Grand Teton & Yellowstone
5:25 AM
Waking up early in the morning to start a road trip through Wyoming offers a surreal experience as the world gradually awakens alongside you. The sunrise paints the sky in soft hues of orange and pink, casting a warm glow over the rugged landscape. As you hit the road, the fog dances mysteriously along the winding paths, creating an ethereal ambiance that seems straight out of a dream. The distant silhouette of rolling hills and rocky outcroppings emerges through the mist, adding an air of mystery and anticipation to the journey ahead. Driving through the foggy roads of Wyoming at daybreak is a serene yet exhilarating start to an adventure that promises exploration and discovery at every turn.
We planned to visit Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons over three days. On the first, we completed 492 miles of driving and a couple of stops along the way. Our first stop planned was the Wyoming Basin Physiographic Province overlooking the Green River watershed. In planning this sounded super special being a geographic area through which the Continental Divide traverses. “Special” it was not! At least I think it wasn’t - to be honest I don’t even know if we found it. GPS took us down a two-track to nowhere.
Cunningham Cabin and Elk Refuge
As you approach the Tetons, the rugged silhouette of Cunningham Cabin emerges against the backdrop of the majestic mountain range. The rustic charm of the historic homestead stands as a testament to the resilience of early settlers in the region. Just beyond lies the vast expanse of the National Elk Refuge, where herds of elk roam freely in the open plains. Someone must have warned the refuge we were coming as we did not see any wildlife unless you count bugs. The man-made structures and untamed wilderness create a compelling scene that encapsulates the enduring spirit of the American West. It's a moment of awe and contemplation, where the beauty of nature's creations intertwines with the stories of those who came before.
Buffalo Crossing
Nearing the Tetons, a timeless scene unfolds before us. A buffalo crossing, where the massive creatures move with purpose as they guide their calves to a new field. Witnessing this harmonious procession is a humbling reminder of the delicate balance between the wild and the untouched beauty of the land. A moment frozen in time, etched in your memory as a testament to the remarkable sights that await amidst the rugged grandeur of the Tetons.
Where is our campsite?
As the sun began its slow descent on the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the landscape, our realization dawned upon us - we needed to find our campsite before sunset. Nearing the end of day one on our adventure, the urgency to secure a safe haven for the night spurred us into action. Our campsite was reserved at the campground next to Jenny Lake but for the life of me, I was not able to find it. After calling the office I learned that I booked a boat slip for two nights! Desperate to find somewhere to sleep we drove around looking for open campsites. Meagan noticed a couple sitting outside enjoying their campfire and she boldly asked them if we could pitch our tent next to theirs. The older couple said no because they were going to go skinny dipping! Thankfully they pointed us to a campsite near them that was empty and we established camp in time for a late dinner. The next morning while we were enjoying our cowboy coffee and bacon the lady next door came over to chat with us and realized we thought she went skinny dipping - really she meant that she was worried about us being in the way for her to get to the bath house at night.
Whirlwind tour of Yellowstone
Initially, we planned on hiking in the Tetons but since we didn’t have a guaranteed campsite for our second night we ended up picking up camp and seeing as much of Yellowstone as possible. To complete this national part you need to dedicate 2-3 days and we only had about 12 hours. Adventuring in the northern part of the park we enjoyed the prismatic pools, sheepeater cliffs, petrified tree, spotted a coyote, and hiked to Yellowstone Falls.
Grizzly Bears!
As we are closing out the second day of our trip we are slowly working our way to the Eastern entrance. On the right side of the road, we see a group of photographers, eagerly looking into the woods next to us. We wait alongside to see what they are looking for and we find out that they believe there is a grizzly bear named Jam nearby. The air buzzed with excitement, and the gentle rustle of leaves seemed to whisper secrets of the scene unfolding before their lenses. In that serendipitous moment, you were reminded of the boundless magic woven into the simplest of encounters. All day we had hoped to see something as exciting as a bear! Apparently, this bear had a big following and it was hard to keep up with her and the crowd as she meandered her way alongside the road.
On the third and final day of our road trip, we were treated to the breathtaking beauty of Wind River Canyon. As we cruised along the winding roads, the towering canyon walls surrounded us, taking our breath away at every turn. Driving through Wind River Canyon was like a journey through time, with layers of ancient rock formations revealing the earth's storied past. The tranquil waters of the river below glistened in the sunlight, offering a peaceful contrast to the rugged grandeur above. As we crossed over bridges and navigated through tunnels, we couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at nature's raw power and beauty. Our road trip may have been coming to an end, but the memories of this road trip would linger on, reminding us of the wondrous adventures that await just around the corner.
Animal Sightings
Buffalo
Chipmunks
Elk
Coyote
Grizzly Bear