5/10/2022:

Departing Cabelas in Idaho Falls, after a night of dry camping we were excited about the sunshine and fair weather in the forecast today. Although we visited the Grand Tetons back in 2001 with the kids, we were so looking forward to spending the next 5 days in Jackson Hole and surrounding area again. We have such great memories of that 2001 trip and it seems like just yesterday we saw our son Sean chasing a calf around the downtown rodeo arena and winning the prize for the night. Long story, but does it ever bring laughter to the family reminiscing that moment…

We had never driven from Idaho Falls, ID to Jackson Hole, Wyoming before, though had driven many steep passes in North America so weren’t too concerned. We should have been… The Grand Teton Pass is one of the toughest passes in North America especially in an RV towing a car. The physics of descending in a 25k – 40k RV really can push systems to the edge.  It is very steep, with long straight-away,  that really taxes a rigs brake system and engine breaking… We probably noticed more “breakaway/runaway” precautions adjacent to the road than any other road in North America. The drive is spectacular for sure, with exceptionally long paths of steep descent. I don’t get nervous much on these types of roads but this road demands your respect and critical attention. While beautiful it is a daunting experience, and is not for the fainthearted… With my Tow/Haul feature engaged providing much needed engine breaking,  I still had to stab at my breaks often to slow down. Often the engine was screaming at over 5,000 RPM’s on the descent. Even with just stabbing at the breaks you are bound to get “hot brakes”. Fact is about three quarters of the way down I found a pull -out so I could pull over for nearly 45 minutes just so my brakes could cool. This road was one of the only roads I have ever smelled my brakes starting to overheat. Apparently there is an auto service shop, at the base of the pass and all it does is brake jobs for vehicles descending Grand Teton Pass. They are are a busy business. Also (take note) many years they have had runaways with some fatalities. Nonetheless the drive worked out fine with the right precautions. Not sure if I would do it again unless absolutely necessary. There are a few alternate routes that are longer ways to Jackson Hole, Wyoming… (Definitely worth considering)

Click the link below to learn more about Teton Pass and cautions…

As we descend into Jackson Hole we remember some landmarks since our last visit and look forward to visiting downtown over the next few days. For now our destination is Gros Ventre Campground in Grand Teton National Park just north of Jackson Hole. We arrive around noon (or shortly before) and are greeted by the camp hosts that check us in. We are able to dump and take on water before we get to our site. We hadn’t planned to do that as we had only been two nights since the last time we dumped, but since we added an additional night and would now be here dry camping for 5 nights we decided we should do that.

We have been dry camping at National and State Parks since we left Desert Shadows and are finding that it is actually easier to camp this way; easier set up because we don’t have to get hoses, filters, cords, plumbing supplies out… and then easier to tear down because we don’t have to put all that away! Joanne usually puts more things out inside the camper to make it seem homier (pics on the dash and other decorative things) but we decided even before we left the desert that we were going to try camping more simply / minimally this year.  We both seem to be embracing the strategy!

Once we get situated,  we head out to the Craig Thomas Visitor Center, which is very close to the campground. We only have to drive but about 5 miles. We see the National Park Film there, Joanne gets her passport stamped, we talk with the rangers about hikes, where we can go to see wildlife and perspectives on the road to the north connecting this Grand Teton NP to Yellowstone NP.  Currently the South entrance is closed but may open by the time we leave. If not we will have to find an alternative around taking the Teton Pass again.  Friday they are expecting a big snowstorm so rumors are that the road won’t open! But we’ll see.

Once we get back we get a game out and have a relaxing evening planning to hike Jenny’s Lake the next day in addition to driving the loop road.

5/11/2022:

Teton National Park

Today looks to be an amazing day weather wise. Although here at the campground it seems very nice and comfortably warm, with the right clothing on,  we never know what to expect at other areas of the park so we throw extra jackets in the trunk just in case. We begin the 42 mile Scenic loop road and do see some wildlife; bison, pronghorn antelope, moose, and elk,  But no bears! Not sure if that is good or bad! We want to see some just not up close and personal! We make a stop at the Colter Bay Visitor Center. It is not as nice as the one at Moose Junction. But we pick the ranger’s brain before heading back out.

As we drove the loop road we stop at many overlooks. The views are spectacular! We picked a good day to take pics and do this drive; the forecast is not looking as good.

 

About 2/3rds into the drive we finally arrive a the trail head that should lead us to Jenny Lake Trail. As we are set to begin the 7.9 mile loop there area few people just coming off the trail. They tell us about some bear activity (Grizzlies), and that parts of the trail is covered with snow. We are still game. We’ve got our Bear spray,  bear bells, our  trekking poles so we are good to go and get on our way!

