Tag Archives: Grand Tetons

Finding Inspiration in the Grand Tetons

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A Very Friendly Chipmunk

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Incredible Vantage Point returning from Inspiration Point

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Inspiration Point Hike

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Gorgeous views of Jenny lake from Inspiration Point

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The Shuttle Stop

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Hidden Falls

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A Chipmunk Waiting for Snacks

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A Magpie

Waking Up to the Beauty of the Grand Tetons

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Having arrived in Jackson around midnight, I missed the opportunity to experience the extraordinary splendor of the Grand Tetons.   I was so excited to begin exploring the ethereal beauty of this national park and wildly anticipated the journey that was ahead of me over the next couple of days.

Entering the park from the south, the first glimpse of the magical peaks were spectacular.  With scenery as gorgeous as this, I knew I was about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

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Within minutes of my drive, a herd of elk crossed the road, hardly noticing the cars coming to a stop.   The eloquence in their gait was one of careless grace as they reached the grassy knoll on the opposite side.  The bull, imperiously leading his harem of does, stood out among the pack with his eight point rack identifying him as the leader of this domain.

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My plan for the day was to drive as far north of the park as possible and backtrack through the Grand Tetons before heading east towards home.  My first stop on this agenda was Colter Bay where I would hike the short trail near the marina.

Strolling the serene path I realized that, regardless of where I am, the Grand Tetons are a central fixture within the park.  Robust and dominating the skyline, their snowy peaks are a welcome site.  I could not resist the gorgeous backdrop against the beautiful sailboats anchored in the cove.

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The weather was perfect for hiking the Lakeshore Trail.  The trailhead, originating at the marina, was a 45-minute figure eight path.  I strolled along the beach and crossed over the causeway which led to an island on the other side.

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The trek took an unexpected shift  through the woods where fir trees lined the path on each side.  The shadows from the morning light  offered protection from the sun and there was a momentary coolness to the air.

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I completed the hike and after standing in awe of the marina, began my trek towards Jenny Lake.  I was so excited to board the ferry to explore Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls.  Reaching the southern part of the lake, I was just in time for the water taxi which runs every fifteen minutes.  The round trip fare was $18 and well worth the serene trek across the water.  The ferry arrived on the west side of Jenny Lake and drops visitors off at Cascade Canyon trailhead.

The afternoon was spectacular spent hiking, but I had only a short time to visit Mormon Row and the Snake River Lookout.  With a half a day ahead of me, I had so much more to explore and I felt I was just getting started.

Have you visited the Grand Tetons?  What were some of your activities during your stay?  I would love to hear about your adventure if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading my post about the Grand Tetons and I hope you stick around to check out my next post about this fabulous location!  Happy Travels!

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.

What to Read:

  • Where the Water Goes, by David Owen
  • Great Alone, by Kristin Hannah
  • Where the Forest Meets the Stars, by Glendy Vanderah
  • Journey, by James A. Michener
  • The Cocktail Hour in Jackson Hole, by Donald Hough

Photo Guide for The Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole:

  • Oxbow Bend
  • Schwabacher Landing
  • Mormon Row
  • Snake River Overlook
  • String Lake Roadway
  • Willow Flats Overlook
  • Elk Ranch Flats Turnout

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Grand Tetons: Mormon Row, Snake River and Jackson Hole

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Heading north towards the Snake River Overlook, I had several places I wanted to visit along the way, starting with the Chapel of the Transfiguration.  This small church, sitting at the base of the Grand Tetons, draws visitors with its beautiful views.  From the window behind the altar, a picturesque scene provides an unobstructed panorama of the Grand Tetons.   I imagine I would have been distracted by this picturesque scene while attending church here, but then again, it would always be a reminder of God’s beautiful creation.

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Located in the park’s Moose area, the Chapel of the Transfiguration is an Episcopal Church located just inside of the South Entrance.  Erected in 1925, this congregation an active community providing services for both Episcopalians as well as Eucharists during the summer season.

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Traveling north, I found a short detour that led me to Mormon Row.  During the summer months, this area is one of the best places to see bison and small herds of pronghorn antelope.   It is the perfect backdrop for photographing the farm structures that were once home to Mormon settlers in the early 1900s.

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At the last minute, I decided to take the one-mile gravel road to Lower Schwabacher Landing, once used as a starting point for rafting trips.  Here, artists once painted some of the most familiar sites of the Teton Range and remains a perfect picnic spot to enjoy the view of the peaks.

