Bill Sniffin: Yellowstone In The Snow? In A Convertible? Sure, Why Not?

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Who in their right mind would risk driving through Yellowstone in the face of blizzards in a convertible with the top down? Well, duh, I guess it was me.”

BS
Bill Sniffin

October 14, 20255 min read

Sniffin yellowstone 10 14 25

It was in Yellowstone, late this month, 18 years ago when I decided it was time to drive through this great big park in a convertible with the top down.

Despite brisk winds, cooling temperatures, gray skies, and threatening forecasts, I entered the east gate of the park in a giddy mood and a topless car. The ranger at the gate looked at me quizzically: “You may need to put that top up, sir?” the young man said.

I told him of my long-time plan to make this trip. He laughed and wished me luck. “Snow is predicted. Be vigilant,” he said, as I drove away.

Readers of my columns know that two of my favorite things are convertible cars and Yellowstone National Park.

The idea of taking a tour of the park with the top down had always been appealing. Much like a motorcyclist, only safer. Plus, when the weather gets bad, you can always put the top back up.

A meeting of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition had been going on in Cody for a few days and on this last day of the conference, it became obvious that this might be the opportunity of a lifetime. The last day of meetings covered familiar topics and I kept looking out the window thinking of my beloved park. 

My wheels were a 2005 Toyota Solara, a front-wheel drive white convertible with a black top. It was hoped that it could get me safely through the predicted snowstorms, which can often hit in late fall months.

Readers of this column know how much I love Yellowstone and this trip would be checking off one more item from my Wyoming Bucket List.

Where Are The Crowds?

Even in 2007, Yellowstone was starting to get loved to death by vast hordes of tourists. We local folk always loved the spring and fall seasons in the park as we sort of had it to ourselves. Today in 2025, that is no more.

But back 18 years ago, the park was virtually empty. 

First leg of the trip involved zipping through Cody Country’s fantastic Wapiti Valley and probably topping the speed limit.  Yes, weather was spotty. The sky was gray and there were low hanging clouds in the distance. 

Dressed in a hoodie and a jacket with the heater going strong, listening to some good tunes – well, folks you can imagine – it was heaven. 

My wife Nancy is a good sport for most of my endeavors but she is not a big fan of convertibles and she would have been miserable on this trip.

It was a blessing that she stayed back in Lander. Cell phones were pretty useless in the park back then so after I told her what I was going to do that morning, she would not hear from me most of the day.

This was going to be a fun adventure.

Whitecaps 

The wind had started to blow harder. Yellowstone Lake is so huge it looks like an inland sea. On this day, huge whitecaps were tossing about on the surface of the lake and waves were pounding the north shore as   the Fishing Bridge area came into view.

Fall colors in Wyoming are fantastic and both Cody and the Wapiti Valley had earlier showed off lots of yellow and orange leaves. 

But on this day in October, in the coldest place in the lower 48, well, the color was pretty much gone. Fall was turning into winter fast and I was going to witness it first-hand. 

There were still places where the 1988 fires left huge scars. Big areas were covered by blackened trees and fallen logs.

Our family loves the Lake Hotel but on this quick trip, it was skipped. The hotel was already closed and the weather was turning bad. It was time to head to Yellowstone Canyon. 

After a quick perusal of this most beautiful of areas, it was time to head to Norris Geyser Basin. Some of the roads on the park’s upper loop were already closed. The park was shutting down fast.

Hottest Place On Earth

Norris is the most active thermal area on the planet. On this day, it was smoking severely as the temperatures plummeted. After a quick look, it was time to go. It was starting to snow!

The road to Old Faithful was scary with no traffic, no snowplows, and snow piling up on the roadway.

Luckily, the snow quit just before Old Faithful and a quick visit to the perennial geyser (which goes off every 88 minutes or so) was fruitful. It erupted right in front of me. This place is usually crowded with thousands of people. I was the only one there among the hundreds of chairs and benches. 

My plan had been to go into Yellowstone from the east gate west of Cody and drive the lower loop and then exit from the south gate, which is about 50 miles north of Jackson.

Soon, the gate reading LEAVING YELLOWSTONE appeared.  After a quick stop and a photo of myself in front of the sign with the top down on the car – it was now time for the dash for home.

The imposing climb over 9,200-foot-high Togwotee Pass was not too bad as nasty clouds were forming over the Tetons to the west behind me.

Dubois was dry and sunny. The highway remained dry across the Wind River Indian Reservation and, soon, I was home in Lander checking off another bucket list item before the sun went down.

Park officials closed most of the park roads later that night because of heavy snows.

Bill Sniffin can be reached at: Bill@CowboyStateDaily.com

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Bill Sniffin

Wyoming Life Columnist

Columnist, author, and journalist Bill Sniffin writes about Wyoming life on Cowboy State Daily -- the state's most-read news publication.