Jenny Lake

August 21, 2016

We were cozy under the quilt when the alarm sounded at 5:30 this morning.  Breakfast and lunch were ready for the cooler so we could get an early start.  

We arrived at the lookout at Willow Flats, grabbed the backpack and started into the sagebrush seeking a good vantage point.  Ron immediately spotted a gang of elk numbering 15-20.  Unfortunately they were just outside my camera range so the photos are rather fuzzy.  We walked toward the elk, but must have been upwind because their heads shot up, ears perked and they were quickly on the move.  The river was a long hike through sagebrush so we decided to head to Jenny Lake before the sun was too high in the sky.  

A quick stop yielded nice views of the 50-mile long Teton range with the morning light reflecting off the peaks.  

The mountains grew larger as we got closer.

When we reached Jenny Lake we realized just how massive these mountains were. 

As we set out on the Jenny Lake Trail, we passed groups who were obviously climbers with ropes draped across their bodies.  The Cascade Canyon Trail is a favorite for climbers.  We set out on a far less strenuous hike. 

This little cove provided the perfect setting for breakfast.  It was apparent that a three mile hike on a mountain trail at 7,000 ft. was far more taxing than walking at home.

Back in the car as we headed toward the National Elk Refuge, we received a call from Bob and Madeline (Betty L) whom we met in 2012 on our boat trip.  They  have been to GTNP several times and wanted to give us the low-down  on places to see. 

Since the Elk Refuge, although beautiful land, yielded no wildlife sightings we continued south to the town of Jackson.  It would be nice to be here in the winter when the elk migrate to this refuge.  It was quickly apparent that Jackson is a tourist town.  The pleasant town square had an arch at each corner—look close they are made of thousands of antlers. 

The Craig Thomas Discovery and   Visitor’s Center was a beautiful modern building with made of glass that brought the outside in with stunning views of the mountains.  One disappoint is that tickets are sold out for a movie presentation of the Great Rescue  off the North Face of Grand Teton Mountain in  1967.   Members of the rescue will be present for an open discussion. 

We found a spot to eat lunch and sit to upload photos and begin writing the daily log while impressions were fresh in our minds.

Having no cell reception at our campsite makes it difficult to blog.

We also took the time to check the update on the Berry Fire.  There are 617 acres actively burning, but no threat to visitors. 

Back to the camper to regroup with plans to seek out a dirt road in active bear country (a Bob and Madeline tip) at dusk in hopes of a sighting. 

Another big thanks goes out to Ken and Kathy for daily updates of happenings in the National Parks.  So good to have friends traveling along with us in spirit. 

To date this moose in Jackson is our only sighting.  Guess it is just not to be. 

Tomorrow we have reservations for a float trip on the Snake River in the afternoon.  Although the 6:30 a.m. trip would yield better wildlife sightings, the 40 degree temps at that hour were uninviting to us wimps!