My too-short twenty-four hours in Grand Tetons was coming to a close! I was heading north towards the South Entrance to Yellowstone, but still had a few more sights to see in beautiful Jackson Hole.
But first, why don't you click the links below to catch up on the drives through the amazing beauty of Grand Teton:
The Gorgeous Views of Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons with Elk Herd Cameos!
Jenny Lake and Foxes and Bears!
Wild West, Abandoned Cabins, and Bison!
Mormon Row - Beautiful Barns and Pronghorn Antelope!
National Museum of Wildlife Art - Amazing Sculptures in a Glorious Outdoor Setting!
After leaving Jackson and the National Museum of Wildlife Art, I once again traveled the beautiful Teton Park Road but this time I turned left onto the John D Rockefeller Parkway/Highway 191 to continue north towards Yellowstone. This was previously untraveled road for me since, as stated in my previous posts, I had turned right before to head for Oxbow Bend and South 191 to go back to Jackson.
I was running a bit low on time as I wanted to be at Madison Campground by 6:00 in case there was anything wrong with my reservation (my anxiety kicking me in the ass as usual). So I didn't really plan on making a lot of stops, but there were a few I just couldn't resist!
My first stop was at the Willow Flats Overlook. Such a beautiful, wide-open space filled with so many different ecosystems. There is a trail through part of it from the Jackson Lake Lodge which is just down the road. I really hope to do some hiking on my next trip and this will be top of the list.
If you look just above the dip in the Willow trees on the left (just below the clump of pines in front of the lake), you can just make out a herd of Elk laying and grazing in the flats.
If you hike the trail through Willow Flats from Jackson Lake Lodge, you end up in Colter Bay. Obviously I drove, but was really happy I stopped in Colter Bay. For starters, it's an amazing little village with grocery stores, a laundromat, campground, etc. All tucked away so you don't even see it if you stay on the main road (except for signage of course).
I pulled in as my last stop just to see what it was like. I'm so glad I did.
There is a "swimming beach" at Colter Bay and of course it was too cold for swimming on this Spring day.
But there was a father and his son just checking out the beach. The young man wearing his red shirt as he threw rocks into the blue water just popped to me - especially with the mountain towering over him. Papa is off to the left - both just enjoying discovering nature.
This was my last view of the Teton Range and Jackson Lake - as you get back on the highway, you find yourself in dense forest and foothills as you head north into Yellowstone.
As I turned around near the campground, this cute little Uinta ground squirrel chewing on some grass caught my eye!
Unfortunately, in my excitement and hurry, I didn't get the right focus. :( He's not perfectly clear but you can still see how cute he is with his little grass sticking out of his mouth!
So I took another. He looked at me like I was the paparazzi. lol
He is not amused. haha So I left him in peace and headed north. I soon reached the entrance to Yellowstone! The line was pretty long for mid-May, but not too bad and it moved pretty quickly.
As I'm driving up the now increasing windy, forested road, I start seeing SNOW! So happy and excited! This California flatlander (for the most part) doesn't get to see much snow. And it was so gorgeous settled into the Snake River canyon!
I cannot even express how beautiful it was! And my photos probably don't do it justice.
And of course, I along with pretty much everyone else on the road, had to pull over at Lewis Falls, the first waterfall you can see from the highway. The sky was dramatic, the air was brisk, and the 30-foot falls and surrounding river were so beautiful and - even with the small crowd - peaceful. I sat here for a little bit, I'm not going to lie.
After stopping at Lewis Falls, I didn't really stop again for a bit. I just enjoyed the windy road through truly stunning forests.
Frankly, I was determined not to make many stops. As I mentioned earlier, the anxiety that is becoming more and more of a driving force in my life was making itself felt. I had received a confirmation email for my Madison campground campsite, but it only listed one night - not the two that I had reserved. So my mind was pushing me to get there to make sure I had a place to sleep.
I was tempted to stop as I passed beautiful Lewis Lake which was halfway covered in ice and snow. I've never seen anything like that before and I actually do regret not stopping for even five minutes to enjoy it.
But I didn't. (I regret this.)
I was tempted again when I came to the turnoff for Old Faithful. I should at least stop and see what's there, right?
But I didn't (I didn't regret this like I did Lewis Lake).
But when I saw the steam from Black Sand Basin? I couldn't resist stopping. I squelched my anxieties and pulled right over. And I'm so glad I did!!
We'll explore Black Sand Basin geyser area and my very first Yellowstone bison UP CLOSE and personal! In the next post. :) But I'll leave you with this little teaser.
xoxo
Nikon D600 with Nikkor 28-300 lens & D7200 with Sigma 150-600 Contemporary lens
