That's right...
we are back to the Tetons again! It's getting to be a
regular yearly pilgrimage. And this was the year of the
wildflowers.
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While
wandering along and so deep in thought,
Amid the towering forest boughs, I felt I ought
To ponder Gods mysteries, miracles and love
And yet all my soaring heart could see above
The amazing joy I felt to be alive, to breath
In the heady scent of the pines and to believe
That all of this was created for a moment such as
this
When time stands still, and all is bliss.
Then I know that I did not ponder God, as was my
goal
But instead I touched Him and he gave me wildflowers
for my soul.
by: Ladybug
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Spring came late
to the Tetons this year. In some ways that created problems.
The Huckleberries that were so plentiful last year, were
very scarce, and Rangers feared the bears would suffer
as the berries are a big part of their diet. But what
nature lacks in some part, she makes up for in other ways.
The wildflowers carpeted the area more magnificently than
folks remember in a long time. Even as late as the first
week in August, they were breathtaking!
Mike and I set
out on a beautiful day, our destination Bear Paw Lake. Mike
wanted to try the trout fishing there again. We were all
alone this year, no kids, no grandkids, they all had their
own trips to different places at different times, so it
was just us two. It seemed we had traveled this trail so
many times that the ole boots knew the way, and as you can
see, the way led through a profusion of wildflowers, of
course.
There were the
usual rest stops along the path, a favorite being at the
Leigh Lake shore where we spent our Honeymoon back in 1970.
Here Mike is looking across the lake at Paint Brush Canyon,
where we packed with son, Matt, in the summer of '95
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over the river... |
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through the woods...... |
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... we hiked, leaving
our footprints on the
path along with others that had gone this way before us.
The first few miles
there were day-hikers, some enjoying the wonders of these
woods and mountains for their first time ever, there were
polite nods and smiles as we passed. Further up the trail
we met folk, like us, who were eager to stop a moment to
rest and exchange a story or two. Always our talk turned
to marveling at the abundance of wildflowers this year.
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Bear Paw Lake has three
designated camp sites to choose from. Whenever here
in years past, we chose the site that sits right on
the lake's edge, it being the nicest one and with
the best view of the mountains. This year, we decided
to travel around to the other side of the lake and
camp at a less desirable site because it was nearer
to the best trout fishing hole, the spot where the
water flowed into the lake from above.
On a rise just above the
lake we set up camp under a canopy of lodgepole pines
and surrounded by masses of little purple asters.
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Rain had threatened
each afternoon that week, so in preparation we hung our
tarp to create a shelter over the cooking area. There we
would have a cozy dry log to sit on when it came time to
wait out the short thunderstorm.
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We cook
on a Peak Whisper-lite... not only is it
compact and light weight, but unlike the regular
Peaks, a separate fuel canister is attached when
in use. This fuel canister can be safely drained
for the airline transport, a real necessity these
days to pass airport security.
Even though
the huckleberries were a bit scarce, Mike managed
to forage a baggy full of them for our pancakes.
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Huckleberry pancakes
make Mike is a happy camper!
Notice the jacket layering
early in the morning. In the Tetons the temperature
goes down very low at night, even in August (sometimes
below freezing), then it gradually warms as the
sun comes up. For us, this is a refreshing relief
from our hot and muggy Georgia summers.
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There were the
usual visiting wildlife,
curious to investigate the strange sounds and smells that
invade their woods. Happy to report that we saw no bears
this year. I think maybe they were too busy foraging for
the scarce berries to bother with terrorizing us this year.
All camp sites in the Teton national park provide "bear
boxes" to lock your food supplies in and high poles
to store your packs on. Black bears rove the area, and occasionally
Grizzlies have been spotted who have wandered down from
nearby Yellowstone. This deer was particularly friendly
one evening.
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Hiking back down the trail
I was mentally planning my next "altered book"
(it's a new hobby... you
can see some of my work here). Somehow I will
have to work into the design all of the pressed wildflowers
I brought home.
A few last up close glimpses
of the majestic snow-covered peaks along the way.....
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... and we were arriving
back to the trailhead parking lot.
Here's the route. It's
an easy, relaxing hike, suitable for families and
old-folk like us. The backcountry permit is free.
All you have to do is register at the Ranger Station,
sites are awarded on a first-come basis.
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This year we were
able to spend more time in the Jackson Hole area exploring
places we had only momentarily glimpsed in years past. Click
here for a few photos of in and around Jackson, Wyoming.
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
BACK
TO THE TRAILHEAD
to see more of our trips
Grand Teton
Mountains Trip
