Grove, Red, Corrall, and Drake Creek

Back to the Big Hole Mountains for some more amazing trails! Today it was a figure 8 loop of Grove Creek, Red Creek, Corrall Creek, and Drake Creek.

Apparently Grove Creek used to be a hike-a-bike near the top. But sometime recently new trail was built. Not only is it completely rideable, but really pretty as it winds up through the forest.

Newly built trail up Grove Creek

I love the views of the Tetons from the west

 The Red Creek descent was a lot of fun. And although the climb up Corrall Creek was tough, it was mostly rideable.

After crossing the figure 8, and heading up Drake Creek, we had to suffer through some more terrible views!

And then it was all downhill on the fantastically fun Drake Creek.

The Big Holes were great again, can't wait to come back.

Cliff Creek and Monument Ridge

Back in the spring, Jeremy tried to take me on a ride up to Cliff Creek falls. After a few miles of pushing through terrible mud, we turned around, to be seen another day.

Late in the summer, I decided it was worth having another go at it, hoping it was dry. David went with me, and the plan was to ride the Monument Ridge loop and add on the out and back to Cliff Creek Falls.

The trail was drier, although surprisingly there were still a couple of muddy spots. But even dry the trail to Cliff Creek Falls is still quite slow and challenging. Fortunately, the scenery is fantastic. Although not particularly long, the trail to Cliff Creek falls feels like it passes through numerous landscapes.

Dirt tree'ed single track

Rolling, smoothed, crushed rock

Narrow with amazingly colored pools

 Finally, we made it to the falls, which were quite spectacular, dropping close to 100ft into a small pool. We stopped for a bit to eat something, then got going, as we still had lots of miles planned for the day.

 As we were about to start rolling back the way we came, I looked up the next canyon, and noticed a waterfall about twice as high as the one we had been hanging out by. I'm still not sure how we missed that one on the way up, but glad we f

 And then it was back to riding down the trail, which was fantastic in the descending direction. Along the way back, I saw my first bears while biking. There were a mom and 2 or 3 very small cubs. I managed to spook the mom, and then ride right between her and her cubs.

 After getting back to the forest service road, we climbed to Monument Ridge, which had amazing views.

 Then we rode the 'trail' down the ridge to the highway, and then the highway a few miles back to the car.

It was a long ride, and a hot day, but it is always great to take the bike out into the woods to see new places.

South Fork Horseshoe Canyon to Mahogany Creek

David and I drove over the pass to Victory Idaho to see what the riding was about over there. Some research the night before and a quick stop in Fitzgerald's to ask about rides had us headed for a loop in the Big Hole Mountains. We would park at the bottom of Mahogany Creek, ride some gravel to Horseshoe Canyon, climb the canyon, and descend Mahogany back to the car.

The gravel portion had me thinking back to my ride down the Great Divide Mountain Bike route last summer, and wishing I was out there again.

The Tetons, from the west

 Before heading up South Fork Horseshoe Canyon we rode some of the purpose built single track in the area; up Channel Lock and down Bovine.

 It was really good trail, and as a bonus, we ran unto our buddy Matt, who decided to join us for the rest of our ride.

It was a really good ride, and now I can't wait to get back into the Big Holes!

Black Canyon

When I comes to mountain biking, I am not one to shuttle. I would much rather pedal to the top and enjoy the ride back down. But Black Canyon off of the pass is an exception. When you are a bit short of time, it is still worth getting out to ride, even if it means shuttling. The best thing about shuttling black canyon is that there is still a 2 mile climb involved. And the views are some of my favorite.

Looking towards Jackson

Looking south out over Mosquito Creek

Granite Canyon to the tram

Bekki, Mary Ann, and I hiked up Granite Canyon to the top of the Jackson Hole tram today. Granite Canyon is the canyon immediately north of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

It is a really pretty canyon. And on this day, the wildflowers were popping.

Indian Paintbrush

Columbine

Wildflowers? Where?

Looking back down Granite Canyon

Thanks for letting me join the fun ladies, I had a blast. And oh yeah... I dramatically shortened my beard a few days ago.

The hiking crew

The Middle Teton

Today I tried to climb the Middle Teton.  I was going solo and did not really know what to expect, so I played it safe. I took extra food, extra clothing, lots of water, and got an early start. I also told myself if anything got too dangerous, I would turn around and try another time.

Driving toward the trailhead, still not 6am

I saw a bear and a fox within the first few miles of trail. Pretty neat, and my first bear sighting (in nature) since moving to Jackson.

The first few miles of trail is pretty low grade and easy trail. The next few steepen some, but are still not very difficult.

Heading toward Lupine Meadows

 At around 6 miles, you get to Lupine Meadows. It is a beautiful place, and also happens to be where the 'trail' ends and the route gets difficult. From here on, it is choose your own adventure of scrambling, crossing snow fields, and climbing your way up.

Looking back down towards Lupine after scrambling to the saddle

 A couple miles after Lupine Meadows, you reach the saddle between the South and Middle Teton. Both are 'hikeable,' but I was here for the Middle Teton, so I turned north.

The saddle

 On the west side of the saddle is Iceflow Lake. It is a pretty spectacular view from above.

Icefloe Lake

 After the saddle, the ascent gets pretty crazy. While it is considered technical scrambling, it is a lot closer to climbing that hiking. I was definitely using both hands, both feet, and picking my route carefully.

The way up (and also back down)

Finally, I made it.

On top. The Grand Teton in the background.

 The views from the top are breathtaking.

Looking east

Looking north, the Grand would be just to the right of this image

I avoided most of the snow fields on the way up, but decided to cross this one on the way down. The snow had softened quite a bit as the sun baked it that day.

 I was incredibly excited the whole way down. And looking back to where I had just been was somewhat of a shock.

Lupine Meadows looking back to where I was. The Middle is the right.

After about 7 hours, 15 miles, and 7,500ft of ascending (and then descending) I was back at the car, uninjured. Although my feet were pretty sore for a few days after this hike.

Climbing mountains is never something I have aspired to do, but after getting to and sitting atop of the Middle Teton under my own power, I can say it is a pretty amazing feeling. I will probably be doing some more of this in the future.