Taste Of The Tetons Part I -> Photography Tips
One of my biggest regrets on our original route East was that we were going to miss Grand Teton National Park. More than any other Mountain Range in the USA the Large Breasts had been calling me to photograph them for years. There was something about their shape, their errrrmm “pointiness” that just seemed so terribly irresistible, photo-wise naturellement. I refer of course to their common name “Les Trois Tetons” (= The Three Breasts, now called Grand Tetons), which legend has it** was given to them by French-Canadian or Iroquois fur trappers in the early 1800’s. One may imagine the historic conversation went something like this (I’m translating into broken English for the ease of my readers):
“Claude, regarde zee mountains, zey are magnifique, non?”
“Oui, Jacques, zey are so round, so large, so pointy”
“Ah oui, très pointy. Zey are from the ground like…like zee breasts of Madelaine from ze stomach of ze earth” Keep in mind that these fur trappers had likely not seen a woman in a long time
“Claude, your eye is parfait. They are as breasts, three large and belle woman’s breasts” A reaaaaly long time…
“Oui, it is so. Ve vil name zem les “Les Trois Tetons” Jacques. It can be no other.” They then went on to talk about breasts for the next 3 weeks.
The rest, as they say, is history.
**Note/ There is some controversy in this naming thing and some sources say the Native Indian Tribe, the Teton Sioux are the origin of the name. The other version is far more interesting for blog purposes, however….
I cannot deny that the first view of these mountains is inspirational. The insanely sharp granite spires rise like, well you know, from the valley with almost zero foothills up to a high-point of 13,770 feet (4,197 m) in such a dramatic way that they seem almost unnatural. This phenomenon is the result of the Teton fault which thrust (and continues to thrust) the mountains violently upwards while the valley (Jackson Hole) sinks. For this reason they are relatively young-born mountains, a mere ~10 million years old, and so they’ve lost none of their edge.
They are indeed so pointy…so magnifique!
Coming in here we knew had limited time so we decided ahead of time that we’d focus on three key things -> photography (obviously), beer (naturally) and stuff we could do with doggie (which was a challenge). On the photography side I’d seen tons of cool pictures of the Tetons and knew what I wanted, but not exactly how to get it. What’s the best time of day to photograph? Where? How do I get to the best views? I can’t say I got ALL the shots I wanted here, but I definitely got the lowdown on the details. That’s what this post is for….how to get your first taste of the Tetons…photography-wise.
What Time Of Day To Photograph?
The one thing I had not thought about before we came here was orientation. The 40-mile long Teton mountains range runs in a north to south direction, and all the famous photographs of them are taken from the East side. What this means in practical terms is that you have to take sunrise photos if you want them bathed in light. At sunset if you have good cloud action you can get some really cool sky colors, but the mountains will always be in shadow at that time.
Even worse, at least from my point of view, is that if you want to catch alpenglow (= the cool, reddish tinge of first light on the mountains) you need to have your butt AT your photo shooting location at least 10 minutes before actual sunrise. Alpenglow only happens in the first few minutes after sunrise so you have to be in your spot, set-up and ready to shoot when the magic occurs. Five minutes too late and you’ve missed it. So, depending on where you’re staying you’ll need to be up ~45 mins to an hour before sunrise to have enough time to drive to location and get the shot.
Those who know me know that I am but a zombie of myself at sunrise. It typically takes 3 pots of coffee and much alone time before I blossom into anything resembling the land of the living. So, with our few days here I planned three agonizing sunrise shoots (the most I could possibly handle), getting up at ~5:15 am and persuading Paul to go along for the drive (there’s true love for you) so I wouldn’t kill myself on the road from blurry-eyed lack of sleep. Was it worth it? Well, you’ll see….
Where To Photograph?
