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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
