Grand Teton National Park - An Enjoyable Five Days

It was only a 127 mile drive from Yellowstone National Park to Grand Teton National Park which was created in 1929 but only protected the Teton Range.   In 1950 the park grew to its current size when land protecting the valley floor donated by John D. Rockefeller Jr. was added.  The Tetons are the youngest mountains in the Rockies and were shaped by glaciers that rise over 7,000 feet above the valley floor.  They completely dominate the skyline because there are no foothills to mar the view, and they are are one of the most photographed vistas in the national park system.  We stayed in the park at Colter Bay Campground and RV Park, a large wooded area with large sites and the smell of pine in the air.

Seeing the gorgeous Teton Mountains reminded us of their beauty and how much we love them.  After enjoying a lunch of sandwiches in the trailer, we sat outside in the sunshine enjoying the fresh air and reading among the trees.  After our hectic pace at Yellowstone (driving and hiking) the last two days of R & R have been enjoyable.  We can feel the difference between older and younger bodies. 

Early Recliner

Our first day of sightseeing we took almost every side-road between Colter Bay and Jackson’s Airport, taking 7.5 hours to do it.  Our first stop was the Jackson Lake Lodge, walked up to the second floor and out onto the patio where there is the most gorgeous view of the Teton Mountains.  There we saw different views of the breath-taking mountains and glaciers.

Our next stop was Menor’s Ferry Historic District which we remember seeing on a previous trip, but we luckily got in on a ranger speaking about the history.  The tour took us through the buildings he built.  We saw his one-room white-washed cabin (sitting room/bedroom); the 1895 addition for storage of goods and kitchen; the 1905 west addition of the general store; the ferry he constructed which became a vital crossing for the early settlers of Jackson Hole.  The area was so isolated by the surrounding mountains and had such a harsh climate that it was one of the last areas of the lower 48 states to be settled.  In dry months the river could be forded safely in several locations, but during periods of high water even the most reliable fords were impassable.  After 1894 Menor’s Ferry became the main crossing in the central part of Jackson Hole.  Residents crossed on the ferry to hunt, gather berries and mushrooms, and cut timber at the foot of the mountains.  Bill built the original ferry and cableworks.  The ferry and cableworks are replicas.  The ferry is a simple platform set on two pontoons.  The cable system keeps the ferry from going downstream, but lets it move sideways.  By turning the pilot wheel, the rope is tightened and points the pontoons toward the opposite bank.  The pressure of the current against the pontoons pushes the ferry across the river.  This type of ferry existed in Egypt in ancient times.  The charge was 50 cents for a wagon and team, 25 cents for a rider and horse, and pedestrians rode free.

Ben, the Ranger who gave us this tour was extremely knowledgeable and gave us all the info above!  He then gave a ferry ride to those who wanted it.  Judy stayed on land to take pictures of the crossing of the Snake River.  Mike rode it across the river and back.

We then visited The Chapel of the Transfiguration which served for summer services attended by local residents and numerous guests at surrounding dude ranches.  It was built in 1925 of lodgepole pine, with pews of quaking aspen, cut in the valley.  The chapel is presently owned and operated by St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jackson and it remains a house of worship today.  The view facing those looking at the pulpit is a view that would increase attendance in many houses of prayer.  Through the plate glass window above the altar one sees the beautiful Teton Mountains. 

 Chapel of the Transfiguration

 Chapel of the Transfiguration

 Chapel of the Transfiguration

The next day another scene greeted us.  The clouds were extremely low and hid much of the mountains, which put a dramatic look to them.  Gorgeous, spectacular, amazing, beautiful, etc., etc., etc.

The next day was an eight-hour day away from the trailer.  It was 52º when we left. Then on to Jackson to window shop and check out their local brewery, Snake River Brewery.  It started raining lightly and then came down pretty hard.  We even saw lightening and heard thunder.  Thank goodness we were wearing jackets because it was chilly;

Jackson's Moose Antler Arch in the Square

Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

 

                                                                       Bison on the Run

It rained during the night and till mid-afternoon our last day.  When leaving this morning to see Jenny Lake Lodge and the Lake it was grey and sprinkled on and off.  We drove a short distance and passed three Park Rangers walking by the side of the road, each carrying a rifle in front of them.  We thought they were probably after a bear someone had spotted in the area.  A few miles further down the road we were stuck in a very long line of traffic.  Finally we could see flashing lights and two Rangers stopping and talking with the people in each vehicle.  When it was our turn, we found out the problem.  The Ranger asked if we had picked up a hitchhiker, to which we answered that we hadn’t.  He then told us not to!  (something new?)  When asked if there was someone who was being searched for, he said, “Yes” and they had many teams out in the park, explaining what we had seen previously. 

We stopped to see Signal Mountain Lodge.  The lodge looked nice, and had a great view, with a marina right there.  Their bar/grill was full of yummy-smelling fragrances, but we weren’t hungry.  The clouds today were not anywhere near as beautiful as yesterday, but did a good job of hiding a lot of the mountains.

Glad we got our pictures yesterday and the days before.

Colter Bay Visitor Center was our last stop where we saw a very nice exhibit of Indian artifacts.