Interestingly enough the best shots of the Tetons (where you can see the whole range) are actually taken from outside the park along the many viewpoints from Hwy 89. Once you get inside the park, you can get some nice views too, of course, but you’ll be too close to the entire range to get them in the shot. Of course just about ANY view of the Tetons is a good one, but there are 4 “famous” locations from which most photographers aspire to shoot:
1/ Schwabachers Landing
This is accessed via a dirt road from Hwy 89 just a few miles north of the south entrance to the park. Because the river is calm here, and has many beaver-made dams it’s the one place almost guaranteed to give you a perfect reflection of the entire Teton range in the water, all the time. If you only do ONE sunrise shot or only go shooting ONE place, this is the one I recommend. It is…to say the least…mind-blowing!
Drive down to either one of the parking areas and then walk the trail around the river to find a spot. If you come at sunrise it helps to have a ND filter, or plan to take multiple exposures (and blend them later in a photo program) since the foreground will often be much darker than the background. If you come mid-morning everything will be nicely lit and you don’t need anything special to get a good shot. Be prepared for company here. This is a popular place, and for good reason! See on a map HERE.
2/ Snake River Overlook
This is located just a few more miles north of #1 off Hwy 89 and is not really the most scenic spot in the park in my mind, but it’s perhaps the most famous since this is where Ansel Adams took his well-known shot of the Tetons in 1942. First of all, no-one can master the master, but secondly the spot has overgrown quite a bit in the past 73 years so the Snake River isn’t nearly as visible anymore. Still, as a photographer you’ve got to go here just to stand in that same spot and try to soak up some of the greatness of the man. Mid-morning is fine for this shot, IMHO since you’ve got the whole scene lit at that time. See on a map HERE.
3/ Oxbow Bend
Located at the northern entrance of the park on Hwy 89, this is another “classic” angle with generally very good chance of mountain reflections. You won’t get the whole Teton range in this shot (because of the angle), but you’ll get a partial selection with reflections in a large bend of the Snake River. You can get the shot right at the turn-out, but you can also walk a little ways down for a slightly different angle. Once again sunrise is the time to get the mountains in light and once again, be prepared for company in this popular location. See on a map HERE.
4/ Mormon Row & Moulton Barns
The mormon’s settled the area around Antelope Flats in the late 1890’s and a very few, select barns are still around from that time. What makes this spot especially appealing is that the barns are perfectly positioned in front of the Teton range, making for a rather postcard-perfect shot. It’s such an ideal shot in fact, that the barns here are thought to be the most photographed in the USA! Once again sunrise is the time you’ll get the barns with the mountains bathed in Alpenlight behind them, but mid-morning can be very nice too. If you’ve got cloud action going and are able to do some combo exposures sunset can be pretty darn spectacular, with the added bonus that practically no-one else goes that time of day. See on a map HERE.
There are many other, lesser-known (or lesser visited) shooting areas including Jenny Lake (scramble down to the lake-bed for the best shots), Historic Miller House (with the Teton’s in the background), and of course wildlife spots. There are TONS of wildlife all around the Teton Range, most of which is best seen either early morning or late evening. Moose will migrate to the river in the mornings, Bison roam the valley, Bear are in the woods, Pronghorn can be seen on the grassy plains and Bighorn Sheep can be spotted in the mountains. It’s best to have a long (and fast!) lens for capturing wildlife, but sometimes you can get lucky with a regular camera too.
Our Experience?
How many ways can I say it? Frikkin Awesome? Out-Of-Body Amazing? Bloody Stupendous? Big Breasts are the best?
We hit Schwabachers Landing the first pre-sunrise outing and had perfect water-calm conditions and the most mind-blowing photo session I’ve ever had in my life (the absolute best photo place in the park IMHO). The second pre-sunrise outing we hit Jenny Lake where sadly, a breeze chopped up reflections (darn Nature), but I was the only photographer there making it a rather magical experience of its own. Mormon Row was only ~10 mins from our park so I decided to chance sunset photography there and ended up with two very satisfying outings, both of which only had one or two other photographers there. We drove the park loop and hit the other locations mid-morning, making for some very satisfying shoots, and with peeks of fall in the air (we’re probably around 2 weeks away from the “big show”) I even managed a few fall shots.
