After COVID19 hit early in the year our
April Trip got cancelled but by September
we were ready to get out and about. We
decided to go on our September Trip to
Glacier Nat'l Park, Devil's Tower, and Grand
Teton Nat'l Park. It was smoky due to fires in
Oregon and California. We were hoping that
there wouldn't be any smoke in the Teton's like
there was 2 years ago when we went.
Started out pretty smoky
But not as bad in Glacier
but still enough to smell it and see it off in the distance
Going to the Sun Road we hiked up to overlook
Hidden Lake at Logan Pass
at Sunrise. If you don't get there at 8AM you
don't get a spot in the parking lot.
Bear Hat Mtn, 8684 ft at sunrise
Sun going down in the smoke at our campground
A hike along McDonald River to McDonald Falls
Good trail
to an even prettier end
and then lunch of course
On to Billings, MT on the Yellowstone River for one night
and over to Devil's Tower, WY for a really quick visit
Buffalo came over the hill in the evening
The campground was right there at the Tower
The cabins had a beautiful backdrop
The Circle of Sacred Smoke
one of three sculptures in the world
representing a puff of smoke from a ceremonial
pipe used by Native American people
Notice the "Indian prayer bundles" on the tree?
There were lots of them on trees at the Tower
Lots of climbers on the Tower too
The white speck in the center
We could see our campground from up there...in the valley
to the left of center
More climbers easier to see
Our campground at the base of the red hills
Then on to Dubois, WY for a couple days of fishing the
Wind River
Mel and Ruger getting a picture of Gary fishing
Ran into some snow on the way to the Grand Teton's Nat'l Park
Colter Bay Village Campground
It was pretty cloudy so we decided to
go up to Yellowstone the first day
Ran into some snow up there too. It was 25 degrees
when we got up that morning and the next two mornings
Went over the Continental Divide about three times
Saw the basics
Old Faithful
Colors from the minerals in the hot water
Bubbling pots
And beautiful pools
Especially the Morning Glory Pool
Went up to Signal Mtn early the next morning in
Teton Nat'l Park.
Big cell tower at the top and a grouse on top
Walt's truck
Marci and Bruce getting a good picture of the Grand Teton Mtn
and Mount Moran
The popular Jenny Lake picture with the
Grand Teton reflection
We were lucky to have clear skies
Chapel of the Transfiguration at Menors Ferry
The Ferry
that crossed the Snake River
Moulton Barn
Schawbacher's Landing on a small out branch
of the Snake River
Bruce and Marci's little 'rpod' trailer with it's
kitchen out the back. Bruce made us all
breakfast the morning of our last full day
It was a cold morning but the pancakes and
bacon were hot. Yummy
Thanks Bruce
When we left camp that morning we were treated to a rare sight
a mother grizzly was taking her 4 cubs across the field
and across the road to the next field. She passed
right in front of Mel and Gary's truck
A famous grizzly...you can look her up on
'YouTube' just search 'bear 399'
Oxbow Bend, another treat with the beautiful skies
and clear calm water
Snake River Overlook, where Ansel Adams took his famous picture
After all those cold Fall mornings the colors were breathtaking
Some of the group went into Jackson for a while.
Walt and I decided to hike up to Emma Matilda Lake
I was thinking a bigger trail
and closer to the lake
and a more stable bridge
We decided to go off trail up a grassy hill and saw the lake
after a mile and a half of walking
panoramic view
this is the off trail hill we climbed to see the lake
Just a horse trail at best
Beautiful trees
Not much direction tho. The little sign said this trail
was the way to the North end of the lake and if you can
see it there is a trail that goes right in front of the
sign that goes to the left to get to the South end lake trail
Funniest thing...on their way back from Jackson Marci,
Bruce, Gary, and Mel came up the road because Kerri
brought their horses over here last summer and camped.
They saw our truck and came up to see
if they could find us. As they came up we came over
the hill coming out
Colter Bay right in our campground
More colors coming out of the Teton's heading to Idaho
Another view of the Snake River before getting to Baker City
Sunset in Pendleton, OR on our last night
We had an amazing time. So glad
Marci and Bruce got that 'rpod' and
were able to camp with us!!
Great Fun with Friends and Family!!
