Grand Teton NP

Tuesday July 1, 2014
Early start to reach Jenny Lake campground in the middle of the park. Spots are allocated by first come first served. Passed through stunning meadows framed by giant mountain peaks. It was very cold even though the sun was up. We got a site for the night right by the lake with the mountains in the background and headed off to hike the Cascade Canyon Trail.

Ended up walking up the canyon valley right up to where it it forks into the Northern Canyon and we encountered too much snow to keep going on.  Great scenery with waterfalls, lakes and wonderful wildflowers. Saw quite a bit of wildlife – a snake was sunning itself on the path, moose were feeding around the edges of one of the lakes and on the way back down we saw two bears.  The bears were close enough to get the heart racing even though they did not appear to all that interested in us.  All around about a 20 km walk with some elevation gain, but not overly taxing. Great to be moving again. With more time it would have been great to hike out for some back-country camping. The nights have been so clear with amazing star-filled skies, framed by majestic mountains.