2017 Eclipse

[Frog 85]

Has anyone given any thought to heading up to Wyoming for the solar eclipse in August? It's supposed to be pretty awesome in Grand Teton, but won't be a total eclipse, even in Northern CO.

On a side note, I'll probably be driving up from Texas to do it, and I'm thinking about stopping in CO for a few days, probably on the way back down. So, the follow up is: if you only had like 2 days in CO, which 2 summits would you go after, taking into consideration that it will be midweek in August?

[Jim Davies]

I'm considering it. I figure the best strategy is probably to go somewhere really boring and ugly, like a rural road in western Nebraska or eastern Wyoming. Somewhere along this line:

[crossfitter]

The Tetons would be a real gamble. IF the skies are clear it would be spectacular. But it's also during the middle of monsoon season so there is a very real possibility that the skies will be blown out and you'll miss it entirely. Also note that being in the region of totality is vastly more impressive than seeing a partial eclipse, and the duration of totality drops off very quickly as you stray away from the center of the ground track. Given that we haven't had a total eclipse on the mainland in 4 decades, I think this is an event worthy of stepping away from the mountains for one day and finding a place with an outstanding weather forecast.

[Jay521]

I'm gonna go watch it in Alliance, NE at Carhenge....

[CO Native]

Gannett Peak will be right in the path. That would be quite the summit experience.

[polar]

While I was traveling and living overseas in 2008(?), I saw a total solar eclipse and a partial eclipse at two different locations within a span of 6 months. I knew it was going to be a cool experience and made a point to travel to the mountains to see it. But now, I realized it was a much rarer experience than I knew at the time.

For those of you who are traveling to see it, make sure you get welding glasses. Your normal sun glasses will not cut it.

[Derek]

Yup, planning on camping with my 4 year old (5 by that time) near Esterbrook Hill (ranked 6er BTW ) in the Medicine Bow National Forest. (About 13 miles from center of path, straight west of Glendo.)

No moon the night before, so planning on hauling our telescope up to the top of the hill and getting some star gazing in as well. Just got a new telescope set up with solar filters, so looking forward to using it for this event!

Hopefully weather cooperates.

Happy to connect plans with anyone who would be interested in grouping up when the time comes.

--D

[Tony1]

I and a couple others are brainstorming ideas. We like the west side of the Tetons so far (Table Mountain, etc.). If it looks like clouds are going to be a problem, we could always just drive straight west from that area. The big downside I can think of is that Jackson is going to be a madhouse, but I wonder how the Teton Valley over the state line will be.

Borah Peak, the high point of Idaho, also stands in the path of totality. Titcomb Basin is a good idea, but maybe not if you like solitude, as it's already popular enough even without an eclipse. Plus, if it ends up being cloudy, you can't just drive somewhere else being 15+ miles in.

[peter303]

Exactly 364 days before just after midnight I snagged one of few available discount hotels in Jackson. $199 for the Motel 6, $399 for Super 8, most of the rest over 4 figures. Later in the day there was nothing at any price.
I figure any formal campground went as quick, even if most were pre-allocated to tour operaters and educational groups.

I would guess I-25 the day of and day before will be like I-70 on Sunday afternoon with a significant fraction of Colorado heading north. I'd go at least two days early and disperse camp NORTH of the path to avoid the clueless Coloradans.

The Denver Science Museum has a bus making the 10 hour day trip for $200. I hope they beat the traffic.

[jrs1965]

I'm thinking about going but planning on doing it more "Ad hoc." School will have already started, and it's on a Monday so I might pull my son from school and go wherever the weather/conditions look good. Most likely will truck camp somewhere in BFE...

[Eli Boardman]

We'll be heading to our family ranch on Torrey Lake, near Dubois at the northern end of the Wind Rivers in Wyoming. It looks like the blue line for the perfect eclipse will be ~3 miles away from the cabins. I hope the weather is decent!

[CreekRunner]

We'll be heading to our family ranch on Torrey Lake, near Dubois at the northern end of the Wind Rivers in Wyoming. It looks like the blue line for the perfect eclipse will be ~3 miles away from the cabins. I hope the weather is decent!

This is unrelated to the topic, but the drive through Dubois has got to some of the prettiest in Wyoming, with the sandstone mountains towering above. I also think I found your ranch on the google maps. The only problem is that there are not enough ranked peaks to hike nearby and have an in with.