Lastly thanks to fellow RVers (and new buddies) Tales From The Back Road, I was able to track down and shoot a grainy shot of a Bull Moose early morning near the campground. By the way, Mary and Al are not only lovely people, but are both accomplished artists too and spend most of their summers around the Tetons so if you want to see some awesome stuff, DO check out their blog.
That wraps up my photo tips for the area. I’ll write about doggie stuff next and then, as usual, do a campground review. All I can say is that the Big Breasts were well worth it, even with the agony of pre-sunrise wakeup calls. Everything I expected them to be and more 🙂
Useful Grand Teton Photo Links:
- Blog -> Best Of The Tetons. Local photographer with lots of great info on the area. Click HERE.
- Blog -> Tales From The Back Road. RVers & artists that spend their summers here. Click HERE.
- Photo Map -> Cool photo map from wyophoto.com showing all the “main” photo locations in the Tetons. Click HERE.
- Photo Info -> Two great links with info & pics about the top areas. Click HERE and HERE.
OMG…I just saw your email come in and without doing any reading AT ALL was drawn to to bottom of the email. OMG OMG OMG..Morning Alpenglow at Schwabachers Landing….UNBELIEVABLE!!! Now I’ll go read….
PS…I posted it as my cover on FB with acknowledgements….hope that is okay?
Ok…now that I’ve read the entire article, i am so darn envious. Gurl, when you finally admitted to being somewhat OCD,, I realized that we are true sisters of the road. (albeit I am the much older sister…ahem) You are amazing and I guess I would like to believe that I too could be amazing if I were just a little younger. But, alas, our traveling days are just getting started (hopefully) and, now, I will be happy to just post a few photos on FB and indulge my passion for the road. Congrats, Nina, on some STUNNING photographs, outstanding tips and some good ole healing … because you know all this nature stuff is good for the soul.
Sure that’s fine 🙂 Nina
Great photos, glad you guys finnally got there. Been their three times on my way to Wind River range to hike and climb a bit. Keep enjoying.
Truly! Truly wonderful, Nina, and worth every single moment of non-sleep. Congrats to you and dear hubby for helping you out with this. Wonderful.
Yup, true love like that is hard to find. Thankfully he’s a morning person, but getting up at dark is still quite a push. He’s a trooper.
Nina
That last photo has me wanting to point the rig in that direction NOW! Wonderful collection of photographs and definitely worth the early rise. Thanks for all the helpful photography info.
Glad it’s helpful! It took me a while to research all the spots to go, so I figured if I was interested, others would be.
Nina
Those pictures are absolutely beautiful! Wonderful post. On the list of places to visit
Love the Grand Tetons. Fantastic photos!
All your photography tips will come very handy when we get there next year. Your collection of ” before sunrise” shots are fabulous especially the alpenglow at the end. Its all worth getting out of bed in ungodly hour.
Mind blowing indeed, especially that last shot. Utterly worth the early morning awakening. I’m feeling the crisp mountain air from your shots, too. Seems to be getting to be that time of year.
It’s definitely getting COOL. We had a few nights approach 37 or so, with most below 45. I’m loving it!
Nina
Gorgeous shots! Love the Tetons. Friends of mine from Bosque worked there all summer and posted amazing hiking and paddling posts.
Can’t believe you got that close to a bull moose! WOW! Just an amazing animal!
I could easily stay a whole summer here, just for photography alone! Oh and fear not, I was not that close to the Moose. Actually that’s the whole reason that shot is so grainy…I’ve only got a slow 200mm lens and I was pretty far away. He did pose nicely for me though 🙂
Nina
There is just no place like it. Every time we go I am awed. Wonderful photos!
Wow, gorgeous pictures! It looks like it was worth it to get up before dawn. Too bad you can’t camp right at the photo location and just roll out of bed for a half hour to shoot. 🙂 You had me laughing at your possible fur trader dialogue.
