It seems that we just can't
get enough of these wonderful mountains... 'cause here
we are again, two summers in a row! This year we flew
directly into Jackson Hole (an adventure in itself as
the plane must be landed in a narrow valley between the
mountains. Having 10 days to enjoy, we were able to take
two pack trips and a side trip to Yellowstone. We dubbed
this the "year of the huckleberry", as the crop
was especially grand this year.
"The Huckleberry
is wilderness in your hand, a mountain summer you can
savor...high mountain breezes and crisp, sudden nights;
sweet, fast water, and fragile soil on strong slopes..."
-from The Huckleberry Book, by Asta Bowen
I took this photo
from the plane window. You can see the majestic old mountains
rising abruptly from the grassy meadow. The melting snow
from the peaks feeds into the connected lakes, then into
the Snake River. Our hiking route is shown in gold, beginning
at the Leigh Lake Trailhead, traveling along the String
Lakes, winding around the Leigh Lake, then up to Bear
Paw Lake.
On the first pack trip was hubby
Mike, myself, son Matt (now 18) and his good friend Jens.
Here we are at the trailhead. I am trying out my new Gregory
internal frame pack and I love it!
Notice the large black cans hanging
from the guy's front chest-strap. This year we decided to
carry bear-spray... perhaps a bit over-kill, but it made
us feel better after all the stories of recent attacks we
had read.
I feel somewhat like
a "pack-horse" with stuff hanging all
over me, but some things simply can't go in the
backpack.
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Our destination, Bear Paw Lake...
Mike wanted to try the fly-fishing here again this year.
The big peak you see is Mt. Moran
Each time of day affords a variety
of different colors reflecting in the surroundings. In the
previous photo, the sun has gone behind the mountains and
is casting a "pink" glow to the highest peaks,
then reflecting in the lake water. Here the early morning
sun baths the trees in a golden glow and the peaks rise
out of the morning mist.
Late afternoon... a wonderful
time to relax. We enjoyed our new Eagles Nest hammocks.
They are made of lightweight nylon micro fiber and
compress into an attached stuff-bag. You can order
one from their web site at www.eaglesnestoutfit.com
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Never a dull moment.... we had
lots of visiting wildlife. The deer would have eaten out
of our hands, but we followed the park rule not to feed
the animals.
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From our base camp,
we hiked up to an even more remote Trapper Lake.
It's towards the tree filled slope you can see
across Bear Paw Lake from our campsite. Mike fished
while I read and collected wild flowers
which I pressed between
the pages of my book.
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The boys had split off
from us on the first day and hiked way up to Paint
Brush Canyon. Matt had camped there with us back
in 1995 and wanted to try it again. Two days later,
they met up with us at Bear Paw. Matt is now hiking
in his Tevas because of blisters and is growing
a wild mountain-man beard.
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Mid-week, we returned
to town to meet our arriving daughter, son-in-law,
and grandkids who had driven over from Denver. The
we all set out once again for the backwoods. We
were forced to return to Bear Paw Lake as it was
the only backwoods permit not already taken that
day..... no problem, we like it there.
Sam decided he didn't
want to carry his little pack, so his Dad had to
strap it on his front. But Sam grows a bit more
each year and I know soon he will toting a pack
like a pro.
Cat, however, is a seasoned
hiker and carries her pack with no complaints.
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We took the hike
slow and easy with the kids (Grammy didn't mind that a bit,
as she is not getting any younger, you know!) .... and we
rested a while on the shores of Leigh Lake.
At the campsite Grandaddy
enjoys swapping stories with Sam, while Cat watches
for the returning deer visitors.
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Kristy and Gil
relax by the fire.... notice that all have changed into
the Tevas by now. And Sam uses a log foot-bridge to explore
the rocks out in the lake.
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........ and of course
there were plenty of huckleberries to enjoy!
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On Sunday morning we hiked back in, the kids had to
drive back to Denver. Mike, Matt, Jens and I drove up
to Yellowstone for the day.
Click
Here for photos at Yellowstone
On this,
His special day, the Good Lord treated us to a special
sight as we were leaving the Teton Park..... a rainbow
over the peaks, reminding us that all this He made
for our pleasure!
Then at
sundown as we returned from Yellowstone, another
treat as the clouds parted and the sun poured through
in a radiant burst of glory. How could anyone deny
the existence of God after witnessing this magnificent
place?
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Want to know more about the
Tetons? Try these links:
http://www.gorp.com/gorp/resource/US_National_Park/wy_grand.htm
http://www.nps.gov/grte
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to see more of our trips
Grand Teton
Mountains Trip
