Two Ocean Lake, Fall Colors In the Tetons, and lots of Elk

We wanted to make one last fall trip to the Tetons and so after talking with our friends George and Val, we decided to do so. They had actually went there the day before but hadn't seen any elk. Knowing that they hadn't looked in the right place we decided to show them some lesser known places.

Heading into the park, we first stopped at Glacier Point, an overlook pullout above the Snake River Valley. It didn't take long to show them the location of the elk, across the river and and above it on the second terrace. There the elk are easily visible with a good pair of binoculars but out of sight to most of the tourists.

Setting up our Celestron c 90 telescope, we got a fine view of the big bulls and their harems. One huge bull, his neck swollen by mating fury, hormones, had a harem of twenty some cows. He kept his harem herded together and constantly ran back and forth challenging other smaller bulls.

Ever the teacher we invited other's to look through our telescope and most did. One man was hesitant but his wife literally grabbed his arm and pulled him over to take a peek at the herds. We stopped at the other two pull outs and saw more elk. Most people will never buy a telescope but everyone who loves the out of doors should save up and buy a great pair of binoculars.

On the way there we had a surprise as we saw a number of people surrounding a small aspen grove. Inside the grove were a somewhat frightened moose with her calf. People were getting too close and we all thought the moose would charge but she finally decided to lay down. A lady asked Renita what was the difference between a moose and a deer. Renita told her that moose were huge compared to deer and sometimes charged and trampled visitors.

From there we headed toward a lessor know trail head, Two Ocean Lakes. Its a place where I had taken students on field trips, many years ago. Its a place to take a beautiful hike and definitely a place to arm oneself with bells to warn the bears of your approach.

The fall colors were magnificent and while we didn't have time for a hike we made a note to head back there  and dedicate a day to walking from there to Emma Matilda Lake, The area is closed in the spring due to calving elk and numerous grizzly bears hunting the newborn calves).

Crossing Jackson Lake dam we turned up the Signal Mountain road. Narrow but paved it was an easy drive to the top, but it's definitely not for the acrophobic. The road does not have any hairpin signs and they don't bother with guard rails!

Time was running out and so we headed back down to Jackson and then back to Thayne. It had been a day with many blessings, a day surrounded by beautiful fall colors and lots of wildlife. I think this place is as close to heaven as one can get, at least while still breathing! Clear skies