Grand Teton NP

[AZsix]

Forgive me if I am bringing up something that has already been addressed but when I searched the forum for it nothing came up.

I am trying to plan our vacation for next summer and I'm thinking of Grand Teton NP. We could stop in CO on the way as I would love to take my kids up Pikes Peak.

We are planning our vacation for early June. I would love to hear about peoples experiences at Grand Teton.

Thanks in advance.

[CajunCamper]

Grand Teton is one of those special places. Don't forget that Yellowstone is just 60 miles or so north of Grand Teton. Each park has their own special quailities and are both must see parks. We were there in late May of 2006, the temps in Grand Teton was day time high mid 50's and night time lows mid 30's, while in Yellowstone the day time high was in the mid 30's. So prepare for colder temps. We also had lots of snow while in Yellowstone in the higher elevations with green and flowering meadows in the valleys. Both parks are amazing. There are great hiking opportunities in both parks, Grand Teton known for incredible mountains and views and Yellowstone for the wildlife, waterfalls and thermal activity. Invest in a really good guide book before going and gain as much info on the parks before going so you can visit the areas of the parks that interest you the most. As beautiful as the parks are, you need to be sure to prepare appropriately for these two wild areas. NPS.gov will be a good place to start for that type of information. Remember wildlife must be respected by keeping your distance, areas of thermal activity can be dangerous if you get off of the trails and boardwalks. Also remember there are Grizzly Bears in Yellowstone. Jackson Hole Wyoming is a fun town to visit just south of Grand Teton, lots of shops, restaurants and a really cool playhouse in an old saloon that features really great live performances. While we were there we attended the performance of the musical "The Unsinkable Molly Brown", the young woman that played the part of Molly Brown had actually spent some time on Broadway. While in Jackson Hole don't be surprised if you see people like, Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts, Tiger Woods, Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey intown shopping, eating or just hanging out. We bumped into Harrison Ford grocery shopping at Albertson's while we were there. But the real star of the show are the two parks and you never seem to forget it the whole time you're there. We took a guided raft trip down the Snake River while there, the guide does all the paddling leaving your hands free for taking pictures and spotting wildlife. We were there for a week and have decided our next trip there will be for two weeks. I can't say enough about this place. Go and soak it all in. I attached a link with a few pictures for you to take a look at.

Happy Camping

CajunCamper


http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2384731000075435112gcOUli

[maromeo]

Gary,

A great park in CO is Mueller State Park, located in Divide CO. We stayed there for 2 nights on our way back home from MN. It is located on the back side of Pikes Peak.  They have refurbished the restrooms and showers since we were there. It was a great park.
Hope this helps.

Gary, Thanks again for the review on McDowell Mtn SP. This is definitely one we will have to check out.

Mary Romeo

[AZsix]

Gary,

A great park in CO is Mueller State Park, located in Divide CO. We stayed there for 2 nights on our way back home from MN. It is located on the back side of Pikes Peak.  They have refurbished the restrooms and showers since we were there. It was a great park.
Hope this helps.

Gary, Thanks again for the review on McDowell Mtn SP. This is definitely one we will have to check out.

Mary Romeo

Though it's not far for either of us, McDowell is a nice getaway. I know you'll enjoy it.

Thanks for the info on Mueller SP. I am going to have to add that one to my list. We could make that a trip all by itself if we don't go up to Grand Teton.

[mountainrev]

We camped in the Tetons this past August.  Even though I live in the mountains, I find the Tetons spectacular.  They are very different than the mountains here in Colorado.

Since we were camping with friends who had 5th wheels, that somewhat limited where we could go.  The first couple of nights we spent at a KOA just south of Jackson (Hoback Jct.).  Typical KOA--crowded, flat, little shade, but full hook-ups.  But we basically just made that a base camp for 1) whitewater rafting on the Snake (way fun!), and 2) poking around Jackson.

Next, we went up into GTNP.  Since our aforementioned friends needed full hook-ups, we stayed at Colter Bay, which is at the northern end of Jackson Lake.  They were in the RV part, which is operated by a private company, and we were in an adjoining NF campground (no hook-ups, but flush toilets).  

The wildlife was amazing.  We saw several bears (including in our campground), several moose, elk, deer, beavers, bald eagles, osprey, and probably a few more that I've forgotten.

One of the most fun things we did was canoeing down the Snake river as it exits the dam at Jackson Lake.  Even though it's the same river that we had a wild raft trip on (30 or so miles south), it's basically a lazy river trip at that point.  

Colter Bay is at the northern end of GTNP, so it's a relatively short drive to get to Yellowstone.  Although Yellowstone is absolutely worthy of several days by itself, if you're pressed for time, you could take in the main sights in a day and return to the Tetons that night.

As far as seeing things in Colorado, I'm jaded, since I live near Vail, but in my opinion, skip Pikes Peak.  It's really not all that scenic a drive, plus they charge $10/adult and $5/child (or a maximum of $35/car).  If you're set on driving up a 14,000' mountain, go for Mount Evans (west of Denver).  It's much prettier.  It used to be free to drive up there, but they began charging tolls several years ago.  However, I read recently that someone challenged that, since it's National Forest, so it may be free once more.

[Clarabelle]

We stayed at Coulter Bay campground when in Teton Park.  Very nice sites.  Not too crowded.  I was dismayed at the smog problem they have there.  Last time I was there (1956), the mountains were crystal clear and dominated the view.  It was very hazy much of the time this trip.  

Jackson is a lot of fun.  We went to the playhouse while there, and saw 7 Brides for 7 Brothers.  Very entertaining.  

We also stayed several days at Granite Creek, a NFS campground south of Jackson.  You have to travel about six miles on a dirt road to get there.  It was one of the highlights of our trip.  Awoke to Sand Hill cranes calling in the morning.  Had a Moose and her calf come right through camp.  Our daughter and granddaughter spent time in the hot spring fed swimming pool while my wife and I hiked.  Can't wait to return

[mountainrev]

We stayed at Coulter Bay campground when in Teton Park.  Very nice sites.  Not too crowded.  I was dismayed at the smog problem they have there.  Last time I was there (1956), the mountains were crystal clear and dominated the view.  It was very hazy much of the time this trip.  

The "smog" problem is due to forest fires, not polution.  If you were there this past summer, there were several big fires very near Jackson Hole and GTNP.