Tetons and Yellowstone

It's been a while since our last post.  We have been pretty incommunicado, which is a good thing, since we've been away from towns, reception and power sources.  We spent a day or two in the town of Jackson, checking out the local scene on our bikes.  We talked to the people at one of the bike shops in town for good mountain bike ride recommendations to rest our hiking/backpacking feet.  So, we headed up the Teton Pass for two days for some epic rides and camping.  Unfortunately, due to some technical issues with our camera, we didn't get a chance to take any pictures.  But the rides and views were amazing.  K-Bo had her best ride so far.

We then headed just a few miles outside of town and outside of Grand Teton National Park to Shadow Mountain in Teton National Forest for some of the best free camping.  Great view of the Teton range, natural hot spring right down the road, and mountain biking right from camp.  The views were incredible of the Tetons.

Now we decided it was time to head into the park.  Some canoeing on Jackson Lake, pick up a backcountry permit for the following day and join the other tourists.

We strapped the packs back on and headed up Cascade Canyon, behind the Grand Teton, for 3 days/2 nights.  Now this was the camping we are used to.  We hiked about 8 miles in, up to about 8500 ft, which was right at snow line.  It felt like high in the Colorado Rockies. 

Had our first up close viewing of a moose!  We saw him up river, moved out of his way and up high on a rock, and this guy came within 6 ft below us!  He saw us from far away, but was way more interested in the shrub than us.

As soon as we were out, we decided to snag another backcountry permit to camp on Elk Island in the middle of Jackson Lake for our first canoe camp trip.  Great time but again the mosquitoes but a damper on things.

Off to Yellowstone.  We breezed through relatively quickly in just two days.  It was just what we expected...a lot of people and totally amazing.  But, we gladly joined the crowds and visited all the big sites - Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, a short day hike to Mystic Falls, Upper and Lower Falls, Norris Geyser Basin and Mammoth Hot Springs and so much more.  Which ended up being about 8 miles per day of walking/hiking.

After heading out of Yellowstone, we camped one night off a Forest Road just inside the Montana border. 

And now, we're catching up with the outside world and spending a day or two in Bozeman, Montana on our trip further north.  No bear sightings yet, but we're always prepared with bear spray and common sense.

Total Stats so far:

Backpacking:  28 miles.
Hiking:  27 miles.
Canoeing:  4 miles.
Mountain Biking:  26 miles.

Week One Part Two

After Half Moon Lake and talking to locals for recommendations, we backtracked a little to the Wind River Range/Bridger Wilderness Area for the first backpacking adventure of our trip (3 days).

Lesson One (learned at the trailhead):  Bring all mosquito repellent devices, including lots of Deet, head nets, and proper clothing. Seriously, the worst mosquitos either of us have ever encountered.  There were times when Luke had at least 100 all over him (which is what happens when you don't wear Deet).

The view the evening before hitting the trail with the Burb and Big Red in the foreground.

Kristin easing in to life on the trail with her little pack.

Hiking in.

Camping destination, just a short 6 miles on the trail, Big Sandy Lake (elevation 9,600 ft).

Top of Dogtooth Mountain (elevation 12,488 ft).

Wyoming Brook Trout dinner after a great hike.

NEXT STOP:  Grand Tetons???

First Stop/Week One Part One - Bridger Teton National Forest

On our way to Grand Teton National Park, we took a detour into Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming.  First Stop was Half Moon Lake.  We immediately got out on the Canoe and celebrated with a bottle of Prosecco (3 days).

First full day spent out on the Canoe (Thanks, Jeff, for letting us put it to good use) and a quick little bike ride.

And We're Off

Burb is full loaded and somewhat organized...at least this is what it looked like when we left Denver - still a lot of work to do on the road.

T Minus 24 Hours

Artwork by Trinity Tompkins.
 
Big Red Trailer with a Big Blue Burb and a Big Green Canoe.
K-BOLT comes from K-Bo, which my friends affectionately call me (coined by Gregg Hessee), and Luke's initials (LT).

She's Big and She's Red.  Meet Big Red - our 6 x 12 enclosed utility trailer that will haul most of our gear for the next year or so.  This is prior to and during her makeover.