It's 430 pm, day 2, and I'm currently sitting in my camp at Delta Lake in Grand Teton National Park. The road just to get here was more mentally exhausting than anything. But I've had my nutritious and delicious dinner of ramen noodles, so now seems like a good time to recap.
Yesterday, July 1st, I left Denver for hopefully another year but this time with more freedom than I could fathom. The final items were packed into my car, I hugged and kissed my mom's goodbye, then made one last stop at REI. Being the first of the month, now was the best time to get a National Parks Pass and use it to its full potential. Then, I traveled north...my first destination the Tetons by the end of the day.
Though there were many stops along the way. First being at the border to get the ever important Welcome to Wyoming sign. Then, a quick stop at the visitors center to find the best stuff along the way, since the Tetons are in the northwest corner of the state, just south of Yellowstone.
I got a tip that when in Larimer to take 130 west to 230 north for a fun scenic drive. Score. Except that I can't read road signs and accidentally took 230 the whole way. For those who may not know, 230 dips south back into Colorado then cuts north back into Wyoming.
OOPS.
But, having the luxury of time, I didn't mind, and it was a beautiful drive anyways. I then took i-80 west to rock Springs and cut north from there to Jackson, arriving in to town at 10 pm, exhausted, and ready for the next test: finding a place to sleep.
Jackson is 4 miles south of the official Teton NP boundary, and I knew there was no way I could stealth camp in town. I figure taking my chances in the park would be a better bet. I managed to stop at the pull off for the great sign saying "Grand Teton National Park." Now, I have no idea if this is allowed but I was too tired to care. So, I found a parking spot that was "behind" the sign, and called it home for the night. There was also an RV parked there, and was still there when I woke up and left, so that's my justification that it was ok.
Fun fact, it's nearly impossible to sleep in when sleeping in your car. Between the light, noise, and heat, sleeping till 8 am seems about as good as it's going to get. But that just means I get to do more with my days, which I won't complain about.
Again, I wandered to the visitors center. Found the desk to get a back country permit, and asked what was best, mentioning Delta Lake looked nice. The guy at the counter gave me a quick up and down, because apparently Delta Lake is kind of a local secret.
OOPS. number 2.
But since it's just me, he let it slide and gave me a permit for the night, as well as a map to get there since at one point I have to go off trail to get there. (I ended up going off the wrong trial, and having some fun cliffs to navigate).
But I managed to make it just fine, and with most of the day to spare. (Delta Lake is usually a quick day hike, only 8 miles round trip). An early dinner felt fitting as I was famished, and ramen was tonight's choice. Eating dinner next to a waterfall has to be up there as one of the most peaceful and calming things one can do.
Finally I packed up and scrambled up the last quarter mile to my campsite. Hidden from the main trail.
It’s been scary, and still a bit surreal. I don't think I've ever had this much alone time and maybe it's a good thing I'm getting it now. Thankfully I'm only solo for a few more days, and then I'll have my first link up and be able to climb some real rock.
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Sleep came all too fast while reading in my tent and I passed out around 7:30 to awake again at 11 for some night photos. The cool night air not as crisp as the Rockies, but a light jacket was needed to combat cool breeze across my lower legs. With sufficient photos, my tent called my name and I passed out for the remainder of the night.
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The morning came fast with the Delta Lake just outside the temporary home of my tent. A quick breakfast and pack up put me on the trail, the right trail, back to the car. Some scrambling down the rocks, under and over an obstacle course of fallen trees and plenty of greetings to groups going by put me at the correct switchback entrance. I ditched my main pack and took the “brain” or “lid” of my backpack as an ultralight daypack. Only my phone/wallet/keys, camera and water bottle with filter.
The first stop was Surprise Lake, another possible camp site that is more often traveled but not as scenic as Delta Lake. I could move like lightning without my heavy pack, nearly sprinting up the trail. Another quarter mile put me at Amphitheater Lake with another great view and a small break for lunch. Wandering down the trail to my pack, I found it unharmed and all things accounted for. With the lid placed back on, I made my way down to the 3 miles and 3000 ft of elevation drop to the Lupine Meadows trailhead parking lot.
My car was found at only 2 pm, and with still a full day, I began wandering north to Yellowstone with frequent stops along the way. The Grand Tetons are...majestic...as the only word seeming to properly describe them. Coming out of fields as flat as a piece of paper to rise 1000s of feet out of the ground in only half a horizontal mile. They are truly astonishing and I wish i could spend a month just here hiking and climbing around. Unfortunately my time is short and other obligations and desires filled. But I will return, some day.
As always, you can see all the photos by visiting my
Flickr account here