Finding Inspiration in the Grand Tetons

14-dsc_0043a

The beauty of the Grand Tetons can hardly be explained in words.  With its tall peaks, winding rivers, waterfalls and spectacular wildlife,  I could not pass up the opportunity to visit here while making plans to explore Yellowstone National Park.

14-dsc_0049

The sunlight glistened on Jenny Lake as I prepared to ride the ferry over to the south side.  I would catch as soon as exiting the boat and venture towards Cascade Falls and Inspiration Point.  From the top, there were spectacular views of the Grand Tetons and the surrounding area.

15-dsc_0051

The wait was short and the ride most astounding.  I heard the slight humming of the boat’s engine and the stirring of the water beneath.  The fresh air was as intoxicating as the views from the small vessel that carried us across the lake.  The crags and boulders appeared intermittently between the pines and provide the most beautiful reflection.   The immense stature of the Tetons were noticeably present and grand and we arrived at our destination in a short time.

19-dsc_0061a

The moderate trail was broken in and we made our climb  through the forest and over a large stream.  Soon it was taking a more steep approach as we closed in on our final destination of Inspiration Point.  The sounds of the falls in the distance challenged us to quicken our step and as we pressed on to the glorious view that we were about to witness.

20-dsc_0061b

We sat atop of the rocks overlooking the lake as a silence fell among us.  It was a magical experience, so breathtaking that we could have stayed the afternoon taking in the scenery.  It is no doubt, inspirational.

Have you taken the ferry to Inspirational Point?  What other places did you visit at Grand Teton National Park?  I would love to hear about your travel experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!

The Jenny Lake shuttle runs every 15 minutes for a cost of $9 roundtrip.

What to See and What to Do:

Grand Teton National Park
PO Box 170
Moose, WY  83012
Telephone:  307 739 3399

  • Admission Fee:   Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry.  Private Vehicle: $35; Motorcycle:  $30 and Hiker/Biker: $20  which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc.    An annual Pass for Grand Teton National Park is $70 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. The Grand Teton National Park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass which allows access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for a cost of $80 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase.  Check out their website for more information:  https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
  • Hours:  Open daily, 24 hours;  Refer to the Grand Teton National Park website for the operating hours of the Visitor Centers.
  • Amenities:  camping, hiking, boating, skiing, biking, bird watching, climbing and mountaineering, fishing, horseback riding, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
  • Scenic View:  Scenic drives throughout the park include the Teton Park Road, Jenny Lake Scenic Drive and Signal Mountain Summit Road.
  • Length of Visit:  To maximize your visit to Grand Teton National Park one would need at least a couple of days to experience all that the park provides.
  • Tips for Your Visit:  The park is open year around, but winter time can be a challenging during snow and ice. If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate.   Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies.  When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park.  For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances.  Signal Mountain is perfect for sunsets.

Where to Stay:

Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa
3385 Cody Lane
Teton Village, WY  83025
Telephone: 307 201 6066

Where to Eat:

The Deck @ Piste
Rendezvous Mountain
Jackson Hole, Wyoming 83025
Telephone:  307 732 3177

I ordered the Southern Belle made from White Wine with Orange and Passion Fruit. In addition, I had a glass of Henry Estate Pinot Noir to accompany my House Meatballs and Fries.

23-dsc_0069

A Very Friendly Chipmunk

24-dsc_0070b

Incredible Vantage Point returning from Inspiration Point

25-dsc_0073

Inspiration Point Hike

dsc_0046

Gorgeous views of Jenny lake from Inspiration Point

dsc_0054a

The Shuttle Stop

dsc_0062a

Hidden Falls

dsc_0071

A Chipmunk Waiting for Snacks

130-dsc_0039

A Magpie

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *