Back from 10 great days in Wyoming--7 in the Grand Teton and 3 in the Wind River Mountains
Aug 7th, 2003, 09:49 AM
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Back from 10 great days in Wyoming--7 in the Grand Teton and 3 in the Wind River Mountains
We had wonderful time on a 10-day return trip to our favorite national park and its environs. Before we left, we decided it would be a trip where every morning we woke up and asked each other, "What do you want to do today?" And, that's exactly what we did.
First, a couple "basics" about the trip:
1. We decided to stay in Jackson so as to give us more flexibility for dining and evening activities. (From experience, we knew that we'd have a much greater and better choice of dining options in Jackson.) We never minded the drive into the park each morning, which is beautiful. There was never any traffic the whole time.
2. Since we had already been to Yellowstone on a previous trip, we thought we'd try the Wind River Mountains area, based on what we had read. (While we loved this area, I wouldn't recommend substituting it for Yellowstone on a first-time trip.)
Now for some highlights and recommended must-sees or must-dos in the Teton.
1. Hiking--There are great hikes no matter what level you are talking about. We generally stuck to the easy ones (i.e., on level ground). Our favorites (in no particular order):
*The boat trip across Jenny Lake, then the 1.2 mile climb to Hidden Falls (magnificent) and Inspiration Point (beautiful view).
*The 2-mile walk to the above starting point. (We took the boat back.)
*The hike from String Lake to Leigh Lake.
*The hike at Colter Bay Two Oceans Lake.
(None of the above is strenuous, except that climb to Inspiration Point.)
2. Observing the bison along Antelope Flats Road. Viewing (and photographing them at close range--from inside the car!--was fascinating.) (Also, along that road are some great photo ops of the historic Moulton Barn and its surround area against the backdrop of the Teton range.)
3. Photography--Photo ops abound everywhere!
4. Dining--Our two favorites:
*Snake River Grill in Jackson. (Some might call it expensive, but not to us New Yorkers!)
*Nora's Fish Creek Inn in nearby Wilson. (Don't let the outside of the place discourage you. This wonderful "down-home" place is a big favorite with locals.)
5. A Snake River Float trip. We took an 8 a.m. trip with Barker-Ewing from Jackson. (The float trips leave from many parts of the Snake River.) Our guide was great--ask for one of Olivia's trips.
to be continued....
First, a couple "basics" about the trip:
1. We decided to stay in Jackson so as to give us more flexibility for dining and evening activities. (From experience, we knew that we'd have a much greater and better choice of dining options in Jackson.) We never minded the drive into the park each morning, which is beautiful. There was never any traffic the whole time.
2. Since we had already been to Yellowstone on a previous trip, we thought we'd try the Wind River Mountains area, based on what we had read. (While we loved this area, I wouldn't recommend substituting it for Yellowstone on a first-time trip.)
Now for some highlights and recommended must-sees or must-dos in the Teton.
1. Hiking--There are great hikes no matter what level you are talking about. We generally stuck to the easy ones (i.e., on level ground). Our favorites (in no particular order):
*The boat trip across Jenny Lake, then the 1.2 mile climb to Hidden Falls (magnificent) and Inspiration Point (beautiful view).
*The 2-mile walk to the above starting point. (We took the boat back.)
*The hike from String Lake to Leigh Lake.
*The hike at Colter Bay Two Oceans Lake.
(None of the above is strenuous, except that climb to Inspiration Point.)
2. Observing the bison along Antelope Flats Road. Viewing (and photographing them at close range--from inside the car!--was fascinating.) (Also, along that road are some great photo ops of the historic Moulton Barn and its surround area against the backdrop of the Teton range.)
3. Photography--Photo ops abound everywhere!
4. Dining--Our two favorites:
*Snake River Grill in Jackson. (Some might call it expensive, but not to us New Yorkers!)
*Nora's Fish Creek Inn in nearby Wilson. (Don't let the outside of the place discourage you. This wonderful "down-home" place is a big favorite with locals.)
5. A Snake River Float trip. We took an 8 a.m. trip with Barker-Ewing from Jackson. (The float trips leave from many parts of the Snake River.) Our guide was great--ask for one of Olivia's trips.
to be continued....
Aug 7th, 2003, 10:00 AM
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Continuing...
The weather was beautiful. The first 7 days were hot, hot, hot....abnormally high for this area--high 80s, low 90s. The locals were complaining!
One of the negatives about that hot weather was that we never saw a moose or elk the entire time. Well, we did see the antlers of one moose about 20 feet away and the heads of two other moose through our binoculars. Lots of friendly chipmunks, squirrels, marmots and picas.
