Visitors to Jackson

Mom and Dad came to visit for a few days. It was great to see them, and great to show them around where I live these days. 

The first full day in town, we drove through Grand Teton National Park stopping to check out a few places. 

Jenny Lake

At the Jenny Lake parking area, we wandered up to the ranger cabin to look at some maps and talk to the rangers. A quick chat with the rangers verified what we had seen in some pictures my mom brought from 1972. My dad and some friends had come to Jackson and done a cross country ski trip many years ago. And while the ranger station building is the same, it has apparently been moved a few 100ft from its location back then.

One day I showed them where I work. Mom and I rode up the tram and walked around up top for a bit. Unfortunately dad was not feeling well, so he decided not to head up to 10,500ft with us.

Cody bowl in

Mom wanted to huck Corbet's Couloir, but I convinced her there just wasn't quite enough snow at this time of year.

On top of Corbet's

Mom, Bekki, and I hiked up to Goodwin Lake. Despite some jeep troubles on the way up the gravel road, we still got the hike in. It is quite a lake.   

On the last day in Jackson, Dad got to go flying. They flew along the east side of the Tetons, across the pass, and along the west side of the Tetons. I think he had a good time. But I do not have any pictures from that day because I did not go with him.

It was a great trip, and I am really excited they came out for a visit.

Death Canyon hike

Today seemed like a good day for a hike, so we headed for Death Canyon. It is always nice to look out over Phelps Lake.

Phelps Lake

Shortly after entering the canyon we stopped by the river to eat some lunch.

And then headed up the Canyon.

Plenty of interesting rocks and wildflowers to check out along the way up.

And it follows a river up the canyon that gets more and more breathtaking until it flattens out into almost a pond near the Alaska Basin trailhead.

 The weather changed as we got near the Alaska Basin trail intersection so we turned around and headed down.  On the way down we got rained and hailed on, but were able to take cover under some trees for more of it, and it made for some pretty neat sky.

Snake River packraft

I finally took the Alpacka and Tenkara Rod out on a float/paddle/fish. We floated the Snake River from the south entrance of Yellowstone to Flagg Ranch. Beautiful place and some good company. The packraft performed well, and I had a few bites on the Tenkara rod, unfortunately they all got away. But a good day none the less.

Delta Lake

Bekki and I hiked to Delta Lake, at the base of Grand Teton this afternoon. Some nice views from the trail on the way up.

Bradley and Taggart Lakes from the trail

 Leading to some fun boulder hopping to get up to Delta Lake.

 The lake is just over this ledge.

 We ate some lunch and just hung out by the lake for a while enjoying views of the Grand and watching marmots run around.  In the hour plus we were there, we did not see anyone else.

 I was tempted to jump in the lake, but the ice floating around made me a little weary, so I settled for dipping my head in.

And then it was time to hike down.  Pretty good day.

National Trails Day - Jackson

I love mountain biking, trail running, hiking, and other activities on whatever trails are around me, so when opportunities come to help maintain them, I like to do my part. I've had some good times at National Trails Day in North Carolina and I was glad I heard about the National Trails Day work in Jackson, put on by Friends of Pathways and the National Forest Service.

About 50 people and a few hours of work resulted in about a mile of new trail cut in up Cache Creek.

And then: brats, chips, cookies, and a couple beers.

Pretty food day in my book!

A Couple Mountain Bike Rides

A few pictures from some recent mountain bike rides. The end of May, Jeremy and I decided to ride up the Old Pass Rd and see what Philips Canyon Trail was like. Turns out Philips Canyon was in great shape, but the Arrow Trail still had more snow that we would've like.

The last snow before Philips Canyon.

Less than a week later, after a huge thunderstorm passed one Friday afternoon, Jeremy and I headed to Shadow Mountain for a ride. The views of the Tetons from Shadow Mountain are shocking!

Balsam Root and Tetons

 The sun started to set, but it stays light late, so we had plenty of time.

 The campsites at the base of Shadow Mountain and along the forest service road heading up are pretty spectacular.

 And some wildlife on the drive back from the ride to cap off the evening.