Explore The Lakes of the Grand Tetons

You have seen it on the cover of Rand McNally’s Road Atlas, on highway billboards and in magazines like National Geographic and Outside. The list is endless. This extraordinary mountain mass landscape has earned worldwide appreciation. One of the most sought after masterpiece backdrops of towering peaks in North America, photographers flock to the Teton Range from all reaches of the globe. The majestic bodies of water that mirror its greatness in the magic hours tell the whole story. There is no better way to escape the summer heat than to visit its towering glacier peaks.

The closest major airport is in Salt Lake City. From their travel I-15 north to Idaho Falls, then east on Route 26 to Swan Valley and northeast from there up Route 31. Near the Wyoming border you’ll come to the quaint little town of Victor, Idaho, a great place for a refreshment stop. From there Route 22 will take you to the southern tip of the park, near Jackson, Wyo.

The picturesque, winding road over the Tetons is no ordinary Sunday drive. This vast mountain range supports nearly 350 kinds of birds and animals, and it is not uncommon to spy a moose, bald eagle, deer, elk or a number of other wild animals.

On a recent journey over the Tetons pass, we had the opportunity to see up close several of these fascinating creatures of the highlands. One particularly large moose had me driving in complete amazement as he gallantly galloped directly in front of my truck. His overwhelming size was brilliantly magnified only feet from our vehicle’s front hood.

After this striking driving experience over the top and descending the other side, it was time to take a rest and stroll in the renowned western atmosphere of Jackson. A legendary landmark, full of old Western shops, great restaurants and a fun range of nightlife activities, Jackson is an extraordinary stop along the way. We always spend a few elevated hours there transitioning from the fast-paced city lifestyle to the casual, country way of life. It produces the perfect mindset before entering the dignified Tetons ahead.

Depending on the time of year, there is often an impressive elk herd off to the right on the way north out of town. (The Jackson Hole valley is the winter feeding ground of the largest elk herd in America). This lets you know right away that you are entering a vast big game country. Just a few minutes beyond the city limits your eyes become mesmerized by the panoramic, towering peaks of what appears to be a replica of the French and Swiss Alps. God must have been in one of His greatest inspirational moments during the creation of this glorious natural wonder.

Massive geologic forces shaped this impressive landscape. Approximately five to nine million years ago, the Teton Range started to rise and the floor of what is now Jackson Hole began to subside. An incredible series of deep cracks called fault zones separated the mountainous block of the earth’s crust from the valley block below. With each episode of these ancient earthquakes, the mountainous block would rise and the valley block would sink, thus creating this stately series of towering peaks and glacier-fed, crystal blue lakes below.

Although 12 Teton peaks rise above 12,000 feet in elevation, the highest-reaching peak along the stunning mountain range is the Grand Teton. At its feet at approximately 7,000 feet lies a true gift from the heavens above, Jenny Lake, named after Jenny Leigh, Shoshoni wife of Hayden Expedition guide Beaver Dick Leigh. Grandpa Teton stands high and mighty at 13,770 ft. above sea level.

After our eyes adjusted to the splendid scenery, we began focusing on the final path to our first destination, Jackson Lake. We traveled beyond Jackson Airport, the only commercial airport within a U.S. National Park. (Car rentals are available at this airport, providing a great option to quickly reach the park. It accommodates more than 20 scheduled flights a day during the busy seasons. Noise abatement regulations help minimize disturbance within the park.)

By taking the road to the right, away from Jenny Lake, we soon found ourselves alongside the distinguished, gyrating Snake River, the highway to paradise. There are many spots along this stretch to stop and take in the fresh mountain air, and photograph and admire the natural beauty and wildlife that surround you. Just beyond Moran Junction is the park’s Moran fee station. You have now reached the home of Jackson and Jenny lakes.

Grand Teton National Park is open year-round, with most facilities inside its boundaries offering complete visitor services between May and October. For current information on park conditions contact the National Park Service at the Moose Visitor Center, (307) 739-3399.

Jackson Lake has several unique marinas, lodges and campgrounds to accommodate you, including Signal Mountain Lodge/Marina, Jackson Lake Lodge, Colter Bay Village/Marina and Leeks Marina. This trip we were launching at Colter Bay Village, the most protected marina on the lake.

The last leg before entering Colter Bay is a land beautifully covered with moose-populated beaver ponds, high-density pine forest and vibrant, multi-colored mountain flowers. An amplified sense of animation becomes vividly real at every clearing in the forest, stimulated by the mirrored reflections of the royally dignified Tetons beyond.

