As predicted, we were able to get a campsite that afternoon. After we set up, we headed out to explore some of the side roads and trails nearby. This particular trail was along the Snake River. There were several beaver dams along the river, so parts of the river looked more like ponds.
We took another side road back to the campground and stopped to admire this scene.
The campground is located along the Gros Ventre River. After dinner we took a walk down to the river and were surprised to spy this moose sitting in the brush. At first we only saw the antlers. For such large animals it's amazing how well they camouflage themselves. He sat there for quite awhile while several campers joined us to take photos. It was hard to see him clearly with all the brush in the way, but we didn't dare get too close. They can be very aggressive.
He finally stood up and wandered off. The show was over!
Day 2: Hiking String Lake Trail to Paintbrush Canyon and Bears! When we entered the trail, there was a warning sign to watch out for a bear with a yellow ear tag and light fur on his back that had been causing problems in the area. We had been used to watching out for bears for most of our trip, so we knew the drill...make noise, carry bear spray, don't run, and don't get too close. So on we went.
The first mile and a half followed the lakeshore and crossed a stream.
When we got to the spot where we thought he might be, we spotted him. The same bear. He had worked his way up the hill from the last place we saw him. He was still busy eating huckleberries. We stopped to take a couple of photos then started to move on.
The rest of the hike was uneventful. We continued the loop around String Lake and got back to our car without incident.
On the way back to the campground, we stopped at Jenny Lake, one of the more popular and scenic lakes in the park to take some photos.
Day 3: Inspiration Point Hike Inspiration Point is probably one of the most popular hikes in the park. I remember doing it back in 1982 with my kids when they were 7 and 10 years old. There were spots that definitely looked familiar. The main difference this time was that Lee and I took the shuttle across the lake to start the hike, which cuts out about a mile or so. I don't remember that being an option back then. But it offered a different perspective on the mountains.
On the way up to Inspiration Point, we passed beautiful streams and waterfalls.
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| Some sections were steep and narrow. |
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| We made it! Great view of Jenny Lake! |
On the return shuttle we could look back to where we had just been. The ridge line halfway up the mountain is where we stood at Inspiration Point.
Day 4: Biking, Hiking, and more Moose! We were only planning to stay for three nights, but when Lee watched so many cyclists riding along the bike path with the spectacular view of the mountains, he just had to do it too. So....
Later that afternoon, we drove to another area of the park to the Laurence S. Rockefeller Preserve for another hike. We hiked out to Phelps Lake on a loop trail past mountain vistas, streams, assorted colors of columbines, and a ground squirrel munching on a pine cone.
On the way back to the campground we spotted a couple of moose in a field by the road, so we pulled over to get a few shots. They were aware of their audience, but were too busy eating to care.
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| The sagebrush is lip-smackin' good! |
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| Are you looking at me? |
We left the park the next morning and headed for Nebraska following the Oregon Trail and now we're homeward bound!
