Take a Hike
File 01. Grand Teton National Park
Informally hopping back on here to start writing again. In full transparency, I really used to enjoy writing until it became a task/ chore. With upkeep on social media, and my main focus to create videos on Youtube it was difficult to find time to make detailed travel guides. While these posts are primarily set to be informative, i’m going to pivot and take a more casual relaxed approach. I’ll try and build out some itineraries, along with guides if I feel. But the predominant goal here will be to share my experiences, some photos, and write about where I’ve been. And if you’re not into the whole youtube thing, maybe this will suit you better. But really… grow up and go watch it. The silver lining here is i’ll be more freeflow with this writing moving forward trying to share with open arms my adventures while giving informational nuggets. I’d like to start by sharing a bit about my recent Labor Day weekend in Grand Teton National Park
Soph, Me, Tasha, Pete, Lauren, Gabe, Carly - The Ensamble
Intro:
Lets start here. You may ask, Hunter how did you get here? Well. I was guilted into it i’d say. Sitting in complete peace and silence sipping a Coors banquet while the girls began a relentless pursuit to create this “family” picture. One I am thankful that they made my stubborn ass do.
The Tetons was an idea curated really as an afterthought. It was little brother for a trip planned to Montana/ Wyoming later this month. As time passed this group slowly formed and we really couldn’t have picked a better bunch. Living with Pete and being close friends with Soph I felt I was already in great company. However Lauren, my dads friends daughter whom I met two years prior on a blind friend setup by our fathers brought along her friends Tasha, Gabe, and Carly. All individuals I can say are outstanding in their own ways and proved to make this trip that much more enjoyable.
Was three days enough for the Tetons? I’d say so.
This park really has a TON to offer you. It felt as if I was living out my younger self’s red dead redemption dream. Enamored by the knifelike juts in the mountain range, tranquil rivers that curve through the bends, and it’s radiant plains that sit below the dense forrest foothills. Sure, you could spend weeks on end here. Maybe even longer, but three days was perfect for our crew to enjoy some sunshine on the water, hike between those goliath peaks, and get our cowboy on in downtown Jackson.
Sunset in the Tetons - Our Final Night
To Do:
For starters. Buy yourself an annual park pass. Each time you enter a park you’re most likely going to spend between $20-30. The annual park pass costs $80 and it pays itself back in 3 visits, not to mention you’re paying for something gorgeous we all wanted protected. The image this year too is a lizard. They love if you yell lizard card at the gate entrances… Try it.
If you’ve got a weekend (Between 2-3 days) heres what I’d recommend you do.
You’re first day you explore. Upon arrival we immediately knew our first morning we’d peruse an early wakeup in hopes to see sunrise. And that’s exactly what we did on Snake River. This spot was right on the money as you’re going to want to face the west to see the sun paint a firewall along the mountain backdrop. Snake River also proved to be a hotspot for fishing (something Pete and I were eager to do). That afternoon we spent sprawled alongside String Lake, which has plenty of space to enjoy the waterside views of the mountains, and a nice refreshing dip.
It’s worth mentioning we were here during Labor Day weekend and the park wasn’t overly crowded. Our first night we even popped over to Jackson Hole Ski Resort to grab a quick drink and found ourselves amongst a small group of people to observe the trails in offseason. They do run the gondolas as well if you’re into that however, we refrained keeping our focus to the park.
Delta Lake- Gatorade Summit
Our second day was nothing short of an adventure as the group was up and active for sunrise to see the park from above. We had our sights set on Delta Lake via lupine meadows access, a 7.4 mile hike that had us ascending in elevation 2,296 ft. The hike proved to be perfect for our gang as we began roughly around 7:30 am and summited to the lake nearly an hour or two later. We weren’t exactly there to break record time but rather enjoy the natural beauty of the park and solve Gabe’s riddles. After breaking for summit myself, Pete, and Gabe all hopped into the glacier water and let me tell you it was not warm. Worth it. This trail is fairly straightforward and safe for families/hikers of varying degrees. It filled our morning entirely and provides some extraordinary views of the park from mountain view.
After returning to the lot, we made a direct shot back to our airbnb to enjoy downtime alongside the creek that straddled our home. If you’re traveling with a group an Airbnb would be my suggestion. It gave us a home for the weekend, and provided flexibility relative to the park. After enjoying a very much needed siesta we meandered down to a lookout that had irreplaceable panoramic views of the park. The girls constructed a full out photoshoot which in the moment was not my ideal passing of time, but looking back a fantastic idea. Our final night was a collage of downtown cowboy mayhem coinciding with a celebration for Tasha’s birthday. This trip was the perfect sample of the wild west I didn’t know I needed. Grand Teton National Park reflects it’s name and hosts beauty at each corner. I look forward to my return and am thankful for the new friends I accumulated along this trip. Onto Montana!
Final Morning- Moulton Barns
Thanks you to the friends along this trip.
- HP
