Tetons/Yellowstone Vacation

A week of hiking in a mountain majesty! 

The Grand Teton National Park lived up to its reputation as one of the nation's most pristine and scenic parks! The wildfires on the west coast provided a haze for our first two days but then it cleared up. We were blessed with sunny days throughout our vacation except for our last day which did not matter since we were flying back. We initially had nine members signed up but due to COVID-19 concerns and restrictions, only Jon and I were able to make it.

The house we were renting was actually higher than Mt.Washington at 6,288 feet! To acclimate to these higher altitudes, the first four days we hiked up to elevations in the range of 8,500-9,500 feet. We then bumped it up to elevations between 10,000-11,000 feet. Using this approach, the altitude did not affect us whatsoever. 

We spent the first four days doing classic hikes in the eastern side of the National Park, with each hike a little longer and a little higher to adapt to the altitude. We explored all of the Tetons wonders, from canyons to vistas, to valley meadows and carpeted forests!

Then the next three days we explored the high alpine terrain that included a 4,000 foot ascent to Table Mountain at 11,100 feet, Rendezvous Peak [Jackson Hole Ski Area Summit] at 10,450 feet and finished with a spectacular climb through Paintbrush Canyon to Paintbrush Divide [10.700 feet] on our most challenging hike at 16.4 miles with 3,500 foot ascent! For our last hike, we found time for some skinny dipping in Phelps Lake!!!

August 23rd - Update #1

We arrived yesterday to our awesome house we are renting enjoying Teton Brewing Beer and chilling outside. Today we did a moderate hike along Two Ocean Lake and Emma Matilda Lake. Unfortunately the California wildfires are obscuring views of the Tetons mountains so we are disappointed and hoping this will change later in the week.

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August 24th - Update #2

We finished yesterday enjoying an awesome dinner cooked up by Jon and watching the sunset. Today we embarked on a stunning and memorable hike in Cascade Canyon starting with a scenic boat ride across Jenny Lake. We took a short side trail to enjoy the views of the 200 foot Hidden Falls, climbed a rugged and rocky section of trail reaching Inspiration Point with outstanding views of Jenny Lake, and continued into Cascade Canyon through boulder trails and past a series of ponds! 

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August 25th - Update #3

We finished yesterday enjoying an awesome steak dinner cooked up by Jon and then relaxing in the hot tub! Today we did a 9.6 mile moderate/strenuous hike to Surprise Lake and Amphitheater Lake. It ascended steeply for 3,000 feet on long, sweeping switchbacks through sage-covered meadows, forested moraines, and alpine tundras. We leveled out at 9,700 foot Amphitheater Lake surrounded by a steep-walled cirque of craggy rock walls topped by towering peaks!

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August 26th - Update #4

Today we hiked in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest hiking gently uphill into South Teton Canyon surrounded by lush chest-to-head-high past peak wildflowers in large meadows with granite cliffs rising above both sides of the valley! We then climbed very steeply up Devil's Staircase through meadows and scattered trees to the Teton Shelf at 8,500 feet. From this grassy bench sheer granite cliffs towered 1,500-2,000 feet above us as we got a bird's eye view into the Alaska Basin! The distinctive profiles of the summits of Grand Teton, Middle Teton and South Teton tower above the ridge. This was our best hike thus far!

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August 27th - Update #5

oday we got an early start for a 4,000 foot ascent up to the stunning Table Mountain at 11,106 feet! It was a demanding, very strenuous hike, that gave us awesome views of the Tetons that many people don't get to see. The top of Table Mountain offers the best vantage point in the Tetons for close-up views of the massive west face of Grand/Middle/South Tetons, upper reaches of Cascade Canyon, and the U-shaped glacial valleys and canyons west side of the Tetons. This hike is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding in the region!

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August 28th - Update #6

After yesterday's difficult hike we had an easier day hiking up 1,500 feet from the Jackson Hole Gondola to the top of Rendezvous Mountain at 10,450 feet! We used the Cirque Trail hiking across a rugged alpine environment and at the summit we had some of the best views of the surrounding area! We finished our hike back at the Gondola Station with a couple of local beers soaking in the views!

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August 29th - Update #7

Today we did a 16.4 mile strenuous hike up Paintbrush Canyon with a 3,800 foot ascent through dense forest that eventually transitioned to the rocky backcountry of the central Teton Range! We topped out on 10,700 foot Paintbrush Divide with spectacular 360 degree views of lakes, valleys and the Teton peaks. It was a long day but this was one of most amazing hikes we have ever done!

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August 30th - Update #8

For our last day we first visited the Teton Range one last time and got in some fantastic pictures! We then did a relaxing 6.5 mile loop hike around Phelps Lake with towering mountains surrounding us! We came out at the west-shore beach where we had it all to ourselves for some skinny-dipping and sunbathing! We spent the last night at the house enjoying the hot tub, having another delicious dinner prepared by Jon and sitting outside the deck with a glass of wine enjoying the evening. This was a fantastic vacation and we cannot wait to return!!! 

