Breathtaking!

Grand Teton National Park

 Epic views and wildflowers

Changing with the weather and the seasons, the Teton Range, rising steeply and jaggedly above the valley floor is not a view to become tired of. Sometimes shrouded in clouds, sometimes in the full sun with puffy clouds above, the row of peaks can seem mysterious and stately. Depending on where you are in the valley the range can spread out indefinitely along the horizon or it may see compressed, with the peaks close upon one another.

Between the sage brush that covers the valley floor, wild flowers in hues of yellow, red, and purple dot the landscape, the pops of color brightening the gray-green valley floor. 

As we drove higher in elevation up Signal Mountain there was a profusion of yellow daisies and purple mountain lupine. Butterflies filled the air above the colorful blooms as we gazed over Jackson Valley and the Tetons.

Exploring History

A ranger led talk along the Snake River provided insight into the significance of the Menor’s Ferry Historic District. We learned of the early homesteaders, ranchers, settlers and visitors as well as the tale of how the land became a National Park.

A must see historic feature of the National Park is Mormon Row with its famous Moulton Barn and other homestead buildings.

The iconic Moulton Barn, sits in a gorgeous meadow with the Tetons rising dramatically in the background. One has to wonder what happened to Mr. Moulton's house!

Further down the way, a cluster of homes and barns recall a bygone era in a lovely valley. Outside this structure a John Deere tractor is slowly dissolving into the ground.

Hiking among Lakes, Rivers and Waterfalls

Water abounds here in the Jackson Hole Valley. The Snake River runs its course through the Park and Lakes and waterfalls line the base of the mountains.

A favorite spot to hike for us is Schwabacher Landing, a quiet stream leading to views of the Teton Range. We visited on a rainy day and the peaks were hiding in the low lying cloud cover. As we returned to our truck the clouds were beginning to lift. We visited again on a sunnier day for more views with blue skies.

Even in its fallen state this tree seemed so majestic, its silvery trunk and twisted limbs silhouetted against the stormy skies. It probably toppled in a wind or was felled by a lightning strike, but it remains a sentinel along the trail!

On our last day in the Tetons, we boarded an early morning ferry shuttle across Jenny Lake to stay ahead of the crowds that fill this popular destination. On the far side of the lake we enjoyed a short climb to Hidden Falls and on up the mountain to Inspiration Point. The views were worth the climb!

Amazing Photo Op!

A breathtaking view at Jackson Lake shoreline, below Signal Mountain Lodge: 

Crystal clear water revealed multicolored pebbles. Reflections of the cloudy sky floated on the surface of the glassy water.  Red, green and white boats were moored serenely in the distance! And don’t forget those ever present mountains with their snowy peaks!

““For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Taking the High Road

What comes to mind when you think of Zion National Park?

High stone towers?

Red Rocks?

Famous Trails?

Crowds?

Shuttles?

There is all that but so much more if you take the High Road to the backcountry!

The popular Riverside Trail through Zion Canyon, rated an easy path was our choice for our first day in Zion, especially with the temps in the low 100's.  With its sheer high stone walls of red, white or gray it follows the course of the Virgin River. Shade covers much of the accessible trail as it winds its way into the narrowing canyon. 

It’s an extremely crowded trail as it leads to the launching point of the famous “Narrows”, a bucket list items for avid hikers. 

Despite the soaring summer temperatures, the trail was packed with tourists speaking many different languages, some prepared to wade the rocky river trail upstream with their rented waterproof shoes and hiking poles. Others, like us just wanted to enjoy the journey beside the river on the smooth, dry paved path. The narrow trail seemed more a highway than a quiet tree-shaded path into the canyon. 

After experiencing a day of heat, crowds, and packed shuttle busses we decided on a different adventure on the road for our second day, exploring a less visited side of Zion National Park. Heading away from the main entrance to Zion, located in Springdale, we drove the beautiful roadway back toward Hurricane. Several side roads led us to Kolob Terrace Road. 

As the road climbed higher toward the top of the plateau, ranches bordered the roadway as we passed in and out of Zion National Park. With the increased altitude, the pines grew taller and groves of aspen began to grow along the edge of the road. At an altitude of nearly 8,000 feet we reached the Lava Point Overlook for a bird’s eye view of all the many plateaus and canyons which make up Zion National Park. 

This back country side of the National Park has many trailheads for the adventurous hikers, but not the crowds of visitors that we encountered the day before in the narrow canyon. The winding road offered quiet, amazing vistas of the buttes and plateaus as it climbed to the top of the highest plateau, offering a much broader view and understanding of the majesty and grandeur of this part of Utah.

“I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We certainly enjoyed our time here at Zion Canyon RV RESORT!