I started today with a 30 mile climb from Dubois, at around 6,000ft, to the top of the Hogwatee Pass, at 9,658ft. I continued to follow the Wind River until it dissipated into nothing towards the continental divide. As I came closer and closer to the top, the snow on the ground turned from thin and light to dense and heavy. The temperature dropped from 35 back down into the 20s while a short snow shower came and passed. My hard work was well rewarded when I reached the 17 mile 6% grade to the base of the Grand Teton Mountain range. This morning I wondered how I would know them when I saw them, but it could not have been more obvious. I headed south on Teton Park Road and set up camp on the edge of Jackson Lake.
The are is very commercialized, and after being in the boonies for so long the light to moderate traffic feels like DC rush hour. Also, I am camping around other people for the first time... ever I think. As long as none of the people are bears I should be fine. For the next two days I will be constantly on the watch for bears. To signal my approach I will be singing "Surfin Bear," my spin-off of the old "Surfin Bird" song. Tomorrow I will mosey around Teton Park in the rain and finish up camping just outside Yellowstone in hopeful anticipation of sunny skies by Tuesday.
I am SO incredibly jealous of you right now. I absolutely LOVE the Tetons! They are breathtaking and the whole area is spectacular. Camping next to Jackson Lake -- GAH! Enjoy those amazing mountains and get ready for Yellowstone, it's even better :)
ReplyDeletethat last picture is phenomenal! grand tetons are gorgeous. Bet that 6% grade was worth the view! Keep those legs movin!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you were able to see the Tetons and they were not hidden by clouds after you'd made your way over Togowatee Pass.
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