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>>View Our SmugMug Photo Gallery [lots more pictures] Scroll thumbnails from left to right to view in sequential order, some pictures are captioned and click on any photo to make them larger.

~ Mike Boisvert and Jon Normand

The Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are calling to us! If you have interest in spending a 9 nights/10 days’ vacation exploring, hiking, and sightseeing the spectacular Grand Teton National Park next summer, then please sign up for this Excursion. Jon and I are not familiar with the area but we can figure the hikes reading local hiking guides and maps.

Grand Teton National Park is one of the nation's most pristine and scenic parks. It is a remarkable region where towering peaks stand tall against extraordinary wildlife, beautiful lakes, and alpine terrain. And Yellowstone, well that park doesn’t need an explanation…gorgeous!

Jon and I planning on spending 10 days and 9 nights at Aspen Lake Cabin, a beautiful property we found between Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Yellowstone. Regardless of what you enjoy doing (or not doing) while vacationing, Aspen Lake Cabin is the place to relax and call home while you enjoy one of the most beautiful and pristine locations in the world! If you want to do your exploring during your vacation, have at it! It's your vacation! 

Explore Jackson, Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, Grand Targhee, Snake River, Island Park, or St. Anthony's Sand Dunes from this well-appointed, 5 bedroom 3 bath home on over 2.5 acres that feels like being in a luxury lodge! . There are 3 king size beds, 1 queen, and 1 double. A huge walk out basement with a hot tub just steps out the door, outdoor decks, fire pit, gorgeous mountain views, game room, etc. If you look at the pictures of Aspen Lake Cabin, you’ll know why we fell in love with this place!

If we price per bedroom, the cost would be $902 for 9 nights lodging. If you would like a private room that would be the price but if you have a partner or can find someone to share a bed with you, then the price drops down $451 per person! That’s right…for 9 nights lodging!

We check in Monday August 17th and check out Wednesday morning, August 26th. Even if you can’t spend that much time in Jackson Hole on vacation, you won’t feel guilty leaving earlier at this price!

The master bedroom-king, bedroom 4-king [basement master] and bedroom 3-double [main] have been taken meaning that we pnly have two bedrooms remaining.

In the past we all take turns cooking dinner each night and you can partner with someone else if that stresses you out which we can work out later. We’ll coordinate what everyone will be cooking so we don’t have the same meal every night at a later date. Everyone is responsible to buy their own groceries for breakfast and packed lunches for hikes. Groceries can be purchased in the nearby towns. 

Since our first hike is not that difficult, we were thinking we could drive into Jackson Hole on our 2nd night for a lively western music show featuring entertainment and a barbeque at Bar J Chuckwagon. Yeah, it’s touristy but it looks like fun. There’s even a rodeo show at night if anyone is interested in checking out those wild, young bucks at Jackson Hole Rodeo! YeeHAW!!!

Additional cost of course would be the flight over [I priced a roundtrip fllight from Manchester NH to Jackson Hole at $660], rental car…which you could find 2 or 3 people to share the cost with you and admission to Grand Teton National Park. 

Since we’ll be hiking, you will need to bring what you would normally have on a day hike such as pack, water bottles, non-cotton clothing, rain shell, warm hat/gloves, warm insulating layers [these mountains are at high altitude], lunch, snacks and hiking boots.

Hiking Agenda

Jon and I focus will be to hike in Grand Teton National Park, exploring all of the Tetons’ wonders, from canyons to vistas, and from high alpine terrain to valley meadows and carpeted forests. We’ll be doing a variety of moderate and strenuous hikes to help accommodate everyone’s fitness levels. You are welcome to join us on our hikes or break out on your own such as exploring Yellowstone.  

Our first three days we’ll spend doing classic hikes in the eastern side of the national park, with each hike a little longer [reaching 9,700 feet on our 3rd day] and a little higher up help us adapt to the altitude. I would rate the first two hikes moderate and then the third moderate-strenuous.

Then we’ll focus on the less visited, but equally spectacular western [“quiet”] side of the Teton Range, where the property we would like to stay at resides. One first hike would be moderate but the next hike is a strenuous one, up to Table Mountain at 11,106 feet. Next day we’ll take it easier by using the Jackson Hole Ski Resort tram for a 4.5 mile hike [moderate] to the 10,450’ summit of Rendezvous Mountain.  

That easy day sets up for another strenuous, 15.8 mile hike through Paintbrush Canyon to Paintbrush Divide [10,700 feet], our most challenging and spectacular hike! We’ll wrap our vacation with a moderate hike exploring Laurance S. Rockefeller Reserve.

If we have a rainy day, hopefully not, a drive to check out Yellowstone would certainly be an option. 

RSVP

It will only be $451 per person if you split a bedroom for 9 nights, ten days! That is in addition to your flight, rental car and groceries. Once I see your RSVP, I will email you with payment instructions.  Your space will not be reserved until I receive your check. If there is a waiting list, I’ll give you one week to mail me a check; otherwise you will lose your space.