Yeah, that would be IDEAL for me…camp in place, roll out of the sleeping bag (or better yet, stay IN the sleeping bag) and shoot from the open side of the tent. Ah well, one can dream…
Nina
We were on a motorcycle trip the first time we saw the Tetons. We were coming up the road and popped up over the hill and there they were! We were both speechless. There is nothing better than being in the total open for that first view. The Tetons just popped out of the road. It was so cool that we turned around and went back down the road so we could do it again:) It was early June so there was quite a bit of snow on them. We haven’t been to visit with the MH so we can stay longer and hike. We were heading that way originally this past week but decided we didn’t have enough time. So glad you finally got there. Your photos certainly show the beauty you saw. Gorgeous photos! Love the Burning Barn and especially that final photo of the Tetons. Thanks for getting up early to share the beauty:)
You totally captured that moment! When we first saw the Tetons it was around the corner as we came out of Jackson. All of a sudden they were there…wow! Just an awesome sight!
Nina
I love this Nina! That imaginary conversation…you really outdid yourself!!! But seriously, these photos are truly amazing. Todd and I really loved the “Big Breasts” too…and you know that’s saying something! ; )
LOL…yeah, that’s definitely saying something hahaha
Nina
You are probably gone already I would have loved to meet you. We work at a ranch in Moran in the summer and we totally love it here. It doesn’t get much better than walking out of the rv each morning and seeing the Teton Range! You sure did pick.the good photo spots.
Oh wow! Now why didn’t I think of you? I’ve followed your blog, but it was a last minute decision to come here, and once I saw those mountains everything else of value left my brain. We’re moving north today unfortunately. We extended our stay twice, but we’ve got to move on. Wish we could stay for the big turning of the leaves…it’s close, real close.
Nina
I love Jenny Lake & the Tetons. You captured such amazing beauty. My favorite of your shots is Morning Alpenglow. Stunning
Yeah that Alpenglow is worth getting up for, even with a pre-sunrise wake up and driving in the dark to get out there.
Nina
What an incredible read and photography..absolutely stunning…thank you.
I was so happy to see your photos! We made our first trip there inour RV this year and it has become one if my most memorable locations! I cant stop thinking about those gorgeous and magical mountains!
What a timely post, we are headed that way next week. It’s 105 degrees at our home in Calif so we are ready for some much cooler weather. Thanks so much for the tips and can’t wait for doggie and beer tips to follow. The pics are beautiful and as usual your writing is heartfelt and entertaining.
Lovely and cool here. I think we got to mid-70’s today although it may warm up to 80’s over next few days. It’s been gorgeous weather our whole time here.
Nina
If you ever come back to that area..I strongly suggest visiting Granite Hot Springs.
The 11 mile road to the springs has plenty of boondocking spots..
I’m not sure you would fit into the campground within walking distance to the springs.
The pool was built by the CCC and..Wow!..I sure enjoyed it…..
I hope to get back there someday. Where I live the temps went from the 100’s to pleasant 70*-80’s*..All the vine maples and Alders are turning to nice colors.
Fall is here!!
David
Excellent tip! We completely missed that this time around so I’ve added it to the list for next time.
Nina
Morning Alpenglow at Schwabachers Landing is the most beautiful picture of the Grand Tetons that I’ve ever seen. I was never particularly drawn to visit there until now. Thanks.
I really like Barn on Fire and the moose picture too.
Thanks! It was really one of the most fun mornings I’ve had photographing, ever! Alpenglow rocks!
Nina
ah, memories. We were staying in Wilson at the end of April this year and I wanted to photograph the Mormon Row barns. So we got up really early, driving through the fog making sure no moose ran across the road and then ran into a traffic jam going into Jackson – and it was before 6am in the morning! we nearly didn’t think we would make sunrise, but luckily we got there just in time. Unfortunately there was someone else already set up quite far back when we got there, which set the distance anyone else could be, so I couldn’t get in as close as I would have liked. I got some great shots though. You have done really well, I love the “Morning Alpenglow at Schwabachers Landing”.