The trail is pretty easy to follow (until the end when it is not!) and the temps are just perfect for hiking. We had gloves in our backpacks but didn’t need them. The hike is awesome; probably one of the nicest hikes we have ever taken. The views all along the lake with the Grand Tetons in the background are just breathtaking. We stop several times along the way to enjoy them. The nice thing about here is that it stays light so late! Even though we started this (almost) eight mile hike around 2:00pm Joanne isn’t fretting about finishing in the dark! The front side of the hike has some snow but is mostly a dirt path. Once we get to the far side, at the base of the Teton mountains, it is almost all very deep snow. The path is packed so not too bad and easy to follow though some parts are slippery. A few times our trekking poles disappear into the snow up to our wrists….

This is a well trafficked hike so we pass plenty of people, so we are not to worried about bears, although two groups mentioned either seeing Grizzlies or speaking with people that spotted grizzlies on the path. One couple also said a Moose and its calf were also on the trail not far in front (We didn’t see either…) As we get to about the 6 mile mark the path becomes very deep snow which isn’t hard packed and becomes very difficult to follow. It would appear not many people have made it this far. The last two miles (although still beautiful) are drudgery for Joanne. Extremely deep snow with many parts of the trail unmarked…. Didn’t plan on having to bushwhack the last 2 miles in heavy snow …We are both getting tired and Joanne’s small slip into the snow definitely has her now getting a little anxious. Honestly we just stay focused with each just concentrating putting one foot in front of the other to get to the end…

Once we finish we feel like we have definitely accomplished something. We often say we feel more alive out in nature and hiking and this hike just had so much to offer! Arriving back at camp we realize how tired we really are. Although something else was planned for dinner, we decide on leftovers (soup and spaghetti and meatballs) to warm us up.

We reflect on this great day in Grand Teton National Park and think of how blessed we are to be living this life!

5/12/2022:

Teton National Park

While camping here we have seen moose several times wandering through the area. Just like on Assateague Island where the horses run wild through the campground, the wildlife is free to roam here as well and they do….. Very cool! It is very cold here (in the 20’s overnight) and today is cold and snowy. Since we did a major hike yesterday, our plan today is to listen to the JustAhead app (which we forgot to turn on when we got here!) and do the loop drive again, hopefully see some bears, and then head into Jackson to wander the shops and get some dinner.We love the Just Ahead App as it has so many back stories, history, geography, which really bring the park alive. It is like having our own personal tour guide. Highly recommend!

Yesterday Mike had noticed a rear brake light out so first thing on the agenda is to find a place to get the bulb and get it replaced. There is a Napa auto supply store in town and not even a mile past there is a service station (Levi’s) that gives us an appointment at 1:00 to replace the bulb. Both work out great and we are on our way!

We begin the loop drive probably around 2:00 and as we get closer to Colter Bay Area it begins to snow then it’s like a blizzard! Luckily down by the campground no snow. We do not see any bear, just lots of elk. The drive today is different than yesterday; as clear as yesterday was, today the clouds are all over the mountains and it is obviously snowing on them! Although it is different, it is still beautiful.

We arrive in downtown Jackson Hole,Wyoming late afternoon and find convenient parking  at the information center  just a block from town center and wander along the boardwalk sidewalks in the square area. Lots of wonderful shops, but we are not shoppers so wander through and also get the classic Elk Antler Entrance picture at Jackson Hole Town Center…

5/13/2022:

After realizing the day was not going to be a hiking day we just relaxed at the campground. Joanne worked on her journal, Mike worked on some Desert Shadows website work. We did need to get some groceries before heading in to Yellowstone and Joanne needed to refill a prescription (CVS) so she called it into the CVS in Jackson and we headed in to pick up provisions. While there our good friends and neighbors from DSRV Resort Dennis and Debbie called. Debbie had broken her foot with only weeks to go before they leave on their Mediterranean cruise. We quickly plan a FaceTime for when we get back to the camper. We got gas in the Mini at Maverick in Jackson Hole and then head home for the Facetime.

We have many friends from DSRV that were planning to head up to our good friend Jeff’ A’s  memorial service this weekend so conversation ends up around that topic. Terry and Daryl, Dennis and Debbie, Ken and Sherry, Guy & Wendy, and Garnet and Debbie will all be there and most likely a few others. Our friend Jeff was a larger than life neighbor of ours at DSRV. He had been fighting a condition for years though nonetheless approached life, and the world,  with such a positive can-do attitude and always let us know “Life is Good”… His wife Jeri is a one in a million as well.  We will all miss our good friend Jeff! Given our current location, reservations, and  schedule it would be very difficult for us to be there in Northern Washington so our friends sent us a picture…

We head to bed hoping the Yellowstone South entrance will re-open again in the morning as the only alternatives to West Yellowstone and our next campground was either go back over the Teton Pass… (No Way!) or an alternative long loop way which would take us nearly the entire day. We’ll see????

Waking up for our travel day North to Yellowstone the weather gods seem to be cooperating and the sun is shining brightly.  We had hoped to get the classic Barn picture with Grand Teton in the background but the wether hadn’t been cooperating. Today we were in luck!!!

Although the snow was over 1oft deep on the shoulders the Yellowstone South Entrance was open and we were able to continue our Revolutionary Journey to Americas first National Park. We have loved our time in Grand Teton though the mighty Yellowstone was calling us now ….