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American Wanderer Summer Camp: Exploring the National Parks
Shoshone Trail Day 5 - 6 - 7
Day 5
On our way to Jackson we stopped in Afton Wyoming to see largest antler arch and drink from the only cold water geyser in North America.
Tubing on the Snake River that ended at our KOA.
Day 6
Pancakes and bacon before we leave for the Tetons.
The majestic Tetons
We took a nice afternoon walk around Jenny Lake. Half took the boat back and the other half hiked the full 6 miles.
Hidden Falls on Jenny Lake
Day 7
One group went on a hike around Coulter Bay to Swan Lake and Heron Pond, both covered with water lily pads as far as you could sees.
Gregory and Dillon enjoyed seeing the pelicans take flight and land on the pond.
The other group hiked to Surprise Lake, 3,100 foot elevation gain in 5 miles. All for a dip in the 34 degree lake.
Amphitheater Lake another .2 miles and 100ft. 9698 ft above sea level on Grand Teton
Nothing better than a snow ball fight in July.
A quick dip in 34 degree water. Surprise! Lake
The Girls Turn!
On our way to Jackson we stopped in Afton Wyoming to see largest antler arch and drink from the only cold water geyser in North America.
Tubing on the Snake River that ended at our KOA.
Day 6
Pancakes and bacon before we leave for the Tetons.
The majestic Tetons
We took a nice afternoon walk around Jenny Lake. Half took the boat back and the other half hiked the full 6 miles.
Hidden Falls on Jenny Lake
Day 7
One group went on a hike around Coulter Bay to Swan Lake and Heron Pond, both covered with water lily pads as far as you could sees.
Gregory and Dillon enjoyed seeing the pelicans take flight and land on the pond.
The other group hiked to Surprise Lake, 3,100 foot elevation gain in 5 miles. All for a dip in the 34 degree lake.
Amphitheater Lake another .2 miles and 100ft. 9698 ft above sea level on Grand Teton
Nothing better than a snow ball fight in July.
A quick dip in 34 degree water. Surprise! Lake
The Girls Turn!
Shoshone Trail Day 4
Day 4 - We woke up this morning and everyone put on sweatpants & sweatshirts because it was approximately 40 degrees. We told the campers to keep their warm clothes on because we were heading below ground to explore Minnetonka Cave which is just a short distance from our campground. We saw stalactites, stalagmites, columns and all different rock formations in many looked familiar like strips of bacon, gold coins, the 7 dwarfs of Snow White fame, Miss Piggy's curly tail and lots more.
The three columns below are called "the three sisters".
After visiting the cave and walking 888 steps we climbed out ot the cold cave and walked back into the warmth of the sun. Across the street we went to play at North Bear Lake Beach...it felt like a cwestern version of a cross between Corny Island and Daytona Beach. We swam, ate lunch and made sand castles. A great time was had by all.
Afternoon at the Beach
Lake Dance
The three columns below are called "the three sisters".
After visiting the cave and walking 888 steps we climbed out ot the cold cave and walked back into the warmth of the sun. Across the street we went to play at North Bear Lake Beach...it felt like a cwestern version of a cross between Corny Island and Daytona Beach. We swam, ate lunch and made sand castles. A great time was had by all.
Afternoon at the Beach
Lake Dance
Shoshone Trail Day 2 - 3
Day 2 - We met "Ranger Rick" at the Golden Spike NHS who told the campers the story about the historical significance of May 10th, 1863 where the President of the Central Pacific RR Leland Stanford and the Vice President of the Union Pacific RR Thomas Durant met to drive in the spikes where East and West were joined.
Down the road from the Golden Spike we brought the campers back to present day and they climbed in and on the rockets at the ATK Rock Garden. It shows the history of rocket propulsion since the 1950's. The boosters from today's space program are all made there.
The campers help to prepare meals too as you can see the boys are shucking fresh locally grown corn-on-the-cob for dinner!
A stop to stretch their legs and take pictures of the beautiful wildflowers that grow at the Bear Lake Overlook. The lake is known as the Caribbean of the West...as you can see by the aquamarine colored water in the background.
An old western backdrop in front off the Oregon Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho.
Apricot Pancakes
Chinese Arch
The Oregon Trail Center
Down the road from the Golden Spike we brought the campers back to present day and they climbed in and on the rockets at the ATK Rock Garden. It shows the history of rocket propulsion since the 1950's. The boosters from today's space program are all made there.
The campers help to prepare meals too as you can see the boys are shucking fresh locally grown corn-on-the-cob for dinner!
A stop to stretch their legs and take pictures of the beautiful wildflowers that grow at the Bear Lake Overlook. The lake is known as the Caribbean of the West...as you can see by the aquamarine colored water in the background.
An old western backdrop in front off the Oregon Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho.
Apricot Pancakes
Chinese Arch
The Oregon Trail Center
Shoshone Trail Day 1 Part 2
Day 1 - While awaiting the arrival of the second group the campers visited the Church of the Latter-Day Saints Mormon Tabernacle, Brigham Young's house and the beautiful grounds in downtown Salt Lake City.
After our fun swimming and floating in the Great Salt Lake we came back to the campground for our first dinner together.
On the menu for a typical camp dinner...steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, peas and iced cold ice tea and not a drop of food was left.
The campers had a once in a lifetime experience enjoying the Great Salt Lake. Did you know the world's oceans have a 3% salinity level compared to the GSL which is at 4-28%!
