May and June in Star Valley

Herd
Since the Last Post, we've just been busy playing pickleball, hiking and trying to stay dry and warm. It's been a cold May and June, but have been able to do the daily walks and some hiking along with pickleball.

On the 23rd of May, needed to get out so we headed to the Tetons, looking for animals. We did good, no bears, but Moose, beavers and Elk.

Beaver swimming at Oxbow in Tetons

View of mountains with snow

Moose relaxing off of Moose-Wilson Road

Not the same moose. They were all just laying around

Elk in Field off of Moran Junction Road

Elk on Pacific Creek RD. This one hasn't lost winter coat like the one above

Marmot , Need something to take pictures of

Herd of elk on HWY 26

Bison off of Hwy 26

Most mornings, it warms up enough for Pickleball, but then starts raining in the afternoon. By the 29th, we needed to get a hike in regardless. So we headed out to one of our favorites, knowing we would probably reach snow and may not be able to cross the streams. But needed to get out. The water crossings weren't too bad, easier or not existent due to snow not yet melting, but we only made it out about 2 1/2 due to snow.

Always looking for the trail

This water crossing is normally raging

The trail is under here somewhere

Spring should be on it's way This butterfly is proof

On May 31st, we figured it's so cold still, that the mosquitoes would not be out yet on the Idaho side, so headed to Tin Cup Creek to see if the beavers had returned. Only made it out around 4 miles. The creek had changed so much due to the beaver ponds and dams. Lots of evidence of beavers, but none to be seen. Bob was able to cross over at one place, but checked it out and couldn't get to the trail from there. Since he had gotten wet at the crossing, I knew I wouldn't make it. Water was snow melt and cold.

It's still wet and cold, even if it is June. On the 3rd, Bob and I hiked Lost Creek, but could only get out 1 1/2 due to second water crossing. So we just went over to the Ranch next door and hiked Green Canyon and several small hikes there. Nice views and not real easy.

1st water crossing


Second crossing we didn't make


View from Trail Green Canyon Trail

On the 12th of June, we took a Safari with a friend who is a guide. She's lived in Wyoming and this area most of her life. We were really looking for bear, but alas, no bear to be found. We learned a lot about the area from her and about places to go.


Hawk

Moose

Sand Crane

Swan

Herd of Elk

Beautiful view

Baby Osprey

This was a full day, covered lots of territory and had a great lunch.

On 14th we headed out to hike Cedar Creek. Was actually able to get further than we thought, 4.5 miles until we lost the trail in the snow. If you're wondering about what we do on days we don't hike, if possible (no rain) I do a walk most mornings of 3 to 5 miles and then play pickleball for a couple of hours. We play on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Other days are hiking or kayaking. Haven't been able to kayak this summer yet.

Great area to hike, you listen to the creek all the way out

The winters really are hard on the area. In a month or so it'll be green

Always have to watch for hazards

The next hike was Cottonwood Lake. Its a drive to get to, but a great area. Of course, we never know if we can get very far because of water or snow or both.This year we only got out about 2 1/2 miles. Maybe later this year we'll go back and make it up to Wagner Lake, about 4 miles out. But very steep.

The snow covered the trail , but we were able to get though part of it.

Beautiful cliffs


Look at this is full view. This is where we stopped. See waterfall in background

Well, we really wanted to see bears, so we loaded the rig and headed out to dry camp up where the Guide had taken us for our Safari. This allowed us to get to the places early in the morning and late in the evening to see wildlife. And did we hit the jackpot. Herds of elk, at least 8 moose, and 4 bears.

We went to Turpin Meadows Campground. Got there around noon, so after set up, headed out to the Tetons to explore.

We found this darling fox pup and his sibling living under the laundry at Colter Bay

Colorado Blue bird in full color

On the way back to camp, this little fellow, a grizzly cub, had lost his mom and wondered across the road in front of us.

The next day, we headed out about 5 in the Morning. It was really cold. We wanted to drive some of the back roads to see what we could find. Down the road from our camp, an area was closed off since yesterday's cub and his mom, Felica (or 863 as she was labeled by the forest service). We never saw her, but heard that the cub had gotten back with her overnight. She had a bore chasing her to kill her cub. (He had already killed one of her cubs) Cubs live with their mothers about 2 years, and so long as she is feeding him, she will not mate. The bore wanted to mate, therefore, get rid of the cubs.

Small moose out on the ride

Herd of Elk

Hawk watching for ground animals to catch

Later in evening, we were parked across the meadow where Felica was roaming and caught a glimpse of this bull moose. The light was really bad, but this moose was really getting his antlers already

Well no luck on bears that day, so back to camp and out early the next day. Headed back out to the Tetons. Went to places the bears had been seen, but no luck this morning, only some marmots playing in a tree and on logs.

We stopped next at Jackson Lake Junction where a bear and her cubs had been seen that morning and were hiding in the bushes. After about and hour or so, we decided she wasn't coming out until later that day and we would come back that evening. She had chased elk the night before. If was only 10 or so in the morning, so we headed over to Moose-Wilson looking for moose. That was unbelievable. Moose are normally solitary animals and it's rare for them to be seen with other moose. We saw 7 traveling together and one not far away.

Cow and her calves

One of 3 young bulls.


Calves swimming across creek

Cute little calves

Another young bull

Older Bull, but smaller antlers

That afternoon, we went back to the bear place to see what was happening. We had been watching with several van expeditions also looking for bears and were staying as informed as they were. But, after several hours, no bears. Then everyone started pulling out. Bob looked at me and asked "do we follow". Yes, up to the dam and across the river was the sow and 2 cubs. Of course by now it was 7:30 pm. and cold. Then the snow started with a wind of 30 mph. I'm glad I had put my long underwear on that morning.