a sand bar close to the mouth of the Yellowstone River. When we went for a walk on the sand bar in the morning after being anchored out for the night we saw where a big wolf had walked out onto the bar and sat down, looking at that big white thing sitting out in the water. I wonder what he was thinking. Hopefully when you get your permit you'll be served by a Park Ranger who can relate to the particular needs of a cruising sailboat. And remember, if the weather turns hostile, forget the permit and head for the best shelter you can find. One other thought while you're in that neighborhood, try to spare a few days sailing on Jackson Lake in the Teton National Park. It's spectacular. On both lakes, though, be prepared for sudden severe wind and thunder storms. Those high elevation lakes can get wild quickly.
Sure. I'd love to talk. Why don't you send me a PM and give me your phone number and some good times to call. I'll give you a ring at the next good opportunity.
