Grand Teton National Park - NP Trip Day 2
Over 3500 miles, eight states and one province in just under a month. Day 2 was Grand Tetons National Park.
Mormon Row Historic District
Today, two picturesque barns highlight Mormon Row. Settlers John and Thomas Alma (T.A.) Moulton build these barns on adjacent homesteads. After nearly 30 years of working the land, John replaced his log home and barn with a new carpenter-constructed, pink stucco frame house and impressive, two-story gambrel barn north of Antelope Flats Road. South of John's homestead, T.A. took over 30 years to build his gable-with-shed style barn. Photographers from around the world stop by the Moulton barns to capture this iconic historic structure with the Teton Range in the background.
Oxbow Bend
One mile east of Jackson Lake Junction. Slow-moving water provides habitat for fish such as suckers and trout that become food for river otters, ospreys, bald eagles, American white pelicans and common mergansers. Look for swimming beavers and muskrats. Moose browse on abundant willows at the water's edge. Elk occasionally graze in open aspen groves to the east.
Jackson Lake Dam Overlook
Jackson Lake is a 400 foot-deep natural lake with a dam added on top. The original log-crib dam constructed in 1906-07, failed in 1910. In 1916, the Bureau of Reclamation completed a concrete dam raising the pool level by 39 feet. The increased water level flooded the surrounding forest, drowning many trees. Young men from the Civilian Conservation Corps helped to clear the shores of Jackson Lake and burn the slash piles during the Great Depression. Today, enjoy the views across Jackson Lake or fish in the Snake River below the dam.
Chapel of the Sacred Heart
The Chapel of the Sacred Heart is on Catholic Bay of Jackson Lake. The beautiful chapel was built in 1937 and is recognized by the Teton County Historic Preservation Board as being more than 50 years old. The Catholic Church owns the chapel and usually offers Sunday services during the summer. A picnic area is next to the chapel and offers views of Jackson Lake.
Cathedral Group Turnout
The Cathedral Group refers to three peaks: Teewinot Mountain, the Grand Teton and Mount Owen. These spires tower above Cascade Canyon casting long shadows during a summer sunset. Looking west, the Teton fault breaks the lower slope on Rockchuck Peak recording the last several large earthquakes on the fault. This turnout captures both the beauty of the Teton Range and the power of earthquakes to change the landscape.
Name Origin: Mount Owen, Teewinot Mountain and the Grand Teton form the Cathedral Group. They appear as cathedral-like spires when viewed from the northeast along the Jenny Lake Scenic Loop Drive.
Jenny Lake Overlook
Jenny Lake is the most popular destination in the park. The view across the lake toward Cascade Canyon is stunning. Pleistocene glaciers carved the U-shaped canyon and the basin filled by the lake today. Many people have visited in the past-American Indians, fur trappers, survey expeditions, dude ranchers, car campers and adventurers. The lake is named for a Shoshone Indian woman named Jenny who married a British fur trapper named Richard "Beaver Dick" Leigh. Richard and Jenny assisted the Hayden Survey of 1872 as they mapped and explored the valley. Notice these names as you travel around the park.
Name Origin: Jenny was the Shoshone Indian wife of a British expatriate named Richard "Beaver Dick" Leigh. He moved to the Teton area in 1863 as a fur trapper. Jenny and Beaver Dick assisted the 1872 Hayden expedition - he as their guide, she with camp logistics. The Hayden Expedition named Jenny and Leigh lakes in their honor.
String Lake Loop
Type: Front-Country Hiking
Duration: 2-3 Hours
Reservations: No
Pets: No
Location: String Lake
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
Travel around String Lake on this easy loop trail.