Yellowstone, Great Tetons, & Jackson WY

Monday: Old Faithful! I’ve heard about Yellowstone and Old Faithful (first picture) since I can remember. It was breathtaking to finally see it. We also hiked around Norris Geyser Basin. This park has 2/3 of the world’s geysers. We also saw Artist’s Paint pots, and Fairy Falls. And to think the whole of Yellowstone is one big volcano. I don’t want to be here when it blows! Yellowstone is one of the world’s largest volcanoes.

Tuesday: More hiking. This time we visited Roaring Mountain. You can actually hear the steam hissing out of the mountain. Also, Wraith Falls, an almost 2 mile hike for okay falls.

The most impressive thing we saw today was Mammoth Hot Springs. Not geysers like yesterday, but beautiful deposits from sulfur springs.

 

Wednesday: On our way to the Grand Tetons, we stopped by Natural Bridge. This was also about a 2 mile hike, but well worth it. On the way we saw Lewis Waterfall, and decided to stop since it was right by the highway. I love waterfalls! We’re now in Colter Bay campground for the night. Still no Internet, but our cell phones work. There’s a big fire in Idaho that spews its smoke this way. There was some in Yellowstone, but we can barely make out the outline of the Tetons.

We took a short drive to Willow Flats Overlook which has a lovely reflecting pool.

 

Thursday: Our biggest disappointment: smoke that makes the Grand Tetons mere shadows. We are making the best of it, and enjoying the beginning fall colors. They are gorgeous. We took a 4 mile hike to Taggart Lake, beautiful scenery.

 

We also visited Menors Ferry Historic District and saw a replica of the ferry and other buildings they used in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Friday: We took a 5.2 mile hike to Hidden Falls. They really are hidden. There is a well-marked trail, but it wasn’t easy going uphill across the moraine. One reason we’re so tired is that 4 mile hike yesterday. No big hikes tomorrow.

Saturday: On our way toward Jackson, WY, we stopped at Mormon Row in the Jackson Hole area. It was settled by the saints in 1892. It was abandoned in 1937 when the area became part of the Teton National Park. Some buildings still stand, and water still runs through their irrigation ditches.

After settling in our campground, we hopped into covered wagons and attended the Bar T Five dinner show out in the wilderness. It was a fun cowboy show. Whatever they pay the fiddle player, he is way under paid. They have heat lamps on the pavilion ceiling, and provide blankets, making it comfortable as the night chill set in.