Now to the Tetons

Headed north to spend a few days in Grand Teton National Park. We've been to the Park a few times over the years. The scenery is beautiful, but the animal sightings have been hit or miss for us. On this trip we discovered that Bill's niece and her family would be visiting the Tetons while we were in the area. We planned on getting together for dinner before heading back to Montana. As luck would have it we 'ran into' them when we pulled into String Lake picnic area for lunch on our 1st full day in the Tetons. 

It had been raining all morning so we didn't head out until late. In the meantime, Becky had sent a text that they were hiking around String Lake. While I was taking a few pictures of the larkspur blooming...Bill texted Becky for their location. No message back, but we were only 5 miles from String Lake so we decided we'd head in that direction. Once we parked the beast I noticed someone who looked very familiar sitting at a picnic table...Becky & her family. We caught up with what they were up to for a bit and set up dinner plans for the evening. They headed off to see if they could scare up some bears and/or moose. We pulled out the food basket just as it started raining...again! The monsoon season has been crazy this year.

Hidden Falls

Friday the weather was much improved. We decided to hike to Hidden Falls near Jenny Lake. It was a moderate out and back hike on a very popular trail. The overall length was supposed to be 4 miles which somehow turned out to be over 7 miles (according to my Fitbit) by the time we returned to the parking lot. It was a spectacular waterfall of 100 feet near the end of Cascade Canyon and on the far western shore of Jenny Lake.

It appears most people choose to take the boat across the lake and hike the short trail to the fall's overlook. Luckily, we are not those people. Otherwise, we would have missed out on some cool critter sightings.

Trail up Inspiration Point...NPS Photo/J. Bonney

Just past the waterfall the trail continued up towards Inspiration Point. A fantastic view of Jenny Lake from the cliff. The trail is a bit exposed with a rocky & steep drop off towards the lake.

View of Jenny Lake from Inspiration Point

While taking in the view & having our snack a Unita chipmunk paid its respects...looking for a handout. Once again you can tell when an animal has been fed by turons, aka tourists. Poor thing was sadly disappointed by us. 

Unita chipmunk

As we headed back down the trail a few people mentioned a 'bear' was somewhere on the trail ahead. It turned out to be true. The trail was following the lakeshore when a year-old cinnamon black bear popped up on the trail ahead of us with mom 'somewhere up the rocky mountainside.' 

When I saw the bear I got the bear spray in my hand & removed the safety latch. Since it seemed really interested in licking & pawing the muddy pool of water I took a few photos. It wasn't too long before the people on the other side started pushing forward with their cell phones out...the bear turned quickly to run from them & then it saw us.

Bill said he didn't think I could 'move that fast up the rocky slope.' I started popping my hiking poles together & the bear moved off the trail & toward the water. It wandered past us along the shoreline. We never saw the sow despite keeping an eye out looking for her. Not one person who passed us had bear spray on their person. Jeez, you can even rent a can to carry while hiking. My second time pulling out the spray...you just never know when one will pop out on a trail.

We did see a pika in the rocks that was curious about the crazy people taking its picture. Slightly surprised to see one at an elevation less than 8000 feet. No one else noticed the little guy sitting on the rocks.

Once back at the trail head I saw a flash of bright orange...off I go after another bird. I knew it was a male Western Tanager with its bright yellow & orange feathers. 

The 1st time we ever saw one was in 2014 at Cave Falls in the Bechler area of Yellowstone National Park. At first we thought it was someone's escaped parrot it was so unexpected & vivid. We managed to get a shot of the bird with a huge dragonfly. 

Male Western Tanager

I'm always trying to get a better shot of them...flighty birds are difficult to get a clear shot of since they always flit from tree to tree. Lucky for us there were 2 birds near the Jenny Lake trail...a male & a female. 

The female posed for her shot. The darn male was a bit more difficult...especially so since the camera was not allowing me use the automatic focus. 

Long story...once again I 'forgot' the location the other switch to fix the issue. One of these days...

Female Western Tanager

We met a very nice couple from North Carolina who were spending their summer hiking the tallest mountain in each state. She wanted to know if the bird I was taking a picture of was a mountain bluebird.  Even though it was not they were pretty excited to see a western tanager. They were heading to Yellowstone next & hadn't seen a bear in the Tetons so we passed on some information as to where the best locations to see one...or 10 were in YNP. 

Headed out for a lunch of ice cream...7+ mile hike claimed we burned enough calories so why not!

Tomorrow, we head to Bozeman by way of YNP...fingers crossed for a few bear sightings along the way.

Upland Larkspur

Marmot

Lupine...buds ready to pop!

Teewinot Mountain from trail

*click photo to enlarge