And then you are there! The refreshing smell of the surrounding pine forest fills the air as you enter the nestled Colter Bay Village. Here you have multiple accommodation options - the campgrounds, the tent village, the rustic log cabins. Those who enjoy the wilderness approach may find a few selected camp spots on the lake. Three of the park’s five National Park Service campgrounds (Lizard Creek, Colter Bay and Signal Mountain) are on the lake and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, often filling by 8 a.m. The village and cabins require advance reservations, in some cases months in advance. Do not expect any openings there without making prior arrangements (contact the Grand Teton Lodge Co. at (307) 543-3100-2811 or (800) 628-9988. If you have a hard time getting set up here the park’s other concessionaire lodging options are Signal Mountain Lodge Co., (307) 543-2831; Dornan’s Spur Ranch Cabins, (307) 733-2415; or, at the north end of the park, Flagg Ranch, (800) 443-2311.

On this outing we chose to reside log cabin style. We unloaded our gear then rushed down to the launch ramp to splash the boat. A sense of appreciation overcame us as our craft backed away from the vehicle that had brought us to this sensual destination.

We had planned on catching up with some friends once we arrived, so I began trolling around the marina searching for them and their boats. We soon met and sat down to plot out our course. Once we had defined our fishing intentions and tactics, we agreed on our preferred hiking and sightseeing spots. As it was now approaching sunset, we decided to luxuriate in the park’s grandest hotel, the Jackson Lake Lodge, for the finest cuisine in the Tetons. The historic wall paintings in the lodge’s Mural Room combined with a 100-foot-long panoramic window view to create the perfect atmosphere for a setting sun dining experience.

The next morning we were all up early and raring to get to our favorite fishing locations.

We had just crested the mouth of Colter Bay Marina when all the boaters simultaneously brought their throttles to neutral, as we had the opportunity to appreciate poetry in motion. Ahead, an apparently unconcerned moose peacefully strolled through the deep aqua water, approximately 20 yards from our bows. Her splashing hoofs were a special treat as we started the day.

We moved on to the north toward Yellowstone and soon approached the Leeks Marina area. There we stopped and rigged up the rods for trolling with pop gear and minnows. With that recipe and we were catching and releasing all day with great success.

As night began to fall the waves gently lapped against our hull and we started an exceptionally relaxing, slow ride back to our cabins. Both the sky and the water turned a brilliant orange and yellow, with a tranquil silhouette of the Tetons as a backdrop. As we approached the glistening, ripple-less harbor, the colors transforming before our eyes were intoxicating and enveloped us all with an overwhelming feeling of peace and unity.

That evening we barbecued on the boats, reminiscing about the fabulous day and looking forward to the sightseeing and hiking adventures that lay ahead.

The next day we visited Moran Bay, nestled against majestic Mt. Moran, its 12,605-foot peak towering directly above the water. Only in Alaska have I ever seen anything that compares to this distinguished object of beauty.

Soon it was time to enjoy a wilderness adventure hike. The Grand Tetons have more than 225 miles of maintained trails to explore. Paintings cannot touch it and words are wasted trying to illustrate the magnitude of this mountain range’s mutable hiking experiences. Contact the National Park Service for a list of the wonderful possibilities. Keep in mind that you will be sharing them with the native wildlife, so show respect. Read the park brochures or talk to a ranger for advice on avoiding confrontations with wild animals. You are in bear country. They have always played a role in the Teton ecosystem and are frequently seen. Know the signs and if you spot a bear do not approach it, run or make abrupt moves. Slowly back away if you cannot detour, and wait until the bear moves away from your route before moving on.

We enjoyed a fantastic hike along glacier-fed, rapid-flowing creek beds, savoring the scent of the innumerable mountain meadow flowers along the base of Mt. Moran. After this very welcome hike we cruised the boats over to Elk Island. Upon our arrival we were pleasantly greeted by several island natives. Both a bull elk and a couple of deer had walked down to get a before-bedtime snack and a sip of lake water. They had no fear; this was not their first human sighting and they were actually quite friendly.

This anchorage is one of the very best places on earth to become part of a sunset experience. With Elk Island behind you and the glorious Tetons in front of you it’s like living inside a postcard. Have your cameras ready! This sunset is one of the most spectacular, paramount, actual Act of God occurrences you may ever witness.

Our last day in the park we traditionally pack up and travel south about 10 miles to spend the afternoon at Jenny Lake, the most illuminating, inspirational body of water I have ever known. The lake is a living theater of nature’s most dramatic, intense expressions. Reflections of the mountains dance like skyscraping temples on the transcendent water’s surface. This place always moves me to a meditative, imaginative state way beyond my dreams. As I quietly occupy her shoreline, exposing myself to such rare grandeur, an awakening of the soul reminds me that heaven can exist on earth.

May this imagery enhance your sense of adventure to experience such wonders.