Take visitors on hike, float, bike, sunbath · 10/4/2012 · hike: This is a great introductory...
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4 - STEPPING OUT Jackson Hole News&Guide, Wednesday, October 3, 2012 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Excursion: A cornucopia of shorter excursions Time needed: All are doable in under 5 hours Convenience: High –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– H aving family come to town is al- ways a great opportunity to pack as many activities as possible into their short stay. With my parents visit- ing from Vermont, my last week was no different. I always get a bit anxious before my family visits, because I feel obli- gated to show them the best Jackson Hole has to offer, yet I can’t possibly show them everything. This week, I’d like to showcase a variety of excursions, small and large, that are exemplary of our valley and great for out-of-town guests. With my parents, we tried to maintain the perfect balance between leisure and activity so as not to burn out on hiking and also to make sure we burned off the calories we gluttons inevitably con- sume at all the fine eateries this town has to offer. Here’s my top five count- down of some of the best activities to do that give guests a hint at everything this area has to offer. 1. Bradley-Taggart hike: This is a great introductory hike to Grand Teton National Park because the lakes sit just beneath Garnet Can- yon and the high peaks, though you need not gain a lot of elevation to reach these beautiful lakes. Many people take to Inspiration Point on the west side of Jenny Lake as a quick way to get ex- traordinary views. While the views are undeniably fantastic, the foot traffic on the single trail leading there is reminis- cent of Times Square. There is a wealth of small loops in the Bradley-Taggart area that you can link up to make as long or as short a hike as you desire. 2. Relax by Fish Creek in Wilson: Don’t work your guests too hard. My family and I enjoyed spending a late morning sunbathing by Fish Creek in Wilson behind Pearl Street Bagels and Wilson Backcountry Sports. We sat at a picnic table, sipped our coffee and did the crossword puzzle as a family. We were able to breeze through it, because we each brought different knowledge to the table. Had we done it individually, my parents wouldn’t know who Tone Loc is and I wouldn’t have known that dross is another word for slag. It made us feel like collective geniuses. But that’s beside the point. The grassy area beside the creek in Wilson is the perfect place to relax as the creek babbles by. I like to go there to read a book, write or chat with a friend. There are few places in the area that have such an easily accessible “park” right next to the main road. If you’re lucky, you may even see the large bull moose we saw wading in the creek. 3. Bike to Phelps Lake: With the addition of the new pathways, a bike ride through the park is a must. Since my whole family was staying on the west bank, we decided to ride our bikes through the south entrance of the park on Moose-Wilson Road just north of Teton Village. I wouldn’t recommend this ride in the summer because car traffic on this section of road is overwhelming. There is a short, mile-long section of dirt road once you enter the park, but it is easily navigable on a road bike. Once we reached the trail to Phelps Lake, we cached our bikes in the woods and made the short jaunt to the lake. Though we were short on time, we were still able to hang out by the lake and look up at Death Canyon and Al- bright Peak across the lake. With more time, I would have loved to have walked around the lake and leapt off the jumping rock on the northern side. 4. Table Mountain: Perhaps one of the most spectacular day hikes in the Tetons, Table Moun- tain offers the most bang for your buck of any hike in the area. Only a few hours to the summit on an ambling path that switchbacks up the only steep part and follows the ridgeline for the rest, you feel like you can talk to people atop the Grand Teton from the summit. This hike is on the strenuous side, but not so much so that you can’t carry on a con- versation on the way up. 5. Rafting Deadmans Bar to Moose: While the whitewater section of the Snake River is also a great op- tion, we took to the river for a more scenic float that enabled us to socialize and take in the views of the Tetons at a much more leisurely pace. Sure, this section lacks the thrills of the white- water 40 miles downstream, but float- ing by as the high peaks tower above you is exceptional. This section is also gentle enough that those with limited guiding experience can rent their own raft and navigate with ease. There is some braiding toward the end of the float, but it’s always obvious which channels go through and which don’t. This float encourages more socializing than paddling, which is always nice when trying to visit with your family. When your next visitors come in to town, be sure to pack their trip full of fun, but also give them a little break every now and again. It doesn’t have to be on the couch. