GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING
After 11+ miles yesterday with a hard climb , and plans for 12 miles tomorrow with another decent climb, I made this an "easy" day with two flat lake hikes and some sightseeing.
Phelps Lake
I was up bright and early this morning. Hiked to Phelps Lake. No bear sightings. No moose sightings. No Michael sightings.
Total miles = 3.64
Total elevation gain = 392'
Peak elevation = 6,650'
Mormon Row
I absolutely love old buildings. And because I come from a long lineage of farmers, many of whom settled in the Dakotas in the late 1800's, I especially love historic farmsteads and anything to do with the Wild West.
And so I absolutely loved Mormon Row, an historic Mormon settlement at the foot of the Grand Tetons. The row of homesteads was built from 1908 to the 1950's and includes houses, barns, corrals, and drainage systems. What's unique about these particular structures is how they were built in clustered communities, contrary to other isolated homesteads more typical of that time and that area.
The photo below is quintessential Wyoming. This is the T.A. Moulton Barn, built on a homestead that was settled in 1910. The barn took more than 30 years to build.
This is the John Moulton Barn and corral.
And here are a couple more buildings - I didn't catch the names of these.
Taggart Lake
From Mormon Row, I headed out to do my second hike of the day at Taggart Lake.
I got started around 10:30 am ... right behind a group of about two dozen 9-year-olds. They were led by a young woman, presumably their teacher, and trailed by a man who was 40-ish, presumably one of the dads there to chaperone. They were just starting and the man was already flustered, reciting his monotonous mantra: "Guys, stay to the right. Someone is coming. Stay to the right everyone. John, your other right. Guys, keep right, someone is trying to pass."
God bless him. And the teacher. I can't imagine signing up for that kind of responsibility without an army of responsible adults to help me!
Here's the view that greeted me shortly after starting the hike. Love, love, love the bright pops of yellow. A guy working in one of the shops in Jackson told me I hit peak fall color right on the dot. I couldn't have asked for prettier scenery or better timing!
Here's a view of Taggart Lake.
And another that shows more of the mountains:
It was a great day with some easy mileage, bright blue skies, and gorgeous views!
Total miles = 5.58
Total elevation gain = 813'
Peak elevation = 7,174'