The Great Salt Lake
SL 2
After our fun swimming and floating in the Great Salt Lake we came back to the campground for our first dinner together.
On the menu for a typical camp dinner...steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, peas and iced cold ice tea and not a drop of food was left.
The campers had a once in a lifetime experience enjoying the Great Salt Lake. Did you know the world's oceans have a 3% salinity level compared to the GSL which is at 4-28%!
The Great Salt Lake
SL 2
Shoshone Trail Day 1
Day 1
Our Second group for the Shoshone Trail Session are currently over Wyoming. The others are exploring the Mormon Tabernacle with Steve. After a quick lunch we will drop all of the campers into the Great Salt Lake....Check back for pictures tonight.
Our Second group for the Shoshone Trail Session are currently over Wyoming. The others are exploring the Mormon Tabernacle with Steve. After a quick lunch we will drop all of the campers into the Great Salt Lake....Check back for pictures tonight.
UTE Route Day 13
Salt Lake City
Another Dance Video!
Another Dance Video!
UTE Route Day 11 - 12
Day 11 Zion National Park - Virgin River Walk - We've done this hike when the water has looked like mud, we survived this in a flash flood and this is the clearest we've ever seen the river you could see the bottom. We hiked for four hours an amazing aerobic exercise.
The Narrows is where the canyon walls are only 20 feet across and in spots when you look up you can't even see the sky.
Day 12 - Kimberly Ghost Town no kidding that's the real name. The largest gold mining town in Utah at the turn of the last century. A four-wheel drive excursion to explore for artifacts from the Annie Laurie Mine (at 9,000 feet elevation).
The view from Upper Kimberly.
Mining structure and equipment.
The campers found a claim and the start of a mine which only went in 6 feet before they gave up..
Off to Salt Lake City tomorrow.
River Walk
Float
Narrows
The Narrows is where the canyon walls are only 20 feet across and in spots when you look up you can't even see the sky.
Day 12 - Kimberly Ghost Town no kidding that's the real name. The largest gold mining town in Utah at the turn of the last century. A four-wheel drive excursion to explore for artifacts from the Annie Laurie Mine (at 9,000 feet elevation).
The view from Upper Kimberly.
Mining structure and equipment.
The campers found a claim and the start of a mine which only went in 6 feet before they gave up..
Off to Salt Lake City tomorrow.
River Walk
Float
Narrows
UTE Route Day 9 - 10
Day 9 - Grand Canyon - After a late evening the night before we slept in until 10 a.m. and got off to a leisurely start. Angels Window you can just make out the mighty Colorado River as it carves it's way through the canyon (almost 10 miles away).
Cape Final (above Angels Window) is a pleasant hike out for a different view.
Day 10 - The North Kaibab Trail - Our annual pilgrimage below the rim into the canyon.
First stop the Supai Tunnel 2 miles and 1400 feet down into the "Big Ditch".
A view down from the tunnel enticed Rachel, Steve and Chris to continue down to Redwall Bridge another .6 miles and 700 feet farther down into the heat (100+ degrees at 8:30 a.m.).
2100 feet below the rim of the Grand Canyon.
Our 5th trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and our first time we've ever seen the Buffalo here.
Steve after climbing back up 700 vertical feet from the Redwall Bridge.
The decision.
100+ degrees and 2100 vertical feet later
Cape Final (above Angels Window) is a pleasant hike out for a different view.
Day 10 - The North Kaibab Trail - Our annual pilgrimage below the rim into the canyon.
First stop the Supai Tunnel 2 miles and 1400 feet down into the "Big Ditch".
A view down from the tunnel enticed Rachel, Steve and Chris to continue down to Redwall Bridge another .6 miles and 700 feet farther down into the heat (100+ degrees at 8:30 a.m.).
2100 feet below the rim of the Grand Canyon.
Our 5th trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and our first time we've ever seen the Buffalo here.
Steve after climbing back up 700 vertical feet from the Redwall Bridge.
The decision.
100+ degrees and 2100 vertical feet later
UTE Route Day 7 - 8
Day Seven – Bryce Canyon NP
We hiked below the rim into the canyon on Peekaboo Trail to Navajo Loop and up visiting with our other alien rock friends the hoodoos and spotted the “fire hydrant” but “Porky Pig” eluded us…maybe next year.
Day Eight – The North Rim of the Grand Canyon
We hiked out to Bright Angel Point searching for seashell fossils on the walls of the trail (it’s hard to imagine that 8,000 feet up you’re standing on what was once the floor of the ocean). We continued on to Transept Point for the magnificent vistas and climbed up to the Grand Canyon Lodge.
We enjoyed a Ranger Talk on the back porch learning all about bringing the California Condors back from near extinction.
We dined on the back porch overlooking the canyon watching the sun set over the Grand Canyon.
Then back to the Jacob Lake Campground where we nestled in our beds and slept with the windows open and loved the 43 degree temperature.
Bryce Canyon
UTE Route Day 5 - 6
Day Five – Goblin Valley
A playground for aliens.
Sunset at Capitol Reef to see the water pocket fold.
Day Six
A pretty morning hike into Hickman Bridge.
A trip up and down Grand Staircase Escalante to Cannonville nestled below the hoodoo of Bryce
We think they Glow at night to attract aliens.This high, rugged, and remote region, where bold plateaus and multi-hued cliffs run for distances that defy human perspective, was the last place in the continental United States to be mapped.