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Park is sad his family had to leave so soon but was grateful they were able to do so much together while they were in town. Take visitors on hike, float, bike, sunbath Victor Morrison / coUrtEsY PHoto The Grand Teton and Mount Owen peek over a ridge in the Jedediah Smith Wilderness during a hike up Table Mountain, whose summit is on the right. Excursion Park Dunn-Morrison Saturda y Universit y The Free One-Day College Education Saturday, October 6 8:30 a.m-2:00 p.m. National Museum of Wildlife Art Cook Auditorium Presented by: University of Wyoming, University of Wyoming Foundation, Wyoming Humanities Council, Central Wyoming College, National Museum of Wildlife Art, and Teton County Library Foundation SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: 8:30-8:45 a.m. Free coffee and donuts 8:45-9:00 a.m. Welcoming and opening remarks 9:00-10:00 a.m. Wyoming’s Heart Mountain Relocation Center: A Living Legacy Dr. Eric Sandeen, Professor and Chair, American Studies Program, UW 10:15-11:15 a.m. What Does Health Care Reform Mean for Wyoming? Health Exchanges, Medicaid, and Provider Challenges Dr. Anne M. Alexander, Director, International Programs, UW 11:30-12:30 p.m. Election 2012: Democracy in the Wake of the Citizens United Decision Dr. James D. King,Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science, UW 12:45-1:45 p.m. Free lunch and Q & A in the Wapiti Gallery hosted by the University of Wyoming PTSB and college credit available from Central Wyoming College, 733-7425 Info: tclib.org Thank you to the Anglers Inn for donating lodging for our visiting professors. 243956 PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE 24/7 • Type your own text and select classified categories • Useful tips to help create effective ads • Preview different display options • Pay with secure credit card transaction AN EASIER WAY TO PLACE YOUR ADS CONVENIENT, EASY AND YOU’RE IN CONTROL www.jhnewsandguide.com/classifieds
Transcript of Take visitors on hike, float, bike, sunbath · 10/4/2012 · hike: This is a great introductory...
4 - STEPPING OUT Jackson Hole News&Guide, Wednesday, October 3, 2012
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Excursion: A cornucopia of shorter excursionsTime needed: All are doable in under 5 hoursConvenience: High––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Having family come to town is al-ways a great opportunity to pack as many activities as possible into
their short stay. With my parents visit-ing from Vermont, my last week was no different.
I always get a bit anxious before my family visits, because I feel obli-gated to show them the best Jackson Hole has to offer, yet I can’t possibly show them everything.
This week, I’d like to showcase a variety of excursions, small and large, that are exemplary of our valley and great for out-of-town guests. With my parents, we tried to maintain the perfect balance between leisure and activity so as not to burn out on hiking and also to make sure we burned off the calories we gluttons inevitably con-sume at all the fine eateries this town has to offer.
Here’s my top five count-down of some of the best activities to do that give guests a hint at everything this area has to offer.
1. Bradley-Taggart hike: This is a great introductory hike to Grand Teton National Park because the lakes sit just beneath Garnet Can-yon and the high peaks, though you need not gain a lot of elevation to reach these beautiful lakes. Many people take to Inspiration Point on the west side of Jenny Lake as a quick way to get ex-traordinary views. While the views are undeniably fantastic, the foot traffic on the single trail leading there is reminis-cent of Times Square. There is a wealth of small loops in the Bradley-Taggart area that you can link up to make as long or as short a hike as you desire.
2. Relax by Fish Creek in Wilson: Don’t work your guests too hard. My family and I enjoyed spending a late morning sunbathing by Fish Creek in Wilson behind Pearl Street Bagels and Wilson Backcountry Sports. We sat at a picnic table, sipped our coffee and did the crossword puzzle as a family. We were able to breeze through it, because we each brought different knowledge to the table. Had we done it individually, my parents wouldn’t know who Tone Loc is and I wouldn’t have known that dross is another word for slag. It made us feel like collective geniuses. But that’s beside the point.
