Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Want to experience fresh air, stunning views and nature’s finest beasts? Take yourself to Wyoming, NOW! Yes. Wyoming, the state no one thought about until Kanye built homes there. Well, at least no one I know was ever talking about Wyoming. Let me tell you, Wyoming was not high on my radar until I got there. A spontaneous road trip from California to New Jersey was taking me through the northern states and I knew that Yellow Stone National Park was “up there somewhere” (waves hand in the air). Honestly, I did not know Yellowstone was in WY until I put it in the GPS. I also had no clue the Grand Teton mountain range was along the way.
We stayed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and adventured to The Grand Teton National Park. In the center of Jackson Hole’s tiny town, sits a park square surrounded by various restaurants, outfitters, and general stores. Think Western, rugged mountain vibes. Jackson Hole is a popular ski town in the winter and a convenient home base for exploring Grand Teton National Park year-round. Camping, water activities, hiking and skiing, Jackson Hole has it all!
When you visit Jackson Hole make sure you check-in to The Cloudveil Luxury Hotel. Enoy the balance between contemporary luxury and mountain serenity as you explore Grand Teton. We were not expecting to experience low temperatures in June but when we arrived, the 40-degree air was crisp, and snow could be seen on the mountain peaks. Coming from California, Nevada, and hot ass Utah, we had to gear up at a local REI before our mountain excursion.
Jenny Lake
Unfortunately, Yellowstone National Park was closed due to extreme flooding, so we extended our stay at The Cloudveil to soak up the peaceful, rustic ambiance. We decided to visit Jenny Lake, a sparkling clear lake that sits at the base of the Teton Range. Jenny Lake is the second largest glacial lake in Grand Teton and probably the clearest lake in Wyoming. Many popular trails leave from Jenny Lake, giving visitors options. Don’t feel like hiking? Take the ferry instead! For just $18 you can ride the ferry roundtrip and enjoy the views from the boat. There were many places around the lake to sit and enjoy the view as well. Opting for the 7-mile hike that went around the entire lake, we got to see the change in scenery from dense woods to rocky cliffs. The trail itself was easy and did not require any climbing, making it fit for all ages. The loop took us past Hidden Falls, a 100ft cascading waterfall.
Without a doubt, this was one of my favorite hikes! Wyoming is what I envision when I think of “the wilderness”! Tall pine trees, snow-capped mountains, and wild moose are things I did not know I was missing. This area is home to bears, moose, buffalo, bison and even elk! We were fortunate enough to see a moose up close, having lunch under some trees. Vibing out in nature in great company was just the day we needed after driving for so long.
The entire hike took us about 4 hours to complete. This includes breaks, photo shoots and playing on rocks. Nothing like having zero cell phone service in the middle of the woods, completely immersed in peace and tranquility. Those feelings of peace and accomplishment are what I try to bring with me out of the forests and into the rest of my days.
After 3 days in Wyoming, I am already planning my next visit! Next time, I will fly into Jackson Hole and seek out more hikes in Grand Teton National Park. From there, head up to Yellowstone, the world’s first national park. I might even test my skills and seek out a multi-day hike. Stay tuned!