Over 3500 miles, eight states and one province in just under a month. Day 3 was Grand Tetons National Park.

Schwabacher Landing

From the parking lot, hike north along a small channel of the Snake River about 350 yards (320 m) to a large beaver dam. Beaver constantly work to enlarge and reinforce their dams. They are most active around dawn and dusk. When the wind is calm, the pond reflects the central Teton Range framed by spruce and cottonwood trees. At one time, enough water flowed through this channel for boats to launch at Schwabachers Landing. Today, the river has shifted course-preventing boats from accessing the river here.

Snake River Overlook

Ansel Adams photographed this iconic view of the Teton Range and Snake River from roughly this vantage point. The sweep of the Snake River below the sagebrush flats and the high peaks of the Teton Range towering above enthrall all who visit. Today visitors try to capture this image forgetting that trees have grown and the exact location is not known. Below this point, rafters access the Snake River at Deadmans Bar coming downstream from Pacific Creek or continuing on to Moose.

Name Origin: The headwaters for the Snake River are in the Teton Wilderness just outside of Yellowstone National Park. After flowing into Yellowstone briefly, the river cuts through Grand Teton National Park, across Idaho and flows into the Columbia River in Washington.

Previous names include the Lewis River (after Lewis & Clark), La Maudite Riviere Enragee (The Accursed Mad River by French fur trappers), the Mad River, Sho-sho-ne-pah (or Shoshone Indians) that lead to the final name Snake River.

Moose!!

Chapel of the Transfiguration

The Chapel of the Transfiguration is next to the Menors Ferry Historic District. Maud Noble donated the land to St. John's Episcopal Church in 1925. The chapel served employees and guests from the nearby dude ranches. Today, one of the park's classic views is through the altar window framing the Grand Teton beyond. The chapel usually offers Sunday services during the summer.