The grassy area beside the creek in Wilson is the perfect place to relax as the creek babbles by. I like to go there to read a book, write or chat with a friend. There are few places in the area that have such an easily accessible “park” right next to the main road. If you’re
lucky, you may even see the large bull moose we saw wading in the creek.
3. Bike to Phelps Lake: With the addition of the new pathways, a bike ride through the park is a must. Since my whole family was staying on the west bank, we decided to ride our bikes through the south entrance of the park on Moose-Wilson Road just north of Teton Village. I wouldn’t recommend this ride in the summer because car traffic on this section of road is overwhelming.
There is a short, mile-long section of dirt road once you enter the park, but it is easily navigable on a road bike. Once we reached the trail to Phelps Lake, we cached our bikes in the woods and made the short jaunt to the lake. Though we were short on time, we were still able to hang out by the lake and look up at Death Canyon and Al-
bright Peak across the lake. With more time, I would have loved to have walked around the lake and leapt off the jumping rock on the northern side.
4. Table Mountain: Perhaps one of the most spectacular day hikes in the Tetons, Table Moun-tain offers the most bang for your buck of any hike in the area. Only a few hours
to the summit on an ambling path that switchbacks up the only steep part and follows the ridgeline for the rest, you feel like you can talk to people atop the Grand Teton from the summit. This hike is on the strenuous side, but not so much so that you can’t carry on a con-versation on the way up.
5. Rafting Deadmans Bar to Moose: While the whitewater section of the Snake River is also a great op-tion, we took to the river for a more scenic float that enabled us to socialize and take in the views of the Tetons at a much more leisurely pace. Sure, this section lacks the thrills of the white-water 40 miles downstream, but float-ing by as the high peaks tower above you is exceptional. This section is also gentle enough that those with limited guiding experience can rent their own raft and navigate with ease. There is some braiding toward the end of the float, but it’s always obvious which channels go through and which don’t. This float encourages more socializing than paddling, which is always nice when trying to visit with your family.
When your next visitors come in to town, be sure to pack their trip full of fun, but also give them a little break every now and again. It doesn’t have to be on the couch.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Park is sad his family had to leave so soon but was grateful they were able to do so much together while they were in town.
Take visitors on hike, float, bike, sunbath
Victor Morrison / coUrtEsY PHoto
The Grand Teton and Mount Owen peek over a ridge in the Jedediah Smith Wilderness during a hike up Table Mountain, whose summit is on the right.
ExcursionPark Dunn-Morrison
Saturday UniversityThe Free One-Day College EducationSaturday, October 68:30 a.m-2:00 p.m. National Museum of Wildlife Art Cook Auditorium
Presented by: University of Wyoming, University of Wyoming Foundation, Wyoming Humanities Council, Central Wyoming College,
National Museum of Wildlife Art, and Teton County Library Foundation
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
8:30-8:45 a.m. Free coffee and donuts
8:45-9:00 a.m. Welcoming and opening remarks
9:00-10:00 a.m. Wyoming’s Heart Mountain Relocation Center: A Living Legacy Dr. Eric Sandeen, Professor and Chair, American Studies Program, UW
10:15-11:15 a.m. What Does Health Care Reform Mean for Wyoming? Health Exchanges, Medicaid, and Provider Challenges Dr. Anne M. Alexander, Director, International Programs, UW
11:30-12:30 p.m. Election 2012: Democracy in the Wake of the Citizens United Decision Dr. James D. King,Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science, UW
12:45-1:45 p.m. Free lunch and Q & A in the Wapiti Gallery hosted by the University of Wyoming
PTSB and college credit available from Central Wyoming College, 733-7425Info: tclib.org
Thank you to the Anglers Inn for donating lodging for our visiting professors. 243956
PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED ADS
ONLINE 24/7
• Type your own text and select classified categories
• Useful tips to help create effective ads
• Preview different display options
• Pay with secure credit card transaction
AN EASIER WAY TO PLACE YOUR ADS
CONVENIENT, EASY AND YOU’RE IN CONTROL
www.jhnewsandguide.com/classifieds
