My wife and i just returned from a three week "road trip" that included visits to four national parks. One of the wisest decisions I made in planning our trip was contacting Josh and Emily Jo and setting up hikes on three consecutive days in Yellowstone. Josh and Emily Jo guided the two of us and one other lucky park visitor on our first day--our most difficult (but certainly suitable for anyone in good physical shape) hike to the summit of Bunsen Peak (with our lunch break near the summit and surrounded by incredible views and nothing else)--we then descended taking a different path and finished the last half mile braving rain and hail. Quite an exciting and energizing day! Josh and Emily Jo did a great job of educating us, measuring our pace (and taking care of my wife's twisted ankle--a freak and unavoidable accident that occurred on our descent). Saw lots of wildlife, including the elusive pica. The next day, Jake and I had a great hike to and from Lone Star geyser--much more impressive than Old Faithful and almost no one that visits Yellowstone sees this geyser. Jake also was able to show me the "before" and "after" (old growth/new growth forests) results of the 1988 fires. This geyser was so impressive that I took my wife on the shorter hike to and from Lone Star later that day. We joined Jake and a family of four the next morning for our final hike in the Lamar Valley and were amazed with Jake's ability to locate wildlife--we spotted a coyote, a ground squirrel (lucky with this one as they are supposedly already hibernating), a badger, sand hill cranes, trumpeter swans, a pronghorn, and more bison than we could count. We were truly "up close and personal" with the bison and Jake took great care to make sure that we were well aware of the need to give the bison their space--there is nothing quite like watching bison on the move.
Josh, Emily Jo and Jake really love Yellowstone and their enthusiasm for the park and being guides made our three days with YHG highlights of our "road trip". Like all first time visitors to Yellowstone, we visited the "laundry list" of sights (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, etc.) and dealt with the throngs of other tourists and battles over parking spaces. Thankfully, when we were with YHG, we were away from the crowds and really experienced the breathtaking splendor of Yellowstone. If you really want to experience Yellowstone, spend some time with YHG. You will not be disappointed! (BTW, Josh, Emily Jo, and Jake, Cheryl's doing fine--just a sprain and we got a few more short hikes in--and one long one to and from Avalanche Lake in Glacier--thanks to all three of you for three unforgettable days!)