Day 3-4 Session II
Tuesday, July 23, 2008
Day 3 - Before departing from Monpelier we visited the National Oregon/California Trail Center. We stepped back in time to the days of the Old West in the 1850's and became members of a simulated wagon train team and headed out from Independence, Missouri bound for the Oregon Trail. The trip was over 2,000 miles. The Wagon Master and a live cast of pioneers told stories that made the adventure come alive! Sorry we weren't allowed to take pictures.
From there we crossed into Wyoming and stopped at the Salt River Pass to look at the scenery and snow capped mountains.
We drove under the Largest Elk Antler Arch in the world on our way into Jackson.
Our first hike in the Grand Tetons was on the Jenny Lake Loop and the Cascade Canyon Trail.
We took a 3 mile walk along the lake shore to see Hidden Falls.
While hiking we encountered a few summer rain showers and much to everyone's surprise that included some hail!
We saw lots of wildlife along the way including our first moose, pika and a redheaded woodpecker.
We caught the last ferry ride of the day and crossed the lake (the captain had just been to Connecticut for a wedding - what a small world).
Then a quick dip in the icy cold glacier fed lake and back to camp for warm showers and dinner.
On our way back to camp we saw our first black bear and as the sun was setting over the Tetons we saw a treat - a double rainbow.
Wednesday, July 24, 2008
Day 4 - After a rainy night (inclduing more hail), we woke to a glorious sunny day, great for a 9.6 mile day hike into the backcountry of the Tetons!
We took the Lupine Meadows Trail to Surprise Lake.
The wildflowers were spectacular!
When we reached the top we ate lunch along side Surprise Lake (snow was melting into the lake from a nearby glacier). It was relaxing sitting nestled in amongst the snow capped mountains. The American Wanderer "polar bears" braved the icy cold water (about 33 degrees) to cool off before winding our way down the trail again. The kids loved finding snow on the path and having snowball fights. Our first snow of the summer!
Tomorrow we're off to Yellowstone National Park.
Day 3 - Before departing from Monpelier we visited the National Oregon/California Trail Center. We stepped back in time to the days of the Old West in the 1850's and became members of a simulated wagon train team and headed out from Independence, Missouri bound for the Oregon Trail. The trip was over 2,000 miles. The Wagon Master and a live cast of pioneers told stories that made the adventure come alive! Sorry we weren't allowed to take pictures.
From there we crossed into Wyoming and stopped at the Salt River Pass to look at the scenery and snow capped mountains.
We drove under the Largest Elk Antler Arch in the world on our way into Jackson.
Our first hike in the Grand Tetons was on the Jenny Lake Loop and the Cascade Canyon Trail.
We took a 3 mile walk along the lake shore to see Hidden Falls.
While hiking we encountered a few summer rain showers and much to everyone's surprise that included some hail!
We saw lots of wildlife along the way including our first moose, pika and a redheaded woodpecker.
We caught the last ferry ride of the day and crossed the lake (the captain had just been to Connecticut for a wedding - what a small world).
Then a quick dip in the icy cold glacier fed lake and back to camp for warm showers and dinner.
On our way back to camp we saw our first black bear and as the sun was setting over the Tetons we saw a treat - a double rainbow.
Wednesday, July 24, 2008
Day 4 - After a rainy night (inclduing more hail), we woke to a glorious sunny day, great for a 9.6 mile day hike into the backcountry of the Tetons!
We took the Lupine Meadows Trail to Surprise Lake.
The wildflowers were spectacular!
When we reached the top we ate lunch along side Surprise Lake (snow was melting into the lake from a nearby glacier). It was relaxing sitting nestled in amongst the snow capped mountains. The American Wanderer "polar bears" braved the icy cold water (about 33 degrees) to cool off before winding our way down the trail again. The kids loved finding snow on the path and having snowball fights. Our first snow of the summer!
Tomorrow we're off to Yellowstone National Park.
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