The three days in the Wind River Mountains were interesting. We took one day trip and then a couple days later a 2-day overnight trip, making the complete circular route of the area.
High points:
1. The people! They could not have been nicer or more friendly. (Oh, the people in Jackson and the Teton were wonderful, as well; but in the Wind River area, we were away from tourist territory!) We ate at several little cafes that were an absolute delight and shopped in several stores, which were equally interesting and fun.
2. A hike around Springs Lake (about 10-15 miles north of Dubois). Beautiful experience.
3. Sinks Canyon in Lander, Another beautiful spot.
4. Dining at El Toro restaurant in Hudson, just outside of Lander. An incredible dining experience, where I devoured a huge T-bone steak. (My guess is that the same size steak at the famous Peter Luger Restaurant in Brooklyn would be served to two people!)
Any question?
The weather was beautiful. The first 7 days were hot, hot, hot....abnormally high for this area--high 80s, low 90s. The locals were complaining!
One of the negatives about that hot weather was that we never saw a moose or elk the entire time. Well, we did see the antlers of one moose about 20 feet away and the heads of two other moose through our binoculars. Lots of friendly chipmunks, squirrels, marmots and picas.
The three days in the Wind River Mountains were interesting. We took one day trip and then a couple days later a 2-day overnight trip, making the complete circular route of the area.
High points:
1. The people! They could not have been nicer or more friendly. (Oh, the people in Jackson and the Teton were wonderful, as well; but in the Wind River area, we were away from tourist territory!) We ate at several little cafes that were an absolute delight and shopped in several stores, which were equally interesting and fun.
2. A hike around Springs Lake (about 10-15 miles north of Dubois). Beautiful experience.
3. Sinks Canyon in Lander, Another beautiful spot.
4. Dining at El Toro restaurant in Hudson, just outside of Lander. An incredible dining experience, where I devoured a huge T-bone steak. (My guess is that the same size steak at the famous Peter Luger Restaurant in Brooklyn would be served to two people!)
Any question?
Aug 7th, 2003, 05:13 PM
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Melissa, we stayed at the Pronghorn Lodge, right in the center of town. We picked it out from the AAA book....and the price was right--only $56 with the AAA discount! We were a little nervous because it was so cheap, but it worked out fine--clean, convenient and comfortable beds (plus a refrigerator and microwave).
I forgot to mention one other highlight in the Wind River area--the restored old mining town of South Pass City.
I forgot to mention one other highlight in the Wind River area--the restored old mining town of South Pass City.
Aug 7th, 2003, 05:19 PM
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A minor correction to my original posting: In the listing of hikes, Colter Bay and Two Oceans Lake are two separate hikes.
To Lauren 25: As far as we're concerned, you've got an easy job promoting the virtues of Wyoming! Its sites/sights and its people are at the top of our list!
To Lauren 25: As far as we're concerned, you've got an easy job promoting the virtues of Wyoming! Its sites/sights and its people are at the top of our list!
Aug 8th, 2003, 05:46 AM
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We found South Pass City very interesting. That, plus nearby Atlantic City which is a "real" small (i.e., 50 residents) town, make for an interesting experience. We stopped in the general store in Atlantic City and spent a delightful half hour or so chatting with the owner of the general store/bar there.
Be aware that you have to drive on a gravel road to get to these two places. But, that was really no deterrent to us (or our rented car!).
One fascinating experience during our drive through the Wind River area was to observe the tracks still visible from the trail the covered wagons took in the pioneer days.
Be aware that you have to drive on a gravel road to get to these two places. But, that was really no deterrent to us (or our rented car!).
One fascinating experience during our drive through the Wind River area was to observe the tracks still visible from the trail the covered wagons took in the pioneer days.
Aug 8th, 2003, 07:45 AM
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A pika is a small mammal that can often be found in rocky areas above treeline. They make a very distinctive chirping sound.
http://ice.ucdavis.edu/pika/pikapage.html
http://ice.ucdavis.edu/pika/pikapage.html
Aug 10th, 2003, 06:23 PM
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Jackson is fine for getting to the Teton, but I wouldn't recommend Jackson for the Yellowstone part of your visit. It's over 50 miles to the southern entrance, I believe.
There are tons of motels in Jackson. What price range are you looking at?
Also, when are you going? Have you checked on the availability of accommodations in both parks?
There are tons of motels in Jackson. What price range are you looking at?
Also, when are you going? Have you checked on the availability of accommodations in both parks?