Other photographers (at pretty much every site) is definitely part of the game here. The only place I was completely alone was Jenny Lake, I guess because it’s a lesser known site. Still, like you said it’s hard to get a bad shot. Every view is awesome.
Nina
Amazingly inspirational! The photos are breathtaking. Thank you for sharing, we are 25 days away from hitting the road for a long, long sauntering journey across the U.S. And this post was exactly what I needed as we are in the throes of the not so fun parts…purging, packing and saying good-bye.
The purging process is tough (and exhausting), but before long you’ll be out there on the road and the work you are doing now will all be a distant memory. Good luck with everything!
Nina
WOW! Amazing photography! Thanks for all the great tips. The Tetons are one of my most favorite places; hope I can get back there someday.
Very nice , beautiful pictures.
You have outdone yourself. Just absolutely gorgeous!!!
What can is say? Absolutely gorgeous photos!
You should call this your ‘Playboy’ post – great knockers!!!!!
I’m a bit worried about you, as I recall, this is like the 2nd or 3rd time this year that you were up for the sunrise – Paul should check for a fever.
I’ve always had Gros Ventre as one of my top three campgrounds. Your shots are some of the best that I’ve seen, to catch the magic of the Teton’s. But even the naked eye, a few minis walk to the North from the campground, a few chairs, a bottle or two of (fill in the blank here) – and you can sit and watch the light show as the sun is setting over the mountains.
We’re in Rapid City wrapping up our business this week, and then West to the Lewis & Clark State Park near Cody, WY on Saturday for a few days. We’ll then move on into Gros Ventre for 7-9 days, before our visit to Madison. So your’s and Paul mission, is to keep the snow away from this path, until we’ve worked our way thru the region:)!
Thanks for sharing, and we’ll take care of what we call the Amphitheater Moose for you:)!
Travel safe, have fun,
Smitty
Hopefully it’ll stay exactly like it is now for you. We’ve definitely enjoyed our time here. The campground is a mish mash of sites, but it’s such a great location. We actually ended up extending our time here twice.
Nina
Wow, these are fantastic photos! I’m so envious!
We have been to the Tetons many times – it is one of our favorite places. I loved this post from the Teton naming conversation to final photo. Great Stuff!
As soon as I heard about the origins of the name, my (very) active imagination couldn’t help but go crazy with it. I think Paul and I were making Breast jokes for days LOL
Nina
Yes, how many ways can you say WOW! Thanks for all the tips!
These are stunningly beautiful photos of the Tetons! Have you ever considered publishing your own blank greeting cards and calendars? You have shared many very professional looking photos with us on your blog.
Thanks for all the great tips on where/when to shoot and I’ll save this “chapter” for the day I am lucky enough to be there in person.
Safe and satisfying journeys to you,
CateW
Maybe one day I’ll get around to creating a calendar of my photos. I think of it every year, but just never get around to it LOL. Glad you like them!
Nina
Great post and as usual, awesome photography, Nina.
I have found some other views of the Tetons I like. One is along 287 coming toward the park from Dubois to the east. There’s a black and white shot from this perspective on my blog. Another was heading north with the mountains to the south as you head toward Yellowstone from the Tetons along 287.
Great info!!!! We’re heading north today so I’ll look out for that second angle you mentioned.
Nina
Morning Alpenglow is now my desktop photo. Thanks for sharing it.
What a capture of that reflection! Truly stunning shots, all of them. I really like the blue moose 🙂 I’m sure Jacques and his pal saw the mountains at sunrise too!
Great post and great photos Nina. The Tetons are one of my all time favorite places. A few years ago when I was more adventurous I got to climb up to the very top of the Grand Teton, which is another great vantage point for some panoramic photos. I’ve also seen some impressive shots from the north end of the park with reflections of Mt Moran in Jackson Lake.
Wow!! Climbing Grand Teton. Now that IS adventurous (and far beyond my own abilities)! I can only imagine how amazing the view was from up there. We drove around Jackson Lake on our way north to Yellowstone and have to agree w/ you that there are some excellent reflections & angles from that end of the park.
