Okay, after getting a guide book and reading it, I have now come up with my plan for touring Grand Teton. Unfortunately, with my schedule I will only have one day to explore Grand Teton, reserving the other time for Yellowstone and "together time" with girlfriend on conference probably within the Jackson vicinity.

So, here's the itinerary:

General idea is a clockwise tour of park.

Leave Snowking, head out of Jackson to Teton Village via Moose Wilson Rd.
Travel North to Granite Canyon Entrance Station. If there is a visitor's center ask questions there.
Take gravel road (with top up on convertible, don't want gravel hitting me in the head...). Take road up to Phelps lake. Hike up to Phelps Lake overlook.
From there head to Moose. Pay park entrance fee and visit the Moose Visitor's Center. Soak up as much knowledge as possible from park rangers.
Take Teton Park Rd North to Jenny Lake Scenic Loop. Savor and enjoy, stopping at various vista overlooks for photo shots.
Go North to Mt. Moran turnout and Potholes Turnout. Stop at both and take pics if warranted.
Take Signal Mt Rd to top, eat picnic lunch at summit
Head to Jackson Lake Dam and take pics.
North to Jackson Lake Junction, tour town if interesting.
South on 191
Stop @ Snake River Overlook, Teton Park Turnout, and Glacier View Turnout.
Return back to Moose and South on 191 back to Jackson.

How does this sound?

May I recommend two "must-photograph" scenes that are easily accessible:
1. Drive down Antelope Flats Road, which is off Route 89, 1 1/2 miles north of Moose Junction. A short ride will lead you to the historic Moulton Barn, where a photo of that building with the Teton in the background is the first must! A bonus are the bison that you'll discover there.
2. The second is a stop at the Oxbow Bend Overlook on the main road.

Thank you!

If you think you will be visiting any National Park within the next year, get a NP pass at the first park you go to. It will let you and everyone in your car in to all the parks for free for a year. I think it is about $80 and you would spend almost half of that with the two you are going to on this trip.

PS: Spending one day in the Teton is a tease. I hope this trip inspires you to return and spend more time there. For the serious amateur photographer (like me!), it's paradise!

take a look at the Gros Ventre slide if you can work it in.

Admission to Grand Teton also covers your admission to Yellowstone, so you won't need the national parks pass this trip unless you plan to visit several more parks this year.

There isn't a visitor center at the Granite Canyon entrance station, but IMO it's worth stopping at the Laurence S. Rockefeller Preserve. The rangers there can certainly answer questions.

I don't remember there being much of a town at Jackson Lake.

Do drive Antelope Flats Road - we saw moose and quite a few bison along there.

Lee Ann

HowardR,

I know, I'd prefer more time there, but this is how the cards played out this time. However, the way I look at it is I get a free hotel room with a wonderful woman and get to do some favorite things I like to do at a beautiful location, so there's no complaining here...

In other words one day in Teton is better than none...

Don't forget a little time at Oxbow Bend. Don't plan so much - you'll miss the whole point. If you see other cars stopped, take a look. They might have found a great wildlife sighting. Give yourself a bit of time to get out of the car and experience one of the most beautiful places on the planet. How about a boat ride on Jackson/Jenny Lake or a short horseback ride? Both were wonderful experiences with good guides who are quite knowledgable and you have time for one or both if you choose to. It's not as big a place as you think. It is really high on my list of favorite places.

If you are taking the south entrance to YSNP, expect construction delays. It's not a big deal and worth the beautiful drive!!

Have fun and take binoculars!!!

bkluvskola, I didn't mean to sound critical. Certainly, one day in Teton is gold.......to say nothing of the other benefits of your trip!
Christabir, you are so right about the Oxbow Bend experience. The view itself is reason enough to stop there. An animal sighting makes it all that much better.

Try this and then maybe start a new thread for recs. I haven't been in a while (8 years! Time flies!) so I don't know where the popular places are now. The towns were quaint and the coast is stunning. There are also great islands to the north.

http://nwcoast.com/washington/

Oops - wrong thread! How'd I do that!? Sorry!

We stopped to bask in the beauty of the Grand Tetons at the park alongside the road from Jackson up to YNP. It was glorious, just the two of us, looking across the lake!

By the way, an interesting site on your way out of Jackson is the National Wildlife Art Museum! This is a building set up from the road, on your LEFT, as you head north out of Jackson.

We felt that, contrary to the concept of YNP, which takes several days to fully traverse and see everything, the Tetons COULD be enjoyed in a day, just for their sheer beauty, though I gather there is more to see and do than maybe we realized.

In any event, enjoy!

So in terms of time, is my itinerary a full day, too much, or too little? If it's too little for a day what should I add in. If it's too much, what should I subtract? Remember, I need to be back to Jackson by probably around 6:30 PM or so to meet gf for dinner.

I think you'll do fine with your one-day itinerary. Just soak in the splendor of the Teton!

It's difficult to take in Grand Teton Park in one day...but you should enjoy all that you have planned. If you like, take a look at our website to see our recent trips to Grand Teton Park.
stravels.intuitwebsites.com
Have a wonderful trip!

Okay, I'm back. I found that the Grand Tetons were easily covered in a day - the main parts at least. I followed my itinerary pretty much except that I didn't start out from the Teton Village entrance. Went North straight from Jackson on Hwy 191, then took Teton Park Road and went in clockwise circle.

Highlight of the trip was the Jenny Lake. The boat ride across to the other side of the lake and then the hike to the top of Hidden Falls and then to Inspiration Point was magnificent. The weather got a little iffy on Lake Jenny, both the ride out and back it rained on the lake. Also, seeing the bison at the various stops along 191 were quite memorable as well.

Trip report will follow soon.

Appreciate hearing about your experience on Jenny Lake hike. I always tell friends if you do one thing, hike up to Inspiration Point and boat back, and it ALWAYS rains/storms on the return boat trip!

Again, nice to hear about this -- I can see the view from the top in my mind's eye...

Sounds great! How's the convertible?

Lee Ann

ElendilPickle,

I talked about it in my other post about the convertible...