The Tetons

Sept. 26-30, 2003

After visiting with family in California and Reno, we headed for Salt Lake City so that Nancy could spend a couple of days in the library doing genealogical research.  Then we drove north to Grand Teton National Park. Our route there took us through Logan canyon, which was really beautiful; the leaves on the deciduous trees had turned color so we saw patches of red and yellow intermixed with green. It was a beautiful drive through the canyon.

In the Tetons we managed to get one of the most beautiful campsites we have ever had. It was a pleasure to sit and look at Mt. Moran and the northern range of the Tetons while drinking our morning coffee or tea.  It was also a good place for an afternoon glass of beer or wine. The lake in front of the mountains is Jackson Lake, which is very low.
 

The Teton range from the Snake River. Grand Teton is peaking out above the timbered moraine on the left. The aspens and cottonwoods along the river are a beautiful golden color.  I had hoped there would be fresh snow on the mountains, but I'll settle for this view.  The Indian Summer weather we have been experiencing has been very nice - highs in the 60's or 70's and lows in the 30's, with clear blue skies.

Another view of the Teton range. Grand Teton is the highest peak; Mt. Moran, which we can see from our campsite, is on the right. The Snake River is in the foreground.

Moose tracks left in a cement sidewalk near Jenny Lake.

A real live cow moose and her calf.

The Cathedral Group. Teewinot is the mountain in front on the left, Grand Teton (the highest peak) is behind it, with Middle Teton to the immediate right of Grand Teton. The deep canyon to the right of the Cathedral Group is Cascade Canyon.

Jenny Lake with the Cathedral Group and Cascade Canyon behind it.

Cascade Canyon with Grand Teton towering above it. This is a popular place for day hiking. You get to the start of the hiking trails by taking a shuttle boat across Jenny Lake.

With all the mountain lakes along the front of the Teton range, we had to try out our inflatable kayak. This is  String Lake, a small and (mostly) very shallow lake, with beautiful mountain scenery as a backdrop.  The kayaking was fun, but we had some trouble making the kayak go in a straight line. Unlike the sea kayaks we used in Alaska, this one doesn't have a rudder, so steering is done with the paddles, which I didn't find as effective. A rudder is an option for this kayak, so we'll order one when we get back home.

The northern part of Jackson Lake -- oops, the lake bed. The lake is in the distance. I can recall when this lake was full and the water came all the way to where I stood to take this picture, but not this year. I have heard that, as a condition for building the dam that forms Jackson lake, there is an agreement with the state of Idaho to provide a minimum flowrate of water to the Snake River. The last few years have been drought years, so the lake has been depleted to satisfy the agreement. It seems to me that the lake is almost empty; when it is empty they won't be able to fulfill the agreement and Idaho will be in for a shock. How long will it take to refill the lake in years of normal snowfall?

The other lakes along the Teton range are not part of this agreement, so they are at their normal levels.