Grand Teton National Park

Yesterday morning we woke up in Casper, Wyoming. Thomas wanted to go to the Recreation Center and have his morning swim, so while he was swimming I packed things up and planned our day. The goal was to get to Grand Teton National Park and to find a hotel in Jackson, Wyoming. When Thomas returned from his swim we had a quick breakfast and headed out. The original plan was to drive straight through to Jackson and then see how much time we had. If there was enough time we thought that we could walk around Jackson for the rest of the day. Well, that didn’t happen.

As we were driving I kept looking at things to do in Grand Teton National Park and in Jackson. I also looked over all the clues I had for boxes in Wyoming. I realized that once we got to Riverton that we could go south a little ways to Lander and do a little hiking and maybe find three letterboxes. Our first stop in Lander was the city park. We took a short walk through the park and then crossed a bridge into a different park. Followed the clues and arrived at the area where the box was suppose to be hidden. Unfortunately we didn’t find the box. Not sure if it was missing or if we just couldn’t find it. So we left the park and headed for Sinks Canyon State Park. We parked at the area for the nature trail and enjoyed an easy one mile loop hike. We also found our first letterbox of the day – I have to say I was a little disappointed – the stamp was store bought. Those of you who know me know that I would rather a crappy hand carved stamp over a store bought one anyday. Anyway, there was another box by the same placer just down the road from this one. We debated whether or not to go since I was 99% sure that the stamp was store bought. But we had bumped into a hiker from the area and he told us the hike alone would be worth it. So we headed up the road to the trail for Popo Agie Falls. It was a pretty good hike – all uphill for one and a half miles. We found the box and yes it was a store bought stamp. We continued up the trail to the falls and enjoyed a fantastic view. So it was worth it to take the hike. By the time we returned to Lander it was after lunch, so we grabbed a quick bite to eat and then made our way to Jackson.

It was only suppose to be about a two or two and a half hour drive, but they are doing road construction all along the road we were on. So we had to stop and wait several times for the lead car to take us to the next stop. Long story short – we got to Jackson at 6:30pm. We checked into the hotel, went for dinner and then went to bed. What can I say – it wasn’t the most exciting day.

Today however was much better. Thomas went for his morning swim while I headed south of Jackson to look for a couple of boxes. I found one box off of Swinging Bridge Road. Unfortunately there wasn’t a swinging bridge. I guess they had to take it down and it was replaced with a Truss bridge, nothing exciting. I attempted another box but was unable to find the turnout that had the trail I needed. I didn’t want to waste too much time because I knew Thomas would be waiting. So I returned to the hotel and we packed the car, had a little breakfast and went to the visitors center to find a box there before we left town. We were successful in finding the box and enjoyed the visitors center – they had a small little museum that was enjoyable.

So we headed north from Jackson and stopped at a fish hatchery to grab a quick drive-by letterbox by Don and Gwen. We didn’t take the time to see the hatchery – we really wanted to make our way into Grand Teton National Park. But one more stop before entering the park. Gros Ventre Slide Geological Area. In 1925 there was a landslide that moved about 50 million cubic yards of material 9000 feet down the mountain and up the other side. It even dammed up a river. We stopped here to see the area and to find two letterboxes. One was by Azroadie (and I always love his carvings) and the other was by Batty Girl (I was the first finder on this one). It was a nice little detour before heading to the park. On the way to the Slide Area we encountered a small herd of buffalo along the road and even in the road - a wonderful site.

Once we entered Grand Teton we headed to Jenny Lake. We decided to ride the ferry across the lake. Once on the other side we hiked up to Hidden Falls and then to Inspiration Point. It was only about a mile and the views were fantastic. There was a great spot to sit and enjoy the falls. At Inspiration Point you got an incredible view of Jenny Lake. Oh, and we found a letterbox. Once back on the other side of Jenny Lake we drove up to Jackson Overlook on Signal Mountain. We took a short hike, enjoyed the views and found another letterbox. Most of our time in the park was just sitting and enjoying the views. I was in awe of the Teton Mountain Range. They are so distinctive - very jagged and pointed! We also enjoyed sitting and looking out over Jackson Lake - the water here and in Jenny Lake is so blue - absolutely beautiful. It was getting late and we wanted to drive up to Yellowstone and try to find a place to stay.

Driving between the parks is exactly like being in the parks - I'm not sure why there is that small distance between them that doesn't belong to either of them. We did turn off the main road and went in search of one last letterbox for the day. We found the box easily enough and while I was stamping in three deer came out of the woods just 25 feet from me. I kind of just froze at first then I grabbed my camera. I just loved that little unexpected pleasure of seeing them so close up. Now on to finding a place to stay.

When we finally reached Grant Village we found that there were no rooms available in the entire park. So our next option was to head to West Yellowstone, Montana. We called ahead and made reservations at a hotel and then began the drive to exit the park at West Yellowstone. The drive was incredible - first there was the reminder of the Wildland Fire in 1988. You could still see trees that had burned although new growth is really beginning to take over. Along the way we saw elk and deer and one lonely buffalo. Just before we reached the exit to the park Thomas noticed the sunset turning a brillant orange. We found a pullout and enjoyed the end of our day.