Teton's Call of the Wild

It was an extraordinary visit to Jackson Hole Wyoming and The Grand Teton National Park.  I tried to give as much detail about my visit for those who are interested in visiting the park.  One thing I need to mention is the smell of sage is all over the meadows.  It is a wonderful scent and the wildflowers were endless.  The fresh cool air, mountain rivers and lakes, wildlife, the forest, the call of the wild is beckoning me to come back and I will again and again. 

Gros Ventre River

Kelly Loop starts at Antelope Flats Road, passes Mormon Row to the small town of Kelly.  The Gros Ventre Road follows the Gros Ventre River and the Bridger-Teton National Forest. We saw a lot of elk resting in the meadows and in the river.   

Sawmill Pond Overlook at Moose-Wilson Road

 

Moose Wilson is a narrow and scenic little road that winds along the base of the mountains between Moose and Teton Village.  There is barely enough room for two way traffic and at several places it is only one lane.  It passes water falls, beaver ponds and marshy areas. The bottom photo is at Sawmill Pond Overlook which is known for sighting wildlife.

Cascade Canyon

 

Moulton Barn

 

In 1910 the land east of Blacktail Butte was homesteaded by Mormons. The Moulton Barn is a popular photographic subject for visitors as well as the meadows across from the barn.  The area became known as Mormon row and is located on Antelope Flats Road.

Mount Moran Turnout

On a cloudless morning with a perfect blue sky, Mount Moran Turnout offered another panoramic view.

Meandering Snake River

In 1942 photographer Ansel Adams took a picture of Snake River standing on a car to give him better elevation and scope.  His pictures are world famous and were taken in black and white.  The photo above is my picture in black and white of the same landscape except there are trees and bushes now blocking the view of the river's curve. How technology and photography has changed since his time.  I am an amateur photographer but the advancement of the digital SLR camera and a computer with editing software gives me as good results.

Schwabacher's Landing and Beaver Ponds

 

At Schwabacher's Landing there were spring creeks, beaver ponds, and a hiking trail around the different ponds.  I was surprised at the number of beaver dams that backed up the water. It is located down a marked dirt road north of Moose Junction.

Oxbow Bend Turnout

 

Signal Mountain and Mt. Moran dominate the background of Oxbow Bend with a rich array of pine, spruce and aspen trees.  There were many ducks in the water at the far end of the lake. The water surface was very calm and reflected the clouds and trees.  Another nature painting in many colors in process.

Geologic Drama Teton Glacier Turnout

 

This turnout is located between the Moose Visitor Center and Jenny Lake.  It offers a close view of the rugged canyon between the Grand Teton and Mount Owen.  A herd of elk came out into the nearby meadow.

Jackson Lake Shades of Blue

The lake has splashes of blue watercolor shades from the sky, mountain peaks to the mirror reflections in the water.  The depth of the different blue values is dramatic and aesthetic to behold and alluring. This is when photography frustrates me because no camera can possibly capture the stunning panoramic scene.

The Teton Range Highway 89

The Teton Range is 40 miles long, 7-9 miles wide. The Highest peak is the Grand Teton, elevation 13,770 feet. There are Eight peaks over 12,000 ft in elevation. Bison among the wildflowers on Highway 89.

Windy Point Turnout Grand Teton National Park

 Windy Point Turnout is the southern angle view of the Grand Teton.