Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is one of the most majestic national parks I've ever been to. Located in Wyoming, Grand Teton is often overshadowed by it's larger neighbor to the north, Yellowstone National Park. Home to the Teton Range, the park is open year-round (with only certain areas open in the winter) with snowmobiling and cross country skiing in the winter and float trips, hiking, wildlife viewing, mountaineering, biking, ranger programs and scenic drives available in the summer. 












We started our day at Grand Teton at Jenny Lake taking a boat across the lake to hike the trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Jenny Lake Boating provides shuttle service across the lake for $15 round trip per adult. (Follow the "boat dock" signs from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center) Jenny Lake boating also offers one hour scenic cruises.






The ferry takes about 15 minutes and you arrive at Cascade Canyon to start your hike to Hidden Falls (1/2 mile one way) and then Inspiration Point (1/2 mile past Hidden Falls) The path is steep so you may want to stop a few times to take photos. First you will cross Cascade Creek...











Then you will arrive at Hidden Falls.




Keep hiking and you will see some divine views of Jenny Lake.






On a side note - When you arrive to the ferry dock, there is a board listing bear sightings. There hadn't been any that day but I wasn't taking any chances. When my oldest daughter and I hiked back down, I started singing and clapping and being loud to scare away any bears - or at least, not surprise any! - and she thought I was being silly (and embarrassing her). When we got back, the board listed a new sighting on that exact trail right before we were there. Ha! Mother's intuition?




We took the ferry back across the lake. And we were off to our next adventure in Grand Teton - floating the Snake River. 




My only regret about our time at Grand Teton is that it wasn't nearly long enough. We only had a day - and the park is so incredibly beautiful that I easily could've spend 3 days or even a week there. But then there's just never enough time, is there?


This post is part of a link-up with: Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, Weekend Wanderlust at A Brit and A Southerner, The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond and Weekend Travel Inspiration at Reflections Enroute!













Comments

  1. Cascade Canyon was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. I hope to get back there someday. Nancy N

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    1. I agree, Nancy! My visit was way too short - I scheduled plenty of time for Yellowstone but I didn't realize all that Teton had to offer. Thanks for reading The Unpaved Road!

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  2. I've not read about Grand Teton before. America seems to be full of such grand places. Water always pleases me and mountains so I'm sure I would love this park. Bears are one thing we don't have to worry about in Australia. We've seen some in Canada and they were amazing creatures, but I'd not like to run into one on a path.

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    1. I agree Jan - I seem to be drawn to the water and if there's mountains with it, it makes it all the better. And thank goodness, no bear surprises! Thanks for visiting!

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  3. It was great to read your post and see your photos. I got my National Park Annual Pass three weeks ago. I am super excited. We went to Sequoia National Park two weeks ago and while hiking to a waterfall we heard a strange noise two times. We hurried up along that part trying to find other people on the trail. Like you, I was told in the cafeteria that people saw bears on the trail earlier.

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    1. That was scary, Ruth! I like seeing wildlife at a distance - we saw a bear on land from a boat in Alaska and that was fun to watch it in it's habitat but remain safely away. Have fun with your national park pass! And thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Those mountains call to me to go hike them! Gorgeous area that I'd love to explore!
    #Weekendwanderlust

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    1. It is a truly stunning area! Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!

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  5. It's been so long since I haven't been there. Your post reminded me how beautiful the Grand Tetons are. Thanks for joining #TheWeeklyPostcard.

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    1. They are so beautiful! Thanks for visiting The Unpaved Road!

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  6. But - did you see a moose. The Grand Tetons are 'the' place to see moose. Even I saw one there.

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    1. We did see a moose - 2 actually - but not in this area of the park. We saw them on our float trip on the Snake River, which was also beautiful. In fact, come to think of it this is the only place I've seen a moose even though we were in areas of Maine and Wisconsin where they are prevalent. Thanks for stopping by, Lyn

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  7. I've never been to this national park. It looks awesome. The singing and clapping on the hike makes me think of that scene from the movie "The Parent Trap".

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    1. Ha Ha Rhonda - it was a little like the Parent Trap! Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. I hiked that same trail when we were at Grand Tetons last summer. There were so many people on it that the crowd noises alone probably kept away any bears. I'm glad that you described it as "steep," because my fammily was making me feel like a wimp for taking the trail so slowly. I agree that it really is a beautiful place.

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    1. I'm not sure if others would describe it as steep - but it took me a looong time (the same as hiking the Grand Canyon for me - well, what little I did of it) Such beautiful country, isn't it?

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  9. I spent my time in the Grand Tetons fighting a bout of food poisoning! I don't remember much and I certainly didn't get any photos nearly as good as your great shots!

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    1. Thanks Jim! And so sorry to hear about the food poisoning - looks like you'll have to go back someday! There is such true beauty there - and this is only one small area of the park.

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  10. Snow, mountains and lakes - yes Grand Teton National Park would work for us.

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