What am I missing in Grand Teton?

Some of those things I take for granted as I have lived here most my life. However. I do love the peacefulness of winter looking up at Mt. Moran while fishing through the ice on Jackson Lake. My blood pressure usually is going up and down, though, depending on whether my fishing pole is going down the 8 in. hole in the ice or.... not.

katleman wrote:

I enjoy Grand Teton, and the views are spectacular, but its one dimensional. So what am I missing?

I'm with you on this but even so I'd never think of going to Yellowstone without also doing a drive down past those Teton Mountains and maybe back again. I could never see them too often.

Drive to the top of Signal Mountain. At the top, there's a small parking area and a few steps up to a viewing platform. You can see for miles. Last time, I watched a hot air balloon go by - below me.
Drive the Jenny Lake Loop Road. There's a turnout that holds about 6 cars. Walk over to Jenny Lake (about 20 feet), sit on a big boulder, just stare at the lake and mountains, and feel your blood pressure drop about 50 points. Even if there are others there, everybody whispers. Maybe the calmest I've ever been.
Yellowstone is great, but very commercial when compared to the Tetons.

I agree with Dornan's for lunch, and especially Leeks Marina for pizza, the latter is a gem, worth seeking out, have enjoyed both.

Will check out the Two Ocean Lake hike.

Also will look into the Tram @ Teton Village and the Gros Ventre slide area, both outside the park proper.

Thanks for the nice list of extras.

We got home last Friday after a 2 week stay in Yellowstone followed by a 2 week stay in Grand Teton. We have been to both Parks about 13 times since the 70's, but this was our longest stay in the area.

Here's a few things which you didn't include in your list:

- Take the Hidden Falls hike again, but continue to Inspiration Point and on into Cascade Canyon. Shortly after Inspiration Point the trail levels out and the views open up with the high mountains on both sides. If the snow hasn't melted yet, there will be string falls cascading down the mountain sides. Hike in as far as you can, but don't miss the last boat back.
- The rodeo in Jackson
- White water rafting on the Snake River
- Take the Tram at the Teton Village ski area for great views of the Jackson Hole valley and to the west to the high peaks in Idaho.
- Have lunch on the outside deck at Dornan's just across the river from the Moose Visitor center
- Drive to Schwabacker Landing and hike along the side channel of the Snake to see the several Beaver dams and the beaver lodge.
- Between the pull out for Oxbow Bend and Jackson Lake Junction there is a one mile side road that will take you to Cattleman's Crossing. This is a boat launch location which will allow you to paddle around Oxbow Bend.
- Paddling a boat around on String Lake is also great. Look for fish in the crystal clear water.
- Go to Leeks Marina to have great pizza on the porch overlooking Jackson lake.
- Take Pacific Creek Road up to Two Ocean Lake for a hike away from the crowds.

- A few miles outside the Park is the Gros Ventre slide and Slide Lake. There is a trail on the slide itself and a 1/2 mile further on is the Forest Service Atherton Creek Campground and also a boat launch on the lake.
- About a mile beyond Atherton Creek is a pull off with a stunningly beautiful view of a valley surrounded by red cliffs with the green fields of a horse ranch at the bottom.
- About 4 miles further on is the Forest Service Crystal Creek Campground at the junction of Crystal Creek with the Gros Ventre River. Views of red cliffs and white cliffs across the river. We had site 4, about 15 feet from the rushing river.
- Continue driving as far as you are comfortable on the gravel/dirt road for more great views.

I live 60 miles from there and after reading some of these posts am asking myself, "What am I missing?.

Six summers out here...same opinion. Unless you seriously hike/climb, a couple of days will do it. :) If you just want laid back real camping lots of surrounding NF provide a much better experience IMHO.