Nina
oooo la la! I will just have to imagine what the girls look like in a couple of weeks with some frosting on the tips, and the trees stuck in fall colors, with reflections off the lake.
Fires and all the smoke had me doing the trip counterclockwise, but in Tillamook now, Butte last week doing the cheese factory tour and maybe a lighthouse too.
In all my travels, for fall colors, Gran Tetons are my favorite. Fall colors in Durango on a mtn bike 1st week of October a close second, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon a week later, in 3rd place. So many places to want to visit this time of year, so little time.
Fantastic shots, Nina, will have to live vicariously through your camera lens and your eye for beauty of the Gran Tetons this year.
I’ve already decided we’ve GOT to come back and see the girls with snow and fall colors. Both have got to be spectacular!
Nina
Thank you…You took one for the troops, Some people are beach people. Me I am a mountain girl, you made my day…I would love to share your photo’s with my family and friends of course with acknowledgement to you, if that is ok.
Sure! I don’t mind sharing or personal use (e.g. on computers as screen savers) as long as folks don’t try to sell them or use them as their own
Nina
One word: Awesome
Absolutely amazing! You have outdone even your ocean views, which are always beautiful.
It was so fun meeting, and getting to know you guys. I am looking forward to running into you this winter in Arizona. We can shoot the stars!
Travel safe and enjoy.
Very happy to have met you too, and I’m beyond thrilled that I know how to take star shots now. Hope we get to reconnect in the desert this winter!
Nina
We haven’t been there in 15 years and I forgot how amazing it is. Need to go back. So, where’s a good place in the area to park a big RV?
We parked at Gros Ventre campground and that suited us fine. I’ll put up a review of it shortly.
Nina
Loved all the photos—but the moose was great! Just getting to see him and then such LIGHT!
I GUESS getting up so early paid off. The last photo was a “postcard” from the WPA era……:) ALL were a treat to see. Thank you!
Wait until you get to Northern New Mexico—-talk about great light and great skies!!!!!! woo–hooo
The Moose was definitely a real treat. Wish I could’ve gotten a sharper photo of him, but that would have meant getting far too close!
I can’t wait to get back to NM. We haven’t been there since our 2nd year on the road, but I have such fond memories of the place.
Nina
WOW Nina! I am so jealous! I will have to get my Nikon out for the Tetons for sure. We are heading out with our new RV next summer. You give us such great places to check out! Thanks, George
I was definitely using my “big camera” for the Tetons most of the time we were here. It’s the most I’ve used the big Nikon in months. Big Breasts require the Big Gun LOL 🙂
Nina
Absolutely spectacular.
I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I have been following your blog for several years. We have never met, but we have come close to running into you. I love your posts and pictures. I especially loved the barn picture today. I happened to have done a wood carving of that barn, and won an Honorable Mention award at the wood carvers show in Aransas Pass, TX. We have traveled a lot of mutual places, have been on the road full time for eight years, and just love it. Keep up the good work. Look forward to catching up to you one of these days.
What a FABULOUS story! Thanks so much for sharing.
Nina
Beautiful, Nina. One of my favorite places in the world! Thank you! Love to all of you.
Boy mind blowing is exactly the word for your pictures, especially that last one. How I wish I’d read this post when we were in Teton for 14 days in 2011? Now of course, I’ll just have to return to that sweet campground, Gros Ventre, that I loved. Thanks so much Nina. Your blog is one of the most helpful out there. Although I must say as breasts I think the Tetons look pretty artificial. The only way to get points like that is with a 1960’s bra. Now the bubbles, in Acadia, “zey are naturel et magnifique, non”?
HAHA…the 1960’s bra. I think you hit the nail on the head (or would that be the teat?)!
Nina
“Rise early, for the hours before sunrise are stolen from Paradise” – not sure if I’ve dropped this old quote into your blog comments before, but your pictures give the truth to it. Some fantastic shots that show the American continent at its best. Awesome.
