Hiker. Blogger. Photographer. CrossFitter. Dog Owner. Texan.
Rainy Day in the Tetons
A late summer storm brings rain to Jackson Hole and snow in the Tetons' higher elevations.
Three months and a day ago, I visited Grand Teton National Park on my way to the Sawtooths of central Idaho. It rained, and the spectacular peaks of the Teton Range were hidden by thick storm clouds. Though the clouds broke apart now and again on the ground, the sky never cleared, and the rain seldom stopped.
Taking it in stride, I drove to some of the park’s viewpoints and pull-outs, reflecting on what they look like when the weather is gorgeous. I spent some time admiring the view from the overlook of the Snake River, near where Ansel Adams took his famous photo and I witnessed a stunning sunrise. Cascade Canyon’s lower reaches are clearly visible directly behind the bend of the river, but the Grand, Teewie, and the other peaks were lost in the clouds.
Cascade Canyon and the Snake River, under the cloud deck.
After making camp near Jackson Lake, I decided to go for a hike, rain or no rain. Dressed in my rain gear and carrying an umbrella, I hiked around String Lake and down to the shore of Leigh Lake, pausing to enjoy the sound of rain falling on the water, and in the pines.
String Lake beneath misty mountains.
Eventually, I made it around to Leigh Lake, which offered a view of Mount Moran peeking through the rain.
Leigh Lake
It took awhile to find the correct parking area on my way back from Leigh Lake. I walked about half a mile down the park road, trying to avoid many puddles, before finally reaching my car. I went back to the campsite and found it surprisingly dry and almost clear. The sun shone for a few minutes, but the clouds quickly retook the sky.
Not far from my campsite, I found a nice place to stare across Jackson Lake at hulking Mount Moran and its cloak of clouds.
Jackson Lake
It’s been stormy here before when I’ve visited, but this was the first time the mountains eluded me. The clouds permitted a pretty sunset before the rains returned.
Sunset from my campsite near Jackson Lake.
I slept soundly to the steady patter of a gentle rain.
Rainy Day in the Tetons, GT09-0808-4843R; Cascade Canyon Under the Clouds, GT09-0808-4825R; String Lake and Misty Mountains, GT09-0808-4879R; Leigh Lake and Mount Moran, GT09-0808-4885R; Jackson Lake and Stormy Mount Moran, GT09-0808-4889R; and Jackson Lake Sunset, GT09-0808-4896R, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming | ©2009 Jeff Blaylock
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| Print article | This entry was posted by Jeff on November 9, 2009 at 9:16 pm, and is filed under Photo Post, Travels. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |
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