Grand Teton National Park

The Teton Mountains

Grand Teton

Driving from Yellowstone South to Grand Teton National Park, we were unprepared for the dramatic views of the Teton Range coming into view. As we drove into the park, the view was even more beautiful as the mountains appeared behind Jackson Lake. Grand Teton, at 13,775 feet, is the highest point of the 40 mile long Teton Range, and the second highest peak in Wyoming. The mountain is entirely within the Snake River drainage basin, which is feed by the several local creeks and the mountain’s glaciers. Grand Teton’s name is surrounded by controversy. It was first recorded as Mount Hayden in 1870 and then named by either a French-Canadian / Iroquois expedition as “large breast” (in French) or named after the Teton Sioux tribe of Native Americans. The snow-capped spiky mountains are visible from all areas of the park including the valley (Jackson Hole) and provide breathtaking views.

Exploring the Park
Jenny Lake

Jenny Lake

We stayed in Coulter Bay Campground which we used as a base for touring and trying to capture the beauty of the Park. Of note were: Jenny Lake; a tortuous climb up to the top of Signal Mountain for views across the valley and back to Jackson Lake; Snake River Overlook, site of Ansel Adams famous photograph from 1942, and many views over Jackson Hole with the Tetons as a backdrop.

As a rare treat, we spent an evening dining at Jackson Lodge where we had a spectacular view and a fun waitress from Jamaica. It seems that so many ‘interns’ are from other countries, making their way through the summer months by working the national parks. Adrianna had an amazing head of hair, which Cheryl fell in love with, dyed purple in part. Not that Cheryl is going to start her hair off in dreadlocks anytime soon. At the lodge, everything had a moose or bear theme (see below).

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Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon
Grand Teton from Canyon Trail

Grand Teton from Cascade Canyon Trail

From Cheryl: The Grand Teton has a razor’s edge. But then all of the mountain range is nothing but sharp edges. The glaciers and snow caps in the middle of summer are impressive. One day, I had organized a surprise for Colin. I booked a boat ride for him across Jenny Lake to the trailhead accessing the Cascade Canyon trail, rising up the side of Grand Teton, for a photo and hike opportunity. After seeing Colin off early the next morning, I spent it mostly worrying that I had made a mistake given all the bear warnings about hiking alone in this area. In my mind’s eye, I kept hearing the inquest questioner: Why did you encourage him to take such a risk? However, he returned safely after hiking up to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point and some way up Cascade Canyon, returning via an alternate trail back to the Lake. To ease my mind, taking advantage of the cell coverage improved by his elevation, he even sent back 2 ‘selfies’, one from Inspiration Point, the other in the returning boat. See photos below.

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Jackson, Wyoming

National Wildlife Museum

National Museum of Wildlife Art

We spent a day in Jackson, famous access point for the Jackson Hole ski areas and the Park. Colin stopped for a haircut at a barbers which was also a bar (members only bottle club) which was something different. We visited the National Museum of Wildlife Art, just out of town, which was having two exhibitions. First an Ansel Adams exhibit showing photographs he took when on a trip to explore the Teton’s with two of the Roosevelt family, and his good friend, Georgia O’Keefe. He had given each of them a photo book, and these pages were displayed with his personal notes about the photos and the circumstances that surrounded his memory of the trip. Exquisite. Secondly, of particular interest to Colin, an exhibition ‘Yellowstone Then and Now’ showing photographs taken in 1871 by William Henry Jackson alongside photos taken in 2011-2014 by Bradley Boner, attempting to reproduce the exact same view with the latest camera equipment. The museum was built of stone into the hillside and surrounded by flowers and wildlife sculptures.

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A Bison Traffic Jam

On our way home from Jackson Hole to our campground in the Teton’s, we were luck enough to be in the front of a traffic jam created by a herd of bison crossing the road.
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  • Grand Teton

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    Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

  • 8 Comments on “Grand Teton National Park”

    1. Are you sure about the dreadlocks?
      From Cheryl: No dreadlocks for me. It’d just make me look like a silly white woman. There’s nothing so sad. I’ll stick with my admiration from close and afar. We had a great time with Doug and Martha. Of course we had met Martha many more times than Doug, and it was lovely to get to know what a sweet and talented man he is. The house reconstruction and wood working detail is great. We really enjoyed getting to meet Zack and Harrison, and to see Shannon again looking so pregnant and happy! Martha treated us to a home cooked salmon meal the last evening we spent with her. She was wonderful to us, and we sent her a thank you note and an email saying so. We’ll send pictures later, or they may be in the blog!

      • What beauty. You have the advantage of being more mobile than I was during a week of skiing at Jackson Hole. My views were limited to one mountain. I envy all the beautiful and interesting sites you two have experienced. Congratulations on the professional way you are recording your travels. It will make a fascinating book that you should publish. God bless both of you and please keep the story and pictures flowing. Love, Mer and George
        From Cheryl: You are always so filled with fun and great information about where we visit and how it relates to holidays and work visits that you have taken. What fun that we have shared some of the experiences. We are so happy you are enjoying the blog and feel thrilled that you think the writing and photographs are wonderful. We will definitely keep the stories and pics coming. With love to you and Mer. We love you both. Love, Cheryl (and a snoozing Colin . . . well, he did get up at 5 this morning . . . )

    2. Looked like a good walk, Dad. What was your Net Overtaking Score? x
      From Dad: Sadly these days, I’m computing the Net Overtaken Score which was quite large. My excuse is that I am pausing to take in the scene, look for photographic opportunities. It does allow me to catch my breath. Gone are the Ben Nevis days of my youth.

      • Sadly these days, I’m computing the Net Overtaken Score which was quite large. My excuse is that I am pausing to take in the scene, look for photographic opportunities. It does allow me to catch my breath. Gone are the Ben Nevis days of my youth.

    3. Merveilleuses images d’une Nature éternelle. Un vrai voyage “initiatique”.
      From Cheryl: So glad you like the pictures! We love having you along with us!

    4. My brother’s Continental Divide hike has him in the Tetons now. Look for hikers and treat them well, they have hiked nearly 2000 miles. Love your posts, keep them coming.
      From Cheryl: We saw where he is going! Too bad we crossed paths and didn’t get to meet up! We could have taken him for dinner at least!

    5. I am so behind (and envious) of your trip. The Tetons, Yellowstone, etc. are so magnificent – and your photos just prove it once again. Keep on keeping on!!!
      From Cheryl: We’re glad you are living vicariously with us. We love that you are happy with our photos, Colin spends a lot of time making sure he has just the right picture. Sometimes 200 = 10 on the blog! At the rodeo, he took 1200! A lot of patience and a fastidious personality. Hugs to you and Chick.

    6. Jackson Hole and Coulter Campground is one of my very favorite places. Alas, we will not be going there this trip, as it will be too late in the season for Yellowstone and the Tetons. Instead, we will be heading south and west of Denver to Canyonlands, Capital Reef, Bryce, Zion and the Grande Canyon National Parks. We leave in 10 days! Can hardly wait..
      From Cheryl: We’re so happy that we have those places in common as loves. We are so lucky to have seen them and experienced the jaw dropping beauty of those places. Have a terrific trip and keep in touch!

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