September Trip 2020

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!!