Woke a little stiff after yesterday’s marathon but excited to see sunshine – first in days. Friday’s attempt at seeing the Tetons ended early, most of the day spent at Visitor Center(s) viewing park films & museum artifacts.
Today with 10 hours before my flight back to Denver, wanted to fit in a hike – the landscape so beautiful, reminiscent of our Colorado Rockies. And as clouds cleared, snow was visible on the high peaks – first of the season.
Snapped some of my most memorable shots of the trip this morning. WOW!
Decided on Inspiration Point as today’s hike destination. Bought a boat ticket across Jenny Lake to cut 2.5 miles off the hike distance. Jenny Lake, named after a Shoshone guide in 1872, is one of the Park’s largest bodies of water. That said, the trip across couldn’t have lasted more than 15 minutes.
Stopped a few minutes at Hidden Falls – a half mile UP – then continued on the well defined trail to Inspiration Point.
The quick stairmaster-esque hike & elevation was similar to Boulder hiking but the landscape so more lush. It’s been a wet summer this year in the Tetons; waterfalls & rivers running high, tall Pines & multiple varieties of wildflowers peppered the forest’s green floor. Only wish there had been more time.
Visiting America’s National Parks highly recommended.
Day after July’s marathon in Missoula I went whitewater rafting, this month I hiked Grand Teton National Park. Finding creative recovery an active part of marathoning. A-ok to keep re-setting the bar 🙂
“Keep your dream in front of you. Never let it go regardless of how far fetched it might seem.”
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- Grand Teton Nat’l Park
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- first sunshine in days
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- today’s WOW shot!
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- snowfall visible on the high peaks – first of season
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- Jenny Lake — formed by glaciers, 423 feet deep
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- left off the boat dock, then hike UP
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- Hidden Falls
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- Cascade Canyon
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- stairmaster-esque
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- soaking in thin air
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- today’s hike destination
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- goodbye Tetons
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- Jackson Hole WY – small airport, BIG landscape
6 days after Ironman – couldn’t wait to hit the mountains, jump in & rejoin everyday life.
Kicked off the weekend at Louisville Street Faire listening to live outdoor music, filling up on pizza & ice cream. All summer, every Friday night on Front Street (just off Main). Haven’t been once this year – good to be back.
Woke late Saturday plus the weather’s been a bit unpredictable, so Lake Isabelle was today’s target. Ash & Tom’s dog Marty injured his shoulder a few weeks back so decided on a shorter hike to best assess his recovery.
Hiked Lake Isabelle 2 years ago during my 52 week hike challenge – actually overshot the Glacier, resulting in Ro & I hiking down to our end destination. Good memories.
Paid the park fee & queued 30 minutes for our turn into the Park. So many people flocking to Indian Peaks this day, that rangers limited car entry into the Park.
Located parking on the west side of Brainard Lake & hit the trail. Good to be outside, always enjoy the smell of pine.
Quickly made our way to Long Lake – much easier without waist-high snow – and continued on Isabelle Glacier trail. Memory failed me thinking I’d passed glaciers before Lake Isabelle. In actuality these were only leftover snow banks from the heavy winter season which socked the Rockies this past year. WOW – it’s August. Not expecting these drifts will melt before snow flies again. LOVE my escape from the summer heat – only an hour from home.
Sat on a large rock, Isabelle lakeside & shot landscape pics as dark clouds gathered. Rain, gusty cold wind, ice pellets, rain again, then sunshine – all within a 20 minute span. LOL>
What turns a good hike day into a GREAT hike day?
Saw 2 HUGE moose on our hike return. I’ve seen moose from a distance in New Hampshire & Alaska. These guys however were close (10-15 feet away) and H-U-G-E. Their rack, their heads – just enormous. Tried to keep our distance & not startle these giants…but in reality, they could have trounced us. SPECTACULAR!
Bear & bighorn sheep last month – moose today. Travelling to Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks over my birthday – excited about the possibilities. Life is good, really really good 🙂
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- perfect day for a hike
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- wet summer = lush green colour
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- snow melt & runoff…in August
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- snow silhouette – LOVE this place!
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- Lake Isabelle
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- Isabelle Glacier
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- he’s baaaaaack – my hiking buddy, Ro
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- Moose!
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- outdoor music & brew every Friday night (local summer fun)
Up at dawn & on the road by 6am – must be on vacation 🙂
Drove 2 hours around the south rim of Glacier, then north to Many Glacier Trailhead. Country 95 FM on the radio, Southern Alberta’s best country – only 18 miles from Canada. Stopped a mile before the Visitors Center – first view of Glacier’s big peaks, horse & riders cutting across the valley. WOW, just beautiful – well worth the 2 hour drive.
Far away in northwestern Montana, hidden from view by clustering mountain peaks, lies an unmapped corner—the Crown of the Continent —George Bird Grinnell (1901)
George Grinnell worked to establish Glacier National Park in 1910. Additionally, he was prominent in movements to preserve wildlife and conservation in the American West. Notably, Grinnell worked to pass the National Park Protective Act in 1894 – protecting the last 200 bison remaining in Yellowstone.
In George Grinnell’s honor chose Grinnell Glacier for my day hike.
Passed 2 signs just past the Trailhead. “Grinnell Glacier hike is not recommended because of snow.” Second sign – Beware of Grizzlies. Not fearsome of snow, bears however…hmmm.
Lotta people on the trail early on — meadows overflowing with mountains flowers. Additionally, crossed over numerous waterfalls created from recent snow melt (snowed 18 inches just 3 weeks ago).
Saw my first Grizzly. Took a minute for me to register what was happening. I’m outside & there’s a bear – a real bear, not in a zoo…but on my hike. A ranger came out of nowhere & sternly told me to keep moving. Wasn’t the nicest guy but good to know I wasn’t alone. He told me this was a juvenile Grizzly foraging for summer berries. WOW – a bear!
Ducked under the ‘Not Recommended’ sign & hiked above glacier-fed Grinnell Lake before stopping for lunch. Soaked in scenery & lost myself staring into a large waterfall. Solitude & solo hikes can be a-ok. Amazing experience.
CLICK to WATCH ‘Grinnell Glacier (Montana)’
Saw my second bear on the hike return. Seriously, my second bear. No ranger this time. Was I suppose to curl up & play dead? Should I run downhill? Decided to keep moving, eyes straight ahead & not make a lot of noise.
Later came across a couple wearing jingle bell-covered hiking boots. Have you seen a bear today? Heck yeah I say enthusiastically – look at my pics! Don’t think that’s the answer they were looking for 🙂
Reported 2nd bear at the ranger station, then traveled Going-to-the-Sun Road across the Park to West Glacier. Stopped by Lake McDonald for one last chilly swim (felt good to wash the hike sweat off).
Ended the day with spaghetti at a diner. 9am heli tour tomorrow. Super excited!
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- Swiftcurrent Lake
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- Many Glacier Trailhead
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- Grinnell Glacier hike – stunning!
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- Beargrass
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- young Grizzly (berry season)
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- pic of the day – Grinnell Lake
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- peak reflection in glacier-fed waters
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- soaking it all in; amazing day hike
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- 2nd bear of the day – WOW & yikes!
