Grand Teton National Park Travel Blog
Imagine seeing a landscape rise up from the flat expanse -A triumphant slope that ascends to
the clouds, so high that the air thins and the peaks are shrouded in a perpetual snow. This is the view that greeted us when entering the Grand Teton National Park, in Wyoming, USA. The Grand Tetons are part of the Rocky Mountain range.
The Tetons alone span 40 miles while the whole Rocky Range extends for 3,000 miles in total. Deciding to visit these dazzling peaks came somewhat impromptu. Since summer plans got halted, we decided to make this trip in the off-season, during
fall. Starting in Wisconsin we traversed through Minnesota and stayed in South Dakota. Spending the night in Sioux Falls, SD, we checked in extremely late after our 6 hour and 12 minute drive; once checked in we immediately crashed for the night and woke up the next morning bright and early to continue our journey west.
Driving straight through South Dakota, stopping only to pee, let the dogs out and see the Cheyenne river delta we continued our drive for another 7 hours and 33 minutes. We spent the night in a quaint cottage in Buffalo, WY.
Even though the cabin was extremely cozy, another day of driving beckoned us onward. From Buffalo, Wyoming, it was a 5 hour and 44 minute drive to Moose Wyoming. This is where we called home for the next two nights and three days. Moose is a great place to stay when making a trip to the Tetons. Only a 15 minute DRIVE away with a clear view of the stunning peaks, we were planning to explore.
Teeming with excitement for the next day we checked into Fireside Resort off HWY 390. We stayed in a charming and modern tiny house that was home base for us to begin our hiking endeavors for the next two nights and three days!
Honestly this was a dream place to stay, the modern rustic feel of the tiny house perfectly blended with the rising mountain landscape that greeted you each time you gaze out the windows. I truly fell in love with this place and this resort!
We unpacked, had a quiet dinner with the dogs and settled in for the night. Getting a good nights rest was essential for our success at hiking in elevation the next day.
The next morning was our planning phase, over a cup of coffee we discussed which trails we liked and wanted to try out.
The first hike we decided upon was one that I’ve heard great things from: The Taggart and Bradley Lake Trail loop. We found this hike on the app AllTrails. Which I highly recommend it’s perfect for keeping you on track. And for someone like Me, who is directional-ly challenged its a great way to help keep you from getting lost AND its all on your phone so you don’t have to worry about a paper map. What’s even better is AllTrails has an option to download the trail ahead of time in case you don’t have service while on the hike. So you can always have access to a map even when service is spotty, if existent at all.
Exploring this trail loop was a surreal moment where we encountered tons of wildlife, like squirrels, bald eagles and moose. The hike was muddy, wet and super icy but totally worth it.
We decided to abort the mission of Taggart lake and decided to walk an extra mile to Bradley lake on a gut feeling. Honestly the hunch was correct, because I personally think, that Bradley Lake is WAAAAY Prettier than Taggart Lake. Bradley lake is nestled below the peaks of the Tetons and is a glacier fed wonder. We hiked down and I decided to plunge in and ‘swim’ in the clear, pristine, icy waters. Now swim is an overstatement, really I just stood in knee deep water to get the experience. We got some pictures and bragging rights that accompanied the photo but for all my bravado, I was super cold! Totally worth it though!
Standing in the frigid water, and looking at the magnificent scenery was something right out of a movie. I took a moment to be thankful for the trip and all the amazing experienced that I'd lived so far. Soon enough the water began to sting and as quick as I entered the lake I began scrambling out of it in search of warm clothes.
With the adrenaline of the cold, the excitement of the hike and the satisfaction of checking something off the bucket list, this was a highlighted moment of my life and one memory that I will cherish forever.
(Looking back, I still can't believe I got the opportunity to do this!)
After that glorious-but-quick swim, we trekked it all the way back down the mountains because the sun was setting and we still had 3 miles left to hike. Scrambling up steep slopes coated in ice, and mud so thick you could loose your hiking boot, the next hour was a test of our agility to say the least! After trying our best to eye the safest and quickest route off the mountain time was not on our side; as the days got shorter so did our hike times.
The next day we chose a less adventurous route and spent time with the puppies. Choosing an option with less elevation and more distance. Since we couldn’t bring them on the trail the day before because of the no pet rule the National park has in place. We decided to spend some quality time with them just exploring the surrounding areas.
Even though the Parks department has a strict rule about no pets on trails, they do encourage you to walk your pets on the gravel side roads and paved paths. So that's what we did. OUR dogs loved the crisp alpine air and they have the same adventurous attitudes as their owners.
On the long 18 hour drive back we took frequent breaks to stretch our legs, let the dogs explore, and get some much deserved fresh air.
The puppies even found a chilly mountain-fed stream to play in for a bit. Jumping in and out of the slightly-above-freezing waters.
Driving back through Wyoming and into North Dakota we saw a stunning sunset, building momentum as the last rays of the day met the horizon. It felt as if the orange sun beams were waving goodbye, as we continued to drive northeast away from our newest westward adventure.
I have to say that this trip will be remembered for a long time to come, from the blue skies, snowy mountain caps and brisk glacier waters. Wyoming did not disappoint, and we are counting on returning someday!