Teton National Park, Wyoming

Town Square, Jackson Hole with friends and 4 dogs!

Teton NP, Gros Ventre [Tuesday and Wednesday, May 7-8] 

I woke up to brilliant blue sky with the sun peaking over the eastern mountains.  Morning walk, coffee, yogurt and fruit were on the menu before leaving on our first tour into the park planning the grand 43 mile tour.  We plan to stay several days in the Tetons to explore not only the park but also the surrounding area.

We visited the headquarter and visitor center,  continued to Jenny Lake where we walked to the lake and the dogs all enjoyed a good drink of crystal clear lake water.  Continuing north, we had a picnic lunch north of Signal Mountain Lodge.  There was still some ice in sheltered coves of the lake.  With no wind the reflections of the snow capped mountains were stunning!

Near Jenny Lake - snow still on the ground

Beautiful secluded Lunch spot on the Lake that was still partially frozen

Oxbow Bend in the early afternoon presented a magnificent photo opp. as we continued east and then turned south.  At the Antilope Flats we photographed the famous Mormon Barn with the Tetons as backdrop before returning to our campground.  

Along the way, with Marilyn driving her big rig - but we all fit into it with 4 dogs!

The famous Mormon Barn with the Teton Mountain Range in the far!

The next day, we ventured into the back country.  Our road took us to Kelly and the we followed the Gros Ventre road to Atherton Creek where we found a lovely national forest campground (host and lovely sited overlooking Lower Slide Lake).  The road was paved up to the campground but was potholed and made for slow driving.  But doable with my BigGirl!

 Gros Ventre Road outside the park

Painted Hills

Continuing on an atrocious dirt road to the Crystal Creek campground was quite a driving task!  Thank God we had rented a 4-wheel drive Yukon SUV and Marilyn was an excellent driver specifically as we encountered a pick up truck with a large horse trailer that pushed us into the deep rutted mud side of the road!  We just hoped the young guys with the horse trailer would pull us out if we got stuck!

All the way, we followed the Gros Ventre River sometimes next to us, sometimes we were high above the river with wonderful vistas.  Part of the way, the mountain side was red with ferrous red rolling hills.  It was too early for the spring flowers to erupt, but the new green was sprouting everywhere.  We passed a ranch with a 'maternity meadow' with several new born fowls and still pregnant mares.  The pasture was close to the ranch house so they could keep a watchful eye on the precious mares and fowls.

  

This was the good part of the road!!

Back in camp, we share a great dinner as we did every night.  We rotated 'chefs' and met at one of the other 3 rigs - since mine would not accommodate 4 dogs and their owners!.  The night I cooked, I served dinner in Marilyn's rig since it was easier than in my a bit small quarters.

Til next time ...  stay tune for the continuing journey!
Meggi and Nikki