Onward to the Tetons

 

After leaving Star Valley and our last day of Pickleball for a while, we headed to Granite Falls.  A ten mile gravel road put us in the NFS campground in which we were the largest rig and one of 2 motorhomes.  But, it was worth it.  After arrival

we decided to just explore.  Less than a mile later, we emerged upon this. Granite Falls.  It was gorgeous.  We figured this must be a great place.  Our campsite was facing a stream and we were sure there would be critters there.  Sure enough on the 2nd morning there, This is what we saw.   A cow moose and her calf.  Everyone                                                    

had told us that the Bull Moose had been

with them a couple of mornings before, but we didn’t get to see him.

Later that day, we hiked back to the falls and walked thru the cold, cold water to a naturals hot springs.  Set in the springs with a glass of wine and enjoyed the time, but a troop of boy scouts (14 to 16 yrs) joined us.  8 or 9 big boys from the Boy Scouts Adventure Camp up the road.  Didn’t stay long after that.  They were from Salt Lake, UT.  Nice polite kids, just too many for the small hot springs.  Thursday, we decided to hike up to Shoal Falls.  The map indicated it was only about 4 or 5 miles and followed the stream up to the falls.  Well, after 3.5 miles and 1,500 ft climb, we decided we had to turn back because it was getting late.  We had tried our hand at fly-fishing before the hike and was late getting started.  So Shoal Falls will have to wait until another time.

On Friday, Aug 9th, we headed to the Tetons.  Hoping to get just as lucky in our sighting of the wild life.

We got settled in Colter Bay Campground.  Love that Senior Pass, only $10.50 per night.  Of course, we’re still dry camping, but they have dumps and water in the park.  They also supposedly have Wi-Fi at the laundry in Colter Bay.  After four days without internet, we went over to check our email.  Well, there’s a 30 minute limit and we barely got our emails in.  Bob had some problems to answer, but the emails wouldn’t go out and he couldn’t get enough connection to do any work.  So, Saturday, we had into Jackson and the library to keep the tournament system running.  Had lunch there and decided to check out String Lake to see how far the portage between String and Leigh Lake for our kayaks. 

Things seem to work out for us, because we were later due to the 40 mile trip to Jackson, we were there at just the right time.  A little ways down the trail, Momma Bear and her cub decided to put on a show.

 

 

 

 

  The crowd on the trails trying to see was really unbelievable. People were running into the woods, trying to get pictures.  An off duty ranger happened to come along to keep these people from chasing the bears.

After this display, we figured our trip to the Tetons well worth the time.

 

On Sunday, we went back to String Lake and did a 8 mile hike to Bear Paw Lake and back.  It was a fun easy hike, but no bears. 

After the hike, we kayaked on String Lake, but didn’t portage up to Leigh since it was too late.

 

 

 

 

  On Monday, we made the decision that we were staying in Tetons for 2 weeks and would just drive up to Yellowstone for the day to tour.  Had to get my Bison fix. and we did. 

 

 

 

 

I had never seen them actually crossing the river. Now we had seen them on the road before, But it always interesting to see the way people react.

    We also saw some elk.  Not as many as I expected, and only the does.

 

 

 

Of course, some beautiful cascades and falls.

  After spending Monday on the road, we decided to hike on Tuesday.  We decided to do the Two Ocean Lake hike, only 6.4 miles and we would be able to take the kayaks out after the hike.  Of course, we didn’t realize that the road to the lake was closed, so we hiked 2.5 miles to the trailhead to do the 6.4 hike.  This made the hike 11.5 miles and we weren’t about to carry the kayaks 2.5 miles to put in, so no kayaking for us.  The hike was beautiful. Lots of evidence (scat) of moose, elk and bear, but no sightings.

  The thistle were great and blooms huge and dark purple.

 

 

 

You can’t see it, but there’s a beaver in the water next to the two bushes on the other side.  It was great, this is only the second time in the last 14 years on the road that we have actually seen a beaver working.  He was pushing a small log across the water.  So, this day was well worth the extra miles. We also ran into a very upset Thrush.

On Wednesday, we rested and did laundry, you have to do this occasionally, even on the road.  We did take the kayaks out in the evening on Lake Jackson. 

 

Thursday was a hike day, we hiked 11 miles on the Emma Matilda Lake trail.  It was nice, but more elevation gain and less views.  We’re trying to exercise the legs one day and then the arms the next by Kayaking.  Then a day of rest.

So on Friday, we kayaked String Lake with the portage to Leigh Lake.  About 5 hours of rowing should help the upper body some. 

 

 

 

 

 

Now we’re in Jackson, spending time at the library so that I can send this blog.