A Jackson Peak Summit

This hike has been on my hit list since practically - October, when Dani, Mandy, and I first attempted to hike it. Unfortunately the day we decided to hike Jackson Peak, originally, we did not prepare for the challenges of 2-3 feet of snow - so we only made it 1-2 miles in while post-holing to our thighs. Mind you, we did not envision that day to make it to the top, but we had always been wanting to try again and actually summit. So, today, was the day! And boy were we excited!

The Sign into the Teton National Forest

We planned to hike mega-early! Marc, Mandy, and I all got together around 6:30am, and drove up to the Goodwin Lake Trailhead by 7:15am. To get to the trailhead, you take the back entrance to the National Elk Refuge and head past Miller Butte. When you see a sign for Curtis Canyon, make a right and the road will start to drive up the mountain and takes your car up a few switchbacks. Little Blue could definitely not handle this with her low clearance, so a big 'thank you' goes out to Marc for allowing all of us to use his van to get up there. As you pass the campground, you continue up the road and keep right towards the Goodwin Lake Trailhead parking lot (starting at 8,120 ft).

Ruffed Grouse

We got onto the trial a little before 7:30am, which was perfect in hopes to summit before or at noon. The trail takes you up through conifers, where you eventually hit open sagebrush, and then some more climbing into conifers again (with sneak peaks of the Tetons through the trees). About 2-miles into the trail, you cross into the Teton National Forest and you begin to hike along the sidehill with open, rocky slopes and scree.

A View From Goodwin Lake

You hit Goodwin Lake (where you can also camp!!!) and we continue past the lake (to the right or east) of the mountain through open meadows. It was gorgeous! Elevation at 9,516-feet!

The Fireweed is Coming Back into Bloom

You eventually see a huge cairn pile on the right side of the trail, indicating to turn right in the fork where it helps you ascend along a ridge that switchbacks you through alpine meadows and wildflowers! As you head up towards the summit, you begin to get some great views of the Gros-Ventre Mountains! Mandy and I could not help ourselves and stop every once in awhile (mostly because we were sucking air as Marc was practically jogging up the mountain! - so we were catching our breath) but to also get a view of the Gros-Ventre and also scope out a few other hikes we could get our feet onto!

We Were Just Down at the Lake!

When we got to the summit, we were greeted by two huge cairns and lots of striped squirrels! We summited around 11:30am! Not bad for a 4-hour hike up! Plus, there were no other hikers in sight - we had the whole summit to ourselves for about 20-minutes!

A View of the Gros-Ventre!

After having our lunch and getting a bunch of photos taken, that's when we started seeing more and more hikers eventually summit as well! Good thing we started when we did - we could start trekking back down before the huge hiker crowd got to the top!

Marc With the Part of the Teton Range in the Background

When we got to the top, we also got some photos of Mandy and I posed with a spot reserved for our friend Dani. In honor of her, who had to leave for Alaska before we could all attempt this trek again, we posed to include her in one of our photos! Missed you, Dani!!! Wish you could have been there with us!

Missing Someone Very Important In Our Photo
Don't Worry, Dani Biersteker, We've Included a Spot for You!

Top of Jackson Peak With Two of My Faves!

Sleeping Indian - You Are On My Hit List! You're Next!

We also had a few silly photos taken - like picking the Sleeping Indian's Nose!!! And.....Spider Man-Kissing it too!

Picking the Sleeping Indian's Nose!

Being Adorable at 10,471?! Just Kidding.

Inspiring Others to Summit Pose with Me!!

It was a really good hike! Totally worth the 7-hours of hiking! Jackson Peak can now be crossed off my hit list! Maybe Sleeping Indian next!!!?!?!? Hmmmm.

TheChristyBel

Spider-Man Kissing the Sleeping Indian!

Jackson Peak & Wildlife

So after a week of Place-Based Education, Mandy, Dani, and I had Friday off and decided to escape campus and do some hiking! Plus, it was also time to celebrate the parks reopening.

However, dogs are not allowed on National Park land so we decided to go into the Bridger-Teton National Forest instead and take Geo on a hike!  Geo is Dani's adorable border collie.

We knew it was going to be snowy but I did not realize how snowy it would be. I wore some of my hiking boots with gaiters. Next time, insulated boots! The snow was a dry snow unlike home where your gear gets so wet so quickly. So I was dry but kind of cold.

We decided to try and hike Jackson Peak. We all had not really hiked a whole lot since the beginning of the semester so if we made it to the top, great. If not, next time.

I was just a little excited and nervous about some of my first snowy hiking adventures!

Our View On the Trail Towards Jackson Peak

The hike up was gorgeous. The views here are beyond spectacular and I cannot get bored of them!

Dani's Dog, Geo, Loves Hanging Out with the TSS Grads!
Most Importantly, Loves to Have Sticks Thrown For Him.

Geo is such a hoot! He loves to play and loves people. He always wants to play fetch. If you do not give him a stick, he will go off trail and try to pull one for you. Even if that means a stick way beyond his mouth size!

Such an Amazing View and Hike...Even With Snow

We stopped at a clearly on a ridge for lunch. Again, with a beauitful view.

Geo Waits Patiently...With a Serious Face for Someone to Play With Him

The entire time, Geo trying to get our attention. If we did not have a stick to throw, we would throw him snowballs. It was so funny. He would chomp down on it, practically spit it out, and wait for the next one to be thrown. Silly dog!

We mostly chatted the entire time and did not make it to the top. Next time!  On our way down, I could not help but examine the snow! It looked so different from the snow back home in Delaware.

The Snow Up Here is SOOOOOO Different From Back Home

The crystals were so well defined, bigger, and prettier! Not to mention this snow is uber dry! Not very good snowball material!

Look at the Crystals of the Snow Flakes!
Nerding-Out!

On our way home back into non-snow territory: we ran into a traffic jam of bison hanging in the middle of the Gros Ventre Road. It still amazes me about living and driving through this national park with so much wildlife everywhere. And I do not think I can ever get tired of seeing them!

Bison In the Road - Preventing Us From Getting Home

Back on the Homeland...a Beautiful View!

After passing the bison traffic jam, we got back just in time for a PHENOMENAL sunset over the Tetons.  Again, the colors and the views were unbelievable.  Little did we know we had another surprise waiting for us back in the Grad Circle.

Cannot Ever Get Tired of The Colors

The Yard in the Grad Circle was Graced with Moose!

I love having the moose on campus!  So many of the reasons why I chose this place.  This family that has been hanging out on campus really makes themselves at home. After surviving the bison traffic jam, we come to find the moose family nestled down in the yard of the Grad Circle. It was really cool. One of the grads, Leah, was able to sit on her porch step of her cabin and watch them. Luckily she had a place to resort to if the moose got a little territorial or nervous.

An A-Moose-Ment Park!

Such an eventful day of nature, snow, bison, and moose! Hopefully every other day will be as excitingly jam-packed as today's was!

Into Snowier Days to Come,

TheChristyBel

First Snow Hike - Accomplished and Survived!