Christina’s Journey Journal

Tag: Snake River

  • Braving the rapids and hiking among the wildlife in Jackson Hole, WY

    Braving the rapids and hiking among the wildlife in Jackson Hole, WY

    After landing on the only runway at the only commercial airport located within a US National Park, we were greeted by the snow capped peaks of the Teton mountain range. Exiting the airplane on an outdoor jetway and being greeted by the Grand Teton standing majestically at 13,775 feet took our breath away (and it wasn’t just because we were at 6,451’ elevation).

    Jackson Hole is actually the name of the valley in Wyoming. We stayed in the town of Jackson and enjoyed 5 days in the wilderness playground of the Grand Teton National Park. Yellowstone National Park is only a two hour drive away but since we have been there before, we choose to stay around Jackson Hole.

    Jackson Hole Airport – JAC
    Whitewater rafting on the Snake River. Thank goodness for the wetsuits – that water was a chilly mid-40 degrees Fahrenheit!
    Downtown Jackson
    They have the cutest shops, some restaurants, and the legendary Million Dollar Cowboy Bar which was established in 1937. We visited this historic watering hole and enjoyed listening to live music! There is also a Kemo Sabe store if you want to customize your own western hat or buy a pair of boots.
    Oh Grand Teton National Park – how we love thee! Established as a National Park in 1929, today you’ll find 310,000 acres of protected land and 40 miles of mountains.
    We love getting pictures by all the National Park signs!
    Jenny Lake is 12,000 years old and 250+ feet deep. It’s one of the highlights of the park. We hiked about 1/2 way around and then back. The next day we took a ferry across the lake and back.
    Hidden Falls – about a 100 foot drop on the end of Cascade Canyon in the Cascade Creek.
    The munching moose! We also saw deer, elk, an eagle, and a marmot.

    The Jenny Lake Trail is worth the hike. If you go beyond Inspiration Point, you will be in Cascade Canyon – another really memorable hike! we had an incredible vacation. Not just because of the amazing nature, but also because my husband and I got to spend some quality time with our two sons (including trying to keep up with them during hikes!).