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DAY 2 |
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Get an early start to spend a full day enjoying Grand Teton National Park. First thing in the morning is one of the best times for wildlife viewing, so consider grabbing a cup of coffee and breakfast to go at Snake River Roasting Company’ s cafe before heading up to the park, which is only a few miles from Jackson’ s Town Square. Bring binoculars and cameras, and keep a watchful eye for moose, especially in areas near water, as well as bears, elk and other wildlife. In the fall, listen for bugling elk and look up to the sky for a chance to spot bald eagles and an array of raptors. For the best chance at seeing bison, drive toward the historic TA Moulton Barn on the eastern side of the highway. This site is a classic photo stop for its epic backdrop of the Teton Mountains.
Then, slip on a pair of hiking boots and get ready to explore. Take the Jenny Lake Boating Shuttle across the lake for quick access to the hiking trails of Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Boats run
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continuously every 10-15 minutes and no reservations are necessary. Be sure to have everything you need for outdoor recreation, such as water, food, sun protection and layers of clothing, including rain gear. Keep in mind the weather can change rapidly in the mountains, and a beautiful sunny day can turn into a cold thunderstorm with hail very quickly— so come prepared. When hiking, always give wildlife plenty of space, and learn best practices for exploring in bear country, including hiking in groups and never letting a bear access human food. Bring bear spray and learn what to do in case of a close encounter.
For lunch, drive to Leek’ s Pizzeria, by the shores of Jackson Lake, to enjoy a couple of slices while listening to the lapping water. Then, drive along Jenny Lake Scenic Drive to enjoy some of the park’ s best views. For more exercise, consider hiking Taggart Lake-Bradley Lake Loop, which is 5.6 miles round-trip and provides views with around 890 feet of elevation gain along the way.
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From left: A bison at Grand Teton National Park; view of Aspens and Teton Range at Grand Teton National Park Previous pages, clockwise from top left: Aerial tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort; National Park sign; Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson town; a pronghorn antelope buck at Grand Teton National Park; sunrise in Jackson Hole; a burger at Mangy Moose Saloon in Teton Village; horseback riding in Grand Teton National Park; a grizzly bear door post at Teton Tourist Village; Colter Bay, Jackson Lake, Teton Range |
images: Wyoming Office of Tourism; awl images |
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