Day 14 - Grand Teton
We started from the Moran entrance, and decided to take the clockwise route (vs the counter clockwise route advised in the official booklet, hoping we might avoid some traffic.) Apparently the south entrance from Jackson can be quite crowded. We breezed in about 7:30, and started our tour heading south toward Moose Junction. We had heard that Antelope Road had a high likelihood of animals, but we saw naught. We did pull into Blacktail Ponds Overlook to get a view of the Snake River valley, and we saw at least three moose in the distance. The birds there were amazing once the noisy tour group near us packed back into their mini vans and left. Owen was thrilled to learn that the second highest peak in the range was Mount Owen!
We headed toward Jenny Lake and stopped at Dornan's chuck wagon for a quick and delicious breakfast. We were debating about heading to either String Lake or Jenny Lake, which we had heard was potentially overcrowded, but since we were early, we thought we'd try Jenny. We got about the second to last parking space around 9 am. We packed up, checked in at the ranger station for 'Junior Ranger' packs for the kiddos, and decided to do the hike to Moose Ponds, and then onto the trail around the lake where we could pick up the ferry to come back. We believed this to be about 2-3 miles.
We began our trek, and were thrilled to get word that there were several moose at the pond. We made our way quickly and were rewarded. She was munching on something underwater, so she'd plunge her whole head into the lake and then come up for air. Apparently moose are great swimmers and can dive 18 feet underwater to get food, and hold their breath for up to a minute. Who knew?
Be warned - the trail map they hand out at the ranger station is not very accurate. Though it appears to be a flat stroll, the trip around the lake includes a lot of elevation change, and can be a bit technical around some rock slide areas. Plus, it's about 2 miles longer than it appears. That said, we really enjoyed the hike, other than Mackay complaining most of the way. The Hidden Falls trail, and the trail to Inspiration Point were closed due to a threatening rock slide, but we were able to see the breathtaking river after the falls. I don't think I've ever seen such a powerful flow of water!
We finally made it to the ferry, and took the quick trip across the lake back to the main area. After lunch, we rented canoes for a quick paddle on the lake.
The kids were brave enough to take a quick swim in the chilly water, and we paddled back to the docks.
To get their Junior Rangers badges, the kids had some more research to do, so we drove back to the Colter Bay visitor center to complete their activities. The rangers were wonderful, and Mackay and Owen were proudly sworn in, promising to protect Grand Teton and all of nature 'for ever and ever and ever.'
A quick stop in to the restaurant for more pizza and a reprise of the beet salad, and we were on our way back to Dubois.
We headed toward Jenny Lake and stopped at Dornan's chuck wagon for a quick and delicious breakfast. We were debating about heading to either String Lake or Jenny Lake, which we had heard was potentially overcrowded, but since we were early, we thought we'd try Jenny. We got about the second to last parking space around 9 am. We packed up, checked in at the ranger station for 'Junior Ranger' packs for the kiddos, and decided to do the hike to Moose Ponds, and then onto the trail around the lake where we could pick up the ferry to come back. We believed this to be about 2-3 miles.
We began our trek, and were thrilled to get word that there were several moose at the pond. We made our way quickly and were rewarded. She was munching on something underwater, so she'd plunge her whole head into the lake and then come up for air. Apparently moose are great swimmers and can dive 18 feet underwater to get food, and hold their breath for up to a minute. Who knew?
Be warned - the trail map they hand out at the ranger station is not very accurate. Though it appears to be a flat stroll, the trip around the lake includes a lot of elevation change, and can be a bit technical around some rock slide areas. Plus, it's about 2 miles longer than it appears. That said, we really enjoyed the hike, other than Mackay complaining most of the way. The Hidden Falls trail, and the trail to Inspiration Point were closed due to a threatening rock slide, but we were able to see the breathtaking river after the falls. I don't think I've ever seen such a powerful flow of water!
 |
| Water barreling down the ravine after Hidden Falls |
The kids were brave enough to take a quick swim in the chilly water, and we paddled back to the docks.
To get their Junior Rangers badges, the kids had some more research to do, so we drove back to the Colter Bay visitor center to complete their activities. The rangers were wonderful, and Mackay and Owen were proudly sworn in, promising to protect Grand Teton and all of nature 'for ever and ever and ever.'
A quick stop in to the restaurant for more pizza and a reprise of the beet salad, and we were on our way back to Dubois.
