This was primarily a trip to Yellowstone but this time we saved a full day for the Tetons. It was really one trip but we did enough things to offer a separate trip report and pictures.
We cruised around Hayden Valley in Yellowstone before heading south.
Not long after you get to Jackson Lake, there's a turnout with amazing
views of the lake and mountains. We usually stop there for a few
minutes to take pictures. We might have eaten lunch there but the
only picnic table was occupied.
We headed down the road and saw a sign for the Lakeview Picnic Area. We pulled in to check it out. It may be the most spectacular picnic area we've been to. Many of the tables are on the bank with amazing views of Jackson Lake and the Tetons. Definitely a nice place for lunch. No matter what you're having.
We
decided to see if we could check in early to Jackson Lake Lodge. We
stopped by and found that housekeeping was in the room but they weren't
finished. That being the case, we headed to Oxbow Bend. I'm not sure
there's a time of day it isn't beautiful. We hung
out there for a while taking too many pictures and talking to other
folks admiring the view. After a while of that we went back to the
lodge.Within a few minutes, we were able to check in. We were in a mountain view room pretty far from the
main part of the lodge. The
room was quite nice. The view was spectacular. You
could sit on the balcony and look across the field to the lake and the
mountains. There was even a reflection of the Tetons in the big
picture window. It was about all Sue could ask for in a hotel
room. Even better it was warm and we could wear shorts.We ate dinner at the bar. We found last year that they have an adequate menu and views of the mountains that rival the main dining area. We talked to a few people there before moving outside to look for wildlife through the scope. We didn't see much so we headed back to our own balcony to simply enjoy the amazing view.
We were up at 5:30 to go watch for wildlife. When we looked out
the window, there elk out front grazing with the mountains in the
background. Pretty cool way to start the day. The early
morning sun on the mountains was very pretty. Since we're up this
early, we might as well get moving. After all, we've only got one
full day and should use it.First stop was at Oxbow Bend (of course). We took two sets of pictures as the light changed. We also got to watch four elk swim across the river. Not as cool as a grizzly would be, but interesting anyway. After an endless number of pictures of Mt. Moran we headed south through the park.
We stopped at both Colter Bay Village and Signal Mountain Lodge. The cabins at Colter looked pretty nice from the outside. We didn't really see any of the any of their other facilities. Signal Mountain also looked very nice and has places right on the water. The view has to be special. We weren't planning on staying there but were curious to see what they look like. Pictures from both can be found in the day 1 album above.
We wandered south and stopped at the area by String Lake. No
special reason but wondered what was there. The lake is small but
very pretty. There's also a trail head there that will take you to
Hidden Falls. We walked it for a ways just to see it. Fairly
flat and very interesting. We saw a black marmot, a "regular"
marmot and an elk standing on the trail. The black marmot was too
quick to get a picture. We didn't hike the trail to the falls
because we were heading to the Jenny Lake Visitor's Center.
We had breakfast in the Jenny Lake parking lot. We were going to
hike a little and needed something. We took the boat ride to the
area where the trail heads are to shorten the hike some. There was
a lady on the boat with her family that asked me if I had a website.
I admitted I do hoping she had good things to say. Turns out I'd
helped her with some of her plans. Its always interesting to meet
people that have seen this site.Anyway, we started the hike to Hidden Falls. The trail goes mainly up but we didn't have
too much problem. Its rough in places due to
rocks but anyone could handle it. When you get to the falls, take
the little 100' walk to the view point. Very pretty from there.
We continued to what we called Inspired Point. Most continued to
Inspiration Point. We got inspired at a lower point, took pictures
and headed back down. The problem was that we could see most of
the trail to Inspiration Point and were too lazy/tired to fight it.
Back to the boat we went.
We
wandered around for a while taking pictures of Grand Teton before
heading south.
From Jenny Lake, we continued south to Moose Junction. We could
eat out of the ice chest or stop at
Dornan's. Guess which won.
The bison burger was good. So was the view. The shops there are
supposed to be interesting too but we didn't stop
Our second stop at Mormon Row. I can't get that close and not stop at that barn. So many possibilities for pictures there and the mountains always seem different. If we make it next year, I'm sure I'll stop again.
Our last stop was an impromptu
trip up Moose-Wilson Road. It wasn't as
narrow as billed and we saw a very small traffic jam. When we got
out (as compared to parked) we found a moose cow standing in a pond
munching on plants at the bottom of the pond. We took several pictures and
movies and headed back to the car. By now it was approaching a
real moose jam. Actually most cars (including ours) could get enough on the
shoulder to make it work OK.Nothing much going on during the trip back. We made one last stop at Oxbow Bend. Probably not a huge
surprise that we took a few
more pictures and talked to a few more people. No big wildlife
there but its still a nice place. As we got back to the lodge,
there were a bunch of people along the road. There's a moose cow
that hangs out at the pond there. She had her calf with her but
kept it mostly hidden in the willows. We took several pictures
there before heading to the room.Now its time to pack. We need to get things organized the way the airline likes. Need to get the cameras and lenses stowed away. And we need to make sure we find clean clothes for the return trip. That can be tricky after a trip like this.
We had to drive to Jackson to turn in the car at Thrifty Car Rental. If you make a trip like that in the morning, be very careful. There are elk everywhere along that road and some of them look suicidal. You really have to look for them. The experience with Thrifty was fine. We caught the 6:00 shuttle and easily made our 8:15 flight. Even had enough time to check email.
Hopefully we can get out here again some time the Tetons were fun and I could have spent a second day here.