Though only an hour drive south, the landscape between Yellowstone an the Grand Tetons was beautiful on the crisp morning drive.
Our first view of the peaks was fantastic, with Jackson Lake below.
Our first 3 nights were in the forested campground at Colter Bay in the north part of the park. The campground has 2 large areas; one for generator use and one generator free. We chose the generator loops since the nights got down into the 30s and a heater would be needed. The campsites are all designed as curved pull-throughs, the first time we've seen this, but so nice as the side of our motorhome looked out at the forest rather than at another trailer.
We rode our bikes around the campground, found a little area to get internet for a bit near the cafe and laughed with another couple sitting outside using the service. No where else had we been able to get any service. We spent 3 days seeing the beautiful the surrounding area. Tuesday morning we joined a Ranger lead hike along Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls.
The park was very quiet since it was now "off season" which is a wonderful time of year. Evenings were spent at the Jackson Lake Lodge with a beautiful sunset each night.
We moved to the southern part of the park after 3 days to Gros Ventre Campground, a cottonwood filled area along the Gros Ventre River. This part of the park had many historical buildings including some from early Mormon settlements.
As well as early settlers including the cabin of Maud Noble where a meeting planted the seed for the creation of Grand Teton National Park many, many years ago.
While we were in the park there was the Second Annual Film Festival featuring new environmental films. We attended both Friday and Saturday evening showings to see films about cougars in Grand Tetons, a photo documentary of the northeastern area of New Mexico, a life of a contemporary Peruvian farmer and the little known areas of Alaska. A wonderful way to spend our chilly evenings.
The weather was perfect for hiking each day and just driving around more of the park.
We visited the the amazing Laurance Rockefeller Preserve Center with acres of pristine land along the shores of Lake Phelps. The property had once been the private ranch and summer retreat of the Rockefeller family but when given to the nation as a preserve all original 30 log buildings were moved to other areas and the environment returned to its natural state, a trail system was created and a visitor center built. With an eight mile system of hikes throughout the park we enjoyed a hike through the woods to the lake on a beautiful fall day. I loved this quote...
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Our last day we drove south to see the town of Jackson and replenish our groceries. After a delicious lunch at Genevieve's we walked around the town then found a nearby grocery store to stock up.
Leaving early Monday morning we were heading south and east to Cheyenne, WY but still wanted to see the beauty of the park one more time. Some of my extra "favorite" photos are these..
I have to say, seeing the Tetons in September is a wonderful experience! Few visitors, lots of animals and spectacular scenes from any where we looked.
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