The Tetons
July 11-25, 2013







We are spending a couple of weeks in one of our favorite national parks, Grand Teton National Park. The mountains rise straight up from Jackson Hole (the valley at about 6800 ft) without any foothills obscuring the mountain view. This is Jackson Lake with the Tetons in the background. Grand Teton, which is on the left, is the highest at 13,770 ft. Mt.Moran, which is partially obscured by clouds on the right, is actually about a thousand feet lower, although it looks higher from this viewpoint.








This is the Cathedral Group, since they look like cathedral spires. Grand Teton in the middle, Teewinot is on the left, and Mt. Moran is on the right. The deep canyon you see is Cascade Canyon, which we backpacked through years ago.









Jenny Lake, which lies at the foot of Cascade Canyon, is a real jewel. Nancy and I kayaked around the lake this year; it is a long paddle, about 3 1/2 hours. But the scenery is gorgeous.








We took a boat ride across Jenny Lake and hiked up Cascade Canyon to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point (we call it Perspiration Point because of the elevation change). This is probably the most popular hike in the park, as can be seen by the crowds on the trail.










The Tetons are well known as a place for challenging mountain climbing. A climbing school at Jenny Lake takes people out for classes in rock climbing, which is what you see here.









Another view of the Tetons with the Snake River in the foreground. This photo was my attempt at getting the same photo as one taken from this spot by Ansel Adams about 70 years ago. My photo is not anywhere as dramatic as his, but it was fun to try.








Kayaking on Leigh Lake, with Mt. Moran on the right. That is Nancy hiding from the sun under all that clothing.








The park was hosting a "Plein Air" session, where a group of artists were painting different Teton scenes on location throughout the park. At the end of the two week session, the artists held an art show. The paintings were very nice, but pricey; they went for prices from $300 to about $2,000, and quite a few were sold.








This is the Cunningham cabin, which was built by a homesteader in 1888. The style is rather unusual for this area. It is known as the "dogtrot" style, which, according to the literature, was more common in the east. We have seen several cabins with this breezeway in the middle in the south.









This mule deer wandered into our campsite one evening. Hunting is not allowed here, so the deer are more used to humans, but they can still be rather skittish.








Another evening a couple of bucks wandered into our campsite; this one allowed me to get up and get my camera and take his picture. On another evening we had another buck visitor (maybe the same one - they all look alike) who was so skittish that he bolted as soon as I made the slightest motion.

So far we have not seen any bears, elk, or moose.