Wyoming & Montana July 2016
We continued with our adventure in
Wyoming with four days at Grand Teton National Park. I don't think
there is a more dramatic range of mountains like this one rising from the valley
floor of Jackson Hole. We did an easy hike along the shores of
String and Leigh Lakes on the first afternoon. Once we made it past
the people swimming, canoeing, and paddleboarding the peacefulness
took over. The park was very crowded, but we expect that in
mid-summer. We just remind ourselves that it is a wonderful place
that we must share with others.
The Grand Teton Mountains
On our second morning, we made it to
the Jenny Lake parking lot very early and began a more strenuous hike
up to Inspiration Point. We met a woman hiking alone who grew up in
Woodville, TX and we ended up completing the 6-mile hike with her.
The view over Jenny Lake was beautiful – worth every mile of
hiking. On the way back to the campground, we made a side trip to
the top of Signal Mountain where we gained a panoramic view of
Jackson Hole.
Cascade Canyon Trail
Overlooking Jenny Lake from Inspiration Point
Early morning reflection in Oxbow Bend Lake
Our third day was spent exploring
areas outside of the national park, including a drive along the
Hoback River south of Jackson...very scenic. We made it down 3 miles
of gravel road to an old abandoned cabin to find a geocache...nice to
be away from the crowds.
The cabin
Back at GTNP, we joined a ranger talk at
an old historic general store. We bought a bottle of sarsaparilla
“sodie pop” that had cane sugar in it. We could drink only a
little bit at a time because it was so sweet. Later that afternoon,
we attended mass at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart. It is a log
church situated within the park boundaries, but maintained by the
parish in Jackson. We really enjoy these small churches and
worshiping with fellow travelers.
Chapel of the Sacred Heart, Grand Tetons National Park
We decided to spend a fourth night at
the Tetons campground so we could make a day trip to Yellowstone NP.
We had much trouble getting a campsite there 4 years ago and spent
only a brief day and a half and visited the more central and northern
parts of the park. This time we decided to concentrate on the Old
Faithful area. We arrived early and got a good parking place and
watched Old Faithful erupt on time, then walked around the geyser
basin for another hour or so. By 1:00 we were tired of the crowds
and headed back to GTNP.
Old Faithful
Yellowstone thermal feature
another Yellowstone feature
As we were leaving the next
morning, it was hard to see the mountains because of smoke. A
wildfire was burning in the Hoback River area where we had explored
two days prior. We are glad we drove out there when we did! Before
leaving Jackson Hole for good, we made a visit to the National Museum
of Wildlife Art.
This sculpture overlooks the National Elk Refuge, Jackson Hole
We found ourselves not far from Fossil
Butte National Monument in southwest Wyoming and found it quite
interesting. They have found fish, turtle, crocodile, lizard, plant fossils, and this guy:
The next area we explored was eastern
Idaho. This was the first time we have seen the Teton Mountains from
the west side. We drove the Teton Scenic Byway and saw the
thundering Mesa Falls in Targhee National Forest.
Upper Mesa Falls
Early morning rainbow at Upper Mesa Falls
We drove up to Salmon, Idaho after stopping at a hot springs pool maintained by the Bureau of Land Management. It was not advertised from the highway but we knew it was 5 miles down a gravel road because of a nearby geocache. Another place we would never have found if it weren't for geocaching.
Upper Mesa Falls
Early morning rainbow at Upper Mesa Falls
We drove up to Salmon, Idaho after stopping at a hot springs pool maintained by the Bureau of Land Management. It was not advertised from the highway but we knew it was 5 miles down a gravel road because of a nearby geocache. Another place we would never have found if it weren't for geocaching.
We crossed Lost Trail Pass into
Montana, following the route of Lewis and Clark. We made a visit to
Big Hole National Battlefield where the U.S. Army and a band of Nez
Perce Indians fought on the Big Hole River... a very sobering place
to visit. We continued down the Bitterroot Valley and Lolo Creek –
more history relating to Lewis and Clark.
On the way to Flathead Lake, we made a return visit to St. Ignatius Mission Church with its 100+ year old frescoes. Still an inspiring place. We visited on a Sat. and by Sunday morning we were 80 miles away so did not backtrack to attend mass there.
On the way to Flathead Lake, we made a return visit to St. Ignatius Mission Church with its 100+ year old frescoes. Still an inspiring place. We visited on a Sat. and by Sunday morning we were 80 miles away so did not backtrack to attend mass there.
Love this Madonna painting in the church!
Soon we will cross into Canada from Montana and visit several Canadian national parks in British Columbia and Alberta – places we haven't been to since 1980.
Sculpture in front of Idaho Falls Public Library:
"Where the Red Fern Grows" - author Wilson Rawls lived in Idaho Falls.
In front of a still-in-operation drive in movie theater in Driggs, Idaho
(we found the geocache there)
Our campsite below Tower Rock near Salmon, ID
Lewis and Clark camped here, too.
Osprey nest right next to our Tower Rock campsite in Idaho
We stopped for a tour of the National Forest Service Smoke Jumper Center in Missoula, MT