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I finally reached my afternoon destination. Made famous by world-renowned,  photographer, Ansel Adams, the view of Snake River is spectacular.  I can clearly see why  photographing the overlook has become an obsession for photographers.   I spent a few moments imagining myself as an early explorer, witnessing this view for the first time, but needed to start making my way towards Rendevous Mountain at Jackson Hole.

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Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is more popular with skiers during the wintertime, but during the summer a gondola ride up to Rendezvous Mountain is irresistible. The Bridger Gondola provides breathtaking views of the resort below taking only 9 minutes to reach a climb of over 9,000 feet.

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The gentle hum of the gondola is therapeutic as the climb continues upwards affording unobstructed sights of Teton Village below.  Open only from 4:30PM to 9PM during off-season hours, there is a snack shop and restaurant for taking in the views.    It is a perfect time to reflect on all that I experienced here in Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone.  I am already looking forward to a future visit where I have promised myself to hike more, explore more and make it another trip to remember.

What are some of your most memorable visits to Grand Teton?  What would you add to your itinerary on your next visit?  I would love to hear about your adventure if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading about my adventure to Grand Tetons National Park!  Wishing you many Happy Travels!

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.

Chapel of the Transfiguration
Grand Teton National Park
Chapel of the Transfiguration Road
Moose, Wyoming  83001
Telephone:  307 733 2603

  • Admission Fee:  Free
  • Hours:  Besides the church services, the hours of operation are not posted.  I arrived at 9AM during the weekday and it was unlocked.
  • Scenic View:   Gorgeous view of the Grand Tetons from the large picture window
  • Length of Time to Spend Here:  Less than an hour.
  • Tips for Your Visit:  The Chapel of the Transfiguration is an active congregation and church services are offered on Sundays at 8AM and 10PM during the summer season. The church played a major role in the movie, Spencer’s Mountain, featuring Henry Fonda and Maureen O’Hara.

Mormon Row
Grand Teton National Park
Located outside of Moose Junction
Moose, Wyoming  83001

Lower Schwabacher Landing
Grand Teton National Park
Moose, Wyoming  83001

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Tram Address:
3265 West Village Drive
Teton Village, Wyoming  83025
Telephone:  307 733 2292

  • Admission Fee:  Free; Additional charge for tram tickets ($35 for round trip access; $84 to ride all summer)
  • Hours:  Open daily from 9 – 5; Refer to the website for winter/ski hours
  • Amenities:  Tram/Lift tickets, Grand Adventure Pass, Bike Rentals, Paragliding, Kids Summer Camps, Daycare, Lodging, Spa, Vacation Rentals, Restaurant (at the base of the mountain and at the top). Great for hiking, biking and skiing!
  • Scenic View:   Gorgeous view of the Grand Tetons and the surrounding area from the top of the lift
  • Length of Time to Spend Here:  Varies depending on activities
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Tram/Lift tickets are free after 5PM.  Be prepared for the elevation as it may cause some shortness of breath.   Some shops and restaurants at the top of the lift close at 5, but there are restaurants at the base of the resort as well.  Piste was opened until 9PM during the summer.

Note:  The information I have provided does not include the winter season as I visited during the summer.  Visit the resort’s website for more information regarding ski packages, etc.  https://www.jacksonhole.com/

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.

For more information about Grand Teton National Park, visit the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm.

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Preparing for Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons and the Sites In Between

I have been counting down the days until my vacation out west!

I picked up the rental car (Alamo Car Rental) from Dayton International airport in the evening so I could leave Ohio early in the morning.   Through the website carrentals.com, I found a midsize car, unlimited mileage for only $141.40 for 9 days.  When I arrived at the rental counter,  I was provided a Volkswagen Jetta for my trip, roomy and  extremely comfortable.

With plans to depart at 5AM, I will be settling in early for the night.  The first stop on my agenda will be Sioux Falls, South Dakota and I am hoping to reach this point before sundown.  I am prepared for the long day because the excitement and adrenaline overcome any thought of the dread of a long drive.  Besides, I will be exploring some of the most beautiful parks in the United States.

In preparation for my trip I used the following resources

  • Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks, A Lonely Planet Guide
  • Fodor’s Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks
  • Yellowstone in Photographs, by George Wuerther
  • Moon Handbooks Yellowstone & Grand Teton

My itinerary for the first couple of days consists of the following places to visit, but I am prepared to make any necessary changes should I decide to add or subtract items on my list.

I have the next few days packed with activities and attractions, but I am totally ready and can’t wait to see what an amazing adventure lies ahead.

If you have any suggestions for places to visit while I take on this expedition, please let me know. I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.