Well I can’t deny that the FEW times I was able to get up before sunrise it was pretty darn amazing. Despite the lure I just can’t do it multiple days in a row. When I get up that early I’m trashed the rest of the day and need a full day to recover inbetween…pathetic, I know!
Nina
AMAZING PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are all so gorgeous, I couldn’t pick a favorite if I tried! You have quite the eye, Nina!
PS…lol’d at your “Big Breasts are the best?” line….wasn’t expecting that one! Haha!!!
Take care guys!
It’s racy here in the mountains…tee hee…
Nina
Not to be repetitive but your photos are awe inspiring. It is one of my favorite places in the world.
Thanks for sharing!
Bettina
you go Girl !!! That’s professional !
Incredible photos. I’m jealous. We were there last month and the smoke obscured the Tetons the entire time.
What a bummer about the smoke!! I’m very happy we haven’t seen any, although there’s a fire that just started up in Yellowstone in the past few days. We’ll see what happens and if they’re able to get it under control.
Nina
Absolutely stunning! Awesome pics and writing.
Just amazing photos! Been to the Tetons but never captured their beauty as you have.
On our recent trip to Yellowstone, our plans would have taken us out through the Grand Tetons, but my sister, who was in her own motor home was frightened by the mountains going into Yellowstone, and didn’t want to go out that way, so we took the “safe” dull trip home, retracing our steps in. My wife was very disappointed, but we didn’t want to split up as camping with family is way more fun then camping alone. So we are planning another trip just out to the Tetons next year, if we can get it together. I was very disappointed myself, as I really wanted to see them.
Thank you so much for posting photo’s of what we missed, now I am even more disappointed.
I do love your photos!
Spending time with family trumps all. For future reference the trip down Hwy 89 (Yellowstone to Tetons) is easy enough. No major pulls and decent road the whole way down. I’m sure you’ll get back here in the future!
Nina
That first photo of the “barn on fire” — oh my goodness. It’s fabulous! Thanks for all of your generous sharing of photo tips and locales. Before dawn — sigh. I much prefer sunset. I’m lucky that Eric is a pre-dawn riser and is willing to drag my butt out of bed and have my coffee ready to go. 🙂
I’m so TOTALLY with you. I’m much, much more of a sunset gal than sunrise. This is one of the few places that could tempt me out of bed that early.
Nina
I’d say you were in the right place at the right time Nina. Your photos blow me away! Your “barn on fire” and those with the reflections are breathtaking. Thanks for the wonderful tips Nina. We are hoping the Tetons may be in our travel plans next year.
I think you guys would love it here. Plus the hiking is amazing!
Nina
I’ve been to busy and out of touch a bit so I’m a little behind here. But, Wow!!! What an amazing array of photos from one of my favorite National Parks! Absolutely awesome, and thanks for sharing them.
As I’ve been to Grand Teton NP several times over the years, i recognize many of these locations. It makes me think maybe I need another trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Hmmm…
I’m glad to see you and Paul were able to adlib such an adventure out of the ashes of the plans that fell thru due to all the wildfires a few weeks ago. Gotta love you some serendipity. 🙂
So far so good, cross paws. Still no smoke and we’re over half way to SD. We’ve been very lucky.
Nina
As an aside… the later in September or October you go to shoot pics of the Grand Tetons, the later you get to sleep in before having to get up to catch the Alpenglow on the peaks. Of course, also, the shorter the days and longer the nights, the colder the morning temps also, when you go outside to play with that Grand Nikon, too.
Very true. Plus later in Sept you have the possibility of snow on the Tetons PLUS fall colors {{swooooon}}. We’re definitely coming back here!
Nina
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Wow!
Tha’s some pretty good stuff there, Nina… I fell in love with Jackson Hole and the Tetons as a young boy. No place like it. P
Awesome pictures of one of my favorite places. Thanks to you for getting up early and sharing!
I’m planning a big SD and Yellowstone trip for next summer and am so glad I came across your site. Love the blog posts and the amazing pictures. I read all of the posts pertinent to our trip, but I’ll definitely be back to meander through other posts.