Days 24, 25, 26 & 27-June 22-25

I have lost the ability to come up with enough words to express the wonder of all we have seen.  As we climbed higher out of Riverton we began to see the mountains and their blanket of snow.  We thought they were beautiful until the Tetons first came into view and we realized that there was nothing to compare to their grandeur.  They are nothing short of incredible.  It is like looking at a painting that a master has provided for us to enjoy.  They rise majestically above the plateau with their peaks covered in snow as they reach into the clouds.

We arrived about 6:30 p.m. and set up camp at Colter Bay which is situated on Jackson Lake.  With the mountains as its backdrop the lake provides boaters with amazing vistas.  After looking around on Thursday morning we decided this is where we would call home for a few days while we canoed and hiked in this awesome park.

With stunning scenery everywhere we looked we launched our canoe into String Lake and had a pleasant journey to the northern end of the lake where we portaged into Leigh Lake.  They are connected by a series of rapids that require a take out to bypass.  Leigh Lake is a much larger lake and if the wind had not picked up the reflection of the mountains on the water would have been awesome.  Unfortunately the wind has a tendency to blow every time we go for a canoe trip.  We circled an island and then proceeded up the coastline arriving at a primitive camp site where we shared a nice picnic lunch and stretched our legs before heading back to the take out point.  Back on String Lake we continued along the western shore. After loading up we were off again to see the sights.  There is a loop road that provides amazing views of Jenny Lake giving me many more photo opportunities before heading back to camp.

Friday morning we planned another canoe trip on Two Oceans Lake.  On our way to the road leading to the lake a black bear crossed the road in front of us.  This was a monumental experience because as you drive along the roads in the park it is always quite evident when there has been a bear sighting because there will be cars parked everywhere and people crowding together with huge camera lenses patiently waiting for a glimpse.  All it takes is one person to think they see a bear and there is an instantaneous surge of humanity parked along the roadside. 

We had a very nice drive on a dirt road through the national forest but we did discover that the road going to Two Oceans Lake was closed so we had to change our plans for the day.  There is quite a bit of flooding in this area just as there has been in many of the other areas we have visited this summer.  According to a notice posted in the Visitor Center the Tetons received 737 inches of snow this past winter which is now melting and the rivers and streams are not able to contain the runoff within their banks.  Instead of canoeing we made the scenic trip down to Jackson.  This is a very nice tourist oriented town that provides all the necessities of life.  We made a trip to the grocery store to pick up a few more items in preparation for the arrival of the Rouliers.  As we will be roughing it again next week while in Yellowstone another battery was a must.  Taking in a small dose of the local folklore we took a tour of the town square which boasts rather unique entrances on all four corners.  The arches are made of Elk antlers that have been picked up from the nearby Elk Refuge.  Since the arches are complete the Boy Scouts in the area now gather antlers each spring and the city conducts an auction to raise funds for local needs.  On our way out of town we couldn’t resist a stop at the DQ to indulge in one of our favorite treats.  I have to state that the Jackson, WY Dairy Queen has the best chocolate dip cone I have ever had! 
As we traveled back into the park we came upon the inevitable back up of vehicles that signal another wildlife spotting. As this one turned out to be a bull moose I couldn’t resist joining the pack.  The days are longer here than in the south so Jess and I still had time for a canoe trip around some of the islands near the marina at Jackson Lake.  I have discovered that canoeing can be a real challenge in the west because no matter how calm it is when we start out the wind will get quite strong before we make it back to shore.

Two Oceans Lake calls us even if we can’t get there by truck.  Saturday morning arrived sunny and cool so we decided we would hike to the lake to see what we were missing.  It was well worth the trip as we trekked across high mountain valleys with Aspen groves that shimmered in the breeze. First we enjoyed a lofty view of Emma Matilda Lake before we veered north to Two Oceans Lake.  The lake receives its name from the fact that it straddles the Continental Divide thus water here finds its way to the Pacific and the Atlantic.  Other than some Gray Jays that wanted to share our picnic lunch with us we were disappointed that we didn’t see any wildlife on our hike.  I guess they are all on the sides of the road.

The mountain range that we crossed before reaching Grand Teton NP.

Our campsite at Colter Bay.

The stately Tetons!

Simply incredible!

Mt. Moran from Leigh Lake.

A short rest before challenging the wind.

The rapids that must be portaged between the lakes.



Picture perfesct scenery in every direction.



Jenny Lake

One of the elk antler arches in Jackson, WY.

There are cowboys everywhere in the west.

I think the wildlife draw straws to see who's turn it is to excite the tourists.

Wild flowers add to the splendor.

The view of Emma Matilda Lake.

A gray jay hoping for a snack.

The flooding on Pacific Creek before it empties into the Snake River.