Our GUIDES
rod tripp
Rod Tripp, owner of Grub Steak Expeditions, recently returned to Wyoming to retire and enjoy Cody Country’s great recreational opportunities. Born in California and raised in a rural environment outside the San Francisco Bay Area, Rod has a background in Rangeland Ecology and worked in California 30 years in this field. He was responsible for grazing management, wildfire suppression, prescribed fire management as well as an interpretive program. Rod and his wife, Suzie (who grew up in Cody, Wyoming) have three grown children. With over 40 years of observing Yellowstone, Rod understands the changing ecology of the Yellowstone Ecosystem and enjoys sharing his passion for this area with others.
Specialties: Natural Sciences, wildlife, avid outdoorsman
sandy ballou
Sandy Ballou has led an exciting life of various professions, grounded by his respect and belief in agriculture and the benefits of an outdoor lifestyle. Growing up horseback, Sandy incorporated his love of the outdoors in every step of life. While attending college, Sandy would leave for Wyoming the day school got out every year to work as a seasonal guide and packer for the R Lazy S Ranch in Jackson Hole. Northwestern Wyoming was calling and eventually Sandy was able to move back. His love of Yellowstone and the surrounding area found its way to guiding for Grub Steak Expeditions, where he can share his knowledge and experiences with guests.
mike stewart
Mike Stewart, managed public land resources in Wyoming and throughout much of the west for 30 plus years. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Rangeland Management from the University of California at Chico and retired in Cody from the Bureau of Land Management in 2015. Mike has a broad range of experience working with wildlife habitats, wild horses, livestock grazing, recreation opportunities and mineral development to name a few. These experiences have developed a deep love and unique understanding of Wyoming and it’s treasure trove of natural resources. Mike is a passionate advocate for public lands and enjoys sharing his broad background, experiences and knowledge with others.
Specialties: Natural Resource Science and Management, Wildlife and Outdoor sports
lisa peterman
Originally from Ohio, Lisa has lived in Wyoming for 36+ years and is Executive Director of a local non-profit. Once she got to Wyoming and saw Yellowstone for the first time, she vowed to live as close as possible to the Park. Lisa now lives 30 miles from the East Gate in the beautiful Wapiti Valley. She Says “Yellowstone is her happy place!” Lisa has shared her love of this area with her daughter and grandson. Lisa and her husband Robert love to spoil their grandson and their two dogs an Alaskan Malamute named “Chief Joseph of Wapiti” (Joey) and a Pomsky called Pippin. Hobbies include cooking, reading, hiking, snowshoeing, and attempts at gardening. Lisa has traveled the world extensively, but her favorite place to be is Yellowstone, where she spends most of her free time! Lisa has lived in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for 36 years, and does not take her good fortune lightly. All of us at Grub Steak Expeditions know that we hit the geographic “jack pot”. In addition to Yellowstone trainings, Lisa feels the best way to keep updated on Yellowstone is to go there…a lot. She takes her family (especially her grandson) frequently. But she also truly enjoys just going by herself and “being there” in her Park. As a frequent visitor, you tend to get to know where certain animals hang out and notice changes to various geothermic features. Lisa simply can’t get enough of the wonders of Wyoming and loves sharing it with others. She imparts her love of Yellowstone to everyone she meets!
Clint Dawson
Bio Coming Soon!
GRETCHEN HURLEY
Since graduating from the University of Wyoming, Gretchen Hurley has worked as an environmental scientist and geologist for the past 44 years. She began her career in the oil field working throughout the Rocky Mountain West. Since 2004, she has worked full time for the Bureau of Land Management as a Geologist, managing the solid minerals, abandoned mine lands, and paleontology programs for the Cody Field Office. She loves working with people of all ages to promote a love of Yellowstone, nature, and appreciation for the outdoors.
Guide q&a
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How do you tailor your commentary and tours to accommodate what your groups want to experience?
I’ve had Forty years of watching the Yellowstone ecosystem change. I love describing how the big events, such as the 1988 fires or wolf “reintroduction”, have shaped Yellowstone on so many different levels. But my best moments, and the most fun, is when we’re watching critters and they disappear into the woods. Everyone leaves and my guests want more, so I tell them I think I know where they’re going. We head over and in a few minutes the critters pop out of the woods, and we have it all to ourselves. Love days like that!
-Rodney Tripp
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Guide Lisa Peterman's Favorite things to do in Yellowstone:
1) See my grandson take the Yellowstone Pledge as he gets his Jr. Ranger Badge
2) See grizzly bear, wolves, bison, moose, swans, beavers, river otter (in that order)
3) Sit at Lake Hotel and listen to the grand piano or string quartet play, having a cocktail, waiting to go in to dinner.
4) Picnic at Bay Bridge Marina
5) Read at Sylvan Lake
6) Any short hike
7) Seeing Old Faithful erupt from the balcony at Old Faithful Lodge (gets me every time)
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What makes the Yellowstone region truly special?
Yellostone’s geothermal features along make this region special. The landscapes, geologic features, and waterfalls also make this area special. Viewing the wildlife is just as it was when Lewis and Clark came up the Missouri Rive in the early 1800’s. All these things combined, it’s like no other place on earth!!
-Rod Tripp
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What inspired you to become a guide in the Yellowstone region, and how has your background shaped your approach to leading expeditions?
Yellowstone is my “happy place”. I tease tourists that if it seems I am driving fast to get there and then driving back to Cody slowly, it’s because I never want to leave my Park. I grew up in Findlay Ohio taking family vacations either to northern Michigan or through the south and to Florida. We never went east or west. Once I traveled to Wyoming to visit family who had moved here, I thought; “Why am I not living here?”. In short order, I became a Wyomingite and have never looked back.
-Lisa Peterman
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How do you stay updated on the latest information about the area, wildlife, and any changes in the ecosystem?
Visiting the park as often as possible keeps me abreast of current conditions, the comings and goings of critters, and changes that are occurring in the long term. Talking with other biologists and ecologists, rangers, and locals while in the park provides information that you will not find in any tour guidebook. I know stories and management practices that are not available to the public. It seems every visit to the park you learn something new. The park also provides annual training that keeps you abreast of the most recent scientific work occurring in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
-Rod Tripp
